| Author |
Topic: What's the best way to hook up to two amps? |
George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
|
Posted 19 Sep 2013 7:55 pm |
|
The simplest would be to just go out the 2nd jack on the volume pedal to the 2nd amp, but is this the best way? When I was in Jeff Newman's class, he simply had a cable going from the un-used input of the first amp into the input of the 2nd amp. He was running a small amount of chorus on one amp and leaving the other amp clean. What about delay? Run on both amps or just one?
Currently, I am going guitar > Lil Izzy > Black Box > amp. Volume pedal is run through pre EQ patch (3 cord hookup) I am not sure how to handle a 2nd amp in the chain. Any suggestions or ideas are more than welcome. |
|
|
 |
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 19 Sep 2013 9:04 pm
|
|
Jeff's way works, and well.
You didn't say what kind of amps you have. If I were to run my Super Twin and my Session 500 (because a Super Twin needs help?), I'd run the line out of the Fender into the power amp input of the Peavey, so everything has tube preamp, with any second channel effects on the line to the Peavey.
If Were doing any other configuration, I'd either use Jeff's, or a second output from the volume pedal.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 3:31 am
|
|
I would agree with Lane, if you have a line out on the back, run it to the power amp input, if available. Cleaner sound, and bypasses the preamp on the second amp. First amp pretty much controls the second. In that configuration, the second amps master volume would probably still work, set that control on both amps the same.
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
|
|
|
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 4:02 am
|
|
Scott, what if the amp with better tone doesn't have a line out (my seafoam green Twin), or (like my LTD and session 500) you like the sounds of BOTH preamps?
If I wanted the Twin and something, I'd daisy chain off the inputs.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Mark Draycott R.I.P.
From:
Portland, OR
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 5:37 am
|
|
I use a CE-3 Boss stereo chorus pedal. You don't have to have the effect on, and you still get a signal split. A bit of light chorus sounds good too. I would think a Stereo Reverb would do the same thing and maybe have more useful sounds for steel.
_________________
1976 Sho-Bud Pro II, 1976 Sho-Bud LDG, BF Fender Deluxe, Evans FET 500 LV, BF Princeton Reverb, '68 Vibrolux Reverb |
|
|
|
Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 6:38 am
|
|
That's why I said "if" it has those inputs and outputs.
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
|
|
|
Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 7:20 am
|
|
I run stereo as often as possible.
When I use two amps (instead of using the Stereo Steel head), the first thing I use is either a 3-to-2 adapter or better yet and Hum-X on the power cord of one amp to get rid of the buzz from the ground loop.
My standard chain is Steel, Volume Pedal, Boss RV-3 (or some other effects unit with Stereo outputs), then out to the two amps using the RV-3's stereo outputs.
If you use a buffer like a Black Box or similar, put it between the Steel and Volume pedal.
I think of chaining one amp to the other (by using an extra input jack) as "Dual Mono" rather than Stereo, but that's cetainly one way to do it. |
|
|
|
Pete Nicholls
From:
Macon, Georgia, USA
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 9:27 am How I use two Roland Amps with one guitar
|
|
| Pete Nicholls wrote: |
I thought I would take some photos and post my setup as it may be useful for someone else. I can tell you that I am totally satisfied with the two amp approach and this setup works with no noise and no problems. Look at the labels in the photo to see how the approx 1.5"x3" plastic box is wired on the inside.
 |
_________________
Justice The Judge SD-10, 2007
Justice Pro Lite SD-10, 2011
Quilter Steelaire
Quilter Labs Tone Block 202 Head
Roland Cube 80-XL
American Stratocaster - Yamaha Bass Guitar
1 Fender Telecaster Nashville Edition
Ham Call: N4BHB |
|
|
|
George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 12:47 pm How's the best way to hook up two amps?
|
|
Great answers. I would never have thought about going into the power amp in on the 2nd amp. I will do some experimenting. The amps I have right now is a Peavey 112, an Evans FET 500 LV, and I have a Peavey 1000 that will be coming in next week.
The Evans does not have any extra's at all except an external speaker out on the back. For right now, I will try going to the Evans first, then out of the extra input jack and into the 112 power amp in and see how that works. I will then try going from the two outputs on the volume pedals to each amp and then try going from one amp to the other with the single cord from the input of the Evans to the input of the 112.
When the 1000 comes in, I will pick it or the 112 as the one that I think sounds best, then use that amp as the main feed and the other amp as a "slave" and see how that sounds. I like the sound of the 112 but don't like the lack of horsepower. Maybe the 112 can drive the 1000 for more umph.
Should I go post eq preamp out on the 112 to the power amp in on the 1000? Would this make the 1000 sound like the 112 to a large degree?
I have never run two amps before, so all this is new to me. I'm excited to see what kind of a sound I get. I just don't want to hook something up wrong and ruin an amp or maybe two.
Thanks, and I will post again after I have experimented.
George |
|
|
|
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 1:04 pm
|
|
Running from the second input jack to the power amp input won't help. The power amp needs a line level signal.
My Evans had a line out on the back.
I would run the 112 from the second input jack of the Evans into the instrument jack of the 112.
