Fender FR-12 preamp mod : The Hissterectomy

Got mine in. I really like it! It has some hiss, maybe, far less than a tube amp when I have the FM9 plugged into it and on. Taking the Cut up to 2 removes it all. If the FM9 is off, there's not a sound coming out of it at all.

What is the best practice for setting volumes of both the FM9 and FR-12, when connected? Just curious if it's better to max either or some combo I'm not aware of. I currently have my FM9 at ~30% and the FR-12 around 3 for home, but will need to pump it for practice with the band.
 
LolainNB said:
I find this hard to believe. Did you put you ear next to it?
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Well yeah, if I crank the FR-12 to anything above 8 (3 O'Clock) and put my ear up there I can definitely hear it faintly. My FR-12 does not sound like the earlier hiss videos in this thread at all. It was just delivered today after being out of stock from SW so I'm 100% sure I have a newer "fixed" unit.
 
Yes.that is still a good word from the guy that built these things.

I like to run the FM9 out 2 up to noon-1:00 some folks go as high as 3:00

Then I set the FR at noon(ish) for loud stages and a lot less for home use.
 
WKSmith said:
Yes.that is still a good word from the guy that built these things.

I like to run the FM9 out 2 up to noon-1:00 some folks go as high as 3:00

Then I set the FR at noon(ish) for loud stages and a lot less for home use.
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In fact, there was as thread here at some point where the techs for Metallica did some testing a said that it actually sounds best starting about 2 o'clock... Others here seemed to agree with their conclusion.
 
I wish I could pin that. 🙂

I think it was @Cainer that runs his Fractal out at 3:00.

His latest FR-12 / Fractal tone is next level. It sounds like a Deluxe leaned against the back wall and cranked. ..Even through a phone or camcorder recording.

His backline live tone sounds more Austin Tx than pro folks that I've heard with hardware amps like Deluxes and LoneStars.

Cliff and the Metallica Pro sound dudes have this figured out too.

We need a gain staging sticky on page 1 ✅

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/thre...fm9-into-the-fender-fr-12.201990/post-2525356
 
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unix-guy said:
In fact, there was as thread here at some point where the techs for Metallica did some testing a said that it actually sounds best starting about 2 o'clock... Others here seemed to agree with their conclusion.
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Why would that be? I’d expect FAS to make the output volume linear in all the common aspects right up to the point of clipping?
 
greiswig said:
Why would that be? I’d expect FAS to make the output volume linear in all the common aspects right up to the point of clipping?
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The 2 o'clock setting was on the Matrix, so it would seem more a question on the Matrix to me...

As mentioned by Cliff in the link shared above by @withfoam, the Axe Fx can generate a high level of output. Keeping that level lower may help the Matrix get better results by not pushing it's input stage.
 
In my home usage..very moderate volumes my Axe fx Out 1/2 are set noon - 1'oclock > FR-12's are around 3 (9 o'clock). My Out 2 feeds my CLR's. Technically, my Axe connects to my CLR's in two ways. Analogue Out 2 from AX3 direct to CLR input 1 and also the spdif from AX3 into my Apollo X6 that feeds into the CLR's other input. I have lots of flexibility. I find though since I got my FR12's and I just want to get up and running fast to play guitar I just turn on the Axe and my FR12's
 
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