Signal chain advice

Quad Cortex
1

Hi all,

I am seeking an advice on my set-up: I have a Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170 and Universal Audio Apollo Twin X and finally HeadRush FRFR studio monitor.

What would be the ideal line up?
a) QC => Seymour Duncan => Apollo Twin X => HeadRush
b) QC => Apollo Twin X => Seymour Duncan => HeadRush
c) other?

Cheers,

2

Is the Headrush your only means of monitoring for recording (assuming that’s what you’re setting up for here)?

3

Yes thats right

4

Isn’t the headrush powered? I feel like you don’t need the Powerstage (unless you decide to run into an unpowered cab)

1 Like
5

Yes it sure is. But on power stage there is bass and tone which gives a body to the signal. I’ve tried it without power stage and yes it works (headrush also has volume control on it) but it is not the same.

6

DO NOT run your Seymour Duncan Powerstage speaker output into your Apollo Twin or your HeadRush powered monitor. You will fry them. The Powerstage needs to go to a passive (unpowered) cabinet only.

Every model of the Powerstage except the 170 has a balanced line out, which essentially allows you to use the tone controls on the amp. But this assumes that the amp is still connected to a load. Never turn on an amp like this without the speaker output connected (again, to a passive speaker cabinet).

If you need more bass, there are plenty of ways to accomplish EQ tweaks in the QC. You could try the amp or capture block’s EQ, or use an EQ block, or use the universal EQ. The Powerstage isn’t doing anything in that regard that you can’t already do with the QC.

It’s not clear what you’re trying to do–are you trying to have a home recording setup, or a live sound setup, or something kind of in between?

3 Likes
7

Thanks a lot man. What I am trying to do is;

  1. Every week we go somewhere to gig. Almost 100% there is a cabinet (passive). So I am trying to build a pedal board so to speak which allows me to take QC, WAHWAH and Power Stage (if happen to learn how to run it through).
  2. And yes home recording too.
8

I went into their page to see my options and this is what I saw. Now, really confused.

“But it has an EQ. Doesn’t that mean it has its own preamp?”

Yes and no. PowerStage’s intuitive 3-band analog EQ is more like one you’d find on a mixing console rather than on a guitar amplifier. This makes it perfect for tuning your PowerStage to different cabinets, monitors, etc. But your actual tone-shaping should be done with whatever you put in front.

So what do you put in front? Here are three great options.

  • A dedicated preamp pedal
  • The pedalboard you already have
  • A digital modeler
9

If you want an EQ, buy an EQ. As already said, you will kill your audio interface and headrush if you keep running an amplified signal into them. It is blind luck that you haven’t already. Not to mention running the amplifier without an output load, which will ALSO kill the powerstage.

10

OK, let’s split up the gear you’re using for different purposes:

Home recording:

  • QC → Apollo Twin X → Headrush
  • No PowerStage here, because you don’t have a passive cabinet to plug into.
  • You don’t need the Apollo Twin here–the QC itself is an audio interface and you can record guitars with it fairly easily. But that’s another discussion. Use the Apollo if it makes you happy.

Gigs:

  • QC → PowerStage → Speaker output to passive cabinet provided by the venue
  • QC → PowerStage → Balanced line out to Headrush if you’re bringing it to the gig and want to use it as a personal monitor, ONLY IF you are already plugging the PowerStage’s speaker output to another cab.
  • Never turn on a power amp with it being connected to a speaker cabinet (in electrical terms it’s called a load).
  • I’m assuming you don’t need to bring your Apollo Twin to the gig.

Let’s talk about power amp EQ:

I have an Orange Pedal Baby 100 and use it with my Mesa 2x12 cab on stage. I start with the Pedal Baby’s bass and treble knobs at noon. I put in a lot of effort dialing in tones in my QC before I show up, but sometimes the preset I use can sound too trebley and harsh from the cabinet.

I could go back into my QC and tweak EQ in a bunch of different places, but I don’t have the time. So it’s easier to reach over and dial down the treble on the Pedal Baby, typically from noon to about 10:00. Not much.

Likewise, the EQ knobs on the PowerStage are meant to be used at the last second to get you in the sweet spot for the room you’re in or with the cabinet you’re playing through. Try not to depend on the PowerStage for your tone-shaping. If you have the time to dial in your sounds with the QC, do that first and foremost.

4 Likes
11

Perfect! Thanks much. Appreciate it.

12

Replace the headrush, get a cab with a Celestion F12-X200 in it. Setup your sound with bass and treble in neutral on the SD and only change that if you play somewehere where the room has bad acoustics.

1 Like
13

I’ve checked out Celestion F12-X200! I need to get it shipped out here and pay lots of import tax (unfortunately couldn’t find one single shop sell it here…not even secondhand). However, reviews tells me it might worth the effort. Thanks…

14

I built a cabinet with a Jensen N12D and it’s fantastic:
https://www.amplifiedparts.com/products/speaker-jensen-d-series-12-n12d-150w

1 Like
15

Quick question: is the cab 2 X 12"?

16

It’s a 1 x 12" cabinet.

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