The mark series amps are different kind of beasts - the passive EQ is for designing the distortion, and the 5-band EQ, which is after the gain stage, is for shaping the distortion. Try these settings; Passive EQ: bass at 0-1, mid at 2-3, treble at 7-8 + a good aggressive V-shape on the 5-band. The more you crank the passive treble knob, the less effective the bass and mid knobs become.
Most important thing is to turn the bass down on the passive eq and then compensate the missing bass with the graphic eq. Also turn down the mids on the graphic eq. There is a video from John Petrucci explaining this. Totally different then other amps, but I love it.
@@geraldrauch1701 I love my MK IV - greatest amp i’ve ever played. I’m trying out a Bogner Ubershall in a few days. Very exited if i will dethrone my MK IV as “best amp ever” I sure hope not - i can’t afford an Uber right now🤣🤣
The amount I learned about how these high gain amps use very different voicing (and how to match them) just by watching this video is amazing…thanks for sharing!
Passive EQ is pre-gain in Boogie. This way you can make it sound tight without a boost pedal (because it acts like sort of a boost pedal). The graphic EQ though is a 'typical' post gain EQ that you have in most of the amps. When you use passive EQ - roll down bass (very very low), crank the highs and you have tight modern metal response. Do the opposite and you'll have a dirty sludgy tone. That's one of the most important thing in Boogies :) Thanks for cool video!
I actually dime the mids. Bass at 0. I think the mids have the throaty low mids while the bass is pure flub... at least in the Mark IV. My Mark III Iput bass at like 1, but the deep on the Mark III is way bigger than the fat/ deep on the Mark IV.
An easy way to understand the Mark series amps layout is to think of the 5-band as your EQ to shape the overall tone (like you'd do with EQ knobs on most other amps), and use the Passive EQ knobs to shape the input signal (like you'd do with your Booster/OD pedal) Reduce Bass input to tighten up the tone. Reduce Mids to tame honkiness. Increase Highs/Presence to get a good note attack and edge (also increases saturation). V shape on the 5-band, and you're set
Mesa Mark series amps have the passive EQ before the gain stage. If you play clean sound it seems like a regular EQ but when you play with distortion it affects the sound differently than a post gain stage EQ. In these amps you use the treble knob to add more gain, you keep mids at around 2 or 3 and bass at around 0 or 1 or it gets too muddy. It doesn't make any difference in actual EQ to be honest. They should re-label those controls in lead mode to Gain 2, Juice and Mud. You set the actual EQ with the graphic EQ (pre-power amp).
I learn so fkin much from these videos. Hearing you make different sounds and use the words you use to describe them.... INVALUABLE for someone seeking to build their own Tone Matrix in their mind. INVALUABLE. Thank yoooou, Kellerrrrrr!
Great vid Kohle! Well I've been planning my studio build for months... Got all the essentials on the list to be able to provide a wide range of gear to prospective clients. I'm definitely gonna ad this, just to be able to have even a small number of modules, 2-4 maybe and with that have access to great tones is priceless. But I'm gonna start out with one just as everything else and slowly build up a collection of gear over the years to come.
What is the tightest and most saturated module in your opinion I have the Soldano and love it alot but I really have to slam it with EQ and a boost to make it usuable for modern metal chugs
Thank you for dialing these in by sound, not the knob position. All any guitarist cares about is can they get the sound they want, not if everything at noon is the same when I’ll never actually gig or track with the knobs at noon.
Die Mesa Mark style Amps haben eine recht einzigartige Architektur, die sich ganz stark an den alten Fendern orientiert bzw. auf diesen aufbaut. Bei dieser Schaltung liegt die Klangregelung direkt am Eingang, noch bevor die ganzen Zerrstufen kommen. Bei den Marshalls sitzt die Klangregelung ganz am Ende der Vorstufe, nach dem das Signal die ganze Verzerrung durchlaufen hat. Praktisch alle modernen Metal Amps orientieren sich am Marshall Konzept (Bogner, Friedman, Engl, Mesa Rectifier, Soldano, Orange, Peavey 5150 usw.) Dadurch, dass man den Eq im Mark vor der Verzerrung hat steuert man welche Frequenzen stärker oder schwächer verzerrt werden. Wenn man den Amp z.B. tight haben will muss man die Bässe auf 0-1 stellen. Manche Marks haben hier dann auch noch Push Pull Potis, womit man diese Klangregelung weiter verändern kann. Am Ausgang der Vorstufe sitzt dann der grafische EQ, der als die eigentliche Klangregelung gedacht ist. Bei anderen Herstellern sitz an dieser Stelle die klassische 3 Band Klangregelung. Ein wichtiger Knackpunkt ist, dass die meisten Klangregelungen garnicht im Frequenzverlauf flach sind, wenn die Knöpfe auf mitte stehen. Stattdessen erfolgt immer ein mehr oder minder starker Midscoop im Bereich zwischen 400 und 700Hz. Wenn man den Frequenzverlauf dieses EQ wirklich gerade haben möchte muss man Mid auf 10 Treble auf 0 und Bässe auf 1 Stellen. In so ziemlich allen oben aufgezählten Verstärkern sitzt die gleiche Schaltung. Der grafische EQ im Mark hat aber tatsächlich einen flachen Frequenzverlauf, wenn alle Regler in der Mitte stehen. Desshalb kriegt man verglichen mit anderen Amps viel mehr Mitten und muss eigentlich immer eine V Kurve einstellen.
