BR to Amp Q

[groovedude]

Pedro, on your review page you had mentioned connecting the BR to an amp.  I want to try this but am a bit confused.

The Line Out from the BR is stereo and my amp (and most all) is Mono in.  The cable you give a link to is stereo on both ends.  Won't the stereo signal going into a standard mono in jack of an amp cause problems?

I would think that the amp would only register half the signal and possibly pick up some signal noise from the extra stereo band.

Also, wouldn't the BR in this instance be considered a preamp?  I'm thinking of getting the Tech 21 Power Engine 60, which is just a powered cabinet.  I'm thinking the BR would get along better with this than an amp that already had its own built in preamp.

[guitarron]

Those cabs should work great with any processor i would think-i've considered one those myself-i would try before i buy if possible tho
does you amp have an effects loop? I have used a y connector with success in my twin-in loop and at the front end-a little tweaking involved
-the MBR is not really a pre amp in the traditional sense-i find it's best to use it as you would an effects processor
little experimentation may be needed-but you should be able to make it useable as a processor-
I still the Tech21 cab idea tho

[groovedude]

I just have a Fender Deluxe RI that has been nothing but problems, no effects loop to test this idea out.

On Harmony Central a lot of players are using a POD with their Tech 21 PE 60 with success.  I assume the POD is not much different than the BR, as both like you say are not true preamps, but as an effects processor, which to a large degree can double as a preamp.

You say you use a Y connector, does that mean you just use one of the arms of the Y to connect to the effect loop in, and leave the other connector to dangle, unused?  I've never had an amp with an effect loop so pardon the ignorance.

[guitarron]

1/4' females(2) down to one male-into the  amp input-all in one plastic housing-i think i got it at radio shack yrs ago-

[Pedro]

Yeah, don't mind the stereo to mono conversion, it won't do any problems. As far as the amp input is concerned it doesn't even differentiate between a mono or a stereo plug. In a stereo plug the amp listen only to the left channel (or right, I really don't know each one) and doesn't mess with the other channel. The sound is good, I've done it a few times. Even if the Micro BR isn't a Preamp you can go Guitar->Micro BR->Amplifier, it sounds good and loud.

[groovedude]

Guitarron, I'm stupid so I still need a little clarification...

The MBR has one 1/8" stereo out.

Your cord looks like this:

1/4"F    1/4F"
        \/
         l
      1/4"M (to the amp front input, not effects loop connection on back)

So how do you connect the MBR 1/8" stereo out to the two female 1/4"s?

I guess Pedro's setup renders this a mute point, as it is a simple one cord setup, but now I'm very curious as to what Ron is doing.

Also, I sent some emails to Tech 21 concerning other things, I'll share the info once I get an answer.

[guitarron]

i have a 1/8 in male stereo mini(out from BR) to 2 1/4 in males cable-made by Hosa
I use that same cable to connect to my mixer/monitors

[groovedude]

I see now, thank you.

[SteveG]

Be careful and follow the warnings in the manual when connecting to an amp tho, I have fried two cards plugging in when it is switched on 

[groovedude]

Thanks Steve, I'll have to read that again.  Strange, I don't see why pluging the MBR's OUT to an amp would fry a memory card.

Ron, here is a response I got from a Tech 21 rep:

"Yes, all Tech 21 amps use some form of SansAmp technology in their preamp sections.  The Trademark 60's Channel 1 is essentially the Blonde pedal, and Channel 2 is an amalgam of the British and California pedals. 

You could certainly run the British pedal into the TM60's Effect Return, or you could simply use Channel 2 (unless you prefer the pedal for whatever reason)."