Synergy Owners Thread

[Marco2073]

The Synergy system seems to be very attractive. The information has probably already surfaced, but I'd be curious to know if anyone has done a comparison between the Synergy preamp and a digital preamp (fractal, helix) and what the results are. Are the differences marked? From my point of view I think that the tubes are still better, but maybe I'm wrong in speaking only of the preamp part.

 

[Elric]

The Synergy system seems to be very attractive. The information has probably already surfaced, but I'd be curious to know if anyone has done a comparison between the Synergy preamp and a digital preamp (fractal, helix) and what the results are. Are the differences marked? From my point of view I think that the tubes are still better, but maybe I'm wrong in speaking only of the preamp part.

Fractal and QC are really good, Fractal at modeling preamps, the QC at capturing them. So they A/B pretty well. The synergy stuff is a great option for someone seeking variety or looking to build a tube rig to their own spec/vision.

Once you feed a preamp through a tube power amp and into a cab, it's gonna be heavily impacted by that common back end... So in a recording or micced direct out, I dunno if you are going to find the difference meaningful or not. Some will notice differences in feel I think and some would potentially enjoy the work flow, etc a lot more.

I don't think anyone who is digital only is limited by the current technology's capabilities anymore... I really don't think there is anyone out there with a Fractal or Helix or something and has leaned how to really use it; that just needs to ditch their digital gear and convert to an analog rig to get that last bit of inspiration that is somehow gonna make them a musical genius. That would just be the FOMO talking.

Optimizing your toanz at that level is gonna yield diminishing returns (speaking from gear fiend experience, not judgment).

All that said, though, IME; you can build a really *fun* and inspiring rig with the modular setup that doesn't feel like you are compromising. For some people it may be their rig that gets GAS out of the way for others it may be just another rat hole.

 

[GTR37]

With those switches engaged it's like a grind and hex pedal being engaged in front of the preamp. They can get really harsh very quickly. But with them off it's probably much more heavy mod Marshall, without the ice-pick.

from what I can see it definitely based on the Cameron , the CCV was 3 gain stages w sat , the CCM that was the Cameron modern proto that was never released added a 4th gain stage . the EQ sounds like voicing UP position is the Marshall upper mid , Center sounds like a mid scoop like a Boogie MK Q and DOWN sound like a more low Mid focus a la Boogie

as you said the bright switches might be adding gain like a drive pedal or boosting upper mid / presence Freq

 

[Whizzinby]

from what I can see it definitely based on the Cameron , the CCV was 3 gain stages w sat , the CCM that was the Cameron modern photo that was never released added a 4th gain stage . the EQ sounds like voicing UP position is the Marshall upper mid , Center sounds like a mid scoop like a Boogie MK Q and DOWN sound like a more low Mid focus a la Boogie

as you said the bright switches might be adding gain like a drive pedal or boosting upper mid / presence Freq

The center position is dumping around 400hz. Up is aggro mids. I’m kinda liking the center scoop and then pumping the mid control. Even in the scoop position the module is a blanket of mids. (In a good way)

The tricky thing is dialing in the top end. I’m back to leaving all bright switches off. It makes controlling the gain easier, and keeps it from getting too ultra crispy.

 

[Desertdweller]

It’s my favorite Syn module.



I need to try the DRECT. Seems to be pretty well regarded.

What they don't advertise is you can make it sound like every mode on a rectifier other than raw. It's super-dynamic. Roll the gain down below 9 o'clock and vintage becomes clean and modern becomes pushed clean. It's awesome.

 

[laxu]

The center position is dumping around 400hz. Up is aggro mids. I’m kinda liking the center scoop and then pumping the mid control. Even in the scoop position the module is a blanket of mids. (In a good way)

The tricky thing is dialing in the top end. I’m back to leaving all bright switches off. It makes controlling the gain easier, and keeps it from getting too ultra crispy.

Are you using your guitar tone controls?

The Kali seems to have similarities to my BluGuitar where it can get really harsh if the gain is lower. Leaving gain higher or rolling down guitar tone can counter it.

 

[Baba]

from what I can see it definitely based on the Cameron , the CCV was 3 gain stages w sat , the CCM that was the Cameron modern proto that was never released added a 4th gain stage . the EQ sounds like voicing UP position is the Marshall upper mid , Center sounds like a mid scoop like a Boogie MK Q and DOWN sound like a more low Mid focus a la Boogie

If that is true, then it makes total sense why I like what I hear so far. That Cameron model in the Fractal is like my favorite one.

 

[aivoryuk]

If that is true, then it makes total sense why I like what I hear so far. That Cameron model in the Fractal is like my favorite one.

I like the Cameron model - I'm interested by the Kali Module with all its switches.

 

[Whizzinby]

Are you using your guitar tone controls?

The Kali seems to have similarities to my BluGuitar where it can get really harsh if the gain is lower. Leaving gain higher or rolling down guitar tone can counter it.

On my RG I was using, no tone controls, but I can play with that on the other axes.

The bright switches also gain boost, so I’m finding it’s just easier to leave them neutral, which makes the gain range a lot more flexible and then helps control the top end.

 

[Elric]

If that is true, then it makes total sense why I like what I hear so far. That Cameron model in the Fractal is like my favorite one.

At the very least they have a common ancestor as both are Jose Marshall variants. FWIW, I have the Camerock module in addition to the KK. the Camerock was supposedly built/designed/derived directly from a Cameron CCV so it has the same switches, etc; I used the Cameron manual to actually get guidance on what they did when dialing in the module. :)

I find the layout and switches much more straightforward on the KK and to me they have a ton of overlap sound wise, to the point where someone doesn't really need both.

They can both go south real quick with those bright switches, etc but I had a much quicker/easier time finding stuff I was happy with on the KK module and generally if you are familiar with Jose type mods its a great implementation from a preamp module standpoint.

Cliff only modeled a subset of the combinations ,etc on the CCV Fractal models and you can tell why if the module is any indicator. The Cameron stuff is like that, it gives you eonough rope to hang yourself with, so, some combos just aren't going to be useful.

 

[Elric]

The bright switches also gain boost, so I’m finding it’s just easier to leave them neutral, which makes the gain range a lot more flexible and then helps control the top end.

One cool thing about the module being two complete identical channels with duplicated controls is that you can set one to neutral and one to some other setting and switch on the fly...

I agree that the bright switches can get super in your face... both maxed is a bit too much at typical EQ settings for almost anyone, I would guess.

Some of those extreme settings on these old mods its like people did not want to boost an amp and to try to recreate that entire sound with just amp switch settings but in reality it sometimes works to just back off the internal stuff and alter the incoming signal with a boost.

For a lot of my current gain sounds, I pretty much always dial in the vast majority of the gain on the amp up to the final target but then back it off just a touch. Then apply a boost with a little bit of flavor on it to get it back there but a little bit tighter and with a little more tone control/mid emphasis from the incoming EQ of the boost. I generally end up preferring that result and it no longer requires the amp to do everything.