FINALLY someone who’s done a proper crunch channel tone with an SLO. That IS the SLO tone Mike designed it for in ‘87 (hence Leon’s choice of riffs). If you push the gain too much it get’s muddy REAL quick with this circuit, and it loses the mid-focused punch, and articulation very quick. People dime these settings, or leave the settings on their lead tone, and when they play rhythm is sounds horrible. Ton’s of UA-cam videos with that problem. The SLO lead channel is exceptional, as well, but that tone can be gotten with a pedal. It’s that “super-crunch” SLO tone that can’t be matched by just about any other amp on the planet, that next to no one is going out of their way to dial in. Neddi Stan’s did a spectacular demo (with this module) of that a couple years back on his channel, as well. Great demo Leon!
Oh Soldano's lead sound is DOPE. There's the right amount of fatness and punch, and the right amount of clarity without getting thin and stringy like Marshally stuff.
So focused and articulate! Then again, it IS Soldano. I don't miss lugging a half stack around, but if I ever felt compelled to go back to that, I could see building a rig around a Synergy.
Any one else sing Doug's "Ye-----ah!" during Over My Head? Great sounding module and tasty playing as ever. There is a Marshall bite to the SLO I've always loved that tends to get rounded off by a Boogie.
Your facial expressions are the friggin best. You go from smiling to looking kinda shocked to looking somewhat concerned..."what are my hands DOING!?" Hahaha
Righteous playing as always! I've had the original SLO module since I got into the Synergy stuff about 4 years ago, and I love that module, but this is everything I've been wanting out of a "deluxe" version of it. Just ordered the limited edition anodized purple one that they're offering on Reverb and the Synergy site! Can't wait to get my hands on it!
When the Synergy stuff first showed up on the scene, I thought it was a cool concept but didn't think it would have any longevity to it. But here we are and Synergy is still around.
great review as always Leon, cant tell you how refreshing it is to always know that im going to get quality reviews and great playing from your videos, instead of endless chugging on the vast majority of gear videos now which give you no idea about a piece of gears sonic capabilities or leanings. keep it up
The SLO module was my favourite until I got a Salvation Audio Salvado. I think I need this one to add and put all three into my RM100 and make a SLOSLOSLO
These things really are very good indeed. I’d very much like the opportunity to try them out…but then I see the entrance to a very cavernous rabbit hole appearing before me🤪
Probably better to run it through a power amp like a pedal baby or Amped 1. Possibly if the katana head has an FX loop, just throw it through the return.
That's the first thing I tried - the Uber is a lot more aggressive and can do the super spitty "modern" thing a bit better whereas this has more of that big warm "roar"
Soldano elevated the scene above what a modded JCM800 could do. The SLO100 sparked a new generation of amps, it was the first serious high gain tube head.
Lots of guys had Soldano's especially in the early 90s whether they were used on records or their most famous tone is different but the list includes: George Lynch, Izzy Stradlin, Warren de Martini, Mick Mars, Vivian Campbell, Rudolph Schenker and I am sure a lot of others even if just for the looks in the snakeskin tolex. Despite many saying its based a mesa, circuit wise it has a lot in common with a jcm800 and really seems like the first evolution of that modded jcm800 gain sound.
@@JimijaymesProductions ...and Dann Huff, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, George Lynch and Gary Moore, along with players like Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler. There was a time when Knopfler was playing EMGs through a SLO!
If I had the bass that high on the Overdrive setting, I'd have nothing but mud. The SLO II either sucks, or mine is broken/not made correctly. The unit is also overly compressed and sounds N O T H I N G like the SLO amp.
@LeonTodd A lot of people are saying the SLO II is over gained/overly compressed, but rather than push back on Synergy, they are just putting lower gain tubes in it. Frankly, I see that as what your father or grandfather might call "putting good money towards bad money." That is a bandaid, frankly. I emailed Synergy and have gotten no response over the past week. I'll take the hint and keep my money. What I have currently will probably be it for me, though it does leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I can't say it sounds bad but I can't say I like it as much as real soldano clips. Seems muddy, seems to be missing gain, harmonics. I don't know. Only towards the end and again nothing vs the other clips you have with soldano etc. Maybe I am on a bad mood lol. Or the tubes inside don't produce what I like to hear. It is funny, people talk about similarities on amp circuits but change tubes and to accurately compare you should have the new ones rebiased. Yes even preamp tubes are biased and affect the sound. You don't get bias controls (although technically you can) because then, it would be too much choices, easy to lose the character of the amp and it would also make for scratchy pots and some of them having hi voltage etc.
@@LeonTodd That would be surely entertaining, especially as they will be in the same room, same cab and mic position. Same knob position doesn't mean anything. They may be of slightly different value etc. Or they may be of the same manufacturer and the taper will be different. They tend to use parts of resistance lengths that can vary. They will unite them to approximate the value and type of pot. So you can see two amps, the same and one may seem far more trebly and it may be a pot or a different resistor somewhere in the amp... Always go with your ears. You have good ears.
Those 80s stank faces are going way, way too far... I like how you can still hear the guitar's own character through all that gain, though maybe I still prefer the Überschall module for over the top gain.
