Synergy is the greatest all tube gear company in the world. They make AMAZING sounding modules. They’re incredible!!! I’ve been watching the module technology evolve over the last 20 years and they have FINALLY reached a place where it’s absolute perfection.
Another awesome demonstration in the books. Thanks for comparing these! I've owned a Savage MKI and VH4. They get pretty damn close enough to call them the real deal. To my own ears, the only discrepancy I heard was with the VH4 module. It didn't sound stiff enough like the real amp but definitely the voicing is there. I actually prefer the Synergy in that respect!
@@MetalHeadProductions Its an acquired taste for sure. I remember dropping the cash on one and was deflated that first night. Sounded nothing like the descriptions I read on many forums online. After the 3rd day I finally learned how the amp worked and was much happier with the results I was getting but still not enough to keep the amp ultimately. It even takes boosts differently than most amps. A very unique amp for sure that I respect the hell out of but its not a tone I would live with permanently. Fun for certain things.
Got a SYN1 and the VH4 as my first module. Bought the VH4 cause same guy that sold me the SYN1 had it on offer at a good price. No expectations here and not chasing Adam Jones or Hetfield tones. A few things I've learned about it over the past week, some obvious, others not so much. First and most importantly, personally I find that the Sag knob on the SYN1 is the biggest key to success or failure with this module. Surprisingly, setting it with no sag at all wasn't as pleasing to my ear at all. Most of us expect a Diezel or (an ENGL) to have that tight, super fast response and love that about them. It's there but I found that with higher gain settings, it's actually a bit too much with no Sag dialed in. Opening it just a touch takes it from "too stiff and cutting" to something that's more enjoyable. Sag up anywhere between barely open and halfway makes it far more usable and sounds great to my ears. Sag past 50% YMMV. Second, the power amp seems to be a major part of the Synergy equation - either live or in the DAW. I tested the VH4 three ways: First thru Mark V:25. Sounds nice but I had not figured things out the Sag knob yet, Looking forward to going back and messing with that ASAP. Next tested with my Ampeg GVT15H (6L6) which is a cool little thing for American cleans to Stones and SunnO))) ...meaning it's a great pedal platform lol. VH4 sounded even better with the Ampeg but again, I had not figured out the Sag setting. Currently, I have it hooked up direct with cab sim OFF and using TwoNotes software with power amp sim and DynIR's. I can't stress enough how big a difference the Power Amp settings make in the TwoNotes software but overall, sounds fucking awesome to me. Best results with Gain no more than 2:00 for chugging rhythm, lead settings to taste. Bass at 11:00 usable up to 2:00-3:00 or so but I haven't pushed it extensively for long enough to really explore. Mids and Treble to taste and controls are pretty usable thru the range. Hit it with the MXR Custom Badass Modified OD or Walrus Ages and it's sugar tits. Just a more stiff, frosty kind of tone out of the box with a few unxepected adjustments making a lot of difference IMO.
Great great demo, Savage one this race for me. BE second. Uberschall is awesome , Slo and the Deliverance are my 3 favorites. Think I may have to look out for a Savage.
@@MetalHeadProductions Same here. I almost thought something was wrong with it when I first heard it. Had a lot of low end heft in a bad way in the isolated clips.
Wow! This demo was real eye opener for me! I have never heard these amps side by side. Very distinct tone between the three, and more than just a little. I would really like to switch to synergy in the near future. Its much cheaper way to get selection of some legendary amps. It make cost a bit to get into it but once you do the modules at about $300 some dollars a pop is far cheaper the putting the money out for new head and all the tube upkeep for each individual amp head. So whats the difference between using these and using different pre amp pedals per say?
Always brilliant killer vids this one helped my narrow down my next two modules …great vid
Wish I had more time with the diezel tbh. I feel I should have just scooped the hell out of it to deal with that fatty low mid.
Synergy is the greatest all tube gear company in the world. They make AMAZING sounding modules. They’re incredible!!! I’ve been watching the module technology evolve over the last 20 years and they have FINALLY reached a place where it’s absolute perfection.
