Synergy Owners Thread

[laxu]

There is a rumor elsewhere that they plan to refresh the SYN1/2 with the optional digital backend stuff. (Power amp emu and IR) Not sure if that’s random speculation or someone has solid intel.

I hate to think what they will cost then, considering what they cost now. I think that would add a lot of usability to them though.

Probably the sensible thing would be to offer them with and without the IR/poweramp sim because if you have e.g two SYN2 units for 4 modules, you probably don't want two separate IR loaders and poweramp sims?

I'm also unsure where they'd fit that in the rack unit, though maybe it wouldn't take up too much space. My biggest concern though would be heat, which would definitely be higher than in something like the IR-X.

Most of the heat inside the box is coming from the tubes in the modules. I don't see this as a problem. Here's a pic of the SYN-2 insides from Synergy's website:

I think you could cram in another PCB somewhere under that flipped one without issue, or make that board larger to bundle in the IR stuff.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

I hate to think what they will cost then, considering what they cost now. I think that would add a lot of usability to them though.

Probably the sensible thing would be to offer them with and without the IR/poweramp sim because if you have e.g two SYN2 units for 4 modules, you probably don't want two separate IR loaders and poweramp sims?


Most of the heat inside the box is coming from the tubes in the modules. I don't see this as a problem. Here's a pic of the SYN-2 insides from Synergy's website:

I think you could cram in another PCB somewhere under that flipped one without issue, or make that board larger to bundle in the IR stuff.

If they would go that direction it might be worth developing a SYN4. 4 module slots in a 2 rack unit with enough room to fit the extra IR and power amp sim stuff.

Something like that would end up being rather pricey; I'd guess at least double the cost of a SYN2, but it would make one heck of a setup.

 

[laxu]

If they would go that direction it might be worth developing a SYN4. 4 module slots in a 2 rack unit with enough room to fit the extra IR and power amp sim stuff.

Something like that would end up being rather pricey; I'd guess at least double the cost of a SYN2, but it would make one heck of a setup.

It would probably be a lot cheaper than 2x SYN2 because you don't need duplicate transformers etc. You basically need a new chassis and a way to hook up 4x module slots and switch between them.

But that's probably a pretty niche product when you have 2 channels in most modules, and would appeal mainly to those who have a bunch of modules and don't want to be pulling them in and out.

 

[Elric]

I think it’s inevitable considering it’s all under the BAD umbrella.

I doubt it, personally... at least if we are talking about a pedal board dock product that accommodates the modules.

I'm sure they have kicked the thought around but the SYN1 is about as small as a module dock can be... If they did it'd likely be some pedal dock that was incompatible with their existing footprint but made the pedal more sensible in terms of footprint/size/cost.

I suspect they're more than happy to continue to build self contained pedals like the IRX using the Synergy back end as long as those continue to sell (and they seem to be an apparent hit). They probably actually make a little more off the pedals as they can resell that same back end over and over again at some small margin.

Those IR-XX pedals likely share a lot of design collateral with the modules already; although they are short a tube, so they seem unlikely to be exactly 1 to 1.

There is a rumor elsewhere that they plan to refresh the SYN1/2 with the optional digital backend stuff. (Power amp emu and IR) Not sure if that’s random speculation or someone has solid intel.

This seems likely at some point, to me. If the SYN20-IR is a hit, I'd expect MkII's of the Syn-1/2 and the higher wattage head.

Imo, probably less than 1% of guitarists have rack gear in 2024. I know it was/is an exclusive/high end approach to guitar gear, but its isn't appealing to the 99% of guitarists who just have a collection of pedals and maybe a couple amps.

Interesting data points. So did you pull these out of the air? FWIW I suspect BAD is probably most likely interested in the demographic buying multiple $400 modules and $500 pedals right now. They also just built a 2U $2500 rack unit that is apparently doing gang busters right now if TGP is to be believed.

So, while I agree that rack units are likely a minority, there are a lot of Axe IIIs, Interfaces, etc, along with the Synergy stuff out in the wild these days and the question is, really: Is it profitable continuing to do so?

They likely do not view people buying stuff like Katana's as their target market, F. ex.

I don't know if the synergy rack modules allow some sort of chaining strategy so you can have 2, 4, 6, 8 of them, but the pedals have a loop and midi so there are alot of options. Routing these in parallel just takes a switcher like a Boss MS3.

LOL. You should probably do a little research before further comment; if you are this out of the loop (so to speak).

 

[Elric]

I finally sent Synergy the email I have put off since I got the SLO II, but in short, the module sucks. I still like their products, but the SLO II was one of the biggest disappointments gearwise since the Mad Professor Loud N Proud (talk about awful!). The SLO II is a muddy mess. Maybe they'll get it right with the SLO III (normally they wouldn't list that a product has been revised on the faceplate, but they should with the SLO II module).

Given how well this module seemed to sell and the fact that a lot of folks forked $100 just for a purple version of it, I'm going to guess your letter came off as random feedback from some lone nut outlier.

They might silently rev it with some improvements, like Fryette did the Deliverance though if they get enough constructive criticism here on the net, though; so I guess there is always hope!

FWIW, I don't think it is horrible. The problem is it's not an SLO module, really. It's some other thing. It's definitely not my least favorite module and tweaked for lower gain it gets closer to the SLO.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Given how well this module seemed to sell and the fact that a lot of folks forked $100 just for a purple version of it, I'm going to guess your letter came off as random feedback from some lone nut outlier.

They might silently rev it with some improvements, like Fryette did the Deliverance though if they get enough constructive criticism here on the net, though; so I guess there is always hope!

FWIW, I don't think it is horrible. The problem is it's not an SLO module, really. It's some other thing. It's definitely not my least favorite module and tweaked for lower gain it gets closer to the SLO.

I haven't tried a whole lot of them, but the SLO II is definitely my least favorite, and no, it is not an SLO as you stated.

 

[GTR37]

I haven't tried a whole lot of them, but the SLO II is definitely my least favorite, and no, it is not an SLO as you stated.

As compared to the OG Slo
I suspect you probably much preferred that one , that’s seems to be the the general comments that it’s odd this one is not as good because the single eq one is pretty much on everyone’s top list

 

[Whizzinby]

I doubt it, personally... at least if we are talking about a pedal board dock product that accommodates the modules.

Yeah I was talking about IRX type pedals but of amps/modules they (BAD) already own or make. Like a IR-SLO or IR-Uber pedal.

 

[Elric]

Yeah I was talking about IRX type pedals but of amps/modules they (BAD) already own or make. Like a IR-SLO or IR-Uber pedal.

Yes, I think we are definitely going to see more of that action. I am under the impression the Friedman stuff was a big hit based on the fact that he whipped out three of them so fast, including the IR-J which had no corresponding model.

The IR-SLO will be a huge hit. Everyone wants an SLO but no one wants to buy one that hasn't already.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Yes, I think we are definitely going to see more of that action. I am under the impression the Friedman stuff was a big hit based on the fact that he whipped out three of them so fast, including the IR-J which had no corresponding model.

The IR-SLO will be a huge hit. Everyone wants an SLO but no one wants to buy one that hasn't already.

I hope it's based on the original module, which people online say is better than the second version.

 

[GTR37]

Yes, I think we are definitely going to see more of that action. I am under the impression the Friedman stuff was a big hit based on the fact that he whipped out three of them so fast, including the IR-J which had no corresponding model.

The IR-SLO will be a huge hit. Everyone wants an SLO but no one wants to buy one that hasn't already.

A Bogner XTC IR with blue /red channels and the modes would be killer