Chain GK MB combo (master) to Rumble 500c (slave)

[Tommy TGrip]

Hi folks, I am thinking of chaining my Rumble 500c (210 350w @8ohm) as powered ext to my GK MB110 (100W @6ohm). I'll go into the FX return of the Rumble bypassing the preamp. The GK does not have an FX send but it does have a chain output (to power GK powered ext cabs). Is this a line level signal? Will this be ok for both amps if I connect them this way? The GK also has DI out. Cheers

 

[heynorm]

Try it out at home being careful how hot a signal you send to the input of the slave. It can be done.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Not convinced that will work.
Curious to hear your oitcome.

 

[agedhorse]

Learn how to unbalance the signal first, that’s an important step.

 

[Tommy TGrip]

Thanks for your response all. I don't know how to manage the heat of the signal (@heynorm ) or how to unbalance the signal (@agedhorse ). I think I will give it a miss. Sounds too risky

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

View attachment 4898484 Hi folks, I am thinking of chaining my Rumble 500c (210 350w @8ohm) as powered ext to my GK MB110 (100W @6ohm). I'll go into the FX return of the Rumble bypassing the preamp. The GK does not have an FX send but it does have a chain output (to power GK powered ext cabs). Is this a line level signal? Will this be ok for both amps if I connect them this way? The GK also has DI out. Cheers View attachment 4898478

The GK chain is proprietary. It does not use standard audio levels, so to say it is Line level is a stretch. Though I believe it is closer to line level than it is mic level.

This may require additional outboard amplification OR attenuation depending on the particular situation. I do not know if the pinout uses the standard configuration, 2+, 3-, 1 shield, so you may need to determine that as well.

As mentioned by @agedhorse you will need to deal with the balanced GK chain output to unbalanced Fender FX in.
If you use an intermediate amplifier to boost chain signals, you my be able to accomplish the unbalancing with the right device. If not, or if you need to attenuate, you can unbalance the signal with an appropriate transformer.
Needless to say, this can be more difficult if you are not well versed at interfacing audio systems not normally meant to work together.

There are many unknowns that make it difficult to advise you across the internet. Hopefully someone else here has already done the heavy lifting on a project like this, and can tell you how they accomplished this. Otherwise you could be in for a lot of trial and error.

 

[sonojono]

Usually when there's writing that states "For use with other GK products" I will do just that. Don't like the idea of potentially messing anything internally that I can't fix and would save me the expense and trip to find a tech to fix my poor judgment. Also would much rather save the embarrassment as well but do your thing and take accountability if poop goes left.

 

[butterfingers1]

I have two combos playing at the same time (but not connected) by splitting the guitar signal through an ABY box. Is there a disadvantage to this? I find it works very well and it’s simple.

 

[agedhorse]

I have two combos playing at the same time (but not connected) by splitting the guitar signal through an ABY box. Is there a disadvantage to this? I find it works very well and it’s simple.

No disadvantage, this suggestion was also mentioned earlier.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Usually when there's writing that states "For use with other GK products" I will do just that. Don't like the idea of potentially messing anything internally that I can't fix and would save me the expense and trip to find a tech to fix my poor judgment. Also would much rather save the embarrassment as well but do your thing and take accountability if poop goes left.

Of course a manufacturer would put that warning on their gear or in the manual.

(In no particular order.)
1) It is a way to keep your brand loyalty with the manufacturer.
2) Hopefully, it keeps people who don't know what they are doing, from doing harm to themselves or the gear.
3) Ties in with number 2... Keeps the lawyers happy.

There are ways to do this interface by using all external, plug-in methods that are easily reversible.
BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.