**Please Read** When moving the cab block It didn’t dawn on me that it ls a mono cab block and should’ve been stereo to keep the stereo effect as it’s placed after the reverb and delay. However my intention in this video was to demonstrate the tones through cabs and just show direct for reference - my bad guys! If you follow these steps be sure to use a Stereo Cab block! 😊
You might want to try this with a solid state power amp, because of doubling up on the impedance response when connecting a tube amp to guitar speakers. You'd likely get much closer results!
@RabeaMassaad could you get that same natural feedback you’re getting from the plugin through the speaker cab without using a speaker cabinet that colours the tone ? That way you could use any plugin/IR with no limits and get the same natural feel from the guitar like you’re playing through a real cabinet…..For example would it work if you just used studio monitors but added a matching studio subwoofer?? Since it’s the woofer in the speaker cabinet’s speakers that are moving the air and creating that feedback in the first place …. Or am I missing something?
This is the first video I've ever seen where the Mic'ed signal sounds better than the DIRECT. It sounds so much fuller and well-rounded when the switchovers occur, and the cabinets are projecting. Love ya Bea! Cheers mate!
That’s partially due to the fact I forgot to change the cab block to stereo. So the cabs will sound wider. It wasn’t supposed to be a comparison. More just demonstrating how the models sound into amps! But I appreciate it!
@@RabeaMassaad still, if I switch off one monitor it sounds quite a lot more dynamic to me. Of course you weren't going to get an exact match between IR and mic but besides some EQ differences it also feels less flat. (maybe some of the added bass is tricking the ear though) It's cool either way and having that flexibility is sick!
So this is a very good video bec aside from showing how to split the signal for live use. It also shows the diff between a direct signal w/ an IR and what you get straight out of the speaker “in a room”. In each case the cabs always sound like they have more presence (which for me translates to more pleasing tone) , but i realized that this is bec of the room as well as the speaker that the live mic is capturing. Very eye-opening Rebea! It may also change the game in how we think about/create IR’s in the future.
I have a Powerstage 200 for my QC running into two Celestion F12M-150 Triple Cones. I still cant get a good live sound. How are you out putting your signal into your POwerstage?
Yes! Sounds amazing and really easy to do! I do not own a QC yet, but I do use my mac & interface for playing live. I have enough outputs to use one for the send & plug into whatever amps they have on the venues. Learnes with the years that I really miss stage volume and that it is really important, especially at smaller venues. Thanks for the knowledge, Bea!
Right on, Rabea! Great video. I have a QC and play exclusively into a SD Powerstage 200 and Mesa 2x12. I’ve always wanted to also go direct to FOH with an IR. This video definitely helps to motivate me to move in that direction. Thanks man!
That’s exactly what I do for live set up - stage cab (2x12) with SD power stage and di my main sound. Sometimes if we’re feeling frisky we’ll mic my cab and blend the signal between the mic and di through front of house. It can get gnarly
Sounds sick man! The timing of this video was crazy as I literally just tested out running the QC amps into the return of my Marshall ST20 and my Suhr 112. It sounds SO good.
Very useful video! this is the way I use QC live, you get a massive tone with this config. To any QC newbie, make sure to set the split in A/B position with which you get a better result compared with the other options IMHO. Now my only concern is to get as a gift (Thanks NSDP!) Plini X or Rabea's and wait for it to be updated to X 😆
General consensus outside of RUclips is the Fractal modeling is superior. More cabs, world class reverb, delay, and drives, more amps, and better build quality.
@@iurigrang 1. Would like to explore the captures. 2. Dual amp setup. 3. XLR input for occasional mic recording. 4. Transpose on the FM3 is unusable in my opinion. 5. With the FM3 I often spend more time tweaking than actually playing
To prevent too much tube saturation coming from the QC into the power amp you can back off the master volume on the amp model and turn up the output to compensate. In this situation you could duplicate the same amp direct vs the output to the real amps and just adjust it the model going to the real amps accordingly.
