Fractal Talk

[Blix]

Tbh, between the Matchbox DC30, AC30 Brilliant and AC20 models I'm good on Voxy tones, they're all killer.

 

[GTR37]

I really think if anything, for amps of this style; they should add that 2nd channel that FAS forum dude has been begging for for years. Throw the guy a bone

The Jumped channel of the Matchless
That or that original tweaked HBE that everyone loved
That guy has waited a bit too
The FAS Dirty Krampus ?

 

[dk_ace]

Tbh, between the Matchbox DC30, AC30 Brilliant and AC20 models I'm good on Voxy tones, they're all killer.

I’ve been meaning to revisit the dc30. At first pass (which was short), it seemed a little vanilla to me. The brilliant 30 seemed more interesting so I stuck with that one. There’s so much good said about the matchless though that I think I probably wrote it off a little too early.

D

 

[metropolis_4]

What would they give you that the current ac15s or 30 or boutique ac30s don’t though? What’s the sound you can’t get? I’m not being difficult, I’m genuinely curious. I thought those sounds were really well covered already.

Boutique stuff is usually trying to sound like a great vintage amp, and we’ve got quite a pile of those right now plus a few boutiques. The swart atomic, a Gibson scout, the maz, quite a few small watt fenders. Just curious what you can’t get from those, seems like they would cover that spectrum pretty thoroughly.

D

Think of the difference between an AC30 and a DC30 and that’s sort of an example of the idea. Amps like Matchless and Bad Cat tend to take that core concept of the Vox circuit and tweak it a bit, add some higher quality components, bigger output transformers, etc. they usually have more depth to their tone, more harmonic character, tighter and deeper bass response, and extended high end compared to a Vox.


By the way though I don’t like the DC30 model in the Fractal, it doesn’t sound right to me. I played an early Black Cat for years that was basically just a rebranded HC30 (the internal parts were labeled Matchless) and the Fractal model to me sounds darker than I would expect and a bit too smooth. It’s missing the high end quality I expect to hear in a Matchless

 

[dk_ace]

Think of the difference between an AC30 and a DC30 and that’s sort of an example of the idea. Amps like Matchless and Bad Cat tend to take that core concept of the Vox circuit and tweak it a bit, add some higher quality components, bigger output transformers, etc. they usually have more depth to their tone, more harmonic character, tighter and deeper bass response, and extended high end compared to a Vox.


By the way though I don’t like the DC30 model in the Fractal, it doesn’t sound right to me. I played an early Black Cat for years that was basically just a rebranded HC30 (the internal parts were labeled Matchless) and the Fractal model to me sounds darker than I would expect and a bit too smooth. It’s missing the high end quality I expect to hear in a Matchless

I get it, but when you describe a small wattage amp with bigger output transformers, deeper and tighter bass, extended high end, etc - you’re just describing the changes that typically come with going to a higher wattage amp which we already have buckets of. I’m not trying to be obstinate here I just don’t see what we would gain with such a model.

More is more though, I’ll gladly give it a spin should they add one. Maybe I’ll find that it really did offer something I’d use that I can’t get with the other models.

D

 

[metropolis_4]

Tbh, between the Matchbox DC30, AC30 Brilliant and AC20 models I'm good on Voxy tones, they're all killer.

It’s all about what’s in your wheelhouse that you use a lot of. We all have different tastes and hear more nuances between tones that we use more often.

I could say with just the Mark IV I’m good on high gain tones and don’t see a need for any other modern high gain amps to be added.

All those models you mention are AC30 based, we have only one option for AC15 based models

 

[metropolis_4]

I get it, but when you describe a small wattage amp with bigger output transformers, deeper and tighter bass, extended high end, etc - you’re just describing the changes that typically come with going to a higher wattage amp which we already have buckets of. I’m not trying to be obstinate here I just don’t see what we would gain with such a model.

More is more though, I’ll gladly give it a spin should they add one. Maybe I’ll find that it really did offer something I’d use that I can’t get with the other models.

D

See what I just posted above.

You could also easily flip this and say why do we need more than just one Marshall? Why do we need both a Plexi and a 1987? Why do we need a Mark ii and a Mark iv? Why do we need a Carr when we’ve got a Deluxe Reverb? Why do we need another high gain modern amp when we’ve already have one?

And so on…

Different flavors bring different things to the table for different tastes.

Why doesn’t the Fractal just have 4 amp models and nothing else:

Clean amp
Overdrive amp
Distortion amp
Bass amp

 

[Rock Chalk]

Axe-Fx III Firmware 27.03 Release

https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/firmware-presets/axe-fx-3/27p0/axefxiii_dsp_rel_27p03.zip Axe-Fx III Firmware Release Notes 27.03 Improved Drive block. Improved PI Fuzz model. The new model also allows changing the type and quantity of diodes used in the transistor feedback paths...

forum.fractalaudio.com

 

[metropolis_4]

I hadn’t seen the note about the Darkglass model. Sounds like they fixed the infamously broken b7k?

 

[dk_ace]

See what I just posted above.

You could also easily flip this and say why do we need more than just one Marshall? Why do we need both a Plexi and a 1987? Why do we need a Mark ii and a Mark iv? Why do we need a Carr when we’ve got a Deluxe Reverb? Why do we need another high gain modern amp when we’ve already have one?

