Getting The Most from an FRFR Speaker

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The term FRFR has become more and more popular with guitar players, but, unfortunately, there is still a lot of confusion on the appropriate use of these speakers in our rigs. Marketing teams would have us believe that "FRFR" is somehow an indicator of quality, all FRFR speakers are basically the same, and it will magically make your guitar tones "better" and sound like a 4x12 at less than half the size.
A "full range" system is much more broad than just fancy guitar speakers. Your car stereo, the local club's PA, an incredibly expensive line-array, and your portable bluetooth speaker are all under the umbrella of "full range," yet also have a wide quality spectrum between them. So how are we supposed to use an FRFR speaker in our rigs and what benefits will that give us?
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[@lologui4824]

120 Hz on the low cutoff at -12db and 5500 Hz for the high cutoff at -12db on the preamp filtering of the FM9 IR block is what works well for me

[@DBroce]

Nice job. Informative.

[@nmtodorow]

Great Topic !!!

[@roberthinkson5534]

Thanks for the video. I switched from dedicated electric guitar amps to FRFR four years ago, mostly due to low back issues I was having at the time. Now I cannot imagine switching back. I have two QSC CP-8’s, and normally one is more than enough. I started out with a Tech 21 Fly Rig 5, but then the Quilter SuperBlock US came out, and I’ve been a fan of Quilter products for years. I’m someone who doesn’t like anything on the floor, so the Quilter and a few mini pedals are velcroed to the top of a CP-8. Great Deluxe Reverb-like sound, using the built-in cab sim, and very light & portable. PS: I have used the built-in 25 watts to drive a "real" guitar cab, but I find I actually prefer the more finished sound of the "pseudo miked-up cabinet."

[@mathew_dale]

I LOVED my Fly Rig! Really changed my perception of guitar tone and gear. Good point on the "finished" sound of the IRs and Cab sim. After playing mostly In-Ear gigs last several years, I don't miss the "Amp in the Room" feel.

[@robfrasier9412]

Good stuff...very informative. I use a pair of QSC K2 8s with a Quad Cortex...amazing results.

[@stephenupton]

Great video and information thanks, I use a headrush 108frfr and yes has a lot of low end, I use mine on a standard guitar stand and it helps a lot when I play at church, I must admit never had a problem, thanks again great valuable information

[@Kraatzman]

Awesome as always. Very informative. I agree with you on all your points. I had a friend bring up the other day that he doesnt believe he can get the feel of playing through a FRFR the same as the Amp/cab setup. This is a Fractal vs Amp/ Cab. My thought is that if EQ properly and with enough volume coming out of the FRFR Speakers it has to be as close to the amp/cab experience if not the same. I would like to hear your or other peoples thoughts. I have very good ears and a frfr dialed in with a Fractal Axe FX3 pushing the volume of a 50w Marshall, Fender, Boogie amp, all that feeling in the room is there.

[@mathew_dale]

Excellent point! I think volume is a big factor in the "feel." IMHO my Axe with good IRs in the cab block through my QSCs turned up to "amp levels" takes away any hesitation on feel. Would like to get a Seymour Duncan Power stage and run into live cabs for another YT video and put that statement to the test. Tube amps are always set to "a bit on the loud side" by design- they used to be used as the primary sound reinforcement before PA system became more advanced, which is why wattages keep going up and up as did loudness (not necessarily for tonal sake). Now that our modern PA systems and speakers have a more linear output, we er on the side of quieter with our modelers but somehow think the "feel" is gone. Gotta push air!

[@AudioAtmos]

Good information. I love my QSC K12.2’s! Especially since I use guitar synth sounds at times and play mostly in smaller situations where the K12.2’s will be doing a bit more work than just producing my standard guitar modeler sounds. I have been curious about the EV PXM-12MP for just simple monitoring. The coaxial design seems like it could be more useful for just guitar modeler monitoring. There’s a lot of stuff on the market to choose from these days. Definitely dialing out the frequencies not needed is important. Thanks for sharing…and don’t feel bad about messing up the pass and cut terminology. I do it all the time. I know in my head what I want to do and say, but it comes out wrong.

[@mathew_dale]

I'd also like to try some coax wedges- usually they are a bit smaller too!