Dude, I don't think you've ever shown us a bad synergy model yet! This one is totally rock/metal lovely Ness 😍
They hit the spot don't they?
FINALLY someone who’s done a proper crunch channel tone with an SLO. That IS the SLO tone Mike designed it for in ‘87 (hence Leon’s choice of riffs). If you push the gain too much it get’s muddy REAL quick with this circuit, and it loses the mid-focused punch, and articulation very quick. People dime these settings, or leave the settings on their lead tone, and when they play rhythm is sounds horrible. Ton’s of UA-cam videos with that problem. The SLO lead channel is exceptional, as well, but that tone can be gotten with a pedal. It’s that “super-crunch” SLO tone that can’t be matched by just about any other amp on the planet, that next to no one is going out of their way to dial in. Neddi Stan’s did a spectacular demo (with this module) of that a couple years back on his channel, as well. Great demo Leon!
Thanks mate! Appreciate it :)
I LOVE Della Brown!!! Great work!
Great tones and chops, Leon! Cheers!
You don’t disappoint Leon. A Della Brown inspired backing track with a solo that sounded killer. Love it!
QR rule!
If anything could tempt me to cheat on my beloved Marshall, it's a Soldano, and this Synergy module just put me over the edge.
The Deliverance one is great too.
Man.... the Soldano lead tones are quickly becoming my favorite "modern" high gain amp tone, that and anything from Friedman
Oh Soldano's lead sound is DOPE. There's the right amount of fatness and punch, and the right amount of clarity without getting thin and stringy like Marshally stuff.
Ok this is what I’ve been waiting for. Been considering the synergy but wanted to see a “deluxe” version of the SLO module. Nice. 👍
That sounds great!!
The gravity of the Synergy ecosystem is starting to reel me in 😅
So much good stuff in there. I need another Syn2 though now :p
@@LeonTodd Got 2 and now I may need a third one. Lol
@@LeonTodd I even bought 2 of the Randall 100 watt 3 module slot heads and use them. They are heavy but have massive power and build quality!
So focused and articulate! Then again, it IS Soldano. I don't miss lugging a half stack around, but if I ever felt compelled to go back to that, I could see building a rig around a Synergy.
Any one else sing Doug's "Ye-----ah!" during Over My Head? Great sounding module and tasty playing as ever. There is a Marshall bite to the SLO I've always loved that tends to get rounded off by a Boogie.
Your facial expressions are the friggin best. You go from smiling to looking kinda shocked to looking somewhat concerned..."what are my hands DOING!?" Hahaha
😁
Queensryche and Gary Moore. Amazing way to sample SLO tones.
Great demo. Love the Scorpions!
With “Armed and Ready” Sin City…. KILLER!!!
Righteous playing as always! I've had the original SLO module since I got into the Synergy stuff about 4 years ago, and I love that module, but this is everything I've been wanting out of a "deluxe" version of it.
Just ordered the limited edition anodized purple one that they're offering on Reverb and the Synergy site! Can't wait to get my hands on it!
Purple! Glorious
Amazing tone!
Della Brown!? Wow, digging deep for that goodness! Love it.
Sounds fantastic
Oh man, imagine that module running straight into the input on a Hotrod Deluxe. Tone heaven!! 👀
When the Synergy stuff first showed up on the scene, I thought it was a cool concept but didn't think it would have any longevity to it. But here we are and Synergy is still around.
Likewise, I'm pleasantly surprised at how well it's held up!
YES DELLA BROWN!!!!!
Awesome job, Love watching you play, keep them videos coming ! 🤘🏻☺️🪕
great review as always Leon, cant tell you how refreshing it is to always know that im going to get quality reviews and great playing from your videos, instead of endless chugging on the vast majority of gear videos now which give you no idea about a piece of gears sonic capabilities or leanings. keep it up
I appreciate your appreciation mate!
@@LeonTodd not a problem, ive bought my micropitch and strymon dig pedals off the back of your videos as they were bang on what i needed to hear!
Great job Leon
The SLO module was my favourite until I got a Salvation Audio Salvado. I think I need this one to add and put all three into my RM100 and make a SLOSLOSLO
Sing that to the tune of Motley Crue "Girls Girls Girls"
Back to the rack! Soldano rules in each kind off music with this gem. ♨️♨️♨️
I love me some Della Brown! Such a killer track. New module sounds excellent! ❤
That crunch mode has way more gain than the actual amp. I usually run it full gain to get what you’re getting at 9 o’clock.
Della Brown was calling you.
Nice tones there.
Nice. WAY more economically viable than buying an X88r ! or full fat Soldano amp.
SLO and pushed JCM 800, my choice of a perfect chug sound. It sounds really great.
SLO handed Leon ).with a filthier amount of energy added to a clap of flash over and above the original slow hander
Dripping with grease
2:18-2:52 Scorpions - Big City Nights
\M/
🔥
I have 4 OS modules thanks to your video on it, and I think I'm going to have to add one (possibly two) of these. By the way, no micro pitch? Wat?
4 OS modules! That's the ultimate multi channel taste machine right there. I'll have to make up for my Micropitch omission soon :p
Badass playing and tones as always, Leon! What’s the riff that starts at 8:01?
