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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THE SOCIALS...

[roberthinkson]

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."

[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

[rumoursduo]

Hi Mathew. I'm literally about to buy a Headrush 112 Mk2 today, so your chat here is very helpful. And I'll definitely follow your advice re low & high cut in my Helix global EQ.

[robfrasier]

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

[lologui]

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

[drschultz]

Im running quad cortex > Seymour Duncan power stage 700 > Barefaced Big Baby 3 passive frfr cab and it works great for guitar and bass.

[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.

[majorpentatonic]

A very informative video. Thank you. 👏👏😊
I use a BluGuitar Amp 1 with the BluBox Virtual Speaker cabinet in the effects loop of a Boss GX100 for effects and out to a couple of Headrush FRFR 108s. It works great for me for home practice in my garage. Would be great for a live gig setup if I ever reach that level 😊.

[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.

[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.

[BobbyCulpepper.srvfender]

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

[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!

[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.

[hugobronze]

I've recently switched to the Iridium and I am in love with it. The convenience of having my whole rig in my board is incredible and my sound is more consistent than ever!
The thing is, I'm really missing having my own source of sound during rehearsals as I am sharing the PA with the singer and bass player (he always played directely). After watching this video, I think an FRFR Speaker is exactly what I should be looking for, what do you guys think?

[alexmusicexperience]

Did you try Laney LFR-112? I use it with Quad Cortex but recently, after update on QC, I've noticed that I don't like my overdrive/distortion solo tone even with Neural DSP plugins and I can't dial good inspiring tone for rehearsal/live gig situation via Laney LFR-112 while I'm totally satisfied with my sound via studio monitors at home (at lower volume). Is QSC better than Laney for guitar modelers?

[theanimatixyt]

hi there amazing video,
if i may ask i have a hughes and kettner grandmeister deluxe 40 which has a built in redbox and i was wondering if i could connect it directly to my frfr cabinet(harley benton frfr-112a)?

[guitarlife]

Here’s my issue that I can’t solve. I get an amazing sound from FOH and a good sound from my frfr. The problem is I can’t get the loose feeling, a very unforgiving feel. All the notes are very fast and choppy. It has a very stagato feel. It’s not like that in the FOH. I don’t get it. Any suggestions? I have a Laney lfr 212, a headrush as well. I use the QC

[Choppy]

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.

[rodneyguinn]

I have a legitimate question. IR should be a representation of the cab. So why do we need low and high cuts added? Makes zero sense . I know it to be true because i use a helix but if the ir cab sim is accurate shouldn’t it naturally have the cuts perfect . Isn’t that the point

[richo]

Try the powercab 212, completely underated, is amazing