Rack problems

[WestSideDave]

Recently, I purchased [used] 2 Rockman units; a Rockman Chorus/Delay and a Rockman Sustainor. Here was my set-up BEFORE I bought the Rockman units:
A Furman SPB-8 Stereo Pedal Board, ADA -1 Preamp. BBE 422A Sonic Maximizer, a dbx 166 Compressor Digitech DSP 25-XL Multi effects unit [which I`ve now replaced w/ the Rockman Chorus/Delay & Sustainor] and an ADA Microtube 200 power amp. Now, call me a "rack `tard" but I simply CANNOT figure out how to hook everything up! Everything is functioning as it should; everything lights up, etc. But I either get no sound, or a very tiny, weak sound that I KNOW isn`t right. SOMETHING isn`t hooked up right obviously, but I can`t figure out what!
What I need to know is how they should be hooked up:
(in no order)
ADA: FX loop send/receive, output A and B.
Rockman Sustainor: distortion/echo return, all return, send, output.
Rockman Chorus/Delay: Stereo out-"processed" and "direct mono [out]", input.
BBE 442A Sonic Maximizer: "In" and "Out" for both channel`s A & B.
dbx 166 Compressor: Side 1 has Audio "In" and "Out" and Sidechain In. Side 2 is identical.
ADA Microtube 200 Power Amp: Stereo inputs & outputs, as well as Mono in, Bridged out.

Could anyone help in here tell me how to connect this properly? I know how to tweak everything, but first I`ve gotta figure out how to get from point A to point B! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Newc]

Re: Rack problems

Ooooookkkk [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Seriously, here's what ya do:

Guitar into dbx input (use this only for compressing clean tones, don't use enough to affect Distorted channels)
dbx output to ADA MP-1 Input
ADA MP-1 FX Send into Rockman Chorus/Delay In
Chorus/Delay Out to Sustainor "Distortion/Echo Return"
Sustainor Out to MP-1 Return
MP-1 Output A & B to BBE Input A & B
BBE Outputs to Microtube Inputs (if you are wanting ping-pong effects AND are using two cabs OR one 4x12 cab wired in stereo, use the Microtube's Stereo In/Out, otherwise, use the Mono in/Bridged out for just one mono cab).

OR you could leave the dbx out of the chain. The MP-1 has a decent tube-driven compressor, but you don't really get high volume power without it breaking up.

Newc

[rodrigo_echeverri]

Re: Rack problems

Don't try to hook eveything up at once. Just start adding the units in the order Newc just told you and stop adding if it stops working.

I think the effects loop connections are the most troublesome in racks... I still haven't been able to get my Carin Quad X through the effects loop of my Peavey TubeFex.

[jem777az]

Re: Rack problems

I agree with everything Newc said except hooking up the effects through the effects loop of the MP-1. I wouldn't use the MP-1's effects loop, it basically sucks and drains massive tone. I would hook up the effects serially, then go out from the effect unit into the BBE. Try it both ways and I think you'll notice it sounds better if you don't use the effects loop on the MP-1 at all.

[redmanjj]

Re: Rack problems

The effects loop on the MP-1 is notorious for tone sucking... so much that there is a mod on www.ada-depot.com to correct it. I never use the loop on my MP-1. Don't get me wrong, the MP-1 is great, but the effects loop sucks (literally and figuratively).

[jem777az]

Re: Rack problems

Originally posted by redmanjj:
The effects loop on the MP-1 is notorious for tone sucking... so much that there is a mod on www.ada-depot.com to correct it. I never use the loop on my MP-1. Don't get me wrong, the MP-1 is great, but the effects loop sucks (literally and figuratively).

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haha! Redman and I posted the same exact thing at the same time......too funny [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[redmanjj]

Re: Rack problems

Sorry, it's www.adadepot.com

[redmanjj]

Re: Rack problems

I just bought a BBE 422A. Would you stick it at the end of the chain, just before the poweramp, or between the MP-1 and the effects (Intellifex in this case)?

[jem777az]

Re: Rack problems

When I was using my MP-1 I always put the BBE after the effects and before the poweramp. I found that this gave it the best sound. Running the signal through another unit (i.e.- effects), regardless of the D/A converters, etc. always affects tone since its one more unit to cause signal degredation. Putting the BBE after the effects always sounded better to my ears.

[Newc]

Re: Rack problems

I've found that running through the FX loop actually helps to remove some of the glassiness of the unit rather than going in series.

Newc

[WestSideDave]

Re: Rack problems

Thanks for all the help! I bypassed the MP-1 fx loop; never used it anyway, as it`s always sounded like hell when I go thru it. I`m only using the Rockman chorus/delay at the moment; still fine tuning things, but I`m getting good results so far! Next I`ll hook up the Sustainor. Maybe run this into the MP-1 fx loop. Or would this work?

[WestSideDave]

Re: Rack problems

I recently got a Rockman Stereo Chorus on E-bay, so NOW my rig is:

Furman pedal board to ADA, ADA to BBE, BBE channel "B" to Rockman Stereo Chorus, BBE channel "A" out to Rockman Chorus/Delay, the "Processed Outs" on BOTH Rockman units to ADA Microtube 200 power amp. The dbx compressor is run through the ADA fx loop. Worked like a charm; didn`t put my guitar down for almost 3 hours! Yep, I`m happy!