Special thanks to Axe-Master Al Grenadine, creator of FracTool. The latest edition is great! Support FracTool.
Over the last 48 hours I was able to do some EXTENSIVE testing of firmware effects between 8.02 and 9.02 on both the AX8 and my XL related to the 700+ Naked Amps TonePack.
1. As I've said before, you don't need to do any amp resets if you have the 8.02 Tonepack and update to firmware 9.02. Those of you who bought it already know this mostly.
2. The presets designed for 8.02 will work on 9.02 "as is."
Past few days, I experimented a LOT with the new SPKR COMP in the amp block in 9.02 and the effect it had on naked amp presets designed in 8.02 from the TonePack.
My conclusion: If you like dynamics and a more "in your face" articulate sound, consider avoiding the SPKR COMP altogether in 9.02 (or just stay on 8.02).
If under 9.02, you can use the latest version Fractool to set SPKR COMP to zero across a range of presets and see what I mean/what you like better.
The SPKR COMP, while true to life, in my opinion will "soften" (compress) the sound, and take off some of the top end. Some people will like this, others don't. You can do make up gain to try to compensate for level change, but this effect on overall tone is what compressors do as intended. It is true to amp=speaker interaction in real life (as Cliff intended).
For a few days, I tried multiple values of the SPKR COMP across multiple amp types, first with Cliff's default of 3.0, then 2, then 1.5, and ultimately after going back and forth A/Bing, I finally decided like SPKR COMP OFF myself.
This is likely personal taste -- I like amps that respond to dynamics and I liked the top end piece better before it became a little muted when the SPKR COMP was on. Others may love the sound of SPKR COMP On. You can dial it in to your own taste!
I still plan to work on offering an updated firmware version, but I will leave SPKR COMP OFF on it...will let you guys know when ready.
Hope everyone is having nice holidays!