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Forums :: Ask Amp Tech Expert Skip Simmons

Play backing music through amp

4 replies [Last post]
Thu, 12/28/2017 - 20:05
lhobdey
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Joined: 04/14/2016

I just purchased a Fender SuperChamp X2 and it has one 1/4" input. I wanted to play my backing track music from my laptop through this amp as well as my harp mic.  Would a little 4 channel mixer with seperate volume controls on it work?

 

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Thu, 01/04/2018 - 12:37
#1
bod
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Joined: 06/19/2016
Hi, Although I have very

Hi,

Although I have very little experience, I will try to answer.

First the amplification issue :

The use of any tube based amp will likely add "color" to the sound : meaning it will transform it a little. For example it will transform a little the sound of your harmonica. If you set up your system to add distortion to the sound of your harmonica because you like it, then if you feed another sound into it it will get distorted too. (you don't want the backing track to be changed)

Second the mixer to amp link :

Your amp is set up for high impedance microphone, whatever you plug in should be with the correct impedance. Otherwise the results will not sound nice.

 

I am myself looking for such a solution. This is what I came up with (not complete yet):

  • Bulettini plugged into Zoom MS 50G (high impedance), Zoom pedal plugged into the entry line of the mixer
  • Backing track plugged into the mixer
  • Mixer to studio monitor (no sound change).

This way I should get the amp like effect with the pedal.

Bod

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Thu, 01/04/2018 - 18:41
#2
lhobdey
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Thank you for the reply Bod -

Thank you for the reply Bod - it is helpful info I guess Skip Simmons is still on Christmas Vacation

 

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Fri, 01/12/2018 - 01:16
#3
bod
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Joined: 06/19/2016
An alternative would be to

An alternative would be to use a mini amp solid state with a line-in connector.

 

For example the Roland Micro Cube GX allows you to have a line-in that you can use for your playback. As I understand it, the microphone input goes into the 'tube like' distortion, then is added to the playback then (the sum of these two signals) is amplified with no added distortion.

You finally get an amplified clean playback and an amplified non clean harmo.

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Wed, 01/31/2018 - 09:50
#4
Expert Skip Simmons
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Joined: 01/18/2010
Backing tracks through your amp?

Good question!  The cheapest way to go would be to connect your laptop to a small powered monitor (or your home stereo) so you can hear the music and play the Fender amp as normal.

You certainly could use a small mixer.  Plug both the laptop and your mike in to the mixer and plug the mixer in to your Fender.

It will take some time and experimentation to get the best out of either set-up, so be patient.

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