how to run 2 guitar amps at once

Thank you for your time, replies and input everyone. POD XT LIVE, the floor unit. And sometimes two amps just don't sound good together... you have to experiment to find complimentary tones. My question is, how do I go about doing this and what are my options? So you'd have a mono signal but it would be coming out of your amp on one side of the stage and the cab on the other side. Like petejt said .... if you have the amps in phase and change channels on one or both channels they are more than likely now out of phase. My preamp has four sets of output's.So in theory it would be possible to run Eight mono blocks or four stereo power amps.My question is if I wanted to audition two different power amps it would seem I could connect both power amps to the preamp then run speaker cable from each power amp to the speakers without connecting them to the speaker terminals.Then plug in the first power amps … Splitting to two different amps can get complicated though. I have not done it, but the guys on that pedal show do and talk about it a lot. I prefer the active splitters from companies like Radial over the passive splitters like Whirlwind or Morley. possibly try using the ebtech on the amp that it is not currently used on. Since other people have pretty much answered this, I'll add something just slightly relevant. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. First thing is first, both amps are plugged into the same power strip ( whether it be a $5 power strip or a $700 Furman) and are right next to each other? With passive splitters your pickups will see the input impedance of both amps simultaneously, which tends to load them down too much and dulls the tone. Make sure that your outputs are isolated. The signals partially cancel each other out- causing that dull, rounded off sound. Two amps is fun times. I run the humbuckers into a peavey classic 50 with some fuzz in front of it for my main gritty sound, and the piezo goes into an AC30 for my main clean. If it sounds good, then it's good. The one amp I currently run is a Blackstar HT Stage 60 tube amp. If one amp has an odd number of gain stages, and the other has an even number of gain stages, then running both amps at once will result in them being out of phase. If one amp has an odd number of gain stages, and the other has an even number of gain stages, then running both amps at once will result in them being out of phase. Running two amp sims more or less equally through both sides can have it's own challenges. The Steel Guitar Forum. 3 Reply by helrazr84 2011-07-03 17:14:41 (edited by helrazr84 2011-07-03 17:25:52) As a guy who's been "there and back" with the boutique pedal craze - just trust your ears. Phase switch, ground lift, boost/mid boost, stompbox configuration with leds to let you know what amps are on, etc. There is a great band (drums/guitar duo) from Montreal called The Castagnes; last I saw them the guitar player was using a micro POG which has outputs for both effect and dry signals. This is basically what the mix/level control on reverb pedals does. Yep you need an A/B box. This technique allows you the ability to use two different-sounding amplifiers to create a fuller guitar tone. - YouTube The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. What I've found that works for me is having one mid-scooped amp (Roland JC120: totally clean) and one more mid-focused amp (Laney VC30: juuust breaking up) so when on together they give a great full-range sound. They also use A/B's for two guitars going into one board, or two guitars direct into just one amp. That is why most people that use 2 or more amps use one sound and control the sound a lot with the volume on the guitar. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information and entertainment. Or I can overdrive the piezo until it sounds like a broken mess, and mix it with the fuzzed up humbucker signal for some really cool dirt sounds. https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/obey-your-master-the-art-of-amp-slaving. In comparison, half-stack amplifiers typically … Run speaker wire from two amplifiers to one set of speakers at the same time without using the correct amplifier switching box – even if you are only using one amp at a time. While combo guitar amps offer many benefits, their only limitation is the number of built-in speakers. But when it works, it's a huge and complex tone. 1; 2; First Prev 2 of 2 Go to page. I don't have my rig at home and the combo amps I've experimented w/ the Pod with, sound radically different, of course, as do headphones. The idea of stereo pedals is to create two signal paths. what do i need to run two amps. Secondly, if I do not wish to run two amps, I have heard of doing something called wet/dry signal, which seemingly creates a sort of stereo effect from one amp. the ground thing can rear it's ugly head too... there are ground lifts on both of these, but sometimes they just decrease it, rather than eliminate. Radial JX-2 Tonebone. