Amp & FX Modeling

[Deltaphoenix]

Is anyone using any of the newer amp modeling rigs like Fractal, Kemper, Helix, Headrush, etc?

I have always been a tube amp kind of guy but since we downsized, I don't have room in the house to use my rig and budget has not been approved for the pending music room (a decently soundproofed outbuilding). I have rigged some workarounds so I can play and hear myself but it is convoluted.

I have decided to grab a Line 6 HX Stomp - it does amp/cab modeling, fx modeling, allows for lots of routings, etc. It has two 1/4" inputs for the Series 1 which is a nice plus. My plan is to put it on a pedal board and have a few pedals in front and one or two in its loop and mostly use it for the amp/cab modeling and routing features. I think using it is an audio interface could be nice too - straight from the board into the computer.

Anyone else using something like this? If so, what is your experience and how are you using yours?

[jwright9]

I use an AVID Eleven rack for that sort of thing. Works great. It is also a recording interface with a mic preamp and 2 line inputs.
2u rack unit.

[gtrguy]

I have gigged in the past with some older modeling stuff from Line 6 and had a Fender modeling twin (sold it). I don't know about newer stuff, but I always had a problem with the modeling stuff not sounding the same in a band situation or a live setting as it did when played by itself. I also frequently record guitar with my Line 6 rack unit and love it for that. You can connect it to the web and use/sample files from thousands of users almost instantly and what you hear is what it sounds like when recording.

The Kemper interests me, but it's so expensive, and I worry that stuff like that will become worth only a small fraction of what it was new as it ages (like digital cameras). Of course the digital camera has also mostly become the standard compared to film these days too. I see where kemper owners are trading (and selling) files with sampled amps they have made.

[David Houck]

I'm currently using the Fractal AX8, and have the new Fractal FM3 on order.  All of the more recent (last 3 years) recordings I've posted here on the club were made with the AX8.

[Deltaphoenix]

I use an AVID Eleven rack for that sort of thing. Works great. It is also a recording interface with a mic preamp and 2 line inputs.
2u rack unit.

Okay cool, that is the prequel to the Headrush stuff.

The Kemper interests me, but it's so expensive, and I worry that stuff like that will become worth only a small fraction of what it was new as it ages (like digital cameras). Of course the digital camera has also mostly become the standard compared to film these days too. I see where kemper owners are trading (and selling) files with sampled amps they have made.

I don't think amps are going to totally go away but modeling is definitely going to continue to grow. I am interested in grabbing third party IRs.

I'm currently using the Fractal AX8, and have the new Fractal FM3 on order.  All of the more recent (last 3 years) recordings I've posted here on the club were made with the AX8.

Oh cool, the FM3 looks great. Do you know when you will receive it? I really could see myself getting into the Fractal stuff. I like all of the LFOs and Envelopes, etc for really taking FX and making them/your patch unique.

[David Houck]

Oh cool, the FM3 looks great. Do you know when you will receive it? I really could see myself getting into the Fractal stuff. I like all of the LFOs and Envelopes, etc for really taking FX and making them/your patch unique.

I did not get on the waitlist right away, and that would put me pretty far down on what I imagine is a pretty big list.  It was recently announced that a small initial shipment of FM3s was en route to the US by air, and that a larger shipment was en route by container ship.  They will be tested and have software loaded in the US.  My guess is that it will still be a good while before my name comes up, which is fine since I still need to work on getting my fingers to land in appropriate places on the fingerboard.

[glocke]

I'm currently using the Fractal AX8, and have the new Fractal FM3 on order.  All of the more recent (last 3 years) recordings I've posted here on the club were made with the AX8.

You are using these on bass Dave?

[David Houck]

You are using these on bass Dave?

I'm using these with my Alembic Series II bass, yes.  Of course, the music I play isn't really "bass". 

While most of the modeling in Fractal products is focused on guitar amps and cabs, there are some models of bass amps and cabs.  And while most users appear to be guitar players, there are some bass players (and violin players, etc).

I don't use the bass amps or cabs.  I either use various guitar amps and cabs or acoustic IRs.  And while most guitar players use modeling to recreate the sound of real amps and cabs, I don't.  I use the amps and cabs as starting points to create my own sounds.

I recently purchased some studio monitors, and as a result I am going back through my settings and making significant changes to how my songs are setup.  I'm also finally beginning to get a basic understanding of how to use compression in the signal chain, which is having a significant effect as well.

The weakest link in the chain is the guy holding the bass, but I keep working on improving that part too.

[rv_bass]

This company has some interesting plugins

https://www.2getheraudio.com/

[Deltaphoenix]

Okay, I had my first session with the HX Stomp last night and WOW it sounds really good and I haven’t even gotten really deep with it.
After upgrading firmware, I was able to jump right in and tweak a preset and make a preset. Then I found a couple of ready made bass presets online, one of which is an Alembic F2B (basically comp./eq/Fender amp).
I used my new to me Modulus Q5 last night. Tonight the S1 gets to play.

[Deltaphoenix]

Session 2 was pretty awesome too! It was the Series 1 into the Stomp, I was able to cop some really grindy tones (which I like), some dubby tones and just some nice clear sounds that would ring out well. I also did some additional explorations of the Stomp’s FX. I must say a lot of them sound really great and stack so well together.

[Deltaphoenix]

So, I am really liking this.

I have decided to return the HX Stomp and get the full-size Helix. I am excited to have more WYSIWYG in regards to having more switches. I am looking forward to more processing power so each pickup from the Series 1 will have it’s own signal processing with parallel possibilities on each signal path, etc.

I am thinking for the Series 1, the setup will look something like:
Bass pickup >Future Impact>Helix
Treble pickup>Source Audio C4>Helix

In the send/returns of the Helix:
Stereo Eventide H9 Max
Mono Moog MF-101
Mono Fuzz

I think this will be a silly powerful and flexible set-up. The H9 gives me major fire power to fulfill desires that are outside the Helix’s wheelhouse or things that would take too much DSP.

[pauldo]

Dustin,
I am rather excited to hear the audio landscape that you will paint with so much sonic flexibility.
Any plans for posting a song or two?

Paul (who wishes he had a studio setup that was easy to navigate)

[mario_farufyno]

I would love to hear some clips, too...

[Deltaphoenix]

I will gladly do some quick and dirty recordings without a lot of post processing. The Helix shows up Thursday so I will need a little bit to come to grips with it but it shouldn't take me too long.