[jakeskylyr]

Aside from getting an amp switcher/GCX type switcher (eek) what is the best way to run this? I want to be able to hook up my Mesa MKIII preamp as an alternate to my Rocktron Chameleon. However, I am using the MKIII for power as well. Right now I am running the Chameleon exclusively, not using the Mesa's preamp at all. However, for as much as I love my Chameleon and the tones I'm getting, I miss my Mesa's awesome tones. (plugging into it direct Saturday at practice only reinforced this tons )

So, I was thinking doing two A/B switches, one from my guitar (to the inputs of both preamps) and one right before my power amp. This way signal would go through either one or the other. I would switch this via my Rockman Octopus so it would be midi switchable.

Or, would a small mixer be a better solution? I'm pretty certain y-cords are a bad idea, as signal from one will leak back towards the other, just like using a y-cord on the front of an amp.

Also, does anyone know if it would be possible to run two preamps simultaneously through the same power amp? The concept of two different tones at once intrigued me when I thought of it....instant double tracking...but I digress

Thoughts? Ideas? Comments? I know in the end it will come down to experimentation, but I wondered if anyone had firsthand tried anything like this, so I had an idea of where to begin.

[goth_fiend]

im seriously considering doing this as well with my chameleon and getting a 2nd preamp for my rig (probably a triaxis, engl or vht) and using a switching system, then again I dont want to go head/cab setup, I want it strickly rack

[Cancer]

Originally Posted by jakeskylyr

Also, does anyone know if it would be possible to run two preamps simultaneously through the same power amp? The concept of two different tones at once intrigued me when I thought of it....instant double tracking...but I digress

Yes, depending on the preamps you can midisync them together, so that you only have to use one footswitch. The Vetta does this internally and I hear it a phenom sounding amp.

The rest of us poor schmoes however, have to use separate preamps into a small rack mixer (Boss Mx-10 works fine for me), and then out to the poweramp, whcih works fine, as well as giving you another level of control in terms of volume.

It also gives a little bit more control in how to run effects, as you can run one preamp dry, and the other effected, or if you have a stereo unit, one preamp for each side (big fun).

For our early demos I remember running my Pod 2 parallel with a V-amp, very nice...

Can't wait to double up my XT.

[Donnie]

That's one of the main reasons I have my Vetta(s). I use to have this huge 16 space rack full of everything with 2 preamps going. The Vetta is a tad bit easier to move around. Running 2 preamps gives a huge sound, split left and right w/ a stereo power amp. Or insert a line mixer like this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ers?sku=631243 and you can achive something like the Vetta and you can mix them into a sort of 'mono' signal. I find that I like it best when you use 2 of the same preamps but set the gain differently. When I was running the rack I had a Line 6 Pod Pro and a Rocktron Pirhana. The Pod Pro has an "unprocessed" line out that I ran straight into the input of the Pirhana and then each pre to the stereo ins of a DigiTech DHP33 out to the left and right side of a Marshall 9200. And I ran all the switching via MIDI.

[Kamin]

maybe two line mixers? one to send your guitar to both and then another to blend and send to the power amp...would definitely be an interesting result no matter how you get it done

[Vince]

Jake, now you're just getting greedy

Sell the Mark III, buy a Triaxis, Coliseum 300, and Mesa's amp switcher, run them with the Chameleon and call it a day.

[jakeskylyr]

Originally Posted by desertdweller

Jake, now you're just getting greedy

Sell the Mark III, buy a Triaxis, Coliseum 300, and Mesa's amp switcher, run them with the Chameleon and call it a day.

I wish Vince.....when I hit it big Petrucci style, look for an amp switcher switching between my MKIII, a JC-120, the Chameleon, and a Triaxis. Maybe a Strategy power amp of some denomination just because

But I would NEVER sell my Mesa. My UV and my Mesa are the two pieces of gear I absolutely refuse to part with. To me, everything else is replaceable.

So, after doing some more research, as well the responses here, my current plan is as follows:

Use my Whirlwind A/B/Y to switch between inputs of my MKIII preamp and Chameleon. I found a wiring mod that basically wires a relay in place of the actual footswitches, to make it switchable via a 1/4 footswitch jack (which will be switched my Rockman Octopus). The outputs of these two preamps into a line mixer. THAT signal will get routed into my effects (G Major on the way!!!) and then back into my Mesa for power. Yay? Nay?

Well, that's the plan....for now.....lol

Thanks for the advice guys, as always, it's much appreciated!