Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Boutique Amps Distribution's Synergy Amps delivers super smart Machine Learning Power Amp Platform to Friedman and Wampler
As we’ve seen with Tone King sharing Friedman’s IR Tube Preamp Platform for its two floor-based-amps, we now get 2 different roll-outs of Synergy’s Machine Learning Power Amp Platform for 2 very different audiences. With a full-fat Amp-top / Rack unit for Friedman, and a more compact floor-based Pedal unit for Wampler.
The Friedman IR-Load is the all-singing and dancing unit - with a much higher power load - which David says should work for amps of up to 200W. The genius of this solution is that it’s not just a really smart AI-Infused dynamic attenuator - which preserves saturation, it can also be used as the Power Amp section itself - so it beautifully serves all those fantastic floor-based amps from Friedman and Tone King.
Where everyone has hitherto been adding smarts to the Preamp Section of the Amp format, Synergy has done a similarly clever exercise on the Power Amp Section. Basically you’ve got even more options now in how to run your rig.
As a Clean Pedal Platform guy - I don’t really have need for either of these devices - while I really appreciate the innovation and engineering prowess here.
Both those solutions could have solely come under the Synergy brand - but Boutique Amps rightly thought that people would associate that with just the Synergy Modular Platform alone. Applying Friedman and Wampler branding here means that these will be rolled out much more generally across a wider target audience - for all kinds of amp / amp-replacement style rigs.
It’s a stroke of genius really on the marketing side to roll out the platform in this manner - and I commend them for it!
Further details below, while we’ve yet to see the full breakdown for each device - so in summery form only!
Wampler Pedalhead Machine Learning Power Amp Pedal - $600
A super-compact pedalboard-friendly 240W (60 tube watt equivalent), stereo power amp with IR loader, MIDI and 6 power amp models.
Main Controls - Master, DI Level, Presence, Depth, IR / Bypass, Learn, Mode / Store.
Rear Panel - 1/8" Headphones Out, Ground Lift, Power Off / On, MIDI, USB-C, 1/4" TS Left In, 1/4" TS Right In, 1/4" TS Out Left, 1/4" TS Out Right, 1/4" Left Speaker, 1/4" Right Speaker.
Dave Friedman & Pete Thorn IR-Load Machine Learning Power Amp - ±$1,500? [TBC]
An all-in-one 360W (90 tube watt equivalent), stereo power amp, attenuator, IR loader and MIDI.
Main Controls - 1/4" Headphones Out, LEFT } Reactance, IR Level, Left Master, Depth, Presence, IR : 1-3, LEARN, RIGHT } Right Master, IR Level, Reactance, Presence, Depth, AMP In Level, -10dB / +4dB.
Rear Panel - Power : BD-264VAC-T5AL 250C 50/60Hz 40W Earthed, Off/On Switch, USB-C, MIDI In, MIDI Out (DIN), 1/4" Speaker Right and Left Out x 2, Right & Left Balanced XLR Out, Ground Lift, EFFECTS LOOP } 1/4" Send, Left & Right Return, 1/4" Amp In.
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