slave?

s_mcsleazy · #1 08-21-2010, 06:03 PM

explain this to me please

its one thing ive always wondered what people ment by slave amps

Sartori · #2 08-21-2010, 06:17 PM

It means using the another amplifier's poweramp. You can hook up additional cabinets this way, IIRC, and of course, increase power. For increased volume.

Some makers have occasionally sold products specialized for this exact purpose, having a very minimalist preamp, or in some cases, no preamp at all.

**B-string** · #3 08-21-2010, 07:56 PM

Slave amps are amps only. You can "slave" a complete head by running the effects send to a second heads effects return. The "master" amp supplies the preamp for both amp sections and controls both (with additional cabs).

Metal Matt · #4 08-21-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

Some makers have occasionally sold products specialized for this exact purpose, having a very minimalist preamp, or in some cases, no preamp at all.

Yup

All three amps have the same exact power amp, but the slaves have no preamp. They run off the pre-amp output of the CB so one amp controls the tone of all the amps.

I know Acoustic made dedicated slave amps and I believe Peavey did as well. Not sure what companies make slave amps like this nowadays other than Matamp/Electric.

rbonner · #5 08-21-2010, 08:35 PM

Yeah in this case the top amp provides the preamp and the others are using only the power amp each driving their respective cab.

BOB

KramerBassFan · #6 08-21-2010, 08:43 PM

Sunn did, Acoustic did, HIWATT did, and Kustom did. Those are some that came to mind.... all in the era of "more speakers, more watts, NO PA"

smo · #7 08-22-2010, 08:05 AM

Everyone should try a tube slave with a P-bass, and nothing else.
Surprising how redundant some gear can be after that.....

rptrsn2 · #8 08-22-2010, 03:50 PM

can you run the send out from any head to a slave and still use the power amp portion of the head or does plugging into the send on the head interupt the signal to the power amp of the head.say if on a gk 700rbii you ran the effects send to a power amp, would i still beable to run the cabs off the 700 then another set off the slave power amp?

Sartori · #9 08-22-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Matt

Yup

All three amps have the same exact power amp, but the slaves have no preamp. They run off the pre-amp output of the CB so one amp controls the tone of all the amps.

I know Acoustic made dedicated slave amps and I believe Peavey did as well. Not sure what companies make slave amps like this nowadays other than Matamp/Electric.

Ah yes, I was actually thinking of your setup when typing my post. Always a welcome sight.

As for current slave amps... Matamp/Electric definitely, though I think Mesa has one for guitar. I'm sure Verellen would one for someone who ordered it, since you can order custom stuff from them. Same with any other custom amp maker, I should think.

Sartori · #10 08-22-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rptrsn2

can you run the send out from any head to a slave and still use the power amp portion of the head or does plugging into the send on the head interupt the signal to the power amp of the head.say if on a gk 700rbii you ran the effects send to a power amp, would i still beable to run the cabs off the 700 then another set off the slave power amp?

Not sure, but if I recall correctly, with most slave setups, you're still powering a cab, or cabs, from the master amp. Of course, with most tube amps, you have to have a speaker load connected. With an SS amp like a GK, you probably could run some cabs from the master amp, but you wouldn't have to.

**B-string** · #11 08-22-2010, 05:32 PM

I've run the Fusion 550's effects send to my 800RB. One 412 on the Fusion, a 215 and 115 from the 800RB. Made the guitardists cry!

Metal Matt · #12 08-22-2010, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rptrsn2

say if on a gk 700rbii you ran the effects send to a power amp, would i still beable to run the cabs off the 700 then another set off the slave power amp?

Yes.

M0ses · #13 08-22-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rptrsn2

can you run the send out from any head to a slave and still use the power amp portion of the head or does plugging into the send on the head interupt the signal to the power amp of the head.say if on a gk 700rbii you ran the effects send to a power amp, would i still beable to run the cabs off the 700 then another set off the slave power amp?

This will change depending on the design of your head. Some amps won't have the ability to properly slave. IME most heads' effects loop will interrupt.

Jazz Ad · #14 08-23-2010, 12:08 AM

Slaves are especially useful when you primary haed or combo can't host a 2nd passive cab because power and/or impedance are already maxed out.
In this case, any additional cab has to come with power. There you have a slave.

I use an EBS slave for many purposes, mostly to give more volume to my Ampeg combo.
Line out goes to the input of the slave.

An interesting thing to do is to use a slave with a pedal preamp. It makes for a very cost efficient rig.

Bass dedicated slaves aren't very common nowadays. You can get around this by using active PA cabs.

Zako · #15 08-23-2010, 12:18 AM

I always wondered about this too. I have a Peavey 400BH Mark IV on the way, with only about 210 watts i think, im wondering if it would be loud enough to completely replace my Carvin b1500. im using a Mesa ph412 as my main(and only cab) I think it would be cool to get the sound of a Mark IV with the power of a B1500?