Stereo vs W/D/W

[sparkle**]

Stereo vs W/D/W rig set up...

I was wondering what is the "big" sound difference? Besides Micing it up at clubs...Can you hear a difference in a twin guitar band?
( the other guitarist runs stereo)

I could go either way right now...

Current gear:
3rd power HD100 head
VHT 2150
G-major ( also have a Rocktron blackface as backup)
Palmer PGA-4 (for the Load)
I also have a Mosvalve 500 (extra)
Stereo marshall 4x12 cab....
3rd power Cab

 

[Shark Diver]

You really only get the benefits of a stereo rig if you can get some speaker separation. In a 2 guitar band that would seem hard. I'd rather go W/D.
W/D/W would still require speaker separation to have any benefit over W/D. I prefer W/D in your situation. The audience rarely hears any stereo effects unless the speakers are on opposite sides of the stage and the effect is extreme. It can make the guitar sound "bigger" but not really in a 2 guitar band.

 

[sparkle**]

Thanks...

So basically I could run the head into the Palmer..out to VHT (left) DRY signal...then out the DI of the head to the Gmajor to the VHT (right) wet signal...into the Marshall....

You really only get the benefits of a stereo rig if you can get some speaker separation. In a 2 guitar band that would seem hard. I'd rather go W/D.
W/D/W would still require speaker separation to have any benefit over W/D. I prefer W/D in your situation. The audience rarely hears any stereo effects unless the speakers are on opposite sides of the stage and the effect is extreme. It can make the guitar sound "bigger" but not really in a 2 guitar band.

 

[Anonymous]

if he's already running stereo to an effective degree, and you do it, it might make things sound bigger or may muddy it up....it's a fine line.

sonically though, if that spot is already filled then you might just be better off going straight on assault with no effects, in mono....esp if you're the rhythm guitarist...it'll help create more of a backbone and lock you in with the drumz and bass.

to answer your question though, the big sound difference with 2 guitarists running both in stereo is dependant on the music being played and whether or not you both or either use a lot of effects.

stereo sound with chorus and some intricate delay programs can sound incredible up close and on stage. FOH, if you're not each mic'd stereo and getting 2 channel per guitar at the board, and being mixed properly (which, unless you have your own soundguy, you're probably going to get one channel each so it defeats the purpose), stereo stage rigs (that output different sonic signals) can actually throw off the front of house sound and possibly create some phasing issues.

i've tried a TON of different approaches with stereo rigs, stereo settings, etc, blah blah blah...and live, it always was general consensus from my bands and soundguys i worked with that a mono signal always cut thru best... YMMV obviously, but, you get into some weird shit with stereo rigs pertaining to Front Of House sound...esp if you've got a guy that's an asshole and doesn't want to work with you at all, and barely wants to mix your band to begin with.

that being said, i've played a TON of small club gigs where the guitars weren't even mic'd up at all, and a stereo rig REALLY helped fill out the room, but, bear in mind, a true stereo sound will spread out nicely for guitar, but once the room starts filling with people, you'll probably find yourself turning up a bit to compensate.

my other input regarding this is, if you can get your cabinets up off the floor (on some milkcrates or a chair) do it...it'll help project a stereo sound a bit better than being on the floor and sounding so muffled.

good luck!!!!

 

[sparkle**]

We are in a Judas Priest Tribute...so both lead players.... basically a little chorus, reverb and delay...
i also play in other bands, where the rig can come in handy...

 

[sparkle**]

So Best case W/D is

Amp head to Cab #1
DI to Gmajor
Gmajor to Power amp
Amp to Cab #2

on Smaller areas I can split the Stereo marshall 4x12 for a W/D

 

[mentoneman]

So Best case W/D is

Amp head to Cab #1
DI to Gmajor
Gmajor to Power amp
Amp to Cab #2

on Smaller areas I can split the Stereo marshall 4x12 for a W/D

i have a similar rig setup in my living room right now:

gtr->pedals (which includes chorus and a flashback dealy so not technically "dry")->peacemaker head-->hotplate/====speaker out to bogner 4x12

==========line out of hotplate to gforce

gforce wet mono out to peavey 50/50 power amp bridged mono--> speaker out to avatar gh30 4x12



my smaller w/d rig is fender super champ XD combo instead of peacemaker/4x12,

and i insert the hotplate between the XD speaker out and the internal combo 10 inch speaker, or i run a tone tubby 2x12 H bomb cab instead of the internal speaker for a fatter dry tone

the gforce wet out on that rig feeds a Tech 21 power engine--

cool thing about that is the T21 has an XLR output so i can run my wet cab to the house DI if i want to avoid two mics and achieve a really glassy clean tone. and the XD has internal effects so i can add a splash of amp verb/delay to the dry there as well as the wet.

 

[Shark Diver]

Hard to say with your gear. If you are always going to load the head, than stereo isn't bad, but in a stereo cab? I just don't see the point. There is really no separation so you really lose the effect. If you had 2 cabs you could spread a little, then with your gear maybe stereo. Is the 3rd power cab the triangle? There are so many ways to do it. You could have the fx DI'd and just in the mains and your monitor. If it's a stereo system PA that sounds killer with your dry cab centered. The 2150 is a big amp just for fx. 1x12s are much easier for fx only cabs. Less space, easier to move, etc...

Me? If I had your gear I would either load the head and run parallel stereo with the 2150 into 2 separate cabs - or - W/D loading the head, one side of the 2150 for dry into the marshall set to mono and the other 2150 side into a small 1x12 for fx. Or not use the palmer and 2150 and one cab dry (head) and use a line out to the fx and into a satellite amp for fx or much smaller amp/cab.

But in the end in a 2 guitar band I'd probably run parallel mono and cut my gear down and problems with mixing.

 

[mentoneman]

...If I had your gear I would either load the head and run parallel stereo with the 2150 into 2 separate cabs - or - W/D loading the head, one side of the 2150 for dry into the marshall set to mono and the other 2150 side into a small 1x12 for fx.

i have dabbled with this--loaded head, dry line to one side of stereo power, wet line to other side for w/d but i didn't like it as much as when i used my head attenuated for dry....the familiar nature of the tone changed too much for me.

but many love it.

 

[Shark Diver]

...If I had your gear I would either load the head and run parallel stereo with the 2150 into 2 separate cabs - or - W/D loading the head, one side of the 2150 for dry into the marshall set to mono and the other 2150 side into a small 1x12 for fx.

i have dabbled with this--loaded head, dry line to one side of stereo power, wet line to other side for w/d but i didn't like it as much as when i used my head attenuated for dry....the familiar nature of the tone changed too much for me.

but many love it.

+1

Depending on the amp, power amp and attenuator my opinion would change on which I like more.

I like slaving my SLO into my VHT Classic more than attenuating it with a Faustine. But with a few other power amps I have I like attenuating more. Also cab dependent. Really a lot of ways to try things until you find what you like.

 

[sparkle**]

Thanks.... that is what I am trying to figure out options and what will sound the best...Not a triangle cab...BTW....

 

[Zachman]

Thanks.... that is what I am trying to figure out options and what will sound the best...Not a triangle cab...BTW....

There is NO substitute for experience. TRY it EVERY which way, and see which solution makes the hair on your arms rise up, and produce the biggest eargasm.

Personally, I've run every conceivable signal routing method with many different amps, pedals, processors, cabs, guitars etc...

The BEST sounding, functioning, and versatile is my current w/d/w rig. WAY more options/solutions, way more gear to haul (thanks God for hand trucks, dollies, and friends to help move stuff), WAY WAY more expensive, BUT... WAY WAY WAY more fulfilling.