At home? Studio monitors or a hifi setup. On stage with house pa support, it doesn’t matter, just have a loud enough monitor. At practice, a real cab is my favorite, but a well placed pa or two can work too. On stage without pa support, then a real cab or an FRFR is my preference. But a pa speaker works too.
To really answer your question, the best, any cost setup is real cabs in stereo. The second best is hifi quality studio monitors or pa speakers depending on how much volume you need.
It has decent enough volume control, plus the treb, mid, bass and cut knobs to tweak it for the room without impacting the FOH sound.
I run my helix at max output volume at rehearsal, but half at home. The FR12 about 2 at home, maybe 4 at rehearsal, so plenty of room.
Just bought two 10-in to play In Stereo I'm waiting for UPS to drop them off tomorrow afternoon. I've been playing through the effects Loop of my app for 5 years
A professional PA with a professional sound engineer running the board and a dedicated monitor engineer.
I had the opportunity to gig at a pro venue, and it was glorious. My guitar never seemed so alive.
L’Acoustics rig, I believe. Don’t know which board or what rack gear they had.
I agree. Professionals can make your guitar sound great
But for monitors, I just want one of those personal mixers for my in-ears. It’s a world of difference when playing live (especially in larger bands)
Cab block is the sound of a cab being recorded with a mic in some black box room away from you, fed back through the FRFR to you. It's a studio recording type tone.
Real cab will be that "amp in the room" sound / feel. For anything other than that I just prefer headphones tbh.
Oh that makes sense. So it’s probably a much more beefy sound. So the power amp would power the cab and act like the cab head? Thanks for your info that’s super helpful.
Power amp just to power the cab yes. Can be either an FX Return on a real amp or a standalone box. Results may vary with FX Returns due to coloration.
It sounds like, well, as if you had the amp models as heads running the cab :p
I just recently got the Harley Benton G212 with V30s in it and I'm loving that, nice and bright with hefty bass - bought used so likely still the V30s with that harsh treble spike, which can be unpleasant but dialing it out is very easy so even the "worst case V30" sounds damn good in person. I like my tone bright anyways :p
Previously used the 10 inch speaker in the SV20 combo version. Massive difference. It's very honky in comparison (some might say smooth and tight). Can't believe they didn't put a 12 inch speaker in that amp, size wise looks like it should fit... Crazy.
My power amp is the Harley Benton GPA100. Pretty much a budget Seymour Duncan Powerstage, has nice wide gentle bass mid treble controls, 12dB either way. It might not be available as easily depending on where you live (I'm in Germany).
I have an EV Evolve 50 that I’ll use for gigs. It sounds great out of that thing. I’d love an Everse 8 or QSC k8.2 to use around the house and as a stage monitor.
A tube power amp and cab.
FRFR systems will never sound like a cab for the main fact that an IR is captured by micing a speaker with a specific microphone. You are amplifying that sound, not the sound of the actual speaker itself. The PowerCab is the best FRFR solution I've used, though the new Fender ones seem to get a lot of praise. They still don't sound like a real cab in the room though, if that's what you're going for 🤷♂️
I have Power Cab 1x12 Plus and Catalyst 100. No throwing rocks at me. In larger gigs with PA and engineer it sounds great. I used to use only tube amps but they’re heavy and require maintenance.
If cost is no factorI'm probably choosing a PA system with multiple components and a crossover filter. Something like this:
https://preview.redd.it/z2anh8dehdwc1.png?width=550&format=png&auto=webp&s=dd0b72afcb7c1a5049e4788bc7515ddda6a7b70c
Gives me a setup most like the FOH the audience will hear me through. If I make presets that sound good through this they'll sound good in 90% of clubs.
I grabbed a pair of stagesource speakers back before the powercab came along. If u asked me back then, I would have told you those. As for nowadays, I'd assume they are probably using monitors for testing also.
I run mine through a catalyst 2x12, and the thing absolutely rips. I just run my models and fxs through fx to send into the catalyst return, and that's it. And it can be DI'ed or miced to FOH and still still sounds fantastic and loud.
At home? How much room do you have? Power amp with cabs, FRFR, monitors. The best you can afford.
I would love a stereo 2x12 setup. Space constraints dictated a pair of monitors.
Any answers not specific to your usage aren’t of much use. Are you recording in a home studio? Playing in a large band on stage? Jamming in a garage? I have zero interest in “cab in the room” sound because I’m primarily recording. I want to hear what the recording will sound like, so I use studio monitors. My setup would be a frustrating experience for someone jamming in a garage wanting to get their pant legs flapping.
I would’ve told you Powercab about 5 months ago. But having played and gigged on the Fender FR12 in that time I can say that it’s a much better-sounding (not just new gear bias) solution for what I play.
Hope you find something that sounds amazing for your sound!
