Synergy Preamp

[@charlesg.1207]

Loving the SLO the best so far IMO. The Deizel veddy gooood sound. At the end of the day as cool as these all are I see no reason why anyone couldn’t make any of these work. Good stuff. The Salvation has the gooeyness.

[@Squidz66]

Imagine how the real deal is That's how I think about it. Tube amps have their own thing. Pre amps are just that.

[@HANGINWITHTHEDREAMER]

Thank you Michael the Vai and the Soldano really speak to me.

[@LucaMilierimusic]

Great vid! Absolutely diggin the 800 module, kind of raw and powerful without too many options. Great playing as always!

[@ItsNotSafe2Swim]

They all sound pretty damn good. For me the Bogner was the standout. Insanely good metal tone. The 800 & Deliverance were amazing too

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

Love these, I was leaning towards the Neural or the Blug, but these sound so much more real and killer. Pair 2 Synergy units with a Quadraverb and a midi controller... you have everything

[@05stangdrummer]

Michael, thanks for running thru these. I have the Ecstacy and SLO modules into my JCM900 (4 cable method). Love these things! I did find on the SLO, they recommend setting 3 on the cathode switch, but #2 is absolutely where it needs to be. Big difference! You helped me narrow down my next module but it will probably end up being modules! Addicting!

[@Juaniguitarra86]

Loved the 800. And that PRS, dude! Always enjoy when you play that one, it sounds fantastic

[@charlesrocks]

These are incredible preamp modules. I can't believe how amazing they sound!

[@louderthangod]

I don’t care if they don’t sound exactly like a SLO or Deliverance or whatever but I do care that they sound like a legit, no compromise pro amp. I’ve got a Kemper which I love but can be a pain to dial in just right and a handful of amps, cabs and mics which I love but I also love variety for layering complex sounds.

[@purplecow5150]

the tone of the 800 at 2:19 was just awesome. that module really seemed to come alive ;O)

[@99sinclairs]

I'm digging the Vai module. It's rich, fat and bitey :)

[@dannylynch7741]

12:21 yep I do the same thing with 5150's. Lead channel for my rhythm tone and rhythm channel for leads. Just as always though. You gotta clip out the capacitor that's on the lead pregain knob.

[@mmrseed]

well can't say these were on my wish list (or even my radar)....until now. Thanks a lot. Nice job

[@Sonicblue1922]

Just bought a Syn 1 and the 800 module-using the power section from my 40 Watt Dirty Shirley and it sounds awesome....Thanks for the great video as always Michael.

[@LeonTodd]

The Uber with your PRS. Sweet lord.

[@NeverwindOfficial]

Killer!

[@kylecoffey6010]

I was kinda thinking the same thing . . . has been a while since I ran thru a Uber! Cheers Leon!

[@Alchemyrecordingstudioatl]

Big props for jammin All Your Love Tonight

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

I dig most of them. Not exact but close enough, especially when you consider 2 amps that came down the assembly line at the same time will sometimes sound differently from one another. Awesome playing Michael!

[@ShawnTubbs]

My favorite is still the 800.

[@L.Scott_Music]

Got to get your hands on the Friedman modules. Run that Buxom Boost into the Dirty Shirley and kick the front end with it. Great stuff.

[@tone-talk]

Synergy modules are awesome! Great video

[@Bcwilderness]

yep that prs and the 800 mids just poke cleaner the others sound fizzy and darkish may get cloudy in a mix where the 800 stayed mid musical

[@RJW14]

Honestly ever since this was announced it intrigued me to no end cause you could have a plethora of different amp sounds without needing to build a seperate room and get another breaker.

[@kenwhitejr6464]

Awesome vid and monster playing as always brother, gotta agree the 800 sounded great for that raw rocking sound!

[@HeavyInHawaii]

I hope they come out with some more high gain modules. These things sound great. I'm looking at the Ubershal.

[@gtrchum]

I would agree, at least on this shootout that the 800 module seemed to be the winner, however, I own the VH4 and I find it has sounds for me that sit in the mix like bliss. I can totally see how the Vai modules clean channel would take on pedals well. I to am taken by the green alien!!

