Rack setup questions

[PeteL]

Also, does the power-amp provide the gain? I thought pre-amps do the gain with the EQ, but all of the poweramps I see have gain and volume controls...

Still a bit confused, but getting there, thanks guys!

[Chad]

Oh ok, so they could be 50 watts stereo into two cabinets, or I have the option of running 100 watts into one cabinet?

You could run into one stereo cabinet by feeding one channel into each side of the cabinet......or two different cabinets....whichever way you want. Some (not all) power amps will let you sum the two channels and run mono.

[PeteL]

Gotchya, awesome thanks!

And for my final (I hope) question about the dirty/volume controls on the power-amps? (see post #31)

[bloodandtears]

marshall valvestate for your amp and pod pro 2 for your pre amp.... promise... you'll love it.... they are cheap... get the big floorboard too..

[Dave L]

A tube power-amp provides some gain (or distortion, if you will) if driven really hard... but I believe most modern power-amps are pretty clean. It´s safe to say that the gain comes from the pre-amp, and the "gain" on the power-amps probably refers to the strength of the input signal.

I had a cheap rack consisting of a MP-1, one of those old black Marshall tube power-amps and a Rocktron Intellifex. Sounded good for the money. I actually run a rack set-up now as well, but it´s a rackmounted Rivera head with some outboard gear.

[hippietim]

A tube power-amp provides some gain (or distortion, if you will) if driven really hard... but I believe most modern power-amps are pretty clean. It´s safe to say that the gain comes from the pre-amp, and the "gain" on the power-amps probably refers to the strength of the input signal.

I had a cheap rack consisting of a MP-1, one of those old black Marshall tube power-amps and a Rocktron Intellifex. Sounded good for the money. I actually run a rack set-up now as well, but it´s a rackmounted Rivera head with some outboard gear.

Are you running a TBR? I used to have the SL version - kickass stuff.

[PeteL]

Thanks for the reply, that clears it up.

As far as connection in the back panels of the power and preamps, how difficult is setup, or rather how many cable will I need. Assuming I go with a non-midi setup? Just seems like there's a ton of plugs in the back of the amps.

[GodWentPUNK]

The setup would be this:

guitar->preamp->GMajor->poweramp->cab

right?

If I had an extra gain based stompbox

guitar->stompbox->preamp->gMajor->poweramp->cab

joe...

[hippietim]

the simplest rig is:

guitar -> preamp -> poweramp -> speaker cab

everything you add to that adds at least one cable

[hippietim]

d'oh - nice timing

[PeteL]

Ahh I see. So the preamp plugs into the power with just your standard 1/4 jack? And everything on the rack needs a power source, right? ie- plug in the wall?

[jk2171]

Or get a power conditioner which has 8 outlets in the back of it and regulates the current. That would be the best solution and keep your other rack gear safe.

Also a lot of the effects units have a bypass on them so that you can still get the sound that you like from the pre-amp then when you need the effects just turn off the bypass and voila! you have your effects (chorus, delay, etc.) I use the Rocktron Xpression which is a great effects unit.

[GodWentPUNK]

Yes, all you need is standard 1/4 cables...In you rig, include a rack power strip (Ferman) that everything plugs into. Then all you need to plus into the wall is your powerstrip

[PeteL]

Great, thanks! I think I'm caught up now on what a basic setup is and given me a good direction of where to go.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

check out a mesa triaxis and the carvin ts100 pwr amp.