Don't know why but I love it 🤣 (I did grow up in the dawn of computers and atari consoles). Don't stop doing it... who wants to be plain old John when you can be 'digital John'...😁
I remember my guitar teacher showing me this over 20 years ago with my Marshall Valvestate VS100 and a Zoom 4040. I couldn’t believe how much better everything sounded. Using the amp distortion, with the delay and other effects from the zoom. Great method.
I was doing this with the Badcat 30R and the Quad Cortex, but 4 cables is a pain in the ass. I simplified the whole thing with one out from the Quad Cortex into the effects return on the amp. I just set up the preamp how I like it and captured it with the Quad Cortex from amp input to Effects send. It sounds exactly the same when you A/B them between the captured preamp and the real preamp. I can also now use any of the other amps in the Quad if I want as well without wasting a block on an effects loop in the Quad Cortex.
I use the 4 cable method to put my Jack v4 pre-amp pedal into my VX Kraken. Basically gives me a 4-channel amp whilst preserving the effects signal path. Love it!
I just recently discovered this "4 cable" configuration and use it with my old Digitech GSP-1101 and a couple of different amps that have effect loops. With the GSP-1101 in this configuration, it puts effects like distortions, overdrives, compressors, etc. "in front" of the amp and modulation, delay, and reverb effects thru the amp's effects loop. You can also use the amp modelling in the GSP-1101 if desired. Pretty nice way to keep the authentic tone of your amp and not have to deal with the hassle of a pedal board (i.e. noise, hum, cable breakdowns, etc.).
Main reason why I gave up on multi effects. ^^^^ Honestly the cheaper multifx brands should do a split pedal, one with the preamp effects, one with post amp. That way the 4 cable method is still possible but not essential.
After I got my Katana v1 and combined it with a Pod HD500X, knowing the 4 cable method was essential. Nice to see a video from Andertons about it like.. 7 years later lol. But Must See/Know information for sure!
This is my home setup only with an AXEFXIII in 4CM. I also use an OX box and get both the DI and cab output running at the same time giving me the best of both worlds.
I'm "rooting" for you guys! Seriously, I learned something from watching this. Thank you. I plan to use this method with my EVH 5150III, Gibson M-III and my Boss MX-100. Very helpful.
I'm using HX Effects + Catalyst 100 in 4CM + MIDI to control the amp boost and presets. It was easy to setup, and it sounds better than I expected for a lot less money than should be possible. Works great, sounds great.
@@stratsmyboy7169 The Catalyst 100 and HX Effects (Helix) manuals have instructions for 4 cable method (4CM). 1. Guitar into the input of HX; 2. HX Send into input of Catalyst; 3. Catalyst Send into HX Return; 4. HX Out into Catalyst Return. Not sure on the MIDI commands in the Helix, but I use the HX Editor. Look at the MIDI preset mappings in the Catalyst user guide. Use Instant commands (lightning bolt) to set the Catalyst preset channel when you select a HX Patch: Set the Catalyst Amp Instant 1 MIDI Channel: Base BankCC00: Off BankCC32: Off Program: 1-12 Program =1, is Catalyst preset 1A; Program =2, is Catalyst preset 1B, etc. up to program=12, is Catalyst preset 6B. For the Catalyst boost control: Set the Catalyst Boost on/off Assign Footswitch, e.g., FootSwitch 1 CC Toggle MIDI CC 25 use: 0=off; 127 On Dim Value: 0; Lit Value: 127 Type: Latching Switch LED: Pick your color for amp boost
MIDI CC 25 0-63=Off; 64-127 = On Boost Bypass/Enable Controls bypass state of the Boost (matches button behavior)
@@stratsmyboy7169 Yes, you'll need a standard 5-pin MIDI from HX to Catalyst 100. Catalyst 60 doesn't have standard MIDI but does MIDI over USB I think?
I use the 4CM with my Orange Super Crush. I've got a pedalboard that includes a variety of things, including a HX Stomp. I've set it up this way because I want to use the amp's dirty channel. If I was just using the clean channel I wouldn't bother. If you run your amp completely clean you may as well put the whole board in front of the amp.
