Leon, you are the reason I purchased the Synergy Engl Powerball from this review, thank you!!! I have my gain WAY up to about 3 o'clock, mid boost in the middle position and gain on low position....red channel of course. Astounding ALL TUBE preamp! Definitely evokes ADA MP-1.
Just jumped into the Synergy world. Picked up a bunch of modules to test out like you have been doing (by the way, great job on dialing these in!). Got the Syn2 to test it through many actual tube power amps and then got a syn50 to see how Synergy's take translates w their modules through their own amp. Thanks for making these videos showing all the modules and talking through your take on them. I am platform agnostic and it seems you are too and that is awesome bc if it sounds good, it is good regardless of it being digital, analog or hybrid signal chains.
As much as I love high gain in general (and the ones here are great), I found myself oddly more attracted to the jangly or overdriven cleans. Somehow lots of character in those.
I have to say I'm not surprised at all at that clean tone. My Special Edition has an awesome clean channel that you can beat the hell out of the strings and it won't break up. Very useable👍
I love it! I'd like to try it! I saw you mention Randall and I doubt the George Lynch and I think Satriani and a couple others, their modules probably won't work in this or do they? That would be nice, I hate companies start out with these great concepts or ideas and people get excited thinking they're great and then they stop making the products or updates for software etc because something new comes along. I do like this and the Vai.
Good morning Leon! I love p90's! Fender recently came out with the Noventa line. Tele, Strat and Jaguar I Think. P90's All ! Noventa sounds like a new RA drug! Great gallop Brother! Be Well All!
Oh yeah the red channel is ballsy! This and the Uber would be 2 great modules to have on the synergy platform. I enjoy playing the ENGL models in my FM3 also. ML Soundlab released a new ENGL cab IR pack. 👍
Lol x2! I've got one here in Russia acquired mid 90s in Canberra ACT. The one with a reverb tank. I "modded" it to a mini-head, taking it out of the combo enclosure. It's a single transistor design, taken it to a rehearsal space and had some fun running it through a 4x12 16ohm Orange cab (didn't do quite well in terms of keeping with the band volume). With an 8ohm 4x12 it did pretty reasonable to my surprise in a "loud drummer + 2 hi gain guitars + vocals with an acoustic + dirty bass" scenario. Cleans are quite capable and everything else is achievable with pedals in front. Plus it has some lush Nec 4558 opamp for the inbuilt drive. I've seen folks hunting those on ebay for silly crazy amounts of money compared to the actual value of this amp lol
Sounded awesome man , and I totally get that ADA vibe on the low gain , not sue if I missed it but have you played the SLO mod yet , thats one of my favs from the Synergy clips
It still has that more “modern” thickness that I guess you really can’t entirely dial out, even with the cleaner sounds. You can’t just turn down the gain and get a “classic” sound, it’s more like a modern sound with less gain LOL!
Hi Leon,I’m undecided on if I should get this module next or the deliverance?.Which do you prefer?.I already have the Slo module and the Uber module.Thanks
I like the deliverance for all around rock sounds but this does the cleaner and OTT gain sounds a little better IMO. Sounds like the Uber and SLO already deliver some wicked gain.
Hi Brent, I was hoping this was voiced after the powerball 2 as this was the one I was wanting and not the original powerball.I need a clean channel as well so I think this module fits the bill for me.
hey @Leon Todd engl or bogner for 80s thrash? i just got the Diezel and im disappointed with how "fuzzy" note definition was while i tried to play Raining Blood. engl or bogner. add the gain while retaining definition? the Synergy system has its grips in me! have 800, DS, the Diezel (which ill swap for a engl or bogner) and then im debating one other, possibly the ultralead
ENGL has always been weird for me. In the mixes of some legends it sounds great, but whenever I hear it alone, I get this image that even at low gain there's this buzz undervibe that tries to say that there's insane amount of distortion even when there's not. In higher gain it feels like it's coming more alive, but still it kinda feels like it lacks a bit of that juicyness I really like about turning gain up on amps, that it almost goes there but the design was to keep it really tight so it doesn't get juicy, it sounds dry in that sense. Nothing wrong with engl, just can't find my thing in it. Also is that a wii u on the desk? Nice workspace!
If you want to get a killer clean sound, use the gain and volume in reverse. It pretty much works on any amp with a gain and volume per channel. I get that Engl's are high gain monsters, if your going to have 2 modules in a Syn-2 it's a good tip to know when choosing modules.
