Getting my Quad+50/50 to... work!

[The Magic Hoof]

It's either I've got equipment that isn't working, or I'm a complete retard that doesn't know what he's doing. It's probably the latter, so feel free to call me an idiot if you want.

I've got a new Quad and a 50/50 here that I'm having trouble with. Everything is connected A-OK, but there's nothing coming out of the cab. It's probably settings on either the power amp or the Quad. There are so many knobs on here that it's a bit confusing. I've never fooled with rack gear, so yeah, that's why I'm having such brain farts with all of it.

I'm fooling around with the Volume A and B on the 50/50, and the Volume on channels 1+2, Master on channels 1+2 and the A and B outputs on the Quad. I don't seem to be getting anything out of the cab whatsoever except for this nasty static sound :?

This might be a dumb question, but do I have to have a footswitch to get any of this working? Because if so, I don't have one. I notice that there's no way to switch between channel 1/2 and RHY/LD. I thought that'd be on the preamp itself somewhere. None of the LEDs are lighting up.

 

[MetalMatt]

Yes you need some kind of foot switch.

I'm using on of these
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-PED801-Single-Footswitch-with-LED?sku=482941

The only problem is... to have to become a switchboard operator to change channels :lol:

Are you using one or both sides of your Quad?

 

[The Magic Hoof]

You mean this won't work AT ALL if I don't have a footswitch? :shock: WTF!!.....

When you say sides of the Quad do you mean A and B on the back of it? If so, yes. But as far as I know, they're identical and it doesn't matter if you use one and run a mono setup on your cab or not, the A+B outputs are the same, etc.

 

[MetalMatt]

Yeah its kinda lame. I thought mine was broken until I plugged in a footswitch I had lying around.

Just to be clear. If you are using only one side(A or B, not both) of your Quad and 50/50 you MUST have the other side not in use turned off. Meaning the output knob on the Quad and volume and presence knobs on the 50/50 turned to 0 (zero). Don't want any mishaps.

 

[The Magic Hoof]

Yeah its kinda lame. I thought mine was broken until I plugged in a footswitch I had lying around.

Just to be clear. If you are using only one side(A or B, not both) of your Quad and 50/50 you MUST have the other side not in use turned off. Meaning the output knob on the Quad and volume and presence knobs on the 50/50 turned to 0 (zero). Don't want any mishaps.

I've got both the A and B outputs from the Quad going to one of the A and B 4ohm channels on the 50/50, and then running it into my cab which is going into the two 4ohm jacks. That sound right? The only way I'd ever need to turn down the output knob on the Quad and the volume/presence knobs on the 50/50 is if I were running only the A or B outputs from the Quad into the A or B inputs on the 50/50. In that case, I'd have to run a single mono 8ohm jack (either A or B depending on which one I chose) to a cab. Does all of that sound correct? In fact, I'm still not too terribly sure why using both A+B sides is beneficial over mono.


Oh and, sheesh... If I'd have known that, I'd have gotten a footswitch that works along with it. I guess I'll have to order some kind of footswitch system for it. What's does everyone use mostly?

And just for reference, is there somehow a way to change channels without a proper footswitch? The reason I ask is because I've got a little foot pedal for my midi controller that's used as a dampening pedal when playing (you know, like a foot pedal on a piano). Would it hurt to maybe plug that somewhere in the back of the Quad and see if it'll change the channels?

 

[MetalMatt]

I've got both the A and B outputs from the Quad going to one of the A and B 4ohm channels on the 50/50, and then running it into my cab which is going into the two 4ohm jacks. That sound right? The only way I'd ever need to turn down the output knob on the Quad and the volume/presence knobs on the 50/50 is if I were running only the A or B outputs from the Quad into the A or B inputs on the 50/50. In that case, I'd have to run a single mono 8ohm jack (either A or B depending on which one I chose) to a cab. Does all of that sound correct? In fact, I'm still not too terribly sure why using both A+B sides is beneficial over mono.

That sounds correct.