I used it with me old GT-5, back in 1998. Gets you the best of all worlds. Send all the drives, distortion, wah etc to the preamp, all the modulation, delays and whatnot after the preamp. Didin't use the amp models - which weren't stellar - but the option was there, I guess. No real options for sending stuff to different outs without a lot of faffing about, though.
Basically, the 4 cable method allows you to (among other things) separate out your signal paths and decide which paths you’d like your signal to take. In this specific example; Guitar into FX unit, bypass the preamp and just use the power section of your amp to boost the simulated cab signal and send that signal, to a cab or PA? Sure! Guitar into FX into front of the amp back into FX add your loop effects and back into the power amp? Sure. A combination of those things and send a DI into your computer or to front of house? Sure. This will also allow you to combine different analog and digital signal chains, so floor effects into the loop (before or after) effects assigned by your Digital FX unit for example. The cabling can get pretty busy though. Just remember never plug in an amp head without a speaker cabinet or load box attached or you’re going to have a bad time. It’s all about options.
You should do the same demo with the new UAFX amp pedals, they support 4CM and it's a cool way of either adding an additional "Channel" to your existing amp of just giving you more tonal options.
If you can assign two effects blocks to one footswitch, then you can assign both the simulated amp and the effects loop to one footswitch and then toggle between the tube amp and the simulated amp
I use the 4 cable method to put my drive pedals and 5150 into the loop of my Sentry noise gate. Then my chorus, reverb, delay and 10 band eq come in the return of the fx loop on the 5150.
I know that the conventional way to use 4 cable method with multi-effects is to start with the guitar into the multi-effect input, then from the send to the amp input, then from the amp send to the multi-effect return, then from the multi-effect output to the amp return. However, what are the pros/cons of doing it backwards? (Ie, start with guitar into the amp input, then amp send to multi-effect input, then multi-effect send to amp return, then amp send to multi-effect return, then multi-effect output to DI/speakers?)
The best tones Iv’e ever recorded was a Marshall Origin 20H in 4CM with the Helix and an SM7B on the cab going into the UAD Neve 1084 and LA-2A Grey. So smooth and full sounding, great edge of breakup tone! But I ended up selling the Amp because I thought I had a hum issue, turns out the outlets in my studio weren’t grounded properly and I didn’t know it... Wish I kept it.
Okay, you're right I am confused. Are you saying that you send the identical signal to the amp and front of stage? Do you sell 4 cables connected together (for tidiness)? Does the audience hear both outputs? While I'm at it I wonder why Andersons don't come up with a budget tiny amp pedal (say 50Watt and 100Watt versions) that have just an EQ knob and a volume. If it's are pedals or a Multi FX unit all I want, I think, is a really clean amp with everything before it doing the work. Like a trimmed down version of the Orange Pedal Baby. This could be really small and I think really popular.
Great interesting post, however why do us guitarists keep making things far too complicated, more cables etc, but understand the example of 4 cable rules
I’ve tried no stage sounds and straight to the front and it feels so odd in my opinion. An amplifier on stage and a send to the front instead of mics on the amps is my favorite mode of house rocking. So, this video idea was sweet and helpful! Digital John is a sweet nick name too! My old boss’s nick name for me was and I quote… “That stupid lazy pecker head from Bangor High”
Hi I wondered if you could possibly cover the 7 cable method. I use a Marshall DS1hr and a Blackstar HT5 and the floor unit is a Line 6. HX FX. I love the content that you put up, recently in particular, the Beetronics. Awesome stuff and rock on!
I don't play live so this is all new to me. What would be the purpose of sending the signal direct to FOH, rather than just having the cab mic'd on stage?
Can we technically do this without the amp if we just did multiple outputs to FOH? One output with the guitar and the dry signal and another output with 100% wet effects? Or just send a stereo out to FOH and have it routed like a 4 cable method with one row being dry and one row being fully wet?
Question: Sometimes I will be playing out of an amp with effects loop, and sometimes not (vintage Marshall, Fender, etc.) Is there a way to set up a pedal board where I can use the 4 cable method, sending some effects to the loop and some straight into the amp front end, and then also have all pedals going into the front end for an amp without an effects loop, without having to rewire the pedal chain to accommodate these two options? Thanks, Dan
Hi, at 10:10 video. How do I assign on QC footswitch to automatically change the clean / drive amp channel, WITHOUT MIDI? Similar to Boss GT 100, AMP CTL control amp with a stereo cable.
