Lol...yea that Uberschall and because it reminds me of having my Uberschall when they first came out. I ran that and the ecstasy through a custom Bob Bradshaw amp switcher. I called CAE at the time and asked about a 2 amp model instead of their 4 amp model....about a minute later someone picks up the phone and says “This is Bob B, how can I help you?” Waaaaaaattt??
The Uber module definitely suited you the most. The less mode on the Deliverance module should be capable of some great clean and edge of breakup tones if dialed in correctly. Many people misunderstand why there are two gain controls and how to use them.
@@frankardos4211 The fan will come on once the temp threshold has been reached. Not really a nuisance though. Other than that it's the smallest and best sounding power amp I have owned.
Love the Synergy setup. I have one and it ticked two huge boxes for me: 1) Sounds phenomenal and 2) Saves space - I only really have room for 1 amp, and now I can have multiple amps in my space. :D
The Bogner was the highlight here and definitely the module I'd get with the Synergy! The Friedman module didn't sound very inspiring to me here which is weird. The Fryette was great too, similar to the Fractal model. 👍
Damn Leon! This synergy system is so interesting. Those high gain tones are seriously tasty. The Bogner is like a chainsaw that's also a flamethrower. It definitely chugs. You've been dropping a serious amount of great content recently. Thanks man, this is all top quality stuff.
That power amp is amazing! I’ve got one and it makes everything sound better. Try running you’re JMP-1 into it. I was about to sell my JMP-1 after trying it through numerous tube power amps. Got a Syn5050 and wow!
I have the SYN-2 with SLO and the BE/BB modules. It is integrated with my AXE FX III and also an Eventide Eclipse. This mini rack system brings a smile to my face every time I plug in my guitar. The SLO module is da bomb, btw.
Really impressed with the modules being put out these days, and it really, really helps that Synergy is working with some of the original amp designers to make it happen. Ahh…. I remember my Egnater Mod-100 and a mountain of modules days (seems like an eternity ago now). Good tones for sure and then I divested it all in favour of a few heads dedicated to my favourite sounds. Feeling the pull back into the modules a bit here… lol!
@@LeonTodd A Cameron Atomica and a VHT CLX100 with the GEQ. Still have them… they both feel so good under the fingers. Your Ceriatone Molecular seems veeeery, um, similar to the Atomica. Lol! Love, love, love the tones you are getting from that amp!
@@michaelangeles33 hahaha well spotted. I basically asked Nik if he could make me an Atomica clone and he wrote back immediately saying "yeah, let's call it molecular!" and that was that. pretty much my ideal marshall. Really want a Fryette at some point too.
@@LeonTodd Yeah man… that Marshall flavour is my absolute happy place as well! Good story Leon and kudos for getting Nik to build one… nice features on it too. It is fantastic that anyone can have this tone for a very reasonable price. When I was in the module world I remember our module community coined the term MAS, or Module Addiction/Acquisition Syndrome. If anyone needs help with that check out Leon’s video on that subject!
Looking forward to more videos on this! One of the criticisms I’ve heard on the Synergy, is that they all “sound the same”. They sound pretty distinct to me... I would love to hear a demo of these modules through a Two Notes CabM and switching between the different power tube types. Great work mate, cheers!
The 800 module with the Hamer was totally '80s! I'd like a TS-9 or an SD-1 in the front and play some songs from that era, not only the intro riffs. Hell Bent For Leather - Judas Priest or Running Free - Iron Maiden or whatever comes handy to you!
Back in 2008, I bought a Randall MTS head with the Egnater module based preamp system. It was pretty good, but made much better by a few guys that “hopped-up” the specs with some changes. For a couple of hundred bucks, they’d do several different upgrades and there were even other guys that would make custom faceplates for more individual looks. These modular amps went out of production for a few years….now Synergy has started making them with the actual manufacturer’s designs to get the actual sound that each amp has. I’m sure they are great, BUT…it’s nothing new.
