Synergy Owners Thread

[laxu]

Yea, I tried every way to connect it to send signal that the instructions mention. Using a guitar amp 4CM, using a guitar amp as a power amp via effects return, using both of the DI (xlr and 1/4”) to other sources of amplification, etc etc.
No matter how you hook it up only the bypassed state of the Syn1 allows signal to pass downstream. I wish there was some way to verify it isn’t the module that is failing to process the sound.

Does everything power up just fine, and the channel switching button changes the channel on the module? That would mean there's power and the module also gets power.

Try replacing the tubes on both the module and SYN-1. Then connecting the SYN-1 in the simplest way possible, e.g guitar -> SYN-1 -> "to fx return" -> amp fx return -> cab.

Might be a good idea to check the fuse too. The manual sucks so it doesn't indicate it, but I think it is next to the IEC jack.

Open up the top case (seems to be just a few screws up top and on the sides) just to check that there are no cables that have become loose or disconnected. Keep your fingers away from any capacitors, and one hand in your pocket.

It's hard to find good pics of its insides, but this is about what it looks like:

 

[Enchilada Jones]

Does everything power up just fine, and the channel switching button changes the channel on the module? That would mean there's power and the module also gets power.

Try replacing the tubes on both the module and SYN-1. Then connecting the SYN-1 in the simplest way possible, e.g guitar -> SYN-1 -> "to fx return" -> amp fx return -> cab.

Might be a good idea to check the fuse too. The manual sucks so it doesn't indicate it, but I think it is next to the IEC jack.

Open up the top case (seems to be just a few screws up top and on the sides) just to check that there are no cables that have become loose or disconnected. Keep your fingers away from any capacitors, and one hand in your pocket.

It's hard to find good pics of its insides, but this is about what it looks like:

View attachment 43178View attachment 43179

Thanks! It does change channels and seems to power the tubes based on heat it generates. I suspect the bypass switch is bad because of the way it was packed with remote footswitch crammed in tight, basically 1 thin layer of bubble wrap from switch chassis pushing that switch during every bump in transit. A lot of bumps between Missouri and the east coast…

Normally I would dive deeper but I have no spare tubes handy and since I saw the Syn20 ir is in stock at numerous vendors I now have one coming. After seeing just how big and heavy the Syn-1 is and considering that added features of the Syn20 ir it just doesn’t make sense to keep the Syn-1
I’m taking the failing condition to be a sign from the gods that I need the Syn20 ir. Who am I, a mere mortal, to challenge the gods?

 

[laxu]

Thanks! It does change channels and seems to power the tubes based on heat it generates. I suspect the bypass switch is bad because of the way it was packed with remote footswitch crammed in tight, basically 1 thin layer of bubble wrap from switch chassis pushing that switch during every bump in transit. A lot of bumps between Missouri and the east coast…

The switch seems to work by going into bypass and then into something else.

Normally I would dive deeper but I have no spare tubes handy and since I saw the Syn20 ir is in stock at numerous vendors I now have one coming. After seeing just how big and heavy the Syn-1 is and considering that added features of the Syn20 ir it just doesn’t make sense to keep the Syn-1
I’m taking the failing condition to be a sign from the gods that I need the Syn20 ir. Who am I, a mere mortal, to challenge the gods?

If you own a tube amp, could you steal a few preamp tubes from that to try?

 

[mbugbee]

Curious about using a Syn1 into a 5150iii 50w's power amp. Given the amp itself doesn't have a PA volume control, how would that work? Would the Syn1/Module's volume controls be the main driver of volume or would the amp be running full tilt?

 

[Whizzinby]

Curious about using a Syn1 into a 5150iii 50w's power amp. Given the amp itself doesn't have a PA volume control, how would that work? Would the Syn1/Module's volume controls be the main driver of volume or would the amp be running full tilt?

The SYN docks have a master volume and the modules have channel volumes. You can control how hard you hit your PA with the dock volume.

 

[Genghis]

Well, I'm back in the Synergy club. At one point I had a rack setup with way too much and decided I could do what I need with just my Axe-FX. While that is fine, I really like amps, and started picking up a few amps, starting with a great deal on a Boogie IIC+ from a friend. It didn't stop. Went with a JP2C for more flexibility live, but it is severely lacking in the low gain department, and every thing I tried with an Ae-FX drive into the clean channel sounded a bit harsh.

Fast forward to the new setup. I got the Synergy 50 watt head and the Fortin Killer Kali and the TW/DLX module. I had the TW/DLX module in my old rack and I missed it a lot when I let it go. The DLX channel is the sound I go for on edge of breakup sounds and takes the Fractal drives well for a bit more crunch.

The Killer Kali is where I live for most stuff and it really make my live sound much more balanced. I have the two channels set up as rhythm and lead pairs, and use the Fractal drives for boosting to more modern metal sounds, while setting the preamps up for more like a JCM 800 level of gain, but with quite a bit more girth and depth to them. Really digging this preamp a lot. While the JP2C is great for modern hard rock and metal, the Killer Kali has a much more balanced tone for the live gigs.

I might try out a few more modules for recording, but I'm digging it like this for the live rig.

 

[mbugbee]

Well, I'm back in the Synergy club. At one point I had a rack setup with way too much and decided I could do what I need with just my Axe-FX. While that is fine, I really like amps, and started picking up a few amps, starting with a great deal on a Boogie IIC+ from a friend. It didn't stop. Went with a JP2C for more flexibility live, but it is severely lacking in the low gain department, and every thing I tried with an Ae-FX drive into the clean channel sounded a bit harsh.