I don’t understand: does it means I can use the simulated pre-amp or the real pre-amp before the power amp and the cabinet? It’s not mentioned in the quad cortex manual.
Tried this out with my new prs mt 15. Plugged in the headrush mx5 and it’s good on the clean channel but there’s a loud hum that muffled the tone in the dirty. Any solutions for this?
Yeh, being that the purpose of this video was to show how to use the 4 cable method you should've used different colored cables. Those who are new to it will still need to, as you said "look it up."
I've got the same rig but with a Helix LT. I'm getting major 'hum' when I do this method that's not there individually. Anyone have the same problem or have a solution?
So lets say Ive got my amp sound on stage, then my xlrs going to the desk.... If the stage sound is superior and preferable to the QC tones, why even bother? Or is it about blending the two. It makes me feel stupid as iIdont understand the point lol.
microphones on a guitar cab is the way my heroes did it. when people think of a tone in their head, its always a micd guitar cab that was recorded. imagine going to a top recording studio and the engineer saying, " we will plug you into the d.i and simulate a cab for your recording". never happened. ever.
Man, Oz really did me dirty with that intro shot!!
Very digital
Is that 4 bit?
😂🤣😜
Well any screen time is good screen time. You're getting popular on the channel buddy.
Don't know why but I love it 🤣 (I did grow up in the dawn of computers and atari consoles). Don't stop doing it... who wants to be plain old John when you can be 'digital John'...😁
I remember my guitar teacher showing me this over 20 years ago with my Marshall Valvestate VS100 and a Zoom 4040. I couldn’t believe how much better everything sounded. Using the amp distortion, with the delay and other effects from the zoom. Great method.
I was doing this with the Badcat 30R and the Quad Cortex, but 4 cables is a pain in the ass. I simplified the whole thing with one out from the Quad Cortex into the effects return on the amp. I just set up the preamp how I like it and captured it with the Quad Cortex from amp input to Effects send. It sounds exactly the same when you A/B them between the captured preamp and the real preamp. I can also now use any of the other amps in the Quad if I want as well without wasting a block on an effects loop in the Quad Cortex.
I use the 4 cable method to put my Jack v4 pre-amp pedal into my VX Kraken. Basically gives me a 4-channel amp whilst preserving the effects signal path. Love it!
I have a v4 Kraken to go into my Duchess Deluxe too
Do you put time based effects between the preamp and the amp then ?
I just recently discovered this "4 cable" configuration and use it with my old Digitech GSP-1101 and a couple of different amps that have effect loops. With the GSP-1101 in this configuration, it puts effects like distortions, overdrives, compressors, etc. "in front" of the amp and modulation, delay, and reverb effects thru the amp's effects loop. You can also use the amp modelling in the GSP-1101 if desired. Pretty nice way to keep the authentic tone of your amp and not have to deal with the hassle of a pedal board (i.e. noise, hum, cable breakdowns, etc.).
Main reason why I gave up on multi effects. ^^^^
Honestly the cheaper multifx brands should do a split pedal, one with the preamp effects, one with post amp. That way the 4 cable method is still possible but not essential.
Anybody else replaying John’s guitar licks? I was not ready for that kind of shredding🙌🏼
After I got my Katana v1 and combined it with a Pod HD500X, knowing the 4 cable method was essential. Nice to see a video from Andertons about it like.. 7 years later lol. But Must See/Know information for sure!
This is my home setup only with an AXEFXIII in 4CM. I also use an OX box and get both the DI and cab output running at the same time giving me the best of both worlds.
Can you get the Axe to change channels on the EVH?
I just ordered a QC and I have a couple tube amps. I never even thought about using it like this. Great video
I'm "rooting" for you guys! Seriously, I learned something from watching this. Thank you. I plan to use this method with my EVH 5150III, Gibson M-III and my Boss MX-100. Very helpful.
My main rig for heavy stuff is an ENGL Fireball 100 in 4cm with an Helix. Works great.