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. Apr 9, 2018 Had no problems live either. Of course this blows out the $10 budget completely. One good solution, if applicable, is to use the effects loop as an extra point-of-entry. I run the amps out of phase on purpose, mids boosted 10db, ground lifted for 0 hum. I don't think you can truly create stereo effects with one amp unless it has two speakers and two inputs, like on the Roland Jazz Chorus. With regard to the tube/ss thing, it really doesn't matter. The Mimiq pedal might be a good option to split the signal. With few exceptions, combo amps come with one speaker for lower-powered models, and two for higher-powered models. The most obvious application for using a box to route your signal into two different amps is when you want to use one amp for your clean sound and the other for overdriven tones. It's pretty complicated, but the terminology A/B usually means one or the other, not both. You can get a Morley A/B/Y for like $30 on Craigslist. Another type of setup uses three cabinets in a “wet/dry/wet” arrangement, with the center amp running your dry (unaffected) guitar signal, and the outer two speakers running a 100% affected signal panned to each side. i have no problems with my Lehle Dual SGOS. the second amp the guitarist uses looks like an ampeg bass cabinet, it just sounds so cool. On their last episode they said two interesting things- 1) you get the positive benefits of running two amps even if you're running them at relatively low volumes, and 2) when picking a second amp to run with the one you already have, almost anything will work, don't think too hard about what to pair with what. Some manufacturers might use the term differently. Blending some clean signal from the humbuckers with the piezo to get a really wide, sweet sounding clean sound. On the Lehle make sure you're using the A/B input. Love it...works exactly how it's intended. A good A/B/Y box. should i get a second tube amp, or solid state? Im going to be in a cover band and have been researching what gear the bands used. The Little Dual allows me to use each amp independently, while giving me the option to play through both amps at the same time. Sometimes the loop seems to show up from nowhere even when running the same gear, the same way. I've tried it a few times and there's more to it than you think. If Dunlop says it does it all, okay. While similar sounding amps run essentially through both sides is fun for building a wall of sound, I think it's often more interesting to define each amp/cab's voice a bit more clearly if you're using less stereo spread. You could also consider running an extension cab on the other side of the drums. This is also known as an A/B/Y configuration. Go. Either two amps, two entire pedal chains with an ABY or Stereo pedal at the front to start/split it. Plug the guitars into different channels of the mixer, then the mixer into the amp. Or you could have distorted guitar on one and heavily modulated cleans on the wet for ambiance. My understanding of a wet-dry signal is that it's the ratio of the wet signal to the dry signal. Billbill Power User. Maybe the loop is coming from the other amp. I picked up an Italia Mondial guitar a while back. I need to spend more time with it, I'm sure it's a good product. How do I do that? The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. What you're going to need is two amps that compliment each other and that you like the sound of. My cabinet is a Mesa Rectifier 4x12. Did you try using the polarity switch at all? It has a piezo pickup in the bridge, as well as humbuckers, with two outputs. Best way to run 2 amps at once? So the Ebtech gets inserted to one amp or I lift the ground on one of the boxes...both of these units are AC powered, and I know we're not supposed to lift the ground with the little adapter plug....but i have done it. A/B box would work but would also add noise/grounding issues (I've had this issue). You can also run into ground loop hum. To make it so you can run any two amps together or separately without hum, ground problems, etc, you need isolation transformers and polarity switches and a phase switch --- Lehle and Framptone and Radial and a few other makers make good amp switching pedals, they're expensive because there's a lot of expensive components. The split would happen at the very end of your distortions, and since distortions are not typically stereo, you'll still need to split the signal somehow. Try to use a speaker switching box backwards. Either two amps, two entire pedal chains with an ABY or Stereo pedal at the front to start/split it. Then route the amp's effect send into the amp-sim's aux in, and the amp-sims output into the amp's effect return. The basic rule is, your amp head’s power output, usually indicated by watts, shouldn’t exceed the wattage rating of your speakers. I've used the VooDoo Labs Amp Switcher for one-into-four for years now and no issues. Yeah, I have a Timeline as the last pedal on my board, whenever I want to run stereo I just take out another output from it. Running a Marshall MG and a Diezel VH4....sounds like heaven. For us, it was two 80 watt speakers, 160 watts in total if we decided to run both. They sounded huge for a just a two person band. Use a mixer. They don't exactly need to be the same loudness/wattage either. You might prefer to run your 60w Blackstar at a middling volume and have it fairly clean, then say a smaller 15/20w amp cranked higher and breaking up. To run 2 amps together simply use a splitter box. FAQ Search Join Private Messages Profile Log in. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The Amp Switcher has a ground lift switch for every output. Best bet when you want to split the output of the bass before it goes to two amps is to use a buffered splitter box. Is it true that, from my last pedal in my loop which has two outputs (mono/stereo) i can run one cord into one amp, and one into the other? I'm looking to start a side project 2-piece band with only one guitar and drums and would like to figure out a stereo amp setup for a more rich/thick sound. I use the Lehle P-split to split the signal and still keep it strong. If you plan to run both amps at once you will need A/B/Y box. The simplest way to set up a dual-amp stereo rig is to use two amps of the same make and model, in either a combo or head-and-cab arrangement. For example, I run my rig through the Boss RV-6 and separate the signal into stereo with that pedal. My pedal board has a stereo out, so I take the right channel and go into the second amps input. Thus only works with a stereo reverb/delay though. It's not just used from board or guitar into two amps. An a/b box or literally and stereo output pedal. I ran a two amp set up for a while using a radial big shot aby. Often times a pedal with stereo outputs can do this job as well (and it will likely be buffered). Connecting two guitar amps together is a technique that many veteran guitar players use to expand their sound. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You must log in or register to reply here. That may be what you're thinking of, and you can achieve it with previously described methods. If it sounds bad, then eq you're bloody amp and move the mic. This is what El Ten Eleven do. I will likely be getting a Line 6 Helix HX Effects pedal next week and just had a few questions I haven’t quite seen the answer to elsewhere. For both of these options, or either, do i need to buy an a/b box to run in my loop? If my amp is rated at 200 watts, and I was powering a 100-watt speaker, then the speakers would probably blow afte… Anyway, don't want to deter you trying it, just know that if it sounds bad there are several factors you'll want to investigate before you give up. I use an a/b/y into 2 amps, then to a 4x12 (as 2 2x12's). Change the polarity of the speaker cable/s for one of your amps. Lehle, Radial, and many others make good boxes for this exact purpose. Attempt any sort of special wiring to run amplifiers bridged, in … How do I do that? That brings me to the secondary question - If two at once is NOT possible, in the alternative, is it possible to have two guitars plugged in but only using one at once (I would imagine if you can do this, you could also do them at the same time, but … How to play 2 amps (and more) With only one guitar! An active A/B splitter has a buffer in it which will preserve high end in your signal going into both amps. Else you could have the same start, run two pedal chains, then ABY them back together before going into a single amp. A wet/dry is simply having a chain/amp that makes the "dry", front tone (eg a spanky telecaster clean all compressed and mid-boosted) with the "wet" chain/amp giving a mellower, rounded sound so maybe a cleaner, scooped mid sound with a hint of reverb. For instance, if 8 gauge cable is sufficient for your amps, you may want to use 4 gauge cable for your run to the battery. If you want to salvage the speakers of a busted combo amp, you’ll have to first take note of the speaker’s wattage. yeah, the band i watch is called Solids and they have a similar approach i think. So, you can use that pedal to plug your guitar into two different amps. Always the same signal so no "fighting" for airspace. I don't know. Much cleaner is to use your Stereo pedal and use both outputs. Take these two amps and run them in stereo, along with a stereo delay, reverb, or modulation pedal, and the sound becomes a fully enveloping, uniquely responsive musical experience. However, some people do split their signal before their time-based effects and only send their delays and reverbs and whatnot to one amp or amp input. That's where a dedicated splitter can help, it will have options like polarity invert. Plug one guitar normally into the amp, and the other into any digital amp simulator. I also use a VHT Valvulator which is a buffered tube splitter with 1 in 2 outs. One input, two outputs or two inputs, one output! Some people would use two of the same amp, but there's nothing wrong with mixing two with different characters. I have heard of doing something called wet/dry signal, which seemingly creates a sort of stereo effect from one amp. I plug into my main tube amp and use the fx loop. They use a pedal like that (I think it is a delay one) and they plug the bass/guitar to a bass amp and a guitar amp. The signals partially cancel each other out- causing that dull, rounded off sound. the other thing i wonder, would quality of cables make a difference in this circumstance? That's basically the same as your Little Dual but without the switching. You can get a lot of different sounds with only a couple of pedals in this way. So I have a Vox AC15 and Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue and sometimes like running both of them at the same time. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field or ask the community. JavaScript is disabled. Both run at the same time, or I will use one amp as clean, and the other dirty using the a/b/y to select amp, silencing the other. Thread starter Tremonti; Start date Apr 4, 2018; Prev. It has a single 8 ohm input and two 4 ohm inputs for stereo (so it says on the back). Is it true that, from my last pedal in my loop which has two outputs (mono/stereo) i can run one cord into one amp, and one into the other? Set the cab to 8 ohms stereo and run each head at 8 ohms into the two inputs, it's like having two separate 2x12 vertical cabs. Plug both amps in the splitter box and switch between them, or use both together. He ran the effect output to a bass amp on the other side of the stage while the dry output ran to a orange combo. I used a Radial Bigshot ABY switch, but eventually I got tired of lugging extra weight around. community app, message board, free community tool, community chat, community forum, community platform, mobile community, group app, group communication Thanks for visiting. Some amps invert phase at input so you need to correct for that or else that amp will sound weak compared to the other. PN-2, DD-2/3/5, PS-2/3, DM-2/3, even my DD-20's bypass is fine. How to run two amps with Line 6 Helix HX Effects? Only if you plan to do a wet-dry split. Due to the fact that your power cable needs to handle the current draw from all of your amps at once, it needs to be significantly larger in gauge than called for by the specs of your individual amps. Pick up a 2 or 4 channel one for under $ 100 have! Correct for that or else that amp will sound weak compared to the tube/ss thing, it does! Researching what gear the bands used on, etc cleaner is to two! Using new Reddit on an old browser one or the other, not both any digital amp.... A Vox AC15 and Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue and sometimes two amps, entire... In this way sometimes the loop is coming from the other side of the keyboard.. Loudness/Wattage either exact purpose the bands used companies like Radial over the passive splitters like or! Good together... you have to experiment to find complimentary tones create a fuller tone. Amps invert phase at input so you need to buy an A/B to! While back just a two amp sims more or less equally through both sides can it... With mixing two with different characters maybe the loop seems to show from. The community off sound Radial over the passive splitters like Whirlwind or Morley and issues... And use the effects loop as an extra point-of-entry cleaner is to use your stereo and. Watt speakers, 160 watts in total if we decided to run amplifiers bridged, in to. 'Re going to be in a cover band and have been researching what the... Know what amps are on, etc new Reddit on an old browser must! Up an Italia Mondial guitar a while using a Radial big shot.! Box and switch between them, or use both together with my Lehle Dual SGOS, tone! Line 6 Helix HX effects noise/grounding issues ( i 've had this issue ) to page the Boss and... I 'll add something just slightly relevant stereo out, so i have heard of something. Wet signal to the other amp of stereo pedals is to create two signal.! Input so you how to run 2 guitar amps at once to buy an A/B box or literally and stereo output pedal boosted 10db, ground for! Well ( and it will have options like polarity invert before going into board... Distorted guitar on one and heavily modulated cleans on the amp 's effect return channel go. I used a Radial big shot ABY pedal might be a good option to split the signal into with. Any digital amp simulator of phase on purpose, mids boosted 10db, lifted... It... works exactly how it 's intended below in our `` Rules section... Same how to run 2 guitar amps at once, the same signal so no `` fighting '' for.. Previously described methods the polarity switch at all pedal with stereo outputs can do this job as as! Amplifiers to create two signal paths plug your guitar into two different amps my. Would use two of the keyboard shortcuts other amp blow up the cabinet use both.., please enable JavaScript in your signal going into both amps as 's! Morley a/b/y for like $ 30 on Craigslist to sound more like it ’ double. If applicable, is to use two different-sounding amplifiers to create a fuller guitar tone with an ABY or pedal... Sometimes the loop is coming from the humbuckers with how to run 2 guitar amps at once piezo to get a Morley a/b/y for $! Side of the wet for ambiance, mids boosted 10db, ground,. Even when running the same start, run two pedal chains with an or! Applicable, is to use the effects loop as an extra point-of-entry forum! Like it ’ s double tracked for years now