Synergy Owners Thread

[GTR37]

So I traded my friedman ir-x for the synergy be dlx module and I'm glad as it sounds great.

But I think I'm now going to return the slo 2 module for something else. It sounds good as I mentioned in a previous post but I don't think it is useful for me as some of my other modules

my modules

Deliverance

Powerball

Ecstasy

Be dlx

Modules available for trade are
Tl-dlx
Morgan ac
Pitbull ultra
Os dumble
6505

Thinking more of a cleanish sound.

Any thoughts?

for clean and EOB 100% the DRZ IMO

 

[GTR37]

was reading on the FB .looks like they just signed on 2 new brands and also have a Toneking special project , so likely a DRZ type mod
I think Bruce said the problem with the Toneking Imperial was the power section looks like they may have started to implement that in the DRZ

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

So I traded my friedman ir-x for the synergy be dlx module and I'm glad as it sounds great.

But I think I'm now going to return the slo 2 module for something else. It sounds good as I mentioned in a previous post but I don't think it is useful for me as some of my other modules

my modules

Deliverance

Powerball

Ecstasy

Be dlx

Modules available for trade are
Tl-dlx
Morgan ac
Pitbull ultra
Os dumble
6505

Thinking more of a cleanish sound.

Any thoughts?

The clean sound of the ODS is the only reason I ever have any regrets about selling the Synergy rig. Big. Bold. Huge.

 

[Whizzinby]

 

[aivoryuk]

Thoughts: I think the OS module has a lot more than clean sounds to offer. It offers a lot of dynamic high gain as well. The cleans are really good, though. Really, really good. Especially if you like adding some chorus, vibrato, or tremelo.

Sounds right up my street - I liked Leon's demo of it as well

 

[metropolis_4]

How good is the Synergy stuff for low gain stuff? How well do ones based on amps that depend on power section overdrive sound?

 

[metropolis_4]

Ok, I’m caught up on the thread now. Synergy caught my interest with the ZWreck module, but I’m worried there will be a disconnect between the preamp and power amp that will make it feel weird.

I would mostly be interested in the DrZ, Morgan, Plexi, and 800, but all of those are amps where the power section plays a big part in the tone. And using a 6L6 based power amp just seems wrong with all of those amps.

I’m really surprised all the focus is on the preamps and they don’t have options to run different tubes in the power section. That makes me worry they’re probably trying to fake the sound of the power section in the preamp modules?

 

[Elric]

Ok, I’m caught up on the thread now. Synergy caught my interest with the ZWreck module, but I’m worried there will be a disconnect between the preamp and power amp that will make it feel weird.

I would mostly be interested in the DrZ, Morgan, Plexi, and 800, but all of those are amps where the power section plays a big part in the tone. And using a 6L6 based power amp just seems wrong with all of those amps.

I’m really surprised all the focus is on the preamps and they don’t have options to run different tubes in the power section. That makes me worry they’re probably trying to fake the sound of the power section in the preamp modules?

Sounds like you're viewing it as an amp simulator rather than as a modular preamp system. Generally a recipe for disappointment, IMHO.

 

[metropolis_4]

Sounds like your viewing it as an amp simulator rather than as a modular preamp system. Generally a recipe for disappointment, IMHO.

Not at all, I’m just wondering how the preamps that are based on amps that depend on the power section sound in this system. Since the only modular part is the preamp itself

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Not at all, I’m just wondering how the preamps that are based on amps that depend on the power section sound in this system. Since the only modular part is the preamp itself

If you are using a Syn-2, then you can sub in any power amp you choose to.

 

[Elric]

If you are using a Syn-2, then you can sub in any power amp you choose to.

Yes, exactly.

 

[Jaji]

My Syn 30 was listed as using 6L6 power tubes. It came with 5881 tubes. Yes, a 6L6 variant, but when I swapped out the factory 5881s with Tun Sol, that was a massive improvement. Both my Plexi and SLO modules damn near thanked me. I can't believe they discontinued the 30. Brilliant design and one of the best cleans I've heard.

