Is Synergy really that good?

[gibsonash]

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

Don t have Tonex but thank you to share your capturs

 

[crankyrayhanky]

syn JMP test

I noticed a few people criticizing the JMP. I think it's awesome!
Here's a quick clip- there is a Fortin Cali on the left and the synergy JMP on the right; both have a TS set to a sliver of gain/clean boost.
I like the way the old school JMP co-exists with the modern fast attack sounding Cali.

I also have the synergy Kali, which can get most of the tones from the actual Cali amp

 

[romanianreaper]

syn JMP test

I noticed a few people criticizing the JMP. I think it's awesome!
Here's a quick clip- there is a Fortin Cali on the left and the synergy JMP on the right; both have a TS set to a sliver of gain/clean boost.
I like the way the old school JMP co-exists with the modern fast attack sounding Cali.

I also have the synergy Kali, which can get most of the tones from the actual Cali amp

I enjoyed the JMP but for my needs, I wanted more gain. It did sound good and I probably should have hooked up my bigger speaker cab with it. I'm happy with the Killer Kali but the JMP definitely had the Marshall mojo.

 

[JHowell13]

Recently picked up a Syn-50 and SLO Module off a fellow Rigtalker. After getting them and playing them for a few weeks, I'm pretty blown away by it all honestly. Since getting them, I've purchased a SLO-II, Ecstasy and Killer Kali Module and have been also enjoying them in their own ways. Having had hundreds of amps over the years and keeping fairly large collection still, it's nice to have the modules of amps I no longer have in a small form factor.

However, lately, I haven't been enjoying the Syn-50 at band volumes. The power section gets very open/wide feeling and doesn't stay tight, similar to a Single Rectifier so I've been considering selling it for a Syn-2 and a power amp of some sorts, I've just never ran power amps/preamps before. I see lots of talk about the Fryette models and now the KSR PA as well.

Anyone have any recommendations for a set up that could be played out in a live setting as well as at home?

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I enjoyed the JMP but for my needs, I wanted more gain. It did sound good and I probably should have hooked up my bigger speaker cab with it. I'm happy with the Killer Kali but the JMP definitely had the Marshall mojo.

Yes, KKali is completely different than the JMP and my main go-to module. Love that tight modern hi gain!

 

[stratjacket]

Recently picked up a Syn-50 and SLO Module off a fellow Rigtalker. After getting them and playing them for a few weeks, I'm pretty blown away by it all honestly. Since getting them, I've purchased a SLO-II, Ecstasy and Killer Kali Module and have been also enjoying them in their own ways. Having had hundreds of amps over the years and keeping fairly large collection still, it's nice to have the modules of amps I no longer have in a small form factor.

However, lately, I haven't been enjoying the Syn-50 at band volumes. The power section gets very open/wide feeling and doesn't stay tight, similar to a Single Rectifier so I've been considering selling it for a Syn-2 and a power amp of some sorts, I've just never ran power amps/preamps before. I see lots of talk about the Fryette models and now the KSR PA as well.

Anyone have any recommendations for a set up that could be played out in a live setting as well as at home?

For me the KSR PA-100R with 6L6 (can take EL34 as well) is incredible, can’t praise it enough. There is a good deal on one in the classifieds too (not mine).

A simple rack unit with Synergy SYN2’s and the KSR sits nicely and can be portable depending on your rack.

 

[jchrisf]

Recently picked up a Syn-50 and SLO Module off a fellow Rigtalker. After getting them and playing them for a few weeks, I'm pretty blown away by it all honestly. Since getting them, I've purchased a SLO-II...

I'm curious how the SLO compares to the SLO-II and which is your favorite?

 

[JHowell13]

I'm curious how the SLO compares to the SLO-II and which is your favorite?

I dig the SLO module slightly more tonally speaking but like that the SLO-II has the tight switch, which makes it seem a hair more modern so to speak. Both are voiced close to each other but I feel the SLO is slightly more aggressive and rawer but the SLO-II might have more saturation overall, which seems to muddy it up some. Might just be my ears.

 

[jchrisf]

I dig the SLO module slightly more tonally speaking but like that the SLO-II has the tight switch, which makes it seem a hair more modern so to speak. Both are voiced close to each other but I feel the SLO is slightly more aggressive and rawer but the SLO-II might have more saturation overall, which seems to muddy it up some. Might just be my ears.

Yeah.. good to know.. I've heard that those with experience with both prefer the SLO to the SLO-II for the same reasons but I always ask when I hear someone has both or experience with both. I'm glad I went with the original SLO after researching it.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Yeah.. good to know.. I've heard that those with experience with both prefer the SLO to the SLO-II for the same reasons but I always ask when I hear someone has both or experience with both. I'm glad I went with the original SLO after researching it.

I had the original SLO module for years then got the SLO ii and played them side by side a lot.

I think the idea that the original SLO is better is nonsense. Same people who swear that the blue and red channels are different on the original, despite Mike Soldano himself verifying they are identical. I think what trips people up are they set the pots to look the same, and then notice differences. The tolerances for the pots vary, so eyeballing it does not mean they are set the same. The SLO compression and saturation levels change a lot as the gain goes through its range, so people might think one is more open and one is more compressed. If you dial with your ears on SLO I red vs Blue or SLO I vs SLO II, you can get them identical.

That being said, the original SLO can probably be found cheap cheap and it is a near perfect sound, fits right into the mix and sounds glorious.
The SLOII is similar in awesomeness, but then you get that extra crunch setting (which I use all the time) as well as tight and separate EQs.

