@@TaylorDanley my favorite analogy for the tube vs. digital is this…you know same as I do that great tube amps especially when they have been played for a good half hour just CRANKED and the tubes are just BAKING good and hot the amp starts to get that magical quirky response to picking attack and aggression and it starts to just FEEL fantastic! That little bit of sag or whatever and you can push your volume and distortion levels by chugging really hard. You cannot get that with digital or solid state. I compare it to playing a high end expensive keyboard compared to playing a top end Steinway & Sons concert grand piano. The expensive digital keyboard will give you the exact same sound of a Steinway & Sons concert grand piano but it won’t ever give you the same sound and FEEL of playing the Steinway.
i duno ,she hit just above her waist, she might have a whiplash ,or hyperextended the tendons in her neck, but i bet she woke up with wicked lower back pain, and i would bet it still effects her years down the road
I think the next step for Synergy is to release solid state modules! JC120, Randall RG, Ampeg VH140C, Sunn, I think they'd be a cool addition to the lineup
@@Safetysealed I mean... I prefer tubes overall but there's sounds that can't be recreated without specific solid state gear. And lots of it does have its own special character
Go through reverb and start grabbing tones from the most expensive amps and preamps.... soldano x88r, Morin, metaltronix, Ada mp1, bogner fish, Jose arradondo, custom audio electronics
@christopherwalker2097 Yeah, I remember a few guys using them back in the day. They sounded good. I think the conceived idea was great, but the failure point was one guy doing his take of all the different amps in his modules vs manufacturers all putting their own amp into the confines of the modules like Synergy is doing. I think that’s the icing on the cake really.
Oh, we paid attention. I had two fully loaded egnater m4s with various egnater and Randall modules. They were a step in the right direction, but they fell far short of the real amps. The very best did not even come close to the synergy stuff. If they were as good as the synergy modules, I would still own all of those. Only thing I regret selling from my huge rack rig back then was my Engl E570. Unlike the modules back then, that thing absolutely rocks.
Bro, this is like a bedroom studio owner's dream. The fact that you can have real tube amp sound without 1) the price of tube amps, 2) the required space and hassle to transport, 3) the ease of use (i.e no cab needed, no miking, plus that additional space saved). Literally one of the best guitar innovations of this era in my opinion. Now just get some of your favorite pedals and it's a rig that cannot be stopped. Not sure when it will happen but this is definitely on my wish list.
VHT sold their name off and are now Fryette, but retained their amp models and all the goodness. Synergy works hand in hand with Steven Fryette to produce any VHT/Fryette modules and that power amp is 100% designed by Steven Fryette. There is a slightly different version of that power amp offered by Fryette as well.
Goddammit, you keep dropping these vids about gear I’m way too interested in! The Synergy stuff looks so cool. Love that they integrate with full tube amps to add extra channels, plus they have a 1u all tube rack power amp. Insanely cool company
I've been having these thoughts a lot for a couple of months. I love having a dozen tube amps, but it really is work. Your analogy with muscle cars is the best. As always, you rule. Have a great day Taylor!
Another even cheaper/compact option is to use preamp pedals. I have a decent collection of those I use to supplement the models in my HX Stomp. I run both into solid state poweramps snd use EQ/compress in the Stomp to simulate tube response.
Black Widow Audio Designs MGP-1A. Analog modeling preamp. 18 different amp preamp channels in one 2U unit. 4 Tung Sol 12ax7’s, analog circuits, proprietary Venum modeling from Black Widow Audio Designs. Sounds amazing. Great competitor to Synergy stuff also.
Somewhat related, I'm holding on to my original 5150, JCM2000/DSL 50 and others, but man, I've just having an absolute blast with the tones I'm getting out of my Tonex. I find myself playing a ton more too! I don't care how accurate it is or isn't but to my ears it's some of the best tones I've ever got. What a time to be alive!
My favorite captures for metal so far are: "EVH 5150 Setting 1, Fireball Heavy Rhythm, Mesa Badlander 100 NU-Metal, VH4." All of those sound great with just a slight tweak. @@jewgeniroudenko2190
I was gonna go Synergy but for the price of one module almost I can get the ToneX pedal. Which I can then get any rack preamp or amp tone with that’s been profiled. Want one just so I can get that ADA mp1 pack.
It's been THE favorite purchase I've made in a long time. IMO the presets are horrible. I almost returned it, but then I searched for some high rated/likes captures on Tone Net and I'm having a blast. @@R3dbudd
I’ve got a SYN1 and a savage module. I like it a lot using my 50w 6l6 5153S as a power amp. Worth noting synergy sells 30W and 50W amps made for the modules, which are a great option if you don’t need the rack capability
Great video! I loved the sound you got out of the Deliverances especially. I had the Savage module twice and just wasn't able to love it like my Savage 120 mk 1. Funnily enough, the other Engl module, the Powerball absolutely nails the tone and feel of the original amp
Thanks! Yeah it’s hard to anything to come close to the actual savage amp. It’s just got so many variables! I think the module gets the essence of it, but I agree it’s not the same
Man I get whay you're saying about tube amps...I grew up using tube amps, but now I'm using a mostly analog ampless rig. I'm using the Crazy Tube Circuits Crossfire as a clean preamp, with Revv pedals and I get great tones. I can go into the front of an amp, the effects return, or go direct with a Two-Notes CAB M+. I think JFETs really do a great job being similar to tubes.
Add a gen-xer who used to haul VHT Pitbull head, 412 cab, rack of effects, pedals and midi switching systems as well as an 88 keyboard to gigs, I concur. A quad cortex would have been heaven back in those days.