Fast forward to the new setup. I got the Synergy 50 watt head and the Fortin Killer Kali and the TW/DLX module. I had the TW/DLX module in my old rack and I missed it a lot when I let it go. The DLX channel is the sound I go for on edge of breakup sounds and takes the Fractal drives well for a bit more crunch.

The Killer Kali is where I live for most stuff and it really make my live sound much more balanced. I have the two channels set up as rhythm and lead pairs, and use the Fractal drives for boosting to more modern metal sounds, while setting the preamps up for more like a JCM 800 level of gain, but with quite a bit more girth and depth to them. Really digging this preamp a lot. While the JP2C is great for modern hard rock and metal, the Killer Kali has a much more balanced tone for the live gigs.

I might try out a few more modules for recording, but I'm digging it like this for the live rig.

Looking at going the Syn50 route myself. Trying to decide between that or a syn1 through an evh 5150iii 50w.

 

[Whizzinby]

Well, I'm back in the Synergy club. At one point I had a rack setup with way too much and decided I could do what I need with just my Axe-FX. While that is fine, I really like amps, and started picking up a few amps, starting with a great deal on a Boogie IIC+ from a friend. It didn't stop. Went with a JP2C for more flexibility live, but it is severely lacking in the low gain department, and every thing I tried with an Ae-FX drive into the clean channel sounded a bit harsh.

Fast forward to the new setup. I got the Synergy 50 watt head and the Fortin Killer Kali and the TW/DLX module. I had the TW/DLX module in my old rack and I missed it a lot when I let it go. The DLX channel is the sound I go for on edge of breakup sounds and takes the Fractal drives well for a bit more crunch.

The Killer Kali is where I live for most stuff and it really make my live sound much more balanced. I have the two channels set up as rhythm and lead pairs, and use the Fractal drives for boosting to more modern metal sounds, while setting the preamps up for more like a JCM 800 level of gain, but with quite a bit more girth and depth to them. Really digging this preamp a lot. While the JP2C is great for modern hard rock and metal, the Killer Kali has a much more balanced tone for the live gigs.

I might try out a few more modules for recording, but I'm digging it like this for the live rig.

Yeah the Kali slaps. I’ve been meaning to try the DLX to diversify my cleans, but they keep threatening to release the TK Imperial module which I’m curious to see how it compares.

Looking at going the Syn50 route myself. Trying to decide between that or a syn1 through an evh 5150iii 50w.

I like the SYN run through almost everything (LXII and AxeFX Tube Pre) but it goes that extra bit harder run through my JVM. I think into an appropriately paired amp return might squeeze that extra bit out of a module, but probably not so much as to go out of your way to do so.

 

[mbugbee]

I like the SYN run through almost everything (LXII and AxeFX Tube Pre) but it goes that extra bit harder run through my JVM. I think into an appropriately paired amp return might squeeze that extra bit out of a module, but probably not so much as to go out of your way to do so.

Have you by any chance been able to compare the amp return to an Syn50?

 

[Baba]

Yeah the Kali slaps.

I like the SYN run through almost everything (LXII and AxeFX Tube Pre) but it goes that extra bit harder run through my JVM. I think into an appropriately paired amp return might squeeze that extra bit out of a module, but probably not so much as to go out of your way to do so.

Have you by any chance been able to compare the amp return to an Syn50?

See above, having played/heard the Kali through a 5150 III 6L6 50 watt myself, I agree with Whizzinby, 100%

 

[mbugbee]

See above, having played/heard the Kali through a 5150 III 6L6 50 watt myself, I agree with Whizzinby, 100%

Thanks man! My main pull towards the Syn50 is not having more cables and having the 2nd module slot.

 

[Axe]

Sold my TMP and have a SYN20ir and Friedman BEDLX inbound. I will use it for recording only so the 20 watt limitation doesn't concern me at all.. If it works out, I'll grab a Bogner Uberschall module next.

 

[Elric]

Sold my TMP and have a SYN20ir and Friedman BEDLX inbound. I will use it for recording only so the 20 watt limitation doesn't concern me at all.. If it works out, I'll grab a Bogner Uberschall module next.

I love the BEDlx in my Syn30. It's been the main module for that one for months now. It feels like a really complete three channel head with that one. The Ecstasy and SLOII are nice like that too w/ the 30. Sure that'll be a nice setup for you.

 

[tonedover]

Using an Orange Super Crush 100 as my power amp AND for clean and mid gain orange SS tones.

I think it is a very adequate power amp!! Must be the class a/b power type

Currently enjoying the SYN2 w the Fortin, 800, Zwreck, Powerball, and BEBB

 

[mbugbee]

See above, having played/heard the Kali through a 5150 III 6L6 50 watt myself, I agree with Whizzinby, 100%

EVH 5150iii 50w acquired. I'll grab a Syn1 and some modules in the near future!

 

[mbugbee]

One question about the Syn1... does the FX Loop on the Syn1 remain active when bypassing the Syn1? I'm assuming its on there to replace the loop on your amp.

 

[eggpl@nt]

Synergy Tone King Imperial Tube Preamp MKII Module:
https://guitarcenter.smart.link/0d5...rial-Tube-Preamp-MKII-Module-1500000461719.gc

 

[R590]

One question about the Syn1... does the FX Loop on the Syn1 remain active when bypassing the Syn1? I'm assuming its on there to replace the loop on your amp.

Yes, it does. I am using my old SYN-1 to add 2 more channels to the IR20 head. I have delay and reverb in the loop of the SYN-1, and those effects are still active when I switch to the channels on the IR20.

 

[norminal]

This thing sounds sooo good:

 

[Richard_G]

I have the TK Imperial preamp pedal version and I love it!