scarr
Experienced
Correct. Unless you're doing something particularly weird/gnarly, amps will be in parallel.Can you show a picture of your grid when you do this? I am trying this for the first time. I assume you have to run the amps in parallel instead of series. How do you incorporate the mixer? Thanks.
I don't tend to use a mixer, but the layout is the same (sorry, I don't have ready access to Axe-Edit at the moment):
AMP-CAB-MIX
AMP-CAB/
I generally don't use a mixer, but the only difference is whether you set the levels in the mixer block, or by adjusting the Level on the CAB blocks (or whatever is at the end of your chain).
AMP-CAB-SHUNT
AMP-CAB/
Either way:
- Set #1 AMP (+CAB) up for the thick/chunky/gain-y sound you want.
NOTE: If you have a second line already, disconnect its output so you focus on #1. - Duplicate those settings on a parallel line (#2).
- Temporarily disconnect/mute line #1.
- Pull the gain down on line #2. Stop when you start to think, "this is getting too clean; this won't work."
#2 should feel weaker, and/or it's making you work harder to play it. - Reconnect/unmute line #1.
- Adjust the levels of #1 and #2 to where you get the desired crunch of #1, but the clarity of #2.
NOTE: Lowering the gain on #2 in step 4 might've lowered the output appropriately. Sometimes that pulls it too far down.