Fractal Talk

[AlbertA]

I didn’t see balance controls in the amp or comp blocks

Some blocks seem to sum all output to both L and R even if they only receive input on one side

Yeah some blocks are mono but usually you have a choice of L+R, L or R for those.

Amp block does have a balance control (at least on the Axe-Fx III) but looks like the compressor block doesn't (I've submitted a wishlist item for that: https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/compressor-block-pan-balance-control.215270/)

 

[paisleywookiee]

Comparing weights and sizes on pedalboard amps is one of the saddest things you can read on a gear forum.

Yeah at a certain point, it’s more about what fits in your purse, than what’s practical.

 

[Tenebris]

If it has to fit in a backpack, and travel via public transport of any kind, that sort of thing can make a difference. If you want to slap it on a pedalboard, of course the size matters.

I have not been in the modeler game for long and was never in the pedalboard game, but I have to say that given that traditional cabs are virtually free now I'm boggled that there isn't a direct competitor to SD on this (or that Fractal or Headrush or Line6 haven't built one for their own gear. Or Radial doing a pro version at a price premium.)

Comparing weights and sizes on pedalboard amps is one of the saddest things you can read on a gear forum.

I literally bought two goddamn 90s PA amps and a used headrush FRFR for less than what I'd pay for a single Tone Block 202 in order to solve this problem for my current use cases. And it's still not solved if I'm playing anywhere besides one project's rehearsal space or my one regular-ish gig. If that isn't a gear forum solution I don't know what is

Aside from public transit, I've had rehearsal spaces and gigs that were so sketch I didn't want to have to leave any gear in the car even for the seven minutes it would take to do the first trip and come back for the second, much less leave anything at the space even if it was supposedly a lockout.

 

[Tenebris]

Yeah at a certain point, it’s more about what fits in your purse, than what’s practical.

this only unironically

 

[Tenebris]

I would like marginally wider ones, especially for the small size.

that was, unfortunately, what she said

 

[laxu]

I have not been in the modeler game for long and was never in the pedalboard game, but I have to say that given that traditional cabs are virtually free now I'm boggled that there isn't a direct competitor to SD on this (or that Fractal or Headrush or Line6 haven't built one for their own gear. Or Radial doing a pro version at a price premium.)

I think the problem for this sort of product is that you either have to build your own poweramp from scratch (like BluGuitar), or you package an existing poweramp module like S. Duncan does.

Hypex poweramp modules are supposed to be better than the ICEPower stuff used by SD, but I haven't seen those in any similar product. There are afaik some bass amps using them, but they are not cheap or small. The modules alone seem to be about 500 € for poweramp + powersupply, and don't look like something that fits anything close to SD Powerstage size.

The market is likely small for people who want just a compact poweramp to power their modeler, let alone folks willing to pay big bucks for it. Likely for that purpose rack units are more popular, which then brings you to stuff like the Fryette LXII which is all tube, stereo but only 1U. Or Power Station w/ rack ears for mono.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I think you might have to reset the midi programming on the EVH itself?

You're good at catching posts before I delete them. Literally a few seconds after I posted I remembered how I did it. The CS MIDI button in the FC Edit section.

 

[KHAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!]

You're good at catching posts before I delete them. Literally a few seconds after I posted I remembered how I did it. The CS MIDI button in the FC Edit section.

It's his super power.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

It's his super power.

 

[Tenebris]

I think the problem for this sort of product is that you either have to build your own poweramp from scratch (like BluGuitar), or you package an existing poweramp module like S. Duncan does.

Hypex poweramp modules are supposed to be better than the ICEPower stuff used by SD, but I haven't seen those in any similar product. There are afaik some bass amps using them, but they are not cheap or small. The modules alone seem to be about 500 € for poweramp + powersupply, and don't look like something that fits anything close to SD Powerstage size.

The market is likely small for people who want just a compact poweramp to power their modeler, let alone folks willing to pay big bucks for it. Likely for that purpose rack units are more popular, which then brings you to stuff like the Fryette LXII which is all tube, stereo but only 1U. Or Power Station w/ rack ears for mono.

appreciate the comments on the poweramp modules. I figured there must be some sort of engineering issue that makes it so that any direct competitor is just going to be a powerstage in a different box.

 

[laxu]

appreciate the comments on the poweramp modules. I figured there must be some sort of engineering issue that makes it so that any direct competitor is just going to be a powerstage in a different box.

I think it's more likely a cost/availability issue. The ICEPower modules are fairly affordable.

I don't know if Class D poweramps are more complicated to design compared to other types.

 

[KHAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!]

Class D = No sack.

 

[Richard_G]

Hypex poweramp modules are supposed to be better than the ICEPower stuff used by SD, but I haven't seen those in any similar product.

Based on how much I like my active CLR wedge, I'd be interested in seeing if someone could make a nice small Hypex based power amp to compete with SD, TC and Quilter.

Edit: I have no idea if it is feasible or not. I just like my CLR and know that there are Hypex amp and power supply modules in there.

 

[AlbertA]

Based on how much I like my active CLR wedge, I'd be interested in seeing if someone could make a nice small Hypex based power amp to compete with SD, TC and Quilter.

Edit: I have no idea if it is feasible or not. I just like my CLR and know that there are Hypex amp and power supply modules in there.

Checkout the hypex ncore stuff

 

[AlbertA]

Class D = No sack.

It’s all about the power supply, it's not class D's fault.

 

[Stone]

HypeX ultra Class D amps are awesome, below are the amp module and Power supply

 

[Orvillain]

I'm not near my Fractal gear. So, from memory:

The OUT blocks do not have an Input Select parameter. So, they receive both channels of incoming signal, regardless whether left and right are fully panned in the Cab block.

To keep left and right coming from the Cab block separated, split the signal from the Cab block, insert two parallel VOL blocks, use their Input Select parameters, and then route those to OUT1 and OUT2.

I think.

And you have to admit... that is just pissflapbollocks workflow in anyone's world.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Class D = No sack.

Blankets keep me warm, but they’re not good for statements.

 

[yek]

And you have to admit... that is just pissflapbollocks workflow in anyone's world.

Yeah, sure, ... but how would you improve this process?

 

[DrewJD82]

I think the problem for this sort of product is that you either have to build your own poweramp from scratch (like BluGuitar), or you package an existing poweramp module like S. Duncan does.

I think this is an area growing enough that it's worth the product being created/sold by a company. Friedman has something in the works and it's almost silly for amp companies to not put some effort in this aspect of the modeling world, at the very least as an answer to the increasing amount of modeling users. More and more cabs are showing up on stages where bands are using modelers as their amp/effects. Rival Sons, Knocked Loose, Metallica (when they aren't on the donut stage), Periphery, Ola, Megadeth, etc.

The power amp aspect is the only thing stopping me from doing it. I'd be tickled pink if Fractal put one out, I wouldn't even have to question if it'd be worth it. Chances are I'll end up with a Fryette PS so I can also utilize it with my amps without an effects loop, or ones that aren't worth using.