I tried this set up for about two weeks. I bought the Syn2 used and had nothing but problems with it. The power amp is very heavy. My goal was to not carry a heavy Marshall head and have a lot of flexibility with tones but in the end, everything racked up, it was heavier. I got the BE and the SLO and neither had enough low end for my taste. Not even enough to rival my modded 800. I wouldn't say that was that big a problem but I like my gear to have more than enough - gain, bass, mids, treble, ect. I also had the SYN 1and using it with an standard head worked like a charm. Sounded better than with the Synergy power amp. Great Video though! Bogner sounds like a monster.
@@LeonTodd I have been following you for several months and you are one of the best guys out there doing product videos. You actually play chords and rhythm and not just leads...wow imagine that! I admire your ability with the AxeFX. I tried the AX8 myself and I found it too complicated. You get great tones out of those products...but you are more of a tweaker than I am. I got the Kemper Stage and I am in love with it. Another thing I like about what you do is that you have a foot in the classic tone world (marshall, fender, etc) and a foot in the high gain world...you are the complete package. I am also a huge Jake E Lee fan :):) God bless Leon and keep exploring tones for us players out there.
One thing this video did a really good job of showing was the differences in all the high gain modules which I know is a common complaint and I'd love that expanded upon. Also with the direct out they have it seems you could run that with the power amp in a simple compact wet/dry/wet or direct/ washy rig which would be cool to see
The bright switch is generally a capacitor over the gain pot. So when you switched it on the T-DLX with the gain on 10 you couldn't hear much of a difference. If the gain were on 4 then the difference would be much more audible.
I Liked them all, each one has a different character. It's the same reason I like the ADA rack amps I have. A lot of different characters all in one package. This Synergy system is the first thing to come out since the ADA preamps that have really gotten my attention, just because of the versatility. Good one Leon!
Unghhhh... been teetering on going down this road for almost a year. Do I dare?? I literally just today dialed in my Mesa Stiletto to where I'm finally not wrestling with it. And now... more GAS, goddammit. xD Also, I never thought greenbacks could sound that tight. Nice demo man.
What intrigues me most about this pre/power is the emulated outs. As well, the AxeFX units with their speaker emulated outputs allow us to recreate the post process studio chain and run these signals through an Eventide to access those predesigned presets. Perhaps a decent stereo compressor after the rig/before the effects, otherwise a very smart system. Syn2/Syn50/Eclipse. 👍 Pleasant surprise today. 😊
“All roads lead to ridiculous high gain” 🤣🤣🤣 I love it! The one big problem with the Syn-2 is that it doesn’t come with the footswitch you need. You have to buy that separately, and it’s been out of stock in a lot of places for a while (as of Jan 2022).
@@LeonTodd I just added the Fryette power station in the self attenuating mode. Together with my 2 Syn 2s and Axe fx3 it sounds absolutely killer. You really need to check that out. The best thing is it's all at line signal. I use different IRs on the axe fx and even use powercab 2x12 in frfr mode. Sounds great.
It would be great to see how you would integrate this in a rig and the musical purposes for which you would employ it. It is a great way to get a versatile set up in a tiny space. Would also be interested in how you might use this with the Axe-Fx, perhaps a four cable demo.
What I want to see - that nobody seems to have done yet - is a shootout between these modules and the preamp pedals that the same manufacturers have put out. For example, is the $400 Friedman BE module more powerful than the $200 Friedman BE-OD pedal? And the same thing for Bogner, with the $250 Uberschall pedal. Maybe to complete the shoot-out, a floor-based power amp like the Power Stage could be thrown in. Battle of the Modular Rigs. One tube, and rack-mounted. One solid, and floor-based.
I wish I had more thumbs up to give to this video. Really enjoyed it. I ordered the Synergy table top 1 module amp which I got, but FedEx lost the box with the 3 modules I bought so I essentially got nothing. It was great listening to you go through all the modules and they all sound fantastic. The Fryette Gain 1 and Gain 2 kind of reminds of the OD1 and OD2 on the ADA MP1.