GREAT VIDEO !!!!!!!! the comparison between the SAVAGE Amp and Module is the BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the sound between both of them is AMAZING and the PRICE POINT is the BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you for the Video
Great video! Love that new module. One thing, tho: the passive EQ in the Mesa Mark Series sits right behind the input stage and acts as a Pre-EQ, so you can easily dial in modern sounds by cutting the bass which (given the position) changes the gain structure itself from „creamy and a bit slow“ to „tight and percussive“ - maybe even tighter than the Savage :) The interaction of both eq‘s is what makes those amps extremely versatile but is also the reason why people find them hard to dial in at times.
Of course I can’t tell for the module as I don’t have one - on the original the difference is quite drastic. Of course not on the freq-Image of the output signal but more in the feel - it’s like the difference of having an eq pedals in front of the amp or in the loop. Anyway - great video and love the sounds you’re getting out of it!
@@KohleAudioKult right.. it's subtle since it's before the clipping stages.. and it definitely does something to the feel and tightness not necessarily overall tone.. but you have a 5 band post gain stage EQ for that.
@@KohleAudioKult not a theory it's literally the schematic lol.. btw you could have peeled bass out of the preamp for a tighter tone like literally everyone else does.. but you wouldn't have heard it apparently..
Nice! Now I want a Savage module! Did not like the 6505 or the Powerball. Own and love the Uberschall and SLO modules. This guy totally has the same taste and preferences that I have \m/
Nice to see the brootal lineage being preserved through your children, man. Too many kids playing with smartphones and too few of them dialing mean tones on Mesa/Boogies nowadays, that's what I always say.
Even if I could afford it, I don't have space for 75 amps. So it's kind of a neat alternative. A couple of amps and this... sounds like a nice way to access a huge amount of tones.
Regarding the Mark II Equalizer thing: the distortion happens after the Equalizer (compared to other amps where it is the other way around). That's why there is an additional 5 band eq afterwards
I asked myself if it is the same on that module? I couldn't hear a difference when he turned the EQ and it should change the sound a lot. These settings would sound awful on my Mk V:25.
@@j.prinzz I guess they will have modelled it similar, as mainly the treble changes the frequency response the most. As for the bass, you can maybe use it like a tube screamer to thin the guitar sound a little bit. If it is the type of passive eq I have in mind, the mid mainly functions as a secondary "level" or "gain" knob.
What would be interesting to see (or better hear) is a comparison between the Synergy preamp-modules and a state of the art modeler trying to emulate the same (pre-)amp. And then going into the same power amp as well. The Synergys clearly can reproduce the preamp sound of the targeted amps really well (not a surprise, given that the modules are designed by the actual manufacturers), but by nature they won't be able to reproduce the special synergy (pun intended) between pre- and power amp circuits inside each amp.
The IICP EQ is PRE gain stage. It's subtle overall.. but really tailors the gain response.. the graphic EQ is where you'll hear an bigger overall difference.
YES! Definitely do a reamp video with all the modules! I've had the Syn-1 for a few months now and it's amazing. My favorites are the Soldano SLO and Bogner Uberschall. The Diezel VH4 is great with thrash metal! Next on the list are the Steve Vai and Savage modules
I'd like to listen to the Friedman and the Soldano modules. I'm saving for buying the Soldano SLO30, but the Synergy stuff is still giving me the itch... I also wonder how the Synergy poweramp sounds.
Try to play around "Cathode Switch" of the Savage module. Position 3 (1.8k resistor/1uF capactior) which shaves out some low end and brings back highs, my favourite is Position 2 though.
I love these modules. I do have to wonder if two savages side by side might similarly have slightly different sounds. Is the difference between the synergy and the savage here that much further off as, say, another savage?
They sounds really great, very close to the originals... you connect the preamps to the FX Return of the Savage head, correct ? The reamping test will several modules will be very welcome. Also, showing them in the context of a mix would be great, as listening in solo would not bring details of usability within a real mixing situation.
Aah yes, the nonsensical Mesa passive EQ. The knobs don't do what it says they do. Bass = turn all the way down to make amp usable. Middle = low end. Keep around noon Treble = gain. Maybe some highs. Turn it up Band EQ: V shape. I never understood what they were thinking, but it's awesome. That's the texured, crunchy, tight tone that Metallica and Petrucci loved about it.
It's the pod of tube amps, lots of sounds, but none sound quite as good as the real deal. What's better, lots of okay tones, or one excellent one? I say the latter.
