+1 on the floorghetties, I'll get my new patch cables next week and hopefully the mess will have an end
Thanks for clarifying your idea. Is there a particular reason for you to want the sound of both preamps feeding your stereo effects?
Doing a lot of audio engineering work, I presume you will run into all kinds of phase issues even when both amps are matched. It might work with true stereo processing pedals that process each input individually, but other than some hard-panned LR-delays I can’t think of any algorithms that won’t mix the input signals. Every reverb or modulation pedal will mix the input channels in some way resulting in interferences from the different input signals. Using only one’s amp preamp will most likely give you the best result with stereo pedals since you have eliminated all potential phase issues.
I totally get your hesitation about using the effect loops. I’ve run into some amps that didn't have an optimized level adaptation and it was just a mess. You can test your amps loop by bridging it with a cable and try to get the levels right. There are also line-mixers that can adjust the levels of the fx loop. A good amp modder can be of value as well in that regard. If you want to utilize your amps channels though it seems to me that there is no other way than going with the fx loop.
Of course there are those players that make all their distorted sounds with dirt pedals and run into the input of a well sounding amp - it's a matter of ones philosophy.
Anyway, after pondering your idea I was thinking that utilizing the preamp section of both amps could work when the preamps are used alternately. One would need a switchable A/B/Y-Box, that is fed by both amps fx send and could also be remotely controlled. I’m not sure if the rjm Y-Not A/B/Y switch can do this - seems to me the signal path is the other way around. I have a Little Lehle that does that but it’s not controllable via midi.
The signal flow would be like
PBC Out1-4 -> Input Amp A, Input Amp B (using a Y-splitter)
FX send Amp A -> Y-Box In A
FX send Amp B -> Y Box In B
Y-Box Out (selects either A or B) -> PBC In7-10
Ok, I ramble like a little girl…but that sounds really interesting to me, the possibilities seem promising.
I'll have to take a further look into that idea.
Thanks!
PS: Anyone aware of a midi controllable A/B->Y box?