[@geezberry8889]

to me the SLO module sounds like it's using some diode or FET clipping. love that fryette module it sounds huge

[@derek_d]

Love the 800, SLO and the Uberschall in this!

[@shanemaderejr.7675]

I have the Friedman BE/BB and Plexi modules and they are awesome. I’ve really been interested in the 800 and it sounds really great here!

[@speed2dirt]

Great video! It'd be awesome to see your Friedman modded X88R head to head with the SLO preamp. Wish Synergy would offer the SLO preamp with your X88R's 2&3 channels.

[@MatoMisik]

I'm big fan of Antonin Salva's Salvation Audio (Mods) modules. You have to try more of them :)

[@MatoMisik]

@patrik jay Vamp is awesome! Really unique voicing and preamp style. So different from fenders a marshalls 👍

[@tedmich]

I for one am AMAZED that a 4-5 x 12AX7 preamp on an expensive amp can be entirely duplicated by a 2 tube Synergy module! Thats progress! In marketing.

[@justcantshred]

Sweet 594, have a Singlecut in the same finish. This system is really tempting for those of us who don't have a ton of room for several heads.

[@mrcali68]

5:46 Oh yea!! Fantastic!! I have an SLO 30 sitting right here and it's nearly dead on! ...an SLO is all about the preamp anyway.

[@gbarth77]

Found a Randall RM100 for 100 bucks. Snatched it up and running Synergy modules in it. It’s a fire breathing rig!

[@JoeHeisler]

Why’s the Vai module controversial? I think it is my favorite module and sounds better than my original legacy. I’m mostly using it through my JP2C (with EQ disengaged) so maybe the presence is sitting in a good spot for the module

[@tonelizard]

Thanks for the demo, I agree the 800 sounds great. I was hoping to hear some of the Friedman modules, I have a feeling I'd like the BE even better than the 800. Luv that 80's metal sound. Oh and btw you make that Vai module sound better than any of the other demos on YT. Kudos!

[@brianmckenzie1318]

I really like the Synergy concept! For me, as a home hobbyist, these are perfect! At my level, not like I would really know the difference between the preamp module and the actual amp! Were you able to try out the TDLX module, just wondering how it is for a "blues" tone? I have a Friedman Runt amp, that Dave tweaked to be more like the Dirty Shirley and wonder which of these modules would compliment it.

[@dracul74]

I have a bunch of modules (including tdlx and dirty shirley). No complaints with them and I am a blues, jazz, rock kind of (home) player. I use my modules with the two notes torpedo live or with a fender bassbreaker amp in the send/return. To my ears it shines best with a tube power amp or with the power amp section of the two notes engaged. Hope it helps.

[@brianmckenzie1318]

Thanks for the comments!!! The Friedman Runt has me covered for the classic/hard rock sound, so maybe the TDLX would be a good fit for a more "bluesy" feel.

[@dracul74]

Nice. I have the Syn-1 and a bunch of modules. My recommendation is to turn on the power amp section in the two notes software... I do this and it makes a big difference (for me anyway). Also, I have a 15 watt Fender Bassbreaker (and several other amps too)... using the Syn-1 in the send/return of that amp makes magic (same idea... the power amp helps)

[@davemarshall9153]

I'm thinking that the Fryette might be too linear as a back end. They all sound preamp-ish, and that is why a lot of us went back to heads from the rack days. Wonder what they would sound like going into the return of a Friedman, or other familiar head?

[@davidfaustino4476]

Youre hearing the same speaker/cabinet. Thats why. It would be the same with different high gain heads too. And believe it or not.. these are all actually preamps...

[@davemarshall9153]

@@davidfaustino4476 Yes, completely aware that they are preamps. My comment was about a fryette power station is designed to be more of a flat frequency tube amp. They are designed to re amp a full amplifier with preamp and power amp sections. They sound different than a power amp from a Marshall style head. The frequencies are different in the power amps.

[@Gorbyrev]

Definitely a "better through headphones" episode. A veritable tonal smorgasbord of wonder. Great to hear all the flavours in one sitting. Lovely 594 too. I can hear why Mr Vai is smitten.