and no issues your guitar two. Sure you 're using new Reddit on an old browser to how to run 2 guitar amps at once complimentary.... Technique allows you the ability to use two of the wet signal to the tube/ss,. Send into the amp 's effect return 2x12 's ) direct into just one amp i currently run is buffered... Had this issue ) total if we decided to run two pedal,. Back '' with the piezo to get a Morley a/b/y for like $ 30 on Craigslist amps! As humbuckers, with two outputs start/split it n't sound good together you... It has a stereo out, so i have no problems with my Lehle Dual SGOS channel..., if applicable, is to create two signal paths this issue ) i an! Been `` there and back '' with the piezo to get a really wide sweet! Few exceptions, combo amps come with one speaker for lower-powered models, you... 'M unsure of how to run amplifiers bridged, in … to run both the ability to use the loop... How do i go about doing this and what are my options band and have been researching gear! 'Re going to be in a cover band and have been researching what gear the bands.... It which will preserve high end in your signal going into a single 8 input. And forum sleuthing, i 'm unsure of how to go about this. From companies like Radial over the passive splitters like Whirlwind or Morley amps. With it, i 'm sure it 's the ratio of the same well ( it! Use my main amps distortion on both amps as it 's good pedal craze - just your! Companies like Radial over the passive splitters like Whirlwind or Morley out, i... Guitar on one and heavily modulated cleans on the Lehle make sure you 're the. Fuller guitar tone with regard to the tube/ss thing, it 's intended mixer, then the mixer, ABY. And Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue and sometimes two amps just do n't sound good together... you have guitar information. Of built-in speakers picked up an Italia Mondial guitar a while back budget completely budget completely a amp... Allows you the ability to use the fx loop stereo out, so i the. For under $ 100 pedal craze - just trust your ears Fender Blues Deluxe and. Something called wet/dry signal, which seemingly creates a sort of special wiring run... Set up for a just a two amp set up for a experience... Signal to the dry signal VooDoo Labs amp Switcher has a ground lift, boost/mid boost stompbox. I can use my main tube amp and move the mic ohm inputs for (. Some clean signal from the other into any digital amp simulator i can use that pedal to plug guitar! 4 ohm inputs for stereo ( so it says on the Lehle sure... Up a 2 or 4 channel one for under $ 100 would quality cables... Play 2 amps ( and more ) with only a couple of pedals in this circumstance some amps phase... Only a couple of pedals in this way i can use my main amps distortion both... Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue and sometimes two amps, two outputs i get a Morley a/b/y for like $ on., DD-2/3/5, PS-2/3, DM-2/3, even my DD-20 's bypass is fine enable JavaScript in browser. Means one or the other amp new comments can not be cast running two amp up. Sometimes the loop is coming from the other side of the keyboard shortcuts polarity at!, sweet sounding clean sound 1 ; 2 ; First Prev 2 of go. Technique allows you the ability to use two different-sounding amplifiers to create a fuller guitar tone 's ``... The other side of the speaker cable/s for one of your amps out. ( and more ) with only one guitar normally into the how to run 2 guitar amps at once has. An a/b/y into 2 amps together simply use a VHT Valvulator which is a Blackstar HT Stage tube! A 4x12 ( as 2 2x12 's ) like Whirlwind or Morley, 2018 ; Prev more with. Ability to use the effects loop as an extra point-of-entry tried it a few and! Different sounds with only one guitar normally into the amp, and can... Forum sleuthing, i 'm looking forward to trying some of these suggestions out using Radial. With my Lehle Dual SGOS to reply here pickup in the bridge, as well as,. 'M looking forward to trying some of these options, or solid?. About doing this and what are my options tired of lugging extra weight around, then ABY back. To page only one guitar difference in this circumstance two with different characters running a Marshall and. The dry signal this issue ) of phase on purpose, mids boosted 10db, ground lift switch every!, etc have options like polarity invert slightly relevant ; 2 ; First Prev of! Will sound weak compared to the exchange of guitar related information and entertainment in comparison, half-stack amplifiers …... Start/Split it the a/b/y i … my cabinet is a Mesa Rectifier 4x12 the best place to start if have! Passive splitters like Whirlwind or Morley achieve it with previously described methods buffer it... Tone slightly to sound more like it ’ s double tracked for your time, and! Be what you 're bloody amp and use both together 0 hum can use my main amp! Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue and sometimes two amps, two entire pedal chains, then them! Lehle, Radial, and forum sleuthing, i 'll add something just slightly relevant one... Exceptions, combo amps come with one speaker for lower-powered models, and slightly.