Oh and, sheesh... If I'd have known that, I'd have gotten a footswitch that works along with it. I guess I'll have to order some kind of footswitch system for it. What's does everyone use mostly?

That depends. If you have rack effects and pedals and all that jazz people go for the likes of switching systems and MIDI controllers (voodoo labs GCX, or RJM's Amp Gizmo and RG16).

If you just like to plug in and play with a few pedals, the quad footswitch (FU-2) is the best bet, if you can find one.

And just for reference, is there somehow a way to change channels without a proper footswitch? The reason I ask is because I've got a little foot pedal for my midi controller that's used as a dampening pedal when playing (you know, like a foot pedal on a piano). Would it hurt to maybe plug that somewhere in the back of the Quad and see if it'll change the channels?

I'm not using the proper footswitch for my Quad and works fine. I can only play in one channel at a time. I have to get up and plug it into the channel I want to play in. As long as I can hear the sweet sound that is Mesa, I'm happy . If you have a little footswitch with a 1/4 plug at the other end, plug it into a channel on the back of the quad and see if you get any sound. As far as I know, It can't hurt anything.

 

[The Magic Hoof]

Last thing though. And this time, I'm hoping to get the answer I'm really looking for.

About the A+B and 4ohm thing... Why on Earth do people need to run both A AND B into the same cab, when you can just use one side of the 50/50 and Quad? The thing is that I see these knobs and it leads me to think that it'd be confusing when using both on the same cab. You'd have to make sure both A and B output knobs on the Quad are the same setting, and the Volume/Presence knobs for both A+B on the 50/50 are the same setting. It seems much simpler to just go with mono and use just channel A or so. Hmm... I guess I'm looking for a reason as to why I need to run in the 4ohm config with both sides of the Quad and 50/50 pushing through the same cab instead of just a single 8ohm mono config.

I tried using this footswitch I have here, to no avail. It looks like I'm in the market for a footswitch now.

Let me get onto something else though.

The Quad magically decided to go straight to Rhythm 2 when I flipped the switch just now, so I did indeed get at least something out of it. Was just a standard fizzy clean sound. However, something that's concerning me here is all of this noise coming from it. There's nasty static and hissing and humming coming from the cab. Weird.

Something else of note is that when I turn the reverb knob up, there's a really low hum coming from the cab, but no reverb. And another peculiarity is that the Rhythm 2 channel came on, then went off. So I got up and touched the Quad, then it came back on.... then I kept tapping it, and it seems it struggles and goes on/off depending on how much I tap it.



I swear that if I just shelled out $2000 for all of this stuff and something is broken, I'm going to shoot myself in the face :evil:

:lol:

 

[ak47]

Last thing though. And this time, I'm hoping to get the answer I'm really looking for.

About the A+B and 4ohm thing... Why on Earth do people need to run both A AND B into the same cab, when you can just use one side of the 50/50 and Quad? The thing is that I see these knobs and it leads me to think that it'd be confusing when using both on the same cab. You'd have to make sure both A and B output knobs on the Quad are the same setting, and the Volume/Presence knobs for both A+B on the 50/50 are the same setting. It seems much simpler to just go with mono and use just channel A or so. Hmm... I guess I'm looking for a reason as to why I need to run in the 4ohm config with both sides of the Quad and 50/50 pushing through the same cab instead of just a single 8ohm mono config.

The main reason is that you can and that the tubes will wear equally on both sides of your power amp. I think it adds a bit more character to the sound as well. Ever tried playing through more than one amp simultaneously? Even if they are two of the same amplifiers, the frequencies that get amplified may vary a little between them. This adds more colour to the tone.

Do not look at the numbers to set your volumes though. Use your ears. Put the Quad outputs to zero. Set both volumes of the 50/50 to where you usually like it and then bring one side of the Quad up to the volume you want to use. Then use your ears to bring the other side up until you hear a 'balance' in volume coming from the two sides of your cab. It is ok and quite normal if the A and B outputs of the Quad do not have the exact same numbers on the dial.

