AxeFX III Basics Episode 25 Using a Power amp and guitar cabinet

Hi, I'm Rosh, I've programmed guitar rigs for Steve Vai, Def Leppard, Melissa Etheridge, Dweezil Zappa, A Perfect Circle, and more.
0:40 My setup
1:48 Using a Matrix Power Amp
3:15 Basic Preset
4:58 Running to OUT1 (Front of House) or In - ears
6:00 Using OUT3 and avoiding incorrect Cab block routing
7:15 Running Out1 With Effects, Out 3 without effects
9:20 Using the same effects in Out1 and Out3
10:15 Running Stereo to FOH using Stereo Cab block W/ panning
11:45 Challenges of Mono guitar cabinet on stage
12:25 Running Mono effects to Onstage Guitar cabinet
13:05 Independent effects to Out1 and Out 3
16:00 using the Dual Delay. Stereo panning on Out 1, Mono to Cabinet on Stage. Panning Stereo delays to center for Cabinet
Follow me on / roshroslin
Check out my website at www.roshroslin.com
Contact me if you have any questions or need any one on one help.

[@MaruMartinezGuitar]

This is super helpful, thank you! 🙏

[@RoshRoslin]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad you got value!

[@zvonimirbaljak3718]

Thank you for every video you made for us, axe fx 3 user!

[@RoshRoslin]

You're very welcome!

[@zvonimirbaljak3718]

@@RoshRoslin Will you make more videos for axe fx 3?

[@RoshRoslin]

Yes. I took a short hiatus because I’m currently doing a studio build out. Will return in September with more content. Thanks!

[@zvonimirbaljak3718]

@@RoshRoslin Tnx. You're the man!

[@GodsMuscian]

Love your videos!! Can you do videos on how to change parameters like drive of an amp on different scenes

[@RoshRoslin]

Awesome in the queue for a future video.

[@mmgla4608]

Great stuff, thanks! I have a question regarding the output 3 option. In the setup, we have a couple of different options like Mode, Boost/Pad, Phase. Maybe you could say something about that? I`ve read somewhere that we should boost it as much as possible without clipping, but no idea what it is about. Cheers!

[@RoshRoslin]

Boosting the input of an amp will affect the tone. Totally subjective, some people like it and some don't a lot of famous tones out there are boosting the input of an amp with a boost or pedal. I wouldn't recommend boosting a solid state power amp, it doesn't compress like a guitar amp

[@billzaferatos2256]

Hi Rosh, I was wondering if you might make a more detailed video about power amps and cabs. Settings in the amp block to be more specific. Or anything that may help with getting rid of the fizzy sound that I'm getting and just general ideas to making it all sounds better.

[@RoshRoslin]

If you need to get rid of a fizzy sound, I would recommend using a PEQ or graphic EQ block being sent to your power amp and then dial out the high end.

[@Rod_Records]

Thank you. Should the output 3 level remain so far under the red shade? For sending to matrix and tradition cab? Or is that too strong for for unity gain signal?

[@RoshRoslin]

You should keep the output fully clockwise, the input LEDs don't matter and are -not- clip lights. Just signal.

[@synth_wizard]

Hey Rosh. Awesome video, thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge. So I have a similar setup where I'm running Output 1 to front of house and after watching this video have now switched to using Output 3 to my cab instead of Output 2. Anyway, so I was wondering if you do any tweaks to optimize the particular cab you are using live? I've read about and watched some videos where people find the resonant frequency of their cab and adjust the amp block to match and things like that. I also know there is a setting in the amp block to toggle between FRFR and SS Power Amp + Cab. Do you usually just leave that on FRFR when splitting like in this video? Cheers and looking forward to more content!