I'm using HX Effects + Catalyst 100 in 4CM + MIDI to control the amp boost and presets. It was easy to setup, and it sounds better than I expected for a lot less money than should be possible.
Works great, sounds great.
I have the same set up but with the helix but im new to it. Can you let me know your set up and how you created a path on the line 6
@@stratsmyboy7169 The Catalyst 100 and HX Effects (Helix) manuals have instructions for 4 cable method (4CM).
1. Guitar into the input of HX; 2. HX Send into input of Catalyst; 3. Catalyst Send into HX Return; 4. HX Out into Catalyst Return.
Not sure on the MIDI commands in the Helix, but I use the HX Editor. Look at the MIDI preset mappings in the Catalyst user guide. Use Instant commands (lightning bolt) to set the Catalyst preset channel when you select a HX Patch:
Set the Catalyst Amp
Instant 1
MIDI Channel: Base
BankCC00: Off
BankCC32: Off
Program: 1-12
Program =1, is Catalyst preset 1A; Program =2, is Catalyst preset 1B, etc. up to program=12, is Catalyst preset 6B.
For the Catalyst boost control:
Set the Catalyst Boost on/off
Assign Footswitch, e.g., FootSwitch 1
CC Toggle
MIDI CC 25 use: 0=off; 127 On
Dim Value: 0; Lit Value: 127
Type: Latching
Switch LED: Pick your color for amp boost
MIDI CC 25 0-63=Off; 64-127 = On Boost Bypass/Enable
Controls bypass state of the Boost (matches button behavior)
Thanks thats really great. Will i need a midi cable also?
@@stratsmyboy7169 Yes, you'll need a standard 5-pin MIDI from HX to Catalyst 100. Catalyst 60 doesn't have standard MIDI but does MIDI over USB I think?
Even the old Boss GT-10 supports 4CM. I use GT-10 w/MIDI channel switching together with either JVM or Super Kraken as required.
I use the 4CM with my Orange Super Crush. I've got a pedalboard that includes a variety of things, including a HX Stomp. I've set it up this way because I want to use the amp's dirty channel. If I was just using the clean channel I wouldn't bother. If you run your amp completely clean you may as well put the whole board in front of the amp.
The super crush clean is so good with drive pedals straight in, delay / fx etc sound better via the loop to me 👍
Thank you for making a video I need so desperately! I've always needed a better explanation before buying a multi FX unit.
I used it with me old GT-5, back in 1998. Gets you the best of all worlds. Send all the drives, distortion, wah etc to the preamp, all the modulation, delays and whatnot after the preamp. Didin't use the amp models - which weren't stellar - but the option was there, I guess. No real options for sending stuff to different outs without a lot of faffing about, though.
I’ve been waiting for something like this. Thank you 🙏
IIRC, it *has* to be a serial effects loop, which is the majority of them. I know many Laney amps have parallel effects loops.
Basically, the 4 cable method allows you to (among other things) separate out your signal paths and decide which paths you’d like your signal to take. In this specific example;
Guitar into FX unit, bypass the preamp and just use the power section of your amp to boost the simulated cab signal and send that signal, to a cab or PA? Sure!
Guitar into FX into front of the amp back into FX add your loop effects and back into the power amp? Sure.
A combination of those things and send a DI into your computer or to front of house? Sure.
This will also allow you to combine different analog and digital signal chains, so floor effects into the loop (before or after) effects assigned by your Digital FX unit for example.
The cabling can get pretty busy though.
Just remember never plug in an amp head without a speaker cabinet or load box attached or you’re going to have a bad time.
It’s all about options.
One more cable for stereo perhaps…😊
Love that P90 equipped Chapman "T" style guitar! Very nice.
You should do the same demo with the new UAFX amp pedals, they support 4CM and it's a cool way of either adding an additional "Channel" to your existing amp of just giving you more tonal options.
The digital John bit killed me 😂
You allways forget Boss Gt1000. It does it all, and hás the chanel switching.