Thank you Leon. I Have a Boogie .22 non-plus version and a Huhges and Kettner Grand Meister 36 was thinking of saving for a Synergy system for my next buy. I think this settles it for me. Love your channel and your playing. Thank you once again.
i love that you play rock bottom a lot. it's one of the main riffs i judge amps and tones by so it translates really well to what i'm usually listening for. \m/\m/
Synergy is a great concept, like every rack preamp setup into an external tube power amp. How would you describe the tone and “fullness” of the rack preamp+poweramp setup vs an head? In my short experience, heads sound more tridimensional but i prefer the flexibility of my ada/jmp-1/triaxis setup (not being limited in numbers of options. I doubt anyone would notice when not A-B ing these head to head :) Keep up the good work, i really like your channel
From memory Steve Fryette wrote an article about that, the main idea being that in a head the preamp and part amp share the same power supply. I imagine that's what the sag control on the Syn2 replicates and it does make it feel more like a head IMO
What I would like to see is a comparison of The Senergy Ubershall with the 50 watt power amp verse using just the Ubershall into the the Axe 3 power with IRs. That Ubershall is the holy grail of high gain. I am trying to determine if it can sound good without the power amp into the Axe with IRs.
That Bogner... hot damn... Playing that right before the BE wasn't fair. The BE sounded kinda flat and characterless after that Bogner... wow. I'd be curious to know how the Synergy power amp sounds compared to something like an ADA MicroTube 200.
SLO among my synergy modules (SLO, TDXL,Bogner Extacy) and Egnater modules( VX,COD,ERECT and SL2X) those are switchable between SYN2 and M4 module preamp( Egnater's base for exchangeble modules)... The weight of my SYN5050 almost same as VHT2/50 power, it really hard to make hang around to a live gig...Anyway how do you feel Leon between Synergy modules and FM3 modelling, albeit it is somewhat odd to compare tubes stuffs with those in digital realm? More feel like Amp in the Room?...Thank you for your endeavour!
Fantastic video, as always. Love your content. Been thinking about the synergy systems lately so this was a very valuable video to come across today. So happy to see you bust out your Hamer. I’m a Hamer fan as well, had many over the years. (You may notice my avatar is my Hamer Talladega) Always like seeing you with the Standard and your Artist.
@@LeonTodd they really are. Mine is actually the one Hamer used for their promo photos on their website, calendar, print media, etc. I shared this video on the Hamer Fan Club because of your Standard. Hopefully, you’ll get a few more views from the guys there. We’ve shared a few of your other videos on the board in the past. (Of course the ones where you play your Hamers 😉) The comparison video you did between your standard and Gibson explorer was a hit on the HFC.
Wicked stuff Leon ! The Bogner and Freyette were knockout !. If you still have the Freyette, could you try rolling back the guitar volume and show how it cleans up. The real Deliverance amps are single channel monsters that clean up incredibly well, would love to see if this module does that too. I'm hoping this and a Syn-1 might cover a lot of ground.
Great video. I also like amp gain, and don't dig pedal gain. That said, I've not tried many distortion ot overdrive pedals. I have used a lot of boost pedals or a few over drive pedals with the amp at a breakup point and then use a boost to solo or rock out. I prefer two channels. One with just breakup and use volume knob to clean up, and then another amp channel with just enough gain for rhythm and then use the boost for solos and sustain. I like a lot of gain though, so I tend to stay on the gainer side of things anymore since I'm playing mostly blues hard rock and 80s stuff. Never have too much gain.😂 Great demo sir. Always good stuff on this channel. Thanks man. Hope you and yours are well and safe 🤟💖🤟
Fantastic video Leon! LOVE the Uberschall! Didn't care much for the Friedman surprisingly. So I just got me one of these and wondering which preamp modules do you think would be best suited for some Randy Rhoads and EVH tones? 🤔Thanks for the awesome content!