I use a Boss GT1000 into an outboard EQ and then into a Crown XLS 1002 power amp. I use an overdrive into the Boss GT 1000. From there into a 412 1960A Marshall cab. With this set up, I can sound like anything I want! No more blowing tubes! Just kick ass power!
Did the same thing... Got rid of the Friedman, Bogner, Marshall's, on and on... Picked up the 50w & 30w Synergy heads for gigging and they seriously do kick ass...the fact you can switch up flavors with different modules is icing on the cake. I A/B'ed many of the modules with their actual heads as well... Couldn't justify the literal THOUSANDS of $ of "redundancy" so away went the actual amps as well
You really need to cook the KT88s hard to get some power amp compression out of them. Yes, the Synergy sounds very round and 6L6ish. Never tried the modellers before myself, so for the time being my UL remains my favorite. Sounds like an earthquake and looks badass!
I agree with your analogy of ownership, I was told that by someone else when I bought my old marshall 100 watt head, I actually sold it to a police officer who was a responder to a noise complaint a few months later and he said he just wanted it to have it. Even after I had to have it repaired he didn't care he just wanted it, which got me into that orange super crush cause I can't afford to rely on tube amps and have them repaired, luxury muscle cars that only go grocery store shopping for 3 gallons of milk 😊
If I had to ditch my tube amps, I'd be fine with my Roland Blues Cube 2x12 and Katana Artist Mk II. Both of those amps cover all my bases. I don't want to get rid of my tube amps though. My '74 Fender Twin Reverb just sounds too good. Heavy, but worth it.
I am intrigued by the Synergy system, thanks for doing these videos. Also, your production quality is great, man. I appreciate the camera work and sound quality.
Love my syn 50. Had the savage module and it sounded great, I have the slo and uberschall currently and the slo is so close to the real deal it’s not worth spending the cash on one. I’ve never owned an uberschall but I love the module so I don’t think I’m missing out lol.
I’m glade you’re doing videos on this. I’m shocked these aren’t more popular. I’ve come a long way on my amp journey, only to find out that I prefer distortion pedals into a nice clean channel. lol. Even for metal. I have a nice Friedman and a bogner alchemist. I literally play a Friedman be deluxe pedal into my Friedman clean channel. lol. The Friedman is modded with some really cool mods but every time, I prefer the pedal. I need to sell or trade it for something with a killer clean. I’m thinking Hiwatt or Morgan or maybe even a fender bass man.
I’m with You, as a prior Tube Amp Maniac, having Mesas, Oranges, Marshalls, Blackstar, and RANDALL, I have always been a fan of the RM series and Synergy Made it a whole other MONSTER! These are true to the tone preamps and power amps. I could have a Treadplate and VHT Pitbull or Uberscall Yes Please!!!!!
Taylor. Try out the Synergy modules with different power amps. One of my friends uses a Fryette 90-Two-90 power amp with KT88s in it for his Synergy modules. The tone is insane considering how many tube power amps work with them. So many choices.
I almost went that route for live, Synergy Power Amp and Modules. A friend of mine (long time guitar player) bought the Synergy Power Amp and said that it got insanely hot and there wasn't enough umph behind it. This friend of mine I call Coliseum Mike because he plays ungodly loud. He uses an old Mesa 50/50 and it buries anything in its path. The Fryette seems close to the Synergy and Coliseum Mike had that too and sent that back as well. Not many tube power amp choices these days. I won't pick up a used Mesa because they all look like they been through world wars. I just don't understand how racked gear can get so whacked.
Probably when people are actually mounting it, I doubt the damage comes from it's time inside the rack. I played live with the synergy stuff, I didn't have any of those problems... It was more just justifying the extra weight in my rig vs using an axefx and solid state power amp which was roughly 40 lbs less.
The power amp makes a huge difference with the synergy stuff ime. When I ran them through my 180w MI Beta they sounded monstrous. Reza has a great demo of them through the fryette powerstation too.
I appreciate digital and analog. I NEED to use an effects processor to save my back but obviously simulation systems wouldn't even exist without the analog to base it on and of course it's a valuable and educational experience to use analog gear.
I bought a used synergy 2 channel head for $600 to put in my studio, for clients to use and to save space. Its so much easier to switch out a $300/400 module than to buy a $3000-$6000 Amp head. Everyone that comes in likes to use it since it has the feel of a real amp and its easy to compare 2 different modules and you can quickly do double tracking with it. If you have a studio GET a Synergy amp and a few modules!
Dude, as a guitar player who likes high gain tones, it IS possible to have too much gain. Once you get past the sweet spot, it starts to just sound like inarticulate noise. It works on the single string lines, but when you're chugging with that much gain, it just sounds like a wall of noise. This isn't a comment on your playing. Just on your restraint. :)
Something I feel is important to now; the VHT, Fryette, Freidman, Soldano, Metropolous, Morgan, etc modules...any that are using the exact name of the amp they're replicating were designed by that amps designer.
I love.... LOVE.... my revv i got last year. But then when i bring the synergy 50 out...especially the powerball and uberschall modules, they are just FIRE
Same. I have a Syn-50 head and several modules, and they've killed any desire to own a room full of 50-pound, $3000+ amp heads. One note: The title is ever so slightly misleading, inasmuch as Synergy is a fully tube-based product.
I don't blame you! The Synergy stuff is super cool and you get all these different sounds at a fraction of the cost of the real things, plus you get the portability if you wish since it's all modular. Unfortunately, I think Synergy is coming into the phase where they're about to just stop making shit. Deep down I knew it was going to be their fate, as with all things like this, it happens every time. The modules have come to almost a dead halt, so it's just a matter of time before it all just fizzles out. It's a shame, because there are SO many unique amps that could've gotten a module. They still haven't done a Recto, an Orange, any of the Hughes and Kettner stuff, Hiwatt.....unique tones that beg to get the Synergy treatment. Something Synergy could do is have Bogner design the amps. One of my main issues with the Syn-50 head was that for 1700 bucks after tax, the head was so drab to look at. You could tell Friedman did it because its your standard Marshall looking box. Boring! Like come on, give us a backlit logo at least! A little less Dodge and a littler more BMW.
I have a Carvin Pro Bass 350 full stack and it 4/10 and a 15, it's a relic, but its absolutely awesome sounding. Amd i have a Hartke 1000 watt set up 4/10 and 15, it sounds amazing, but the old carvin is my beast.
TBH you really only need the Synergy head, your digital stuff for effects in the FX loop, and then the Origin 50 for pedal platform/parallel chainsaw/stereo rig. Maybe keep your solid state amps, since Synergy doesn't make those?
This may mean that you need to go hunting for a great tube power amp to work with the Synergy modules for metal. I think the 5050 power amp (designed by Steven Fryette) for Synergy is just a neutral platform for all styles. That doesn't mean it's great, just there to do the job. Steven Fryette doesn't even use it, he would use his own Power Station. And I know Billy Corgan uses the Mesa Boogie power amp with his HUGE module setup. I have Laney amps and the Syn-50 head, and I know that the Laney Ironheart's power section can be more bright/fuller/tighter than the Syn-50. But I can accommodate that by more extreme EQ-ing. Maybe that's an area you can explore for those that use Synergy? Also, as to clear your wall of heads: Synergy did came out with the 5150 module last year, and they might have all the preamps for ENGL. Also, either Jaded Faith or Salvation Audio (maybe both?) have their take on the Krankenstein amp in module form, so that can be removed. As for the other amps, Salvation Audio's website DOES claim to make any module replacement of any tube head. I have yet to hop on that offer, but I think Salvation Audio might be the main option in being a sonic replacement of the amps that yet have modules.
Try a test without the Tube Screamer and Noise Gate...the differences might be bigger. Also, try different branded cabinets without tube screamer and noise gate.
I dont use synergy but i have an old timey 80s rack 4 channel preamp and it captures the same "multiple amps in one" vibe and i can never go back. I will get synergy when it needs replacing
I had the Synergy rig for a couple years (with the Bogner Überschall and Engl Savage modules) and while it was convenient and easy to dial in, it just wasn’t as satisfying as the real amps so I ended up selling it all.
U def have too many amps bro! lol Just 1 too many haha. If I had the tour dates and income that I used to have before hitting rock bottom than I would definitely want that same wall of tube amps that u have rt now. ❤ Tube Tone! U def got a killer sound! Several lol Unfortunately I had to part w all my vintage Marshalls and currently don’t even own a tube amp rt now. 😢However, I am celebrating my 1st year and a half in Recovery and starting to get my clarity of mind back as well as my undying will to play and perform again! And seeing all your amp heads def inspired me to save for a new amp. If by any chance u plan to part w any of those amps anytime soon or ….know where I can get a good deal on a crunchy tube amp for hard rock/ Metal lmk. I’m on fb. Great channel, keep chugging Bro! ⚡️🤟🏻😎 Scott McClusky - ACE HOTTER THAN HELL / KISS
I recently sold several of my amps due to life stuff. I sold my atla 100, KSR orion, mesa mark iv, and a ceriatone all access plexi. I am planning on buying another atla, mark iv and something from KSR with my bonuses for this year but im second guessing it since i typically use an FM3. I was playing my 6505 earlier today then ran my fm3 though the effects loop with the 5150 model. I will likely just grab a fryette LXII, KSR PA50 or something especially since i really dont play out much these days
If you have a collection of amp, get more flavor of them adding a preamp syn2. And if you need to be more accurate, change the amp/poweramp. Better than any digital solution.
Yo TD! I have a concept I'd like to throw at YOU. Consider my future gear goal, the KSR PA50, with a Tonex in front of it. EL34, 6L6, KT77. Three kinds of tubes to choose from with individual bias and negatrive feedback control. $400 ONE time for the Tonex instead of per preamp module, and still playing through tubes. Even MORE compact than Synergy.
I'll be switching to Synergy also but I'm going with the Fryette LX 2 power amp with the Synergy preamps. The Fryette has EL34 powere tubes among other features. Hey, if its good enough for Vai.......
I’m normally on headphones or my studio monitors. Today I’m just on my cell phone. But I’m sure there’s still data to collect from that information. So the information I have for you today is these amps sound identical over a phone speaker. Gonna have another listen later when I’m around my monitors as this is a subject I’m very interested in.
5:28 Apples to Apples shouldn’t matter actually if Synergy is saying with their rig you are getting that amp. Otherwise you’re saying the only way to replicate the amp is to keep all your heads anyway to run into the return of the loop, which obviously defeats the purpose. But what about amps where crushing the phase Inverter and power section is a big part of the sound? I’ve tried a Bassman module that just had zero balls and was just nothing like a real Bassman. Especially when driving it into distortion. Also the cleans weren’t even close. That being said with high gain modules, if I had the budget for a new Wizard I would honestly spend that on a Synergy rack (not their power amp) with several different modules and use what is left over for a used Fender and a plexi (probably kit or Ceriatone). A lot of these modules can be found used now. And if I’m lucky, a cheap bass! 😅
Own the syn-50 head and have a few modules….so far. It’s sooooo damn close to the real deal it’s not even funny. I plan on buying many many more modules. Love synergy’s stuff so far. Be-dlx, iicp, and the t/dlx are next on my wish list. You can have a full collection of really good amps for 1500-2000.
