Four-Cable Method...know what it is before dismissing it as an invalid solution!
No, the 4 cable setup uses the preamp and poweramp of the amp and the AXEFX is only used for effects. To just use the poweramp section of the amp you just run the output of your processor into the FX RETURN of the amp. That bypasses the preamp section and only used poweramp.
schlagdog,
When you say:
"No, the 4 cable setup uses the preamp and poweramp of the amp and the AXEFX is only used for effects. To just use the poweramp section of the amp you just run the output of your processor into the FX RETURN of the amp. That bypasses the preamp section and only used poweramp" it is evident that you've never run a 4CM-rig (and that's OK!) and that you don't really understand what it means or what it's advantages are. That said, there is a bit of truth in your statement, but it is misleading...
In a true
4CM-setup, one has the option of EITHER using the front-end of the "real" amp in question (in which case your statement would be true about probably using the
Axe-FX for effects only.) HOWEVER, in a
4CM-setup, one also has the option of "bypassing" the "real" amps input stage and instead, using the
Axe-FX's pre-amp stage AND effects, which would then get powered from the output-section of the "real" amp (via the FX-return jack.)
The best way to think of a powerful 4CM-setup is that it's like putting your "real" amp into the effects-loop of your effects-processor/amp-modeler - in this case the Axe-FX.
When the signal-path is
(user-programmably) closed by going from the
Axe-FX's effects-loop SEND to the input of the "real"-amp, THEN what you said is true - that the preamp & power-amp of the "real"-amp will get used.
HOWEVER, when the signal-path is
(user-programmably) closed by the
Axe-FX OUTPUT going to the "real" amp's FX-Return, then the "real" amp's input/preamp-stage IS NOT USED! Instead the Preamp-models in the
Axe-FX then feed the "real" amp's Output/Power-Stage, which then feeds a speaker (or speakers.)
All of that
"4CM only allows for Axe-FX effects usage" is nonsense....After all,
why would you need four (4) cables if you were simply running the Axe-FX (just for it's effects) in a simple serial/mono effects-loop? (....which is essentially what you're explaining
4CM to be, which it clearly is NOT!)
You might want to get your facts straight before you you tell someone who is trying to help
(like Triaxis75) that their advice couldn't possibly help you, when you're NOT even straight on what his
four-cable method (4CM) advice even means?!?
In fact, the
4CM-setup is EXACTLY a good solution if a user wants to:
- use their existing power-amp stage and speaker(s)
- use their existing pre-amp for certain sounds
- still use a modeler (the Axe-FX) for some other pre-amp sounds AND it's effects
You could have your "Recto-Cake and eat it too!" - LOL!
1000 views and no help? I am shocked!
Best of luck with your tonal-pursuits.
Bill