Neal Schon Fractal FM9 Rig Tour

Neal Schon is undeniably one of music's greatest guitar heroes, and he turns to the FM9 night after night for his live tone. ‪@coopercarter‬ gives you an exclusive tour of Neal's touring rig, and Neal offers up some incredible sound check jamming!
Purchase your unit at www.g66.eu and The Complete Fractal Audio Master Class Series at classes.coopercarter.com

[@garrisonboyd5693]

Had the pleasure of opening for journey years back in Sacramento at Raley Field, and Neal was the kindest dude. I was only 16 at the time, and I remember watching in awe of his playing during their soundcheck. He even stuck around during our line check, introduced himself. A true Bay Area legend and class act!

[@coopercarter]

Very cool! Yes, no doubt he is a legendary player and an incredible guy!

[@tdz69]

He seems like a really cool guy. One thing I really love about him is he actually engages with people on social media. Years ago I asked a question of a song on FB and he actually responded. Lol. He’s very present on Instagram and still takes time to interact. Hes one of the best gifts to music for real.

[@SHREDTILLDEAD]

No ya didn't.

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

He is cool 😎. Real person, not a poser.

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Neal, EVH and Lukather are my top 3

[@LeonTodd]

Unreal!

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Right??? 🤘🏼😂

[@2979paul]

Cooper all of us need more Mr schon. You must and have to do an update to this video. Neal is the best.

[@jasonstallworth]

Neal has such an awesome sense of melody!

[@coopercarter]

One of the all-time greats!!

[@curlzwalk]

FANTASTIC!! Thanks so much CC!! Blessing to you!!

[@J_Drix]

Holy crap that sound is MASSIVE. It sounded damn good just from the side of those speakers, but when you stood in front...wow. I can't imagine how that stage must've felt when you shot the soundcheck footage. What a tone, and let's not forget the chops that dude has. thanks for sharing this with us

[@rockandrolldisaster]

Just seeing this - wow, what a great vid! Thanks for sharing...He's just an amazing player.

[@vicesquadpunk]

Thanks for this… truly wonderful all round … with love n best wishes to you, neal and the band from London UK 🇬🇧

[@thejonathandoan]

So cool to see this rig up close. Neal is truly a master. What a privilege!

[@ROKZLEON]

It's so cool that you get to work with artist's like Neal Schon and help them with their tone! ✌🏻

[@StratsRUs]

Really great presentation.Thank you

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Aw man, Neal’s the best! I’ve been a huge fan since the early days… Fantastic you’ve gotten to work with him, Cooper! Best, Daniel 🤘🏼😎🎸💥

[@tomcatt9875]

This was great Cooper !

[@RaúlCabezalí]

Fantastic! and happy birthday, Cooper!

[@fbettr2627]

What a honour to collaborate with Neal Schon, one of the most inspiring musicians in my opinion. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@tdz69]

Before I even press play on this video I have to say….I have not been this excited for a newly released video in ages. It’s like Christmas morning. Neal is one of my all time favorite guitarists and to get a current look at his rig is going to be amazing (going to be Becusee I’m hitting play now) lol. Cooper….THANK YOU!!! UPDATE… GReat video. So, Cooper, Neal is using all the amps and cabs in the fractal to FOH for his sounds? Is this a new change? I thought he used the 5150 amps with the fractals for the effects. If so then seems he has made a true shift. Either way he sounds fantastic as a always. I caught Journey at the UBS arena by me not too long ago. Was my first time getting to see them live. Neal’s guitar sound was beyond amazing. It just filled the arena. Great work on your part and many thanks to you for being such an important part of his rig and sound. Any plans to put out some Neal presets for fractal?

[@Widdy5150]

What a Honor it must be to be able to work & witness the legend close up! Must get me one of these Fractals 😋

[@coopercarter]

It certainly is

[@TheScaredofsilence]

Great video. Thanks.

[@ron3676]

Thank you G66 - that was so awesome,,, Always loved Neil and journey,,, saw them in New haven ct. In 1978. Neil is a Real guitar player/musician,,,NO bullshit ,,, just honest musicianship, What ALL players should live up to. - RJ Bacha.

