Hello. I’m currently running a 4x4 amp/cab setup through a ZMACS, with a PS-100 in the attenuator loop and a newly-added Cyclops so that I can use some modellers/pedal preamps in the setup. I’m working on connecting the Cyclops to the ZMACS. I initially connected all these pieces as @Terry described in this comment: ZMACS + PS2A + Cyclops + Modeller + Amps + Cabs - #5 by Terry
But now I’m attempting to rack mount everything and the guitar input being on the back of the Cyclops is a bit of an issue. The rack is too deep for me to practically reach back and plug into the Cyclops each time I want to use it, and I’d rather not have a loose cable hanging out of the back of the rack if I were to, say, leave one always plugged into the Cyclops. I experimented a little and found that when I made the following changes to the connections:
Guitar → ZMACS Input (front)
ZMACS “Link” → Cyclops “Input”
Disconnected Cylcops “Amp Input” from ZMACS rear input (i.e. both passive and active input jacks on the back are unused, as well as Cyclops “Amp Input”)
To my surpirse, I was able to successfully get signal as one would expect from my preamp while in Preamp mode on the Cyclops. Though, when I ran through my Fender DRRI (both amp and cab selected on the ZMACS*), I noticed that when I would turn the amp knobs up, I could (quietly) hear the reverb and tremolo from the amp, despite not running in Amplifier mode on the Cyclops. If I turned the volume or the effects down, they would disappear, similar to a mix/blend knob being turned to zero. So, some low volume version of my signal appears to be getting sent to the amp in parallel?
I don’t fully understand how the “Link” jack on the ZMACS works, but I would really like to be able to run these three pieces of gear together while still being able to plug into the front of my rack (such as through the ZMACS front input). Otherwise, I’m going to have to find a way to set up some front-facing 1/4" passthrough jack that connects to the guitar input of the Cyclops, which is less than ideal.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
*I have the DRRI connected to Amp slot 1 and Cab slot 1. Both Amp 1 and Cab 1 are selected on the ZMACS