Synergy Syn2 - DS and SLO mods

[4406cuda]

This GAS is killing me!!!

Definitely want the SYN 2 with a Soldano. I really like the Morgan and the Dirty Shirley.

 

[JerEvil]

SLO posted.....

Yeah this is getting more into the territory of what I have been wanting to hear.

 

[metalsoup]

All I want for Christmas is a Fortin Natas module!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

They are good sounding... even very good sounding. But they still do sound very similar. Not a big deal because lots of amps sound similar, but when you have a shared power amp and not the exact power amp designed for the circuit in question, you will notice less difference. For example, the Fender inspired modules seem to do the clean ok but on breakup they seem to lack that tubby splatty power section and circuit jive that the originals do. So you still have to manage expectations I feel.

 

[gtrwun]

SLO posted.....

Yeah this is getting more into the territory of what I have been wanting to hear.

If that's close to real SLO tones, I cant believe I haven't owned one. That sounds really,really good to my ears.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Some definitely appeal to me more than the others having listened to Shawn's demos. The ones that standout are the latest Metro and then the TDLX Synergy take on a Fender. I would have hoped the Bassman got a little woolier but maybe people EQ that out anyway so they went ahead and did it for the end user.

One thing I will say though, I am sure Shawn feels like it is a bit of a chore to run churn out videos as quick as he does but would it kill him to dig in a little and play something a little tastier like some 80's riffs that we know he probably grew up listening to/ playing? I mean the sort of jazzy notes thrown in shit is cool and all but bro you are on a Soldano or a Metro, give me some gooey sleezie cheese bra!

 

[Hiatus O]

Yeah he’s a great player but the demos haven’t moved my wallet a bit. And I like the idea. But need better examples maybe.

 

[skoora]

They are good sounding... even very good sounding. But they still do sound very similar. Not a big deal because lots of amps sound similar, but when you have a shared power amp and not the exact power amp designed for the circuit in question, you will notice less difference. For example, the Fender inspired modules seem to do the clean ok but on breakup they seem to lack that tubby splatty power section and circuit jive that the originals do. So you still have to manage expectations I feel.

Agreed. Most of my favorite amps are heavily dependent on the power section and the way it reacts at volume. These would be a certain level of fun for sure but I certainly wouldn't be getting them thinking I can nail an 800 or AC30 or old school Fender. I see a market for it. Not for me but others will enjoy I'm sure.

 

[godgrinder]

For example, the Fender inspired modules seem to do the clean ok but on breakup they seem to lack that tubby splatty power section and circuit jive that the originals do.

I think it depends on where the sag control is set. He've left it at 9 o'clock in all videos which is a bit too much for higher gain modules for my taste, yet too low for something like a Tweed.

 

[gtr31]

I think they sound really good better than the Axefx Atomic stuff IMO
But so far like others said there is a similar sound to a lot of them
So Far I really only hear a few that are different
The Twin Morgan SLO are the most different IMO
The Dirty Shirley BE metroplex 800 plexi all
Sound very similar and have same core tones I dig them
But to my ears Synergy have a great clean and a British crunch
I don't hear anything that I would classify as moder hi gain
The Deizel sounded like British Crunch and I am sure HBE will have similst voicing as the other module
IMO Synergy needs a couple of solid hi gain tones like Recto
Engl etc

 

[godgrinder]

The Deizel sounded like British Crunch

Depends on how you dial it in:

But yeah I do agree that the current lineup have too many Marshall type modules.

 

[skoora]

In a different direction Need a HH solid state module! Actually dig those amps from the 70’s. Also a Randall RG150 or whatever Dime’s number one was for Vulgar. How about a Hiwatt one? It would be cool if Suhr got onboard with a se100+ module. An Orange module like an old OR80/120. Could even have it be orange. Could up the fun factor by offering custom silk screens of tweed or salt and pepper cloth or however it can tie in to the original cosmetically.

 

[godgrinder]

How about a Hiwatt one? It would be cool if Suhr got onboard with a se100+ module. An Orange module like an old OR80/120. Could even have it be orange. Could up the fun factor by offering custom silk screens of tweed or salt and pepper cloth or however it can tie in to the original cosmetically.

These have all been done by modders, just that none of them were licensed from the original manufacturers.

http://salvationaudio.com/index.php?page=modifications
http://www.jadedfaithmods.com/mts-mods.html

 

[skoora]

How about a Hiwatt one? It would be cool if Suhr got onboard with a se100+ module. An Orange module like an old OR80/120. Could even have it be orange. Could up the fun factor by offering custom silk screens of tweed or salt and pepper cloth or however it can tie in to the original cosmetically.