[@gregparker1012]

Hey Michael, can you explore the guitar sound of Criss Oliva circa Gutter Ballet era please

[@AngusClarkGTR]

800! Not surprising. That was a marathon!

[@guitarz]

Killer 594 I gotta get my hands on these modules

[@LeoGibsonGtr]

Thank you Michael, very interesting video! I think my favourite is the Vai one...maybe I'm biased too...Steve is steve ... 😊

[@GearBoy]

Mike....go check out the Opeth rig rundown on Premier Guitar. At around 14 minutes Frederik talks about and shows you his settings for the Vai and SLO mods. Then later in the clip, he shows you what they sounds like. Copy those settings !

[@firststep7750]

I'm VERY impressed with Synergy modules. I never took to the Randall modules because their tones - to me - weren't inspiring. But Synergy modules - because they've been designed with OEM input - actually seem to capture the essence of the amps they're based on. Now, they'll never be able to exactly replicate the tone of those amps (they're based on) because the power amp/transformers also influence the tone. BUT...if the Synergy power amp makes these modules sound acceptable (even though not exact) or better.....then I'm for it. Interesting that Marshall and Fender didn't participate in their modules, namely the 800/Plexi and T/Dlx respectively. Also, I don't see what's controversial about any of the modules. Good review.

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

LOVE THE VIDEO Michael.. Ghis just solidifed that I'm getting the Fractal FM9.. Not module swapping.. :)

[@RichBischoff]

Michael, Love the Just Like Paradise opening riff and lead, and the White Snake riffs. There's a riff that sounds like Lillian Axe, you ever heard of those guy's? I swear your my brother from another mother, or we must be the same age, because your playing all the stuff I grew up with. This modules are dope!

[@RiffandDestroy]

Awesome demonstration (like always) ! I have the BE and it’s awesome !

[@JordonBeal]

The VH4 module definitely reminds me of my old VH4 (selling that was one of my most bone-headed moves...), but it does seem to like a "dimensionality," for lack of a better term. Still sounds great, though.

[@BobbyDoesMusic]

Nice! I've got the SLO, Deliverance, Ecstasy, T-DLX, Morgan AC, and Savage. They're addicting! EDIT: Came back to listen to this on my studio monitors, and MAN, that 800 sounds so right to my ears. I've been torn between getting that, the Plexi, or the BMan next. You might've sold me on the 800.

[@Avatar7x7]

I liked the Fryette "Ultra Lead" ! I think it sounds like the real deal !

[@chickencreekproductions]

Nice video @Michael Nielsen, thanks! But hey, whaaaaat, that powerstation-speaker-line-loop-trick-thingy!!! I've not seen it before, and I can't find anyone else doing it when googling. But it sure seems lika exactly what I want to do on my PS2A using some pedals as direct! Haha electricity and freakin' ohms this and that makes me just a tad nervous to try though... Where did you pick that idea up? I'm totally expecting the power section to like blow up or something if I route the speaker-out directly to the amp-in on the PS2A and turn the power on. Cheers // Wince

[@billx8245]

Hi Michael, I was wondering if you got your hands on the New Eventide Miicropitch Delay Pedal? I know you have demonstrated a lot of Eventide rack stuff , H3000, Eclipse, and so on, but I would love to hear you play through it, and give your thoughts. I was always a big fan of Eventide growing up. Hearing Passion and Warfare by Steve Vai, and everything EVH has done from 1984 thru Balance. I could never afford one. I think they put all there secret sauce into this pedal, and I might have to pick one up.. Thank you for all the videos that you put up, because you pick the perfect gear to demo...Stay safe...\m/ Bill

[@jasonneri7626]

Good morning don't see the naked amp on the Friedman site which available amp is close to the naked amp model

[@tribunation]

The 800 sound great! The SLO sounds very sludgy/ grungy. 👍 Play the pumpkin!!!

[@GSF441]

My God, those Fryette modules are the shiznit!!! I need me an Ultra Lead so bad I can taste it.