Hey Bea, great video,thanks for this. Just wondering, given that you are only using the power amp section of the tube amps, have you ever considered just using power amps, such as the mesa fifty/fifty?
noted on the mono/stereo config. BUT I gotta say, just my opinion the cabs sound great! alot fuller! Maybe becuase of the stereo/mono difference. I have a 5150 stealth 6l6 50 watt with an fx return and it cranks with goj plug-ins ...boom!
Yeah I messed up by not changing the cab block to stereo. That being said, my main demonstration here is how it sounds through the cabs. We all know how it sounds through XLR’s haha
I ran the Gojira Rust amp on my QC through a Fryette PS100 into a 4x10 at volume last night and, holy sheet. That is the closest I've ever gotten to a proper EVH blue channel. It was bang on perfect.
I use a similar set up, I have a lane for amp going to SD Powerstage and onto my 4x12 for feedback and then two other lanes for stereo amps and fuzz for FOH. At a recent gig the sound engineer talked me into just using floor monitors for the feedback via cab sim xlr out used by FOH. I monitor in ear and usually get a nice balance and can feel air from the cab, but the floor monitor took away the joy the 4x12 gives me, changing that interaction also made the guitar sound less organic and a lot less fat (I crave fatness).
Rabea, you are very fun, enjoy your experimentation, tones is in your fingers before anything, the talent and skill rings present. But some cutting edge tech does help.
Really nice video ! :) One thing I'm curious about. At the end of part1 when you demonstrate the feedback thing, how does that sound in the XLR output ? Do you get the same feedback, same harmonic content ? I'd assume yes because once you've got the pickups and cab(s) resonating, the IR block gets the same input and should produce the same result (coloured by whatever cab it's modelling of course) but I'm not entirely sure.
You will get the same out of the xlr’s but only because the amp is providing that feedback - in relation to me stood in front of it. As I said, through monitors it can be achieved but it’s way different. The feedback comes from a cranked amp and being stood near it.
Honestly the direct cabs sound much better than direct awesome video. Love to use my HX Stomp 4 cable method with my Friedman PT V2 sounds so good combining them.
This is the best of all worlds. I will have a QC. It is in fact, a certainty. I WILL run it like this. I will. It will be the end of so much tap dancing.
This set up is amazing, The ultimate live rig. The tone from both the effects return and direct XLR are unbelievable. I know you mentioned that it doesn't matter what amp you use. I guess my question is, are all effects send and return loops on different amps created equal?
Running the amp blocks into the FX Return of a tube amp is doubling the effect of a poweramp + load. You'll always have the sonic "print" of the amp block's load which NDSP used to model the amp and you'll also get the frequency response of the real tube amp's poweramp + cab load overlayed. Still, if it sounds good, it is good. Anyway, can't wait for the Fortin Nameless X to land on the QC
Even with your IR’s turned off? You’re still getting a lot of coloring? Because I just posted that yes that’s true and it turned out my cheapest amp sounds the best. When it breaks I’m not repairing it it’s too expensive these days with the tube prices etc. repair guys are far and few. But I’ll with have to use another amp or get a power block which I think will sound and feel different. Idk what I’ll do. I wish it came with its own power. I had no plans to use plug ins. They turned out to be great. They sound really good.
Never thought of using a tube amp as poweramp with the QC because I can't turn off the poweramp on the amp models like I could o the Axe FXIII. But I guess it sounds great anyway!
They've been given a lot of shit in the past because of the lack of Plug-in support, now it's honestly amazing and it can do everything I need it to do and even more. If you can splash out the cash, I'd recommend them even more now than ever before
Honestly, bite the bullet! I did a year ago and it's the most versatile bit of gear I've ever used. I use it live and then as an audio interface when I cant be arsed to use my X32, sounds great with everything you put through it.
Could do a capture of each power amp section + cab to run on the direct output to compare the same mic placement and the added effect of the amps (however small).
