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[[image:H_amps.png|link=]]
 
 
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
=Preamps and power amps=
+
=Preamp and power amp=
  
[[image:Amp block.PNG|300px]]
+
[[image:Amp block.PNG|450px]]
  
 
Most traditional guitar amplifiers consist of a preamp and a power amp. The preamp is responsible for tone and gain, the power amp makes things loud and may add some distortion and character of its own to the sound.
 
Most traditional guitar amplifiers consist of a preamp and a power amp. The preamp is responsible for tone and gain, the power amp makes things loud and may add some distortion and character of its own to the sound.
  
The Axe-Fx series and AX8 model both: they provide "virtual" guitar preamps and power amps, combined in Amplifier models. [[Amplifier models list|Many heads, combos and racked preamps have been modeled]].
+
Fractal Audio's amp modelers provide "virtual" equivalents of these preamps and power amps, combined in Amplifier models. [[Amplifier models list|Many heads, combos and racked preamps have been modeled by FAS.]]
  
The processors also provide [[Effects list|many other effects]], they can "[[Recording,_reamping_and_computers|reamp]]" a recorded dry signal, create [[Tone_Match_block|Tone Matches]] of real amps and recordings (Axe-Fx only), [[IR_Capture|capture Impulse Responses]] (Axe-Fx only), and more.
+
The processors also provide [[Effects list|many other effects]]. And depending on the processor, they can "[[Computer audio and reamping|reamp]]" a recorded dry signal, create [[Tone_Match_block|Tone Matches]] of real amps and recordings, [[IR_Capture|capture Impulse Responses]], and more.
  
[[Amp_block|More about the Amp block ...]]
+
[[Amp_block|More about the Amp block...]]
  
=Traditional guitar speaker (with power amp) or full-range amplification (FRFR)=
+
=Amplification through traditional guitar speaker or Full Range Flat Response (FRFR)=
  
 
[[image:h_cabs.png|link=]]
 
[[image:h_cabs.png|link=]]
  
An amp, whether real or virtual, needs a speaker to sound good. And amplification is required to make modeling loud . Usually this means using either a traditional guitar cab with a power amp, or a so-called FRFR monitor.
+
An amp, whether real or virtual, needs a speaker to sound good. And amplification is required to make things sound loud. Usually this means using either a traditional guitar cab with a power amp, or a so-called FRFR monitor / cab.
  
- '''Traditional guitar cab and power amp'''
+
* '''Traditional guitar cab and power amp'''
  
A traditional guitar speaker will give you the familiar and fairly easy to set up "amp in the room tone". This does limit possibilities, because any sound you will create will be colored by the character of the guitar speaker. When using a traditional cabinet, the preset doesn't need to contain a Cabinet model. If it does, disable it or disable [[Cab_block#Enabling_and_disabling_cabinet_modeling|Cabinet Modeling]] in the processor's setup menu.
+
A traditional guitar speaker will give you the familiar and fairly easy to set up "amp/cab in the room tone". This does limit possibilities, because any sound you will create will be colored by the character of the guitar speaker itself.
  
To feed the guitar speaker, a hardware power amp is required.
+
When using a traditional cabinet, the preset shouldn't use a Cabinet model. If it does, disable it or disable [[Cab_block|Cabinet Modeling]] in the processor's Setup menu.
  
This can be a guitar-oriented power amp, head or combo, which will add it own coloring to the sound and decreases the possible tonal variations. This usually sounds best with Power Amp Modeling disabled in the processor's setup menus.
+
A hardware power amp is required to feed the speaker. This can be a guitar-oriented power amp, head or combo, which will add its own coloring to the sound and decreases the possible tonal variations. This usually sounds best with Power Amp Modeling disabled in the processor's setup menus.
  
More popular is a so-called "neutral" power amp, which neutrally amplifies the incoming signal into the guitar cabinet. This relies on the virtual power amp, so keep Power Amp Modeling enabled in the setup menu.
+
More popular is a so-called "neutral" power amp, which "neutrally" sends the signal into the guitar cabinet. This relies on the virtual power amp of the modeler, so keep Power Amp Modeling enabled in the Setup menu.
  