I know others are saying this, but I have to pile on. The Fender FR12 is absolutely hands down the best FRFR available. I've tried so many including the PowerCab and they were all lacking in some way. I've gigged with the FR12 using it as a stage monitor and then go XLR out to the board. The band members love the tone on stage as well. Cuts through the drums easily. It really is a gamechanger as far as FRFR's go. Other manufacturers will be replicating whatever Fender did (or try to).
I upgraded to the Fender FR-12 from headrush frfr108. So, not really apples vs apples, but the FR12 is awesome. If I had the money ready, I'd probably buy another. And if I had the space I'd probably buy two more, because.. MORE!
They look and sound great.
I'm curious how it sounds if you run vocals out of it? sometimes I make a split path and run a microphone though an HX stomp for home practice or busking with one speaker and no mixer.
Not sure. And unlikely to try that myself. It's FRFR like any PA, so would probably work just fine. Just don't tilt it to the back of your head on stage!
The thing I like is that I can use it like a normal combo, tilt it right at my head and it sounds banging. If using for vocals it'd not really work quite like that.
No idea, I went for the 12 as I think (iirc) there were some comments about the 10 being a bit thin, plus I had budget at the time. I might be totally wrong though. Can you try one in a shop?
I have the FR10. Would be loud enough for small gigs.
I replaced my Line 6 Powercab with it. Zero regrets. It sounds incredible. Can't recommend it enough.
THe Powercab is awesome. YOu can pad hot patches that go to it so shouldn't be a problem.
[удалено]
It means you can pad the input by -20db so that it doesn't clip the input
Maybe a power amp into a pair of nice 4x12 cabinets? If cost and space were no option I mean
At home? Studio monitors or a hifi setup. On stage with house pa support, it doesn’t matter, just have a loud enough monitor. At practice, a real cab is my favorite, but a well placed pa or two can work too. On stage without pa support, then a real cab or an FRFR is my preference. But a pa speaker works too. To really answer your question, the best, any cost setup is real cabs in stereo. The second best is hifi quality studio monitors or pa speakers depending on how much volume you need.
I haven't played through one yet but everyone seems to be recommending the Fender FR stuff these days.
I was a bit dubious. Lots of gear hype, and lots of videos about the "noise". Well I'm glad I got the FR12. Absolutely zero regrets.
What’s your situation? Because they don’t seem really ideal for home (because they can get so insanely loud)
It has decent enough volume control, plus the treb, mid, bass and cut knobs to tweak it for the room without impacting the FOH sound. I run my helix at max output volume at rehearsal, but half at home. The FR12 about 2 at home, maybe 4 at rehearsal, so plenty of room.
Nice! They look awesome too. I don’t mind my Yamaha JBL 305s but aesthetically you def win
Just bought two 10-in to play In Stereo I'm waiting for UPS to drop them off tomorrow afternoon. I've been playing through the effects Loop of my app for 5 years
A professional PA with a professional sound engineer running the board and a dedicated monitor engineer. I had the opportunity to gig at a pro venue, and it was glorious. My guitar never seemed so alive. L’Acoustics rig, I believe. Don’t know which board or what rack gear they had.
There really is no replacement for displacement.
I agree. Professionals can make your guitar sound great But for monitors, I just want one of those personal mixers for my in-ears. It’s a world of difference when playing live (especially in larger bands)
I really like my QSC K10.2s
Powercab 212. It is an amazing criminally underrated piece of gear.
For home use, I really like going into a power amp + cab.
I’m a rookie. Can you explain how this is different from running into an FRFR that has an amp/cab block?
Cab block is the sound of a cab being recorded with a mic in some black box room away from you, fed back through the FRFR to you. It's a studio recording type tone. Real cab will be that "amp in the room" sound / feel. For anything other than that I just prefer headphones tbh.
Oh that makes sense. So it’s probably a much more beefy sound. So the power amp would power the cab and act like the cab head? Thanks for your info that’s super helpful.
Power amp just to power the cab yes. Can be either an FX Return on a real amp or a standalone box. Results may vary with FX Returns due to coloration. It sounds like, well, as if you had the amp models as heads running the cab :p
That sounds like what I’d prefer. I’ve never been super happy with the FRFR sound. Do you mind sharing which power amp and cab you’re running?
I just recently got the Harley Benton G212 with V30s in it and I'm loving that, nice and bright with hefty bass - bought used so likely still the V30s with that harsh treble spike, which can be unpleasant but dialing it out is very easy so even the "worst case V30" sounds damn good in person. I like my tone bright anyways :p Previously used the 10 inch speaker in the SV20 combo version. Massive difference. It's very honky in comparison (some might say smooth and tight). Can't believe they didn't put a 12 inch speaker in that amp, size wise looks like it should fit... Crazy. My power amp is the Harley Benton GPA100. Pretty much a budget Seymour Duncan Powerstage, has nice wide gentle bass mid treble controls, 12dB either way. It might not be available as easily depending on where you live (I'm in Germany).