[@tonymarinelli7304]

A nearly extinct breed. I’m a touring guitarist and most of the young cats are clueless

[@metatron333ascension]

the first song i heard that made me want to play guitar was "Dont stop believin'" still love the son to this day. seeing him jam like that is amazing to watch. just a looper and go.

[@Charvel4ever]

Agreed. Great stuff dude

[@TudorAdrian]

One hell of a rig

[@ckjjclan]

Holy shit that sounded epic!

[@JedWunderli]

Great video. Journey is soooo great live. I have a friend who played in the orchestra with Journey in Vegas - what a great experience for her. She LOVED it. I can't wait to get my FM9.

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

Got to see two Journey concerts in Vegas, with orchestral accompaniment. Both were fabulous, but thinking that Resorts World has better sound/acoustics.

[@coopercarter1644]

@@kathyscoppettuolo7168 Resorts World's theater is one of the best sounding rooms on the planet right now. They did it RIGHT.

[@allen764]

Did u get ur fm9 ?

[@JedWunderli]

@@allen764 yes and it exceeded my expectations. So glad I waited.

[@allen764]

@@JedWunderli Thanks

[@elianejoly5352]

Bravo et merci pour la vidéo filmée et musicale @ G66 👏👏👏👩‍🦱

[@safedangerband]

I really dig mixing my FM3 full on rig tones with cab sims and all with my tube heads. Really sounds great in 4CM for all wet effects and as wet cab sims for those effects in a WDW rig. Can even use 2 FRFR speakers in that setup and it’s the lightest and easiest WDW rig I can think of. Cool video!

[@jesterraj]

Great stuff .....

[@d.a.t.4699]

Sounds great...yeah man, he has written how many hits?..a ton!...his music will live forever for sure.

[@Mahdi_ddA]

Neal its an amazing artist really i love this videos its wonderful 🌟🌟🌞🌞🌞🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@tlingen1]

Neal is such an awesome player. Love to haer him noodle around like that.

[@kurtwestphal]

4:36 looks like Sting and Trudy in the front row, during the orchestra set, excellent video as always.

[@nathanpickett202]

And someday I’ll get my FM-9. On the waiting list for a year now

[@artysanmobile]

I feel so lucky to have a manufacturer like Fractal going to bat for us guitarists. Prior, things were nowhere near as good as they are now.

[@bmcash3411]

Nice. I’d be interested to see how he sets up his fractal

[@jesterraj]

Gimme one!!

[@_mysilentblue2227]

I can definitely see the FM9 being a better fit when using pedals at the feet. The 2 EVH stacks not so much but it's all about the musician being inspired so if he digs it he gets it.

[@anthonysilva5312]

Killer! Can’t wait till he discovers his left hand pinky!

[@Muse_guitarsandgear]

I’m a pedals/valve guy, but I think the point here is the capability to have the sound you need and get the valve feel on stage but save the ears. These guys have learned to play smarter with what hearing they have left! Like he said, it’s relatively quiet on stage. Hence the use of the newer tech. Still get the balls and tone without cranking the cab to “11” and blowing your head off the stage! ;)

[@joehernandez5600]

Can you give us any hints regarding the amps he uses to get that tone in the video at the end? Sounds absolutely killer.

[@jakubocic]

Nice! Can you make a Rig Rundown with Edo Scordo - Brit Floyd

[@crispybell51]

can someone PLEASE share his delay settings? been trying to get them for years, sounds killer

[@rolandmengedoth2191]

Neil is a fantastisc Player.

[@coopercarter]

Yes he is

[@Jaxisagod5]

Cooper, can you share any of Neil's presets? What amp block, cab etc?? Appreciate it!

[@Souldoubtrocks]

Listen to journey records and focus on Neal. Stone in love is a great example. No overdubs. No punches ins. He plays the intro, main song, fills and solos in a single take. He is amazing. That comes from the days on recording to tape. You had to get it right.

[@barryeverton2532]

Hey Cooper, you can't tease us like that. I've been trying to replicate Neal's sound for many years. C'mon please post Neal's preset(s) for us to have a play with :)

[@pkelley1819]

I was thinking the same thing...would love to know the settings! Very cool video Cooper, thank you

[@carlossalazar4508]

Will you be in Chicago this Friday??

