Amp switcher experts

[Findthetone1]

I have a PS-100 on the way and am trying to work things through in my head. Is there a way to run multiple amps via an amp switcher into just the 1 PS-100?
The setup would be 2 head/cab combos and 1 combo amp. How would the cable routing work with just the 1 output on the PS-100?

 

[T Wilcox]

I have a PS-100 on the way and am trying to work things through in my head. Is there a way to run multiple amps via an amp switcher into just the 1 PS-100?
The setup would be 2 head/cab combos and 1 combo amp. How would the cable routing work with just the 1 output on the PS-100?

I use a KHE 8 amp x 4 cab switcher and it has an insert loop for the PS-100 style attenuator to do just what you are asking. I think its labeled S1.
Not sure if any other switchers have that option
https://www.khe-audioelectronics.com/Scroll down the above link and check the diagram for the boss waza TAE. That would be the same setup

 

[War_in_D]

Same with the DeLisle 8x8 Deluxe that I have. There is an attenuator loop where you can plug in something like the PS, OX, etc..

 

[Findthetone1]

Ok. Thanks. Looks like more money to sepend down the road....

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Yup, you can do that. Just make sure whichever switcher you get has an attenuator loop. I use a DeLisle 8x8 deluxe like War_in_D that has one. Many of their other models do as well. And of course Ampete and KHE also have several models with an attenuator loop.

Basically the amp in and speaker out on the PS-100 go to the attenuator in/out on the amp switcher. That puts the attenuator between the signal path of the amps and speakers within the switcher.

The best part of using the PS-100 and switcher like that is you can use the PS-100 FX loop to share your pedalboard between all the amps.

A setup like this can be a bit expensive, but trust me it's worth every penny for the convenience when you have multiple amps and cabs.

*Edit* I forgot to mention that Delisle has a 3 amp & 3 cab switcher with attenuator loop for $289 that sound like it'll fit your current setup. Though if you plan on getting more amps or cabs you'd be better to save for something with more slots.

 

[Findthetone1]

The best part of using the PS-100 and switcher like that is you can use the PS-100 FX loop to share your pedalboard between all the amps.

This, I didn't think about and really solidifies my decision to go the switcher route.
Thanks!

 

[chrismilne]

If i have multiple combo's and want to be able to to mix/match the head/cab parts, yet still run it as normal when i want, is there any downsides? i.e. i have a fender princeton now (and maybe someday get a Bartel) and i want to take have the princeton speaker out go to the amp switcher with a female-to-female connector from the speaker cable, and the speaker out of the amp to go to the switcher. Then if i want, i can use them as a unit by setting the switcher to match them, or split them to a bigger cab for the prince or a smaller cab for some other head..

 

[MadAsAHatter]

As long as you disconnect the speaker from the amp in the combo and run it all through the switcher there should be no real issues. It'll work the same as if they were in separate housings. The only thing to double check is any ohm mismatches that are too far apart or you're not comfortable with.

 

[chrismilne]

Thanks MadAsAHatter!

Are there any switchers with the above functionality of the attenuator on/off but allow dual cabs? Any workflows that allow this type of flexibility and allow dual amp and cabs? Trying to plan it out...

 

[T Wilcox]

Thanks MadAsAHatter!

Are there any switchers with the above functionality of the attenuator on/off but allow dual cabs? Any workflows that allow this type of flexibility and allow dual amp and cabs? Trying to plan it out...

The KHE allows you to run dual cabs

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I've routed a handful of amps through a KHE amp switcher, and I just plugged my Suhr Reactive Load into the "Cab 1" Output of the KHE. You could absolutely just plug the cab output of any amp switcher to the input of your PS-100 and it should work great. If you want to run multiple cabs along with an attenuator, then yeah you'd need to use the KHE's "attenuator loop" which is what that function was built for.

If you only need to switch between two amps, there are cheaper options, like the Radial Headbone VT, which lets you swap between two heads into one cab. It even has remote switching capability so you don't have to run it all the way out to your pedalboard.

The KHE allows you to run dual cabs

I wish it allowed for dual amps to be run in stereo, hah. Maybe one day.

