Solo 100 Lead Model

[Thenewexhibit]

From the wiki...

"Note that the knobs on '5' on the Axe-Fx correspond to '6' on an SLO because they go to 11. 'Noon' on an SLO isn't actually the knobs at half-way. The range of the knobs is like 8:00 to 6:00 as opposed to 7:00 to 5:00. They're biased clockwise."

"The key to an SLO100 is to run the MV high so that the mids thicken up. Otherwise it's a shrill mess. In certain contexts with the right IR it can be a cool sound."

(Also: don't confuse between 9 and 9 o' clock...?)

I definitely didn’t turn the master up to 9 thinking it would sound better when the default sounds like the amp is already going to implode.

 

[biggness]

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/cygnus-is-absolutely-magnificent.173225/post-2096570

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/thre...us-firmware-public-beta-2.170901/post-2058159

Good to know.

I was running on some (very) outdated information.

 

[unix-guy]

Good to know.

I was running on some (very) outdated information.

It can be hard to keep current...

I searched because I wasn't sure if my memory was correct

 

[alexjplant]

Put the Bass and Mids at 3 then turn each one up from there to taste. Due to the way the pots are positioned and labeled in the chassis noon is more like a 4 instead of a 5. The Soldano tone stack also has a lower midrange frequency than a Marshall and should be run a bit lower than you think even if you're into lots of midrange.

Also keep in mind that this obsession with boosting high-gain amps for "tightness" is something of a postmodern phenomenon. My theory is that guitarists who grew up hearing records made with an SM57 run into a console with a high-pass filter and mastered without the aid of digital multi-band limiters are chasing a thin recorded sound in the room. 808s and the legions of clones cut lows aggressively and jam a massive amount of midrange into the front of the amp to achieve a similar end with different means. The SLO is the foundation of many modern high-gain amps - it isn't a Bassman or some other unfiltered amp that disintegrates into a farty mess when driven. I find the SLO plenty tight into a real cab with proper hand placement and pickup height.

 

[Thenewexhibit]

Put the Bass and Mids at 3 then turn each one up from there to taste. Due to the way the pots are positioned and labeled in the chassis noon is more like a 4 instead of a 5. The Soldano tone stack also has a lower midrange frequency than a Marshall and should be run a bit lower than you think even if you're into lots of midrange.

Also keep in mind that this obsession with boosting high-gain amps for "tightness" is something of a postmodern phenomenon. My theory is that guitarists who grew up hearing records made with an SM57 run into a console with a high-pass filter and mastered without the aid of digital multi-band limiters are chasing a thin recorded sound in the room. 808s and the legions of clones cut lows aggressively and jam a massive amount of midrange into the front of the amp to achieve a similar end with different means. The SLO is the foundation of many modern high-gain amps - it isn't a Bassman or some other unfiltered amp that disintegrates into a farty mess when driven. I find the SLO plenty tight into a real cab with proper hand placement and pickup height.

The amp definitely tightens up with the master at like 2-2.5 and bass lower and mids a little lower, and boosting a little bit of treble and presence, and gain around 3. It sounds more like I remember it being; more chunky and percussive, less bloated and saturated.

 

[rcm78]

 

[rcm78]

Here's the Fractal preset Solo 100. I tweaked it. The cab block is the biggest change. Channel A is the Fractal SOLO Legacy IR's, Channel B is Leon Todd's LT TV Mix 7 IR, Channel C is the Dyna Cab 5153 Stealth with a 57.

I found the legacy IR to be very dark.

 

[is9582]

Here's the Fractal preset Solo 100. I tweaked it. The cab block is the biggest change. Channel A is the Fractal SOLO Legacy IR's, Channel B is Leon Todd's LT TV Mix 7 IR, Channel C is the Dyna Cab 5153 Stealth with a 57.

I found the legacy IR to be very dark.

Your tweaks sound good. Thanks for posting.

 

[Necr0lancer]

Was thinking of this video when I saw the first post. I'm personally not a fan of the Solo 100 (yet??). This video taught me how to dial it in.

 

[Dave Merrill]

Was thinking of this video when I saw the first post. I'm personally not a fan of the Solo 100 (yet??). This video taught me how to dial it in.

What was the punch line? (I fell asleep )
Turn Overdrive up to 6 or 8, tone controls to taste or flat.
Anything else?

 

[rcm78]

What was the punch line? (I fell asleep )
Turn Overdrive up to 6 or 8, tone controls to taste or flat.
Anything else?

Overdrive between 4-6, master volume at 6. Use a greenback ir.

 

[baron55]

From the wiki...

"Note that the knobs on '5' on the Axe-Fx correspond to '6' on an SLO because they go to 11. 'Noon' on an SLO isn't actually the knobs at half-way. The range of the knobs is like 8:00 to 6:00 as opposed to 7:00 to 5:00. They're biased clockwise."

"The key to an SLO100 is to run the MV high so that the mids thicken up. Otherwise it's a shrill mess. In certain contexts with the right IR it can be a cool sound."

(Also: don't confuse between 9 and 9 o' clock...?)

Yep, the best thing anyone can do before dialing in a fractal amp model is to read the wiki. Because it will explain how some of the controls work. In many cases just like the real amp but in other like the Mesa 7 band EQ, they are different.

 

[ocaptainjr2]

5 band

 

[VESmedic]

Bloated and dark = turn down the master volume. Again, for more modern rhythm tones ( which, this amp blows for, fight me), you want the master volume low….there was a whole thread about this where I commented on this and many found it helpful, it’s worth a read. I couldn’t care less what the wiki says, I know that amp in real life and running the master higher CAN sound good for leads, less modern tones etc, no doubt. But for what you’re asking, run it lower. 9 o’clock or so. You can try lowering the grid bias a bit as well, this is something that many found helpful in that other thread as well.