The Fractal Thread

Roland

Who has tried firmware 28.1? As someone who normally avoids compression for live use I wonder what people think of the compressors.

sweepy

The video reinforced my impression of the QC, lovely front interface but underwhelming sonically 

Plectrum

Handsome_Chris said:

mrkb said:

Studiorats get it right again

AXE FX Or Quad Cortex - What Is The Best Amp Modeller - YouTube

No they don't!  The title should have which instead of what as it is examining a predetermined set. Also the title should end with a question mark as it is a question.

Also aren't they called The Studio Rats, so you've got it wrong too!  In fact, in your post, your wrong about some other people who are wrong too.  

Standards today!

Standards indeed.

A few observations if I may :-

1) The multiple use of "also" is poor writing style.

2) The second "Also" un-nessecarily starts a new paragraph.

3) "so you've got that wrong too"  would read better than "so you've got it wrong too".

4) It should be "you're wrong" rather than "your wrong".

Good effort though.

Gadget

Roland said:

Who has tried firmware 28.1? As someone who normally avoids compression for live use I wonder what people think of the compressors.

I have 28.01 installed. I have had much chance to play around with the compressors yet, but the biggest shock to me was the change in the cab room modelling. I use it quite a bit in my presets and it's way over the top after this update - like some heavy-handed chorusing or detune. IMHO the scale needs readjusting now, so that what is currently 0-10% is 0-75%, as there is such a small usable adjustment now.

Gadget

Plectrum said:

un-nessecarily

What word is that supposed to be?

Plectrum

Gadget said:

Plectrum said:

un-nessecarily

What word is that supposed to be?

It's the Morecambe and Wise variant of the spelling

allen

Plectrum said:

Gadget said:

Plectrum said:

un-nessecarily

What word is that supposed to be?

It's the Morecambe and Wise variant of the spelling

All the right letters, just not in the right order, Mr Preview

Handsome_Chris

Plectrum said:

Handsome_Chris said:

mrkb said:

Studiorats get it right again

AXE FX Or Quad Cortex - What Is The Best Amp Modeller - YouTube

No they don't!  The title should have which instead of what as it is examining a predetermined set. Also the title should end with a question mark as it is a question.

Also aren't they called The Studio Rats, so you've got it wrong too!  In fact, in your post, your wrong about some other people who are wrong too.  

Standards today!

Standards indeed.

A few observations if I may :-

1) The multiple use of "also" is poor writing style.

2) The second "Also" un-nessecarily starts a new paragraph.

3) "so you've got that wrong too"  would read better than "so you've got it wrong too".

4) It should be "you're wrong" rather than "your wrong".

Good effort though.

Thank you, @Plectrum .   I like to throw these things in to sea if people are paying attention.

exocet

FW 9.0 for FM9 was released today, along with reworked Factory Presets.

firepaulmusic

exocet said:

FW 9.0 for FM9 was released today, along with reworked Factory Presets.

Looking forward to it but gigging Friday and Saturday so I'm playing it safe until after the weekend...

welshboyo

It’s a good update, I’ve been running the Beta for a while, compressors are the biggest changes and could potentially catch you out

FarleyUK

Just posted this on the Fractal forum, but I suspect I'll get a more balanced view from here:

"I played my first gig with an amp last night (modded Marshall SC20H), going into a BOSS TAE Core, then into the Axe FX 3. Using my usual IRs in the AFX3.

One thing that immediatley jumped out to me was the responsiveness of the amp vs all the other gigs I've done with just the AFX3. It also felt a lot more like trying to tame a wild mustang - which may or may not be a good thing admittedly.

I am NOT in any way bashing the AFX3, but I would argue that I did feel something 'different' when using an amp vs. just the AFX3."

firepaulmusic

FarleyUK said:

Just posted this on the Fractal forum, but I suspect I'll get a more balanced view from here:

"I played my first gig with an amp last night (modded Marshall SC20H), going into a BOSS TAE Core, then into the Axe FX 3. Using my usual IRs in the AFX3.

One thing that immediatley jumped out to me was the responsiveness of the amp vs all the other gigs I've done with just the AFX3. It also felt a lot more like trying to tame a wild mustang - which may or may not be a good thing admittedly.

I am NOT in any way bashing the AFX3, but I would argue that I did feel something 'different' when using an amp vs. just the AFX3."