[[Connecting_and_setting_levels#Setup:_Power_amp_and_guitar_speaker|More ...]]
+
[[Connections and levels|More information...]]
  
- '''FRFR'''
+
* '''FRFR'''
  
Alternatively, you can opt for FRFR sound reproduction and amplification: Full Range Flat Response. This requires a FRFR speaker and an external or built-in neutral power amp. Studio monitors are FRFR by nature, as well as some monitor wedges and cabs, high-quality PA-systems, and headphones.
+
Alternatively, you can opt for FRFR sound reproduction and amplification: Full Range Flat Response. This requires a FRFR speaker and an external or built-in neutral power amp. Studio monitors are FRFR by nature, as are some monitor wedges and cabs, high-quality PA-systems, and headphones.
  
FRFR systems and direct recording require [[Cab_block|Cabinet Modeling]] because the signal doesn't go through a traditional guitar cab. The Axe-Fx and AX8 have [[Cabinet models list|many built-in cabinet models]]. They also allow loading additional cabs from disk, known as [[Impulse_response_(IR)|Impulse Responses (IRs)]].
+
FRFR systems (including direct recording) require [[Cab_block|Cabinet Modeling]] because the signal doesn't go through a traditional guitar cab. Fractal Audio's amp modelers provide [[Cabinet models list|many built-in cabinet models]]. They also allow loading external cabs, known as [[Impulse_responses_(IR)|Impulse Responses (IRs)]].
  
Important: when using an FRFR sound system with cabinet modeling, you're listening to the sound of a miked speaker. That's a different tone than that of a guitar speaker cabinet. A virtual cab (almost always) represents the sound of a speaker that was captured using one or more microphones placed very close to the speaker (referred to as "nearfield" or "close-miking"). The sound of a guitar speaker at a certain distance is referred to as "far-field". Because of the close proximity of the recording mic to the speaker, the FRFR sound has more highs and lows, and has the characteristics of the microphone baked in. It can take a while to get accustomed to the FRFR sound, but realize it's the same tone you hear at a concert or when listening to recorded music.
+
Important: when using an FRFR sound system with cabinet modeling, you're listening to the sound of a miked speaker. That's a different sound than that of a guitar speaker cabinet. A virtual cab (almost always) represents the sound of a speaker that was captured using one or more microphones placed very close to the speaker (referred to as "nearfield" or "close-miking"). The sound of a guitar speaker at a certain distance is referred to as "far-field". Because of the close proximity of the recording mic to the speaker, the FRFR sound has more highs and lows, and has the characteristics of the microphone baked in. It can take a while to get accustomed to the FRFR sound, but just realize it's the same tone you hear at a concert or when listening to recorded music.
  
[[Connecting_and_setting_levels#Setup:_FRFR|More ...]]
+
[[Connections and levels|More information...]]
  
 
=Cutting through the mix=
 
=Cutting through the mix=
  
Lots of players who start using a modeler and take it to rehearsals and gigs, using FRFR amplification, find it difficult to make the sound of the guitar cut through the mix. Even turning up volume doesn't always help. This is caused by two things:
+
Many players who start using a modeler and take it to rehearsals and gigs, using FRFR amplification, find it difficult to make the sound of the guitar cut through the mix. Even turning up the volume doesn't always help. This is caused by two things:
  
* close-miked sound
+
* [[Connections_and_levels#Close-miking|close-miked sound]]
* Fletcher-Munson curve
+
* [[Connections_and_levels#Fletcher-Munson|Fletcher-Munson curve]]
  
- '''About close-miked sound'''
+
=Input and output clipping=
  
Already explained is that the FRFR sound is the sound of a close-miked speaker, which usually has more top and bottom end than a regular guitar cabinet. The fact that its spectrum is very broad, makes it harder to get noticed. The electric guitar is a mid-heavy instrument.
+
[[image:Iii-meter-bridge.jpg|link=|300px]]
  
- '''About the Fletcher-Munson curve'''
+
Clipping means that a signal exceeds the limits. While analog clipping may sometimes be desirable, digital clipping is always nasty and something that you'll always want to avoid.
  
