Fractal Talk

[DrewJD82]

I have the Synergy itch but I'm wondering how much of a difference I would see between an FM3 amp (power amp modeling off) into a tube power amp vs a synergy module into the same tube power amp. For those who have experience comparing the Fractal models to a tube pre-amp on a scale of 1 - Boonta, how much difference could I expect?

We actually just had a brief discussion on this exact thing in the Synergy thread, I believe. I was having the same "Hmm, a Synergy might be cool" thoughts and the consensus was there wouldn't be quite enough of a difference to move the needle/justify the costs of getting a Synergy.

 

[paisleywookiee]

We actually just had a brief discussion on this exact thing in the Synergy thread, I believe. I was having the same "Hmm, a Synergy might be cool" thoughts and the consensus was there wouldn't be quite enough of a difference to move the needle/justify the costs of getting a Synergy.

Splitting hairs, IMO. Ask @Desertdweller though; he's got both, as well as regular amps too. There ain't no one more versed in it than him.

 

[metropolis_4]

I need some quick fm3 advice!

Is it possible to have one guitar plugged into input 1, a second guitar plugged into input 2, both go to the single amp and cab block, then the guitar in input 1 routes to output 1 and the guitar plugged into input 2 routes to output 2?

 

[Frodebro]

I need some quick fm3 advice!

Is it possible to have one guitar plugged into input 1, a second guitar plugged into input 2, both go to the single amp and cab block, then the guitar in input 1 routes to output 1 and the guitar plugged into input 2 routes to output 2?

I don't think so, as the amp block automatically sums the left and right inputs to mono.

 

[Frodebro]

Proper boontz.

Boonta Beatz ;~))

Legends of the Boontas

 

[iaresee]

I need some quick fm3 advice!

Is it possible to have one guitar plugged into input 1, a second guitar plugged into input 2, both go to the single amp and cab block, then the guitar in input 1 routes to output 1 and the guitar plugged into input 2 routes to output 2?

Not on an FM3. Not sharing the same signal chain on any Fractal device, actually. On the FM9 and AFIII this is possible if you don't mix signal chains between the two guitars.

 

[yek]

I need some quick fm3 advice!

Is it possible to have one guitar plugged into input 1, a second guitar plugged into input 2, both go to the single amp and cab block, then the guitar in input 1 routes to output 1 and the guitar plugged into input 2 routes to output 2?

Not when used simultaneously.

But for a single player to switch between guitars: yes.
The Multiplexer block before the Amp block would switch between IN1 and IN2, while a Mixer block after the Amp block would switch between OUT1 and OUT2. And other approaches are possible.

 

[metropolis_4]

I don't think so, as the amp block automatically sums the left and right inputs to mono.

Not on an FM3. Not sharing the same signal chain on any Fractal device, actually. On the FM9 and AFIII this is possible if you don't mix signal chains between the two guitars.

Not when used simultaneously.

But for a single player to switch between guitars: yes.
The Multiplexer block before the Amp block would switch between IN1 and IN2, while a Mixer block after the Amp block would switch between OUT1 and OUT2. And other approaches are possible.

Bummer. Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[yek]

Bummer. Thanks for the quick replies!

If the 2nd guitar is an acoustic or a basic clean electric sound that doesn't need the Amp block per se, it could be done.

 

[Desertdweller]

Splitting hairs, IMO. Ask @Desertdweller though; he's got both, as well as regular amps too. There ain't no one more versed in it than him.

There’s a reason guys like Steve Vai and Opeth still runs Synergy preamps with their Fractal effects. There’s still something to the tube preamps and tube power amps. I’m a total nerd about this, and I have yet to find a modeler that sounds as good through a power amp and cab as a real amp or preamp does. But that’s me, and YMMV for sure.

Plus - more importantly, Synergy preamps are fun. Go have fun.

 

[metropolis_4]

If the 2nd guitar is an acoustic or a basic clean electric sound that doesn't need the Amp block per se, it could be done.

I might mess around with preamps and EQ. Can the fm3 cab block support stereo?

 

[iaresee]

I might mess around with preamps and EQ. Can the fm3 cab block support stereo?

It can yea.

You can do a fair bit with a signal chain with no AMP or CAB block as well.

 

[Frodebro]

There’s a reason guys like Steve Vai and Opeth still runs Synergy preamps with their Fractal effects. There’s still something to the tube preamps and tube power amps. I’m a total nerd about this, and I have yet to find a modeler that sounds as good through a power amp and cab as a real amp or preamp does. But that’s me, and YMMV for sure.

Plus - more importantly, Synergy preamps are fun. Go have fun.

Vai has a signature Synergy module. There's endorsement money to consider.

 

[saarangnarayan]

Vai has a signature Synergy module. There's endorsement money to consider.

Why would he endorse it, though? I don't mean to suggest that he is or isn't right about his opinions and choice of gear, but I doubt that he would back Synergy primarily for monetary interests. At least he's never come across as that kind of person who'd do endorsements for the money and not for what he thinks is right (for him).

 

[Frodebro]

Why would he endorse it, though? I don't mean to suggest that he is or isn't right about his opinions and choice of gear, but I doubt that he would back Synergy primarily for monetary interests. At least he's never come across as that kind of person who'd do endorsements for the money and not for what he thinks is right (for him).

I'm not saying that he's doing it for the money, but it's in his best interests to not say that something else can do it just as well. If he was driving for team Ford, he's not going to publicly say that Chevys are just as good. That might upset his sponsors.

 

[metropolis_4]

I tried the cab block but it looks like it sends both inputs to both outputs, it doesn’t maintain the stereo split.

I was able to create a decent amp sim using the Tube Drive 5-knob with the clip type set to HV tube as a preamp -> tube compressor to emulate some power section sag -> GEQ to emulate some speaker EQ shaping.

It’s still a little more direct sounding than I’d like, but it’s respectable enough for what it will be used for.

I’m letting someone borrow it to run guitars played by actors through. The actors don’t own any gear so before this they were just gonna run direct to the console (small theater with a low budget). This will at least be better than that for them!

 

[Blix]

I tried the cab block but it looks like it sends both inputs to both outputs, it doesn’t maintain the stereo split.

You have to pan the speakers in the cab block and make sure the input mode is set to stereo.

 

[metropolis_4]

You have to pan the speakers in the cab block and make sure the input mode is set to stereo.

Ah, maybe panning them is the step I missed

 

[metropolis_4]

You have to pan the speakers in the cab block and make sure the input mode is set to stereo.

Hmm, that still didn’t do it.

I’ve got the Cab block set to Stereo, one cab panned hard left, the other hard right, but I’m still getting the output going to both. Is there something else I’m missing?

 

[metropolis_4]

I also noticed that only Cab 1L is getting signal running through it. Cab 2R doesn’t seem to be in the signal chain at all