I've been trying for many years to find the perfect direct to FOH solution. Although I'm a Fractal FM9 convert I must agree that IMO there is a certain something missing when compared to a great amp. I'm convinced that the audience (even the band) don't hear any difference but there is something in the feel and response of an amp that still isn't quite there yet, not enough to put me off the tech though. Perhaps the idea of a zero watt power section as with the new Synergy Z Wreck module and Tone King Imperial preamp pedal could be the missing link?

DavusPG

FarleyUK said:

I am NOT in any way bashing the AFX3, but I would argue that I did feel something 'different' when using an amp vs. just the AFX3."

I understand what you're saying. After 7 or 8 years playing and gigging almost exclusively with Fractal modelling, curiosity (GAS!) finally got the better of me and towards the end of last year I bought a Hook Wizard 2 which is a valve amp with presets and built in load and IRs (Check out Paul Davids' review here: ) 

I love it. Great tones, easy to dial in (still using the Leon Todd TV Mix7 IR) and the beauty of presets - although I think I'm only using 5 different amp settings for a 25 - 30 song set. As you've said, the punters are none the wiser, but my level of enjoyment when playing has been elevated, so in my book that's worth it for as long as I can be bothered to lug it to rehearsals and gigs.

It is definitely different though as I was without it for a few weeks while it went in for repair (under warranty even though I'm not the original owner) so I reverted to my old presets which use FAS amp models. My guitar wasn't as prominent in the mix as it is with the Wizard and my bandmates were quick to notice the difference too. Of course things like that can be dialled in, but since incorporating the Wizard into my rig, I haven't needed to do anything other than adjust the knobs on the amp, save and forget - but should I want to tweak, having a physical amp head at waist height is a refreshing change. In short I really missed it, didn't enjoy playing as much without it and couldn't wait to get it back. 

The fact the FM9 is set up so brilliantly to play nicely with other gear has made it an absolute breeze, so much so that it's slotted into my existing presets with the addition of the MIDI, input 3 and output 3 blocks, whilst still maintaining the Fractal amp and cab blocks (bypassed) should I ever need them.  

The Fractal effects are so good I can't see me ever going back to a board full of pedals, although I've toyed with the idea of maybe one physical drive or clean boost pedal, but it would have to be one that I can easily control from the FM9....

So yeah, I get it although I'm not sure I'd ever post it on the Fractal forum! I'll grab the popcorn and see how your post is received!

FarleyUK

That's another great point - my guitar sounded MUCH better in the mix, even with the same IRs. I typically use the JCM800 mod or JCM800 #34 in the AFX 3 (love both those models), but no matter what I try, they weren't as 'pokey' in the mix as the Gower modded SC20H (with the #34/#36 mods).

firepaulmusic

I've been very tempted to try the Synergy 20ir with my FM9 in the loop for FX and maybe MIDI programme changes (but not fussed about that route). I'd love to get back into the amp feel but with the direct to FOH thing as well..

Kebabkid

FarleyUK said:

That's another great point - my guitar sounded MUCH better in the mix, even with the same IRs. I typically use the JCM800 mod or JCM800 #34 in the AFX 3 (love both those models), but no matter what I try, they weren't as 'pokey' in the mix as the Gower modded SC20H (with the #34/#36 mods).

Is that your rig picture on the Dan Gower Fb page under Daryl? Impressive

FarleyUK

Kebabkid said:

FarleyUK said:

That's another great point - my guitar sounded MUCH better in the mix, even with the same IRs. I typically use the JCM800 mod or JCM800 #34 in the AFX 3 (love both those models), but no matter what I try, they weren't as 'pokey' in the mix as the Gower modded SC20H (with the #34/#36 mods).

Is that your rig picture on the Dan Gower Fb page under Daryl? Impressive

Yep, that's me! Cheers Slight overkill for a 100 person pub gig maybe, but hey-ho.

welshboyo

As complete opposite to the real amp thing I’ve just gone Stereo FR!! So 2 x FR-10’s - ok, will get lost in the mix and in the heat of a gig but should hopefully be fun…

FarleyUK

welshboyo said:

As complete opposite to the real amp thing I’ve just gone Stereo FR!! So 2 x FR-10’s - ok, will get lost in the mix and in the heat of a gig but should hopefully be fun…

I always go stereo  

Not using a FRFR backline though (but have in the past) - just stereo to FoH. Really fattens the sound and the effects sound great from the recordings I've been sent.