Love your content and your channel... but man, this Synergy module doesn't sound like an ENGL at all. I own several Powerball over here and it has characteristic "balls" that this module seems to lack. Keep up the good work dude !
@@JimsMusicJourney Hi Jim, thanks for your reply. Yes, I know cabinets is a big part of the guitar sound, but using exactly the same signal path this module doesn't sound like my Powerballs (I have two of them). Same high end cables , same cabinet , same mics , same mic preamps, same converters... only changing the amp head this Synergy lacks the characteristic bite the real one has for sure. With respect.
Leon, you are the reason I purchased the Synergy Engl Powerball from this review, thank you!!! I have my gain WAY up to about 3 o'clock, mid boost in the middle position and gain on low position....red channel of course. Astounding ALL TUBE preamp! Definitely evokes ADA MP-1.
Great to hear! What a chunk machine
Brother Leon - love your reviews. Diversity of riffs gives a good idea of what to expect. Thank you!
My pleasure!
Dude that clean tone is way better than I expected
YES! JUST IN TIME! I'm right on the verge of buying one of these.
Just jumped into the Synergy world. Picked up a bunch of modules to test out like you have been doing (by the way, great job on dialing these in!). Got the Syn2 to test it through many actual tube power amps and then got a syn50 to see how Synergy's take translates w their modules through their own amp. Thanks for making these videos showing all the modules and talking through your take on them. I am platform agnostic and it seems you are too and that is awesome bc if it sounds good, it is good regardless of it being digital, analog or hybrid signal chains.
"Platform agnostic" - LOVE that and totally agree with you there
As much as I love high gain in general (and the ones here are great), I found myself oddly more attracted to the jangly or overdriven cleans. Somehow lots of character in those.
Dirty Shirley is a great one for that kind of thing!
Aye, we could always drop a dirt box in front of it.
I have to say I'm not surprised at all at that clean tone. My Special Edition has an awesome clean channel that you can beat the hell out of the strings and it won't break up. Very useable👍
The mighty Special Edition. Long have I lusted for one!
@@LeonTodd We'll have to hook up sometime and try to do a synced up demo of mine, especially now as they have been discontinued.
Exactly the review I was looking for, thank you mate!
Just bought Uberschall and Friedman BEBB...was interested of the Savage but the Powerball change my opinion wow!!
What do you like better about Powerball than Savage?
@LeonTodd Just like the yellow Strat I LOVE THE TONE OF THIS GUITAR!!!! Please feature it more often. "D"
I love it! I'd like to try it! I saw you mention Randall and I doubt the George Lynch and I think Satriani and a couple others, their modules probably won't work in this or do they? That would be nice, I hate companies start out with these great concepts or ideas and people get excited thinking they're great and then they stop making the products or updates for software etc because something new comes along. I do like this and the Vai.
I believe the Randall modules do work!
Good morning Leon! I love p90's!
Fender recently came out with the Noventa line. Tele, Strat and Jaguar I
Think. P90's All ! Noventa sounds like a new RA drug! Great gallop Brother! Be Well All!
Buzzed on Noventa!
High Gain Sounds friggin awesome, jangley not too bad either.
Oh yeah the red channel is ballsy! This and the Uber would be 2 great modules to have on the synergy platform. I enjoy playing the ENGL models in my FM3 also. ML Soundlab released a new ENGL cab IR pack. 👍
Dude! You sound right at home with the Powerball! Of course, you could make a 15 watt Gorilla combo sound fantastic, so there's that...Lol.
Hahaha actually been searching for an old Gorilla to demo.
Lol x2!
I've got one here in Russia acquired mid 90s in Canberra ACT. The one with a reverb tank. I "modded" it to a mini-head, taking it out of the combo enclosure. It's a single transistor design, taken it to a rehearsal space and had some fun running it through a 4x12 16ohm Orange cab (didn't do quite well in terms of keeping with the band volume). With an 8ohm 4x12 it did pretty reasonable to my surprise in a "loud drummer + 2 hi gain guitars + vocals with an acoustic + dirty bass" scenario. Cleans are quite capable and everything else is achievable with pedals in front. Plus it has some lush Nec 4558 opamp for the inbuilt drive. I've seen folks hunting those on ebay for silly crazy amounts of money compared to the actual value of this amp lol
Sounded awesome man , and I totally get that ADA vibe on the low gain , not sue if I missed it but have you played the SLO mod yet , thats one of my favs from the Synergy clips
Really keen to try the SLO at some point, seems to get universal praise!
