Using a Modeler with Synergy Modules. In depth.

Are you using the higher gain or lower gain modules? Do you feel that power amp simulation is unnecessary with those modules? I never jumped into the Synergy stuff because I didn't know what I was going to do in terms of the tube power amp component (real or simulated).

Hey TBone! Bikescene!

What I did was listen to my larger amps, and I determined that most poweramps tend to add a little harmonic richness at around 4kHz and 8kHz, so I took a graphic EQ and lightly bumped those frequencies in the Helix.


The chain is like this:

SYNERGY MODULE (ANALOG INSERT) > GRAPHIC EQ SIMULATING POWERAMP RESPONSE > SPLIT TO TWO COPIES OF THE SAME CABINET, EACH WITH A DIFFERENT MICROPHONE MODEL TO SIMULATE DOUBLE MIKING A CABINET. This feels the most "Real" to me.


As for lower gain to high gain modules I've used. I've been through about eight modules of all kinds.

I almost wish I had another SYN2 to go to six modules, but I've settled on four for now.


The ones I'm keeping:

01. Friedman DS (Dirty Shirley, which is a JTM 45 clone. Think ACDC Edge of breakup Back In Black tones to clean, the JTM 45 is also loosely based on the design of the Fender Bassman).

02. Solodano SLO (SLO 100 Clone, which has it's origins in the JTM 45 design, only it's a high complex gain monster. I kind of feel these two amps share a lot of DNA as a result in terms of how they sit in a stereo image). This was my favorite "High Gain Module" out of the ones I tried. And I felt it blends well with other amps and sits great in a mix. If you like the DS, the SLO is kind of like having High Gain channels of that sort of tone.

03. Morgan AC20 (Kind of a VOX AC15/AC30 thing only with an extra mid-band EQ. I used a heavily modified AC30 as one of my main amps for twenty years and I needed something that could handle those cleaner tones with a Blue Alnico Cabinet sim or IR. I wish VOX Would make an official module, but this feels really close when you dial it right. I also love that it's two channels so I can do a punkier garage rock to 60's brit invasion kind of thing when you give it some gain)!

04. IICP 2 (This is a Mesa Boogie MKII clone, when you gain it out it can kind of go from Earlier Metallica to Weezer Blue Album tones, but the clean channel feels like a Fender Princeton meets an old Black Face. So you get two really useable tones out of it.


There are other modules I really loved (Bassman clone was great too for example, and I loved it for actual bass guitar), but I haven't tried all the heavy metal modules out. I'm more of an alt-rock guy.

I also loved the Metropolis Metroplex I'm selling in the classifieds, but I ultimately need the JTM 45 sound of the DS a lot more when it comes to my songs (Which tonally net you something between the Plexi and the Bassman). But someone who's chasing like earlier Eddie Van Halen or Jimmy Hendrix tones would fly on that thing.

Thanks. Do you find that the biggest difference is the graphic eq or the cab sim on the helix? There’s a difference in feel when I play through the Syn1. There’s something missing, but I don’t know if it’s lack of a power amp or if it just needs a better cabinet sim. I’ve assumed it’s the missing power amp that I’m lacking but now that I’m writing this I’m thinking it’s more likely a better cabinet sim that is causing it to “feel” off.