Is Synergy really that good?

[jchrisf]

i dove back into fractaland yesterday after grabbing a mint condition IIXL and MFC 101 mark III board for 7 bones. crazy to think new in 2014 the XL was $3k and the MFC was $750. primarily wanted a true line level looper system and all of the great 2290, pcm, h3000 rack type fxs to boot.

I pulled out my FM3 this week and have never been happy with the amp in the room tones. I don't know if it was the new update or what but yesterday I dialed in the greatest tone through my 5" monitors with it. This is going to keep me from buying any more modules for a while.

I also never liked it in the loop of my amps for FX but I put it in my SYN20IR yesterday and it sounded great... this will save money on not needing any more pedals. I was just about to put it up for sale but wanted to give it one more try.. glad I did.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I think the original syn 800 sounds pretty good. Nice and tight amd crisp. This one might be over engineered and a bit fizzy. Sounds to me like low channel is standard 800 high channel is more of a ' modified". I have enough 800's though, not sure i need this.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Nielsen's vid is better

 

[jchrisf]

Marshall even did one

 

[TheGreatGreen]

So the new 3rd tube is dedicated to the "phase inverter / zero watt poweramp" thing. Ok that makes more sense.

It makes sense to make an "official" 800 as this one is different from the previous modules, because the 800 sound is basically equal parts preamp and poweramp distortion. It's tough to do that with just a preamp. Old modules were probably a basic 800 style circuit with a lot more gain on tap to simulate a similar total amount of gain in the OG amp, but the gain was all crammed into one spot in the circuit, while this new one is going to be more evenly cascaded between the different stages.

Neat.

 

[mentoneman]

Marshall even did one

this demo sounds cool. i prefer this tone over the jmp, but the be-dlx is the current winner for me!

 

[jchrisf]

Ben Eller just put a video about why everybody should learn Mr. Brownstone on his patreon where he is using the new JCM 800 module for all parts. It is the best sounding demo of it that I've heard yet. It should be out on YT in a couple of days.

 

[CurlOfTheBurl]

Getting ready to downsize homes AND am starting to gig 1+ times per month again, so the Synergy form factor and versatility (plus midi!) have pulled me in. I just got into the Synergy ecosystem with a SYN-2 to use with my PS-2 for now.

Yesterday I ordered a used JMP module to cover cleans and classic crunch type sounds.

I need help choosing which module to get for higher gain sounds. I want two independent channels to set one for heavier rhythm and the other for lead tones. My sets these days are half standard tuning (Distortion/Jazz with coil splitting) and half B standard (Nazgul/Sentient with coil splitting). I'm using my Helix for all effects and cab sim to go to FOH. My cab on stage is a Mesa Thiele with EVM12L and is really only to fill out the sound under the FOH mains.

I have been torn between the SLO II, DRECT, Uberschall and Killer Kali. I'm also very intrigued by the IICP but I'm worried that the interactive channels are going to feel like a constraint, and the Synergy form factor will make the GEQ unwieldy. I'm avoiding the Fryette stuff because I already have a CLX, Sig X, and GP/DI plus the aforementioned EQ issues.

 

[Rackman]

That sounds pretty good. Not sure it displaces the Killer Kali as the Marshall-type module of choice, but it is interesting.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

Getting ready to downsize homes AND am starting to gig 1+ times per month again, so the Synergy form factor and versatility (plus midi!) have pulled me in. I just got into the Synergy ecosystem with a SYN-2 to use with my PS-2 for now.

Yesterday I ordered a used JMP module to cover cleans and classic crunch type sounds.

I need help choosing which module to get for higher gain sounds. I want two independent channels to set one for heavier rhythm and the other for lead tones. My sets these days are half standard tuning (Distortion/Jazz with coil splitting) and half B standard (Nazgul/Sentient with coil splitting). I'm using my Helix for all effects and cab sim to go to FOH. My cab on stage is a Mesa Thiele with EVM12L and is really only to fill out the sound under the FOH mains.

