when to use mono/stereo setting on Marshall cab?

[deftgala]

I have always been confused by this option. I have no idea when its necessary to use mono or stereo inputs.

Not only that, but with the stereo input, there is the 4/8 ohm option. And with the mono input, there is the 8/16 ohm option.

Can someone please clarify when to use mono/stereo option, as well as the best ohm setting for a particular situation?

[STRATDELUXER97]

I have always been confused by this option. I have no idea when its necessary to use mono or stereo inputs.

Not only that, but with the stereo input, there is the 4/8 ohm option. And with the mono input, there is the 8/16 ohm option.

Can someone please clarify when to use mono/stereo option, as well as the best ohm setting for a particular situation?

Pretty simple and I own the AV 4X12 cab....

If you wanted to run a stereo head...My Vox Valvetronix head is a perfect example...I use both sides of the cab(Stereo) and run into each side of the cab....Each side is 8 ohms...My Vox head gets set for 8 ohms also..

If I wanted to run say a Fender 4 ohm head into the 4x12s in mono..I'd set the cab to mono 4 ohms...

If I wanted to run my Marshall head at 16 ohms through the 4x12s in mono, I'd set the cab for mono 16 ohms....

Even cooler....Let's say I just want to run through only 2x12s out of the 4x12 cab? I'd then set my amp head for 8 ohms and just use one side of the 4x12,but I'd set the 4x12 for stereo and just use 1 side of my cab...

The trick is knowing your impedences between your amp and your cab and matching those impedences...The mono/stereo cab is just a versatile way of being able to use the cab with lots of different amps..

[TwilightOdyssey]

Interesting thread!
Thanx for the helpful info, Stratdeluxer!!

[Jeff_H]

Can someone just come over and hook mine up so all the speakers work, and the little lights come on?

[Gearjoneser]

The best thing about a stereo cab is that you can stack two heads on the top, set the cab for stereo, and use 1 head into the left speakers and the 2nd head into the right speakers, then use an ABY pedal to switch between the heads. Onstage, you'd have to mic both sides, of course.

If you have a regular amp head, it's unnessesary to use the cab in stereo with two cables. John's Valvetronix is a stereo head, so it makes sense for him to do it.

[STRATDELUXER97]

The best thing about a stereo cab is that you can stack two heads on the top, set the cab for stereo, and use 1 head into the left speakers and the 2nd head into the right speakers, then use an ABY pedal to switch between the heads. Onstage, you'd have to mic both sides, of course.

If you have a regular amp head, it's unnessesary to use the cab in stereo with two cables. John's Valvetronix is a stereo head, so it makes sense for him to do it.

Yep....I used to run my 1987 50 watt Marshall through 1 side and then a Mesa Tremoverb head through the other with an A/B box....Too many amps and too much lifting! Sold the buzzy Tremoverb to some young metal head banger!

[deftgala]

Wow.. I had no idea that I could attach a two heads to either side of the cabinet. This is very exciting news to me...


I use a DSL2000 and there is the option of chosing either stereo or mono output. But I've always plugged into one side of the cabinet with the one head thinking that both sides are being used. (I am not the brightest tool in the shed) lol

So now I can use two stereo outputs to get all four speakers working... I love it

So how does using 4/8/16 ohm affect the tone? Also, am I doing harm to either the cabinet or amp-head if I don't have the settings matched with one another? for example, an 8ohm mono setting on the cab BUT 4ohm stereo setting on the amp-head.


this topic has always wracked my brain... thanks a bunch for clarifying this stuff guys

[STRATDELUXER97]

Wow.. I had no idea that I could attach a two heads to either side of the cabinet. This is very exciting news to me...


I use a DSL2000 and there is the option of chosing either stereo or mono output. But I've always plugged into one side of the cabinet with the one head thinking that both sides are being used. (I am not the brightest tool in the shed) lol

So now I can use two stereo outputs to get all four speakers working... I love it

So how does using 4/8/16 ohm affect the tone? Also, am I doing harm to either the cabinet or amp-head if I don't have the settings matched with one another? for example, an 8ohm mono setting on the cab BUT 4ohm stereo setting on the amp-head.


this topic has always wracked my brain... thanks a bunch for clarifying this stuff guys

Anytime the switch on your cab is set to "mono" you are using all 4 speakers...You have to make sure you have the right impedence match to your amp and you have settings of 4/16 ohms on the mono setting or 2 8 ohm stereo sides.....It's not rocket science,but now you'll understand...

[deftgala]

Can I use 2 stereo outputs going from one head into both the left and right speaker jacks of the same cabinet, or is that the same as using Mono?


Sorry, if my ignorance sounds annoying but this is really rocket science to me

[STRATDELUXER97]

You can only use one head per jack and than you set the cab to "stereo"....Each head must be set for 8 ohms...You now would be running each seperate head at 8 ohms...Don't make this harder than it is brother! LOL ;O)

[deftgala]

My father always told me that getting information through to me was harder than pushing a nail through a wooden plank!

I still don't get it jk... just joking.

so what you are saying is only use one stereo jack for one head to one cab and always place it on mono to get all four speakers working?

I am annoying the hell out of you, I can tell... lol... sorry Stratdeluxe97.. BTW, are you the forum member that does mods on amps and pedals?

[STRATDELUXER97]

My father always told me that getting information through to me was harder than pushing a nail through a wooden plank!

I still don't get it jk... just joking.

so what you are saying is only use one stereo jack for one head to one cab and always place it on mono to get all four speakers working?

I am annoying the hell out of you, I can tell... lol... sorry Stratdeluxe97.. BTW, are you the forum member that does mods on amps and pedals?

You aren't annoying me brother...I'm just giving you a hard time is all....LOL

Look at it like this so you remember....

1 amp all 4 speakers....Set your cab to Mono (4 ohms or 16 ohm setting)Depending on the amp you choose? Fenders are normally 4 ohm load or adjustable...Marshalls are 16 ohms or adjustable...If you use the Mono setting on your cab,you have to match to either 4 or 16 ohms...2 Amps all 4 speakers....Set your cab to stereo....Plug a head into each speaker jack side....Set each amp for 8 ohms...Each 2x12 speaker side is seeing an 8 ohm load...

1 amp 2 speakers only....Leave the cab set to stereo,but just plug only into one speaker jack...Set your amp for 8 ohms...


Yep....I'm the guy that does the pedals for all of my forum brothers and I've done quite a few amp mods over the years also... That's me..Jack of all trades(Master of none)....LOL

[deftgala]

omg, this has finally sunk into my brain! thank you for ribbing me about my theoretical skills

okay.. I have my DSL200 that I might one day like to have modded

I have a Dunlop 535 crybaby that I'd more like to have modded

I have a Ratt Duecetone that above all else, I'd send to you first.

Any thoughts about those three items?

[STRATDELUXER97]

omg, this has finally sunk into my brain! thank you for ribbing me about my theoretical skills

okay.. I have my DSL200 that I might one day like to have modded

I have a Dunlop 535 crybaby that I'd more like to have modded

I have a Ratt Duecetone that above all else, I'd send to you first.

Any thoughts about those three items?

Your DSL you'll need to send to Trace Allen @ Voodoo Amps...We'll have to discuss the mods on the other items when you're ready..PM me on your pedal expectations...

[deftgala]

very cool.