Bi-amping with a GT-10B

[homeslice1479]

I apologize if I missed a good thread pertaining to this; I did try to find one for the record.

My current rig is an Acoustic B200H powering an Acoustic B410 and an Acoustic B115, with a Boss GT10B for effects. I play fretted and fretless Jazz basses and a Schecter Stiletto Studio 6. I love my rig and I am considering buying another B200H so I can power each cab separately and use the pedalboard to send a different signal to each one.

So you know, the GT10B has multiple signal switching options with two outputs: Left (mono), and Right. You can also fully customize the chain order for each patch.

I'm looking for advice and tips on how to get a good sound with this setup from people who have used two amps before. Like what kind of signal should I send to what cab? What effects sound good on separate channels? Thanks!

[bassbrad]

Okay Homey here is an overview for bi-amping or more correctly dual amping.

Bi-amping refers to splitting the signal into low and high ranges with a crossover and using a separate power amp and speakers for each signal. This was a popular solution in the 70' thru 90's for large bass rigs also commonly seen in large PA systems. Today this is a less common practice due to advances in speaker and amplifier technology.

Dual amping is I believe what you are referring to. You can do a true stereo left right, pseudo stereo, or more useful for bass is to do a wet/dry dual amping set up. For a true stereo set up both amps should be identical. Pseudo stereo would have 2 different but complimentary amps often a solid state bass type rig and a tube more guitar style rig. John Entwistle, John Paul Jones and Chris Squier all used this type set up. A wet/ dry set up, sending effects to one side and the other clean, can use either amp configuration as each have their own special magic.

[homeslice1479]

I apologize for my incorrect terminology, thanks for your explanation. You're correct in that I'm seeking to use dual amps, not biamp. Any tips for that? Particularly concerning the order of the effects in the chain?

[bassbrad]

First off you'll need to decide what direction you want to go and what you are looking for and get another amp. It could be as simple as adding another head and splitting up your cabs going stereo, adding another stack or going in another direction like adding a guitar amp for crunch & clarity- even a 1x12 40 watt guitar combo could really punch things up with the rig you have.
As far as effect order goes the general school is:
dynamics= compressor, envelope follower, sometimes wah
gain= distortion
tone= eq sometimes wah
modulation= octaver, chorus, phase flange, pitch shift
delay and then reverb ;
but there are cool sounds by mixing things up so feel free to break the rules.