I have been torn between the SLO II, DRECT, Uberschall and Killer Kali. I'm also very intrigued by the IICP but I'm worried that the interactive channels are going to feel like a constraint, and the Synergy form factor will make the GEQ unwieldy. I'm avoiding the Fryette stuff because I already have a CLX, Sig X, and GP/DI plus the aforementioned EQ issues.

The IICP is great but not if you want clean and high gain at same time. Also is only capable of Mark 1 gain levels in channel one. Sliders are picky but workable with patience and the Mark tones are pretty legit.

 

[romanianreaper]

Definitely has that Marshall clank, which is really cool. It sits in that same vibe with the Killer Kali and SLO II which I both own but this seems to have more of that direct Marshall DNA.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

Kinda surprised nobody has done a straight up JCM 800 module + rack poweramp shootout against a real JCM 800 head yet, at least nothing that has come up in a youtube search.


edit: Hey, the TONE WARS guy did one between the new module at the old Synergy 800.

Video timestamped.

 

[tjnx]

I've yet to hear a demo that makes me want to get one. Without the ability to try it in person I think the money is better spent on an amp. The price v tone v flexibility ratio isn't there yet.

 

[jchrisf]

Kinda surprised nobody has done a straight up JCM 800 module + rack poweramp shootout against a real JCM 800 head yet, at least nothing that has come up in a youtube search.


edit: Hey, the TONE WARS guy did one between the new module at the old Synergy 800.

Video timestamped.

This guy did and to me the real JCM blew it away

 

[CarlF]

This guy did and to me the real JCM blew it away

What are you listening on, your phone?
I thought the module thru the Syn 50 sounded better than the 800 head. Pretty good considering it's a 50 watt vs 100 watt comparison.
The 800 head had that same hashy shitty high-end. Module more refined, versatile. In any event, for $450 it's captures the essence of the head, while, IMO, improving on it.
To each their own. It's normal to shit on new gear releases.

 

[acidvoodoo]

What are you listening on, your phone?
I thought the module thru the Syn 50 sounded better than the 800 head. Pretty good considering it's a 50 watt vs 100 watt comparison.
The 800 head had that same hashy shitty high-end. Module more refined, versatile. In any event, for $450 it's captures the essence of the head, while, IMO, improving on it.
To each their own. It's normal to shit on new gear releases.

I didn’t realize they raised the module price, that sucks.

 

[jchrisf]

What are you listening on, your phone?
I thought the module thru the Syn 50 sounded better than the 800 head. Pretty good considering it's a 50 watt vs 100 watt comparison.
The 800 head had that same hashy shitty high-end. Module more refined, versatile. In any event, for $450 it's captures the essence of the head, while, IMO, improving on it.
To each their own. It's normal to shit on new gear releases.yu

You and I obviously have different tastes in tone if you think the Syn 50 sounded better. Just because I like the 81 Marshall better doesn't mean I don't like the module.. I'm getting one.. I'm sure I can dial it in better than he did... Ben Eller sure did in his video.

 

[jchrisf]

I didn’t realize they raised the module price, that sucks.

Considering it has an extra tube in it.. that's not a bad increase.

 

[CarlF]

You and I obviously have different tastes in tone if you think the Syn 50 sounded better. Just because I like the 81 Marshall better doesn't mean I don't like the module.. I'm getting one.. I'm sure I can dial it in better than he did... Ben Eller sure did in his video.

I gotta check out Ben's demo.
My thinking is if these modules capture most of the essence of the real thing, that's good enough. Saves a ton of $$$ on getting a new 2203 w/ Vietnam trannys.

 

[Rackman]

The IICP is great but not if you want clean and high gain at same time. Also is only capable of Mark 1 gain levels in channel one. Sliders are picky but workable with patience and the Mark tones are pretty legit.

I agree it sounds legit, but those sliders are such a PITA