DR channel chaining question

[skinnyguy]

So do any of you DR owners ever chain your channels together? Are there any tonal advantages? Are there phase problems? Is it better to go into the normal channel and chain out to the reverb channel or vice versa? I've heard of people doing this but I'm not sure if this is a good idea with a DR or if it's predominately done with other amps. Any input would be appreciated.

[EMan]

There is a phase issue, and the DR's verb channel has an extra inverting amp stage.

That doesn't mean you can't 'try' it, and see if there's any tone(s) there that you can use...

[telewacked]

I've tried it, but it didn't do anything for me - had problems with the phase issue mentioned in the last post which made the volume drop significantly when the two channels were at approximately the same levels, when this happens, unless you like that tone, what's the point?

I have also done this on a 4-hole Marshall, and the results were awesome.

[skinnyguy]

I'd heard of people having good results with the 4-hole Marshalls and I think even some different Fenders work well. I tried it and did get some of the phase issues you mentioned.

[5965]

Originally Posted by telewacked

I've tried it, but it didn't do anything for me - had problems with the phase issue mentioned in the last post which made the volume drop significantly when the two channels were at approximately the same levels, when this happens, unless you like that tone, what's the point?

Well..... that's not really the way it's used.

People who use it generally have the volume levels offset fairly widely. They use it to get better control and other tones, as well as adding reverb to the Normal channel. In some respects that set-up (jumping the Normal channel to either the primary or secondary Vibrato jack) works almost like a separate reverb tank with tone control.

In other respects, the interaction is almost like a parametric equalizer.

skinnyguy, the reverb channel inverts the signal. Other Fenders work like Marshalls.

Either way, it's cheap and worth taking some time to play with.

[denny]

The Vibrato and and and Normal channels of a DR are out of phase by 180 degrees, so mixing them only cancels the input signal, but if you use a chorus or other effect to split the channels out of phase, you can then add them in phase.

This whole thing is an exercize in futility, though. Some of the more interesting things to to with a DR are:

Since you have four inputs, and the right inputs are about -3db down, you can run separate "channels" into each one for seperate effects. I first thought of this when having to switch between a clean sound with chorus to a loud, distorted, compressed sound suddenly in a tune. I rigged up the first sound chain, and then the second, with four pedals. To switch meant that I would have to stomp on four pedals to get the new sound. By running one chain with chorus, and the other with dist and comp, and switching with an A/B footswitch, I could change the pedal chain with one stomp. I have since used a Digitech RP300 for some sound effects, which I switched out of the chain with an A/B switch.

Another trick wich I have read about, but not yet tried, is to run the reverb tank output back into the Normal channel input. Theoretically, this will work, and allow more control over the reverb sound. All that is required is an RCA female adapter to 1/4" phone line and plugging it in. You then have vol and tone controls on the reverb.

Good Luck on your quest.
denny

[5965]

Originally Posted by denny

The Vibrato and and and Normal channels of a DR are out of phase by 180 degrees, so mixing them only cancels the input signal,

They cancel heavily if the channel volumes are equal, otherwise, they function sort of like parametric equalizers. It's not an all or nothing situation- some of the sounds and functions are useful to some people.

Originally Posted by denny

Another trick wich I have read about, but not yet tried, is to run the reverb tank output back into the Normal channel input. Theoretically, this will work, and allow more control over the reverb sound. All that is required is an RCA female adapter to 1/4" phone line and plugging it in. You then have vol and tone controls on the reverb.

That one definitely works as advertised.