The [[Connecting_and_setting_levels#Fletcher-Munson|Fletcher-Munson curve]] is the scientific name for the fact that human ears perceive sound at low volume levels differently than at higher levels.
+
Clipping can occur at various stages in the device.
  
When tweaking tone at low volume levels, a player often turns up treble and bass. This is what the "Loudness" switch on older home stereo systems did. But when the volume is turned up, those high and low frequencies are the cause of harsh and boomy tones. In the highs the guitar now needs to compete with cymbals, and will lose. In the lows the guitar now needs to compete with the bass guitar, and will lose.
+
* '''Input clipping'''
  
The solution to this: simnply don't dial in too much top and bottom end. Always dial in your live guitar tones at gig levels. And remember that the guitar is a "mid" instrument, so focus on the midrange.
+
Input clipping means that the incoming signal (guitar > processor) is too hot.
  
[[Connecting_and_setting_levels|More information ...]]
+
It's okay for the Input LED to "tickle" the red. If it happens all the time, adjust Input Level / Input Pad in the Setup menu. This control is NOT a gain control! It controls the signal-to-noise ratio and does NOT affect signal level, amp gain or tone.
  
=Input and output clipping=
+
* '''Output clipping'''
  
[[image:Iii-meter-bridge.jpg|link=|300px]]
+
The Output LED indicates that the signal level in the effects chain is too hot for the digital-to-analog converter at the end. Adjusting the Input Level will not solve this. Decrease the digital level somewhere in the chain, preferably using Level in the Amp block, or in the Output block.
  
Clipping means that a signal exceeds the limits. While analog clipping may sometimes be desirable, digital clipping is always nasty and something that you'll want to avoid.
+
[[Connections and levels|More about levels...]]
  
Clipping can occur at various stages.
+
=Parameter paralysis=
 
 
- '''Input clipping'''
 
 
 
Input clipping means that the incoming signal is too hot.
 
 
 
It's okay for the Input LED to "tickle" the red. If it happens all the time, adjust Input Level / Input Pad in the setup menu. This control is NOT a gain control! It controls the signal-to-noise ratio and does NOT affect signal level, amp gain or tone.
 
  
- '''Output clipping'''
+
The sheer number of parameters and possibilities can easily dazzle and confuse users. Sometimes it's handy to be able to fall back on a reference tone.
  
The Output LED indicates that the signal level in the effects chain is too hot for the digital-to-analog converter at the end. Adjusting the Input Level will not solve this. Decrease the digital level somewhere in the chain, preferably using Level in the Amp block, or in the Output block.
+
The Band-Commander (clean tone) and Friedman BE (dirty tone) amp models, both at completely default settings, provide great baseline tones. Combine with cab model Legacy 103 at default settings. Listen with headphones or through studio monitors.
  
[[Connecting_and_setting_levels#Connecting_instruments_and_other_devices|More about levels ...]]
+
=Tutorials=
  
=Parameter paralysis=
+
Start here:
 +
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlFyLhwRJj0 Cooper Carter's Introduction to the Axe-Fx III, part 1]
 +
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpwxNiOt6pQ Cooper Carter's Introduction to the Axe-Fx III, part 2]
  
The sheer number of parameters and possibilities with amplifier and cabinet modeling can easily dazzle and confuse. It's handy to fall back on a reference tone.
+
Many more tutorials are available from various sources.
  
The Band-Commander (clean tone) and Friedman BE (dirty tone) amp models, both at completely default settings, provide great reference tones. Combine with cab model #103 at default settings. Listen with headphones or through studio monitors.
+
Also, always read the [[Owners_Manuals | Owner's Manual]] and don't overlook the [[FAQ]].
  
 
[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
 
[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
 +
[[category:FM3]]
 
[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
 
[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:Sounds]]
 
[[category:Sounds]]

Revision as of 06:33, 23 February 2020

Preamp and power amp

Amp block.PNG

Most traditional guitar amplifiers consist of a preamp and a power amp. The preamp is responsible for tone and gain, the power amp makes things loud and may add some distortion and character of its own to the sound.

