Question about Slave Outs

[big_red]

Hey y'all,

New member to the forum but not new to visiting the Boogie Board (read info on here for a long while). I have a question for those of you in the know. And by all means if it's already been talked about in detail then let me know! I searched the forum but couldn't find info as in depth as I wanted to.

The QUESTION:
I am not a current owner of any Mesa products but I will be getting a Dual Recto in the next few months. Saving my pennies. The thing I am trying to figure out is this: once I have my Recto and then I purchase my second one, how do I set them up to work BEST in a dual recto, 2x three quarter stack configuration?

Please check my theory and let me know if this is wrong!
Slave out from Recto 1 into fx return of Recto 2. 412 and 212 both at 8 ohms going into the 4 ohm spots in the appropriate heads.

Now comes the part I could not figure out: What channel do I keep Recto 2 on? I understand that the preamp of Recto 1 will power the power amp of Recto 2, but aside from the rectification type and the wattage selection, does it matter what channel is on?

Thus ends my possibly-confusing-and-difficult-to-find-an-answer-for question

Thank you dearly,
Red.

 

[HaggertysMusic]

If you're using new rectifiers with the series effects loop it isn't going to matter what the preamp on recto 2 is set for since you're bypassing it anyway. I haven't tried this on a recto, but on some effects loops you need to have something plugged into the effects send to engage the loop, even if it's just a dummy jack. Sounds like you have everything connected right and it should be an awesome rig.

 

[big_red]

Thanks for the help, Don!

By the way, your vids are always great!

Once I get the rig it will definitely be nice. Until then, I will have to wait and use my Hot Rod Deluxe.

 

[big_red]

While I was out on the road I remembered that there is a rotary loop assignment control. If left in the 'Loop On' setting (or whatever respective channel the amplifier is in) would that solve the issue of needing the loopt to be active?

 

[domct203]

When switching to Modern mode in a Rectifier the power amp section is reconfigured removing the Negative Feedback circuit and changing how the Presence control works.

When your main amp is in Modern Mode the Satellite amp needs to be in Modern as well to help keep the volume levels between the amps balanced.

Dom

 

[big_red]

Good tip! Thanks Dom!

Had a chance to slave a DR to a Roadster last night. I've figured out that when you go to guitar center almost every day on your way home, they let you do stuff they probably wouldn't let random people do.

Here's what I found:
Running two amps together like that is absolutely incredible. The roadster was on a Marshall cab (Personally I have no taste for anything Marshall) but the DR was on a Recto cab and I turned the slave volume on the DR to about noon. Played my Ibanez Semi-hollow through them and really loved the tone of the DR. I did not like the way the roadster sounded on top of the Marshall cab, way too tinny. In addition, a sales rep and I determined that the Marshall cab had a torn speaker and that contributed to the poor performance of that side of the setup.

Looks like I'll be getting my first Dual Rec in a couple of months and start building from there onto the second head and cab.

Quick note:
I noticed on the back of the recto cab is had 4 1/4 inch jacks. I only looked close enough to see 2 of them, one was labeled "8 ohm in", the other I noted was labeled "Out". I haven't seen that on any of the other recto cabs before; is this a special or non-standard version?

Thanks!
Red

 

[domct203]

The standard Recto 4X12 jackplate configuration is:

1 X 8 Ohm Mono In
1 X Out wired in parallel with the Mono In (for 2nd cab)
1 X 4 Ohm Stereo (left side pair)
1 X 4 Ohm Stereo (right side pair)

The cab is wired series/parallel. Each left & right vertical pair is wired in parallel. They are combined in series when you use the 8 Ohm Mono In.

Dom

 

[big_red]

Aha, so would that make two cabs connected via the parallel out jacks a total of 4 ohms or still 8?

 

[domct203]

Aha, so would that make two cabs connected via the parallel out jacks a total of 4 ohms or still 8?

Yes, because the Out jack is in parallel with the Mono In the total load would be 4 Ohm.

You could also plug the two 8 Ohm cabs into the two 4 Ohm speaker outs on the head, they are in parallel as well.

No matter how you slice it, two 8 Ohm loads in parallel is 4 Ohms total.

Dom

 

[Roadifier]

Instead of buying a second recto head just to be used as the power section, I'd consider buying a recto stereo power amp, and using that. It will save you money, and you won't have one recto's preamp section just sitting there, being unused. Just my 2 cent's

 

[domct203]

Instead of buying a second recto head just to be used as the power section, I'd consider buying a recto stereo power amp, and using that. It will save you money, and you won't have one recto's preamp section just sitting there, being unused. Just my 2 cent's

That's how I do it (Recto 2:100). This will also allow a W/D/W setup.

Dom

 

[jbird]

Or, if you want two amps heads, why not go to a Y splitter, or a pedal with stereo outs? Why buy another amp head only for it's power section?