I don't know the topology of your savage model but to me, yours sounds basically like channel three and the module sounds like the darker channel 4 on my Savage 120
You already broke the volume knob on the ENGL module...too much beer ? ;-) Great demo though. I love the idea of the Synergy system. Btw can you run two modules in parallel at once? Let's say a scooped module and in parallel a marshally mid-focused?
Awesome video. Can you use these straight into the interface with an IR? One would think they would sound great with an IR given IRs have the power amp+cab+mic impulse response. Would be great to see a video how they compare to an amp-sim plugin
Hi,I’ve got the SYN-50 on order and I was wondering what’s the difference between the racks and heads as in sound and is the SYN-50 good for Metal as I’m thinking now should I just have bought a SYN-1.Have you any complaints regarding the SYN-50?.Thanks
@@gazzaduce3424 I love the syn 50 head, the effects loop is amazing, plenty of power, if you want it for metal you've got both fryette modules, two engl modules, the uberschall, the ic2plus, and the SLO is hard to go wrong. Even if I move to the rack in the future I'll keep the head. I got rid of a dual rec and a 5150iii because it is too good
@@beautague9163 that’s great to hear and thank you for replying.Yeah that’s exactly what I wanted to hear and I fell positive now.I have orders the Slo module to start with.I’m debating between the powerball and uberschall for my next one.I’ll need a clean channel so I’m edging towards the powerball for my second one but I hear nothing but good things about the Uber.Does the powerball hold it’s own compared to the Uberschall?.Thanks
@@gazzaduce3424 check out the John Browne review of the powerball module, I think it you want a clean sound to go with that amazing slo you're about to get.... that'd be what I would get. I can get a really killer kind of dirty clean from the uberschall that I really love but that powerball sounds amazing and the gain channel will be very very different from the slo you'll have a ridiculous setup!! Join the Facebook synergy group!
@@beautague9163 yeah I’ve just recently signed up to that group on Facebook. As for the powerball I really like it from UA-camr Leon Todd where to me it sounds the best there of them bunch.Is the Friedman HBE the one with the highest gain out of the all Friedman modules.I’ve only ever played a Friedman through the Mooer GE300 and loved it.
I feel you missed out a vital detail that you need to lower the bass considerably on the IICP because the 3 band is pre distortion. So you remove lows in the pre for tightness and add them back with the 5-band
@@KohleAudioKult to be fair. I did hear very little difference when you adjusted the bass control on the IICP module. But in my Mesa studio preamp for example the bass control is extremely powerful for dialing in a really tight sound.
I think you did well here. Savage-preamp sounded a lot like Savage 2. However, IIPC was nothing like the Mark-series amps. I mean not even close, just like the case has been with other reviews.
When you say that you tried these modules through the synergy power amp, so even with the resonance and presence controls on that synergy amp still end up way too dark?
Wow, love how they sound! And to be honest I thought the preamp modules were more expensive, kinda surprised me. Have you tried to dial back the bass on the IIcp passive eq when you engage the 5 band eq? I played a Mesa Quad for a while (channel 1/2 are really close to a mk II) and the interaction between the two were when the passive eq became more audible. Hoping for more of the VHT module next! Preview from 42GS looked very promissing!
I'd love to hear a comparison between the SLO, MKiiC+ and Fryette Ultra-Lead modules. I have the Fryette, and it's my favorite at the moment, though the other two are very interesting to me. Thanks for the great video! 🤘
To me, the Savage module sounds closer to the Savage 120 than to the 60W version, if that makes any sense, since the power amp is the 60W version in both cases. I'm not sure if the 120 and 60 have different voiced preamps. If that's a thing, maybe the module is based on the big boy.
Was ich bei Synergy nicht verstehe ist, dass die Module nur 2 Röhren haben. Sind da noch irgendwo weitere versteckt? Die Originale haben ja mindestens 4 Röhren im Preamp.
Those modules sound killer through that power amp. Are there any current stereo power amps you can recommend that are more open like the ENGL power amp? I am guessing maybe Engls is a good starting point, any others.
Good sir have you been able to A/B the difference between the rack mounted pre-amp and power amp units versus the head version of the Synergy stuff? I believe the power amp sections of the two units are different
I kind of get the feeling that something is wrong with your IICP module. Usually the distortion totally farts out on Bass settings (Pre-EQ) higher than 1 or 2. Check out Hennings video, there it seems to behave normally. Or maybe it’s the EMGs.
I would like to have a review of the Diezel Pre-Amps (VH4 and Herbert), the Bogner XTC and please learn how to dial in the IIC+ thing and REDO it in the same video :D The Passive EQ is in front of the gain stage so you can actually shape the characteristics and feel of the distortion and not the frequency spectrum...like you do with a tube screamer or shit like that! The graphic EQ is than for the spectrum! So typically you pull out the bass and crank the treble to tighten up the fucker and do your V-shape on the graphic to taste. I know it's pretty counter intuitive, but it works soooooo awesome (at least on the original), it's like the most versatile channel I have ever experienced. So please, do the IIC+ justice! Küsschen aus Hamburg :*
@@illuminatingdarkness3689 Well the comments section is about communication. Kristian asked what we wish to see and hear in the next Video with Synergy models. I wrote what I would like to see...now Kristian is free to do whatever the fuck he wants with all that information. He definitely doesn't need some random UA-cam comment to tell which UA-cam comment he should take seriously and maybe try out.
