Why I Changed My LIVE Rig

[@ZackSeifMusic]

*What Gear Is In YOUR Live Rig?*

[@richiebohr5421]

Nice vid. I usually bring my LIII, a PRS S2 Vela Semi, and a G&L ASAT Special for guitars. I tried the Fractal stuff but I'm sticking with the Kemper Stage. I've never sounded better even using some of real amps that are profiled. Every FOH engineer has loved it! I carry two sets of Sennheiser XSW-D wireless (LOVE them!). My kit looks much like yours, tools, gaffer tape, wipes, etc. We use Sennheiser wireless IEM and I have two sets of Westone AM30's. These too are awesome. I have 3 Mono bags with two Ticks. I like your guitar case at the end of the vid. What is that?

[@ZackSeifMusic]

@@richiebohr5421 sounds like we have very similar tastes and rigs! So the case that I use is the company that I work for which is Quantum Industries it is our GTX01 triple guitar case. If it’s three standard size electric guitars. Feel free to message me for more info or hit me up on Instagram or Facebook!

[@chriscuthbertson]

As a bass player I normally bring two basses (one Active and One Passive, It's far easier to fix a passive bass on the road) in a dual gigbag, My pedal board which consists of a HX Effects, an expression pedal and a DI box, A small class D amp, A tool kit, spare strings, picks, a tuner, and 2 of every cable I may need, I also carry some 1/4" to speakon adapters and some 1/4" couplers. I'm currently looking for a good headphone amp to use for hotel room or pre show practice. I really want Line 6 to release a HX or Pod headphone amp.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

@@chriscuthbertson This is a great, practical approach!

[@muleblues71]

Kemper through a fryette powerstation and 2x12 cab

[@r.llynch4124]

I have a FM9 and love it. It's the best floor unit that I have owned so far. The thing with FAS is that you can deep dive , or not. The editor is the best and effects are so far from any other offering , it's not even close. I had a Quad Cortex floor unit for a bit but found it meh. The amps were ok BUT the effects were lacking big time. I have used the AXEFX for over 8 years and never had an issue. Another thing with FAS is that they update better than any other company.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Absolutely agree. Fractal has the best amps AND fx out of the box. They have great support as well.

[@FabrizioRodulfo]

When did you get on the waiting list if you don't mind me asking?

[@ZackSeifMusic]

@@FabrizioRodulfo I waited about a full month

[@r.llynch4124]

@@FabrizioRodulfo I cant remember now. I was early first round though. It should move along better than the FM3 did.

[@4GuitarTrance]

The "Most Important Part of Your Rig" section -- Gee man, you seem so intensely "serious"! ARE you Serious? Or are you [hopefully] being facetious? Purposely flippant, humorous... hopefully? Lol! An informative [and VERY serious] lesson on your rig and associated matter... and a bonus lesson on personal hygiene to boot!

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Gotta have fun every now and then 😁

[@j_reaume5248]

Makes me feel good - I have the FM9 on order (probably about a month out from now for delivery).

[@ZackSeifMusic]

You’ll love it! It took a month from waitlist to ship for me.

[@robertsimpson5801]

I just got mine yesterday! I haven’t even opened the box, but I am looking forward to it!!

[@ZackSeifMusic]

@@robertsimpson5801 you’re going to love it

[@FastRedPonyCar]

@@robertsimpson5801 how long did you wait? I hopped on the list a couple days ago.

[@robertsimpson5801]

@@FastRedPonyCar I got on the waitlist on day one around 7 PM. I think the list will start moving quickly when they get past the initial sign up rush.

[@josegvaldizonmayo105]

This was such an entertaining video I swear. Instant new sub

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Greatly appreciate that! This video probably took the longest to make out of my entire channel, so I’m glad that people are still watching it today. Really means a lot.

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Hell yeah! FM9!!!

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Killer piece of gear!!!