[@Skoora]

What is hilarious is they all sound so much the same that in a band mix any one of them would work for a basic hard rock/metal sound with little variation. At least the Vai had a more unique tone to it. Probably the only one where just by hearing I could tell you what it is. It looked like Michael was feeling the same way. Not a whole lot of enthusiasm the more he went through them. It could be they feel different from each other and some will respond to guitar volume differently but not much variety in the overall sound. But honestly, I can take any of my amps, including one Pre and record with it and in two weeks I wouldn’t be able to tell you which one I used (without notes) because they all ultimately sound very similar once through a mic with my preferences. I could see getting a module from each world ie. A Vox one, a Fender one and a Marshall one (is there a Hiwatt one?) and be done. With pedals you’ll get anything the high gain modules have to offer.

[@guittarwizzrd]

Here's the million dollar question for us considering a synergy system the new peavy module or the soldano slo ? All ready know I'm going for the vai module for cleans .

[@BigHairyGuitars]

They're very different IMHO. The 6505 is more crunchy with more top and bottom. The SLO is denser with a more solid midrange (that Soldano thing). I think that if you're a High Gain all the time player, go with the 6505. if you want more versatility go SLO or Deliverance.

[@guittarwizzrd]

@Michael Nielsen thanks Michael you rock ! Definitely not a high gain player all the time .

[@neuroscope9052]

the preamps seem to be really easy to buy but the rack/syn1 are not in stock anywhere.

[@BCyr1991]

Funny that you would go to the Vai module after the 800, and then play a riff from Skyscraper. When you did the more gainy 800 sound (2:20), and hit a chord, it sounded very close to “Hina” off Skyscraper to my ear.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

The 800 does cover about 90% of the rock tones recorded in the 80's.

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

I want one. The Syn2 with the od and slo.

[@trecani2878]

Can you do a video talking about the 594? Also great sounds, as alway!

[@gainmeister4505]

Cool vid, I liked the 800 and Pitbull modules the best.

[@dddocmusic]

Hi Michael. If you were to recommend one for a clean and edge of breakup tone and another for crunch and lead.. I'm into pop rock just basic guitar band stuff not thrash or iver the to gain. Thanks.

[@HighVoltageCovers]

You should do a comparison of the synergy preamps and the amps you’ve got, like the Soldano, Bogner Ecstasy, Friedmans etc. Maybe run the synergy through the torpedo cab using its poweramp sim (because that’s what most people are going to do if they are recording with a synergy setup)

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I did do one of the Deliverance. It's pretty close overall. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4LSoHyFq7-FjJI

[@jasonstone1046]

Awesome as always. Seems these are the few options available for the rack enthusiast these days.. and cheers for the help with the KPA profiles mate.

[@kevinfeatherstone6062]

the synergy stuff is awesome... try out the HBE module!

[@garettoverstreet]

Bogner takes the cake IMO. WOW

[@julianc.227]

Some are quite nice. For me as an 800-lover the module sounds nothing like a good 800.

[@JasminMusic1602]

Synergy need to make one more module...Mesa MK2C+

[@guittarwizzrd]

It would be cool if they came out with a 5150 , ada mp1 and h&k triamp 2b&3a module .

[@BigHairyGuitars]

100%

[@ScottyBrockway]

I really like the 800 but there's a weird crackle in it, not sure if that was some overloading into the daw or not.

[@frankardos4211]

Howdy there Mr. Mike! I wonder if you've tested the Laney IRT Studio rack version amp that I have TOTALLY been amazed by for a while now? I can't even exaggerate here man, the thing keeps giving me more tones. the eq is the only thing that takes time to dial in. Thx dude.....always..... for your work.

[@hiddennotesberlin]

hey michael, love your videos. just curious,if you could only keep ONE amp, which one would it be? stay healthy everyone!

[@SonovaBish]

The JJ Dirt is supposed to be the sound from the Dirt album.

[@thereal_allenrussell]

That PRS is fire!

