Synergy Nerds, school me..

[Frankencat]

I am seriously considering this setup for a live stage rig. I currently play classic rock/southern rock and I would like to have a good sounding setup with a small cab on stage and a DI out to FOH. I would also like to be able to go DI only as needed.

I am interested in the Ecstacy module and the idea of adding more modules as desired is attractive as well.

So how does this work in real life?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SYN-20IREcstBn--synergy-syn-20ir-20-watt-3-channel-tube-head-with-ecstasy-2-channel-preamp-module

 

[FuzzyAce]

I'm not an official Synergy nerd so take this for what it is... seems like you would only need to add a load box if you also want the ability to run it without the cab. The amp doesn't have a built in load (unless I'm missing something). But the balanced out gives you cab IR options to FOH.

 

[hblu22]

There is a built-in load. If you mean how do you go DI vs. With Cab Vs Both - if you are going to with cab only - just use the appropriate speaker output on back for your cab, master volume controls the feed volume going to the speaker. If DI only there is an XLR DI output on back and you keep the master set to zero - volume is controlled by the module volumes themselves and load is automatically engaged. And if both both outputs work at same time you use master to control the speaker output and the volume knob controls both - as there is interaction between volume on module and the speaker output as well. I wouldn’t recommend both for live use as there will be some difference in latency as there is a slight (really minimal) latency with the digital poweramp and ir sim. Hope this helps….. and I have many modules and the syn20ir and it is awesome!

 

[FuzzyAce]

There is a built-in load.

Good to know. I figured there should be, but didn't see the info on a retailer site. I found the info on the Synergy site though.

 

[Richard_G]

If DI only there is an XLR DI output on back and you keep the master set to zero - volume is controlled by the module volumes themselves and load is automatically engaged.

Just to be clear: when not using a cab, i.e. when using the built-in load, make sure that there is NOT anything connected to the speaker jacks as well.

From the SYN-20IR manual:

 

[GuitarBilly74]

Like anything of this kind, the quality of the DI tone will depend on you IR choices. But the Synergy system is well designed and sounds good overall.

 

[aivoryuk]

Like anything of this kind, the quality of the DI tone will depend on you IR choices. But the Synergy system is well designed and sounds good overall.

Just to emphasise this - it doesn’t matter if it’s tubes or a modeller, the IR has the biggest impact on the sound.

 

[Frankencat]

Sounds interesting. Which module for classic rock and maybe a little harder would you recommend?

 

[2112]

@troynababan has been using the SYN20IR pretty extensively so he can probably weigh in with some good modules for gigging.

 

[CorrosiveMatter]

Freidman
JMP
Soon wll be an Orange RV and a new 800 module.

 

[Genghis]

My two favorites so far are the JMP and the Killer Kali. I use a 50w head in 4CM with an Axe-FX and it’s surprising how heavy you can get that JMP to sound goosing it with a drive and doing just a bit of EQ after the preamp to sculpt it a bit. I have one patch for the classic rock sounds and another for the hard rock/metal tones. Kali will hit harder and has more harmonic content, but still has a Marshall style voice, just modernized a bit.

 

[Frankencat]

How are you using the axe-fix on that setup, fx only?

 

[Genghis]

How are you using the axe-fix on that setup, fx only?

Yeah, wah, drive, and a couple of things before the preamp, delays and chorus in the loop.