I agree that you don't have to mod it -- but, if there's unacceptable hiss that the noise gate on the Fractal cannot contain, then (IMO) this speaker may not be a good choice
I have no issues with my 2 FR12’s. There’s a slight hiss in there but I hardly notice it. It’s no different than what i hear on my CLR’s even. That’s just normal for me. I don’t think the hiss is the same for everyone and/or the level of what is tolerated i think is very subjective. I have no plans of modding my cabs at all. They’re absolutely awesome at stock though I’ve been enjoying this mod thread discussion. Some incredible work being done
And/or tinnitus, which is my personal bane.
The hiss is unacceptable for some and fine for others. If someone finds it unacceptable, they don't need a gate to contain it--the cut knob on the FR does the trick. Turn up the cut high enough to reduce the hiss. Then add a bit more highs back in via the fractal IF you need to.
This was my insight based on the findings revealed in this thread! I'm sure it's sounds great and based on the reviews here I have no doubt as the people here tend to be pretty critical including myself when it comes to how a modeling rig should sound through a FR solution!
Pretty sure if you turn up the cut, you can't really add more highs in the Fractal, as that high cut will still be cutting any highs you might be trying to introduce back into the signal.
That's not how it works. And I actually did it. I'm not guessing.
Oh interesting, thanks for the clarification. That's good then. Might be more appropriate to name the knob "hiss reduction" instead of "high cut" lol, i bet that's what it will be used for more often.That's not how it works. And I actually did it. I'm not guessing.
Edit: to clarify, look at the pic @WKSmith posted:
View attachment 128798
The cut knob reduces the levels from the red line down to the blue line. Consider what happens when you offset that reduction by boosting the red line by a corresponding amount.
Hiss is now barely measurable over ambient noise, and about what you'd expect from a "normal" quality FRFR: barely noticeable sitting right next to the amp, and completely inaudible just a couple feet away.
Lysander, would you measure the power supply voltage at the ICs ..when you have it open again please?For posterity's sake, i can confirm that the EQ section is indeed the source of hiss in these amps, as @WKSmith mentioned before. As such, noise performance can be greatly increased just by changing a few opamps for better quality, low-noise alternatives.
I did this on my FR-12, and it's genuinely a night and day difference
View attachment 128822
I wrote all details at https://thegearforum.com/threads/fender-fr-10-fr-12-noise-reduction-mod.3559/
but that seems a tad too high? The power supply for the entire preamp board is +/- 12VDC (from the power amp section), so i'm not sure how you could get that difference. Note that TL084s and RC4558s are rated for 30VDC total as well.
Yes it should be +18 and -18 referenced to ground. 37.2 is indeed too high for the ICs.Rats, i already closed mine shut
Were you measuring against the ground pin(s) for each IC? I didn't see any obvious split grounds or anything that could account for the difference, tbh.
What is the max input voltage rating on your new ICs?
