Fractal Talk

Ok sorry for annoying you all again :P

I am trying to figure out a complete stereo rig as I have always wanted to do one and now with this new change happening with the fm3 coming soon and rearranging things, I have the option to do it right for once.

So how do I make a complete stereo rig out of all of this?

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This is my idea, is this right and will work as a stereo rig? PLEASE HELP lol. I don't care if the vg-800 guitar modelling unit is mono. I just want the gm-800 and the other effects all stereo into fm3.

Guitar with gk-5 hex pickup into Boss VG-800 guitar modelling unit via serial in cable. Another serial cable goes from serial output of vg-800 to serial input on the Boss GM-800 guitar synth unit.

Take the mono output of the vg-800 with a cable into the input of the FM3, as this will mainly be used just for guitar and bass modelling along with alternate tunings etc. and bypassing effects/amps/cabs.

Take the outputs of the Boss GM-800 guitar synth into Empress Effects Zoia inputs, take Zoia outputs into Eventide H90 inputs, take Eventide H90 outputs into Fractal VP4 inputs, take Fractal VP4 outputs into Singular Sound Aeros Loop Studio inputs, take Aeros Loop Studio outputs into fractal FM3 fx loop.

Outputs from FM3 via xlr cables to JBL studio monitors.
Sorry man I'm usually pretty good with fairly complex rigs but you lost me there lol
 
Sorry man I'm usually pretty good with fairly complex rigs but you lost me there lol

I suppose the only way to know for certain is to do it when the FM3 comes. To me it sounds like it should work the way I wrote it out. I was just hoping someone that's used to rigging stereo stuff could say yeah or no before doing so and wasting time but I guess trial and error is the answer!
 
I suppose the only way to know for certain is to do it when the FM3 comes. To me it sounds like it should work the way I wrote it out. I was just hoping someone that's used to rigging stereo stuff could say yeah or no before doing so and wasting time but I guess trial and error is the answer!
Don't know if this would be of any help, but I used to run my Axe III to my soundboard (Tascam Model 12) and then used my soundboard as my computer interface. Such an option could give you a lot of paths for the FM3 along with your other gear if you have a board to play with. I still use my soundboard, but the Axe is currently my interface, the soundboard just feeds my headphones/speakers with a different mix than my path to the computer.
 
Having gone Axe 3 to FM3 (twice) back to Axe 3, I really like having more than I need and being on the latest and greatest platform that gets the most attention.
 
Also having messed around with the Friedman JJ Junior and comparing to the BE models in the Fractal, the Atomica High sounds WAY more like that amp to my ears. It has a lot more of the attack and presence once you increase the gain and presence values from default. Also raising the speaker thump and then adding a little more low cut seems to add more of the response of a 4x12. Sounds great now!
 
I know exactly what I need. I need me one of them boss ES-5 switcher pedals! I'm gonna have to save for one.

I could toss the boss gm-800, zoia, h90 and fractal vp4 into it and be able to have them in different orders anytime and into the fx loop of fm3.

Hmm actually I could probably turn my helix floor into a switcher like that for these....
You should be able to do what you described earlier. Don't sell the Helix for an ES-5. Let the rig take shape and see how it goes first.
 
Also having messed around with the Friedman JJ Junior and comparing to the BE models in the Fractal, the Atomica High sounds WAY more like that amp to my ears. It has a lot more of the attack and presence once you increase the gain and presence values from default. Also raising the speaker thump and then adding a little more low cut seems to add more of the response of a 4x12. Sounds great now!
I always think the experience of using a modeller is very different when you compare side by side with an amp - the real amp gives you some kind of guidance on what to expect and it somehow makes dialling a model in more intuitive.

FWIW I find it’s a must on the Friedmans to drop the NFB to 4 Ω. Friedmans changed it to 4ohm on most of his amps for good reason. The BE models sound bang on to my real amp when you do that, at “stock” settings it’s too dark and polite and sterile IMO.
 
I know exactly what I need. I need me one of them boss ES-5 switcher pedals! I'm gonna have to save for one.

I could toss the boss gm-800, zoia, h90 and fractal vp4 into it and be able to have them in different orders anytime and into the fx loop of fm3.

That's pretty much what I was suggesting you try with your Helix. I believe it has enough I/O to get you in the ballpark, and later on you can swap it out for the BOSS switcher if you prefer that route. But the Helix would get you up and running immediately since you already have it.

And now this thread has got my mind going in all kinds of freaky directions. Such as using my FM9 for the amp, cab, and pre effects, then run SPDIF into the AxeFX for post effects. Cowabunga.
 