[@RoshRoslin]

Hey Randy, I personally don't because I find my cab/Power amp combo sounds great. Port city + GT1000fx. However, what you can do is put a graphic EQ before you go into output 3 and then tweak the EQ dials for your cabinet block. Usually if you need more "thump" boost 63 and the next slider to the right till it works for your cabinet. The great approach to this strategy is you can have different EQ blocks custom tailored for different cabinets and speakers

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

I think I’m the only fool running an AxeFx II with matrix gt1000fx and “real” cabs with cab sims on. With IR’s running in all my patches makes it hard to record direct or rather impossible because there’s almost no translation. I have to also mic the cabs for live and recording, but that’s fine. Just sounds better with IR’s to me

[@rickfeith6372]

Well hello sir. I just got an Axe III…and a Matrix GT1000fx 2u. I haven’t even begun to tame it, I am literally just getting finished wiring it up into my rack and modifying my cabs to accept Speakon connections. It’s been quite the project, but man is it satisfying. I also grabbed a JP6 20th Anniversary Music Man while the getting was good….and a pair of expression pedals, a Fractal EV-2 and a Boss EV-30 Dual. And some Kali Audio LP6 v2 studio monitors, a Furman PL Plus with the LED meter and pull out lights…and about $350 worth of cables (XLRs, TRS, Insert Y, Guitar, Speakon 12ga, etc). ITS ALMOST DONE!!!! I’ve been taking notes and all that. I formerly had a POD HD500 going into the FX return of a Spider Valve HD100 head mk1. I had that in spread out mono through two 412 cabs. I had cab modeling on, and it sounded PHENOMENAL. I spent years dialing in that thing to sound like a Mark IV and it did. A lot. It was like a hybrid of amp in the room and recoded tone and it was glorious…till my head did something weird and stopped working..,,and here we are $7,000 later. I’ve always wanted a rack though, and my god is it pretty at night. But I have a sneaking feeling I will be doing it similarly. We shall see. Hi, I’m Rick by the way. Nice gear ya got there….lol

[@RoshRoslin]

If it sounds good to you, then keep going. These are "best practices" but there are always exceptions.

[@RoshRoslin]

Thanks!

[@mattleyes2213]

Hi Rosh! In the amp block if you go down the the "speaker" page it has -Output Mode- on the far bottom right. You can choose between FRFR or SS Power Amp and Cab. Any thoughts on this as I also am basically running both FRFR/MONITORS out of OUT 1 and SS Power amp/CAB out of 3.?

[@RoshRoslin]

I would just keep it the same for FRFR to FOH. That's what the audience will hear.

[@mattleyes2213]

@@RoshRoslin Thanks for the reply👍🏻

[@Mr911Medic]

So, if I initially plan to use the Axe FX solely as a bedroom amp, I just make my cabinet "output 1" and place all my effects blocks before the cab...correct?

[@RoshRoslin]

Are you referring to the cabinet block or your actual cabinet?

[@djentaman7009]

So glad I came across your video. Subbed! I’m in a little bit of a vulnerable place at the moment with my next move. I currently have a custom 2X12 passive cabinet being made in the UK and it’s being loaded with Celestion F12-X200’s (Celestion’s FRFR speakers) - to which I plan to use my Axe Fx 2 XL+ with. Not sure if you’re familiar with those speakers. I’m currently deciding on what power amp to purchase. I’ve had some argue orange pedal baby would be a really good move over the SD PowerStage since it’s “Class A” whereas the SD PowerStage 700 , since it’s “Class D” in relation to how much wattage you’re pushing on a 16 ohm cab? I plan to get a 4X12 very soon as well... The matrix does seem to be a consistent solution... I wonder if the orange and SD are just the current hype that’s not really substantially any more beneficial. Curious any input you might have with regards to this.

[@RoshRoslin]

I would go with a Matrix Power amp, they work equally well on full range and regular guitar speakers and have a good amp-like response. Lightweight and have a strong track record.

[@leighmissen7716]

Awesome video mate. Thanks. I have a clean preset where it sounds awesome with the cab before the delay/reverb. But totally changes when I move the cab after. What are your thoughts on having bypass shunt at the cab. Then down in front of the effects. Then a split to a power amp after the effects. Would this work?

