2 Amps Simultaneously vs. 1 Amp?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ibanez4life SZ!
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ibanez4life SZ!

ibanez4life SZ!

Well-known member
Hey guys!

I'm just curious what people around here are doing for their main sounds.

From my experience, 2 amps tend to sound 'bigger', but there are times where I feel like I am getting better control of the amp's dynamics when just running 1.

Let's see where the discussion goes...I'm curious to hear your experiences!

Eric
 
I ran two amps at once for a while, it sounded huge as long as you dialed the amps in two work well with each other and the overall band mix. I've since scaled down to one amp that sounds about 98% as big because in the end I felt stereo half stacks was a little much for my application.
 
Seems like you might be having trouble finding an amp to blend with your roadster? Maybe focus more on running a stereo rig with just the mesa. You could slave it out to a 2:90 and run multiple cabs with stereo fx. :thumbsup:
 
The most sought after tones in history was recorded with one amp. Just sayin'. :yes:
 
The general consensus of people who have tried it seems is that Two amps matched well in stereo ALWAYS sound better than one amp.

I have no experience however.
 
I like running 2 amps. My roadster and 50 caliber, or mesa roadster and peavey ultra plus. and i like slaving the roadster out to a 2:100 poweramp.
 
I've found two amps work best if each has different speaker types. For instance, if both amps are using V30s they step all over each other.
 
I used to do it back when I played more blues/bluesy rock/funk and I think it can give you a really big sound when using clean and lower gain tones. I would use two amps together but not in stereo. Conversely, I don't care for it as much with hard rock/metal tones, but stereo (whether two amps or a stereo power amp) seems to work pretty well in that environment, YMMV.
 
I agree that it generally sounds bigger, and gives more of a "wall of sound".

But, it is a pain in the ass to get right, and do correctly without problems, so I normally don't bother with it.
 
ibanez4life SZ!":2khe9b5c said:
Hey guys!

I'm just curious what people around here are doing for their main sounds.

From my experience, 2 amps tend to sound 'bigger', but there are times where I feel like I am getting better control of the amp's dynamics when just running 1.

Let's see where the discussion goes...I'm curious to hear your experiences!

Eric
Click to expand...

If you run two amps together, be mindful of the possibility that they will be out of phase with each other.

Cheers,
Mike
 
2 amps is awesome. I do it alot at home and when I record. But its too much work for everyday giggin.
 
For those running 2 amps, how are you doing it? If you are not slaving, what are you using to split the signal?

I have always wanted to try my Ric360's 2 outputs into 2 amps just for kicks....
 
blackba":2zlp6qsj said:
For those running 2 amps, how are you doing it?
Click to expand...

My particular solution is a bit complicated for a couple of reasons:

I use a multi-amp/wd/d/wd setup, and the effects are driven by the selected amp via the amp selector and switching system and the way that they're routed together/separated from each other, utilizing a Line mixer...

Each amp utilizes the same cabinet

All pedals are routed to the front of whichever amp is selected, and the rack gear is driven by the selected amp, then passed to a stereo power amp--which runs 2 separate cabs. I setup the rig for versatility and flexibility so as to be able to run several configurations

Mono
Dual Mono w/d
Stereo
w/d/w
wd/d/wd
d/d/d

zachschematic.jpg



blackba":2zlp6qsj said:
If you are not slaving, what are you using to split the signal?
Click to expand...

CAE Amp Selector, CAE Audio Switcher, CAE Stereo Line Mixer

blackba":2zlp6qsj said:
I have always wanted to try my Ric360's 2 outputs into 2 amps just for kicks....
Click to expand...
 
blackba":1bh6z7vd said:
For those running 2 amps, how are you doing it? If you are not slaving, what are you using to split the signal?

I have always wanted to try my Ric360's 2 outputs into 2 amps just for kicks....
Click to expand...
Radial and Lehle have some cool switchers and splitters too
 
blackba":4nditb1c said:
For those running 2 amps, how are you doing it? If you are not slaving, what are you using to split the signal?

I have always wanted to try my Ric360's 2 outputs into 2 amps just for kicks....
Click to expand...

I used a Radial Big Shot ABY.
 
I always wanted to do a "Y" rig where the second amp is your 'lead overdrive'.

Basically, one amp is always on. Then, when you want to play a solo you hit the button and, "BAM"... the second amp comes on and you get an in your face lead tone with zero thinning out of the main tone.

The only problem I've had with it is that turning the second amp off after the solo is done a saddening experience.
 
I did some shuffling around last night and came up with a great HUGE sound:

Guitar-->Ernie Ball passive volume pedal-->VooDoo Labs Amp Selector-->

CH1. Hughes & Kettner Switchblade into Marshall 1960A (Effects on when needed)
CH2. Splawn Quick Rod into Marshall 1960B (Dry)
CH3. Diezel VH4 into Crate 4 x 12 with G12T-75's in the top & V30's in the bottom.
CH4. Jet City JCA100H into Fender HM412 (Dry) (Not sure what speakers are in there--may change this out)

I may swap a couple things--trade the JCA for the JVM410H or the Vintage Modern, and maybe the Switchblade for the TriAmp MK II, just so I can MIDI-control more of it instead of having to use up preset switches with instant access. Will have to insert the XPression in the loop somewhere for effects.

With all four on the sound is KILLER. The Diezel handles the lows, the JCA handles the highs, and the Splawn handles the mids--the Switchblade is there for effect and color.

:rock:
 
Depends on the application IMO. Live with one guitar player? Sure, that can work well and definitely thicken up your sound. With two guitar players? Generally doesn't work very easily and IME more trouble than it's worth but if you're playing big enough venues with a good soundman then sure. Recording with two different amps? Can definitely work.
 
Would it be possible to run an amplifier in stereo with Axe FX modelers, but have the amplifier run through Axe FX for effects?
 
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