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Quick Question: Connecting a preamp to an amp head

Dec 10, 2016
234
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i was unable to find my old thread where this was explained to me. I simply want to connect my Ashly preamp to my SWR head. It’s my understanding this disables the preamp section of the SWR, using it only to power the Ashly.

The plug that’s inserted in the fx send is the diode distortion mod for this SC-40 preamp.

 
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C.

STAGE OUTPUTS

Use the HIGH-level output to directly drive a power

amplifier (Crown, BGW, Phase Linear, etc.) and use the LOV/-
level output to drive conventional musical instrument amps.
If you need more or less level and can't correct the problem
by adjustment, try the other output.

D.

PA OUTPUTS

Use the mic-level PA output to directly connect the SC-40

to a studio or PA system mixing console microphone input, or
use the LINE-level output to drive a line input. The mic.
connection should be used for long cable runs because it is a
balanced line which helps to minimize noise. (This mic-level

output can be used with any console mic input including
balanced, unbalanced, and phantom powered types.)

IV. OTHER HOOKUPS

With the multitude of inputs and outputs available on

the SC-40, there are many possible variations in its use. A
few are presented here as an illustration. Experimentation viill
be necessary to exactly meet individual needs.

1. When not using the PA output as a direct feed, it may be

used to feed a second stage amplifier, with seperate level
control.

When taking a line-level feed from another amplifier of

preamp, connect it into the EFFECT return rather than the

front panel input thus bypassing the preamp section of

the SC-40, but still using the equalizer.

Smooth distortion may be produced by wiring (2) 1N914 diodes
paralleled in opposite directions between the tip and sleeve

of a phone plug and inserting it into the EFFECTS send.
A foot switch can be wired in series with the tip of the

plug to switch out the distortion
 
C.

STAGE OUTPUTS

Use the HIGH-level output to directly drive a power

amplifier (Crown, BGW, Phase Linear, etc.) and use the LOV/-
level output to drive conventional musical instrument amps.
If you need more or less level and can't correct the problem
by adjustment, try the other output.

D.

PA OUTPUTS

Use the mic-level PA output to directly connect the SC-40

to a studio or PA system mixing console microphone input, or
use the LINE-level output to drive a line input. The mic.
connection should be used for long cable runs because it is a
balanced line which helps to minimize noise. (This mic-level

output can be used with any console mic input including
balanced, unbalanced, and phantom powered types.)

IV. OTHER HOOKUPS

With the multitude of inputs and outputs available on

the SC-40, there are many possible variations in its use. A
few are presented here as an illustration. Experimentation viill
be necessary to exactly meet individual needs.

1. When not using the PA output as a direct feed, it may be

used to feed a second stage amplifier, with seperate level
control.

When taking a line-level feed from another amplifier of

preamp, connect it into the EFFECT return rather than the

front panel input thus bypassing the preamp section of

the SC-40, but still using the equalizer.

Smooth distortion may be produced by wiring (2) 1N914 diodes
paralleled in opposite directions between the tip and sleeve

of a phone plug and inserting it into the EFFECTS send.
A foot switch can be wired in series with the tip of the

plug to switch out the distortion
Ok so Stage Out Low, correct?
 
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Ok so Stage Out Low, correct?

You can try one of three and use that which provides the desired response with lowest noise floor: high-level, low-level, or 1/4" PA out. Be sure to start with volume down! It appears the low-level can be run directly into the SWR's front-end...who knows, they may "play nicely together". Not such an absurd idea as we stack preamps all the time.

Looking forward to the results...or a huge mushroom cloud!

Riis
 
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es

You can try one of three and use that which provides the desired response with lowest noise floor: high-level, low-level, or 1/4" PA out. Be sure to start with volume down! It appears the low-level can be run directly into the SWR's front-end...who knows, they may "play nicely together". Not such an absurd idea as we stack preamps all the time.

Looking forward to the results...or a huge mushroom cloud!

Riis
Yes, I’m trying different things with it as we speak. Man that diode mod plug offers some hellish levels of distortion if desired.

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My Electric Blue has a mix knob for it's fx loop.
Check your manual whether you have a series or parallel loop & control available to you.
Stacking voicings isn't all that bad, some people find advantages to layering their output.
 
Ok so Stage Out Low, correct?

Using that setup, my guess would be Stage Out High...as I'm figuring with Stage Out Low, the Ashly would want to put out a little less signal assuming it's going thru the amp head's pre stage, which usually adds more signal via input gain or EQ boosts.

I'm betting the level will be on the low side if you go Stage Out Low to the SWR's Effects Receive.
 
My Electric Blue has a mix knob for it's fx loop.
Check your manual whether you have a series or parallel loop & control available to you.
Stacking voicings isn't all that bad, some people find advantages to layering their output.
The SWR has an fx mix knob. I keep that on 10 when running the Ashly into it’s fx receive. That disables the SWR’s preamp, so there’s no stacking.
 
Any of those outputs may/will work into the Effects Return of the SWR. Try all of them and see what works best for you. The Blend control on the SWR should be set fully CW for best results when only using Ashly. Given the parallel nature of the bland control you can use both Ashly's and the SWR's preamps at the same time, if desired, for a plethora of options.
 
Using that setup, my guess would be Stage Out High...as I'm figuring with Stage Out Low, the Ashly would want to put out a little less signal assuming it's going thru the amp head's pre stage, which usually adds more signal via input gain or EQ boosts.

I'm betting the level will be on the low side if you go Stage Out Low to the SWR's Effects Receive.
Yes, I switched over to Stage Out High. The Ashly is fun to play with, as far as the eq and if you’re wanting to use the diode mod plug for the distortion. Otherwise, I actually prefer the sound of the SWR without the Ashly. Sounds much cleaner just using the SWR and the A.M.P. cab.

I’m curious how the A.M.P. SL-1 preamp compares to the Ashly SC-40.
 

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