Sounds SICK! great tutoral on hybrid rigs, thanks! Could you also show what is your approach to volume/eq staging for different presets/scenes? I've been told that my guitar disappears on the mix when I switch presets/scenes, and I'm not sure how to tackle this
Agree with you : Direct Out for PA and Real cab for guitarist pleasure : the best compromise ! When your plug-in will be compatible with QC ? Any idea ?
Forgot to hard pan the direct output, so it lacks true comparison value, for the direct sound is thinner due to being mono and the cabs are richer due to stereo. But the cabs sound cool...
This confused me 😅 I wouldn't expect the amp models to sound this good when played through a power amp, as I'd expect that these amp models (or captures, for that matter) usually have the power amp already in the same block. This makes you use two power amps essentially. I noticed when I captured my own amp (pre+power) and then connected output 3 to my amp's return, it didn't sound very good. I then captured the preamp and power amp SEPARATELY. I'm splitting after my preamp capture, and one lane is going straight into my amp's return, and the other one has the power amp capture first, then an impulse response, and then goes into my monitors. This way I preserve my amp's natural sound pretty much 100%.
Can you only use these plug ins if they're If you already own them? How do you transfer them from your DAW to your QC? I'm a little lost here as you can see 😅 but equally as excited!!
From what I understand if you already owned them you can import them but if you got the QC without owning any you have before Aug 28th to use their free gift. The gojira X or plini X if no x you can’t import them yet. When they’re ready you will have to pay for them. I happen to get both plini x and gojira. I’m more a plini sound and I wasn’t going to even use plug ins but I tried them and I’m really impressed. They sound full and Kindve like more 3D. I got two because I have a back up and a used one. Will be selling one. I believe if you owned any of the plug ins before with or without an X I think you can import them double check.
Thank you for making this. So I’m guessing this would be the same running through a bass amp. I would just go through the effects return to be able to completely control the tones using the QC? I wish someone would do this with bass. 🙏
That’s what our bass player does. He runs a preset with a couple of bass amp models blended that run into the fx return on the microtones 900 head and 6x10 cab
@@RabeaMassaad great. thank you for writing back. gives me a little bit of confidence moving forward without swapping out my tube rig I spent forever collecting and dialing in.
As I only use amps and cabs I assume I would only need to disable the cab block? Is there a general setting that can do this for all the patches in the QC?
This is how I like to run. The one challenge is having an easy way to adjust EQ on amp without having to dial in each preset. Global EQ would work but it usually gets disabled on the heavier presets.
I need different volumes for my solo sound on foh and my headrush monitor. I copied the whole signal chain and sent the to different outputs. Since I’m using „scenes“ and row 1 (overdrive) and 3 (clean) are in use, I have to copy both…maybe you have a better idea? Love your tone btw 🤘🤠🤘 Cheers from Berlin
Hey Rabea, I’m new to the QC world. I wanted to ask if you ever adjust your input volume prior to creating any presets, for specific guitars? As a bassist I split my QC as well and run it into the power amp section of my mark bass head, but noticed that it is significantly low in volume when jamming with my band. Any pointers would be awesome! Love the content you provide.
@RabeaMassaad …. I suppose the amping up would work the same with a Marshall 9200 power amp as it would going through the Return on the FX Loop of an amp ? …. Same setup as you described in your video but instead of going through the FX Loop of an amp you just chucking it in the input of the power amp
Great vid! What's your take on using a tube power amp (which inevitably colors the sound, but could have a better feel) vs a more neutral solid state power amp (and letting the power amp sim of the QC do its thing)?
I’m using a tube amp to power the QC. I know you’re not asking me but each amp I have sounds different. The cheapest amp oddly sounds the best. I don’t think it’s coloring it very much. And I turn off the IR’s globally. I wonder what it would sound like through monitors but players seem to want to switch to real guitar cabs. FYI I haven’t had really great amps that long and they come first. They take pedals beautifully and I just want to spend more time with them. But the QC is the only modeler I’ve kept. Besides the overlooked Yamaha double modeler hd100. Sounds and feels great. Plug right in $800 new with power.