[@RoshRoslin]

The cabinet influences the tone because it has an inherent EQ on the signal going in, including the low and hi-cuts. This is by design. If you like the tone with the delays and reverbs before the cabinet, that is totally ok

[@Jbeland1]

Maybe you can help. I go out 2 out of the fm3 into a sd powerstage and into my 2x12. FOH sound is good but my cabinet sounds awful. Its loaded with V30's and I cant dial out this nasty fizzy high end sound. its not complimentary at higher volumes. How is there such a discrepancy between out 1 and the cab through out 2? thanks

[@RoshRoslin]

A couple things, make sure you're shunting without a cab block going to the powerstage. Then you can use the graphic EQ out of the FM3 out2 and dial out that fizz. It's usually in the top end around 4k and 8k. So dump those sliders. You can even switch the Graphic EQ to a parametric to be more surgical and sweep around till you dial out the fizz

[@bleeddean1989]

I've got a fm3 that I use through a orange micro terror into a 2x12 peavey cab with V30s... how do I get that low deep THUMP from the fm3? Is it a cab block thing or something?? I'm looking for that thump in your chest when your palm muting at high gain.. I can't seem to figure it out

[@RoshRoslin]

You should disable or bypass the cab block. If you need more thump, just adjust the global EQ and bump up the 63 or 100 hz slider.

[@sicknate123]

Hey Rosh, what are your global settings for this setup. ie: power amp, cab sim, on or off ? Thank you!

[@yaminub]

Hi Nate. I made a very similar patch to this the other day when using a W/D/W can setup with a tube amp in the middle. I have a simulated amp block in parallel with the tube amp. On this block, I have poweramp modelling off. However, I have a tube-pre amp block set flat, with poweramp modelling after the split to the center dry cab (powered by my tube head). This (poweramp) block is then split to my wet effect blocks, then out to solid state poweramps for the outside cabs, and also a cab sim block that then sends output 1 to FOH/DAW with a mixed signal. So basically, if you are using a tube poweramp, you should bypass the simulated poweramps by turning the sag all the way down (in amp block). If you also want a fully processed FOH signal, use a second amp block, select the tube pre, turn on the poweramp modelling and match a config from your favorite amp, and then take output from there to the board. What this does gives you two fully processed signals without double dipping on poweramp colorization.

[@RoshRoslin]

I keep power amp sim on. Cab sims on. I just route as explained in the video so no cabinets go to the power amp.

[@nandolemon]

Hi Rosh, thanks for your videos! I have two quick questions and wonder if you are able to help. I am- running an FM3 through a Fryette PS2A and wondering ifI should use the output 1 or output 2 of the FM3 going into the line in of the Powerstation in this case. If I should use the output 1, should I set the output level to -10db or +4db? I have experimented using the output 1 with an XLR to TRS (and an XLR to TS) and the output level set to +4db and it sounds massive. When I tried using the output 2 it sounds like the output 1 at a -10db level but I am not entirely sure that the tone is exactly the same as using output 1 with the level set at -10db. Any help on what output and level would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[@RoshRoslin]

If you're going into the powerstage to power a guitar cabinet, use output 2, fully up with the unity gain setting. Turn the knob fully clockwise. The powerstage will be used to control the volume of your cabinet.

[@ALDOPINEDAPINO]

Hi Ross. What would be your approach to using the routing AXEFX III “preamp” section only? .. that is to say for someone who is running on stage a tube power amp into a guitar cabinet, where it would be redundant to use the “power amp” section of the AXEFX III in the chain. At home I have FRFR speakers running in stereo off of output 1, and I wanna plug on output 2 my mesa boogie Dynawatt 20/20 going into a rectifier cabinet (So I can have a blend of FRFRs wet sound right and left and pure amp tone coming in mono at the center from the boogie stuff). With the Kemper is very easy to disable the power amp section globally on a chosen output but I don’t see that feature in the AXEFX III.