[@solokavreli]

great video thanks ! 2:44 what model is it? best side speakers mario? give us name pls I don't understand 🙏 thank you 🙏

[@AC-pu2eh]

How does he run a wireless unit with that fuzz pedal? Whenever I don’t run a cable direct to the fuzz the impedance change makes the fuzz sound terrible

[@williamhattersley8118]

Does anyone know what size pedal train board that is ?

[@brunocoelhobass]

How is the connection from the wireless units to the board being made? XLR cable from the wireless? How does it connect to input 1?

[@DrRussPhd]

Notice the tonal difference near the end of this vid when the camera points towards the EVH amps as opposed to towards the seating. Looks like Neil still wants to feel the sound and he is not wearing IEMs either.

[@coopercarter]

The two Meyer wedges next to the EVHs have Fractal sound coming out of them.

[@deltafit]

Does he use stock cabs or third party IR's? What cab sims does he use?

[@crispybell51]

can you please share what his delays/times are and reverbs?

[@taurushamilton2739]

Neal always has always had great TONE. I will always remember how he came and smoked all those metal players during his solo section of Stars that benefit song🤣🤣🤣🤣🔥🔥👌🏾✊🏾🤘🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾

[@johnbeamon]

This is really well integrated, but it strikes me as almost, just almost "too much". I'd have been 100% OK sending the FM9 out pre-IR to a power amp and some Marshall cabs. Sending to two EVH half-stacks with yet another Fractal tripped some sort of breaker for me. Not that he doesn't sound great, not that he doesn't totally know what he's doing; it was just a whole second FX rig.

[@slickbb7]

What direct cab pedal does neal use

[@jupiterrising5918]

GReat run down

[@paulwebendorfer5627]

Man, can I have one of those FXIIIs, if Neal isn't using them??? 😁

[@dwftube]

Neal missed the memo about how the FM9 is designed to simplify your live set up.

[@gabrielestriuli6590]

Wow!!!!!!!!

[@bradybills134]

Are Neal’s presets available?

[@MOAB-UT]

Impressive rundown CC! Ironically, with all the high tech, the sound will be coming though old PA's inside an echo chamber. Grab some Fractal gear and head out to Red Rocks Amphitheatre!

[@coopercarter]

Check out Brit Floyd there if you haven't already!

[@MOAB-UT]

@@coopercarter Thanks CC.

[@carlosandchrlys7889]

hi what is the brand of that monitors?

[@MOAB-UT]

Meyer Sound JM-1P Very good. Very expensive. In my home, a good pair of even cheap Yamaha studio FRFR speakers does the job. $200!

[@satarello]

my guestion is the distorted tone is straight from AXe fx FM9 or from EVH?

[@coopercarter]

FM9

[@satarello]

@@coopercarter thank you. I see that EVH are only as poweramps? Sounds amazing !!! BTW great guitarplayer..all the best for you Hubert.

[@ant1738]

Gimmie the presets!!!!!

[@Jacke7111]

So much for the "one cable from guitar straight into the amp" 🙃

[@stevedrake360]

You mentioned that Neal switched to the FM9 from the fx-lll because he wanted the latest and greatest, but the fx-lll is still Fractal's flagship model.

[@MOAB-UT]

True but at least you have an all-in-one at your feet. I think CC said it makes it easier to use pedals at the source as well. With the rack, having long runs for pedals is not idea IMO.

[@stevedrake360]

@@MOAB-UT You make a good point but even with the FM9, you still have to hook it up to your rack (if you HAVE a rack, which Neal does), which could mean a lengthy run of cable or cables. I have the fx-lll myself. What I did was I had a MIDI foot controller made so that I can control my fx-lll, and my other rack mount gear from the foot controller. I do have a couple of pedals on the floor and the rest of them in a tray in the rack, which are also controlled by the foot controller. For me, I wanted Fractal's flagship unit but still wanted to control it from the floor. But everyone has his own needs and way of doing things. Neal has a great rig.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@stevedrake360 Agreed- have to do what works best for you. I am not a pro so the FM9 Turbo will meet my needs for a long time to come. Should I get the warranty?

