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GreenCustom24 · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2018 5:18 pm Post subject: Amp switching relay

Hey! So I'm considering running 2 different amps together in stereo. Both are 2 channels with single button footswitches, but I know I can't just use a Y cable to connect them. I use the footswitch output on my TC G System to switch channels currently and I've looked into it and everyone says that a relay box needs to be added to operate both amps at once, but doesn't say where to get one or anything. I've looked a lot and can't seem to find any readily available.

Anyone know of anywhere I can get one or someone (even from the forums here) who might be able to custom build one for me at a reasonable price?

Fakir Mustache · . Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Posts: 3208

So you want it to switch channels at the same time on both amps? I'm thinking a y cable will work, it's a simple on-off switch, in parallel it should be the same if the footswitches are the same on both amps.

The only problem is that the clean and dirty channels could be reversed on the footswitch functions. In any case, this is something that can very easily be built.

GreenCustom24 · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:56 am Post subject:

Yeah. That's exactly what I wanna do. I can try the Y cable and see. Just waiting on the second amp to come in. Damn shipping delays...

Fakir Mustache · . Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Posts: 3208

You'd have to get a mono to 2 mono y-cable. A stereo to 2 mono definitely won't work. A stereo to two stereo jacks should also work.

I assume the footswitches are just simple mono jacks.

Doog · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 9:50 am Post subject:

A Y-cable seems like a bad idea, as you'd be effectively connecting the 2 amps together; don't do this.

Presuming they're just basic mono cable footswitches, you could easily make a single footswitch with 2 jacks, an enclosure and a DPDT footswitch switch.

All these basic amp footswitches do is connect/disconnect the ground and the hot parts of the lead, but it's worth checking that existing footswitches don't have any resistors in there too (aside from any resistors connected to a LED or something).

So if it's straight-up basic, you can keep both 'footswitch' circuits isolated in a DPDT footswitch like so:

The two wires on AMP1 side go to a mono jack (doesn't matter which way you wire 'em), the other 2 wires for AMP2 go to another jack.

If one of your amps is switching to the wrong channel (so you've got DIRTY on one and CLEAN on the other), just move one of the connections from the bottom terminals (5 or 6 in that diagram) to the top (1 or 2).

Bacchus · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 9:57 am Post subject:

Doog · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:04 am Post subject:

Fakir Mustache · . Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Posts: 3208

NickS · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:22 pm Post subject:

I'm guessing OP wants to use the output from his TC G-System so he can just select his patch on the G-System and it will automatically switch channel on both amps along with engaging whatever effect. (The Behringer FCB1010 MIDI pedal has two relay outs you can program for each preset).

NickS · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:45 pm Post subject:

https://bit.ly/2KmFZTF would run off a 9v (pedal) PSU. Plastic project box, jack sockets, stripboard, power socket and you're there.

GreenCustom24 · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 10:46 pm Post subject: