FM3 into tube amp or solid state power amp?

I run the FM3 into the front of a Quilter Tone Block 202 set to its FRFR voicing and into a cab with a 12" Celestion Copperback speaker. I use the FM3 for amp and cab modeling and all effects. It works really well. And, if the FM3 were to go down, I would be able to use the Quilter as my amp -- it has 2 other (non-FRFR) voicings, a full EQ section, a limiter and reverb. I always carry a delay pedal and a wah to gigs as further back up to the FM3. The Quilter plus cabinet weighs 25 lbs.
 
riffsordie said:
I just got a new FM3, but I haven't gotten to dive into it yet. I plan to still push air on stage with a real amp and 4x12 cabinet. I want to hear from experienced users about whether the Fractal gear sounds better when amplified by routing to the FX return of a tube amp VS into a clean solid state power amp. Which sounds better? Does anyone notice a difference that's worth mentioning?

If routing to the FX return of a tube amp, is it wise to send the signal without the Fractal amp block's "supply sag"? (I know not to use a cabinet block on the signal that's going to the real amp+cab).

Thanks for your help!
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I play on Fm-3 connected to an fender solid amp “stagelead” into poweramp in for rehearsels and as monitor amp,and send to foh directly
Sometimes an eq before solid amp sounds amazing
 
I love running DI to house and split to a mic'd tube amp (Boogie Studio 22+ set clean / edge of breakup). Try routing the signal something like this w/ only DI thru the cab. Best of both worlds?

Also, I set up a Flat DRY (no amp no nuthin') Preset to tweak the L&R EQ outputs - which will vary depending on your FRFR and amp (and taste!).

Sounds defined and meaty (when you need it). You know when Musicians come up to you at gigs to talk tone, you're in the ballpark right?

Hope this helps.

p.s. This particular (elusive) tone is still under construction - Hemispheres is one of my all-time favourites.

FM3-Split_Direct-Tube.JPG
 
I'm currently using a SD Powerstage PS170 with two 1x12 8 ohms cabs and would like to test a SS class A/B amp or a portable tube power amp.
KSR PA50 would be nice but is a bit expensive here in Europe.
 
sprada said:
I'm puzzled that you're saying that 50w is not enough.
With a loud band I can't get the volume past 9/10 o'clock
Are you connecting to the line in or the effects return?

You should really really connect to the effects return.

(Also spoke with Fryette about "Sweet Spot". According to them there's no Sweet Spot. It's pretty linear across the entire range)
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Through the line in, was how I used it when I tried it out. I have since bought another one, purely for using amps in the 4CM with the PS-2As FX loop.
 
One more question: When using a tube poweramp and setting the Amp block's speaker impedance curve to Resistive Load (like it should be when using a tube poweramp), will the FOH sound at Output1 suffer too much or is not that noticable in a band mix?
 
If I had to chose only one for a gig situation, I would send my best signal to FOH and deal with a (less than ideal) power amp and cab sound. So a real impedance curve for a reactive sounding and feeling monitor and FOH signal.
 
hipeboy said:
I'm currently using a SD Powerstage PS170 with two 1x12 8 ohms cabs and would like to test a SS class A/B amp or a portable tube power amp.
KSR PA50 would be nice but is a bit expensive here in Europe.
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This is a under the Radar amp and is not crappy class D, but patented A/B design. I have it and it sounds great low and at high volumes. The power supply (9.5 amps) is bigger than the amp!
 
DearMrKev said:
I currently run my FM9 into a Mesa 2:Ninety tube power amp into a full stack. I want to love my Matrix SS power amp through the same cabs, but the Mesa just feels better. Recorded tone comparisons are like 99% between the two, but tubes hit the guitar cabs different IMO. Matrix does sound more clear and clean in my experience, if that makes sense.

In the end, I needed to try both to form my opinion. Forums are typically split 50/50
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I have a bunch of power amps. Solid state (including a Matrix GT 1000), tube and also my Mesa road king. The best is the Mesa 2:90. I have found that with the gain set less than 2:00 the amp is very, very clean. It is also dead quiet on its own. I do not turn power amp modelling off in my AXFX3.

The Mesa 2;90 is not the same as going into the return on a tube amp though (i used to use my road king return a lot.

Also, i want to say this about the difference between the 2:90 and the matrix (which is probably my next favorite); it takes less effort to play the same note with the 2:90. This is what people are probably meaning when they say the feel of the amp. It takes less right hand effort to get the same sounding note with the 2:90. Is it as dramatic as arm-curling 5lbs vs 50lbs...no, but when playing a for-arm burner like creeping death, you can "feel" the difference and it is less fatiguing. Hope this makes sense.

I know some people might comment that the 2:90 is too much for bedroom playing... lol... nope... not with this one trick the no one hates! set the output to "instrument level" on the fractal and all of a sudden, you have a very nice, very controlable, bedroom volume even when using a 4x12! (make sure the line level switch is selected on the 2:90)

PS. you can go direct into the 2:90 with your guitar as there is a switch that allows you to select line or instrument level input.
 
hipeboy said:
Has anyone tested the FM3 in the FX return of a BluGuitar Amp1 or even wired in 4CM?
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Sure, works great!

If going 4CM watch out for ground loops and watch the levels etc (and you might need an inexpensive isolation transformer with some amps to tame a ground loop). It's important to point out that the FM3 hardware is not as resistant to ground loops as the FM9/AFX3, so a inexpensive isolation transformer or two might be needed with some amps/devices.

I use my FM3 almost exclusively in 4CM with tube gear, and also at times into solid state power and guitar cabs, works fine.
 
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RockYoWorld said:
Ken's video is what actually started my curiosity of using 2 different amp blocks for it. This thread is now getting me closer to doing it :)
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Hey there, I am taking 6 months off to get some surgery work done, and changing my long-time Fractal-direct-to-FOH setup to use a power amp (Matrix). I have a quick question - when you run two chains - one for FOH and one to your power amp/cab, are you enabling cab simulation and running cab to the FOH chain? And then to your power amp/cabinet chain you are just not inserting a cab into that chain? Also, how do you run the modulation effects after the amp? If you had a pic of AxeEdit that would be awesome - and thank you in advance? My FM9 to Matrix/2X12 sounds fabulous, but I am struggling with running a second chain to the FOH with a cab inserted - just a brain block or something. Many thanks,
 
Tplesko said:
Hey there, I am taking 6 months off to get some surgery work done, and changing my long-time Fractal-direct-to-FOH setup to use a power amp (Matrix). I have a quick question - when you run two chains - one for FOH and one to your power amp/cab, are you enabling cab simulation and running cab to the FOH chain? And then to your power amp/cabinet chain you are just not inserting a cab into that chain? Also, how do you run the modulation effects after the amp? If you had a pic of AxeEdit that would be awesome - and thank you in advance? My FM9 to Matrix/2X12 sounds fabulous, but I am struggling with running a second chain to the FOH with a cab inserted - just a brain block or something. Many thanks,
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If I am following what you are asking, simply break off the signal path to the output connected to the power amp before the cab block. FOH output gets the cab block.

In terms of power amp simulation, it is best to use a neutral power amp, like the Seymour Duncan models, Matrix or Fryette and leave the power amp sim on. Some people do like how it sounds with power amp sim on with a power amp that tend to color the sound, so your milage may vary. That being said the output to the FOH w/o the power amp sim will sound like poo with it off, so.......

The modulation effects are happening inside the fractal, so as long as you put the after your amp block, you will be g2g. I'm sure others will chime in with more detailed notes. Have fun!
 
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