So buying the 50w version for £1599 do you get modules with it or do you have to buy them separately? Don't want to buy an amp half complete lol and moneys a bit stiff lately
I’ve tried a few modules in stores (mostly vintage style ones, not modern high gain) and they just don’t sound great in the room, especially compared to their namesakes. Maybe they record well? In the room they’re a dud for me. Would have liked to play them through a bigger power amp or the return of a Marshall. Plus the cost of just the rack piece to put 2 modules in is nuts.
Cool idea but I just like my heads :) the modules do sound really good, but I doubt I would switch my setup for a synergy or modeling system....just one more thing to learn and figure out. Im an old fart and like my old fart ways.
as someone from a 3rd world country from SEA getting $10 per day, guitar playing is an expensive hobby for me that's why when digital amps became a thing I instantly bought an audio interface(cheapest!) and put it on free digital amp vsts! it still doesn't sound good but atleast it sounds something, thinking about this make me feel like going to the US illegally seems like the best choice to change my life even if i get the lowest paying jobs i'd feel so happy with it, atleast I'd be able to spend on my hobby and I heard people there throw their things when they think there's like a slight scratch on it so i'd probably hitting the dumpsters I bet i would be able to own a car people throw away because the color isn't right or something
I enjoyed your presentation. I've neem using a rack mount Pro-Pod for over 20 years now and my first preocessor was an ART Mach II. I had a Mashall series 800 with EL 34s and a Sound City I think might have had 6L6s but my 2nd ex sold em on me after putting me out of my own place with an injunction. I got ther ART back but the B had soaked it in water. Ya know ART fixed that MF-er for me for free when I told them what happened ? LOL Good guys thoses F-ers at ART. Truth is, there's so GD many ways to shape tone it ain't even funny anymore; and as we all know, there ain't no F-ing rules. I've been mixing DI with mic-ed cabs though a mixer with a looper pedal on the aux buss with good results; but then you know your final tone really should depend on how your lower freq tracks come out if you're doing anything serious. I'd been thinking about a Bogner like you got atter hearing some cat cranking Nola tracks though one in a bar; but those MF-ers are pricy. I got enough S, I just need to play more; but it;s tuff when you got your mind on so much other S. I think things are getting better though and when they do then we can all rock the F out !
Hey man , have you ever or do you ever run those two together at the same time through 2 cabs ?? That would be ideal to fine tune a sound that melts faces .... in which alone they both do .... just curious .... no bi-curious lol
It's space saving until you end up replacing everything with rack mounted gear and your studio ends up looking like a IT server room 😂 Jokes aside, absolutely killer tones and vid! How's the Grimoire treating you after the TLC vacay?
If You Get Synergy Stuff Here It Helps The Channel! sweetwater.sjv.io/XYj9ro
4:14
What the fuck is that tone 😍
@@TaylorDanley my favorite analogy for the tube vs. digital is this…you know same as I do that great tube amps especially when they have been played for a good half hour just CRANKED and the tubes are just BAKING good and hot the amp starts to get that magical quirky response to picking attack and aggression and it starts to just FEEL fantastic! That little bit of sag or whatever and you can push your volume and distortion levels by chugging really hard. You cannot get that with digital or solid state.
I compare it to playing a high end expensive keyboard compared to playing a top end Steinway & Sons concert grand piano. The expensive digital keyboard will give you the exact same sound of a Steinway & Sons concert grand piano but it won’t ever give you the same sound and FEEL of playing the Steinway.
I love the Synergy stuff. I run mine three cabled into my JCM
That lady falling on the snowy road definitely had a concussion from that.
100%
Brutal 😬
Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Keep portland weird.
Don't worry.
The snow was dry so it was probably a low-impact concussion.
i duno ,she hit just above her waist, she might have a whiplash ,or hyperextended the tendons in her neck, but i bet she woke up with wicked lower back pain, and i would bet it still effects her years down the road
I think the next step for Synergy is to release solid state modules!
JC120, Randall RG, Ampeg VH140C, Sunn, I think they'd be a cool addition to the lineup
.......no
@@AtTheSourceStudios why not?
@@Safetysealed I mean... I prefer tubes overall but there's sounds that can't be recreated without specific solid state gear.
And lots of it does have its own special character
@@Safetysealed of course! That's why I suggested solid state modules :)
Go through reverb and start grabbing tones from the most expensive amps and preamps.... soldano x88r, Morin, metaltronix, Ada mp1, bogner fish, Jose arradondo, custom audio electronics
I love how Randall did the modules ages ago and no one paid attention.
@christopherwalker2097
Yeah, I remember a few guys using them back in the day. They sounded good. I think the conceived idea was great, but the failure point was one guy doing his take of all the different amps in his modules vs manufacturers all putting their own amp into the confines of the modules like Synergy is doing. I think that’s the icing on the cake really.
What’s cool about these synergy modules is that you can use them in the Randall rm100.
@DirtyHowy
That' is cool
Oh, we paid attention. I had two fully loaded egnater m4s with various egnater and Randall modules. They were a step in the right direction, but they fell far short of the real amps. The very best did not even come close to the synergy stuff. If they were as good as the synergy modules, I would still own all of those. Only thing I regret selling from my huge rack rig back then was my Engl E570. Unlike the modules back then, that thing absolutely rocks.
Bro, this is like a bedroom studio owner's dream.
The fact that you can have real tube amp sound without 1) the price of tube amps, 2) the required space and hassle to transport, 3) the ease of use (i.e no cab needed, no miking, plus that additional space saved).
Literally one of the best guitar innovations of this era in my opinion.
Now just get some of your favorite pedals and it's a rig that cannot be stopped.
Not sure when it will happen but this is definitely on my wish list.
