Axe Fx III or FM3 + Big Sky MX and Brig?

[Elric]

@Boudoir Guitar - do you have a Strymon unit to compare against? Curious about your thoughts on quality compared to the old guard.

The more I dig into the Quad Cortex, the more disappointing the reverbs are. Probably the biggest drawback. I've been playing more of the Axe 3 now that I have the physical cab and power amp, and while I love the form factor of the QC, the Fractal reverbs are so much better and 3D sounding (even in mono).

You know its weird, but I've come to realize I generally never want reverb on a power amp->cab tone on non-clean sounds unless it is a true 'effect' (i.e. some weird ambient thing or something).

Whenever I have a preset I normally mess with as a direct/"FRFR" sound and amplify it with a cab in a room I find the reverb wants to be off, because I'm already in a physical room.

 

[laxu]

"Somehow, Cliff returned..."

 

[laxu]

You know its weird, but I've come to realize I generally never want reverb on a power amp->cab tone on non-clean sounds unless it is a true 'effect' (i.e. some weird ambient thing or something).

Whenever I have a preset I normally mess with as a direct/""FRFR"" sound and amplify it with a cab in a room I find the reverb wants to be off, because I'm already in a physical room.

For me it depends on how much gain is in use and the room in question. The less gain, the more reverb.

Fractal owners could set up the envelope follower modifier to adjust their reverb mix knob based on how hard they are picking...

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

@Boudoir Guitar - do you have a Strymon unit to compare against? Curious about your thoughts on quality compared to the old guard.

The more I dig into the Quad Cortex, the more disappointing the reverbs are. Probably the biggest drawback. I've been playing more of the Axe 3 now that I have the physical cab and power amp, and while I love the form factor of the QC, the Fractal reverbs are so much better and 3D sounding (even in mono).

I don't. The only Strymon Reverb I’ve ever had was the Flint, and I never found the spring in it to be all that awesome.

The Fractal reverbs just slay. The only thing I’d be looking for had I chosen to go big sky MX would be more direct control via knobs and convolution (of a spring reverb tank). As @Elric will always remind anyone “if you’re thinking of shelling out more than $500 on a reverb box, you really might as well just buy an FM3”

 

[Jarick]

I don't. The only Strymon Reverb I’ve ever had was the Flint, and I never found the spring in it to be all that awesome.

The Fractal reverbs just slay. The only thing I’d be looking for had I chosen to go big sky MX would be more direct control via knobs and convolution (of a spring reverb tank). As @Elric will always remind anyone “if you’re thinking of shelling out more than $500 on a reverb box, you really might as well just buy an FM3”

Totally agree. Only thing I'd be curious is if the OOTB sounds are better, but I have a feeling you could tweak the blocks to get where you need to be. Maybe that's just digging into block libraries that are available.

I dabble in pedals but ultimately really just prefer the "simplicity" of an all-in-one solution. Just setting up a pedalboard with patch cables and power is a few hundred bucks, then you have all the individual effects to purchase and hook up.

 

[AFKAEjay]

@Boudoir Guitar - do you have a Strymon unit to compare against? Curious about your thoughts on quality compared to the old guard.

The more I dig into the Quad Cortex, the more disappointing the reverbs are. Probably the biggest drawback. I've been playing more of the Axe 3 now that I have the physical cab and power amp, and while I love the form factor of the QC, the Fractal reverbs are so much better and 3D sounding (even in mono).

I’m doing these online pedalboard mockups with the QC and a H90 ;(

Not sure if I feel dissapointed that I’m considering that next to a GD 1700,- unit, and compromise on “1 unit does all”…or celebrate that it fits on a manageable board…and I maybe can add stuff that’s top in its field. Maybe the hardware on the QC is capable…but considering the long history of strymon/eventide…it’s probably unrealistic to hope for QC to close that gap in expertise any time soon.

Current hypothese is that stuff from companies like Eventide/Strymon do excel in their own field against any of the modelers…I mean…these 2 set the bar? I love the kemper verbs and delays, and I sure fas are as good or better….but I’m curious what a “specialist” like eventide/strymon would bring to the table…I’m afraid I’m gonna draw the “life’s to short” to not try