[@stevedrake360]

@@MOAB-UT Your FM9 is a great piece of equipment! Yeah, probably a good idea to get the warranty.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@stevedrake360 Thanks. I am leaning that way. Wonder though is it 3 years total- or 3 years after the 1 year so 4 years total.

[@snapascrew]

I’m surprised he’s on ulxd and not Axient digital tbh

[@JavyonVISION]

Neal must have gotten on the waitlist early. 🤣

[@MOAB-UT]

LOL- good one. I question that list. I got on day two and others have gotten their FM9's before me.

[@JavyonVISION]

@@MOAB-UTI'm just patiently waiting. I don't neeeeed it, but it does seem to be a pretty awesome unit that I want to give a try. Who am I kidding, I'm going to keep it. 😁

[@MOAB-UT]

@@JavyonVISION I don't neeeeed it either. I play mostly to my dog these days...but I waaaaant it! It's the perfect all in one solution sitting between the under powered FM3 and the AFxIII. I know after I buy it, they will release one with a better interface (more Neural QC like) and larger scribble strips. Such is life.

[@JavyonVISION]

@@MOAB-UT LOL yes, that seems to be how it always goes. I use my AX8 all the time, and it works and sounds great, but tweaking it without the AxEdit softwareis hopeless.. This FM9 seems to be enough better in enough ways for me to be interested, although I am still not sure about the interface. That is Fractal's obvious weak spot. I believe the sound makes up for it, for me anyway. I recently grabbed an HX Stomp, and have found the interface usable. I'm mostly sold on some of the sounds I have worked up, but still tweaking them. In that case some Ownhammer IR's made a big difference in getting a tone I really liked. I could probably tweak the stock ones to get close but man, the right IR makes all the difference.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@JavyonVISION It's easy- just use FM9-Edit. I am not a pro, so I will made a handful of Clean, Break-up and Dirty presets and mostly be done with it. It also comes loaded with more than anyone could ever possibly need in a lifetime of playing. At some point though, they start to sound similar. I am also not that picky but will appreciate the high resolution effects.

[@colindias4820]

Damn ..a lot of technical stuff and equipment ..

[@allthecommonsense]

What could possibly go wrong, lol

[@heut4384]

Awe...I see. Neal Schon uses the EVH head for the main sound. Then he have three AXE-FX on the rack for only backup. On the FM9, he only uses it for Effects on the board. This tells me, Fractal's effects are good enough for professional bands too - just not for us regular/local/medium-size bands. Nice.

[@margix1172]

Neal Schon Tom Scholz Steve Lukather Eric Johnson David Gilmour = top 5 Rock guitar players of ALL TIMES!

[@Jeff-bg4xb]

Nobody makes a LP sound like Neal does. Well, maybe Frampton.

[@carlossalazar4508]

So I’m assuming he’s all stereo. No wet dry??

[@coopercarter]

Dry signal goes to front of house from the FM9 as well as a wet signal. The wet is not 100% wet though. It's a normal performance mix of effects with amp tone.

[@stanesposito2664]

I've seen Journey going back to when Greg Rollie was in the band. As time has gone on Neal has been using more reverb and delay to the point you really can't tell what he's playing and that's a shame because he's a monster player.

[@Rock-Cafe]

😎🎸

[@jimmynorris]

What in IEM headphones are you using there Cooper? What about Neal?

[@coopercarter]

I'm on Sensaphonics, as I prefer silicone molds to acrylic. Neal is on JH.

[@crispybell51]

Come on man, you are going to tell us what brand PA speakers he uses like that matters , but not what amp blocks, or pedals he uses?

[@coopercarter1644]

? 1:45

[@WeareSouledOut]

@@coopercarter1644 do you know what delays and times he uses , his delay is always the best , I’m assuming two delays at once

[@Stereostupid]

His delays are great but so much it kinda muddied up the sound though so you can't really make out the notes in the fast licks

[@daveycmusic8903]

Love Neal. Phenomenal player. Love the Fractal stuff. Best in the biz... But most of this is just stupid overkill. He can get ALL of that through one Axe FX out to monitors and FOH. There are guys that do coverband shows doing dozens of different styles and songs, all from one FM9 or AX3. Simple is always best. Always.