[@steviesedge]

Great topic to discuss Mathew. I used my Fractal in rehearsals and although I would use the cuts on the low and high that you suggested, I still felt the high end was like way too much and if even being it down as far as 4.5k.

[@mathew_dale]

Totally okay! My 5-6K is just a starting point. If it sounds good, it is good!

[@ssiowi]

Thanks Mathew; the essential link in the modeler signal chain. The topic deserves more discussion. In the Line6 Helix land, many of us have experimented with FRFR. Would welcome your take--casual comment and/or a deep dive--on this idea. DIY build a 2x12 cab with with a pair of Celestion F12-X200s. Power these with individual inputs from a Class D amp--Fosi, Aiyima, or similar--for a Wet/Dry rig. If that's a good result, extend the design for a Wet/Dry/Wet FRFR rig. Works for me. Thoughts? Thanks for leaning into this important subject!

[@mathew_dale]

I think a DIY full range cab build would be a really cool topic! Maybe even a stereo cab with the speakers mounted at opposing angles like the Swart stereo amp.

[@Cpt_Adama]

I would say the Amp & Cabinet should be separate items in your ethos. The same amp with a different cabinet can sound way way different. I would go so far that the cabinet and the speakers within are one item that affects your sound the most. Also the Atomic CLR can be used as a wedge, floor, or on a stand and has an EQ switch to avoid those muddy sounds like your talking about depending on how it's used.

[@mathew_dale]

Definitely could! Just like drives, delays, and other common effects would fall under the "effects" category, I'd say different amps and different cabs with different speaker configs would still fall under the "amp and cab" umbrella with their own sub-categories. And yes, many guitar focused FRFRs like the CLRs offer similar orientations and positions to PA speakers and had filters to mitigate the boomyness of a wedge set up. However, I still have many people commenting and asking why their FRFR set up is so bassy, so I thought I'd address the issue as a whole, so people understand "why" those features exist. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Ive tried them all, but my favorite one overall is the headrush 108, not because its the best sounding. 1. Its small and tuff and i dont have to worry about it getting stolen. 2 i keep it in my car wether i need it or not, cause it comes in handy. 3. It sounds decent but i know if i can be happy with a sound from it, i will sound the same or better through the mains. 4. I can crank it for myself but still keeps stage volume low. 5. If the low end sounds too boomy, it will only be worse through the mains and subs

[@mathew_dale]

Learning how to use the equipment is much better than having "the best." And convenience is always a big factor- especially for busy musicians schlepping gear all the time.

[@97Choppy]

Hey Mathew! Have you checked out the Fender FR12 yet? Definitely seems like a different almost "hybrid" between the cab on stage vs FRFR PA speaker. Got mine a few weeks ago and took a bit of messing with EQ but I've gotten it close to my studio monitors and it has much more bass response and more of a "live" sound than the studio setup.

[@mathew_dale]

These look like a cool option as well!

[@richo144]

Try the powercab 212, completely underated, is amazing

[@mathew_dale]

Definitely on my short list as well, though, I'd probably go 112 since I often don't need the stage volume these days.

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Its so big and heavy it kind of defeats the purpose, might as well use a real amp

[@jmorg1267]

When you run the HX Stomp into the effects loop of an amp do you turn off the speaker ir in the modeler?

[@stephenwinchester6668]

Yes. Make sure the cab is off, run through the return of the loop.

[@chriscuthbertson]

My Phil Jones bass cabs are so full range than I've started running a cab IR into them.

[@mathew_dale]

would love to try one of these

[@JimmyKay1976]

Great video. I got the Headrush 108 & its boomy AF. Any way to tame that?

[@mathew_dale]

Thanks for watching! Try using a global EQ setting to cut additional lows- that way all of your presets are "tuned" to the speaker, and can easily be bypassed for FOH. Also, don't push the speaker up directly against the wall, or corner. Speaker stands might also help. Wedge configurations can build up excess lows. If this is a newer 108, try using the low cut button on the back.

[@JimmyKay1976]

@@mathew_dale If only ToneX had one lol..... thanks for the response

[@jmorg1267]

Hard to beat the QSCs but they are a little pricey…