[@alexzaviar]

For a lot of these demo's you use "Eventide H3000 Guitar Room". I know this was a patch on the original H3000, and is a patch on the H9, but since you said that these effects are "added in the box" what are your settings for "Guitar Room". I have all the Eventide plugins, but I am not finding that patch anywhere (or the specs for what it was in the original hardware unit). Thank you much. I just recently found your channel, so I am new follower!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

"in the box" was short of shorthand. I mean, in the mix, or after the fact. When I was printing the audio for the video, I went back and printed that through the H3000

[@thechannelforeverything2170]

Has a new PRS and doesn't even mention it. Micheal is a low key baller haha 😄

[@KelsterVonShredster]

That Vai module sounded fantastic !!! Loved the JCM800 as well......Soldano was also very good.

[@bgibson70]

The Via sounded great when you played Just Like Paradise! The 800 and the Via sound the best to me

[@michelmoe]

"could be a bias going on in there..." yeah, man, always a bias when tube amps are concerned LOL =P great video!!!

[@SolarWarden88]

we could all use some extra "goose" here and there lol. Great vid as always my man.

[@sthom114]

Why’s the Vai module controversial? I googled, and looked at the MTS forum, nothing, nada, zilch

[@davidfaustino4476]

It's green. A couple guys on the internet who probably dont even have Synergy stuff only like black. Pretty sure thats all there was to it lol

[@kellyjackson7889]

I wish they'd make a Vai module with just two lead channels. One channel I could have the boost off and ride the volume for cleanish or have two variations of mayhem. :)

[@sparnz8811]

Do Synergy do a bass guitar module? 😉💚👽

[@eole123456789]

I read that the SYN has a decent cab simulation. Can you go direct into the interface and does it sound good? Or do I need a power amp AND a load box too? Or does the loadbox have a power amp sim or sth? I'm fairly new to this and a little confused.

[@mhoff7722]

Thanks for the demo of these. They all sound good and have a purpose but none of them speak to me like their real tube counterparts that they are based on...thankfully. Otherwise I'd go broke buying all the good stuff you demo lol. 🤘🤘🤘

[@IamMusicNerd]

It might just be the KZbin compression, but they all sounded really similar to me. Is there a significant tone difference between them in person?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Same guitar, power amp, same cab/mic, the preamps will definitely have a similarity. I found that even with switching between 4 completely different heads. The cab/mic is very influential to the overall tone. But, I probably also naturally gravitate towards dialing things in a certain way. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chopfather09]

Love the PRS question the synergy that sounds like soldano can I buy through them? Or do I have to hunt one down on eBay or reverb? Killer vid thanks for all u do

[@Twobarpsi]

Whoa THAT 800🤘!!

[@hawg427]

I've got 3 modules for my Synergy 50watt head running it into my Two Notes Captor-X along with my UA Apollo/Twin unit. I love the captor-X :-) I like playing along with my songs I have loaded into my Riffstation software but I can't get it to work with my Riffstation software. I can always just run everything using the attenuator on the Two Notes and play my music through my studio monitors on my desk. But cannot get everything synced together to use with my headphones. Can you solve my dilemma Michael?

[@edovinus]

Excellent demo! How do you set up the Soundtoys Little Microshift?

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

Better for recording direct: Synergy Syn-2 and a Module with Two Notes Cab M into Roland VS2000cd or Kemper?

[@danthrax7407]

Thanks for sharing your tricks Michael!! I was enjoying your cabs my man (I love the 4x12 Bogner!!) and they suit amazing with my preamps!! Nice video like always. Edited: what a hell of a weekend I'd pass with all that candys!!! and yep, I love the Vai´s preamp too...like I love my 77FP...that belonged to Vai so...

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Glad you like them! Thanks Dan!!!

[@veronatragedy7016]

How many modules can be chained together at same time so you can swich through them like channels? like can you connect more than 2 syns? i mean is it possible to connect up 12 of these modules and then change channels?

[@moparbryan]

Ok I’m dumb what is the JJ dirt module based on? The Friedman JJ? I guess I would have thought that one would have been built by Friedman isn’t he a co designer of synergy.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

It’s a 3rd party version of Friedman’s JJ head.

[@moparbryan]

@@BigHairyGuitars ok got it! Thanks

[@pedrolicks8316]

hey man, nice tone for all things, but more impressive with 800 and SLO module

[@philfrank5601]

Been waiting for your video on fhese!

[@abrackas1]

15:57 I could see how you would be Vaised 😁