Cheers from Portugal 🤘🍺🇵🇹
Lee got a new Rolex. He's a man of taste, I see
Didn't know the Amazing Spider-Man could play guitar. Sweet catch
If you can assign two effects blocks to one footswitch, then you can assign both the simulated amp and the effects loop to one footswitch and then toggle between the tube amp and the simulated amp
I always run 4 cable method (5 actually if you count the MIDI cable to switch amp channels) with my Helix or HX Stomp into a REVV Generator amp.
DIGITAL JOHN!!!!!
This is just a trick to sell me more cables. 😂
😂😂😂😂😂
"5 cable method" with a midi controlled amp is my jam.
It's this kind of stuff that makes me glad I just plug straight in
That guitar is gorgeous but I might be biased because I own one :)
Run the tube preamp into the multi effects, best of both worlds.
I use the 4 cable method to put my drive pedals and 5150 into the loop of my Sentry noise gate. Then my chorus, reverb, delay and 10 band eq come in the return of the fx loop on the 5150.
I know that the conventional way to use 4 cable method with multi-effects is to start with the guitar into the multi-effect input, then from the send to the amp input, then from the amp send to the multi-effect return, then from the multi-effect output to the amp return. However, what are the pros/cons of doing it backwards? (Ie, start with guitar into the amp input, then amp send to multi-effect input, then multi-effect send to amp return, then amp send to multi-effect return, then multi-effect output to DI/speakers?)
The best tones Iv’e ever recorded was a Marshall Origin 20H in 4CM with the Helix and an SM7B on the cab going into the UAD Neve 1084 and LA-2A Grey. So smooth and full sounding, great edge of breakup tone! But I ended up selling the Amp because I thought I had a hum issue, turns out the outlets in my studio weren’t grounded properly and I didn’t know it... Wish I kept it.
Great! Thank you for explaining this!
Okay, you're right I am confused. Are you saying that you send the identical signal to the amp and front of stage? Do you sell 4 cables connected together (for tidiness)? Does the audience hear both outputs? While I'm at it I wonder why Andersons don't come up with a budget tiny amp pedal (say 50Watt and 100Watt versions) that have just an EQ knob and a volume. If it's are pedals or a Multi FX unit all I want, I think, is a really clean amp with everything before it doing the work. Like a trimmed down version of the Orange Pedal Baby. This could be really small and I think really popular.
What CAB IR did you use and what speakers in the live cab? And did you have to tweak the cab IR to make both outputs sound similar?
Lee - that explaination at the start was really clear 👍 - especially cool about the separate FOH and amp outputs from the fx!
Great interesting post, however why do us guitarists keep making things far too complicated, more cables etc, but understand the example of 4 cable rules
Could you guys do a video about the best active cab / wedge monitor for quad cortex
I’ve tried no stage sounds and straight to the front and it feels so odd in my opinion. An amplifier on stage and a send to the front instead of mics on the amps is my favorite mode of house rocking. So, this video idea was sweet and helpful! Digital John is a sweet nick name too! My old boss’s nick name for me was and I quote…
“That stupid lazy pecker head from Bangor High”
Hi I wondered if you could possibly cover the 7 cable method. I use a Marshall DS1hr and a Blackstar HT5 and the floor unit is a Line 6. HX FX. I love the content that you put up, recently in particular, the Beetronics. Awesome stuff and rock on!
Can you get the QC to change amp channels on the Kraken? Seems like you can only do this with MIDI which the Kraken doesn’t have. Thanks!
Hello ! You have a preset of this in the quad cortex cloud ???? Thanks
Do the same with jcm800 and headrush gigboard... Killer !!!!!!!!
I don't play live so this is all new to me. What would be the purpose of sending the signal direct to FOH, rather than just having the cab mic'd on stage?
Can we technically do this without the amp if we just did multiple outputs to FOH? One output with the guitar and the dry signal and another output with 100% wet effects? Or just send a stereo out to FOH and have it routed like a 4 cable method with one row being dry and one row being fully wet?
I do this with all my amps. It’s killer small rig with my amp 1 bluguitar iridium
I will have nightmares about 8-bit Digital John
Question: Sometimes I will be playing out of an amp with effects loop, and sometimes not (vintage Marshall, Fender, etc.) Is there a way to set up a pedal board where I can use the 4 cable method, sending some effects to the loop and some straight into the amp front end, and then also have all pedals going into the front end for an amp without an effects loop, without having to rewire the pedal chain to accommodate these two options? Thanks, Dan
Interesting. Can you blend the output so have speaker cab and DI output together ?
