2 preamps, 1 stereo power amp. How do you do it?

[VESmedic]

If you want to run both at the same time? Do you need a switcher such as the gcx or RG 16? Just curious, was reading about people running the peavey rockmaster and Engl E530 together through a stereo poweramp such as the VHT 2/90/2. Thanks

 

[petejt]

If you want to run both at the same time? Do you need a switcher such as the gcx or RG 16? Just curious, was reading about people running the peavey rockmaster and Engl E530 together through a stereo poweramp such as the VHT 2/90/2. Thanks

Why would you need a switcher?



Just split your signal either with a stereo pedal (e.g. chorus, delay), or an A/B/Y box. Run the outputs to each preamp. Then simply connect the outputs of the preamps to the inputs of the stereo poweramp, e.g. the Rockmaster to the Left input and the e350 to the Right input. Connect the outputs of the stereo poweramp to the speakers of your choice.

It's a piece of piss

 

[VESmedic]

If you want to run both at the same time? Do you need a switcher such as the gcx or RG 16? Just curious, was reading about people running the peavey rockmaster and Engl E530 together through a stereo poweramp such as the VHT 2/90/2. Thanks

Why would you need a switcher?



Just split your signal either with a stereo pedal (e.g. chorus, delay), or an A/B/Y box. Run the outputs to each preamp. Then simply connect the outputs of the preamps to the inputs of the stereo poweramp, e.g. the Rockmaster to the Left input and the e350 to the Right input. Connect the outputs of the stereo poweramp to the speakers of your choice.

It's a piece of piss

Well, I guess I just have this conceived notion that splitting your signal is never a good idea when you do it the "cheap" way (ABY, stereo delay pedal etc). I dunno, guess I am wrong ????

 

[petejt]

Well, I guess I just have this conceived notion that splitting your signal is never a good idea when you do it the "cheap" way (ABY, stereo delay pedal etc). I dunno, guess I am wrong ????

How else would you split your signal up?


If you're splitting your signal into 6 paths for say a crazy multi-parallel effects setup or running 6 amp heads at once, using a bunch of stereo pedals or A/B/Y boxes- then yeah that would be cheap. But just splitting it once into Left & Right with a stereo pedal is not cheap at all.

 

[VESmedic]

Well, I guess I just have this conceived notion that splitting your signal is never a good idea when you do it the "cheap" way (ABY, stereo delay pedal etc). I dunno, guess I am wrong ????

How else would you split your signal up?


If you're splitting your signal into 6 paths for say a crazy multi-parallel effects setup or running 6 amp heads at once, using a bunch of stereo pedals or A/B/Y boxes- then yeah that would be cheap. But just splitting it once into Left & Right with a stereo pedal is not cheap at all.

I see what your saying. I just thought, compared to running both preamps through an audio switcher (RJM, or GCX for example) that using an unbuffered stereo pedal would result in tone loss. I mean, you don't see the "big boys" using a stereo delay pedal to run 2 amps, you know what I mean?

 

[petejt]

I see what your saying. I just thought, compared to running both preamps through an audio switcher (RJM, or GCX for example) that using an unbuffered stereo pedal would result in tone loss. I mean, you don't see the "big boys" using a stereo delay pedal to run 2 amps, you know what I mean?

Pardon my french but who gives a flying rat's arse what those big boys use? . I just use what I use, it works and that's how I like it. . Others can do whatever they choose, they can jump in the lake in the middle of winter or go for a paddle in shark-infested waters off the beach while playing their guitars, if they want.

Personally I use a chorus pedal just as a splitter. And yes it's buffered.


Running a string of buffered pedals together, or a string of true-bypass pedals together- will result in tone loss. Running any amount of pedals in series between your guitar an amp will result in some tone loss, unless you use a looper. Anything between your guitar and amp/s that you aren't constantly using will cause tone loss. If you're not switching between the preamps, why have them in a switcher?
A mix of true-bypass and buffered pedals works fine. And anyway, a lot of stereo delay pedals (like Boss) are buffered anyway.

 

[threadkiller]

I ran this set up with an mp-1 and a mesa triaxis into a stereo power amp. I used a radial bigshot a/b/y. It works fine. There is no tone loss through this a/b/y which is passive and extremely well made. There is a slight decrease in signal by splitting the signal. I assume each side gets half of the signal but when I listened to each preamp individually plugged in direct vs through the a/b switch I only noticed a very slight decrease in volume, certainly not a halfing of the volume, and the tone was identical. In the Y position with both preamps going there was plenty of signal to drive them both and if you notice any loss just turn your level up on your preamp a bit. No worries running this set up with a good a/b/y. In fact, if you want my bigshot a/b/y send me a pm. It was a massive sounding rig, but I got tired of having to tweak both preamps and scroll through digital menus on 2 preamps to tweak for room dynamics and stuff.

 

[Filter500]

If you're concerned about channel switching and effects switching without tapdancing then you'll need more than a good aby box (active Radial). Something like the GCX you mentioned...

 

[Anonymous]

i thought zakk uses a (among other things) stereo chorus feeding 2 800 heads

 

[Shark Diver]

I mean, you don't see the "big boys" using a stereo delay pedal to run 2 amps, you know what I mean?

Not true. Lots of major artist use fx pedals to split their signal. But if you're that concerned with it an Axess B2 splitter is amount the best.

 

[petejt]

i thought zakk uses a (among other things) stereo chorus feeding 2 800 heads

Yup that's correct.

 

[Stone Heavy Sound]

Filter 500 made a good point. I would suggest the Radial Switchbone to split your guitar into two preamps. It'll be much more effective than a passive box. I use lots of radial gear, and it's excellent quality and built to last.

 

[Spaceboy]

Well, I guess I just have this conceived notion that splitting your signal is never a good idea when you do it the "cheap" way (ABY, stereo delay pedal etc). I dunno, guess I am wrong ????

How else would you split your signal up?


If you're splitting your signal into 6 paths for say a crazy multi-parallel effects setup or running 6 amp heads at once, using a bunch of stereo pedals or A/B/Y boxes- then yeah that would be cheap. But just splitting it once into Left & Right with a stereo pedal is not cheap at all.

I see what your saying. I just thought, compared to running both preamps through an audio switcher (RJM, or GCX for example) that using an unbuffered stereo pedal would result in tone loss. I mean, you don't see the "big boys" using a stereo delay pedal to run 2 amps, you know what I mean?

The Kerry King EQ pedal was built with stereo output for a comparable function. There's nothing wrong with passive ABY switches.

 

[killertone]

Radial JX2 and never look back. Best A/B box ever made.