VHT sold their name off and are now Fryette, but retained their amp models and all the goodness. Synergy works hand in hand with Steven Fryette to produce any VHT/Fryette modules and that power amp is 100% designed by Steven Fryette. There is a slightly different version of that power amp offered by Fryette as well.
Goddammit, you keep dropping these vids about gear I’m way too interested in! The Synergy stuff looks so cool. Love that they integrate with full tube amps to add extra channels, plus they have a 1u all tube rack power amp. Insanely cool company
🥳 you can just try mine sometime if you want to check them out champ !
The syn stuff is really great ..
I've been having these thoughts a lot for a couple of months. I love having a dozen tube amps, but it really is work. Your analogy with muscle cars is the best. As always, you rule. Have a great day Taylor!
Thanks dude! You too 💪
Another even cheaper/compact option is to use preamp pedals. I have a decent collection of those I use to supplement the models in my HX Stomp.
I run both into solid state poweramps snd use EQ/compress in the Stomp to simulate tube response.
Black Widow Audio Designs MGP-1A. Analog modeling preamp. 18 different amp preamp channels in one 2U unit. 4 Tung Sol 12ax7’s, analog circuits, proprietary Venum modeling from Black Widow Audio Designs. Sounds amazing. Great competitor to Synergy stuff also.
Man...that's a fucking rack. who the hell is gonna carry a damn rack to a gig. Get outta here
Somewhat related, I'm holding on to my original 5150, JCM2000/DSL 50 and others, but man, I've just having an absolute blast with the tones I'm getting out of my Tonex. I find myself playing a ton more too! I don't care how accurate it is or isn't but to my ears it's some of the best tones I've ever got. What a time to be alive!
Yeah, I love my ToneX! What are your favorite ToneNet Models for Metal?
My favorite captures for metal so far are: "EVH 5150 Setting 1, Fireball Heavy Rhythm, Mesa Badlander 100 NU-Metal, VH4." All of those sound great with just a slight tweak. @@jewgeniroudenko2190
I was gonna go Synergy but for the price of one module almost I can get the ToneX pedal. Which I can then get any rack preamp or amp tone with that’s been profiled. Want one just so I can get that ADA mp1 pack.
It's been THE favorite purchase I've made in a long time. IMO the presets are horrible. I almost returned it, but then I searched for some high rated/likes captures on Tone Net and I'm having a blast. @@R3dbudd
I’ve got a SYN1 and a savage module. I like it a lot using my 50w 6l6 5153S as a power amp. Worth noting synergy sells 30W and 50W amps made for the modules, which are a great option if you don’t need the rack capability
Man the engl savage sounded so good though
Great video! I loved the sound you got out of the Deliverances especially.
I had the Savage module twice and just wasn't able to love it like my Savage 120 mk 1. Funnily enough, the other Engl module, the Powerball absolutely nails the tone and feel of the original amp
Thanks! Yeah it’s hard to anything to come close to the actual savage amp. It’s just got so many variables! I think the module gets the essence of it, but I agree it’s not the same
Man I get whay you're saying about tube amps...I grew up using tube amps, but now I'm using a mostly analog ampless rig. I'm using the Crazy Tube Circuits Crossfire as a clean preamp, with Revv pedals and I get great tones. I can go into the front of an amp, the effects return, or go direct with a Two-Notes CAB M+.
I think JFETs really do a great job being similar to tubes.
As a Gen Xr I can tell you that valve heads do not get lighter as u get older. Got a Synergy setup yesterday with 2 Friedman modules.
Add a gen-xer who used to haul VHT Pitbull head, 412 cab, rack of effects, pedals and midi switching systems as well as an 88 keyboard to gigs, I concur.
A quad cortex would have been heaven back in those days.
They got a new smaller head with an IR loader built in, I'm waiting for that to be released. Awesome demo, thank you for this.
Great work, TD!
I use a Boss GT1000 into an outboard EQ and then into a Crown XLS 1002 power amp. I use an overdrive into the Boss GT 1000. From there into a 412 1960A Marshall cab. With this set up, I can sound like anything I want! No more blowing tubes! Just kick ass power!
Did the same thing... Got rid of the Friedman, Bogner, Marshall's, on and on... Picked up the 50w & 30w Synergy heads for gigging and they seriously do kick ass...the fact you can switch up flavors with different modules is icing on the cake. I A/B'ed many of the modules with their actual heads as well... Couldn't justify the literal THOUSANDS of $ of "redundancy" so away went the actual amps as well
To my ears, the VHT head sounds more clear than the Synergy module. But I like the ENGL module more that the head.
makes sense since the deliverance has KT88 power tubes and the synergy 50/50 runs 6l6s and 12ax7s
You really need to cook the KT88s hard to get some power amp compression out of them. Yes, the Synergy sounds very round and 6L6ish.
Never tried the modellers before myself, so for the time being my UL remains my favorite. Sounds like an earthquake and looks badass!
Definitely the headroom from the kt88s. No way I could get the master up loud enough for them to compress without some sort of attenuation
The best thing about the Deliverance is that you can record at human-friendly volumes and still get sound you want. Favorite amp ever.
Get it!!! Awesome as always brotha!!!👍Damn,I think the Vht is one of my favorite high gain distortion.Sounds phenomenal.
Yeah it’s a really solid flavor. I like the pit bull module as well, but I don’t have the real amp to compare
I agree with your analogy of ownership, I was told that by someone else when I bought my old marshall 100 watt head, I actually sold it to a police officer who was a responder to a noise complaint a few months later and he said he just wanted it to have it. Even after I had to have it repaired he didn't care he just wanted it, which got me into that orange super crush cause I can't afford to rely on tube amps and have them repaired, luxury muscle cars that only go grocery store shopping for 3 gallons of milk 😊
Love the Engle too
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If I had to ditch my tube amps, I'd be fine with my Roland Blues Cube 2x12 and Katana Artist Mk II. Both of those amps cover all my bases. I don't want to get rid of my tube amps though. My '74 Fender Twin Reverb just sounds too good. Heavy, but worth it.
