Ryan H Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 Hey guys, I had this crazy idea... My main amp is a Traynor YGL-1 LE, a 15 watt all-tube Class A 1x12 combo. Single channel, low/medium gain. It can do classic rock and such, and I can get further using a drive pedal, but it doesn't sound "authentic" for higher gain stuff. So I got to thinking... Blackstar makes the HT-1RH and HT-5RH, both low-wattage, high gain heads. I've been considering getting one of these to take to my guitar lessons (they have a cab I can use, and the heads are pretty lightweight). And then I remembered these amps have an Emulated Speaker Out...essentially a preamp out with some kind of speaker sim built in. The point is that it mutes the signal going to the power section. Theoretically, I could run the Emulated Out into the FX loop of my Traynor, and plug into both amps with an ABY box. I could select the Traynor for my lower gain and clean stuff, and add in the Blackstar for higher gain stuff, effectively adding an all-tube drive channel with an EQ section, in addition to being a backup amp if I need it. Blackstar says that you don't need a speaker cable plugged into the HT amps while using the Emulated out. It would also be useful for jamming with friends, since there isn't always a spare amp around. And for $249 for the HT-1 and $379 for the HT-5...it may be worth it. Thoughts? Could this potentially cause harm to either amp? -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I don't think the amp loop return wants to see the emulated di looking signal. I do not think you will get the results you are hoping for, and if you use it too long like that something will probably suffer in the amp being looped into. I could be wrong, but in all of the time I've played the guitar that kinda rigging up of stuff has never worked, at least not for long. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 I don't think the amp loop return wants to see the emulated di looking signal. I do not think you will get the results you are hoping for, and if you use it too long like that something will probably suffer in the amp being looped into. I could be wrong, but in all of the time I've played the guitar that kinda rigging up of stuff has never worked, at least not for long. rct Thanks for the info. I'll think about it a little more and consult some more people before pulling the trigger... -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I should have said that if it was my stuff, I would certainly try it if I had the stuff laying around. I'm pretty sure most of these things don't exactly explode like they used to, little more robust these days I suppose. Give it a whack by all means, but I would think the results will keep you from doing it for long. Or it'll sound great, could be that too! rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 Contacted Blackstar about it, if anybody would know, it would be them. I'll update this topic if/when I get a response. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 It'll be interesting to hear the reply. It sounds feasible but... But out of interest, why do you not consider a valve pedal if you want more channels, e.g Seymour Duncan twin or even a Mesa V-twin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 It'll be interesting to hear the reply. It sounds feasible but... But out of interest, why do you not consider a valve pedal if you want more channels, e.g Seymour Duncan twin or even a Mesa V-twin? Mainly because the HT-1 or HT-5 would also be useful for going to friend's houses to jam. My main combo is pretty damn heavy. Not to mention the extra EQ shaping. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsbarns Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I don't think the emulated line out is post preamp and I don't think it mutes the output (going by the Marshall norm). If that's the case you must load the head with a cab despite using the lineout or you'll destroy it in no time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 I don't think the emulated line out is post preamp and I don't think it mutes the output (going by the Marshall norm). If that's the case you must load the head with a cab despite using the lineout or you'll destroy it in no time. Blackstar states on it's website that no speaker load is required when using the Emulated Out. It is post preamp, and it mutes the signal going to the power stage. I've read into this. Blackstar isn't Marshall. They're former Marshall employees who improved on what they already knew. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblooded Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 It's your money, but I 'd look for one amp that fits your needs better than trying to cobble together your current amp with a second head. There are lots of nice amp choices that could expand your tone choices beyond what you're suggesting and exceed your versatility needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 It's your money, but I 'd look for one amp that fits your needs better than trying to cobble together your current amp with a second head. There are lots of nice amp choices that could expand your tone choices beyond what you're suggesting and exceed your versatility needs. But where's the fun in that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 You may try and may work but it most likely not sound authentic. Getting good sounding high gain out of an amp is not easy and that is why high gain amps are specialized. I read that I could plug my JCM1 into another amp when using the low power mode (since there is a pseudo speaker load and no speaker emulation) and it works but sounds a little processed and shrilly for my liking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblooded Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 But where's the fun in that? While I'll agree that experimenting and chasing tone is fun, I also believe that finding the right amp that can give you the tone that you want for any situation is very satisfying. Been through it a few times. Good tone is not usually cheap. Experimenting and finding out you are not satisfied with what you hear ends up costing much much more in the long run. I am presently extremely satisfied with the tone I can get from my line up of gear. I still get excited when I see something new come out on the market, or even find current or vintage gear in one of the local shops I frequent. I take the time to try it out and see if it can do better than what I currently have. The answer is typically no. For instance, I tried out A VHT Special 6 combo and it was nowhere near equal to what I can do with my Fender Super Champ XD, Neither tone-wise or in versatility. And my LoneStar Special is pure heaven to me. These are my prefferences and opinions and I don't suggest they are the answer for everybody, nor is my way of arriving at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 Got a response from Blackstar! Hi Ryan, Thanks for your enquiry with Blackstar Amps. What you are describing should work in theory as you describe, using the emulated output from the HT-1R into the FX return of your combo amplifier. Of course you may experience extra tone colouration from the emulated output as it has speaker emulation as well. I would also recommend keeping the levels low on both the HT-1R and your combo while doing the initial testing to avoid sudden bursts of volume. Kind Regards Jamie Thompson Product Specialist Blackstar Amplification Looks like I may be going shopping in the near future... -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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