Two preamps - better wiring scenario?

[Misanthrope189]

Hey,
If you're running two preamps together...would it be better to run a y-cable, or an A/B combiner from your guitar to both amps at once, and then to the power amps, or to send one straight cable to the first preamp, and then send the line level signal from the output of the preamp, to the input of the second preamp, and then into the power amps?

Cheers,
Nick

[Cleveland Metal]

Re: Two preamps - better wiring scenario?

Well really, the best (professional) way would be to use a looper, put each preamp in a loop, and control the loops via MIDI.

Looper:
http://www.axess-electronics.com/_grx4.htm

Site:
http://www.axess-electronics.com


would it be better to run a y-cable

If you are splitting a mono signal to send to the preamps, and then to two separate amplifier sections, you could use a buffer splitter to send the signal to the preamps and that would isolate the two systems. Controlling levels of each preamp would be a problem.

You wouldn't want to combine preamp outs to just one amp section in general without using a mixer of some sort. Controlling switching and levels would also be a problem.

an A/B combiner from your guitar to both amps at once, and then to the power amps,

Again, Buffer splitter to each preamp and on to two separate amp sections would be the better way. Otherwise you may open yourself up to bizarre hums and loops switching the preamps in an out in a non isolated fashion. Controlling switching and levels would be a problem again...

or to send one straight cable to the first preamp, and then send the line level signal from the output of the preamp, to the input of the second preamp, and then into the power amps?

That would likely just sound horrible. See the first suggestion for the way to do it right.

I’ve seen people using A/B pedal things to do that, and although it works in principle, it often doesn’t do so well in actual practice. You may experience pops or ground loops (causing hums and other oddball things).

[Misanthrope189]

Re: Two preamps - better wiring scenario?

Ah, yes, the looper...I forgot about the good-equipment way to do that kinda deal...sorta like that CAE footswitcher that controls all the different rack devices at once. Thanks!

Cheers,
Nick