Never use the 2c+ preamp with bass above 2 for high gain tone, basically your eq is before the gain so you have to use the graphic EQ in a V shape instead, try again mr Kohle , bass at 0-1, mid at 2-3, treble at 7-8 + V-shape on the 5-band EQ
Hey Kristian, I absolutely love your videos and your ear for guitar tones is absolutely immaculate! Which is why I absolutely hate to be that guy but drop that dang low E down on your guitar! Your guitar is tuned to standard and you're playing open chords like it's dropped
Hey have you tried the Mesa JP2C? Talk about a high gain monster. Just got mine and love it. Hello from Louisville, Kentucky. You know. The fried chicken place. Lol.
Super dass die Tochter den Gitarren Sound brutal machen kann, so muss das sein. Und, coole Maske! 😉🤘❤️ Mein Sohn haut immer ab wenn ich "diese krächzenden Gitarren klingen lasse". Er nervt mich lieber selber mit lauten drums. 😜
Which SYNERGY High Gain modules do you wanna hear? Le me know!
All. And addionally "crunched" ones.
The question is if this something for my studio.
Diezel VH4 has my interest 😎
Ubershall
@@Daneidorff Just watch this video then! 😁
@@KohleAudioKult and i did - damn it sounds awesome🤘
The mark series amps are different kind of beasts - the passive EQ is for designing the distortion, and the 5-band EQ, which is after the gain stage, is for shaping the distortion. Try these settings;
Passive EQ: bass at 0-1, mid at 2-3, treble at 7-8 + a good aggressive V-shape on the 5-band.
The more you crank the passive treble knob, the less effective the bass and mid knobs become.
Came here to say this. It's the post gain graphic eq where the tone shaping happens
I was going to say the same! I'm a Mark iv owner and assumed synergy designed it similar.
Most important thing is to turn the bass down on the passive eq and then compensate the missing bass with the graphic eq. Also turn down the mids on the graphic eq. There is a video from John Petrucci explaining this. Totally different then other amps, but I love it.
yep...mark IV all the way!!!
@@geraldrauch1701 I love my MK IV - greatest amp i’ve ever played. I’m trying out a Bogner Ubershall in a few days. Very exited if i will dethrone my MK IV as “best amp ever” I sure hope not - i can’t afford an Uber right now🤣🤣
Fantastic video! Now I need one of these! Very cool.
Oh yeah, you do!
@@KohleAudioKult hook a bruvva up! Haha
The amount I learned about how these high gain amps use very different voicing (and how to match them) just by watching this video is amazing…thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! 🍺❤️
Passive EQ is pre-gain in Boogie. This way you can make it sound tight without a boost pedal (because it acts like sort of a boost pedal). The graphic EQ though is a 'typical' post gain EQ that you have in most of the amps. When you use passive EQ - roll down bass (very very low), crank the highs and you have tight modern metal response. Do the opposite and you'll have a dirty sludgy tone. That's one of the most important thing in Boogies :) Thanks for cool video!
First rule every Mark series: more gain - less bass . It's filter before gain stage. B 1-2, M 4-5, T 7-9 + V-shape post eq
I actually dime the mids. Bass at 0. I think the mids have the throaty low mids while the bass is pure flub... at least in the Mark IV. My Mark III Iput bass at like 1, but the deep on the Mark III is way bigger than the fat/ deep on the Mark IV.
An easy way to understand the Mark series amps layout is to think of the 5-band as your EQ to shape the overall tone (like you'd do with EQ knobs on most other amps), and use the Passive EQ knobs to shape the input signal (like you'd do with your Booster/OD pedal)
Reduce Bass input to tighten up the tone.
Reduce Mids to tame honkiness.
Increase Highs/Presence to get a good note attack and edge (also increases saturation).
V shape on the 5-band, and you're set
I know Opeth have been using these live and they just sound absolutely massive. I really connect with how you explain things, love the video
Mesa Mark series amps have the passive EQ before the gain stage.
If you play clean sound it seems like a regular EQ but when you play with distortion it affects the sound differently than a post gain stage EQ.
In these amps you use the treble knob to add more gain, you keep mids at around 2 or 3 and bass at around 0 or 1 or it gets too muddy.
It doesn't make any difference in actual EQ to be honest.
They should re-label those controls in lead mode to Gain 2, Juice and Mud.
You set the actual EQ with the graphic EQ (pre-power amp).
Brilliant
I learn so fkin much from these videos.
Hearing you make different sounds and use the words you use to describe them.... INVALUABLE for someone seeking to build their own Tone Matrix in their mind.
INVALUABLE.
Thank yoooou, Kellerrrrrr!
Can't wait for my kid to be old enough to make my tone brutal. Freakin' awesome!