You should be able to do what you described earlier. Don't sell the Helix for an ES-5. Let the rig take shape and see how it goes first.

No I didn't mean sell helix for a switcher. I meant I could probably use helix as a fx loop switcher.

That's pretty much what I was suggesting you try with your Helix. I believe it has enough I/O to get you in the ballpark, and later on you can swap it out for the BOSS switcher if you prefer that route. But the Helix would get you up and running immediately since you already have it.

And now this thread has got my mind going in all kinds of freaky directions. Such as using my FM9 for the amp, cab, and pre effects, then run SPDIF into the AxeFX for post effects. Cowabunga.

My issue is i don't think that can work either. I need 4 stereo fx loops i think to make this work as in gm-800, zoia, h90 and vp4 all going into fm3 fx loop. And I think helix floor is 4 mono or 2 stereo fx loops. Geez you'd think I'd know this by now after having it for 9 yrs haha, but I only used it as 4 mono fx loops.

Looking at the back of the boss es-5, i don't think i can make that work either for 4 stereo fx loops either.

So maybe only way is to do what i wrote earlier.

Unless i need insert cables like my hosa dual ts to trs cable?

If so then that may work as I'd take the dual sides from outputs of each pedal and the trs side into each return on helix or if i got a boss es-5, then take helix outputs or boss es-5 outputs into the fx loop of fm3, if this is correct?

For now I'll just try what I wrote earlier when the fm3 comes and I may be happy with that result and give this more thought!
 
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No I didn't mean sell helix for a switcher. I meant I could probably use helix as a fx loop switcher.



My issue is i don't think that can work either. I need 4 stereo fx loops i think to make this work as in gm-800, zoia, h90 and vp4 all going into fm3 fx loop. And I think helix floor is 4 mono or 2 stereo fx loops. Geez you'd think I'd know this by now after having it for 9 yrs haha, but I only used it as 4 mono fx loops.

Looking at the back of the boss es-5, i don't think i can make that work either for 4 stereo fx loops either.

So maybe only way is to do what i wrote earlier.

Unless i need insert cables like my hosa dual ts to trs cable?

If so then that may work as I'd take the dual sides from outputs of each pedal and the trs side into each return on helix or if i got a boss es-5, then take helix outputs or boss es-6 outputs into the fx loop of fm3, if this is correct?

For now I'll just try what I wrote earlier when the fm3 comes and I may be happy with that result and give this more thought!

I need to make a pot of coffee and mull this one over. Will the GM-800 and FM3 be used independently of each other, as in only one or the other will be used but never both at the same time?
 
I need to make a pot of coffee and mull this one over. Will the GM-800 and FM3 be used independently of each other, as in only one or the other will be used but never both at the same time?

No i definitely want them used at the same time whenever needed.

Lol im complicated it seems!
 
You could then do something similar with the VP4 and H90...

But I'm not familiar with the routing capabilities of the VP4. Probably more limited than the FM3.
 
I always think the experience of using a modeller is very different when you compare side by side with an amp - the real amp gives you some kind of guidance on what to expect and it somehow makes dialling a model in more intuitive.

FWIW I find it’s a must on the Friedmans to drop the NFB to 4 Ω. Friedmans changed it to 4ohm on most of his amps for good reason. The BE models sound bang on to my real amp when you do that, at “stock” settings it’s too dark and polite and sterile IMO.

Exactly why I sold the QC to fund the amp. Now I can hear what the amp is going through a speaker, and listen for the same thing through the reactive load, and listen for the same thing with the amp model. I needed that frame of rererence!

I’ll have to check that setting on the BE model!
 
Exactly why I sold the QC to fund the amp. Now I can hear what the amp is going through a speaker, and listen for the same thing through the reactive load, and listen for the same thing with the amp model. I needed that frame of rererence!

I’ll have to check that setting on the BE model!
With pretty much every amp I have here I’d use the digital version, question it a bit, get the real one, figure it out a bit more…. Then realise the digital version was always 95% or more there 🤣. Being able to use the real deal definitely helps that insanity loop.
 
Exactly why I sold the QC to fund the amp. Now I can hear what the amp is going through a speaker, and listen for the same thing through the reactive load, and listen for the same thing with the amp model. I needed that frame of rererence!

I’ll have to check that setting on the BE model!

With pretty much every amp I have here I’d use the digital version, question it a bit, get the real one, figure it out a bit more…. Then realise the digital version was always 95% or more there 🤣. Being able to use the real deal definitely helps that insanity loop.

I never worry about that stuff. If I get a sound I like out of whatever I'm playing through, I'm good to go.
 
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