Best practices for playing out of 2 amps simultaneously?

LupineSound · Post by **LupineSound** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:47 am

I'm hoping someone here will know the answer to this. I like to use one amp for looping and the other amp for soloing. I've tried using a Morley A/B switch and I've tried simply using the stereo outs on my Line6 DL4 but I always seem to get a terrible hum. Googling has lead me to believe this is a ground loop issue, but I've tried plugging both amps into the same power strip and then into the same wall port. Neither resolved the hum. Is there some other pedal I should be using? Perhaps, to make up for lost Ohms or something?

wren · Post by **wren** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:18 am

To ask the stupid question and eliminate variables: does removing your A/B and/or DL4 from the chain and running straight from the pedal before it into one of the amps cause either amp to hum?

Snarl 12/8 · Post by **Snarl 12/8** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:47 am

Do both amps have 3-prong AC plugs that are wired up correctly?

Is the outlet that you're plugging into wired up correctly?

If one amp has a 2-prong, try reversing it. But for god's sake, don't sue me if you get electrocuted.

ck

Electro-Voice 664 · Post by **Electro-Voice 664** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 12:56 pm

now's yr chance to sue the shit outta Snarl!

What kind of amps are they? Certain models have options to help this type of thing.

Nick Sevilla · Post by **Nick Sevilla** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:28 pm

shithead wrote:I'm hoping someone here will know the answer to this. I like to use one amp for looping and the other amp for soloing. I've tried using a Morley A/B switch and I've tried simply using the stereo outs on my Line6 DL4 but I always seem to get a terrible hum. Googling has lead me to believe this is a ground loop issue, but I've tried plugging both amps into the same power strip and then into the same wall port. Neither resolved the hum. Is there some other pedal I should be using? Perhaps, to make up for lost Ohms or something?

Hi,

1.- Brand. Of each amplifier.

2.- What connections do each amplifier offer (FX loop?)

3.- The hum is probably needing some sort of DI, or a direct out from on amp feeding into the other, if nothing else is available. Connecting the amps to the same circuit not changing the hum lead me to beleive it is either the Line6 DL4 or the ground of the guitar inputs between the two amps being connected somehow.

Is it a steady 60Hz, does it change when you change presets on the DL4, or does it change when you touch the guitars' pickups?

Cheers

Z-Plane · Post by **Z-Plane** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:02 pm

Get a second opinion on the Hum. Where do you live?

losttrailnc · Post by **losttrailnc** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 8:23 pm

I switched to just using a cable splitter from my output when I was having this problem with the Morley A/B, that ridiculous hum.

studiodog · Post by **studiodog** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 9:51 am

How does the y cable sound? I was worried that it would effect the sound so I've been using a DI with two outs.

Darlington Pair · Post by **Darlington Pair** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:07 am

Get somebody good with a soldering iron to build you one of RG Keen's Hum Free's http://www.geofex.com/FX_images/splitter.gif I used Edcor transformers in mine and got better low end clarity than the 4TM018s but it doesn't matter for most guitar players that don't play baritone.

Recycled_Brains · Post by **Recycled_Brains** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:33 am

I use a Radial Twin City ABY. Has a xformer inside to isolate hum, and if that's not enough, a ground lift.

Plus, and polarity switch, so you can be sure both amps are pushing together.

Any other method of splitting I've tried is hum city.

frans_13 · Post by **frans_13** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:58 am

I had the Morley - it had... issues. Got rid of it, got me
http://www.palmer-germany.com/85-1-pga03.html

transformer isolated, phase rev switch, the lot. Super cheap. Super useful, job done.

No more hum and ground loops.

LupineSound · Post by **LupineSound** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:26 am

Recycled_Brains wrote:I use a Radial Twin City ABY. Has a xformer inside to isolate hum, and if that's not enough, a ground lift.

Plus, and polarity switch, so you can be sure both amps are pushing together.

Any other method of splitting I've tried is hum city.

Yep, it was the pedals. Neither amp hums w/o splitting through the pedals. As I suspected, there are pedals more suited for this purpose. I'm gonna check out that Radial Twin City--sounds perfect. Thanks for the recommendation!

witchfeet · Post by **witchfeet** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:08 am

Just buy a Radial Bigshot ABY. About $80 and you'll be set.

Recycled_Brains · Post by **Recycled_Brains** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:46 am

witchfeet wrote:Just buy a Radial Bigshot ABY. About $80 and you'll be set.

Yeah, friend of mine uses that one. Says it's great.

I went with the Twin City, because it has LEDs to show you what's going on. I need that on stage. Otherwise I'd be second guessing whether or not I had one, or both heads going. One less thing to worry about.

I do hate that it requires a PSU though, but not a bad trade-off.

witchfeet · Post by **witchfeet** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:52 am

Yeah, the no LED is a major pain in a way. I don't run two amps anymore so it's a non-issue for me but yeah, that was probably a good move if you don't mind the extra cost. Glad you got your problem taken care of! Radial makes great stuff.

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Best practices for playing out of 2 amps simultaneously?

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