It's funny to talk about the modern sound of the Mesa 2c+ when we consider this amp today, a vintage amp. 😆😂
Great video 👌🏼👌🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Great vid Kohle!
Well I've been planning my studio build for months... Got all the essentials on the list to be able to provide a wide range of gear to prospective clients. I'm definitely gonna ad this, just to be able to have even a small number of modules, 2-4 maybe and with that have access to great tones is priceless.
But I'm gonna start out with one just as everything else and slowly build up a collection of gear over the years to come.
This is the perfect tool for people who wanna start building a tube amp collection!
Lucky you! 🤪
What is the tightest and most saturated module in your opinion I have the Soldano and love it alot but I really have to slam it with EQ and a boost to make it usuable for modern metal chugs
Thank you for dialing these in by sound, not the knob position. All any guitarist cares about is can they get the sound they want, not if everything at noon is the same when I’ll never actually gig or track with the knobs at noon.
Die Mesa Mark style Amps haben eine recht einzigartige Architektur, die sich ganz stark an den alten Fendern orientiert bzw. auf diesen aufbaut. Bei dieser Schaltung liegt die Klangregelung direkt am Eingang, noch bevor die ganzen Zerrstufen kommen. Bei den Marshalls sitzt die Klangregelung ganz am Ende der Vorstufe, nach dem das Signal die ganze Verzerrung durchlaufen hat.
Praktisch alle modernen Metal Amps orientieren sich am Marshall Konzept (Bogner, Friedman, Engl, Mesa Rectifier, Soldano, Orange, Peavey 5150 usw.)
Dadurch, dass man den Eq im Mark vor der Verzerrung hat steuert man welche Frequenzen stärker oder schwächer verzerrt werden. Wenn man den Amp z.B. tight haben will muss man die Bässe auf 0-1 stellen. Manche Marks haben hier dann auch noch Push Pull Potis, womit man diese Klangregelung weiter verändern kann.
Am Ausgang der Vorstufe sitzt dann der grafische EQ, der als die eigentliche Klangregelung gedacht ist. Bei anderen Herstellern sitz an dieser Stelle die klassische 3 Band Klangregelung.
Ein wichtiger Knackpunkt ist, dass die meisten Klangregelungen garnicht im Frequenzverlauf flach sind, wenn die Knöpfe auf mitte stehen. Stattdessen erfolgt immer ein mehr oder minder starker Midscoop im Bereich zwischen 400 und 700Hz. Wenn man den Frequenzverlauf dieses EQ wirklich gerade haben möchte muss man Mid auf 10 Treble auf 0 und Bässe auf 1 Stellen.
In so ziemlich allen oben aufgezählten Verstärkern sitzt die gleiche Schaltung.
Der grafische EQ im Mark hat aber tatsächlich einen flachen Frequenzverlauf, wenn alle Regler in der Mitte stehen.
Desshalb kriegt man verglichen mit anderen Amps viel mehr Mitten und muss eigentlich immer eine V Kurve einstellen.
Leider passiert trotzdem nix 😁
GREAT VIDEO !!!!!!!! the comparison between the SAVAGE Amp and Module is the BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the sound between both of them is AMAZING and the PRICE POINT is the BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you for the Video
Great video! Love that new module. One thing, tho: the passive EQ in the Mesa Mark Series sits right behind the input stage and acts as a Pre-EQ, so you can easily dial in modern sounds by cutting the bass which (given the position) changes the gain structure itself from „creamy and a bit slow“ to „tight and percussive“ - maybe even tighter than the Savage :)
The interaction of both eq‘s is what makes those amps extremely versatile but is also the reason why people find them hard to dial in at times.
Sounds good in theory, but there's just hardly anything happening.
Of course I can’t tell for the module as I don’t have one - on the original the difference is quite drastic. Of course not on the freq-Image of the output signal but more in the feel - it’s like the difference of having an eq pedals in front of the amp or in the loop.
Anyway - great video and love the sounds you’re getting out of it!
@@KohleAudioKult right.. it's subtle since it's before the clipping stages.. and it definitely does something to the feel and tightness not necessarily overall tone.. but you have a 5 band post gain stage EQ for that.
@@KohleAudioKult not a theory it's literally the schematic lol.. btw you could have peeled bass out of the preamp for a tighter tone like literally everyone else does.. but you wouldn't have heard it apparently..
Nice! Now I want a Savage module! Did not like the 6505 or the Powerball. Own and love the Uberschall and SLO modules. This guy totally has the same taste and preferences that I have \m/
I'd like to hear these through your Seymour Duncan powerstage!
This is absolutely amazing and when I buy the IICP, it will be like having two amps with my 6505.
My next acquisition I love the idea of new amps in a simple module …i hava Mesa boogie 2x100 stereo recto power amp this would be great
Nice to see the brootal lineage being preserved through your children, man.
Too many kids playing with smartphones and too few of them dialing mean tones on Mesa/Boogies nowadays, that's what I always say.
Haha!
My kids are dialing in brootal tones all day! 😁
Loved the spot from your assistant.
