I love these mad-scientist use cases, given that I only ever use the instrument IN and OUTPUT 1. Hearing about how others use this amazing gizmo to do stuff I never considered is one of my favorite parts of this forum. Please keep us informed on your experience.
Yeah, when quickly described on internet, it sounds like a crazy thing, but when we look in detail each part, it’s just logical. I’m not doing concert, I never move, I’m mainly doing a big studio rig. The whole purpose is to have everything connected and ready to be used with the maximum flexibility. So yeah, it sounds crazy to say I will use all I/O, have multiple amps and cabs, and then modelers with FRFR too, etc… some would think it’s overkill, and in normal conditions, they would be right. But in reality I won’t use everything at once. It will just be available. Since it’s a huge (expensive) project, I prefer to make plan and verify twice that I can do what I want with each gear to not have any surprise later when I’m purchasing the missing pieces. In the end, I will have a Pedalboard with MIDI controlled pedals only, so I can have presets to recall routing and settings on the fly. With switchers to select up to 4 amps (Black Widow, Two-Rock Studio Signature, Hook Wizard and Diezel VHX). In parallel I will have the Fractal Axe FX3, that can also be used for Pre or Post FX, as well as having IR Cab for the 4 amps (being connected either directly with Direct Line Out, or through an UA Ox). So the Fractal could be use for either Pre FX, Preamp, Post FX, Amp and/or IR Cab… depending where I decide to use it in the signal path. The Tube Amps will send their Line Out to the Fractal, so they can receive Wet effects, and use the Tube amps for Dry Clean and Dirty sounds, while using the Modelers for Wet… making a Wet/Clean/Dirty/Wet rig. But at any given time, I could easily split the signal into two rigs for 2 guitarist and each guitarist will still have 2 tube amps for Wet/Dry or Clean/Dirty rig, and they can still have Wet effect from the Pedals and Modelers.
I know it sounds crazy, and the diagram is even more crazy… but the goal is really to have all the gear usable at any given time. If someone wants just to use the Fractal, they could and they will have 2 FRFR Cabs for that. If someone just want analog pedals with tube amps, then I will just select another Presets and it will be ready. Everything will be quickly accessible. And to do some sounds search, it will be cool to mix digital & analog. If you want to loose your hair and your mind, you can look at the attached diagram of my “TURD” (yeah, I know, named on purpose that way, LOL).
Blue lines: mono Send/Return
Yellow lines: stereo Send/Return
Red: Speaker
Pink: Line signal
Grey dotted: USB
There’s 2 Delay, 2 Reverb, 2 Modulation, and 2 Multi-FX pedals because it could be use for either 1 big rig, or 2 rig (left/right in the diagram). One rig with the Black Widow and Two-Rock, and the other rig with the Hook and Diezel. That’s also why there’s the Helix and the Axe FX3. So don’t think like I will always use everything at once, that’s absolutely not the purpose… that would be crazy. The purpose is to have everything accessible to save time in studio and not have to unplug/plug anything. Just use the GigRig to recall Program Change on all MIDI pedals and Axe/Helix as well as the Switchblade switcher… so all routing will be done in a heartbeat. I hope it makes sense.
It’s still a work in progress, so I’m trying to see if there’s any issue in my gear choice, and also I need to do with the gear and amps I already have. Also, that’s something I will slowly purchase over the next 5 years. I just want to be sure to purchase the right gear so I won’t have to sell something to buy something else, etc… I prefer to invest in the right gear right away. It’s generally more expensive, but at least I know I won’t have to think about it later.
So as you can see on the diagram, I will have a stereo send/return from the post-amp switcher (Switchblade), the idea is to be able to send 1 or 2 amps to the Fractal for Wet effects, but also use the Fractal Preamps into the Amps Loop return to use them as power amp. Also, using the Fractal as an aggregate audio interface, so I could record the Dry signal from the Input and the Wet processed signal from the Outs. Both the Hook and Diezel have a Line out with cab emulation or cab bypass. So I could decide to use the Cab Bypass to have the Amp dry tone in the Fractal and use the IR Cab in the Fractal (or on the computer). So when I record, I can record both dry and cab tracks in the same time and decide later which cab, which mic, which placement I want to use… during the mix.
Sorry about the long post, but you said you liked to learn how other do, it’s then the perfect occasion to present my idea… I know a lot of people will find that ugly (hint the TURD reference), maybe useless ,etc… and as said, if it would be to play in a band, on stage, etc… that would be absolutely true. In that case, I would use a very basic setup. But here, it’s really just a studio rig that won’t move and will always stay connected, with everything in a rack with custom made cables to go from the pedalboard to the rack, from the rack to the amps & cabs, etc…
Also, I need to mention that I plan to purchase the Axe FX3 in around 2 years (from my schedule for the priority of purchase). So I still have time to study it and figure out if there’s no mistake or errors and my plan (like thinking I could do something and it wouldn’t be possible). I don’t think I’m gonna change my mind about the gear. I pretty much know I want the Axe FX3. I thought about the FM9, but I need the extra Inputs and IR Cab block. And I will have everything else in a rack (Helix, Black Widow, Post Pedals, Switcher, Cab Selector, etc…). The price is quite hefty, but as said, I don’t mind to save a little bit longer if I know I will get the right gear. And I also know that I could use the Axe FX3 alone, without any pedal, any amp, etc… and still have two rig with multiple amps and cabs, all done in the Fractal. I’m not pro Analog/Tube, or Pro Digital, I like both and like to use both. I hope it makes sense and will explain a little bit where I come from with this layout.