And so on…

Different flavors bring different things to the table for different tastes.

Why doesn’t the Fractal just have 4 amp models and nothing else:

Clean amp
Overdrive amp
Distortion amp
Bass amp

I’m not arguing that, I agree with you.

I was asking what you are looking for that you can’t get with the available models. I’ve always been a fan of bigger amps with a few notable exceptions in the small amp world. I was curious what you’re looking for that isn’t in there, and I still haven’t understood what it is. It’s fine you don’t owe me an explanation, I was just looking to learn something from the perspective of someone who really likes small amps.

D

 

[dk_ace]

Axe-Fx III Firmware 27.03 Release

https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/firmware-presets/axe-fx-3/27p0/axefxiii_dsp_rel_27p03.zip Axe-Fx III Firmware Release Notes 27.03 Improved Drive block. Improved PI Fuzz model. The new model also allows changing the type and quantity of diodes used in the transistor feedback paths...

forum.fractalaudio.com

Sweet, probably close to a full release for FM9 too then!

I wonder what the 1N5819 Schottky and led clipping models are for? I’m guessing they’re drive blocks that have some significance in classic rigs or something, but I don’t know their history. Couldn’t find much on a google search either.

D

 

[metropolis_4]

I’m not arguing that, I agree with you.

I was asking what you are looking for that you can’t get with the available models. I’ve always been a fan of bigger amps with a few notable exceptions in the small amp world. I was curious what you’re looking for that isn’t in there, and I still haven’t understood what it is. It’s fine you don’t owe me an explanation, I was just looking to learn something from the perspective of someone who really likes small amps.

D

I should have been more specific answering this part of your comment:

I get it, but when you describe a small wattage amp with bigger output transformers, deeper and tighter bass, extended high end, etc - you’re just describing the changes that typically come with going to a higher wattage amp which we already have buckets of.

It’s actually much different than what you get with going to a higher wattage. The feel is very different from a high wattage amp, it’s still got that sag and compression, and richer harmonic swirl and character, that you get from a lower wattage amp.

An AC15 has a more raw and open sound to it than an AC30. The same is usually true for 15 watt amps compared to 30 watt

 

[saarangnarayan]

that original tweaked HBE that everyone loved
That guy has waited a bit too

I will cry tears of joy the day Cliff adds that Ares-era HBE C45 back into the FAS-verse.

 

[dk_ace]

I should have been more specific answering this part of your comment:



It’s actually much different than what you get with going to a higher wattage. The feel is very different from a high wattage amp, it’s still got that sag and compression, and richer harmonic swirl and character, that you get from a lower wattage amp.

An AC15 has a more raw and open sound to it than an AC30. The same is usually true for 15 watt amps compared to 30 watt

Thanks that makes more sense to me. The two small amps I’ve connected with the most are an old SF Princeton non-reverb that even cranked didn’t really distort at all with a typical strat, and a PV classic 20. I should have bought that Princeton, but they were common and inexpensive at the time. If I had a crystal ball, I’d have found a way to buy it then. The PV caught on fire and self destructed…

What you’re describing is what I think made me love both of those amps so much. It’s also why I like the GSG model in Helix. That’s the first big amp model that had that sort of touch to me that that particular Princeton had. I’m pretty close to it with the fractal dumble clean model with the master cranked and the sag up a bit from the stock setting, but I haven’t quite nailed what I’m looking for there yet.

I had thought of those two amps as special, but maybe it’s just what a really good small amp does? Hmm…

D

 

[Mongillo19]

Axe-Fx III Factory Presets for firmware 27.03

https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/firmware-presets/axe-fx-3/27p0/Axe-Fx-III-Factory-Preset-Banks-27p03.zip The Axe-Fx III factory presets have been updated for firmware version 27.03 or newer. A special thanks to @fremen for his significant contribution to this project. We couldn't have...

forum.fractalaudio.com

Dang that's cool!

 

[OrganicZed]

https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/firmware-presets/axe-fx-3/27p0/Axe-Fx-III-Factory-Preset-Banks-27p03.zip

The Axe-Fx III factory presets have been updated for firmware version 27.03 or newer.

A special thanks to @Fremen for his significant contribution to this project. We couldn't have done it without you!
Thanks also to @AustinBuddy, @Mark Day, @chris, @2112, @iaresee, @Cooper Carter, @Patzag, and everyone else who helped.

• Selections from past Gift of Tone releases are now included at the end of Bank C ("RE-GIFT OF TONE!")
• A few Easter eggs (or should we say stocking stuffers? ;-) are found within the update.

As always, we recommend backing up your current presets before performing any major update or installation.
Happy Holidays, and thank you as always for choosing Fractal Audio Systems.

 

[metropolis_4]

Anyone found any of the stocking stuffers yet?

 

[Stratzrus]

It almost seems silly to include high gain pedals with so many high gain amp offerings, but for this particular application of running into the front end of an amp, I definitely wouldn't mind a 5150 pedal tossed in there!

That was my thought regarding the Megalith Delta. Not using it in front of an amp model but to use in front of an actual tube amp.