I am intrigued by the Synergy system, thanks for doing these videos. Also, your production quality is great, man. I appreciate the camera work and sound quality.
thank goodness I held onto all of my tube amps through my Kemper/modeler phase
When you added the boost on the Savage synergy, it sounds like a Metal zone, really compressed.
Lol I like that comparison to old muscle cars.👍Makes total sense.
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playing regularly with a hard hitting drummer, tube amps just really sound better loud
I agree
Finally, I can hear the guitars in you mixes.... good job.
Love my syn 50. Had the savage module and it sounded great, I have the slo and uberschall currently and the slo is so close to the real deal it’s not worth spending the cash on one. I’ve never owned an uberschall but I love the module so I don’t think I’m missing out lol.
That’s probably my 2nd favorite (Uber), they’re all really good though!
@@TaylorDanley my only complaint is the noise. Sooooo much “ hiss”
I’m glade you’re doing videos on this. I’m shocked these aren’t more popular. I’ve come a long way on my amp journey, only to find out that I prefer distortion pedals into a nice clean channel. lol. Even for metal. I have a nice Friedman and a bogner alchemist. I literally play a Friedman be deluxe pedal into my Friedman clean channel. lol. The Friedman is modded with some really cool mods but every time, I prefer the pedal. I need to sell or trade it for something with a killer clean. I’m thinking Hiwatt or Morgan or maybe even a fender bass man.
Yeah I’m surprised too. Maybe it’s too niche? 🤷♂️ I think they’re awesome though
@@TaylorDanley well, every time I’ve talked to someone about it, they don’t seem to understand that it’s tube. lol. They just think it’s a modeler.
I’m with You, as a prior Tube Amp Maniac, having Mesas, Oranges, Marshalls, Blackstar, and RANDALL, I have always been a fan of the RM series and Synergy Made it a whole other MONSTER! These are true to the tone preamps and power amps. I could have a Treadplate and VHT Pitbull or Uberscall Yes Please!!!!!
I'd love to hear the Synergy preamps into a solid state poweramp.
the Synergy stuff is awesome. I don't have the space for amps, and I have always loved rack pre-amps. More people should try the SYNERGY stuff!
It’s good!
I think the Synergy Deliverance sounds better than the amp! And the Savage module gets pretty close the amp!
I agree with this sentiment completely! With that said I will buy your solid state amps from the collection in a heartbeat 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Taylor. Try out the Synergy modules with different power amps. One of my friends uses a Fryette 90-Two-90 power amp with KT88s in it for his Synergy modules. The tone is insane considering how many tube power amps work with them. So many choices.
I almost went that route for live, Synergy Power Amp and Modules. A friend of mine (long time guitar player) bought the Synergy Power Amp and said that it got insanely hot and there wasn't enough umph behind it. This friend of mine I call Coliseum Mike because he plays ungodly loud. He uses an old Mesa 50/50 and it buries anything in its path. The Fryette seems close to the Synergy and Coliseum Mike had that too and sent that back as well. Not many tube power amp choices these days. I won't pick up a used Mesa because they all look like they been through world wars. I just don't understand how racked gear can get so whacked.
Probably when people are actually mounting it, I doubt the damage comes from it's time inside the rack. I played live with the synergy stuff, I didn't have any of those problems... It was more just justifying the extra weight in my rig vs using an axefx and solid state power amp which was roughly 40 lbs less.
The power amp makes a huge difference with the synergy stuff ime. When I ran them through my 180w MI Beta they sounded monstrous. Reza has a great demo of them through the fryette powerstation too.
I appreciate digital and analog. I NEED to use an effects processor to save my back but obviously simulation systems wouldn't even exist without the analog to base it on and of course it's a valuable and educational experience to use analog gear.
I bought a used synergy 2 channel head for $600 to put in my studio, for clients to use and to save space. Its so much easier to switch out a $300/400 module than to buy a $3000-$6000 Amp head. Everyone that comes in likes to use it since it has the feel of a real amp and its easy to compare 2 different modules and you can quickly do double tracking with it. If you have a studio GET a Synergy amp and a few modules!
Dude, as a guitar player who likes high gain tones, it IS possible to have too much gain. Once you get past the sweet spot, it starts to just sound like inarticulate noise. It works on the single string lines, but when you're chugging with that much gain, it just sounds like a wall of noise. This isn't a comment on your playing. Just on your restraint. :)
I agree 100%
Something I feel is important to now; the VHT, Fryette, Freidman, Soldano, Metropolous, Morgan, etc modules...any that are using the exact name of the amp they're replicating were designed by that amps designer.
I love.... LOVE.... my revv i got last year. But then when i bring the synergy 50 out...especially the powerball and uberschall modules, they are just FIRE
Big fan of the Uber module as well, unique gain character for sure
@TaylorDanley with Texas heat/ swamp thang speakers (I know I'll shut up now lol) uberschall is wicked
you always have the content i need, thanks
Superb video man, the Synergy slays but as you said this thing ain't cheap
Modelers can never replace the feeling of analog gear. So i keep huge fridge racks of both vintage analog and digital preamps and fx
I thought these modules contained the actual preamp circuitry from the amps they're based on.
@@twiff3rino28 i dont have the slightest clue. I cant afford these modules at all🤣
The synergy power amp is the weak link here. The lack of high end and low end thump is exactly what I experienced with that power amp too.
Wish you had a A/B amp pedal so we could get a better comparison. Nice video, always wondered about these amps.