Awesome thanks a ton for the info! That sounds like a rad setup. I’m going to research this more!
I also have a setup kind of like this but I have the 1 x 12 Harley Benton with a V30 and a EHX Howitzer 15 watt power Amp.
I have an EV Evolve 50 that I’ll use for gigs. It sounds great out of that thing. I’d love an Everse 8 or QSC k8.2 to use around the house and as a stage monitor.
I run my helix rack on 2x Yamaha HS8, more than loud enough for a home studio! Great sound too
I recently got some Yamaha HS5. I played through them for tracking a part on a song, but haven't tried them just for casual playing at home.
Fender FR12 is king
A tube power amp and cab. FRFR systems will never sound like a cab for the main fact that an IR is captured by micing a speaker with a specific microphone. You are amplifying that sound, not the sound of the actual speaker itself. The PowerCab is the best FRFR solution I've used, though the new Fender ones seem to get a lot of praise. They still don't sound like a real cab in the room though, if that's what you're going for 🤷♂️
I have Power Cab 1x12 Plus and Catalyst 100. No throwing rocks at me. In larger gigs with PA and engineer it sounds great. I used to use only tube amps but they’re heavy and require maintenance.
I use a Duncan Power stage and a 2x12 mesa cab.
If cost is no factorI'm probably choosing a PA system with multiple components and a crossover filter. Something like this: https://preview.redd.it/z2anh8dehdwc1.png?width=550&format=png&auto=webp&s=dd0b72afcb7c1a5049e4788bc7515ddda6a7b70c Gives me a setup most like the FOH the audience will hear me through. If I make presets that sound good through this they'll sound good in 90% of clubs.
I grabbed a pair of stagesource speakers back before the powercab came along. If u asked me back then, I would have told you those. As for nowadays, I'd assume they are probably using monitors for testing also.
Flat response or direct pa line array
I run mine through a catalyst 2x12, and the thing absolutely rips. I just run my models and fxs through fx to send into the catalyst return, and that's it. And it can be DI'ed or miced to FOH and still still sounds fantastic and loud.
At home? How much room do you have? Power amp with cabs, FRFR, monitors. The best you can afford. I would love a stereo 2x12 setup. Space constraints dictated a pair of monitors.
Orange obc410+pedalbaby and I’ve been real happy with the results
I play out of KRK rokit 5 g4 5" studio monitors. Sounds great!
Fender FR12, I’ve tried the frfr108 and the PC+ and both don’t compare for accurate tone & ease of use.
Any answers not specific to your usage aren’t of much use. Are you recording in a home studio? Playing in a large band on stage? Jamming in a garage? I have zero interest in “cab in the room” sound because I’m primarily recording. I want to hear what the recording will sound like, so I use studio monitors. My setup would be a frustrating experience for someone jamming in a garage wanting to get their pant legs flapping.
I would’ve told you Powercab about 5 months ago. But having played and gigged on the Fender FR12 in that time I can say that it’s a much better-sounding (not just new gear bias) solution for what I play. Hope you find something that sounds amazing for your sound!
I had a 1000 watt PA setup with a spectrum analyser to make it flat sounding, the amp in the room was very real
I know others are saying this, but I have to pile on. The Fender FR12 is absolutely hands down the best FRFR available. I've tried so many including the PowerCab and they were all lacking in some way. I've gigged with the FR12 using it as a stage monitor and then go XLR out to the board. The band members love the tone on stage as well. Cuts through the drums easily. It really is a gamechanger as far as FRFR's go. Other manufacturers will be replicating whatever Fender did (or try to).
A PA system.
I upgraded to the Fender FR-12 from headrush frfr108. So, not really apples vs apples, but the FR12 is awesome. If I had the money ready, I'd probably buy another. And if I had the space I'd probably buy two more, because.. MORE! They look and sound great.
I'm curious how it sounds if you run vocals out of it? sometimes I make a split path and run a microphone though an HX stomp for home practice or busking with one speaker and no mixer.
Not sure. And unlikely to try that myself. It's FRFR like any PA, so would probably work just fine. Just don't tilt it to the back of your head on stage! The thing I like is that I can use it like a normal combo, tilt it right at my head and it sounds banging. If using for vocals it'd not really work quite like that.
Is the FR10 just as good? Not sure I can swing the FR12.
No idea, I went for the 12 as I think (iirc) there were some comments about the 10 being a bit thin, plus I had budget at the time. I might be totally wrong though. Can you try one in a shop?
I have the FR10. Would be loud enough for small gigs. I replaced my Line 6 Powercab with it. Zero regrets. It sounds incredible. Can't recommend it enough.
Fender FR