Fractal Talk

[Jarick]

Update is very cool. The Lightspeed has been on my very short list of drive pedals I always wanted to try out but haven't yet. I was kind of thinking Lightspeed and Nobels ODR-1 would cover pretty much all the boost and OD you'd want with a good amp.

My favorite though is the new Dyna Cab interface which I missed on the last update I guess. I'm never using more than two cabs so having more options and a much cleaner layout is better. I hadn't really seen the smoothing option before in a very long time so adding that seems to be nice.

 

[Jarick]

Yeah I just don’t like that it’s only 4 blocks and so limited. My big thing is having a device that I can use when I don’t want to turn on my Mac at all, and I also would like it to have amp modeling - I love my Mark V 35 but it’s nice to just have everything in the box.

I've tried the modeler as interface and I just don't like it much. For recording I almost always use the modeler over USB because it's less conversion, but for listening I prefer to use a standalone interface and mix signals there.

If you did want to use as a standalone into monitors, I might recommend a Mackie Big Knob or something like that. That would let you easily control the monitor volume especially if you are powering up/down the unit and want to prevent pops. But that doesn't control headphone volume so it's easier to use a standalone interface IMO.

 

[LCW]

There’s a III Mk II in my area but the dude wants 2250. (FB marketplace).

 

[Mikael Dez]

@Mikael Dez - if you can get along with the rack hardware, I really recommend the Axe FX 3. Cliff is constantly tinkering and adding new firmware releases specifically for that model. They do get bundled and migrated down to the smaller units but it's nice to be on the bleeding edge. Unless you're FOMO resistant, then I'd look at one of the floor units.

FM3 is great for a smaller grab and go but very rugged unit. Now with gapless switching it's going to be really powerful unless you need really crazy effect chains. Switching is limited though unless you like to keep it very simple. FM9 is going to be way closer to the QC in terms of power and switching in one preset, but yeah it is a bit big. All of them sound really good though.

In the end I went through a couple FM3's and a couple rack units (FM9 wasn't out yet) and then settled on the Axe 3. If you can get the Mk1 units under $1800 (or especially closer to $1500), that's a great buy. And that would give you something fun to play with until Stadium comes out and you can make the call to jump or not.

Yeah, I’ve got $1400 saved right now for an Axe III. Next Friday is the 7 day return window where I won’t be screwed if whoever bought my QC gets buyer’s remorse and returns it. Then the hunt starts! Lol

 

[Mikael Dez]

There’s a III Mk II in my area but the dude wants 2250. (FB marketplace).

There are a handful of them on Reverb for cheaper than that (but then you got taxes and shipping)

 

[Mongillo19]

There’s a III Mk II in my area but the dude wants 2250. (FB marketplace).

That's way too much for used. Might as well go new at that point imo

 

[LCW]

There are a handful of them on Reverb for cheaper than that (but then you got taxes and shipping)

Yeah I wouldn’t pay that much it’s only 10% less than new with warranty.

 

[Mongillo19]

Yeah I wouldn’t pay that much it’s only 10% less than new with warranty.

And if FAS does have a 4th sale......

 

[ispunk]

I had my Axe-Fx 3 like this initially but it was annoying to use any of the front panel controls because they are so close to the desk. Raising it was not an option because I didn't want to raise my monitor.

Tilting the unit is a no go because even with a Noctua fan it gets quite noisy unless the rack unit is horizontal.

So I ultimately had the Axe-Fx 3 on a side desk. I'd take a plugin version any day.

I keep a rack on a rolling baker's rack from Amazon. Just roll it over when I'm using the Axe III, Kemper or Helix rack (yes I have all the soon to be replaced rack units), or roll it out of the way when I'm mixing.

 

[- ★ - BROCKSTAR - ★ -]

I keep a rack on a rolling baker's rack from Amazon. Just roll it over when I'm using the Axe III, Kemper or Helix rack (yes I have all the soon to be replaced rack units), or roll it out of the way when I'm mixing.

View attachment 47195

Can I ask what is the purpose of a safe guard on a rack? Do people expect flying debris lol.

 

[AlbertA]

Can I ask what is the purpose of a safe guard on a rack? Do people expect flying debris lol.

For the occasional ^^

 

[KingsXJJ]

That Profiler reminds me of something the CCCP Soviet Space Program would have cooked up for an ill-fated mission.

And for the toasters, "Za zdorov'ye!"

 

[ispunk]

Can I ask what is the purpose of a safe guard on a rack? Do people expect flying debris lol.

Yes I put screen protectors on everything. Just a safeguard from me doing something stupid like turning in my chair with a guitar or bass and smacking the screen with the headstock.