Either SLO is fantastic and can deliver that 5k tone lol. I really dig it!

 

[Leo Diezel]

I had the original SLO module for years then got the SLO ii and played them side by side a lot.

I think the idea that the original SLO is better is nonsense. Same people who swear that the blue and red channels are different on the original, despite Mike Soldano himself verifying they are identical. I think what trips people up are they set the pots to look the same, and then notice differences. The tolerances for the pots vary, so eyeballing it does not mean they are set the same. The SLO compression and saturation levels change a lot as the gain goes through its range, so people might think one is more open and one is more compressed. If you dial with your ears on SLO I red vs Blue or SLO I vs SLO II, you can get them identical.

That being said, the original SLO can probably be found cheap cheap and it is a near perfect sound, fits right into the mix and sounds glorious.
The SLOII is similar in awesomeness, but then you get that extra crunch setting (which I use all the time) as well as tight and separate EQs.

Either SLO is fantastic and can deliver that 5k tone lol. I really dig it!

The only difference between SLOI and SLOII sound wise is the bright cap added on the SLOII, just like the regular head.

 

[romanianreaper]

However, lately, I haven't been enjoying the Syn-50 at band volumes. The power section gets very open/wide feeling and doesn't stay tight, similar to a Single Rectifier so I've been considering selling it for a Syn-2 and a power amp of some sorts, I've just never ran power amps/preamps before. I see lots of talk about the Fryette models and now the KSR PA as well.

Anyone have any recommendations for a set up that could be played out in a live setting as well as at home?

I was going to ask you the other day to explain more of this. Do you think it is the transformers in the amp? Just wondering what the difference would be switching to a different power amp.

I have thought about getting a KSR power amp (the 50 watt lunchbox) but I'd probably need an SYN-1 with it and not sure that is a good gig setup.

 

[stratjacket]

The only difference between SLOI and SLOII sound wise is the bright cap added on the SLOII, just like the regular head.

I bought a used SLO-II off Reverb and didn’t get around to playing it for a while. It has a strange issue. The lower channel works fine but the upper channel, none of the knobs or switches have any effect. It plays and it’s dialed into something, doesn’t sound bad. But can’t change anything.

I took it apart, replaced tubes, reseated cables from the front panel to the board. I started to try to return it but I had it for a while and the lower channel works fine so I just kept it since both channels are supposed to be identical.

Anyone experienced anything like this and have a fix?

 

[stratjacket]

One other note on issues. I traded for a Fryette Ultra Lead on here and it didn’t work at all. I replaced the tubes and it worked fine. First time I ever had any issues or had a bad preamp tube. But they were easy to swap out. That was followed up by the faulty channel in the SLO-II. Otherwise never had any issues over the years.

 

[Leo Diezel]

I bought a used SLO-II off Reverb and didn’t get around to playing it for a while. It has a strange issue. The lower channel works fine but the upper channel, none of the knobs or switches have any effect. It plays and it’s dialed into something, doesn’t sound bad. But can’t change anything.

I took it apart, replaced tubes, reseated cables from the front panel to the board. I started to try to return it but I had it for a while and the lower channel works fine so I just kept it since both channels are supposed to be identical.

Anyone experienced anything like this and have a fix?

Are other modules working on your unit? Is it SYNERGY? Some older hosts won't work with 2 channel modules.
If one of the two channel is not working it can very likely be a broken flat cable.
I'm sure if you can contact Synergy they will ship you either a new pair of cable or work out with you!
If you are based in Europe I may send you some as well.

 

[stratjacket]

Are other modules working on your unit? Is it SYNERGY? Some older hosts won't work with 2 channel modules.
If one of the two channel is not working it can very likely be a broken flat cable.
I'm sure if you can contact Synergy they will ship you either a new pair of cable or work out with you!
If you are based in Europe I may send you some as well.

Appreciate the offer, I’m in the States though. Maybe I’ll contact Synergy and see if I can buy cables. It’s a good idea, I have extra modules so I’ll try to swap a cable from a working module and see if that fixes it.

It’s all Synergy. I have 3 SYN-2’s so I can switch between 6 modules via midi. I think some modules have that switch to enable both channels but the SLO-II does not, or at least I could not find any switches for it.

 

[Leo Diezel]

Appreciate the offer, I’m in the States though. Maybe I’ll contact Synergy and see if I can buy cables. It’s a good idea, I have extra modules so I’ll try to swap a cable from a working module and see if that fixes it.

It’s all Synergy. I have 3 SYN-2’s so I can switch between 6 modules via midi. I think some modules have that switch to enable both channels but the SLO-II does not, or at least I could not find any switches for it.

Yes it's very likely a bad cable. Can be also a faulty relay or a resistor but it's so unlikely I bet on the cable!

 

[Shask]

One other note on issues. I traded for a Fryette Ultra Lead on here and it didn’t work at all. I replaced the tubes and it worked fine. First time I ever had any issues or had a bad preamp tube. But they were easy to swap out. That was followed up by the faulty channel in the SLO-II. Otherwise never had any issues over the years.

I had to change a tube in my IICP recently because it started squealing when then gain and treble was turned up high.

 

[romanianreaper]

I had to change a tube in my IICP recently because it started squealing when then gain and treble was turned up high.

I noticed that if I go too much gain, bright switches and violence switches up on the Killer Kali, will get a bit of squeal if I stand right against the amp. Don't get it if I'm away from the amp though.

 

[baron55]

I have had many bad Synergy modules over the years, and it was due to the flat cable coming unseated from its little board clamp. On all the units I was able to release the cable, re-insert it and all was good.