Is Synergy really that good?

[Apex1Rg7X]

Recently got into a Synergy system. Started with a Syn-1 and quickly grabbed a Syn-2. I'm running that through a Fryette 2/50/2 power amp. I currently have the SLO-II and Ultra Lead modules and honestly love it so far. I guess it depends on your mindset going into it. Does the Synergy rig sound amazing as it is, or do you constantly feel the need to compare it to the real amp? I'm at the point where I don't need multiple $3-4K+ heads to play at home. These do the job and honestly sound as good or better than many of the expensive amps I've had over the years.

 

[stratjacket]

One of the most frustrating things about the Synergy system in general is not because of anything Synergy did directly, but rather how the rest of the guitar industry has evolved around it.

Almost every awesome standalone poweramp ever made was made as a goddamn stereo only amp. WHY.

The closest thing I’ve seen to a high wattage mono tube amp still made these days is the Fryette PS-100, but it doesn’t have big iron.

Take a look at KSR power amps. They’re mono and have great features; depth, presence and NFB and choice of tubes. Eddy front panel bias with only a small flat head screw driver (no need for multi meter). Sounds massive

 

[stratjacket]

I've had the FM3 for several years and through headphones, I've never heard better tone but I have yet to get this to translate to the room. It sounds good in the room, just not as good as my tube amps.. or even my Katana. If I could ever find a solution to get that headphone tone in the room, I'd sell all my amps.

What were you listening through in the room?

Investing in a great set of Studio Monitors is a big step. I went round and round with it for years. Finally about 5 years ago I had all this nice gear and thought instead of buying another high end amp I should get something that translates better.

So I decided to bite the bullet and bought an open box set of Focal Trio BE monitors for about $5k. That was above what I was wanting to pay, but the results were worth it. It was tough to swallow to spend that much on studio monitors when I could have gotten a Wizard or something, but I have no questions about what I’m hearing, it’s not the monitors if it sounds off.

 

[ewill52]

I've got the rack and the 20IR - i can bring them over! Plus Josh just got an 83' JCM800.....AMP DAY!!!

 

[romanianreaper]

This is one reason I have been liking ToneX over traditional modelers. I just capture my own tube sounds, and get the tone in a digital format.

I almost went that route. You and I have always been in the same general arena tone wise since the HC days. Usually if there is something you like, i'm fairly convinced I will like it as well

 

[romanianreaper]

Big fan of the Synergy system. I have two Syn 2’s in my home rack set-up, a Syn20ir and nine modules. I have multiple power amps and cabs to run everything through and my system couldn’t be more versatile. It may not be right for everyone but I love the system.

So as a 20IR user, I'm curious what you like with the 20IR versus the Syn 2s, etc. I really like the 20IR and feels like it has all of the things I'd need.

 

[War_in_D]

I've got the rack and the 20IR - i can bring them over! Plus Josh just got an 83' JCM800.....AMP DAY!!!

Sounds like a plan!

 

[Shask]

I almost went that route. You and I have always been in the same general arena tone wise since the HC days. Usually if there is something you like, i'm fairly convinced I will like it as well

I am surprised I like ToneX and NAM as much as I do after being a Fractal and Line 6 user for years. They just have that thing in the dynamics that was always off before. I didn't expect it, but it has changed my whole way of thinking on gear. I never thought I would enjoy playing direct through a computer.

 

[srommes]

So as a 20IR user, I'm curious what you like with the 20IR versus the Syn 2s, etc. I really like the 20IR and feels like it has all of the things I'd need.

The Syn2’s I keep in my studio only monster rack. I like that I can run them through various amps and cabs to get just about any sound I can think of.
I got a smoking deal on the 20ir with a free 800 module so I picked that up a few months ago. I like how versatile it is with the three voicings, IR’s and it is a perfect solution for jamming with friends, small to medium venues etc, running to front of hoise and recording. I’m running a BE Deluxe in it now and that gives me three channels that cover a lot of territory.

 

[romanianreaper]

The Syn2’s I keep in my studio only monster rack. I like that I can run them through various amps and cabs to get just about any sound I can think of.
I got a smoking deal on the 20ir with a free 800 module so I picked that up a few months ago. I like how versatile it is with the three voicings, IR’s and it is a perfect solution for jamming with friends, small to medium venues etc, running to front of hoise and recording. I’m running a BE Deluxe in it now and that gives me three channels that cover a lot of territory.

Dammit, I might have to get a BE DLX module. I love the Friedman amps and so far the SLO II and Killer Kali are great but i'm sure the BE DLX is great.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I had played around with a capture of the BE dlx and thought it had more teeth than the average Friedman stuff. Am I on point about that or is it the same as the BE or HBE? I am waiting to see if Marshall fies a hot rodded 800 module but am leaning killer Kali from what I have heard from others im this forum

 

[srommes]

Dammit, I might have to get a BE DLX module. I love the Friedman amps and so far the SLO II and Killer Kali are great but i'm sure the BE DLX is great.