How does a unit like this compare to your Axe FX + power amp? Seems like a great idea if the modules are decent clones but I wonder if its not better to go Axe FX for versatility? In the room differences?
@@youscreamiscream The audience don't care. Once it gets mic'd and push to a PA any nuance is gone and everything becomes equal. Once you buy all the base hardware for Synergy and what modules you need, you are well past the cost of AxeFXIII and you haven't even got any fx yet. Diminishing returns. Going rack just isn't practical anymore, plus more to carry.
@@wadefinch2664 not really true. i bought an axe ultra for $2400 when they first came out brand new and still sold it within 3 months and kept my 20 year old rack gear that absolutely destroyed it live miced up. i brought two rigs to practice in one rack mount. same power amp. patches to match my tube pre as close as possible etc. ab'd both live through pa extensively. i asked my band what they thought, could they tell a difference (honestly it was obvious imo) and my band agreed pretty much without hesitation. They said the axe sounds good on it's own but once you switch it's night and day. Modded ADAMp1 through an Ada microtube 200 and also tried both through a fryette 2/50/2. ADA Destroyed it laughably. Like we actually laughed at how much it destroyed it. May be it a different story today with the newer units, idk, that was 10 years ago. but yeah. maybe a lot of the audience doesn't know the difference, but it's more about the player and playing it, and the feel of tubes rule. i play for me and the audience can come along if they want. if the rooms empty i'm still having a good time :) the axe sounds great and is super versatile though for sure. i'm actually thinking out trying out the fm3. i'm toiling watching all these videos going back and forth if i should get the syn, or the fm3 or a tube rack or straight up marshall head and a torpedo captor. I know what my gut tells me though. I'll buy and try all this shit spend time and lose money and probably end up with the marshall anyway telling myself i shoulda done this in the first place :P
Great video Leon. My buddy has a bunch of the synergy stuff (Vai, dirty Shirley and fender module I think). Been wanting to demo them on the channel but you know...COVID happens. Hope you are doing well these days.
cool stuff as always, i'd be curious to hear how it sounds/reacts through different power amps / more on the sag control , i find that's were some of the magic of these amps as we know them are, that separate preamp modules can't necessarily cop (power tubes/ transformers and everything together in the same circuit), e.g Fryette/VHT stuff is usually on a kt88 setup, custom transformers on other amps etc.. , i finally found a VHT Deliverance last year, truly monster of an amp
I love my Synergy SYN1 with the modules Ubershall, Engl Savage, Powerball & Diezel VH4...!!!!! I connect mine to add two more channel to my 4 channel Revv Gen 120 ...
@@LeonTodd Yep & add my axefx 3 in the 4 Cable method for drives & effects...It's heavenly & beyond...!!! Side note...Have you read on the fractal forum ..Cliff's "You Guys/Gals Are in for Another Treat" I unlocked the secret of "chug"....& You ain't heard nuttin' yet. Wait 'til you hear "Cygnus"...
Hot damn! That Uberschall module rips! Loving the channel btw, just getting into rack gear and your content is very informative and downright pornographic.
If you could compare the Soldano module to your Soldano amp would be cool....I have been wanting to try these things...in the 80’s I was always a preamp guy...I had the ADA,the Marshall 9001,Soldano X88R.....seeing how these compare to those would be cool as well...
Hey man, could u plz compare the syn-2 straight into the axe fx for the cab to running through the 5050 into a load box and the axe for the cab? Thanks - enjoy your new modules!
Uberschall , and Engle savage in my syn 2 , it’s glorious really the best gear it the modeler age, I have it run thru a helix floor and running in effects loop of a mesa mark V As well as a good IR, soooooo sweet , next going for Friedman. MIDI so my first 8 helix presets are all synergy ohhhhh I can go on and on!!!
