The theory underlying the tonal differences between serial and parallel interconnection of mismatched loads and detailed discussion of the many advantages and utilities of the different configurations enabled by our products is not repeated here in order to keep the length of this manual reasonable. Below we cover only the basics of operation; specifically, how to switch between the different configuration possibilities enabled by the product.
All Deuce products operate in an identical fashion. Similarly, all Solo products operate in an identical fashion. However, as the functionality afforded by the Deuce and Solo products is fundamentally different, their operation is also fundamentally different.
Deuce
These products allow ready selection of either load running individually in mono, both loads running individually in stereo, both loads running in parallel, and both loads running in series. For each configuration, remember to select the matching output impedance on your amplifier so that the amplifier is matched to the aggregate load it sees! For ready reference, recall that two 8 ohm loads in parallel yields 4 ohms, and two 8 ohm loads in series yields 16 ohms. Similarly, two 16 ohm loads in parallel yields 8 ohms, and two 16 ohm loads in series yields 32 ohms. Finally, we note that two 4 ohm loads in parallel yield 2 ohms, and two 4 ohm loads in series yield 8 ohms. Repeated application of these formulas will allow you to handle most situations, but feel free to contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
Mono operation
In this mode of operation, a single amp drives only one of the two loads!
With the product toggle switch in the center position, connect a speaker cable from the amp to either the right-most or left-most jack on the product, depending on whether you want the amp powering the right/top load or the left/bottom load, respectively.
Stereo operation
In this mode of operation, two amps are used to independently drive the two loads!
With the product toggle switch in the center position, connect a speaker cable from the first amp to either the right-most or left-most jack on the product, depending on whether you want this first amp powering the right/top load or the left/bottom load, respectively. Connect a speaker cable from the second amp to the unused right-most or left-most jack on the product to have the second amp powering the second load.
Parallel operation
In this mode of operation, a single amp simultaneously drives both the loads via a parallel interconnection!
With the product toggle switch in the left-most position, connect a speaker cable from the amp to either the right-most or left-most jack on the product.
In this mode of operation the unused right-most or left-most jack on the product can be used as a parallel out for daisy chaining another speaker cab in parallel to the two loads running in parallel.
Series operation
In this mode of operation, a single amp simultaneously drives both the loads via a series interconnection!
With the product toggle switch in the right-most position, connect a speaker cable from the amp to the middle jack on the product.
In this mode of operation the unused left-most and right-most jacks on the product can be used as parallel outs for the left/bottom and top/right loads, respectively. Using these jacks will place loads in parallel with the primary pair of loads before they are connected in series. In other words, using these jacks will create load networks involving the primary loads, and it is these networks which will be run in series. This feature can be very useful for experimenting with different speaker combinations without having to pull speakers from cabs or combo amps and re-wire them.
Solo
These products are used to switch the amp between powering a primary load and powering headphones, for silent practice or recording, or powering a line-out, for silent recording.
Connect a speaker cable from the amp the amp to the middle jack on the product. Connect a pair of headphones to or run a line out from the right-most jack on the product. The left-most jack on the product is a parallel out for the primary load, which can be used to run another load in parallel with the primary load (e.g., daisy chain to another speaker cab).
With the product toggle switch in the right-most position, the amp will only power the headphones / line out, “soaking” power out of the amp into a 16 ohm dummy load. With the product toggle switch in the left-most position, the amp will only power the primary load and whatever load is connected to the left-most (parallel out) jack on the product.
Remember to select the output impedance on your amplifier to match the aggregate load it sees! The amp will see an impedance of 16 ohms when running in headphone / line out mode. What it sees when running in the primary load mode depends on the impedance of the primary load as well as the impedance of any load connected to the parallel out jack on the product through a speaker cable.
The headphone/line out jack is set up for a ¼ inch stereo male phone plug. If your headphones have a different size male stereo plug, you can purchase the appropriate adapter from Radio Shack for just a few dollars.