OR, turn the Evans pregain way down, feed its second instrument input with the line out of the 112.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 6:37 pm
|
|
All great suggestions that work well. I like Lane's method of bypassing the pre of a SS amp and using the tube amp first (if amps are notably different). Stereo effects arent heard through a mono PA, but if I used two amps on stage I think I'd rather hear them in stereo as Pete suggests. I'm not a big fan of chorus particularly, but reverb sounds twice as good in stereo. I would split outputs from my RV-3 left and right to the amps. I've tried this before with chorus or reverb, and a ground lift or canceller is usually required on one amp as Pete states. Preferably the amps would be identical and light (haha @ Super Twin/Sess500  ). |
|
|
|
Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
|
Posted 20 Sep 2013 7:23 pm
|
|
Yes, The Stereo factor is mainly for the Steel Players "surround sound" factor.
I love that sound and the way it feels while playing. |
|
|
|
Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
|
Posted 21 Sep 2013 12:05 am
|
|
Tom Brumely set up a pair of big Peavey amps tilted back in a "V" pointed at him, and drove them with the stereo outputs of his effects rig, I believe he ran the guitar / vp to one amp, using the pre and controls on that amp that amp, then ran to his effects rack from that amp's effects loop output. The stereo return from the effects rack was then returned to the effects loop inputs of BOTH amps, one receiving the left signal and the other the right.
Some stereo effects processors have suitable impedance and level controls to plug directly into both amps, using the separate controls of each amp to tweak that side. |
|
|
|
Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
|
Posted 21 Sep 2013 4:31 am
|
|
Pete, that's how us ham operators do it!
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
|
|
|
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 21 Sep 2013 5:46 am
|
|
If I were to do this regularly, I'd put a line out on the twin, and use my Session 500 as the second channel (or could the line out of a Super Twin function as a line in? I see no reason to use two preamps, and the Twin has a slightly better tone)
Also, why the resistors? And why THREE?
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
|
Posted 21 Sep 2013 7:10 am
|
|
OK, I'm running an old Session 400 and a Session 500, both from the #2 input, into a Profex ll...I'm using a L120 Goodrich VP, going from the furthest back output into the front of the Profex ll...suggestions? or is that all I can do...BTW, I like how it sounds, as the two amps do sound better then one.
Thanks, Dale
_________________
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
https://www.youtube.com/@steelinatune
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com |
|
|
|
Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
|
Posted 21 Sep 2013 7:51 am
|
|
The resistors keep the loading effects down on the inputs and outputs.
See http://www.rane.com/note109.html
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
|
|
|
David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
|
Posted 21 Sep 2013 3:34 pm
|
|
One of the main reasons to use two amps in the first place is that the variant output tones supposedly compensate for each other's perceived tonal weaknesses - smoothing the "hills and valleys" in the curve. So even if one preamp sounds "better" than the other, I'd try 'em with the signal chains separated too. And if possible, go out into the room or venue and listen while somebody else strums a few on your fiddle... and Lane, I actually ran a Super Twin off the back of a Roland Jazz Chorus 120 for a while, with the chorus on just enough to stereo-tize everything. But I later found out I could de-laminate drywall with the Fender alone - those little white "puffs" off the nailheads are a message, man...  |
|
|
|
Jack Stripling
From:
Pasadena, Texas USA
|
Posted 24 Sep 2013 5:50 am twin nashville 400's
|
|
I run both outputs from the Goodrich pedal. I use a hum x on one amp, and reverb on both not quite halfway.
My legrande sounds great this way. and its simple...
just wait till the Fox mods are in... |
|
|
|
Jack Stripling
From:
Pasadena, Texas USA
|
Posted 25 Sep 2013 9:34 am 2 amps...
|
|
Steel players are like structural engineers.
ask 10, and get 10 different answers.... |
|
|
|
Ollin Landers
From:
Willow Springs, NC
|
Posted 25 Sep 2013 12:45 pm
|
|
I have two Cube 80XL amps. I actually bought the second to stay at the bands rehearsal space. I haven't found a need (yet) for both on a job since we mic everything for the big gigs. And one of the driving factors for me is the less I carry in the less I have to keep up with, not to mention my back thanks me.
The only time I ever considered using the second amp was when we played a gig with an odd stage setup. Then it would only have been used as a monitor for the keyboard and guitar player on the other side of the stage. I always assumed I would just run the line out to power amp in of the second amp as earlier suggested. Particularly if it's only for onstage sound and not front of house.
In case I wanted to use two amps for an effect like chorus or just to move more air what would be the difference in line out/line in and the split signal method?
_________________
Zum SD-12 Black, Zum SD-12 Burly Elm Several B-Bender Tele's and a lot of other gear I can't play.
I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted. W.C. Fields |
|
|
|
Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
|
Posted 25 Sep 2013 3:34 pm
|
|
| Ollin Landers wrote: |
| ...what would be the difference in line out/line in and the split signal method? |
Chorus is a modulated signal added to the original signal. When using two amps one can be clean and a line out sent to the other with chorus added. The effect will work with chorus on one side only, or even with both amps chorused in mono (chorus on the first amp sent to the second).
A stereo chorus has equal but opposite waveforms coming from two outputs. When each amp is fed the separate left and right outputs of a stereo chorus, the effect is much more pronounced and creates a fuller three dimensional effect. |
|
|
|