Another awesome demonstration in the books. Thanks for comparing these! I've owned a Savage MKI and VH4. They get pretty damn close enough to call them the real deal. To my own ears, the only discrepancy I heard was with the VH4 module. It didn't sound stiff enough like the real amp but definitely the voicing is there. I actually prefer the Synergy in that respect!
the VH4 was really hard to dial in a tone I liked with, unfortunately.
@@MetalHeadProductions Its an acquired taste for sure. I remember dropping the cash on one and was deflated that first night. Sounded nothing like the descriptions I read on many forums online. After the 3rd day I finally learned how the amp worked and was much happier with the results I was getting but still not enough to keep the amp ultimately. It even takes boosts differently than most amps. A very unique amp for sure that I respect the hell out of but its not a tone I would live with permanently. Fun for certain things.
Got a SYN1 and the VH4 as my first module. Bought the VH4 cause same guy that sold me the SYN1 had it on offer at a good price. No expectations here and not chasing Adam Jones or Hetfield tones. A few things I've learned about it over the past week, some obvious, others not so much.
First and most importantly, personally I find that the Sag knob on the SYN1 is the biggest key to success or failure with this module. Surprisingly, setting it with no sag at all wasn't as pleasing to my ear at all. Most of us expect a Diezel or (an ENGL) to have that tight, super fast response and love that about them. It's there but I found that with higher gain settings, it's actually a bit too much with no Sag dialed in. Opening it just a touch takes it from "too stiff and cutting" to something that's more enjoyable. Sag up anywhere between barely open and halfway makes it far more usable and sounds great to my ears. Sag past 50% YMMV.
Second, the power amp seems to be a major part of the Synergy equation - either live or in the DAW. I tested the VH4 three ways: First thru Mark V:25. Sounds nice but I had not figured things out the Sag knob yet, Looking forward to going back and messing with that ASAP. Next tested with my Ampeg GVT15H (6L6) which is a cool little thing for American cleans to Stones and SunnO))) ...meaning it's a great pedal platform lol. VH4 sounded even better with the Ampeg but again, I had not figured out the Sag setting. Currently, I have it hooked up direct with cab sim OFF and using TwoNotes software with power amp sim and DynIR's. I can't stress enough how big a difference the Power Amp settings make in the TwoNotes software but overall, sounds fucking awesome to me.
Best results with Gain no more than 2:00 for chugging rhythm, lead settings to taste. Bass at 11:00 usable up to 2:00-3:00 or so but I haven't pushed it extensively for long enough to really explore. Mids and Treble to taste and controls are pretty usable thru the range. Hit it with the MXR Custom Badass Modified OD or Walrus Ages and it's sugar tits. Just a more stiff, frosty kind of tone out of the box with a few unxepected adjustments making a lot of difference IMO.
Great great demo, Savage one this race for me. BE second. Uberschall is awesome , Slo and the Deliverance are my 3 favorites. Think I may have to look out for a Savage.
IICP kicked the crap out of the others in the mix.
Wow, the VH4 voicing is drastically different in a way I didn’t expect.
I didn't really dig that module, loved the others though
@@MetalHeadProductions Same here. I almost thought something was wrong with it when I first heard it. Had a lot of low end heft in a bad way in the isolated clips.
@@seanmackay6739 yeah buckets of low end but not a lot of it usable
Wow! This demo was real eye opener for me! I have never heard these amps side by side. Very distinct tone between the three, and more than just a little. I would really like to switch to synergy in the near future. Its much cheaper way to get selection of some legendary amps. It make cost a bit to get into it but once you do the modules at about $300 some dollars a pop is far cheaper the putting the money out for new head and all the tube upkeep for each individual amp head.
So whats the difference between using these and using different pre amp pedals per say?
These are tube driven, at least in part, that's a big difference.
Bogner Uberschall
i have the Engl Savage Mkii amp. The module is pretty cool… but doesnt sound as “Savage” as the real deal. you’re definitely missing out
Oh for sure, I've gotten to play on a Savage a couple times, great amp, do plan to own one eventually.
@@MetalHeadProductions can’t wait to see you rip on that thing!
IIcp and Engl sound best. I don't like the vh4 for some reason on this video.