[@RoshRoslin]

Hey Aldo, I personally just leave the power section on in the amp block, even when running into a tube power amp. This allows the FRFR and FOH signal to get the best tone possible which is what an audience would hear etc. Most modern power amps allow you to EQ on the power amp itself or you can use the output EQ to sculpt the tone going to a power amp.

[@RoshRoslin]

You can go into the amp block and also turn the supply sag to zero to disable the power section, then have one amp block go to FRFR and FOh with power section on, and the amp block with the power section/supply sag at zero to your tube power amp. I think it's redundant but if that gets your tone where you want it. It can work

[@justinTime077]

Rosh, is there anything you feel you need to do to sorta perfect the tone you’re sending to a real cab? Or just the same things you’d do with FRFR?

[@RoshRoslin]

It would depend on your cabinet. You can use the output EQ to tailor the tone that goes to the power amp/cabinet and adjust there. I do it all the time, especially if I need more "thump" from the cab. I just boost the 63 and 125 sliders in output 3 and I have thump for days

[@kcussrebutuemos4815]

I use all modelers/profilers through a regular guitar cabinet. But I also use my amps and pedals the most at the end of the day. Play for hours with them. No tweaking. Except the overlooked Yamaha double modeler 100hd. They being the modelers and profilers all need real pedals to help them out with feel and sound at least in my experience. I do not have the AXE FX though. FYI smrvss as mos that feel strongly Gfy definitely need a great feeling and sound. Pedal as well to help them. Not all just one I have. Won’t mention the name.

[@MrVegiita]

Liked #155 & Subscribed

[@armandomendivil1117]

Great video! I have a Fractal FM3 and 2 monitors QSC k12 that have a great sound but I am not feeling like a real amp and little time ago I saw that I can use a real cabinet with my FM3, so my doubt is if using a real cabinet can I feel that I am playing with a real amp? I am no talking about the tone I am talking about the feeling because right now I am feeling that I am listening something that I recorded

[@RoshRoslin]

Hey Armando absolutely. View my tutorial for the AxeFX3 using a power amp and cabinet, it is a great way to get the "feeling" of a real amp behind you and still have the option to run front of House

[@armandomendivil1117]

@@RoshRoslin thank you so much I appreciate it

[@armandomendivil1117]

@@RoshRoslin Hi, its me again, I tried this using FM3 + QSC powerlight as power amp + Marshsall 4x12 cab but sound pretty bad, sound is very bright, cab has Celestion G12T speakers and I tried in out 1 with this sim cab and sounds pretty good but in out 2 trying with real amp sounds pretty bad, I improved a little bit the sound adding filters an EQ but I think that I am doing something wrong because I saw different comments where people says that the sound using real cab is awesome

[@Terrylr84]

Hi Rosh, I have a line6 2x12 power cab. How would I hook it up? I don’t want to mess anything up. The L6 power cab has it’s own outs to front of house. I run in frfr on the cab also. Thanks, Terry

[@RoshRoslin]

With the L6 cabinets, they already have cabinet simulation built in so you wouldn't need to send a cabinet IR to them. If you run the L6 cab in full FRFR mode, then you can use a cabinet block

[@daysthrumycam]

Would have been nice to hear you play something through both signal chains to actually get a context of how it sounds. Otherwise, informative video - thanks.

[@RoshRoslin]

If I play through both in my studio the guitar audio would be out of phase since the distance between the direct sound and the "mic in the room" are of different distances. It would sound terrible.

[@BVCKBEND]

This question might not be related but I was wondering how to hook up my Crown XLS 1002 to my Mesa Boogie Cab? Do I use a speakon cable? Or a regular speaker cable? I haven’t played in 6 years so I’ve forgotten how to use all of the equipment I used to used lol I used to use a Line 6 POD HD 500X but this time I’m just using other pedals instead.

