Hardware Modeller as a Bedroom Player

[Shask]

UPDATE 2: After almost a week of playing and A/Bing with my FM3 non-stop, I have some thoughts on getting a modeler for home use (from the perspective of a plugin/bedroom player):

• It sounds and feels the same as plugins to me. (Actually, I'm tweaking the FM3 more to achieve the sound I'm used to than I do with my plugins.)
• The workflow difference isn't worth it, in my opinion. Turning on the FM3 versus waking up my Mac takes about the same amount of time.
• I also discovered that I absolutely hate playing with headphones.

About the FM3/Fractal universe:

• The effects are really good, but I can get similar results with plugins, except for the chorus/modulation (now I just need a better modulation plugin).
• The drives sound fuzzy to me. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, but the input boost on the amp block sounds much better than any of the drive pedals.
• The Vox models are really special. After a good amount of time, I was able to match them with the Ruby plugin, but the Fractal ones have a 3D effect that I just couldn't get with Ruby.
• All the high-gain amps sound... real? It's probably user error as well, but every high-gain model sounds like it has a mid-bump on it. It feels like I'm playing in an untreated room, if you know what I mean. They only sound "right" to me with this EQ curve applied afterward:

View attachment 59319

Yeah, I have been scooping around 400hz - 500hz on Fractals for 15+ years for my high gain sounds. There is always a stiffness in the mids that stands out that the real amps dont have.

 

[sevenagn]

Yeah, I have been scooping around 400hz - 500hz on Fractals for 15+ years for my high gain sounds. There is always a stiffness in the mids that stands out that the real amps dont have.

Interesting. After seeing Leon's video today, I tried the FAS amps and really liked. FAS modern does not need anything to sound "right" to me at all.

 

[Shask]

Interesting. After seeing Leon's video today, I tried the FAS amps and really liked. FAS modern does not need anything to sound "right" to me at all.

Yeah, FAS Modern is one of my favorites. It still has that smooth pick attack that annoys me, but it is one of the best amp models on there for chug tones.

 

[saarangnarayan]

If you guys like FAS Modern, but want to go into a nastier direction, try FAS Brootalz. It sounds so good at stock settings alone. I like to lower the Presence to 2-3 (which really changes the mids) and Depth to 1-2 (depending on IR) and turn the bright switch on and adjust the bright cap frequency to suit the guitar/tuning I’m in, and done. No boost needed. To my ears, this sounds like a blended 5150 and JCM800 amp tone, with the best of both amps and none of the unwanted quirks.

 

[Frodebro]

• All the high-gain amps sound... real? It's probably user error as well, but every high-gain model sounds like it has a mid-bump on it. It feels like I'm playing in an untreated room, if you know what I mean. They only sound "right" to me with this EQ curve applied afterward:

Are you using the same IR with all of them? If so, that could be where that mid hump is coming from.

 

[Mongillo19]

The drives sound fuzzy to me

They had a recent update to improve the drive block interactions with the amp. I'm not sure if it made it to FM3 yet?

However, I thought the new drive update made the drives sound a little fuzzy

 

[sevenagn]

Are you using the same IR with all of them? If so, that could be where that mid hump is coming from.

Yeah, same IR, but also tried the dynacabs. It is from the models. Tried the FAS ones and liked.

They had a recent update to improve the drive block interactions with the amp. I'm not sure if it made it to FM3 yet?

However, I thought the new drive update made the drives sound a little fuzzy

Mine is on the latest one, 12.0.

 

[StratsoundFan]

What do you guys think about it? Do QC, or fractal hardware offer better sound and feel than plugins?

No, not at all. I've had everything from Zoom 505ii, Kemper, Axefx, to Hotone Ampero. Plugins sound every bit as good, or better in some cases. I honestly never felt like I was missing out on anything while using plugins.

 

[RiffDuck]

I got an IK Axe I/O Interface. This interface has a high impedance JFET input designed for guitars. I think this helps the feel vs the traditional inputs of interfaces. With another interface I think I would be looking for some sort of DI box to plug in between the guitar and interface.

This has me curious - how does it change the feel compared to others?

 

[ivanmancic]

It doesn't if you already have an interface with a good instrument input. In fact, Presonus Quantum 2626 and Antelope Zen Go were both an upgrade in that regard over Axe I/O for me. I think really low latency actually helps the "feel" more.

 

[Wheels]

My vote is for the Fractal AM4 if you were to go the hardware route. It's their starter drug. I have good amp software but love the all the options with the AM4.

 

[Shask]

This has me curious - how does it change the feel compared to others?

I haven't tried a bunch of interfaces, but it is definitely better than the Presonus I was using before. There are 2 input selections, an extra preamp you can engage for passive pickups, and a knob to dial in how much high end comes from your guitar, essentially an impedance control.

To me it is the difference between plugging straight into a tube amp, or using a clean booster / buffer like an EP Booster pedal. It just gives it that extra pop when you attack the strings.

 

[Shask]

This has me curious - how does it change the feel compared to others?

I will say if you notice the difference on a traditional modeler like a Fractal by using an internal boost in front of the amp model vs turning off the boost and plugging a real analog boost in front of the modeler, then you might notice the difference. To me the external boost always feels better than an OD model.

 

[timbuck3]

I will say if you notice the difference on a traditional modeler like a Fractal by using an internal boost in front of the amp model vs turning off the boost and plugging a real analog boost in front of the modeler, then you might notice the difference. To me the external boost always feels better than an OD model.

The am4 is a great unit at a vg price for bedroom users but can be limited in certain ways but it’s a decent price point to get fractal tones

 

[Shask]

The am4 is a great unit at a vg price for bedroom users but can be limited in certain ways but it’s a decent price point to get fractal tones

i am sure it is a great unit if you get along with the Fractal tone and feel. I have a FM3 I mess with all the time.

 

[ibmorjamn]

That's my main concern with fractal stuff. I would like to have a unit that I can edit on itself, because the whole point for me is to get out from the computer. I was thinking of the QC mainly because of the UI, tbh. The Ampero has a good UI as well, and also a really good price here, so it is also an option to me.

Not high end but also not high price is the HX Stomp. I use mine daily. But I record with it. It does have some limitations.