Using MKIV stereo

[kartoffel]

I was experimenting with my MKIV and DC10 in stereo. I don't have any good way of doing it other than using the satellite send to feed my DC10. The DC10 alone gets no humm or buzz but when using the send out of the MKIV it sounds similar to a microphonic preamp tube.

Any other good ways to run stereo I don't have a Y cable but I can get one.

 

[mrd]

You can use the slave out of the MKIV. Set the slave volume level fairly low (around 2 or 3), and run that cable to your DC10 FX loop in, and set the loop volume to unity gain (50% or 12 o'clock). Doing this will enable you to run your MKIV as is, and the DC10 will receive a signal from the MKIV as well. Make sure you don't turn your slave volume up too loud or it could get hairy pretty quickly. Also, on your DC10, use the lowest gain channel when running another amp into the FX loop. Keep your channel volume at zero (since you aren't using the DC10 channel anyway) and use only the master output to control the volume of the DC10.

Another way to do it is to get a stereo FX pedal (chorus, stereo delay, flanger, phaser, etc.) and run the FX loop output of one amp into this pedal. It will be able to output two signals (left and right channel, for stereo), so run one each of these back into both amps' FX loop returns.

OR, if you want to run strictly both amps in their own tone, you can get what's called an ABY pedal which will allow you to split your guitar signal to one, the other, or both amps at once. Radial Engineering makes both a passive and active model of this pedal. Their stuff is top notch quality and has bullet proof, road worthy design. Check em out: http://www.radialeng.com/

Hope it helps. Generally you wouldn't use a Y-cable, won't really net you the results you should have.

 

[kartoffel]

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BigShotABY/

that looks like exactly what I want. I guess I would like to have each amp have its own flavor at the same time. A bit pricey but it looks like its worth it.

 

[mrd]

I'll warn you before you buy that, as I have one too. This is a passive unit, meaning that the "2nd" guitar signal will be slightly weaker than the main one. I'm pretty sure they sell an active one that balances out both signals so they are equally as strong, but it probably costs $100 more knowing Radial. :lol:

They also sell a small unit called a Dragster which allows you to attach a potentiometer to your guitar signal so you can adjust for the impedance of your guitar or any various pedals you send your guitar through. I used to use one after the ABY pedal, as I found it gave me some of the girth back to the 2nd signal.

However, if you seriously want this to sound 100%, you should look at an active unit. They also sell a rack-mount active unit that can feed up to 7 amps at once and they are all foot-switchable in and out. What I wanna know is, who the **** has 7 different amps running at the same time? :lol:

 

[>Photi G<]

Take the Satellite Send from the IV, and plug it into the Effects Return on the DC. Should be good! :mrgreen:

 

[kartoffel]

Yea I am finding out that these aby boxes are quite expensive but that is what I am after. I want to maintain both the MKIV and DC10 not use the DC10 as a power amp. Any schematics for an active box or passive? I could probably make one because I'm cheap. Otherwise I guess ill have to bite the bullet and go for one of these boxes.

 

[TFridgen]

Check this out, http://www.roadrageprogear.com/aby.html , I just had one made and it took less than 2 weeks delivered to my door, is easy to use, sounds GREAT and is inexpensive.

 

[kartoffel]

I actually got it to work using my tuner "boss tu-2" which has 2 outputs when it's stomped off they both go through. I really don't need an ABY I want just a Y box. I can easily make a Y box and it would be much cheaper no switching so no expensive switches etc... I want it buffered and ground lifts or some other way to make it quiet. I cant seem to find any schematics for an active Y box anywhere.