This is not a thread to discourage anybody from buying what I think are the two best solutions to running the Axe-Fx FRFR ... it is just FYI ....
I own and love the Verve 12ma, but after reading the Fratomic board discussions it became clear the Fratomic had something to offer too ...
First off, it looks like a million bucks, built real well, packaged well.
I plugged in my Axe and tried the existing presets, all of which are specifically tweaked for the Verve 12ma.
I really enjoy the sound of the cabinet itself, it adds that dimension that is missing in the FRFR Verves and other power monitors. If you never realized how much the echoing inside the cab adds to the magic of electric guitar, you will when you plug into the Fratomic.
I use bright patches, I am a Plexi nut, have everything set with lots of treble and presence ... and this really stuck out on the Fratomic. I had to turn the treble volume down to compensate ... and again, this is without tweaking. Just an observation.
The lower mids are very nice, and as somebody pointed out, this makes a great transition between the high mids and bass, something a bit lacking on the other FRFR monitors.
The bass is also better sounding on the Fratomic then my Verve, as if the cabinet volume of the Fratomic tames it a bit and makes it more guitar friendly. Much more thump in a tight 4x12 way even through the 12" speaker. The limiter on the Verve keeps the speakers from blowing ... but you do miss a bit of that low thump becasue of it.
Volume wise it is plenty loud, as loud as my Marshall 1987X was ... 50 watts, and good cutting power. However, if you play detuned thumping music all night, maybe 50 watts won't do it for you. Personally I don't need anything this loud, and I am more a Plexi/Bassman kind of guy ... and you can obviously buy two of these and have a killer rig if you need that much power.
The only knock I can give the Fratomic is it sounds so good, it might not match what is coming out of your PA if you use it solely to monitor yourself. Now this is not necessarilly a bad thing, as long as what comes out of the PA still sounds good too. And I guess hearing youself in the best possible light does make you play better.
As far as use for a backline power amp, the Fratomic is definately superior to the Verves, but the Verves are still very close when you mix good IRs into the picture. I still love my presets through my Verve 12ma, they rip, but I am liking the fratomic enough to keep it. It is a great bargain at $799 ... I am very impressed with it ...
I own and love the Verve 12ma, but after reading the Fratomic board discussions it became clear the Fratomic had something to offer too ...
First off, it looks like a million bucks, built real well, packaged well.
I plugged in my Axe and tried the existing presets, all of which are specifically tweaked for the Verve 12ma.
I really enjoy the sound of the cabinet itself, it adds that dimension that is missing in the FRFR Verves and other power monitors. If you never realized how much the echoing inside the cab adds to the magic of electric guitar, you will when you plug into the Fratomic.
I use bright patches, I am a Plexi nut, have everything set with lots of treble and presence ... and this really stuck out on the Fratomic. I had to turn the treble volume down to compensate ... and again, this is without tweaking. Just an observation.
The lower mids are very nice, and as somebody pointed out, this makes a great transition between the high mids and bass, something a bit lacking on the other FRFR monitors.
The bass is also better sounding on the Fratomic then my Verve, as if the cabinet volume of the Fratomic tames it a bit and makes it more guitar friendly. Much more thump in a tight 4x12 way even through the 12" speaker. The limiter on the Verve keeps the speakers from blowing ... but you do miss a bit of that low thump becasue of it.
Volume wise it is plenty loud, as loud as my Marshall 1987X was ... 50 watts, and good cutting power. However, if you play detuned thumping music all night, maybe 50 watts won't do it for you. Personally I don't need anything this loud, and I am more a Plexi/Bassman kind of guy ... and you can obviously buy two of these and have a killer rig if you need that much power.
The only knock I can give the Fratomic is it sounds so good, it might not match what is coming out of your PA if you use it solely to monitor yourself. Now this is not necessarilly a bad thing, as long as what comes out of the PA still sounds good too. And I guess hearing youself in the best possible light does make you play better.
As far as use for a backline power amp, the Fratomic is definately superior to the Verves, but the Verves are still very close when you mix good IRs into the picture. I still love my presets through my Verve 12ma, they rip, but I am liking the fratomic enough to keep it. It is a great bargain at $799 ... I am very impressed with it ...
