Kahayan 8x4 MIDI AMP/SPEAKER Selector

[idnotbe]

recently i bought it from Alto music.
here is my brief review.

it works flawlessly as it is advertised.
no complaint at all.

the reason why i selected it over Ampete switcher is, it can run the attenuation.
i extensively use Fryette Power Station II and actually had 2 PS II for many amps.
after i got Kahayan, i sold 1 PS II because now i can use only 1 for multiple amps via Kahayan.

running amps and cabs via the switcher / selector requires many long cables.
i found the cables impact on your sound more than in the regular situation.
so, you need test and select the proper cables, especially not to lose the high freq.

using a buffer in front of the switcher is one method.
depending on the cable, i found the preferred buffer can be different.
so, i wonder how much useful the built-in buffer in Ampete is.

i have no doubt that Ampete is a great unit, though i haven't use it.
actually at first i contacted Ampete to request modifying it to accommodate my PS II.
but they said "no".

what i want to say is, there is a fairly great alternative called "Kahayan".
(and it is cheaper)

 

[Dave L]

Could you elaborate on that bit about the Fryette? What are you doing with it that the Ampete can´t handle but the Kahayan can?

 

[idnotbe]

Could you elaborate on that bit about the Fryette? What are you doing with it that the Ampete can´t handle but the Kahayan can?

Fryette Power Station II is an attenuator.
though it is more than just an attenuator, i use it for the purpose.

the general signal chain for the switcher / selector is : ( --> guitar level signal, ==> speaker level signal )

guitar --> switcher --> selected amp ==> switcher ==> selected cabinet

what Kahayan can do is :

guitar --> switcher --> selected amp ==> switcher ==> " Fryette PS II " ==> switcher ==> selected cabinet

so PS II works as the global attenuator for all the amps connected to the switcher.
the current Ampete products cannot insert an attenuator between the output from the amp and the cabinet.

 

[Dave L]

Now I get it, the MIDI version has that extra patch point you´re talking about. I was looking at the regular version =)

 

[idnotbe]

Now I get it, the MIDI version has that extra patch point you´re talking about. I was looking at the regular version =)

yes. MIDI model.

for the additional argument, Ampete has send / return jacks from / to each amps connected.
but i don't need it, because i use send / return of Fryette Power Station II .
(thus i can save my cables and tidy up the cables simply)

 

[fusedbrain]

Interesting the way they have implemented the "amp insert bus" between the amps and the cabs. I see how using a Power Station would allow the same sort of FX loop switching to follow the amp selected, like the Ampete, with the bonus of having attenuation following the selected amp as well. Very cool!
The 8 amps x 4 cabs format is also a bonus.

re: the buffer issue - My experience with the Ampete 444 is that the built-in buffer seems to be very good. I've tested plugging into the Ampete buffer input vs going direct to the amp input, and it's almost impossible to hear a difference. Using the un-buffered input on the Ampete results in a very lacklustre sound.
If he Kahayan does not have a built-in buffer, using an external buffer in front of the switcher is probably going to produce the best results, given how much cable is involved in setting up these types of rigs.

One interesting issue I noticed while reading the Kahayan manual:

3- In the case where some speaker outputs are not being used, be carefull
not to select them to avoid the amplifiers functioning without being charged.

If you are using all 4 cab outputs, then no issue. 3 cabs or less, be VERY careful, especially if you are using MIDI.

Selection of an un-loaded cab output is not possible on the Ampete. The switching electronics will not allow an un-loaded output to be engaged.

 

[JerEvil]

I am really interested in the Kahayan switcher as well. The Ampete looks great and the global effects loop is nice BUT I really just want my amps hooked up to my Torpedo Studio at all times for recording without having to get behind them and swap the cable out.

 

[errrrrl]

The ampete buffer does work well.. so well that I don't use the buffer on my Friedman buffer bay lol, its always switched off. If I turn on the buffer bay's buffer on top of the ampete's one its too much...

@Jer Definitely worth picking up a switcher. Dude you have everything else, why not? hehe

 

[geetar_geek79]

Great review. I currently have the ampete but I was looking in to a backup unit and the kahayan came up on my radar. Head switchers are very hard to come by these days it seems...

 

[PeteLaramee]

I am really interested in the Kahayan switcher as well. The Ampete looks great and the global effects loop is nice BUT I really just want my amps hooked up to my Torpedo Studio at all times for recording without having to get behind them and swap the cable out.

Hey Jer, I'm really interested in that Torpedo Studio (or even the Live). How much better are the cab sims compared to the Fractal Cab Lab sims?

 

[errrrrl]

I am really interested in the Kahayan switcher as well. The Ampete looks great and the global effects loop is nice BUT I really just want my amps hooked up to my Torpedo Studio at all times for recording without having to get behind them and swap the cable out.

Hey Jer, I'm really interested in that Torpedo Studio (or even the Live). How much better are the cab sims compared to the Fractal Cab Lab sims?

