13noon
07-13-2004, 06:05 PM
Amplifier terms explained
Combo: an amp that has the amplifier and the speaker or speakers in the same unit. Also see the note under Speaker Cabinets.
Effects Loop: Also known as an FX loop. An effects loop is a loop going between the preamp and the power amp that effects can be placed in. There are two kinds:
Parallel: The signal coming from the preamp is split between going straight to the power amp and going through the loop. A mix control allows you to choose how much goes where.
Series: All of the signal from the preamp goes through the loop before going through the power amp.
Head: An amplifier without speakers, designed to be plugged into a speaker cabinet.
Preamp (Pre-amp): 1. The first stage in an amplifier, it takes the weak signal coming from the guitar and boosts it as well as shaping the tone and adding distortion. You can also get a rackmount standalone preamp.
2. An effects processor or other device designed to be plugged in between the guitar and the amp.
Power Amp: The second stage in an amplifier, it boosts the signal coming from the preamp and conditions it to drive the speakers. You can also get a rackmount standalone power amp.
Speaker Cabinet: (“cab”) A cabinet containing one or more speakers, to give sound to a head or to boost a combo.
Naming a speaker cabinet/combo: Speaker cabinets and combos are both named by how many speakers they have and what size they are. For example, a 2x12 combo/cab has 2 twelve inch speakers, and a 1x10 has one ten inch speaker.
Stack: a combination of a head and a speaker cabinet.
Half Stack: a head and one 4x12 cab.
Full Stack: a head with two 4x12 cabs.
What’s the difference between tube and solid state amps?
Tube amps: (Also known as “Valve”) Use vacuum tubes as resistors in the amplifier circuit. It is overloading a tube until it starts “clipping” the signal that creates overdrive and distortion. They are much more expensive than solid state, but most people think they sound much better. The tubes do need to be replaced every now and then, about six months more or less depending on use.
Solid state amps: Use solid-state resistors in the amplifier circuit. They are inexpensive and relatively maintenance-free. Most people think they do not sound as good as tube amps, but new technology and modeling amps (such as the Line 6) make them sound very good nonetheless.
Hybrid Amps: Usually have a tube preamp and a solid state power amp (such as the Marshall AVT series). they are usually a good compromise between tone and price.
Combo: an amp that has the amplifier and the speaker or speakers in the same unit. Also see the note under Speaker Cabinets.
Effects Loop: Also known as an FX loop. An effects loop is a loop going between the preamp and the power amp that effects can be placed in. There are two kinds:
Parallel: The signal coming from the preamp is split between going straight to the power amp and going through the loop. A mix control allows you to choose how much goes where.
Series: All of the signal from the preamp goes through the loop before going through the power amp.
Head: An amplifier without speakers, designed to be plugged into a speaker cabinet.
Preamp (Pre-amp): 1. The first stage in an amplifier, it takes the weak signal coming from the guitar and boosts it as well as shaping the tone and adding distortion. You can also get a rackmount standalone preamp.
2. An effects processor or other device designed to be plugged in between the guitar and the amp.
Power Amp: The second stage in an amplifier, it boosts the signal coming from the preamp and conditions it to drive the speakers. You can also get a rackmount standalone power amp.
Speaker Cabinet: (“cab”) A cabinet containing one or more speakers, to give sound to a head or to boost a combo.
Naming a speaker cabinet/combo: Speaker cabinets and combos are both named by how many speakers they have and what size they are. For example, a 2x12 combo/cab has 2 twelve inch speakers, and a 1x10 has one ten inch speaker.
Stack: a combination of a head and a speaker cabinet.
Half Stack: a head and one 4x12 cab.
Full Stack: a head with two 4x12 cabs.
What’s the difference between tube and solid state amps?
Tube amps: (Also known as “Valve”) Use vacuum tubes as resistors in the amplifier circuit. It is overloading a tube until it starts “clipping” the signal that creates overdrive and distortion. They are much more expensive than solid state, but most people think they sound much better. The tubes do need to be replaced every now and then, about six months more or less depending on use.
Solid state amps: Use solid-state resistors in the amplifier circuit. They are inexpensive and relatively maintenance-free. Most people think they do not sound as good as tube amps, but new technology and modeling amps (such as the Line 6) make them sound very good nonetheless.
Hybrid Amps: Usually have a tube preamp and a solid state power amp (such as the Marshall AVT series). they are usually a good compromise between tone and price.