Even if I could afford it, I don't have space for 75 amps. So it's kind of a neat alternative. A couple of amps and this... sounds like a nice way to access a huge amount of tones.
Would love to hear the "Marshall" Plexi , Friedman and Diezel VH4 Modules.
Killer review, sounds great!!
ps: your vibrato makes me anxious hahaha
Regarding the Mark II Equalizer thing: the distortion happens after the Equalizer (compared to other amps where it is the other way around). That's why there is an additional 5 band eq afterwards
I asked myself if it is the same on that module? I couldn't hear a difference when he turned the EQ and it should change the sound a lot. These settings would sound awful on my Mk V:25.
@@j.prinzz I guess they will have modelled it similar, as mainly the treble changes the frequency response the most. As for the bass, you can maybe use it like a tube screamer to thin the guitar sound a little bit. If it is the type of passive eq I have in mind, the mid mainly functions as a secondary "level" or "gain" knob.
What would be interesting to see (or better hear) is a comparison between the Synergy preamp-modules and a state of the art modeler trying to emulate the same (pre-)amp. And then going into the same power amp as well.
The Synergys clearly can reproduce the preamp sound of the targeted amps really well (not a surprise, given that the modules are designed by the actual manufacturers), but by nature they won't be able to reproduce the special synergy (pun intended) between pre- and power amp circuits inside each amp.
Great informative video!I have the Powerball 2 and Mesa dual rectifier.I will use my power sections too!!!Thanks brother!!!
The IICP EQ is PRE gain stage. It's subtle overall.. but really tailors the gain response.. the graphic EQ is where you'll hear an bigger overall difference.
Yes, I have understood!
I will investigate this a little further!
Yessss!fantastico idea ti reamp and compare amps and modules! Remember the Engl powerball 😃🤟
You can use the Helix or Fractal to do channel switching in the Synegy and even loop it in to those units as real amps. Per my video.
YES! Definitely do a reamp video with all the modules! I've had the Syn-1 for a few months now and it's amazing. My favorites are the Soldano SLO and Bogner Uberschall. The Diezel VH4 is great with thrash metal! Next on the list are the Steve Vai and Savage modules
They look like 80s-90s car stereos - but man they Rock!!!
I have this and the their floor pedal control. You have too have this !!!!
KaPOW!!, good job man, straight to the point chug on !!
I'd like to listen to the Friedman and the Soldano modules. I'm saving for buying the Soldano SLO30, but the Synergy stuff is still giving me the itch... I also wonder how the Synergy poweramp sounds.
Which poweramp from synergy do you have? The rack one or one of the heads? Maybe the heads sound better...
The rack version.
Try to play around "Cathode Switch" of the Savage module. Position 3 (1.8k resistor/1uF capactior) which shaves out some low end and brings back highs, my favourite is Position 2 though.
Interesting. Thanks!
Den Daumen hoch gibt's direkt fürs Intro! Ich gehe mal davon aus, dass das restliche Video gewohnt gut ist! :D
Nee, hab alle Energie in‘s Intro stecken müssen! 😜
@@KohleAudioKult Hat man kaum gemerkt, alles gut! :D
Dude this Fernandes really sounds nice!
Indeed! That's why I play it. I have two. This one sounds more evil the other one (normal scale) is warmer.
I love these modules.
I do have to wonder if two savages side by side might similarly have slightly different sounds.
Is the difference between the synergy and the savage here that much further off as, say, another savage?
The MKII C+ eq is a pre eq and the graphic eq is a post eq
They sounds really great, very close to the originals... you connect the preamps to the FX Return of the Savage head, correct ? The reamping test will several modules will be very welcome. Also, showing them in the context of a mix would be great, as listening in solo would not bring details of usability within a real mixing situation.
Yes and yes!🤪
I have a VHT power amp, can the synergy preamp rack play multiple modules at the same time or only one module at a time?
Only one!
Aah yes, the nonsensical Mesa passive EQ. The knobs don't do what it says they do.
Bass = turn all the way down to make amp usable.
Middle = low end. Keep around noon
Treble = gain. Maybe some highs. Turn it up
Band EQ: V shape.
I never understood what they were thinking, but it's awesome. That's the texured, crunchy, tight tone that Metallica and Petrucci loved about it.
That's your perception. The EQ is pre gain stage.. the more gain the less audible EQ changes will be overall. They work very much as intended.
Great vid my friend. The Uber is my favorite module by far. My IICP will be here to day.
Well.... we need to hear that SLO Module vs. a real Soldano
The Syn-5050 probably sounds darker due to it using 6L6s, the ENGL has EL34s in the power section.
Great video thanks for sharing your knowledge
I think that the passive EQ in the mesa mark series are pre-gain, hence that's why "it does not do that much", sort of the tubescreamer trick...
Yes! Seems to be more like a distortion shaper. Still not doing much.
It's the pod of tube amps, lots of sounds, but none sound quite as good as the real deal. What's better, lots of okay tones, or one excellent one? I say the latter.