You might also be interested in looking at the Universal Audio OX. Lots of good things being said about it in comparison to Two notes products from people that own Live & the studio. Wish there was some good rock or metal demos for it, I swear its like only people with Strats/Teles + Fender amps bought and made videos of it lol.

 

[JerEvil]

I am really interested in the Kahayan switcher as well. The Ampete looks great and the global effects loop is nice BUT I really just want my amps hooked up to my Torpedo Studio at all times for recording without having to get behind them and swap the cable out.

Hey Jer, I'm really interested in that Torpedo Studio (or even the Live). How much better are the cab sims compared to the Fractal Cab Lab sims?

Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t used anything Fractal in over a year but the Studio is a “lifer” for me. Here’s the audio for one of my new KSR vids. All Torpedo Studio.

https://soundcloud.com/jerevil/ksr-juno ... o-the-king

I am really interested in the Kahayan switcher as well. The Ampete looks great and the global effects loop is nice BUT I really just want my amps hooked up to my Torpedo Studio at all times for recording without having to get behind them and swap the cable out.

Hey Jer, I'm really interested in that Torpedo Studio (or even the Live). How much better are the cab sims compared to the Fractal Cab Lab sims?

You might also be interested in looking at the Universal Audio OX. Lots of good things being said about it in comparison to Two notes products from people that own Live & the studio. Wish there was some good rock or metal demos for it, I swear its like only people with Strats/Teles + Fender amps bought and made videos of it lol.

I am not a fan of any of the clips I’ve heard if I’m honest.

 

[PeteLaramee]

I am really interested in the Kahayan switcher as well. The Ampete looks great and the global effects loop is nice BUT I really just want my amps hooked up to my Torpedo Studio at all times for recording without having to get behind them and swap the cable out.

Hey Jer, I'm really interested in that Torpedo Studio (or even the Live). How much better are the cab sims compared to the Fractal Cab Lab sims?

Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t used anything Fractal in over a year but the Studio is a “lifer” for me. Here’s the audio for one of my new KSR vids. All Torpedo Studio.

https://soundcloud.com/jerevil/ksr-juno ... o-the-king

Thanks. Sounded great. And I loved the wanking at the end of the clip.

 

[idnotbe]

3- In the case where some speaker outputs are not being used, be carefull
not to select them to avoid the amplifiers functioning without being charged.

frankly i didn't know it before i read it lol.
but i haven't confused which cab should i select, because the selection is just one of 4.

 

[moon162612]

One interesting issue I noticed while reading the Kahayan manual:

3- In the case where some speaker outputs are not being used, be carefull
not to select them to avoid the amplifiers functioning without being charged.

If you are using all 4 cab outputs, then no issue. 3 cabs or less, be VERY careful, especially if you are using MIDI.

Selection of an un-loaded cab output is not possible on the Ampete. The switching electronics will not allow an un-loaded output to be engaged.

Per what I read, if you use Amp Bus, then you are absolutely safe: in that case, the attenuator will be always on between the selected amp and any cabinet selected.
You even can plug the cable from your attenuator directly to a cab avoiding the switcher if you have only one cab and don't need to switch them.

In case of no attenuator, you are absolutely right. I think it's easy to plug in a very simple and cheap resistive load to the cab outs you are not using, just to make sure you don't fry the selected amp even in case of accidental selection of the "empty" cab out.

 

[IntenseJim]

Usage this review at Gearslutz
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/reviews ... ector.html

Finally I might get one.

 

[skullfxr]

3- In the case where some speaker outputs are not being used, be carefull
not to select them to avoid the amplifiers functioning without being charged.

frankly i didn't know it before i read it lol.
but i haven't confused which cab should i select, because the selection is just one of 4.

That (number 3)is what scares me to death. Tbh. But I have six or seven cabs in the room so I personally wouldn't worry.

 

[jbhermosa]

recently i bought it from Alto music.
here is my brief review.

it works flawlessly as it is advertised.
no complaint at all.

the reason why i selected it over Ampete switcher is, it can run the attenuation.
i extensively use Fryette Power Station II and actually had 2 PS II for many amps.
after i got Kahayan, i sold 1 PS II because now i can use only 1 for multiple amps via Kahayan.

running amps and cabs via the switcher / selector requires many long cables.
i found the cables impact on your sound more than in the regular situation.
so, you need test and select the proper cables, especially not to lose the high freq.

using a buffer in front of the switcher is one method.
depending on the cable, i found the preferred buffer can be different.
so, i wonder how much useful the built-in buffer in Ampete is.

i have no doubt that Ampete is a great unit, though i haven't use it.
actually at first i contacted Ampete to request modifying it to accommodate my PS II.
but they said "no".

what i want to say is, there is a fairly great alternative called "Kahayan".
(and it is cheaper)

Hey now. so i just bought a kahayan 8x4 midi switcher and i have a ps2...i am not 100% clear what goes where from the KH "send and receive" bus and the Ps2....i was using an egnater that had clear amp and speaker out because there was only 1 cab to use? and guitar cable or speaker from the ps2 to the kahayan? thank you jbhermosa@gmail.com