Cheers! "Bad Boys" by Whitesnake
Finally! Been waiting so long for this module, got mine ordered today!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
🤘🤘🤘
Heh, this is not on the Synergy site yet.
How does it compare to the soldano mini?
These things really are very good indeed. I’d very much like the opportunity to try them out…but then I see the entrance to a very cavernous rabbit hole appearing before me🤪
Can you battle this vs the new X88ir preamp. Im trying to decide which to buy. Thanks Leon.
Now plug it into a fractal!
scorpions riffs!!!
Della Brown!
Leon - did you try the different cathode positions?
I didn't, that's a whole other rabbit hole :p
Would a synergy module work well running thru a boss katana 100 watt head ?
Probably better to run it through a power amp like a pedal baby or Amped 1. Possibly if the katana head has an FX loop, just throw it through the return.
Actually yes, just connect to the POWER AMP IN, then set the master to taste. That basically what I use my Katana for.
yeah run it into the fx return
That Rag Doll song you are playing is very similar to kissed by a rose, performed by Seal.
Modal interchange!
I wonder how it compares to my Uberschall module which is awesome!
That's the first thing I tried - the Uber is a lot more aggressive and can do the super spitty "modern" thing a bit better whereas this has more of that big warm "roar"
@@LeonTodd yeah the Uber is going to be hard to beat, I have it paired with the BEBB for the clean and Marshall sound
Nice rendition of Round and Round by Ratt
IIRC, there were some hair metal guys from the 80s proudly rocking Soldano, no? Back when literally everyone else was plugged into a Marshall JCM?
Soldano elevated the scene above what a modded JCM800 could do.
The SLO100 sparked a new generation of amps, it was the first serious high gain tube head.
Lots of guys had Soldano's especially in the early 90s whether they were used on records or their most famous tone is different but the list includes: George Lynch, Izzy Stradlin, Warren de Martini, Mick Mars, Vivian Campbell, Rudolph Schenker and I am sure a lot of others even if just for the looks in the snakeskin tolex. Despite many saying its based a mesa, circuit wise it has a lot in common with a jcm800 and really seems like the first evolution of that modded jcm800 gain sound.
@@JimijaymesProductions ...and Dann Huff, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, George Lynch and Gary Moore, along with players like Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler. There was a time when Knopfler was playing EMGs through a SLO!
@@Gorbyrev oh yeah they are the most famous users but I am never calling moore, clapton, vai, satriani or knopfler hair metal.
@@JimijaymesProductions:)
Is this modeling technology?
It's all analog
@@LeonTodd That's really cool. Lots to research now -)
Hhmm this or the Friedman BE Dlx?
Can't go wrong with either. My 2 favorite modules are the SLO and BE-Dlx. Drect is pretty awesome too
The obvious answer is both :p
I predict Synergy sells out the first batch within 2 days.
*LMAO...aS SOON AS THERE WAS A CRUNCH TONE, I knew the first lick coming out the door.....leon stop it* lol
If I had the bass that high on the Overdrive setting, I'd have nothing but mud. The SLO II either sucks, or mine is broken/not made correctly. The unit is also overly compressed and sounds N O T H I N G like the SLO amp.
That definitely sounds like a busted unit - this compares really well to my HR50+ and X88
@LeonTodd A lot of people are saying the SLO II is over gained/overly compressed, but rather than push back on Synergy, they are just putting lower gain tubes in it. Frankly, I see that as what your father or grandfather might call "putting good money towards bad money." That is a bandaid, frankly.
I emailed Synergy and have gotten no response over the past week. I'll take the hint and keep my money. What I have currently will probably be it for me, though it does leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Nice queensryche intro.
I can't say it sounds bad but I can't say I like it as much as real soldano clips. Seems muddy, seems to be missing gain, harmonics. I don't know. Only towards the end and again nothing vs the other clips you have with soldano etc. Maybe I am on a bad mood lol. Or the tubes inside don't produce what I like to hear. It is funny, people talk about similarities on amp circuits but change tubes and to accurately compare you should have the new ones rebiased. Yes even preamp tubes are biased and affect the sound. You don't get bias controls (although technically you can) because then, it would be too much choices, easy to lose the character of the amp and it would also make for scratchy pots and some of them having hi voltage etc.
I'll do a video comparing it to my Hot Rod, I'm keen to see where the differences are
@@LeonTodd That would be surely entertaining, especially as they will be in the same room, same cab and mic position.
Same knob position doesn't mean anything. They may be of slightly different value etc. Or they may be of the same manufacturer and the taper will be different. They tend to use parts of resistance lengths that can vary. They will unite them to approximate the value and type of pot. So you can see two amps, the same and one may seem far more trebly and it may be a pot or a different resistor somewhere in the amp...
Always go with your ears. You have good ears.
Those 80s stank faces are going way, way too far... I like how you can still hear the guitar's own character through all that gain, though maybe I still prefer the Überschall module for over the top gain.
Uber is the ultimate module!
A Syn-1 and 1 module = £900, then £400 every module you buy after that. Im out !.