Two amps

madmarvin · #1 06-20-2011, 02:14 PM

OK, I've been messing around with two amps a little bit and I wondered if there was any chance that I could damage the amps.

I have an Orange Combo that I *think* I am in no danger of hurting. This amp has a "line out" channel that I am currently running back into the return on my Ampeg SVT 200T. I am then running the SVT into a single 15, cutting out the high EQ and using it primarly as an adjustable volume/bottom to low mid boost.

What I also discovered was that if I maxed the gain on both amps I get some crazy distortion. The Orange breaks up warmly, and then the Ampeg seems to only amplify that with its distortion. I even tried swapping out the Line Out into the instrument in on the SVT instead of the return channel, this created a crazy amount of distortion (think Anastasia Pulling Teeth, then more.)

Now the overal volume of the amps is not that high, but the signal strength running though is super distorted and hot. I just wondered if there was any chance of damage. The line out from the Orange is in no way powered, it is just a signal out.

Also, could I do the same thing with a DI out, basically chain amps together? Not looking for comments on tone for this, just wondering if there is any chance I can make the Ampeg explode.

will33 · #2 06-20-2011, 02:45 PM

Running it to the instrument input will slam the front end and can burn it up. Running from a preamp out or effects send to a poweramp in or effects return should be ok.

madmarvin · #3 06-20-2011, 02:59 PM

That's what I thought, thanks for the advice. I figured running it into the instrument input could be bad as the line out signal is probably significantly stronger than a typical signal from an instrument. It does have an active -15db instrument input and I was smart enough to only use that, although it still seems to run much hotter than the effects return.

The amp has a power amp input, that is run at flat max stage volume - way too loud for what I am doing.

countrybass007 · #4 06-20-2011, 04:42 PM

I always use an AB pedal when using two amps, an ABC for three amps or two amps and a signal to the PA. An easy and safe way to use multiple amps.

madmarvin · #5 06-20-2011, 06:34 PM

Normally I would do that, but I wanted to send the distorted signal from the original amp to the second amp, then distort that.

I used to AB a Fender Quad Reverb with my Ampeg, that sounded great but the Fender was only on loan.....

rad bassman · #6 06-22-2011, 08:41 AM

i was doing a similar thing with my roland bass cube into my peavey tour 450,, i really like the roland preamp section, and it has compression too which the peavey does not... ive cooked the front end of my peavey

but it has been repaired now, there is an AUX in on the back of the peavey amp, Can i use this as a pre amp input on my peavey?

ive tried using the effects return jack at the back of the peavey but it is very noisy, and it bypasses all the controlls on the front, not that is a problem, but the noise is... is it just that its not meant to be used as a power amp with external preamp?

madmarvin · #7 06-23-2011, 12:43 PM

Here is what the setup I have going looks like: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1259474/0622112239.jpg

It sounds awesome, actually better than a ton of stuff I have played and for me it is the perfect tone. The distortion on it is clean and punchy and crunchy all at the same time. I am not worried about frying the Ampeg as the out on the Orange is a Line Out. I am sending that back through the Return on the Ampeg so hopefully all this should be fine. The Ampeg also is very very sturdy, has an old school heatsink on it that weighs 50lbs (no joke).

rad bassman · #8 06-24-2011, 01:39 AM

do you not get added hiss using the effects return as a line in?

madmarvin · #9 06-24-2011, 01:57 PM

Nope. Sounds clean as a whistle.

*I've A/B'd it with just the bass into the amp, no difference in feedback/hiss/background noise/etc.*