Fractal Audio's amp modelers provide "virtual" equivalents of these preamps and power amps, combined in Amplifier models. Many heads, combos and racked preamps have been modeled by FAS.

The processors also provide many other effects. And depending on the processor, they can "reamp" a recorded dry signal, create Tone Matches of real amps and recordings, capture Impulse Responses, and more.

More about the Amp block...

Amplification through traditional guitar speaker or Full Range Flat Response (FRFR)

H cabs.png

An amp, whether real or virtual, needs a speaker to sound good. And amplification is required to make things sound loud. Usually this means using either a traditional guitar cab with a power amp, or a so-called FRFR monitor / cab.

  • Traditional guitar cab and power amp

A traditional guitar speaker will give you the familiar and fairly easy to set up "amp/cab in the room tone". This does limit possibilities, because any sound you will create will be colored by the character of the guitar speaker itself.

When using a traditional cabinet, the preset shouldn't use a Cabinet model. If it does, disable it or disable Cabinet Modeling in the processor's Setup menu.

A hardware power amp is required to feed the speaker. This can be a guitar-oriented power amp, head or combo, which will add its own coloring to the sound and decreases the possible tonal variations. This usually sounds best with Power Amp Modeling disabled in the processor's setup menus.

More popular is a so-called "neutral" power amp, which "neutrally" sends the signal into the guitar cabinet. This relies on the virtual power amp of the modeler, so keep Power Amp Modeling enabled in the Setup menu.

More information...

  • FRFR

Alternatively, you can opt for FRFR sound reproduction and amplification: Full Range Flat Response. This requires a FRFR speaker and an external or built-in neutral power amp. Studio monitors are FRFR by nature, as are some monitor wedges and cabs, high-quality PA-systems, and headphones.

FRFR systems (including direct recording) require Cabinet Modeling because the signal doesn't go through a traditional guitar cab. Fractal Audio's amp modelers provide many built-in cabinet models. They also allow loading external cabs, known as Impulse Responses (IRs).

Important: when using an FRFR sound system with cabinet modeling, you're listening to the sound of a miked speaker. That's a different sound than that of a guitar speaker cabinet. A virtual cab (almost always) represents the sound of a speaker that was captured using one or more microphones placed very close to the speaker (referred to as "nearfield" or "close-miking"). The sound of a guitar speaker at a certain distance is referred to as "far-field". Because of the close proximity of the recording mic to the speaker, the FRFR sound has more highs and lows, and has the characteristics of the microphone baked in. It can take a while to get accustomed to the FRFR sound, but just realize it's the same tone you hear at a concert or when listening to recorded music.

More information...

Cutting through the mix

Many players who start using a modeler and take it to rehearsals and gigs, using FRFR amplification, find it difficult to make the sound of the guitar cut through the mix. Even turning up the volume doesn't always help. This is caused by two things:

Input and output clipping

Iii-meter-bridge.jpg

Clipping means that a signal exceeds the limits. While analog clipping may sometimes be desirable, digital clipping is always nasty and something that you'll always want to avoid.

Clipping can occur at various stages in the device.

  • Input clipping

Input clipping means that the incoming signal (guitar > processor) is too hot.

It's okay for the Input LED to "tickle" the red. If it happens all the time, adjust Input Level / Input Pad in the Setup menu. This control is NOT a gain control! It controls the signal-to-noise ratio and does NOT affect signal level, amp gain or tone.

  • Output clipping

The Output LED indicates that the signal level in the effects chain is too hot for the digital-to-analog converter at the end. Adjusting the Input Level will not solve this. Decrease the digital level somewhere in the chain, preferably using Level in the Amp block, or in the Output block.

More about levels...

Parameter paralysis

The sheer number of parameters and possibilities can easily dazzle and confuse users. Sometimes it's handy to be able to fall back on a reference tone.

The Band-Commander (clean tone) and Friedman BE (dirty tone) amp models, both at completely default settings, provide great baseline tones. Combine with cab model Legacy 103 at default settings. Listen with headphones or through studio monitors.

Tutorials

Start here:

Many more tutorials are available from various sources.

Also, always read the Owner's Manual and don't overlook the FAQ.