"Reverse compatibility explained"

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Caine

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This is from the Synergy Facebook page (9/11/2017):

"REVERSE COMPATIBILITY EXPLAINED.

One of the engineering feats that took so long in the development of Synergy was figuring out how to enhance the overall modular design, while still making it reverse compatible.

We felt it would be simply "wrong" to introduce the new Synergy system and tell everyone that once invested in modules and hardware (from Egnater and Randall) that their old gear is now obsolete. So we didn't do that and happy that we were able to pull it off (in style).

So here is how it works:

You can use old modules in the SYN1, SYN2, SYN30 and SYN-50 (basically all Synergy hardware).

You can use Synergy modules in old Randall gear but only one channel of the Synergy module will work (because Randall hardware was based on single channel modules). For those Synergy modules where channel 1 is different than channel 2, we provided a switch on the PCB allowing you to select which channel will engage when used in Randall gear.

You can use Synergy modules in old Egnater gear such as M4 and MOD50 and both channels will work.

Best performance of course will be Synergy modules with Synergy hardware. The new modules have the cathode biasing selection switch circuitry which is
not present on any previous hardware units.

We will not work on, service or warranty any old modules or hardware from Randall or Egnater."
 
Great, thanks for this!

I'm assuming "the cathode biasing selection switch circuitry" is the sag control?

TIA....

Caine said:
This is from the Synergy Facebook page (9/11/2017):

"REVERSE COMPATIBILITY EXPLAINED.

One of the engineering feats that took so long in the development of Synergy was figuring out how to enhance the overall modular design, while still making it reverse compatible.

We felt it would be simply "wrong" to introduce the new Synergy system and tell everyone that once invested in modules and hardware (from Egnater and Randall) that their old gear is now obsolete. So we didn't do that and happy that we were able to pull it off (in style).

So here is how it works:

You can use old modules in the SYN1, SYN2, SYN30 and SYN-50 (basically all Synergy hardware).

You can use Synergy modules in old Randall gear but only one channel of the Synergy module will work (because Randall hardware was based on single channel modules). For those Synergy modules where channel 1 is different than channel 2, we provided a switch on the PCB allowing you to select which channel will engage when used in Randall gear.

You can use Synergy modules in old Egnater gear such as M4 and MOD50 and both channels will work.

Best performance of course will be Synergy modules with Synergy hardware. The new modules have the cathode biasing selection switch circuitry which is
not present on any previous hardware units.

We will not work on, service or warranty any old modules or hardware from Randall or Egnater."
 
djdayson said:
I'm assuming "the cathode biasing selection switch circuitry" is the sag control?

I grabbed this off the Synergy website. This was on the SLO page but each module description includes similar info.

"CATHODE SELECT SWITCH: This three position switch allows you to configure the input tube bass response to match the original circuit of the selected module. This will affect the feel and tightness. Each amp designer has a specific combination of components that makes up their input tube circuit. We have selected the three most popular combinations which you can access with this switch. The module will come preset to Mike Soldano's preferred setting which for the SLO module is position 3 (1.8K resistor and 1uf capacitor)."
 
Cathode selection is on the module itself, the SAG control is part of the head or rack unit.
 
Gotcha, thanks!

Cathode biasing preamp gain stages can also effect feel/sag, often in conjunction with B+ changes.

Great addition to MTS!

Caine said:
djdayson said:
I'm assuming "the cathode biasing selection switch circuitry" is the sag control?

I grabbed this off the Synergy website. This was on the SLO page but each module description includes similar info.

"CATHODE SELECT SWITCH: This three position switch allows you to configure the input tube bass response to match the original circuit of the selected module. This will affect the feel and tightness. Each amp designer has a specific combination of components that makes up their input tube circuit. We have selected the three most popular combinations which you can access with this switch. The module will come preset to Mike Soldano's preferred setting which for the SLO module is position 3 (1.8K resistor and 1uf capacitor)."
 
Caine said:
This is from the Synergy Facebook page (9/11/2017):

"REVERSE COMPATIBILITY EXPLAINED.

One of the engineering feats that took so long in the development of Synergy was figuring out how to enhance the overall modular design, while still making it reverse compatible.

We felt it would be simply "wrong" to introduce the new Synergy system and tell everyone that once invested in modules and hardware (from Egnater and Randall) that their old gear is now obsolete. So we didn't do that and happy that we were able to pull it off (in style).

So here is how it works:

You can use old modules in the SYN1, SYN2, SYN30 and SYN-50 (basically all Synergy hardware).

You can use Synergy modules in old Randall gear but only one channel of the Synergy module will work (because Randall hardware was based on single channel modules). For those Synergy modules where channel 1 is different than channel 2, we provided a switch on the PCB allowing you to select which channel will engage when used in Randall gear.

You can use Synergy modules in old Egnater gear such as M4 and MOD50 and both channels will work.

Best performance of course will be Synergy modules with Synergy hardware. The new modules have the cathode biasing selection switch circuitry which is
not present on any previous hardware units.

We will not work on, service or warranty any old modules or hardware from Randall or Egnater."

This is the best news I've heard in quite some time. I was under the impression the Synergy modules wouldn't work with MTS at all.
 
Caine said:
This is from the Synergy Facebook page (9/11/2017):

"REVERSE COMPATIBILITY EXPLAINED.

One of the engineering feats that took so long in the development of Synergy was figuring out how to enhance the overall modular design, while still making it reverse compatible.

We felt it would be simply "wrong" to introduce the new Synergy system and tell everyone that once invested in modules and hardware (from Egnater and Randall) that their old gear is now obsolete. So we didn't do that and happy that we were able to pull it off (in style).

So here is how it works:

You can use old modules in the SYN1, SYN2, SYN30 and SYN-50 (basically all Synergy hardware).

You can use Synergy modules in old Randall gear but only one channel of the Synergy module will work (because Randall hardware was based on single channel modules). For those Synergy modules where channel 1 is different than channel 2, we provided a switch on the PCB allowing you to select which channel will engage when used in Randall gear.

You can use Synergy modules in old Egnater gear such as M4 and MOD50 and both channels will work.

Best performance of course will be Synergy modules with Synergy hardware. The new modules have the cathode biasing selection switch circuitry which is
not present on any previous hardware units.

We will not work on, service or warranty any old modules or hardware from Randall or Egnater."

Is it possible to mod the MOD50 to be able to do the cathode switching? maybe a upgrade you can offer?
 
veets987 said:
Is it possible to mod the MOD50 to be able to do the cathode switching? maybe a upgrade you can offer?

I believe the cathode switching is performed via a toggle on the new Synergy modules. You select it before installing the module. Each module is setup to the creator's preference but you can change it to your taste. AFAIK it's not done on the fly, by footswitch or what have you.

So you can still change the cathode selection on a SYN module before popping it into your MOD50
 
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