 

[T Wilcox]

I've routed a handful of amps through a KHE amp switcher, and I just plugged my Suhr Reactive Load into the "Cab 1" Output of the KHE. You could absolutely just plug the cab output of any amp switcher to the input of your PS-100 and it should work great. If you want to run multiple cabs, then yeah you'd need to use the KHE's "attenuator loop" but you could still easily do it.

If you only need to switch between two amps, there are cheaper options, like the Radial Headbone VT, which lets you swap between two heads into one cab. It even has remote switching capability so you don't have to run it all the way out to your pedalboard.



I wish it allowed for dual amps to be run in stereo, hah. Maybe one day.

It would be awesome if they offered that feature!
I run my Suhr RL>FX loop(EQ, delay and Reverb)>power amp in the S1 attenuator loop of the KHE so the Suhr is my master volume and the FX loop is shared for all amps.
The only problem with my setup is if you mix 15watt amps with 100watt amps you will have volume mis-match between them when switching. I lower the master on the higher wattage amps to match volumes but if they rely on power section saturation this can be a problem.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Thanks MadAsAHatter!

Are there any switchers with the above functionality of the attenuator on/off but allow dual cabs? Any workflows that allow this type of flexibility and allow dual amp and cabs? Trying to plan it out...

KHE and DeLisle have models that will run 2 cabs at once and have an attenuator loop. The main difference is between them is switching functionality. KHE has midi switching capabilities. DeLisle uses analog switching with a rotary dial.

Unfortunately no units have the ability to run 2 heads at once.

 

[chrismilne]

KHE and DeLisle have models that will run 2 cabs at once and have an attenuator loop. The main difference is between them is switching functionality. KHE has midi switching capabilities. DeLisle uses analog switching with a rotary dial.

Unfortunately no units have the ability to run 2 heads at once.

Thanks, i'll look through De Lisle's offerings again, i thought the bigger ones with the attenuator loop were all single cab (i don't need midi, i believe KHE's stuff is more $)

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Thanks, i'll look through De Lisle's offerings again, i thought the bigger ones with the attenuator loop were all single cab (i don't need midi, i believe KHE's stuff is more $)

For DeLisle it's the Pro Plus models that have extension speaker capabilities. Two of the even have a built in attenuator and can also use an external attenuator if you wanted to run a different one. The 4x4 is the smaller ones.
If you don't need MIDI and are good with using a rotary dial for amp speaker selection I find you get more for your money with DeLisle.

4x4 pro plus
https://www.delisleguitar.com/shop/de-lisle-amp-speaker-selector-4x4-pro-plus/
4x4 pro plus w/ built in attenuator
https://www.delisleguitar.com/shop/...lector-4x4-pro-plus-with-reactive-attenuator/

 

[chrismilne]

Great, thanks again, looking for something like that but hopefully cheaper (or at least 8x6 or 8x8 at that price but without fx loops per channel). On their website most of the higher end models have the fx loop which I think drives the prices up). I don't need midi either. Will keep looking around.

 

[Mikeyboyeee]

I'm relatively happy with my DeLisle 4x4 deluxe. 2 cabs at once would be nice but easy enough to manually add a 2nd cab if need be.
I use it with my PS 100 and my HXFX in the loop insert.

 

[chrismilne]

Probably off the deep end, but i've been thinking about doing something like getting a second (used) Fryette PS or a Waza TAE and use two 4x4 de lisle units instead of a large 8x8, so that i can easily run dual amps and stereo setups. I know i will lose the full pairing of amp to cab, but i could get what i want 90%+ by picking which amps/cabs go to which of the 4x4 switchers. At the end of my pedal board i would have to use my A/B/Y to split to both de lisle units, then from the fx send of each of the attenuator loopers (fryette or waza) then into my pedal boards stereo fx (mod, delay, verb) then back to each of the fryette/waza returns. Now i should have stereo, attenuated amp with stereo fx. I only have one Two Notes CAB M though, so i would have to determine how to get stereo direct signals unless i went with the waza solution for one side. Anyone ever try a setup like that? Also, might i run into noise issues (ground loops, etc)?

 

[panhead]

I did it with the radial when it first came out, I think it lasted a week. After all the cords it takes etc, I was like what the fuck am I doing all this for just to play the guitar?