Running two combos together

Setebos · #1 10-09-2010, 05:06 PM

Hi Guys,

Searched several times but cannot find an answer.
At the moment I have a Laney R4 combo (160watts). I was thinking of getting a 1x15 cab or a 2x10 to add to it.
But later on I got the idea of getting another R4, which would give me the chance to have a spare amp in case needed and more volume in case needed for bigger gigs.
So my question is..... How do I connect them together? It has extension cab output, Tuner output, 2 FX outputs 1 FX send 1 FX return.

**JayAmel** · #2 10-09-2010, 05:09 PM

If you want enough flexibility to either use the 2nd R4 as a backup or as a unit for more power, I'd suggest you get a Morley ABY pedal. It's an A/B switch that allows sending to A, to B, as well as A+B.

cboling · #3 10-09-2010, 05:12 PM

FX send to the input of the second amp or tuner out to the input of the second amp.

PeaveyPippin · #4 10-09-2010, 05:28 PM

Go out and buy a short female XLR (mic cable) to male 1/4 inch and run out of one amp's DI into the input of the other.

Setebos · #5 10-09-2010, 05:38 PM

thanks very much to all.

anderbass · #6 10-09-2010, 09:17 PM

The ABY pedal method is cool but the drawback is you have to adjust each of the amps tone and volume knobs before you can hear the changes well. At a gig this can make quick adjustments between (or worse yet during) songs much more complicated.

The drawback to "FX send to the input of the second amp" can be that your 2nd amp ends up with 2 preamps/EQ/tone knobs stacked in-line. This can sound really good, or sometimes not. But either way this method is much more complicated to make your tone and volume adjustments because both amps knobs end up effecting the second combo...

"Tuner out to the input of the second amp" is a good option, its basically just like using an ABY pedal and comes with the same drawbacks.

I think FX send to the other amps FX return would be your best option. You'd just be using the preamp, EQ and volume knobs from your first amp to drive the power sections of both combos. This should work out really well with both your combos being the same model, each of them should end up requiring the same knob settings anyway.

Setebos · #7 10-09-2010, 09:35 PM

Thanks for the detailed explanation Anderbass.

Usually I run my amp eq flat as I use the eq from my SA Bass Driver. But in any case seems that the FX send to FX return option as the best one. You never know when you might need to twick the EQ on the fly in order to get a suitable sound. All rooms are different.

jnewmark · #8 10-10-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anderbass

The ABY pedal method is cool but the drawback is you have to adjust each of the amps tone and volume knobs before you can hear the changes well. At a gig this can make quick adjustments between (or worse yet during) songs much more complicated.

The drawback to "FX send to the input of the second amp" can be that your 2nd amp ends up with 2 preamps/EQ/tone knobs stacked in-line. This can sound really good, or sometimes not. But either way this method is much more complicated to make your tone and volume adjustments because both amps knobs end up effecting the second combo...

"Tuner out to the input of the second amp" is a good option, its basically just like using an ABY pedal and comes with the same drawbacks.

I think FX send to the other amps FX return would be your best option. You'd just be using the preamp, EQ and volume knobs from your first amp to drive the power sections of both combos. This should work out really well with both your combos being the same model, each of them should end up requiring the same knob settings anyway.

So, I'm assuming, that, doing the FX send to the FX return method, negates all the eq, gain, and volume knobs of the second amp ? The second amp just becomes a powered cab ?

ga_edwards · #9 10-10-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anderbass

I think FX send to the other amps FX return would be your best option. You'd just be using the preamp, EQ and volume knobs from your first amp to drive the power sections of both combos. This should work out really well with both your combos being the same model, each of them should end up requiring the same knob settings anyway.

Massive +1. 2 identical sounding amps with one set of controls (ok, except master volume on the slave amp).

Although you will need to check the schematics to make sure plugging a lead into just the fx send doesn't mute the output. You need a parallel loop as opposed to serial.

anderbass · #10 10-10-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

So, I'm assuming, that, doing the FX send to the FX return method, negates all the eq, gain, and volume knobs of the second amp ? The second amp just becomes a powered cab ?

Yep although on some brands the EQ section and/or Master volume is patched in post (after) the FX return jack and would still function in this case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

Although you will need to check the schematics to make sure plugging a lead into just the fx send doesn't mute the output. You need a parallel loop as opposed to serial.

Good point but but I've never ran across any FX Send jacks that contained the switching contacts, they pretty much always seem to be built into the Return jack. (although if they were in the Send jack on his model he could still plug in a Y-cable/adaptor to externally complete the Amp-A loop and also send the preamp signal along to the second combos FX Return)