WARNING: really dumb stereo input question

[videodrone]

OK I have 4 pedals that have stereo outputs, so that I can plug it into my second input on the amp and get a thicker sounding panning sound,

but how or what can I get were I can somehow how all for pedals up and get them all stereo???? I only have 1 input on the amp thats freed up,`

[TexRoadkill]

Need some more details on your gear (like what it is). You would generally use a mixer for an application like that but I have a feeling that your amp is mono and adding the second output of each pedal may not really give you the effect you are looking for. If I am wrong and you are using a stereo amp then a mixer would be the way to go.

But then you will end up with one continuous path through the pedals and a seperate ouput going from each pedal into the board then into the other input. The results may be a little weird.

Stereo guitar effects are a little over rated. If you listen to the Edge he uses a lot of crazy effects but they are mono for the most part. Sometimes a bit of stereo reverb, delay or flanger at the end of the chain can add a nice stereo touch.

[videodrone]

I have a mesa head, it has stereo inputs, so do you think a mixer is the way to go? can I get a cheap mixer for this??? will this affect anything or should I be concerned about anything when doing this?

thanks

[blipndub]

For a stereo effect, you'll need to be running the head into two seperate cabinets, can you mix the stereo mix in the head at all?

I've played around with the stereo outputs of Boss and Digitech effects for a while now with amps and with mixer inputs and the result has never been very exciting. Maybe i'm missing something.

Good luck and let us know what your results are.

[TexRoadkill]

Do your stereo pedals have stereo inputs? I still think your going to have some routing problems but if you insist a mixer would be the way to go.

Map out all your needed connections before hand so you know exactly what you will need.

[blipndub]

right, otherwise your just going to get two equal mono signals coming out of different sources (which i think is what those pedals do anyway).

[TexRoadkill]

Originally posted by blipndub
right, otherwise your just going to get two equal mono signals coming out of different sources (which i think is what those pedals do anyway).

There is some stereo panning with Delays, Reverbs, Chorus and Flanger but the effect doesn't really translate that well live and when recording you can route the pedals anyway you need to get the sound down so you wouldn't really need a mixer. Just use the stereo effect last in the chain.

I had a friend who used the stereo pedals to split his signal to multiple amps for a pretty intense setup. He had 6 amps all running different clean, dist, delay and reverb sounds. It was an awesome wall of sound in the jam room but not very practical for gigging.

[Scooter B]

I have an older 1980 Boss CE-2 chourus with the stereo outs.

It could sound pretty amazing in stereo with two completely seperate combo's on either side of me and sounds good in mono as well.

Most of the "stereo" outs in the stomp boxes generate a simulated stereo effect by simply delaying the second channel output. I believe the simulated stereo effect worked even with the the chorus bypassed.

If you really want to do the stereo out live and have the two seperate signal paths with sepereate cabinets but without buying a mixer you might be able to use only one of the stereo outs from the last "stereo" pedal in your chain. I would at least try it before buying a mixer just for this.

Some of the more advanced pedal boards with lots of effects and a stereo out might be a better solution.

Good luck and let us know what worked for you.

[LocusLarsen]

I dont know about Mesa being in "stereo"....I think it has stereo inputs and two outputs but its not acually puting out a true stereo signal. (Unless its a new modeling amp)

The ONLY way I can think of using the stereo outs from the pedals to get a stereo sound is to have 2 amps. But to go from one stereo pedal to another you have to have stereo inputs on the receiving pedal. I have only seen expensive pedals with stereo ins. $300+ range.

I know a good multi EFX processor like a Lexicon would do exactly what you want, granted that you output to 2 amps. But in reguards to those who said that its not that big a difference...I record micing my Fender into my Roland 1680 and use a true stereo chorus into a true stereo delay into a true stereo reverb. If you can say flying high and swimming in the deep blue sea, then you might be able to almost smell how good it sounds.

For live I just output from the 1680 to a PA system and mess with audience. (I found most people who go to club shows haven't ever heard a nice setup, and are more interested if for no other reason than that.)

But if posed with mono EFX or no EFX, I just have to play dry, maybe some spring reverb from my fender.

But back to your question, there isn't much you can do with normal pedals other than mono link and stereo out the last one. If your amp does output in stereo and keeps the signal split up when its inputed, then thats awsome.

[LocusLarsen]

If you do use two amps for a club inorder to get that stereo effect working for you....You MUST place one Cab/Amp on each side of the stage. OR, If possible, get the PA system panned just a hair shy of Hard left and right, depending on the size of the club. I would say do both anyways. If its a small club, get that drunk guy to just pan hard left and right. If you are in a bigger or wider club, make sure to only pan to 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock, otherwise people will only hear one channel.

[M.Brane]

Another way to go is a wet/dry setup (no, not a vacuum).

Run your amp dry and take a line-out from the preamp or better a direct out to your stereo effects into a stereo power amp and speakers placed on the far ends of the stage. It sounds/feels great like this but it's a lot of gear to haul. Not an issue unless you have to haul it yourself.

You can always tell the guys that have been playing clubs for years: they show up with one guitar & a small combo amp.