[@deans.4705]

you can make the pickups higher by using small washers. lowering can be also done by routing but most don't want to do that.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

The routing in the Majesty is pretty much as low as it can get before interfering with the giant preamp module in the guitar. I’d be afraid to do so tbh. I like the guitar as it is! It’s just too much for most sets we play. I’ll still take it out for heavier sets😁

[@deans.4705]

@@ZackSeifMusic np. I ended up lowering my axis pickups a touch by drilling a miniscule amount. maybe a 1/32" or 16th" at most. Not that I was happy to do so. Another super sport I have I raised them with washers as they come lower than the axis floyd. just thought I would share.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

@@deans.4705 Yeah I absolutely appreciate it!!! Thanks Dean.

[@stringsattached67]

When using my majesty I just back off the volume when I want to tame it down a bit . Sounds great doesn't loose any dynamics.

[@MarlonUrdelas]

Hi Zack! What is the pedalboard model you placed the FM3 on? Wanted to build same setup. Thanks!

[@ZackSeifMusic]

It’s just a 1U Rack Shelf. They cost about 20 bucks online. The brand doesn’t matter, they’re all made of the same durable material. It will never break unless it’s melted in a fire.

[@elbowjames7625]

Gaffer tape - write your name on the side and on the inside of the core. They have a miraculous tendency to disappear at gigs, after all they all look the same... harder to accidentally take the wrong roll of tape, or at least it's a slight deterrent if your name is on it!

[@ZackSeifMusic]

You are ABSOLUTELY correct on that! Great tip.

[@betaeduardo]

Hi, how did the fm3 and the dunlop mini work for you? Did you end up switching the dunlop mini for the mission sp-1? and if you did, why did you? I’m changing my live rig to a more compact one, because I have to be able to connect/disconnect real fast in order to make it on time to the next bar (some nights I play 2 gigs, one after the other). I’m changing from an Ax8 and a boss fv500 to the Fm3 and I’m on the market for one expression pedal that’s not bulky so I can place the two external switches just like you have on your pedalboard in this video but I’m hesitant to buy the dunlop mini, because I also like that with the sp-1 switch version I can control the volume and wah right from the pedal (less tap dancing), how was your experience with this rig?

[@ZackSeifMusic]

The Dunlop mini did not last long. It just felt too awkward under my foot and was not comfortable. I switched back to the Mission Engineering EP-1 that I have been using for months at this point. I just stack the 2 button Hotone switch on top of the FM3 and it’s fine.

[@lucasthegeekguitarist]

Very pleased to discover your channel, very good content.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Lucas Thank you so much! It really means a lot to me considering how much work I put into it. Hope you subscribe and stick around!

[@lucasthegeekguitarist]

@@ZackSeifMusic I already subscribed, you deserve more, and it is a matter of time for you to achieve those well deserved 1000. I also have started my channel, focusing on U2 covers, and it is nice to see small channels growing like yours, when you put some effort, people start coming more and more.

[@lucasthegeekguitarist]

@@ZackSeifMusic I am from Brazil, had a AX8, and just bought a FM3, can't wait to have that with me.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

@@lucasthegeekguitarist that’s great to hear! Keep it up and you’ll see results. I’ve been working at it for a while and hope it grows as well.

[@MrDavemiley]

I have tried the AXE FX III and never could get the clean sounds happening anywhere good enough. All drive and Distortion sounds are great , the clean just sound too sterile . The Kemper won out on the clean sounds.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

It’s really about finding the right amp feel that you’re looking for as well as the impulse response. I just use amps that I have real world experience with and I get great results for what I do. Results will vary depending on the kind of player you are! All preference 😁

[@MrDavemiley]

@@ZackSeifMusic I spent 8 days with the AXR FXIII and even with some recommended after market amp models of clean amps. All I got was Close but no cigar results. I get better clean amp sound swith the Kemper..The Fractal does FX and distortion/Overder amps "Wonderful" I just wish the clean amp sounds were as good as the dirty amps sounds. But they are not.

[@epg2501]

Im on the waiting list for both th FM9 and QC. Do you find you record with your amps or end up using the Fractal instead?

[@ZackSeifMusic]

All fractal! Just easier and consistent.