So much stank face on the red channel. And then dogman. Ooooh yeah 🤘🏻
It still has that more “modern” thickness that I guess you really can’t entirely dial out, even with the cleaner sounds. You can’t just turn down the gain and get a “classic” sound, it’s more like a modern sound with less gain LOL!
Nice job man!
Yea this Blue channel is stupid good
Might be the biggest surprise out of all the modules I've tried so far. Lovely.
Awesomeness \m/ Thank you Leon
My pleasure! Hope you're well bro.
@@LeonTodd alls awesomeness! Just had a rather large bill from the mechanics 🙃hope to see you Tuesday! Loving the vids mate
Hi Leon,I’m undecided on if I should get this module next or the deliverance?.Which do you prefer?.I already have the Slo module and the Uber module.Thanks
I like the deliverance for all around rock sounds but this does the cleaner and OTT gain sounds a little better IMO. Sounds like the Uber and SLO already deliver some wicked gain.
Great vid Leon 🤘
When I DI the Diezel I'm using the Marksman and going all German tone!
@@LeonTodd oh that would be awesome 😊 🤘🤘
Very cool of you to demo these Leon 👍 How well do they fair into a solid state amp like a Matrix GT1000FX?
Great question, and one I'll definitely be addressing in a video very soon.
Hell yes synergy!
Sounds like it's voiced after the PBII, near exact actually.
Hi Brent,
I was hoping this was voiced after the powerball 2 as this was the one I was wanting and not the original powerball.I need a clean channel as well so I think this module fits the bill for me.
hey @Leon Todd engl or bogner for 80s thrash? i just got the Diezel and im disappointed with how "fuzzy" note definition was while i tried to play Raining Blood. engl or bogner. add the gain while retaining definition? the Synergy system has its grips in me! have 800, DS, the Diezel (which ill swap for a engl or bogner) and then im debating one other, possibly the ultralead
The uber is the best high gain for what I like - slap an SD-1 into it and it thrashes so hard
Really would love your take on the SLO module!
Yeah i really need to get my hands on one, everyone says it's epic!
Hey Leon, I'd swear I saw a video you made about the Synergy Bogner Uberschall, did you remove it ? Can't find it in your channel... Thanks !
Skip to about 12 mins in on this one ruclips.net/video/J35E_7UzoCY/видео.html
@@LeonTodd Thanks bro :) I thought it had its own video, my bad, of course I saw this one... Have a great week-end !
You too man. The Uber is my fave high gain module. That, DLX, Ecstacy and 800 are the keepers IMO
ENGL has always been weird for me. In the mixes of some legends it sounds great, but whenever I hear it alone, I get this image that even at low gain there's this buzz undervibe that tries to say that there's insane amount of distortion even when there's not. In higher gain it feels like it's coming more alive, but still it kinda feels like it lacks a bit of that juicyness I really like about turning gain up on amps, that it almost goes there but the design was to keep it really tight so it doesn't get juicy, it sounds dry in that sense. Nothing wrong with engl, just can't find my thing in it. Also is that a wii u on the desk? Nice workspace!
They definitely do their own thing, which comes with advantages and drawbacks.
Yeah i just scored a cheap Wiiu to set up for emulation!
Great👏
If you want to get a killer clean sound, use the gain and volume in reverse. It pretty much works on any amp with a gain and volume per channel. I get that Engl's are high gain monsters, if your going to have 2 modules in a Syn-2 it's a good tip to know when choosing modules.
Savage module sounds better
Love your content and your channel... but man, this Synergy module doesn't sound like an ENGL at all. I own several Powerball over here and it has characteristic "balls" that this module seems to lack. Keep up the good work dude !
I wonder if the magic there is in the power amp? I know ENGL do some cool stuff with their power amp designs.
@@LeonTodd I guess too... Powerballs are such a beasts and their power amp designs are thunderous solid. Thanks for kindly sharing these videos !
I have the module and it sounds very very close. It all depends on what cabinets you use. Cabinets change your sound drastically.
@@JimsMusicJourney Hi Jim, thanks for your reply. Yes, I know cabinets is a big part of the guitar sound, but using exactly the same signal path this module doesn't sound like my Powerballs (I have two of them). Same high end cables , same cabinet , same mics , same mic preamps, same converters... only changing the amp head this Synergy lacks the characteristic bite the real one has for sure. With respect.
ola englunds powerball demo made it absolutely sound like a PB head.....
why the tape covering the logo?
If I remember correctly, he did that some time back, as a joke.
Play authentic