First show with a modeler.

[SFW]

So this Saturday will be the first show where I run my Axe FX and no "real" amp. I'll be using a Headrush FRFR-112 for stage volume to get feedback and sustain from the guitar. I won't lie, I'm a bit nervous. I've dial in what I think are really good tones through the FRFR cab, but I am terrified that it will sound like angry bees through the PA...lol! Hopefully I'm just worried about nothing. Anyway... just wanted to share.

How was your first experience when you used your digital setup live?

 

[Bob Zod]

So this Saturday will be the first show where I run my Axe FX and no "real" amp. I'll be using a Headrush FRFR-112 for stage volume to get feedback and sustain from the guitar. I won't lie, I'm a bit nervous. I've dial in what I think are really good tones through the FRFR cab, but I am terrified that it will sound like angry bees through the PA...lol! Hopefully I'm just worried about nothing. Anyway... just wanted to share.

How was your first experience when you used your digital setup live?

Well my first experience was terrible but it was also with a Digitech RP500 that was a week old (2008?) You are using a Fractal unit. I'd say you will be pretty ok.

 

[JCW308]

Adjust global EQ at the venue (at stage level volume) ahead of time to avoid issues.

 

[MJ Slaughter]

My first gig with modeler and powered monitor was with a Amplifire 3 button model into a JBL PRX712. I was nervous about it to the point I had my tube amp setup on stage for a security blanket but I never needed it. It helped that our soundman is very good and a guitar player so he could fix me in the mix if necessary. Went great and he was pretty impressed with the guitar tones.

 

[southbeck]

Don´t mean to scare you but it took me a really long time to learn how to dial in a modeler for live gigs. Be prepared to makes some adjustments. Use as few presets as possible. Dial in your presets when playing to music so you can compare how it sounds in context.

I´ve changed from both Kemper and Fractal to now using a Strymon iridium with my regular pedalboard. As easy as it gets and the tones are great.

 

[080]

FWIW, 95% of the work is all in the hands of the the sound guy. Once he/she eq"s your sound out it's not going to sound like what your hearing on stage anyway but it will sound good in the mix.

 

[Mr. Brady]

Make sure to dial in your tones at gig volume in the mix with your band. If you can't do this, make sure you know how to edit the Ax easily via the hardware or have a computer along for editing on the fly.

Tones that sounded great at home through my monitors have sounded like crap in a band setting. Realize that distortion will make it harder to hear yourself, cut your distortion in half for what you think sounds good at home. Also, lots of effects in a live setting can make things really muddy sound wise, so taking off reverb if the room has good natural reverb will help you cut through better. First time I gigged with my AxII, I had a great vox preset that sounded great on my monitors at home, but completely sounded like static at band volume through the monitoring I had.

 

[KramerPacerCarreraGuy]

first time may be bad until you can dial in the live PA sound.

The Headrush FRFR gave us a lot of problems

 

[strumminsix]

Might I suggest you start with a simple patch: 1 amp and cab plus FX on and off

I've watched many start this way, figure out how to quickly EQ, and sound great all night.

The guys who think they can tweak 5 patches of different amps during soundcheck and sound good are either really lucky or out of their minds. LOL!

 

[SFW]

I have one preset with five scenes. Basically dry rhythm, delayed rhythm 1, delayed rhythm 2, pitch effect and a lead scene. The biggest hurdle that I've had is accounting for Fletcher Munson curve. Trying not to be too boomy or too shrill.

 

[the swede]

I might suggest you make a separate EQ adjustment for that Headrush speaker. I wouldn’t want to send something dialed in on the headrush to Foh.

Have an eq ready for foh to make final adjustments. It’s better to know that foh sounds good and you can live with the headrush sounding almost good.

 

[Bigsby]

I really don't like shaking out an entire new rig on a gig night. Last time I had something similar, I rented a room with a PA to work on it beforehand.

 

[York Audio]

This was my first show with a modeler and I think it sounds pretty darn good. @SFW I was worried too just going straight from my Axe-Fx to FOH, but if you put the time into crafting your presets, all FOH has to do is pull your faders up and you’re good to go!

Have fun at your gig!

 

[stratzrus]

So this Saturday will be the first show where I run my Axe FX and no "real" amp...I've dialed in what I think are really good tones through the FRFR cab, but I am terrified that it will sound like angry bees through the PA.

Adjust global EQ at the venue (at stage level volume) ahead of time to avoid issues.

FWIW, 95% of the work is all in the hands of the the sound guy. Once he/she eq"s your sound out it's not going to sound like what your hearing on stage anyway and it may or may not sound good in the mix.

Fixed.

How the soundman EQs your feed will be critical to having good tone at the right volume sent to the audience. Some are good at this, some are great, and some are terrible. To a large degree you will be at their mercy.

But as others have said, you absolutely need to dial your modeler in at concert volume with the full band playing during soundcheck. Let them know in advance that you need to do this so that they will be prepared to give you the time necessary to do so.

Unless you dial your presets in with a good FRFR monitor at concert volume at rehearsal it's unlikely that you'll be able to make a simple global EQ adjustment at the venue.

Be prepared to accept that it may take a few gigs before you're really happy with how your rig sounds both onstage and to the audience.

 

[smellytele]

It's a learning experience, just like using any piece of gear. Already great advice given, I'll just add that I told myself that I'm committing to this, even if my first few gigs were kinda shaky (which they were). Now I'm using my FM3 for every gig I do and I love it. Dial everything in nice and loud, keep things as simple as possible, and have fun! Please let us know how it goes, we're all routing for ya!

 

[smellytele]

This was my first show with a modeler and I think it sounds pretty darn good. @SFW I was worried too just going straight from my Axe-Fx to FOH, but if you put the time into crafting your presets, all FOH has to do is pull your faders up and you’re good to go!

Have fun at your gig!

That's so cool! I tell you what, that's one hell of a band you've got there. I teach guitar full time and I've taught SO many Paramore songs over the years, which is a blast for me because I love the guitar parts. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[SFW]

I should also mention that I’ve been dialing at at practice through our IEM system. It sounds really good in the in ears. Through the HeadRush it is a bit harsh. If this works out, I’ll look at investing into a better FRFR cab.

 

[RLD]

I've had nothing but good results using Fractal products and high quality FRFR.
I play some pretty big casinos with huge sound systems and it always sounds great.
FOH guys are happy cause they have to do very little.