The Bogner was divine. My holy grail of tone is a Steve Stevens style modded plexi. I’d be interested to hear opinions on how to get that without having to rob a bank for the actual SS 100.
Hi Leon. Could you add your axe FX 3 effects to these modules. A video showing how that sounds would be cool. Big ambience on cleans. Uber reverb with delays on high gain leads. I've been thinking that the synergy system with the Fractal is most likely the best. Most versatile rig to have. Live. Home recording...will do it all
Man, why does there have to be so many awesome gear options?! I've never really given too much thought on the Synergy thing but man, it's pure genius. And I'm with you Leon, I absolutely love the Bogner Übershall! One question though.. how do they react with a boost or EQ in the front?
Hi Leon, thank you for this very interesting review!. I would have a question: I've seen in one of your previous videos that you have a Matrix GT 1000 power amp (that I also own), so I would be curious to know how these modules sound with that power amp / what's your opinion. Thank you!
Looking at the insane prices for simul class 290 power amps I’m very inclined to pick up one of these power amps or the fryette lxii, believe they are both linked to fryette, need a proper power amp for my triaxis and jmp1 etc 😀. At the moment I run into fx return of my jcm2000. Leon so far I’ve bought the jcm and triaxis based off your tone guides !
Thanks a lot for this amazing demo!! I want to try this system But i don't know if it's ok with midi control? My set is actually: Preamp Triaxis Mesa Boogie, TC electronic effects. I control all my tones with it. And Engl E530 Amplifier. If i change the Triaxis for the Synergy, Can i control all the channels of the two moduls with the TC?? There is no demo for this. Sorry if my english is not correct!! I'm french! Thanks if you can help me!
I took a long drive to play an Uber half stack... Left with the 4x12cab, but left the head. Just didn't do it for me at the time. I honestly liked the Uber pedal a bit more ;-( The Uberkab is a thing of beauty though!
Well if memory serves, Randal introduced this Module tech 2 decades ago.. Thanks to Steve Vai to put it back on the Radar again i guess..I think this is talored to the Tube head guitarist that dont want to feel guity jumping to a DSP (Axe FX) unit...Here you still Tube but added Versatilty... Note that after the Uberschall Module, all sounded Weak...
It's a great example of tech being ahead of it's time IMO. By the time Egnater came out with the modules rack was super uncool so it's nice to see the concept fully realised.
Man saying you only like amp gain is about as nose up as it comes. You should know gain circuits in most pedals are the same as the preamp gain in your amp. You just particularly liked one of others. Hence pedals like a Mesa Throttle box has a Rectifier gain circuit minus the other 2 eq knobs. Wampler, JHS, and many others use the same things in pedals.
I really would like to hear the preamps with the Axe FX! Maybe you can also show how they sound with di out vs poweramp hooked up to the fractal x load you have.
What I really don't get when viewing the reviews or purchase listing on stores is what you pay and what you get. I know you can buy separate modules and I know different products cost different prices, but when you look at something like the basic system in an online store, it doesn't list what you actually get when you buy that. Like do you get modules and which modules for example.
Two questions on the 5050: One, how does it sound running stereo into a stereo-able cabinet - as compared to mono? Two, how low can the amp volume go and still be enjoyable tone-wise (compared to the Fryette PS-2, for instance)?
How does the syn 50/50 Poweramp work with your other gear like the old school preamps. I've been using a mesa 20/20 because I like the single space it uses, but would like to get more power without givinh up any more rack space. Pretty amazing they were able to fit a 2 channel 50 watt Poweramp into a single rack space.
Curious question, after watching you video I decided to purchase the Synergy 50/50 power amp to use with my Fractal for on stage monitor. My question is about sag, you say when using an external amp and cab to remove the sag from the tube section in the Fractal, however I noticed the rack that houses the modules has a sag adjustment. Does this mean there is no sag in the 50/50? As always thanks for your help