I don't know the topology of your savage model but to me, yours sounds basically like channel three and the module sounds like the darker channel 4 on my Savage 120
Fantastic comparison! Thank you
You already broke the volume knob on the ENGL module...too much beer ? ;-)
Great demo though. I love the idea of the Synergy system. Btw can you run two modules in parallel at once? Let's say a scooped module and in parallel a marshally mid-focused?
Haha! Yeah, it fell off somehow! Sorry for that.
Parallel is not possible without an additional mixer.
Awesome video. Can you use these straight into the interface with an IR? One would think they would sound great with an IR given IRs have the power amp+cab+mic impulse response. Would be great to see a video how they compare to an amp-sim plugin
You will need some pretty bright IRs to make that happen.
Preamp that are intended to be played into a power amp often sound too dark through IRs.
Another killer vid man. That Bogner mod sounds amazing. 🍻
Sounds sick actually!
Yeah do the reamp with files vid!!
Checking different power amps, reamping with the same preamp would also be interesting.
Good idea!
Love this! I've got a syn 50 head with several modules, these are IMO very slept on. The heads are very different from the racks.
Hi,I’ve got the SYN-50 on order and I was wondering what’s the difference between the racks and heads as in sound and is the SYN-50 good for Metal as I’m thinking now should I just have bought a SYN-1.Have you any complaints regarding the SYN-50?.Thanks
@@gazzaduce3424 I love the syn 50 head, the effects loop is amazing, plenty of power, if you want it for metal you've got both fryette modules, two engl modules, the uberschall, the ic2plus, and the SLO is hard to go wrong. Even if I move to the rack in the future I'll keep the head. I got rid of a dual rec and a 5150iii because it is too good
@@beautague9163 that’s great to hear and thank you for replying.Yeah that’s exactly what I wanted to hear and I fell positive now.I have orders the Slo module to start with.I’m debating between the powerball and uberschall for my next one.I’ll need a clean channel so I’m edging towards the powerball for my second one but I hear nothing but good things about the Uber.Does the powerball hold it’s own compared to the Uberschall?.Thanks
@@gazzaduce3424 check out the John Browne review of the powerball module, I think it you want a clean sound to go with that amazing slo you're about to get.... that'd be what I would get. I can get a really killer kind of dirty clean from the uberschall that I really love but that powerball sounds amazing and the gain channel will be very very different from the slo you'll have a ridiculous setup!! Join the Facebook synergy group!
@@beautague9163 yeah I’ve just recently signed up to that group on Facebook.
As for the powerball I really like it from UA-camr Leon Todd where to me it sounds the best there of them bunch.Is the Friedman HBE the one with the highest gain out of the all Friedman modules.I’ve only ever played a Friedman through the Mooer GE300 and loved it.
The passive eqs are a mysterious harlot but they're usable after some practice.
I know that Randall was doing something like this, year's so. They even had the "Kirk Hammet" pre-amp
It’s the same system!
I feel you missed out a vital detail that you need to lower the bass considerably on the IICP because the 3 band is pre distortion. So you remove lows in the pre for tightness and add them back with the 5-band
I’m gonna do another video about exactly that!
It’s only half as true as you might think
@@KohleAudioKult to be fair. I did hear very little difference when you adjusted the bass control on the IICP module.
But in my Mesa studio preamp for example the bass control is extremely powerful for dialing in a really tight sound.
They should have rotated the graphic eq 90 degrees so they could give the faders much further throw. Are you reading this synergy?
I think you would like the PRS Archon 100!
What is the white piece of tape on the nut of the guitar used for?
To mute the ringing of the strings in breaks.
Question is there a Koch PowerBall or supernova module?
Not that I know. Check out the Synergy website!
Can i somehow play my Mesa mini Rectifier through my Engl Fireball Poweramp?
Sure! Just go from the send into the return!
Just make sure your Recto is either connected to a cab or a load box
Great video! 🤘🏾
I think you did well here. Savage-preamp sounded a lot like Savage 2. However, IIPC was nothing like the Mark-series amps. I mean not even close, just like the case has been with other reviews.
It responded exactly like a Mark IIC+ when you don’t know how to use it
When you say that you tried these modules through the synergy power amp, so even with the resonance and presence controls on that synergy amp still end up way too dark?
Yes!
Wow, love how they sound! And to be honest I thought the preamp modules were more expensive, kinda surprised me.
Have you tried to dial back the bass on the IIcp passive eq when you engage the 5 band eq? I played a Mesa Quad for a while (channel 1/2 are really close to a mk II) and the interaction between the two were when the passive eq became more audible.
Hoping for more of the VHT module next! Preview from 42GS looked very promissing!
I'd love to hear a comparison between the SLO, MKiiC+ and Fryette Ultra-Lead modules. I have the Fryette, and it's my favorite at the moment, though the other two are very interesting to me. Thanks for the great video! 🤘
Yes! I’m looking forward to checking out the Fryette modules!
