Fractal Audio Firmware Update Thread

[Stone]

There are other Marshalls Besides Plexi's and JCM's?

 

[duzie]

Our favorite Aussie did a Jubilee vid this morning-



That’s quite the significant improvement!

For some reason my ears hear a more classic sound with the pre-updated version
I was just thinking maybe it’s from listening to all that lo-fi music back in the 70’s lol

 

[Stratzrus]

Our favorite Aussie did a Jubilee vid this morning-



That’s quite the significant improvement!

Sounds great!

Fractal, and the TGF members, are forcing me to get out of my cocoon and update the firmware on my III and FM9 when the firmware migrates to the floor units and the revisions stop coming like a hurricane.

 

[James Freeman]

Until Cliff obtains an original or reissue Jubilee to have proper reference and do proper measurements, all this is just fun little experiments.

 

[Whizzinby]

Our favorite Aussie did a Jubilee vid this morning-



That’s quite the significant improvement!

Sounds fantastic. I’ve always liked the Jubilee, eager to try this out.

900 SLX next?

 

[Stratzrus]

Until Cliff obtains an original or reissue Jubilee to have proper reference and do proper measurements, all this is just fun little experiments.

If your concern is accurate replication that's true, but if all you care about is good tone...

 

[Rock Chalk]

This is why I have the hard rule of "Don't install a xx.00 update from Fractal" and usually avoid the betas as well unless there's something I really want to try. Otherwise you spend a good chunk of time updating fw and refreshing Axe-Edit block definitions.

I wish they'd move to a more sensible semantic versioning for next gen though. Atm 24.02 can be a bug fix, or it can be a feature update and you can't tell unless you read the release notes. 24.0.2 for bug fix, 24.1.0 for new features would make more sense.

Sorry, but this is the most ridiculous statement I've ever read!!

Time to send new firmware to Axe Fx III is 1.39 minutes
Time to reboot Axe Fx !!! is 26 seconds
Time to Refresh Axe Edit after new Firmware is 1.09 minutes

This all took a grand total of 3.14 minutes out of my busy schedule today.......somehow I think I can recover!!

 

[James Freeman]

There are other Marshalls Besides Plexi's and JCM's?

Ye.... No?
Maybe?

Anyway, it's not important.

 

[Stone]

Well the way I sees it, i have not done any real calculations, but i gather there must be over 500K+ permutations and variations of tone possibilities in the Fractalverse one or more of them is bound to sound glorious

 

[SwirlyMaple]

Until Cliff obtains an original or reissue Jubilee to have proper reference and do proper measurements, all this is just fun little experiments.

I agree, and I’m not saying that to be a critical jerk, but rather to apply constructive criticism equally and fairly across all the brands.

The TMP was heavily criticized for having a Stealth Red channel that sounded different from the real amp, but the difference between these old and new Fractal Jube models is even bigger based on @2112 ‘s video.

Either the original reference amp had some wonky components, or there was something significantly off in the model. (Or, the new one is actually based on a Marshall instead of Lersxt, but if that were the case I’d think he would’ve kept the old model and just renamed it.)

 

[paisleywookiee]

This just confirms I still can’t stand any Jubilee variant. Not the models in the FAS, not the original, not the reissue, and not the Studio.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I agree, and I’m not saying that to be a critical jerk, but rather to apply constructive criticism equally and fairly across all the brands.

The TMP was heavily criticized for having a Stealth Red channel that sounded different from the real amp, but the difference between these old and new Fractal Jube models is even bigger based on @2112 ‘s video.

Either the original reference amp had some wonky components, or there was something significantly off in the model. (Or, the new one is actually based on a Marshall instead of Lersxt, but if that were the case I’d think he would’ve kept the old model and just renamed it.)

Is there a possibility for it to be down to how the channel and master volumes are handled? could have been one of those amps where the channel master was at 10? I prefer the sound of the new one, but they aren't my favourite amps generally either.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Not sure what was used to model the latest Jubilee in Fractal --- but I like the sound of it!
Great vid @2112 .

 

[unix-guy]

Either the original reference amp had some wonky components, or there was something significantly off in the model. (Or, the new one is actually based on a Marshall instead of Lersxt, but if that were the case I’d think he would’ve kept the old model and just renamed it.)

Up until now it's not an actual Silver Jubilee.

It's some custom amp built for Alex Lifeson...

My guess is the "new" model may be the real thing.

 

[James Freeman]

My guess is the "new" model may be the real thing.

Or not.
Did he purchase a SJ ?
----

In other news, Plexi 50W High 2 needs fixing... or maybe all Plexi's need fixing. :O

 

[jellodog]

In other news, Plexi 50W High 2 needs fixing... or maybe all Plexi's need fixing. :O

I saw that Plexi resistor report on the FAS forum and read it with interest.

It's impressive that you just keep going and won't let go.

Which makes me think of...

 

[SwirlyMaple]

It’s great that James cares enough to dig into these things (and diagnose virtual amp circuits just based on how they’re behaving, without being able to “see” the virtual components!), and also great that Cliff is receptive to his questions and willing to revise things from them.

There are so many good modeling options nowadays; it’s this level of accuracy and polish that set apart the best from the rest.

 

[unix-guy]

Or not.
Did he purchase a SJ ?

Don't know, which is why I said "my guess".

 

[James Freeman]

There are so many good modeling options nowadays; it’s this level of accuracy and polish that set apart the best from the rest.

Exactly. Attention to detail.
"good enough" is not good enough when you have the tools to make it perfect.

 

[la szum]

For some reason my ears hear a more classic sound with the pre-updated version
I was just thinking maybe it’s from listening to all that lo-fi music back in the 70’s lol

I think us old farts like and love mid forward amps. Amps without the thunderous low end that arrived
on the scene in the late 80s/early 90s and made bass players increasingly useless and unheard.


Seriously!

What some seem to suggest is honky literally gives room and air for the bass and keys and drums to breath.

I like and love down-tuned music through Mesas, too..... so it is not always the fight to the death love/hate
thing that others seems to have. Just being aware of the generational trends, and how they often go too far
one way or another, before some semblance of sanity and balance is restored.

Now I am off to listen to some Schenker with his Wah half-cocked.