Well let's see him use Neural without the amp mics because that's how most of us play. I don't need to be confused with the setup for using it with the house setup.
Nice video. This is exactly how I use my QC with Kraken rig. I am noticing more low end when using QC amps in comparison to the real head. Do you notice this as well? Is it cause the tube coloration is basically doubled?
My thoughts exactly - we are essentially doubling up on power tubes so although it still sounds great. I think that’s where the extra low end is coming from
In that case: you could just throw an EQ on to the lane which goes the cabs, right? Will try that setup at the weekend and mess around with a 4x12 V30 🙌🏻💪🏻
@@derbasti1987 yeah I am also going to try this. At the moment I am using a send before the cab block. That way I don't need to use an entire row for splitting. But equing would be way easier this way.
Doesn't having the cab/IR block after the time based effects slightly alter the sound? I've been doubling up anf putting them on both output rows (not an efficient use of CPU) so was pleased to see you don't. When I tried it it seems to make the sound overall more present (on the Direct output) as the block is after them?
Just a bit confused as to the power amp section for both signals. What is going on with the direct signal as far as power amp simulation? Are you sending the QC power amp simulation into the power section of the Kracken amps? The plugins "amps" are preamp and power amp sections into cabs, so turning off the IR section is still sending the power amp to the Kraken correct?
Hey Rabea thanks for the great video 👏…I don’t have the QC yet.So would this sound good through a Marshall 100/100 el34 dual mono block power amp.I have one for many years haven’t used it for 20 years maybe it would be good with a QC?What do you think?Or anyone care to give me their opinion would be great.
@RabeaMassaad does the QC support preamp blocks and amp blocks? I use the same method with Helix but place a preamp block in front of the amp return and an amp block to the XLR outputs.
My friend, new subscriber here. I have a question, today I left a comment on the latest Sunday with Ola, because in a section of the video Ola tried the new FM turbo from AXE FX and he was saying that when sending the guitar through the FX loop it was recommended to shut down the power amp section in the amp. So I asked him how to turn off the power section from an amp in QC and he told me just to select the preamp block only. I do not have a cab to make tests but I have been using the same approach like you showed in the first part of the video when playing live. What's is your take on the power section of the amps? should be better if selecting only a preamp section of an amp block in QC or its not necessary since its a different unit? Thanks, I don't hear any difference in your video BTW
So you only need one jack from out 3 into the return of a normal amp? Up until now I’ve using the 4 cable method. All that time I just needed one cable!?
I’ve been wanting to go this route but scared it’s just not going to have the feel and sound of a regular amp. I had an Axe fxII with Mesa 2/90/2 through Mesa 4x12 and just didn’t like the feel. Tried it with the Matrix power amp and had the same issue. It was sterile or something. Wanting to take the leap but don’t want to be disappointed. Is anyone able to confirm how this method is? It sounds amazing for sure!
You are feeding the jack output to the FX return of the amp which means it goes through the power amp. Now, you have power amp modeling at QC (on the amp you have) so effectively it would be 2 power amps chained? Or am I missing something ? I am running similar setup, XLR outputs to the mixer but I run a preamp capture to the FX return of my amp for the power amp + cab (JVM 205H).
@@KrieTiK yeah it’s technically 2 power amps chained, hence the enhanced low end. You can combat that a bit by reducing the master of the model. But yeah, it’s not necessarily the most ideal in that sense but, unless you run captures of preamps only, this is the most flexible way
It's impossible to demonstrate this in a video since all we hear are mic'ed sounds, so I'll ask about your experience instead: how does the sound in the room from the cabinets compare to the monitored sound from the XLR out? If you mike the cabs and compare to the monitored XLR out then they ought to sound the same, but I expect that the direct sound from the cabs without mics will sound different than the monitored sound from the XLR. Another way of hearing the difference would be A/B in the room with the guitar straight into the real kraken and out to the cab versus the QC into the effects return. Good thing you have 2 krakens ;-) Models and profiles always sound like mic'ed guitar tones to me rather than straight sound from a cab, since that's what they are.