To me, the Savage module sounds closer to the Savage 120 than to the 60W version, if that makes any sense, since the power amp is the 60W version in both cases. I'm not sure if the 120 and 60 have different voiced preamps. If that's a thing, maybe the module is based on the big boy.
I don't think there's a difference between the 60 and 120 preamps.
Hats off the best CHUGA CHUGA channel in the world!
Uberschall module with an SD-1. So nasty. You get some of the string sound in there with it too.
To me it sounds that the Bogner sounds a little bit like my Savage Mk. II with the Depth Boost engaged. But I might be wrong. Anyway, it sounds great.
Was ich bei Synergy nicht verstehe ist, dass die Module nur 2 Röhren haben. Sind da noch irgendwo weitere versteckt? Die Originale haben ja mindestens 4 Röhren im Preamp.
Die Hersteller haben das in der Schaltung kompensiert. Da haben mir die Jungs von Engl gesagt.
i cannot get any sort of decent sound from the green channel on the Engl savage
Savage is pretty high on my list of dream amps.
Those modules sound killer through that power amp. Are there any current stereo power amps you can recommend that are more open like the ENGL power amp? I am guessing maybe Engls is a good starting point, any others.
I haven’t checked out any real power amps lately. Engl and Mesa used to make good sounding ones.
Good sir have you been able to A/B the difference between the rack mounted pre-amp and power amp units versus the head version of the Synergy stuff? I believe the power amp sections of the two units are different
That’s possible. There’s also more space for a bigger transformer in a head.
But no, I haven’t tried it.
I tried the head and the syn 2 with 5050 power amp and kept the head. The head is imho the best sounding option.
I kind of get the feeling that something is wrong with your IICP module. Usually the distortion totally farts out on Bass settings (Pre-EQ) higher than 1 or 2. Check out Hennings video, there it seems to behave normally.
Or maybe it’s the EMGs.
lol, why would it be the EMGs?
@@honigdachs. I don’t know, maybe they are leaner in the bass.
++ for the child guest appearance .... Does the syn Pre Amp plug into the FX loop return ?
Yes!
You could try salvation mods. Maybe best modules out there
Great explaining!!!!!
I would like to have a review of the Diezel Pre-Amps (VH4 and Herbert), the Bogner XTC and please learn how to dial in the IIC+ thing and REDO it in the same video :D
The Passive EQ is in front of the gain stage so you can actually shape the characteristics and feel of the distortion and not the frequency spectrum...like you do with a tube screamer or shit like that! The graphic EQ is than for the spectrum! So typically you pull out the bass and crank the treble to tighten up the fucker and do your V-shape on the graphic to taste. I know it's pretty counter intuitive, but it works soooooo awesome (at least on the original), it's like the most versatile channel I have ever experienced.
So please, do the IIC+ justice!
Küsschen aus Hamburg :*
Yes because he really needs a random youtube comment to tell you how to dial a IIC+
@@illuminatingdarkness3689 Well the comments section is about communication. Kristian asked what we wish to see and hear in the next Video with Synergy models. I wrote what I would like to see...now Kristian is free to do whatever the fuck he wants with all that information.
He definitely doesn't need some random UA-cam comment to tell which UA-cam comment he should take seriously and maybe try out.
Never use the 2c+ preamp with bass above 2 for high gain tone, basically your eq is before the gain so you have to use the graphic EQ in a V shape instead, try again mr Kohle , bass at 0-1, mid at 2-3, treble at 7-8 + V-shape on the 5-band EQ
I will investigate that!
you wont regret it ! i recommand running it throught a marshall or a rectifier power section
I would love to hear the soldano. It's a 4k amp I think?
Awesome demo man!
This or a modeler axe fx style?
Whats module is closest to a duel rec? Looking for a cannibal corpse sound on budget
None of those. Unless you play through the power amp of a Recto. But then you better just use the Recto, haha!
@@KohleAudioKult Nice. Would you recommend the synergy stuff vs neural DSP vs amp two notes for home studio? Or any other set up?
Hits graphic eq button and....holy shit!
Hey Kristian, I absolutely love your videos and your ear for guitar tones is absolutely immaculate! Which is why I absolutely hate to be that guy but drop that dang low E down on your guitar! Your guitar is tuned to standard and you're playing open chords like it's dropped
Yeah, that was right for this video! Haha.
I don't even listen to what I play when I do videos. Total auto pilot.
Hey have you tried the Mesa JP2C? Talk about a high gain monster. Just got mine and love it. Hello from Louisville, Kentucky. You know. The fried chicken place. Lol.
No! I’ll have a look.
Interesting, the 2C preamp seems like something I would have test in person first though.
Once there’s a 5150 & dual rec I’ll be in
Super dass die Tochter den Gitarren Sound brutal machen kann, so muss das sein. Und, coole Maske! 😉🤘❤️
Mein Sohn haut immer ab wenn ich "diese krächzenden Gitarren klingen lasse".
Er nervt mich lieber selber mit lauten drums. 😜
Haha! Die wollte nur in's Video. Den Krach mag die auch nicht!
Nice studio btw