[@elbowjames7625]

And by the way, I see you have it as bad as I do for peanut M&Ms... "Vitamin M!"

[@ZackSeifMusic]

It’s a bad addiction for sure, but it could always be worse 😂

[@thomasbain6566]

Great explanation

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Thank you so much I really appreciate it!

[@sampledude8846]

fake it til you make it.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

That’s what a lot of people do! A lot can be learned from trial and error, and also putting yourself in uncomfortable or new situations! That’s how you usually find out what works best for you and what your true capabilities are.

[@benoitguenette988]

Hi Zack. My previous live rig was a triple rectifier, several pedals controled by a voodoolab GCX and a Ground control pro. I tried the Fractal AX8 but I find out there is a small lag when switching presets/amps(clean to crunch), compare to analog channel switching. So I bought a Kemper, but I'm not satisfy by how I can tweek my tone. I now thinking about the AXE FX III or the FM9. Any advice would help me take a decision. Thx!

[@ZackSeifMusic]

I’d be happy to help. The switching between AX8 and FM3 is much less. I also sold my Kemper when I got my FM3 because it’s more expressive and the knobs work more like the actual amp. Each preset has 8 scenes that are gap less for switching so no worries there. It’s the best investment I’ve made. I currently gig the FM3 every week and keep the AXE FX 3 home in my studio and use it every day with 0 issues or complaints.

[@benoitguenette988]

@@ZackSeifMusic Would you use your AXE 3 in live rig? Is there a big difference between the AXE and the FM3? I'm planning on buying only one of them. ;)

[@ZackSeifMusic]

@@benoitguenette988 It depends on your needs. If you want the most powerful guitar unit on the market with 4 sets of ins and outs, tons of DSP processing power to run high quality effects and multiple amps/cabs at the same time or use both guitars or guitar and bass at the same time, controlled by a separate foot controller then get the Axe Fx 3. If you want a small, simple version of that where you only need 5-12 effects, an amp and cab, 2 signal paths, built in foot switches and a unit that’s 1/3 the price then get the FM3.

[@cardp17]

there's a great video on different preset strategies to insure seemless switching. there's multiple ways to address it

[@wellsroadband]

00:15 haven't seen the g+ logo for a while . Does that even exist anymore? 😂

[@ZackSeifMusic]

😂 mostly for my email lol

[@doomcrue87]

Do yourself a favor and get an FC12, better to replace that when some drunk spills a beer on your board than the fm9..

[@ZackSeifMusic]

I considered that for sure. I have covers/plastic screen guards for them as well as full insurance 😁 If I was going to go the external switch route I would probably upgrade to the Axe 3! Get some extra juice while I’m at it 😁 I’m surprised the FM3 lasted an entire summer of touring! Those things can take a beating.

[@doomcrue87]

@@ZackSeifMusic I've got the axe 3 mk 1, totally worth it.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

@@doomcrue87 depending on the road schedule next year I may go to a rack setup again

[@Jin-qw2bd]

@@ZackSeifMusic the 3 + fc 12 and one expression pedal is the ultimate combo I got the 3 but i am a desk player so dont have the footswitches. The pitchshifter on the 3 is miles ahead than on anything else and it gets more frequent updates. Fm9 is superb too has more power than an axe fx 2. Inmycase i was about to get the kemper but decided againdt it after looking at the restrictions and easily finding a 3

[@brucerawsthorne8936]

I don’t have any hair 😔

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Perhaps bringing a razor and some shaving cream in place of the hair spray and comb?! Keep that scalp looking nice and shiny my friend!!

[@johnpauldeguzman823]

how tall are you compared to John P

[@ZackSeifMusic]

I’m about half a foot shorter😂

[@MartinCraneRockbeast]

You say you play Shallow? I know why.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

It always gets the crowd singing!

[@sacredgeometry]

Why are you talking to a different camera?

[@ZackSeifMusic]

I had 3 cameras shooting during the video. I also had 2 hours of footage I had to condense down into the video! All part of the editing process. You can see the different shots at different times :D