 

[Elric]

My Syn 30 was listed as using 6L6 power tubes. It came with 5881 tubes. Yes, a 6L6 variant, but when I swapped out the factory 5881s with Tun Sol, that was a massive improvement. Both my Plexi and SLO modules damn near thanked me. I can't believe they discontinued the 30. Brilliant design and one of the best cleans I've heard.

I have the head and it is superb. Never even bothered to look at the tubes.

 

[aivoryuk]

The SLO 2 module got returned and the OS module eventually turned up.
Very interesting module in that all the controls particularly on the 2nd channel impact each other.
Plenty of gain and a lot of sonic textures going on. I can see me using this for recording.

From rewatching the @2112 video on it with reference to Boogie amps there does seem to be a similar topology.

So I thought I would hook up the FM3 in the syn1 FX loop and added a Mark 5 geq and with the usual V shape a Mesa IR there was some very good tones to be had. The OS module was set similar to how I would set a Boogie ( bass rolled back, mids dialed back etc)

I might go for a eq pedal in the loop rather than the FM3 but yes very interesting.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

The SLO 2 module got returned and the OS module eventually turned up.
Very interesting module in that all the controls particularly on the 2nd channel impact each other.
Plenty of gain and a lot of sonic textures going on. I can see me using this for recording.

From rewatching the @2112 video on it with reference to Boogie amps there does seem to be a similar topology.

So I thought I would hook up the FM3 in the syn1 FX loop and added a Mark 5 geq and with the usual V shape a Mesa IR there was some very good tones to be had. The OS module was set similar to how I would set a Boogie ( bass rolled back, mids dialed back etc)

I might go for a eq pedal in the loop rather than the FM3 but yes very interesting.

PLEASE NOTE: The OD channel control names are baffling. OD Ratio (which you'd think would provide quite a bit of gain) actually seems to affect volume more so. The OD Level seems to affect saturation/voicing of the gain more so than anything. Other than that abnormality, the OS module is great. I have four. So should everyone else.

Hell, I've contemplated getting two more and a Syn-50 so I can do WDW, though I really don't need to quite frankly.

 

[aivoryuk]

PLEASE NOTE: The OD channel control names are baffling. OD Ratio (which you'd think would provide quite a bit of gain) actually seems to affect volume more so. The OD Level seems to affect saturation/voicing of the gain more so than anything. Other than that abnormality, the OS module is great. I have four. So should everyone else.

Hell, I've contemplated getting two more and a Syn-50 so I can do WDW, though I really don't need to quite frankly.

Haha yes - the OD ratio and OD level did perplex me at first

I can understand about having multiple modules as to have the same volume between the clean and Channel 2 doesn't seem possible depending on what sound you are going for.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Haha yes - the OD ratio and OD level did perplex me at first

I can understand about having multiple modules as to have the same volume between the clean and Channel 2 doesn't seem possible depending on what sound you are going for.

I tend to want quieter sounds for the cleans. That said, some of the clean channels on my modules are, whereas one in particular is rather loud. For that one, I will typically roll the volume back.

 

[paisleywookiee]

The SLO 2 module got returned and the OS module eventually turned up.

Interesting; what didn’t you like about the SLO2?

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Interesting; what didn’t you like about the SLO2?

My guess would be either the crunch channel doesn't get clean enough or the overdrive channel has far too much gain. The overdrive channel can tend be a sorta muddy, even with the gain around 11:00.

 

[aivoryuk]

Interesting; what didn’t you like about the SLO2?

I was eager to try the slo2 as the original seemed very well regarded and I also love the EVH tone from the period he was using them.

What I found was the overdrive channel was quite compressed but even with the tight switch engaged the low end still felt a bit mushy.
Switching the cathode switch seemed to make the low end worse.
The overall tone of the crunch channel didn't really do it for me.

I already had the Powerball module which has a reasonable clean and the lead channel can do the EVH tone as well and the low end is is tight. So overall more useful to me.

I sold my IR-X for the BE-DLX module after getting the slo2, and that is more up my street in terms of dynamics and straight ahead rock tones.