So, a lot of bigger artists generally have multiple heads and cab on stage (for instance, I'm a huge fan of Lou Barlow). How does this work? Is there a special split cable that plugs into both amps at the same time? Sorry if it is a really obvious answer, I'm just curious and have no experience with it.
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newb question about multi-amp setups
- Thread starter IWillFlyOneDay
- Start date
A cable that splits to two amps ( a Y cable) would work, but you could get signal issues and problems using one. Anyone that is using a multiple amp setup is most likely using an amp switcher, either in a rack mount or pedal forum. If you Google that you'll get a bunch of results. Either that or they are using their amps in master/slave setup, which means they are basically using one preamp into however many other amps they have up on stage.
What are some very good ABY switches?
If you have a somewhat lower end one (like I have... about $35), you can run into some unusual feedback problems when using multiple amps.
If you have a somewhat lower end one (like I have... about $35), you can run into some unusual feedback problems when using multiple amps.
You can have as many amps and cabs as you want. You can also have as many cabs off one amp as you want. But never have more than one amp powering a given cabinet at a time.
You do get some players who actually switch between different amps throughout a gig, but that's not too common. More common is to have a single preamp sending a signal to multiple power amps, which each push their own designated cabs. In that sort of setup, all you're doing is either running the preamp-out into a splitter cable that connects to the input of each power amp. Or, into the first power amp, which has an pass-through to an output that can be connected to the next power amp in line.
If you use an ABY switch, it needs to be one that disconnects the first set of contacts before engaging the other set of contacts. "Break-before-make" is the term often used for that.
You do get some players who actually switch between different amps throughout a gig, but that's not too common. More common is to have a single preamp sending a signal to multiple power amps, which each push their own designated cabs. In that sort of setup, all you're doing is either running the preamp-out into a splitter cable that connects to the input of each power amp. Or, into the first power amp, which has an pass-through to an output that can be connected to the next power amp in line.
If you use an ABY switch, it needs to be one that disconnects the first set of contacts before engaging the other set of contacts. "Break-before-make" is the term often used for that.
A lot of times that is just to impress the kiddies; many times only one amp and cab is being used, sometimes none of them are being used (DI'd bass). Many of those cabs may even be empty with no speaker drivers in them, along with dummy amp shells, where only the power light works.
Back in the '60s and most of the '70s when PA systems, for the most part, were pretty lacking, and primarily carried the vocals and drums, the rest of us needed lots of amps to cover a venue, but not these days with the amazing PA systems around, now. So, the multiple amp thing is to maintain THE ROCK LOOK.
I use my tuner. Boss tu2. One out goes through my effects into a Ampeg v4b. The other out goes straight into a SVT. The SVT is set for low clean bottom end.
when I saw the band Hum play they were using switch boxes. They had fender amps running clean and would switch to Orange amps for the distortion sound. I've also read somewhere that Blink 182 did this as well
EDIT: though Blink isn't cool enough to use Orange amps.
the most common pedal I've seen people use for this is a Morley ABY.
EDIT: though Blink isn't cool enough to use Orange amps.
the most common pedal I've seen people use for this is a Morley ABY.
Caution: in my experience, the Morley ABY is the worst piece of junk on the market. Serious sound degradation.
glad I found this thread.. but I have a question concerning a different setup that I am going to try for my own band...
My plan is to play bass, use my bass gear, but split my signal properly so that one split is going through an octave pedal/pitch shifter of some sort, then feed the higher notes through my Mesa Boogie Vtwin preamp, then into a guitar amp... basically to play rhythm guitar (root notes, simple bar chords using pitch shifter, etc.) to achieve a more full sound on stage to complement the lead guitar player while he is soloing.... I know this will work, and sorry if this seems that I am hijacking the thread, but I thought that this thread is in the same direction.. advice?
My plan is to play bass, use my bass gear, but split my signal properly so that one split is going through an octave pedal/pitch shifter of some sort, then feed the higher notes through my Mesa Boogie Vtwin preamp, then into a guitar amp... basically to play rhythm guitar (root notes, simple bar chords using pitch shifter, etc.) to achieve a more full sound on stage to complement the lead guitar player while he is soloing.... I know this will work, and sorry if this seems that I am hijacking the thread, but I thought that this thread is in the same direction.. advice?
knifeyknife,
buy or build an aby w/ a 180degree phase switch on one leg (A leg or B leg)...isolation transformer and/or ground lift optional.
I tried out one of those $300 ones with lights, boosts, and the above options. Found that the phasing was probably the single biggest issue...
I use 2 amps, running "bass" and "not bass" via bass amp & 2x15 and guitar amp & 4x12 for a similar effect to what you propose.
buy or build an aby w/ a 180degree phase switch on one leg (A leg or B leg)...isolation transformer and/or ground lift optional.
I tried out one of those $300 ones with lights, boosts, and the above options. Found that the phasing was probably the single biggest issue...
I use 2 amps, running "bass" and "not bass" via bass amp & 2x15 and guitar amp & 4x12 for a similar effect to what you propose.
You can do what I do:
I picked up a fishman powerchord bass fx pedal. Send the unaffected signal to my bass, the octave/distorted signal into a guitar amp.
Works like a charm!
I picked up a fishman powerchord bass fx pedal. Send the unaffected signal to my bass, the octave/distorted signal into a guitar amp.
Works like a charm!
When I run 2 full stacks (Marshall VBA 400 heads into 4x12 and 2x15 cabs), I run a cable from the effects loop send to the input of the second head. Works like a charm.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Amp switchers range from the $100ish range to a mid level $300 group up to some pretty serious rack units. The down side to the cheaper models is that although they work they are prone to excess noise and hiss. If you start getting into swtiching systems they can toggle between amps, turn on and off your amps effects loops, or can run your stomp boxes in their own signal chain. The GCX expander is one such example of the switching systems available, but I don't know if you really need to get that crazy with it.
Sweetwater carries a good selection of these type of units from simple stomp box variety or the rack mount switching systems.
Sweetwater carries a good selection of these type of units from simple stomp box variety or the rack mount switching systems.