It sounds massive In the room. A Very different experience
Месяц назад
Which IRs are you using for live sessions and where to get them? I often find my presets to have a lot of treble and sound without any body when running FOH.
Hi Rabea! Love your videos. I use my QC mainly with headphones as I need to keep the volume low (apartment levels). After watching this, I'm curious if you could suggest a tube amp that I could run at low volume with the QC? Or is a FRFR a better solution?
Honestly, for low volumes FRFR might be the way to go. I doubt there is a single tube amp that can be as low as you need and still sound as good as it should. That being said i've seen some that can switch to 1 watt.
Yes it has bass amps and cabs in the unit, albeit not as many as guitar amps. I believe their bass plugins will eventually become comparable with it as well.
How are you coping with the relatively high latency of the plug-in presets going beyond 6-7 milliseconds which adds about 2.5 meters of distance between you and your amps?
@@Utube-g3g That is good for you (maybe) but it also does not change scientifically measured facts. I prefer to keep my patches beyond five milliseconds.
That’s because I made a mistake and didn’t setup the cab block to be stereo! It’s a mono cab. I totally didn’t think to change it! It can be stereo I just didn’t demonstrate that. That being said, the main purpose of this video is to hear it through amps and cabs. We all know how the direct tones sound haha
@@RabeaMassaad I went back to one of your recent videos, "Using Amps With Quad Cortex," and the wideness is pretty similar since you did put in a stereo cab in the block.
Such a good video, especially for a QC noob like me. Question: If I were to bring my QC to the studio, I assume I could not plug it straight into the board, correct? I would have to run it through a power amp, and then run it out of that into the board? Or is there another way?
Hey Rabea. How its QC for 80’s rock? On Yt its mostly high gain metal tones :D I have now Kemper, but i think to sell Kemper and buy QC. What do you think? Also, your playing its amazing!
Thanks so much. I would say it can handle most tones. For 80’s I’d go JCM800, Soldano or 5150 then add a boost, maybe an EQ after to shape the tone to work for that sound. The great thing with modellers is being able to mould the sound exactly how you want. If it’s not quite right, add an EQ to shape etc. But yeah I’d say it can do 80’s no problem
Thank you for your reply. What do you think about live difference bettwen Kemper and QC? From what i heard i think QC its easy to set up good sound. Its QC build good to handle live situations? Sorry for my english…
@@markocapl898yeah I would definitely recommend the QC over The Kemper. It’s a more modern product. The sound and feel I think is superior. It’s much more flexible too. I’ve toured mine for a few years now and it’s reliable.
I struggle a bit to understand the obsession with "bridging the gap" between tube amps and modelers when it seems to be the consensus that modelers would sound better through a clean solid state amp when you can't turn off the power section, like in the QC. This seems to me like fixation with tubes for fixation with tubes sake? The disadvantage between modelers when compared to real amps hasn't come from the lack of "tubes" for a long while now, and it has really only been a disadvantage that IRs through PA have compared to a real cab. To make up for it, the important part in the signal chain is the cab, and everything else should just try to move out of the way.
**Please Read**
When moving the cab block It didn’t dawn on me that it ls a mono cab block and should’ve been stereo to keep the stereo effect as it’s placed after the reverb and delay.
However my intention in this video was to demonstrate the tones through cabs and just show direct for reference - my bad guys!
If you follow these steps be sure to use a Stereo Cab block! 😊
when can we assign plug in amps to switch from crunch to lead or clean woth out doin it manually by knob
You might want to try this with a solid state power amp, because of doubling up on the impedance response when connecting a tube amp to guitar speakers. You'd likely get much closer results!
I’m unsubscribing! JK, could you use say, a KSR PA50 the same way youre using your Krakkens? Actually I have 2 PA50s now that I think about it.