Same. I have a Syn-50 head and several modules, and they've killed any desire to own a room full of 50-pound, $3000+ amp heads.
One note: The title is ever so slightly misleading, inasmuch as Synergy is a fully tube-based product.
I love my syn 50 head and my modules!
Oh dang, I feel so bad that you have all those amplifiers. Feel free to send a few to me in New Hampshire. I will take the burden sir.
I left tube amps for the Crate Gx130c and I have no complaints!
I don't blame you! The Synergy stuff is super cool and you get all these different sounds at a fraction of the cost of the real things, plus you get the portability if you wish since it's all modular. Unfortunately, I think Synergy is coming into the phase where they're about to just stop making shit. Deep down I knew it was going to be their fate, as with all things like this, it happens every time. The modules have come to almost a dead halt, so it's just a matter of time before it all just fizzles out. It's a shame, because there are SO many unique amps that could've gotten a module. They still haven't done a Recto, an Orange, any of the Hughes and Kettner stuff, Hiwatt.....unique tones that beg to get the Synergy treatment.
Something Synergy could do is have Bogner design the amps. One of my main issues with the Syn-50 head was that for 1700 bucks after tax, the head was so drab to look at. You could tell Friedman did it because its your standard Marshall looking box. Boring! Like come on, give us a backlit logo at least! A little less Dodge and a littler more BMW.
I have a Carvin Pro Bass 350 full stack and it 4/10 and a 15, it's a relic, but its absolutely awesome sounding.
Amd i have a Hartke 1000 watt set up 4/10 and 15, it sounds amazing, but the old carvin is my beast.
The woman falling made my day
TBH you really only need the Synergy head, your digital stuff for effects in the FX loop, and then the Origin 50 for pedal platform/parallel chainsaw/stereo rig. Maybe keep your solid state amps, since Synergy doesn't make those?
This may mean that you need to go hunting for a great tube power amp to work with the Synergy modules for metal. I think the 5050 power amp (designed by Steven Fryette) for Synergy is just a neutral platform for all styles. That doesn't mean it's great, just there to do the job. Steven Fryette doesn't even use it, he would use his own Power Station. And I know Billy Corgan uses the Mesa Boogie power amp with his HUGE module setup. I have Laney amps and the Syn-50 head, and I know that the Laney Ironheart's power section can be more bright/fuller/tighter than the Syn-50. But I can accommodate that by more extreme EQ-ing. Maybe that's an area you can explore for those that use Synergy?
Also, as to clear your wall of heads: Synergy did came out with the 5150 module last year, and they might have all the preamps for ENGL. Also, either Jaded Faith or Salvation Audio (maybe both?) have their take on the Krankenstein amp in module form, so that can be removed. As for the other amps, Salvation Audio's website DOES claim to make any module replacement of any tube head. I have yet to hop on that offer, but I think Salvation Audio might be the main option in being a sonic replacement of the amps that yet have modules.
I recently bought a Kemper and sold most everything except my Bugera 6262 and my Peavey 6534+ head!
Honestly less is more sometimes!
Try a test without the Tube Screamer and Noise Gate...the differences might be bigger. Also, try different branded cabinets without tube screamer and noise gate.
I dont use synergy but i have an old timey 80s rack 4 channel preamp and it captures the same "multiple amps in one" vibe and i can never go back. I will get synergy when it needs replacing
I’d have to have the Deliverance before I leave this sorry world. Seems like a cool amp!
I had the Synergy rig for a couple years (with the Bogner Überschall and Engl Savage modules) and while it was convenient and easy to dial in, it just wasn’t as satisfying as the real amps so I ended up selling it all.
U def have too many amps bro! lol Just 1 too many haha. If I had the tour dates and income that I used to have before hitting rock bottom than I would definitely want that same wall of tube amps that u have rt now. ❤ Tube Tone! U def got a killer sound! Several lol
Unfortunately I had to part w all my vintage Marshalls and currently don’t even own a tube amp rt now. 😢However, I am celebrating my 1st year and a half in Recovery and starting to get my clarity of mind back as well as my undying will to play and perform again! And seeing all your amp heads def inspired me to save for a new amp. If by any chance u plan to part w any of those amps anytime soon or ….know where I can get a good deal on a crunchy tube amp for hard rock/ Metal lmk. I’m on fb.
Great channel, keep chugging Bro! ⚡️🤟🏻😎
Scott McClusky - ACE
HOTTER THAN HELL / KISS
It's certainly amazing! I want it, but don't need it. Great video!
I recently sold several of my amps due to life stuff. I sold my atla 100, KSR orion, mesa mark iv, and a ceriatone all access plexi. I am planning on buying another atla, mark iv and something from KSR with my bonuses for this year but im second guessing it since i typically use an FM3. I was playing my 6505 earlier today then ran my fm3 though the effects loop with the 5150 model. I will likely just grab a fryette LXII, KSR PA50 or something especially since i really dont play out much these days
If you have a collection of amp, get more flavor of them adding a preamp syn2. And if you need to be more accurate, change the amp/poweramp. Better than any digital solution.
You're running a Boss NS-2, huh? Ever played around with other gates?
I jumped from a Donner Noise Killer, to "The Silencer" from EHX, to a Zuul+.
Yo TD! I have a concept I'd like to throw at YOU. Consider my future gear goal, the KSR PA50, with a Tonex in front of it. EL34, 6L6, KT77. Three kinds of tubes to choose from with individual bias and negatrive feedback control. $400 ONE time for the Tonex instead of per preamp module, and still playing through tubes. Even MORE compact than Synergy.
...and the thought of pairing like, KT77s with Engl, 6l6 with Mesa, EL34 with Marshall. Stuff like that!
Totally legitimate rig. I really like the tonex stuff!