I use my GT 1000 this way. Quite a learning curve but once you figure it out its a great method.
How can You switch amp channels using quad cortex?
It doesn't have any ctrl outputs, only expression inputs.
I hace the same doubt
I have a HD 500x and a Catatalyst amp. I know what your thinking (HD 500 dinosaur!) How do I use the 4-cable method?
You actually do 3 cable also
Guitar direct to input of amp optional OD pedal and the QC thru effects loop of amp
Hi, at 10:10 video. How do I assign on QC footswitch to automatically change the clean / drive amp channel, WITHOUT MIDI? Similar to Boss GT 100, AMP CTL control amp with a stereo cable.
9:20 - 9:30 Why does the sound differ from the amp miked and from the Di signal? What’s the nature of it
I don’t understand: does it means I can use the simulated pre-amp or the real pre-amp before the power amp and the cabinet? It’s not mentioned in the quad cortex manual.
Why was there no "4 cable method" before RUclips? In the 90s it was simply "using the effects loop".
Tried this out with my new prs mt 15. Plugged in the headrush mx5 and it’s good on the clean channel but there’s a loud hum that muffled the tone in the dirty.
Any solutions for this?
The four cable method sounds like a Two Ronnies sketch
"No... I meant the fork-able method"
I'm lost. Perhaps there should be a simple one multi-pin plug design that sends and receives. How much easier would it all be.
So you're using the FX loop the way the FX loop was designed to be used. Great.
Also works with regular pedals
One more demo to prove that the real amps sounds better ^^
Please note that it's an abolutely objective statement.
Yeh, being that the purpose of this video was to show how to use the 4 cable method you should've used different colored cables. Those who are new to it will still need to, as you said "look it up."
Check out 8:31 beautiful playing
All the tones of your tube amp. Double the latency of using the modeller by itself. I'm all set.
To be honest latency isn’t really a thing on modelers for the last 5 years at least.
I used to know what the 4 cable method was. Then this video happened.
D.I. is a bit sizzly.
What happened to John's bandana???
Much prefer the microphone sounds
"...goes round 'n round, oh ooo whoa oh ooo whoa, an' it comes out here"
(well somewhere (?) 😵💫) Cheerios (but don't eat it)
I've got the same rig but with a Helix LT. I'm getting major 'hum' when I do this method that's not there individually. Anyone have the same problem or have a solution?
Probably getting a ground loop. Is the amp and modeller plugged into the same outlet?
@@sugarprobe Ahh okay. Yeah they are, but neither of them are doing it individually in the same outlet 🤷🏻♂️
Tried it with my Pod GO, didn't like it, plus the hassle
So lets say Ive got my amp sound on stage, then my xlrs going to the desk.... If the stage sound is superior and preferable to the QC tones, why even bother? Or is it about blending the two. It makes me feel stupid as iIdont understand the point lol.
What a Player... *
If u watch on mute lee is explaining how arsenal set up on the pitch to bottle the league
The DI coming through an IR with an EQC you say? WTF?!
Just me or does Digital John look like he could be Max Payne’s son?
You buy a QC because it captures the amp, then you plug into the amp you captured 😳
Do you need a guitar? That wasn't specified. So confused.
Still dont get it!!!!!!!!!!!
Captain looks kinda feverish
You English boys love them Victory amps doesn’t ya?…..lol I don’t really speak that way just kidding around.
Ouroboros - the snake eating itself
You shoulda pinched one off before shooting that vid. Both of you were all stopped up.. The Captain and Cool Shakes…
I still don't understand di and cabs and all this bullshit
microphones on a guitar cab is the way my heroes did it. when people think of a tone in their head, its always a micd guitar cab that was recorded. imagine going to a top recording studio and the engineer saying, " we will plug you into the d.i and simulate a cab for your recording". never happened. ever.
More confused
“Explain to us very quickly”….you explain nothing quickly
Another hacker like "Telegram" now it's "@whatsapp"
Get a life, people/person