These have all been done by modders, just that none of them were licensed from the original manufacturers.

http://salvationaudio.com/index.php?page=modifications
http://www.jadedfaithmods.com/mts-mods.html

Those look great. The Salvation Orange one looked perfect.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

When you listen to the latest demo videos back to back, the similarities really stick out. Once again, the output section comes into play because you realize that this is what makes the amplifier what it is. I listened to the Synergy 800, the BE, the SLO, and the Metropolous back to back jumping to the humbucking section and they are all very similar... maybe too similar to justify having one of each. Even the AC with the gain up sort of felt like another variation of something British. I think the next big thing for them would be a switchable power amp.. MArshall/Fender/Vox.

Anyway, if we are talking preamps only, they could probably use a Dr. Z preamp of some sort in there too.

 

[jkdsteve]

The Deizel sounded like British Crunch

Depends on how you dial it in:

But yeah I do agree that the current lineup have too many Marshall type modules.

Hoping my VH4 is resurrected soon...

Definitely could use a Mesa tone in the lineup...Recto or Mark style amp, wonder if they'd be down for that!

I have seven Mesa style modules currently but I'd be up for an official Synergy/MESA product.

 

[gtr31]

The Deizel sounded like British Crunch

Depends on how you dial it in:

But yeah I do agree that the current lineup have too many Marshall type modules.

Hoping my VH4 is resurrected soon...

Definitely could use a Mesa tone in the lineup...Recto or Mark style amp, wonder if they'd be down for that!

I have seven Mesa style modules currently but I'd be down for an official Synergy/MESA product.

I asked about this and a few others on the FB page
The reply was being worked on or in negotiation
That was for SYN Recto Egnater Armageddon and Bogner Uber

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

This one just got posted.... I might actually like it the most so far. When you crank both "inputs" you get some compression and sag that gives the plexi on 10 feeling. Pretty cool:

 

[JerEvil]

When you listen to the latest demo videos back to back, the similarities really stick out. Once again, the output section comes into play because you realize that this is what makes the amplifier what it is. I listened to the Synergy 800, the BE, the SLO, and the Metropolous back to back jumping to the humbucking section and they are all very similar... maybe too similar to justify having one of each. Even the AC with the gain up sort of felt like another variation of something British. I think the next big thing for them would be a switchable power amp.. MArshall/Fender/Vox.

Anyway, if we are talking preamps only, they could probably use a Dr. Z preamp of some sort in there too.

Yeah the inherent flaw in all the demos being posted is that they are all going through the same power amp AND I am guessing the same cab left mic'd up for the vids. I think for the demos, I personally would have used the Torpedo Studio for the right power amp modeling of each amp and probably the right speaker for the amp as well. Like for the Friedman pre's there are Friedman cabs in the Torpedo with V30 and Greenback, there is a Diezel cab, etc. Running the same power amp and cab for all the models, especially the ones with similar lineage is going to have them sound very close to each other.

Another option, which probably is the right one is to use the power amp modeling with the cab sim on the Syn-1.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

When you listen to the latest demo videos back to back, the similarities really stick out. Once again, the output section comes into play because you realize that this is what makes the amplifier what it is. I listened to the Synergy 800, the BE, the SLO, and the Metropolous back to back jumping to the humbucking section and they are all very similar... maybe too similar to justify having one of each. Even the AC with the gain up sort of felt like another variation of something British. I think the next big thing for them would be a switchable power amp.. MArshall/Fender/Vox.

Anyway, if we are talking preamps only, they could probably use a Dr. Z preamp of some sort in there too.

Yeah the inherent flaw in all the demos being posted is that they are all going through the same power amp AND I am guessing the same cab left mic'd up for the vids. I think for the demos, I personally would have used the Torpedo Studio for the right power amp modeling of each amp and probably the right speaker for the amp as well. Like for the Friedman pre's there are Friedman cabs in the Torpedo with V30 and Greenback, there is a Diezel cab, etc. Running the same power amp and cab for all the models, especially the ones with similar lineage is going to have them sound very close to each other.

Another option, which probably is the right one is to use the power amp modeling with the cab sim on the Syn-1.

Therein lies the question.. which came first, the chicken or the egg? I wonder if the speaker and the power amp might not be the more important factors in the shaping of the tone of the preamp... I think it definitely would be interesting to hear these within Torpedo's virtual cab world and with the power amp that more closely matches each amp.