I'll be switching to Synergy also but I'm going with the Fryette LX 2 power amp with the Synergy preamps. The Fryette has EL34 powere tubes among other features. Hey, if its good enough for Vai.......
I’m normally on headphones or my studio monitors. Today I’m just on my cell phone. But I’m sure there’s still data to collect from that information. So the information I have for you today is these amps sound identical over a phone speaker. Gonna have another listen later when I’m around my monitors as this is a subject I’m very interested in.
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5:28 Apples to Apples shouldn’t matter actually if Synergy is saying with their rig you are getting that amp. Otherwise you’re saying the only way to replicate the amp is to keep all your heads anyway to run into the return of the loop, which obviously defeats the purpose. But what about amps where crushing the phase Inverter and power section is a big part of the sound? I’ve tried a Bassman module that just had zero balls and was just nothing like a real Bassman. Especially when driving it into distortion. Also the cleans weren’t even close.
That being said with high gain modules, if I had the budget for a new Wizard I would honestly spend that on a Synergy rack (not their power amp) with several different modules and use what is left over for a used Fender and a plexi (probably kit or Ceriatone). A lot of these modules can be found used now. And if I’m lucky, a cheap bass! 😅
Dude id love to see you try these out with a fryette 2/90/2
Own the syn-50 head and have a few modules….so far. It’s sooooo damn close to the real deal it’s not even funny. I plan on buying many many more modules. Love synergy’s stuff so far. Be-dlx, iicp, and the t/dlx are next on my wish list. You can have a full collection of really good amps for 1500-2000.
check out Salvation audio too, they make compatible modules
I've been thinking about switching to Synergy for about a year. Just can't bring myself to get rid of my amps
So buying the 50w version for £1599 do you get modules with it or do you have to buy them separately? Don't want to buy an amp half complete lol and moneys a bit stiff lately
I am so tempted to sell some amps of mine and try the synergy system out. Do you reckon the modules they have are close enough to the full size amps?
I’ve tried a few modules in stores (mostly vintage style ones, not modern high gain) and they just don’t sound great in the room, especially compared to their namesakes. Maybe they record well? In the room they’re a dud for me. Would have liked to play them through a bigger power amp or the return of a Marshall. Plus the cost of just the rack piece to put 2 modules in is nuts.
Cool idea but I just like my heads :) the modules do sound really good, but I doubt I would switch my setup for a synergy or modeling system....just one more thing to learn and figure out. Im an old fart and like my old fart ways.
Sounds like a good plan... I have plenty of space, so I'll just keep buying more tube amps :D
I’d personally run the preamps with a Marshall 50/50 power amp bcs I feel like the synergy power amps don’t sound that great.
Synergy stuff is so cool.
Ps. Love the editing.
Thanks dude!!
@@TaylorDanley no problem.
Synergy ARE tube amps, btw. All analog, all-tube, no modeling. I realize Taylor probably knows but the tile could cause confusion.
Good point.
Lol that lady hit her head so hard i felt it
Chime in again, They are Very Expensive, that’s the only thing I would change
Hi, the image quality is perfect, what camera and lens did you use
Cojones !! It's been funny hearing you saying that being Spanish myself. 😂😂😂
as someone from a 3rd world country from SEA getting $10 per day, guitar playing is an expensive hobby for me that's why when digital amps became a thing I instantly bought an audio interface(cheapest!) and put it on free digital amp vsts! it still doesn't sound good but atleast it sounds something, thinking about this make me feel like going to the US illegally seems like the best choice to change my life even if i get the lowest paying jobs i'd feel so happy with it, atleast I'd be able to spend on my hobby and I heard people there throw their things when they think there's like a slight scratch on it so i'd probably hitting the dumpsters I bet i would be able to own a car people throw away because the color isn't right or something
Can you run the syn 2 in stereo ? Or just one amp at a time.
I enjoyed your presentation. I've neem using a rack mount Pro-Pod for over 20 years now and my first preocessor was an ART Mach II. I had a Mashall series 800 with EL 34s and a Sound City I think might have had 6L6s but my 2nd ex sold em on me after putting me out of my own place with an injunction. I got ther ART back but the B had soaked it in water. Ya know ART fixed that MF-er for me for free when I told them what happened ? LOL Good guys thoses F-ers at ART. Truth is, there's so GD many ways to shape tone it ain't even funny anymore; and as we all know, there ain't no F-ing rules. I've been mixing DI with mic-ed cabs though a mixer with a looper pedal on the aux buss with good results; but then you know your final tone really should depend on how your lower freq tracks come out if you're doing anything serious. I'd been thinking about a Bogner like you got atter hearing some cat cranking Nola tracks though one in a bar; but those MF-ers are pricy. I got enough S, I just need to play more; but it;s tuff when you got your mind on so much other S. I think things are getting better though and when they do then we can all rock the F out !
Then why doesn't someone indent a pedal you can change circuits on with some switching circuitry
I think the synergy lil bit softer then VHT amp.
And vht amp has powerfull attack on it.and feel more chug
Jesus dude that engl you were leaning on was so close to falling over every time you moved your amp
Something happened to your tone, they are so good now, what did you do?
Had the savage module ..really hated it…powerball module is killer
I dont get why it says leaving my tube amps for synergy, when synergy are all tube...
The difference in tubes is felt rather than heard.
Hey man , have you ever or do you ever run those two together at the same time through 2 cabs ?? That would be ideal to fine tune a sound that melts faces .... in which alone they both do .... just curious .... no bi-curious lol
It's space saving until you end up replacing everything with rack mounted gear and your studio ends up looking like a IT server room 😂
Jokes aside, absolutely killer tones and vid! How's the Grimoire treating you after the TLC vacay?