“Cool. Have you tried any of the FRFR options? Do you always run with cabs off?”
Not yet, so I´m not able to make such a comparison real cab versus FRFR. Cab sim must always be off when using a real cab, imo. If I turn cab sim on, the tone really sucks. On the other hand, Powersim is on all the time.
“do you feel limited at all by having actual cabs?”
Obviously, considering that I haven´t tested any FRFR cab, my opinion itself is limited, but I´d answer this question telling you I don´t feel any limit regarding these cabs, they perform very well all Axe models, from a Fender Blues Junior to a Diezel VH4.
“How do different amps translate? And where do you normally play? Home or out? Lastly, what are your general impressions thoughts on that setup?”
I´ve already tried the Axe through Mesa 2:90 and GT1000FX, both connected to the mini recto pair. It works well with both poweramps, but GT1000 translates much better Axe amp models (2:90 kind of adds its own tone – and this effect gets strong as you increase 2:90´s presence – on the other hand, if you´re using Axe Mesa models…you get awesome tones!!). Many people say FRFR translates even better, but I´m so satisfied with my minis. I ended up using the 2:90 in another rack (ENGL E530 as the preamp) with the same cabs. Both rigs are killer!!
Unfortunately, I can´t tell you how is this rig live. I´m 45 (playing since I was 14) and I´ve played a lot of gigs, but it´s been 2 years that I´ve been playing just at home, so, as I own this rig just about a year and a half, I´ve never used it live. Having said this, I assure you can´t go wrong with this rig live, although I don´t know you in person and what´s your tolerance level regarding the precision of the Axe amp simulations versus the real ones. I´ve done several comparisons at home with some of my amps – Mesa RK II and Marshall DSL50, both through a Mesa Recto 212, EVH 5150 III + EVH 112, Stiletto Ace 112 combo, Fender Dlx Reverb Reissue (this one I´ve sold a time ago, but remember exactly how it sounded) – and the Axe is as precise as the real ones (and I´ve analyse a bunch of parameters: dynamics, envelope, attack, clarity, and so)…believe me: I can dial in the same tones these real amps give me – tonematch block don’t help me in this task, as my tm´s are almost always an “out of phase sound”, so I tonematch “by ears”. I can even get that Road King EL34 + 6L6 sounds with the Axe FX (using 2 amp blocks – one recto modern with 6L6´s, and one recto vintage with EL34´s).
Last but not least, GT1000FX and a pair of 112 rectos have plenty of power to beat a heavy drummer…I´ve read your questions yesterday and when I came home, I made a 2 hours tone and power test. I´ve turned the power to band levels I´m used to and almost became deaf! The power of this rig rivals a Mesa RK-Mesa 212 rectifier cab. Of course, if you plan to play at extralarge stages you´ll eventually need some 412´s. The tone test consisted in choosing a basic preset and browse through the main amps and using 2 different guitars:
- Using a Fender Ash Custom Shop, I tested these models: Fender: tweeds, bassmans, twin, dlx rev, vibrolux; matchless (boutique1), AC30, Marshall Plexi 50W and 100W, USA Clean.
- Using a Peavey USA Wolfgang, I tested these models: Marshall: Plexi 50W, 100W, 1970, 6550, 1987, JCM800mod; Euro: blue, red; Diezel: VH4, Einstein; Mesa: USA Lead, MK II, Dual Recto.
All of them sound so good I can´t believe what I was hearing. Well, in fact, I can´t find a word to express what I feel about this setup. The words awesome and incredible are less than what it deserves. You can do what you want with this rig: amp in the room tone? Got it; match an amp when side by side? got it; recorded amp? Got it; your favorite guitar player´s recorded tone in a certain music? Got it.
One thing I must say is tube amps tone gets fullbodied as you increase its volume, and if you intend to use the Axe (+ GT1000 + pair of mini rectos) to recreate this effect, you must use an expression pedal to control master and volume at the same time in your amp block. I mean, it could be strange sometimes to play at low volume and get a full body tube amp sound – in this situation, you loose the amp in the room feel. Another thing I haven´t discovered yet how to reproduce (and don´t know if the Axe can do) is that kind of scratchy sound you can hear on Van Halen´s Panama intro – don´t know if a FRFR could solve this, I´d bet it can´t – well, I´ll post this question in a thread.
Sorry for the long text! Any additional questions, or video requests, feel free to ask for. I´ll try to do my best.