[@ericajohnson7535]

lol, watch the smashing pumpkins rundown... that will make you lol

[@gilmouracadamy]

Good grief wasn’t that long ago that rockets being launched into space used less processing power!

[@MOAB-UT]

Mehhhh. even the chip on the AFxIII is an old TI design- 2012 I believe. It does the job but the AxeFXIV will be the one to look for. I'm still grabbing the FM9 Turbo though. It is plenty good enough for me (not a pro.)

[@allen764]

Yeah, if you actually believe we went to space.................just kidding

[@clemclemson9259]

nice! for all you modeling, profile haters -

[@PanosArvanitis]

Neal....the guitar player that you can hear the first note,and the last note...the notes between are mostly messy and muddy, especially when he tries to play fast, unsuccessfully. Fractal is the best by far....!!!

[@Cpt_Adama]

Right before the pandemic saw him with Def Leppard and they blew Journey off the stage. Neal's sound was way too loud compared to everyone else so the mix was out of balance and it had some weird not good distortion that was apparent to my girlfriend who knows nothing about guitar distortion. She asked me "what's wrong with their sound". Both bands used the same front of house mixing equipment and people, so it was something to do with Neals setup.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Neal has a complicated rig. Signals going everywhere. Analog, digital, pedals, monitors, FOH, in-ears, stage amps.

[@Epoxydog]

SLOW DOWN NEAL!!! I loved your playing when you were playing from the soul. Now it appears that you are playing shredder licks and lost that soulful playing that was your trademark and that we loved so much. Precisely the reason I wont pay $261 minimum gouge price to see ya here in Hawaii. (Why they are so expensive here in Oahu? when they are way cheaper on the mainland).

[@xsamitt]

Your like me....I just watch the concerts on dvd!

[@xsamitt]

and your right about his playing.....I don't hear the soul in his playing like I used to!

[@sparkle99]

I am pretty sure I ordered my FM9 before Neal….

[@batmandeltaforce]

I hear the FM9 is relatively weak, compared to the AXE-FX III.

[@rareform6747]

Old better !!!!!!!!!!

[@johnokeefe3841]

How much better can the FM9 be over the HeadRush or other cheaper unites..$2,500 bucks is a ton of money.

[@MOAB-UT]

What? Night and day better of course. It is $1699 for the newest FM9 Turbo. You can grab a perfectly good sounding FM3 now for under $1k.

[@johnokeefe3841]

@@MOAB-UT Where do you see the FM9 Turbo for $1,699? please

[@johnashley6045]

@@johnokeefe3841 That's how much they are from Fractal. Just send an e-mail and join the waiting list.

[@Dwoed]

The thing is, you hear its a fractal Just like you can hear its a Boss multi unit no matter how your setting are. I will stuck to my stompboxes, no one has the same pedals and pedal order like I have-)

[@ericajohnson7535]

Absolute overkill... I mean come on, there're like 3 sounds throughout the set. Whatever, got the money, go nuts.

[@danaparsons854]

Good God!! What a mess🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davidbuzzin426]

🤓OLD SCHOOL PEDALS & 1990'S RACK GEAR ARE STILL THE BEST......PERIOD !!!!!!!

[@givorget9658]

All slaves around the talent must wear masks

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

In the studio (besides "any way you want it") Journey's tone is amazing, but live Schon sounds awful tonewise. He is a legend, his licks are legendary, but his live tone is just not the same quality as the studio. He insists on using that toneless PRS and his digital setup and its bad. Guessing he goes with whoever sponsors him.

[@briantherion9145]

Nope

[@matthewduncan9405]

Jesus Christ that is an expensive rig 😂.

[@crackerbarn]

After watching this I was dizzy, whatever happened to just plugging into a amp? I get that this rig is probably very consistent at every show but for normal players this kinda gear is out of reach for most people buying range.

[@coopercarter]

The FM9 is $1699. That's all you need.

[@allthecommonsense]

⬆

[@johnclark1925]

All that to replicate a simple, driven, harmonic Marshall valve amp which provided the best sounds he ever had and were used for decades…. This rig still does not sound as good as his Marshall JVM rig… and THAT was not the best he ever toured with… nor even the best JVM model!

[@Swizzenator]

Sorry but that guys head is too big and all I hear is clashing guitar riffs. Love my AFX III.