The Quad magically decided to go straight to Rhythm 2 when I flipped the switch just now, so I did indeed get at least something out of it. Was just a standard fizzy clean sound. However, something that's concerning me here is all of this noise coming from it. There's nasty static and hissing and humming coming from the cab. Weird.

Something else of note is that when I turn the reverb knob up, there's a really low hum coming from the cab, but no reverb. And another peculiarity is that the Rhythm 2 channel came on, then went off. So I got up and touched the Quad, then it came back on.... then I kept tapping it, and it seems it struggles and goes on/off depending on how much I tap it.

Firstly, are you absolutely sure it is all plugged in correctly? Do your cables work ok in other applications? Get hold of a dedicated footswitch so you can at least check each channel to see if any of it works properly. You may need some new tubes I think. You could try swapping places of the tubes to see if this helps at all. While you are in there, check if you actually have a reverb tank or that it is plugged in properly... The best advice is really to get it bench tested by someone familiar with Mesa amps.... worth the money.

I swear that if I just shelled out $2000 for all of this stuff and something is broken, I'm going to shoot myself in the face

A face shot might be fatal... even worse if you survive... cut off a toe instead! :twisted:

 

[The Magic Hoof]

Thanks to both of you for the replies, appreciated.

I'm in the market for a midi switching system. I'll have other rack gear in the future, so it's best to go ahead and get a good system now. I'll probably look around later tonight for something.

The only downside is that I'm going to have to order it and then wait until it gets here to see if anything is even working or not =/

 

[joe web]

take a look at the RJM products. the ampgizmp has 8 switching options and can handle the quad´s switching perfect.
if you want to integrate some pedals as well, you should take a look at the RG-16, which is an ampgizmo plus 8 mono loops.
perfect for switching the quad, turning on and off pedals or loop some multieffect units as well, or do a/b switching between preamps.

 

[Koadogg]

You can use a shorted Jack plug to manually change the channels. They are easy enough to make. You can use an old cable or buy what you need at Radio Shack.

Scott

 

[The Magic Hoof]

You can use a shorted Jack plug to manually change the channels. They are easy enough to make. You can use an old cable or buy what you need at Radio Shack.

Scott

I've got some old cables laying around, so for the time being, it'd be cool to at least change a channel when I need to. Can you give me just a bit more info on how to do this?

 

[Koadogg]

Jared,

Emailed you a picture of what to connect to make a shorting plug.

Scott

 

[Bobby Marshall]

You mean this won't work AT ALL if I don't have a footswitch? :shock: WTF!!.....

When you say sides of the Quad do you mean A and B on the back of it? If so, yes. But as far as I know, they're identical and it doesn't matter if you use one and run a mono setup on your cab or not, the A+B outputs are the same, etc.

You are selling an FU-2A in the classified section. Did it come with the wrong footswitch? Hope the seller told you it was not the right footswitch. The FU-2 switches do show up from time to time on Ebay and CL.

Another midi option is the Rockman MIDI Octopus. Cheaper than a GCX or RJM and only one half rack space. Then you can get another Rockman module for the other space like an EQ, compressor, chorus, delay, smart gate, etc.

 

[The Magic Hoof]

You are selling an FU-2A in the classified section. Did it come with the wrong footswitch? Hope the seller told you it was not the right footswitch. The FU-2 switches do show up from time to time on Ebay and CL.

Another midi option is the Rockman MIDI Octopus. Cheaper than a GCX or RJM and only one half rack space. Then you can get another Rockman module for the other space like an EQ, compressor, chorus, delay, smart gate, etc.

He did indeed inform me. I just took it that somehow, someway, you could switch channels regardless if you had a footswitch or not. I was just going to sell the other footswitch and use that for some other gear.

I'm thinking about a Midi Octopus... I'll have to look into it, but I'd have to get it off Ebay since I believe they don't make them any longer. About how much are they running for?

 

[The Magic Hoof]

And here's an update.

I managed to get the channels working by using the shorted cable trick (thanks Koadogg!). However, there are some problems here.