[@RoshRoslin]

You should use a guitar speaker cable to connect the power amp to a guitar cabinet

[@BVCKBEND]

@@RoshRoslin ok cool!! I wasn’t sure if I needed an interface or something in order to use it.

[@guyx6x]

I'm looking to do this but want my delay and reverb to do both foh and guitar cab. Do you think the delays and reverbs sound the same before the cab block? Most of the presets have them after cab block.

[@RoshRoslin]

With the axeFX 3 you can add different reverbs and delays between going to your cabinet and going to FOH. I usually prefer my sounds going to my cabinet to be a little bit dryer. There's nothing wrong with keeping the same either.

[@chrismitlyng1411]

Hey Rosh! My intent in using the Axe FX 3 in a live setting is with a pair of powered EV monitors as wedges instead of a guitar and cab. We use in ears but I always like to have a amp/cab as backup especially until I get use to no more tube amp on stage. Any chance you could run through how to run a stereo feed to house and a stereo pair out to my powered monitor wedges? Thank you!

[@RoshRoslin]

You can basically follow this video but just run stereo feeds instead of mono feeds.

[@tanciera]

Hi Rosh, thanks for your videos. I am running my AXE III into Fryette LXII amp then to two Greenbacks. I am globally turning off power and speaker modeling. I am also cutting below 100hz and above 6500hz using the input EQ in the amp block. I am not using cab blocks and using the reactive load option for speaker curve setting. I am still fighting an unpleasant high end. All my guitars have PAF type pickups. I also have used other cabs with the same results. I have been able to tame the high end, but I am having to use extreme settings. Any advise?

[@RoshRoslin]

I would have to hear what "unpleasant" high end sounds like to you. If you cut above 6500, thats a *very* dark tone. I would use the output EQ in the global settings instead of cutting at the input and pull down the high end there instead

[@scottpeters4401]

I just got an FM3....I want to run a Wet Dry Wet rig with it.....should I(A)....use a Y splitter,with one side going to my amp,then the other side going to the FM3 and stereo power amp and cabs????or..(B)just run everything thru the FM3....I was thinking of a Splitter,because it would save my loop so I could run an external reverb,to save DSP.....I will be using a Marshall 9005 50/50 tube power amp to run the FM3 stereo feed...

[@RoshRoslin]

You won't need a splitter, you can run output 1 to the wet side stereo of your signal chain and out 2 to the dry side (mono)

[@scottpeters4401]

Rosh Roslin The FM3 only has 1 FX loop,so that would have to be one of the 2 outputs...I guess I could put my Reverb pedal after everything on the stereo side??Trying to free up some DSP using an external Reverb pedal.(Big Sky).....

[@wayney.387]

If using a guitar with a piezo pickup and passive pickups and you are able to split them out into stereo using a stereo cable from the guitar, how would you set that up. would you use input 1 for the passive and input 2 for the piezo or use input 1 for passive and input 3 for piezo.

[@RoshRoslin]

You would take the electric side of the guitar and put that into input 1 and then the piezo side into input 2. Place the input 1 block and input 2 block on the grid and build two parallel presets. Depending how you want to run to the output you can sum them up at the end of have them go through two separate outputs. I would recommend keeping them separate so the soundman can adjust and eq them separately if playing live

[@wayney.387]

@@RoshRoslin just wanted to say thanks for getting back to me and I will try what you suggested, right now I run input 1 for passive and input 3 for piezo and send output 1 to 2 Laney LFR cab's and output 2 to the board we use a soundcraft ui24 and I run stereo, but the piezo and the passive both come out output 1 and 2 I will try what you said to split them I will run the passive stereo and the piezo mono out of 3 so I will use 3 channels in the ui24 instead of 4 .

[@wolvesandguitars]

Great info .I had a hard time hearing you and when you started playing it was soooo loud , maybe more gain on the mic or talk louder. I had in ears in and I had to pull them out.

[@allenkoreis464]

Could you please jump around with your mouse more? I can almost keep up.