I have the Killer Kali and the original SLO. Both are great but sound quite a bit different than the BE Deluxe. If you like the Friedman sound, the BE Deluxe has it in spades.

 

[srommes]

I had played around with a capture of the BE dlx and thought it had more teeth than the average Friedman stuff. Am I on point about that or is it the same as the BE or HBE? I am waiting to see if Marshall fies a hot rodded 800 module but am leaning killer Kali from what I have heard from others im this forum

I have a JJ jr and love it. haven’t had a chance to play through one of the bigger Friedman amps. I really dig the BE Deluxe. the red channel has some bite but still pretty smooth. if I want a little more bite I hit the blue channel with an OD808. I did own the BEBB previously and the BE Deluxe has more bite than the BE side of the BEBB. I do own the Killer Kali as well. No denying that one has bite and just sounds pissed off. Killer module.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

What were you listening through in the room?

Investing in a great set of Studio Monitors is a big step. I went round and round with it for years. Finally about 5 years ago I had all this nice gear and thought instead of buying another high end amp I should get something that translates better.

So I decided to bite the bullet and bought an open box set of Focal Trio BE monitors for about $5k. That was above what I was wanting to pay, but the results were worth it. It was tough to swallow to spend that much on studio monitors when I could have gotten a Wizard or something, but I have no questions about what I’m hearing, it’s not the monitors if it sounds off.

That is awesome. It is a hefty price, but if it kicks like a 4x12 going through the monitors and gives you the same enjoyment, it actually comes out cheaper than the collection of heads and cabs a lot of the guys have

 

[romanianreaper]

I have the Killer Kali and the original SLO. Both are great but sound quite a bit different than the BE Deluxe. If you like the Friedman sound, the BE Deluxe has it in spades.

Anything stand out between the two tone wise that you can describe? To me, the SLO II is just on the edge of brutal tones with boosts. The Killer Kali is more "crisp", especially with the bright switches and not as much low end.

I love both of the modules I have. The only other two I'm craving now is the Bogner and BE Deluxe but I have a lot of bases covered.

 

[srommes]

Anything stand out between the two tone wise that you can describe? To me, the SLO II is just on the edge of brutal tones with boosts. The Killer Kali is more "crisp", especially with the bright switches and not as much low end.

I love both of the modules I have. The only other two I'm craving now is the Bogner and BE Deluxe but I have a lot of bases covered.

The SLO has a big, full sound and I love it for lead work. Nice, big full chords as well. You would have to boost it to get into KK territory. I’ve only owned the KK for about a month. It just sounds like a pissed off modern amp to me. I have not had a chance to dial in more subtle tones with it yet but it is my understanding that they are there. I own the Uberschall module as well. These two sound different but both very modern, at least the way I have them dialed in. that said, I love the blue channel of the Uberschall when hit with an OD808. It sounds like an 800 with teeth.

 

[romanianreaper]

The SLO has a big, full sound and I love it for lead work. Nice, big full chords as well. You would have to boost it to get into KK territory. I’ve only owned the KK for about a month. It just sounds like a pissed off modern amp to me. I have not had a chance to dial in more subtle tones with it yet but it is my understanding that they are there. I own the Uberschall module as well. These two sound different but both very modern, at least the way I have them dialed in. that said, I love the blue channel of the Uberschall when hit with an OD808. It sounds like an 800 with teeth.

The KK can get some great mellow tones! Keep the bright switches in the middle and with the gain down, does a great mid crunch.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

How about KK vs 6505? Same sort of modern crunch to mean? Where do the differences lie between those two?

 

[Shask]

I am surprised I like ToneX and NAM as much as I do after being a Fractal and Line 6 user for years. They just have that thing in the dynamics that was always off before. I didn't expect it, but it has changed my whole way of thinking on gear. I never thought I would enjoy playing direct through a computer.

If anyone else here uses ToneX and likes big heavy chunky tones, I have shared some of the captures I have made of my Synergy modules through a Mesa 2:90.

https://www.tone.net/tonex/users/shask

 

[crankyrayhanky]

How about KK vs 6505? Same sort of modern crunch to mean? Where do the differences lie between those two?

Kali can dial in thick, but in general, it has the immediate attack and clarity to the notes, amazing for tuning down as there is so much control to the low end. It is not Pitbull dry, but it is dry, not like the.....

6505 has that great squish that makes it fun to play. Tends to sound like "too much", including that weird spike in the high range that is on every 5150 variant, that weird spike somehow turns to magic within a mix.

So both can dial in lots of ways, but these ^ observations are very similar to the amps they represent. It comes down to taste, I love that Fortin sound so that's where I've been. Everyone loves the 5150 tone... it's hard to go wrong here.