The RHY2 LED seems to stay on no matter what. If I tap the Quad kind of hard, the LED will shut off for a bit. If I keep tapping it, it'll come back on. When I insert the jack to put on a channel, the RHY2 LED stays on along with it. I'm not sure if that means the LED is just staying on for some weird reason, or the 2 settings are running at the same time (IE: RHY2 and whatever else I have the shorted jack plugged into).

The reverb seems to not work and only adds low hum to the cab.

I turned on the Quad a few minutes ago and I heard RF in it, some talk radio thing.

I haven't been able to get any good tone out of it so far. Really weak gain, and fizzy. Only a semi-clean fuzzy sound was possible thus far.

There's this weird static that seems like it's 'going somewhere'. I dunno, kind like rolling over in the mud like a pig. On top of that, there's just hum and other nasty noises coming from it.


I think that I may just have to take this to a tech, but there's a problem: I'm located in Louisiana, and Mesa techs are most likely either very few and far between, or nonexistent. It's probably going to hurt my wallet a lot, but there's really nothing else that I can think of to do at this point.

 

[Bobby Marshall]

You are selling an FU-2A in the classified section. Did it come with the wrong footswitch? Hope the seller told you it was not the right footswitch. The FU-2 switches do show up from time to time on Ebay and CL.

Another midi option is the Rockman MIDI Octopus. Cheaper than a GCX or RJM and only one half rack space. Then you can get another Rockman module for the other space like an EQ, compressor, chorus, delay, smart gate, etc.

He did indeed inform me. I just took it that somehow, someway, you could switch channels regardless if you had a footswitch or not.

I'm thinking about a Midi Octopus... I'll have to look into it, but I'd have to get it off Ebay since I believe they don't make them any longer. About how much are they running for?

I haven't been watching Rockman prices for awhile. But they were going in the $150-200 range, more if they included the loop boxes. I would definitely find an FU-2 though. With your Quad and 50/50, the FU-2 would complete a basic rig that would cover most ground. I am really liking my Quad and still like my Studio Pre too.

And if you need to send the Quad to a tech, call Mesa HQ to get a number from them and send there for the repair. For the extra shipping it will cost you it will be worth it. They know the Quad and should be able to get her up to spec quicker than anyone else. I pulled the chassis from a Mark IV and shipped to them ground and got back w/o a problem.

Good luck.

 

[Koadogg]

From MESA's Site:

Central Sound 12416 Hooper Road Baton Rouge LA 70818 (225) 261-7888
Montero Electronics 113 Island Drive Slidell LA 70458 (504) 289-8103

 

[The Magic Hoof]

I'll keep an eye out for the Octopus... Question though - is this a little 'rack' thing, or is it a footswitch.. or both? Not sure if it'll take the 4-pin connector like the FU-2 or if it takes the individual cables for every setting on the back. I don't know much about this stuff, so excuse my ignorance :lol:

And thanks once again Koadogg. I did indeed look at that and if anywhere, it'd be the one in Baton Rouge. The reason I'm worried though is that I just seriously, honestly don't expect anyone at that place to be a Mesa tech. This place isn't such a great place to be blunt, and that's exactly why I've always been forced to order gear, rather than buy in person.

If I can't get any of this solved in the next while, I'd be willing to ship it off to Mesa for a fix. It'll hurt, yes, but I've been waiting literally years for a good Mesa rig, and I'm determined to get there.

And thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[Bobby Marshall]

I'll keep an eye out for the Octopus... Question though - is this a little 'rack' thing, or is it a footswitch.. or both? quote]

The Octopus is not a footswitch. It is a little rack thing taking up one rack space high and 1/2 a rack space across. It accepts midi signals or can be operatied by hand , so if you want to footswitch you need a midi footswitch, like an Mesa Abacus, but the are also smaller and cheaper MIDI footswitches that just go up and down one patch. If I were you the first thing I would do is either find a FU-2 or keep your FU-2A and have Mesa mod the Quad to accept the FU-2A footswitch. I have heard that this is a mod they will do and if you are sending it to them anyway might as well get her done up.