T
here’s really no legitimate excuse for not running an
electric guitar rig in stereo. Some players will complain
about having to lug the extra gear to shows, or the
added technical challenges involved in going stereo,
but when it comes right down to it, these arguments are based entirely on
personal laziness. Everything should always be in stereo...
...Every human with a functional pair of ears knows instinctively that stereo is always better
than mono, because real life is in stereo. In both studio and live contexts, going stereo
enhances depth, power, realism, and dynamics immeasurably, for listeners and players
alike. At gigs, the audience will be more appreciative (even if they’re not sure why), and for
the guitarist, the sound on stage will be infinitely more inspiring, as well as naturally more
immune to variability in the quality of monitoring and the overall mix on stage. And of course,
for players that use delay and modulation effects, experiencing these tones in full stereo is
powerfully addictive.
So, how does one go stereo? Well, there are a number of different ways this can be
accomplished, and each method has distinct benefits and potential downfalls that should be
taken into consideration. There are also economic factors to keep in mind, as converting a
mono guitar setup to stereo sometimes requires a gear investment, however, many players
will already have everything (or almost everything) required, and will need only to take some
time to set it up properly.
THE DUAL AMP/CAB METHOD
I have a strong preference for the dual amp/dual cabinet method of achieving stereo guitar
tones, for the simple reason that it sounds the best, and gives the player the widest range
of tonal options. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles dealing with the subject, two amps
are always better than one. With two amps power is increased,
the overall complexity and richness of the tone is enhanced,
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