Do I need two Power Stations for stereo FX, one amp and two cabs?

Hello,

I have an amp head with a series effects loop and a single Fryette Power Station PS2A. Can your company assist and tell me if any of the following scenarios will work to have stereo effects using 1 amp head and 2 cabs? Each would require 2 Fryette Power Stations.

Fryette input scenarios:

Scenario 1. Use 1 of each speaker output from amp to feed 2 separate Fryette Power Stations. Then each PS feeds a separate cab.

Scenario 2. Use 1 speaker output from the amp to feed 1 PS. Take line out of that PS to line in of another PS and setup cabs same as above.

Stereo effects signal chain scenarios:

For each below effects signal chain: I’m using a Fractal FM9 for effects in 4 cable method: start of chain will always be Guitar → FM9 IN1-> FM9 OUT3 to Amp Main Input (for FX before preamp including compressor, drives, wahs, etc.)

Scenario 1: Use FX send from Amp into FM9 IN2 and then

FM9 OUT1L → PS (1) FX return

FM9 OUT1R → PS (2) FX return

Scenario 2: Use 1 effects send from 1 PS to 1 input on FM9, then use stereo outputs from 1 channel on FM9 to feed the effects return to each of the PS

Detailed breakdown of stereo signal scenario 2:

PS (1) FX send → FM9 IN2; FM9 OUT1L → PS (1) FX return

FM9 OUT1R → PS (2) FX return

Scenario 3: Use each PS effects send to feed 2 separate inputs on the FM9 which are then combined in the FM9 to return a single stereo output left and right signal which is sent to each PS effects return (this part I’m not too sure about with 2 nearly identical signals feeding 2 separate inputs on the FM9 which are then combined… phasing issues? Etc…).

Detailed breakdown of stereo signal scenario 3:

PS (1) FX send → FM9 IN2; FM9 OUT1L → PS (1) FX return

PS (2) FX send → FM9 IN3; FM9 OUT1R → PS (2) FX return

Which of the Fryette input scenarios (1 or 2) above and which stereo effects signal chain (1, 2, or 3) would be best?

Lastly, I wouldn’t want to run the time based effects in the amps effects loop since I need the left and right channel effects separate for each PS. Please don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if needed.

I posted this on a forum, however, I did not get any useful feedback.

Thanks!

Andrew

Hi @Andrew_Amicarelli

Does this summerise your question?

  • Equipment Setup:

    • Single amp head with a series effects loop
    • One Fryette Power Station PS-2A
    • Looking to achieve stereo effects using one amp head and two cabs, requiring two Fryette Power Stations
  • Input Scenarios:

    • Scenario 1: Use two separate speaker outputs from the amp to feed two Power Stations, each connected to a separate cab.
    • Scenario 2: Use one speaker output to a single Power Station, then take the line out to a second Power Station, with each feeding a separate cab.
  • Stereo Effects Signal Chain:

    • Scenario 1: Use FX send from the amp to a stereo FM9, with left and right outputs feeding two Power Stations’ FX returns.
    • Scenario 2: Use one Power Station’s effects send to FM9, then use FM9 stereo output to feed the FX returns of both Power Stations.
    • Scenario 3: Use both Power Stations’ FX sends to FM9, which returns stereo signals to each Power Station’s FX return. Concern about phasing issues.
  • Question:

    • Which of the Fryette input scenarios (1 or 2) and stereo effects signal chains (1, 2, or 3) would be best for achieving stereo effects?

That sums it up very well!

1 Like

I am just wondering if a single power station and a stereo power amplifier like the LXII might be a better fit? The Power Station has a mono FX loop, so for stereo setups, you’ll need to send the stereo output of your effect processor to a stereo power amp.

The LXII is quite remarkable, it’s a 1U 100W mono 50W/50W stereo tube power amp, there is some very smart engineering and patents went into this design,
https://www.fryette.com/lxii-stereo-power-amp

There is also the advice here about wet-dry-wet rigs, which is more that you want (you want a stereo rig)

But to answer your actual question…

Senario 1

  • Pros:
    • your amps “sees” that it is connected to two reactive loads
    • you have more tonal options because you can play around with the different impedance toggle switches so you amp “sees” different speakers “types”.
  • Cons:
    • Take care getting the impedance settings correct. If you have the 8 Ohm tap on the amp, then both power stations should be on the 16 Ohm setting to make the total load 8 Ohms.

Senario 2

  • Pros:
    • Yes, this will work too.
    • Single reactive load means more consistent input signal to both left and right channels, the amp “sees” one speaker “type” (yes the opposite was also a pro in senario 1, guess it depends on what you think it best).
    • No possible confusion over the impedance settings.
  • Cons:
    • You are paying for a reactive load that you do not use.
    • You really just need a valve re-amp.

More thoughts coming… let me know what you think so far…

1 Like

I want to use the power section of my head as it shapes the tone significantly. I also want to take advantage of the Power Stations attenuation. Having 2 Power Stations negates the fact that the FX loops are mono… Also, I am not interested in a wet dry wet setup at this time, just a stereo rig is sufficient right now. Is there any way you can brainstorm this with additional support team members at Fryette? I’m almost sure, out of the scenarios I outlined, there is a very good sounding option… maybe try and get it in front of Steven :wink:

Thanks and I look forward to hearing more feedback regarding my initial presentation.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I think you might have only read half the reply above? Check the bottom half of the above because it does indeed address the pros and cons of what you called the "Fryette input scenarios".

I would go for scenario #1 because it provides the option tweak the impedance settings differently on both channel (to imitate two different speaker types, for example), or keep them then same if you prefer.

I have not gotten to the last part of your tome yet…

Sorry Dan I did miss it! Scenario 1 is exactly as I expected and confirms my plan. So far we tackled the input… we’re making progress ha!

For the effects scenarios, I’m thinking a single fx send from 1 of the power stations and then using the stereo out from the fx unit to the fx return of each Power Station will provide the best sound. But would love your guys’ feedback!

1 Like

Hey Andrew,

I think you’ve got the gist now, but I’d be happy to answer any additional questions.

What you need is two power amps and a load (and two cabinets). That could be two Power Stations (one as the load and one power amp, the other as just a power amp) or an independent load like the Power Load IR and a stereo power amp, like the LXII or 2|50|2.

If you use two PS’s, then what you describe in your last message would be best. You could use either the Line IN or FX Return on the second power station - they do the same thing, but could be subtly different depending on what wet effects you are sending. Experimentation is in order.

If you go the LXII route, then you’d just put your effects between the PL’s dry out and the Line INs on the LXII. A tad simpler, conceptually, but the same thing electronically.

Let me know if you have any other questions,

Paul

1 Like

Just wanna say thank you very much Dan and Paul for the help! Do you mind if I post your responses to the Fryette forum for others after I try it out?

1 Like

Sure! I don’t mind at all.

Probably my considerations are redundant but i found an amazing, punchy, big, spacious sound with the following set up.

Signal goes from guitar to ISP Tech Noise gate using the four cables method: So guitar in ISP out into the first pedalboard (all pedals that excels going into a preamp section)

Out from this pedalboard into a VHT Pittbull Ultralead (the Noise gate goes into its serial loop to affect only the distorted sounds being between preamp and final stage.

Out from speaker out goes into the Fryette PS2 a; out from line output into the second pedalboard where all modulation, delays and reverbs are cabled in stereo.

Left and right out into Left and Right in of the VHT 2:90:2 Power amp left and right out into two 2x12 cabs.

1 Like

@Nevenonsodove

This is exactly why we started the forum, I’m delighted to hear advice like this. Welcome :tada: @Nevenonsodove .

Regards

Dan