@RabeaMassaad could you get that same natural feedback you’re getting from the plugin through the speaker cab without using a speaker cabinet that colours the tone ? That way you could use any plugin/IR with no limits and get the same natural feel from the guitar like you’re playing through a real cabinet…..For example would it work if you just used studio monitors but added a matching studio subwoofer?? Since it’s the woofer in the speaker cabinet’s speakers that are moving the air and creating that feedback in the first place …. Or am I missing something?
I need tabs for everything Bea plays. I swear to God it’s all a melodic masterpiece.
😄
This is the first video I've ever seen where the Mic'ed signal sounds better than the DIRECT. It sounds so much fuller and well-rounded when the switchovers occur, and the cabinets are projecting.
Love ya Bea! Cheers mate!
That’s partially due to the fact I forgot to change the cab block to stereo. So the cabs will sound wider.
It wasn’t supposed to be a comparison. More just demonstrating how the models sound into amps! But I appreciate it!
@@RabeaMassaad still, if I switch off one monitor it sounds quite a lot more dynamic to me. Of course you weren't going to get an exact match between IR and mic but besides some EQ differences it also feels less flat. (maybe some of the added bass is tricking the ear though)
It's cool either way and having that flexibility is sick!
its because of stereo effect with delay
@@imeverywhere3969 nah, it's still better if you literally just switch off one speaker and then compare.
I'm a simple man. I see a Rabea video, I click like. Sounds sweet and now I want a Quad Cortex for playing in Madison Square Bedroom
You can see the happiness on his face
So this is a very good video bec aside from showing how to split the signal for live use. It also shows the diff between a direct signal w/ an IR and what you get straight out of the speaker “in a room”. In each case the cabs always sound like they have more presence (which for me translates to more pleasing tone) , but i realized that this is bec of the room as well as the speaker that the live mic is capturing. Very eye-opening Rebea! It may also change the game in how we think about/create IR’s in the future.
Been running this way (but using a Piwerstage700 for two guitarists) for over a year now. Absolutely incredible setup. ❤
I have a Powerstage 200 for my QC running into two Celestion
F12M-150 Triple Cones. I still cant get a good live sound. How are you out putting your signal into your POwerstage?
@@neildeakin4454 not sure what those speakers are. I just use a send block before the cab/IR block and go straight from that output to the Powerstage.
The pure joy man is showing when blasting that. Love it!
Yes! Sounds amazing and really easy to do! I do not own a QC yet, but I do use my mac & interface for playing live. I have enough outputs to use one for the send & plug into whatever amps they have on the venues. Learnes with the years that I really miss stage volume and that it is really important, especially at smaller venues. Thanks for the knowledge, Bea!
Right on, Rabea! Great video. I have a QC and play exclusively into a SD Powerstage 200 and Mesa 2x12. I’ve always wanted to also go direct to FOH with an IR. This video definitely helps to motivate me to move in that direction. Thanks man!
That’s exactly what I do for live set up - stage cab (2x12) with SD power stage and di my main sound. Sometimes if we’re feeling frisky we’ll mic my cab and blend the signal between the mic and di through front of house. It can get gnarly
Loving how it sounds through the cabs, better than direct imo
Sounds sick man! The timing of this video was crazy as I literally just tested out running the QC amps into the return of my Marshall ST20 and my Suhr 112. It sounds SO good.
Very useful video! this is the way I use QC live, you get a massive tone with this config. To any QC newbie, make sure to set the split in A/B position with which you get a better result compared with the other options IMHO.
Now my only concern is to get as a gift (Thanks NSDP!) Plini X or Rabea's and wait for it to be updated to X 😆
I’m thinking on switching from FM3 to QC, sounds amazing
I did the same thing a year and a half ago and I'm super happy.
No regrets.
General consensus outside of RUclips is the Fractal modeling is superior. More cabs, world class reverb, delay, and drives, more amps, and better build quality.
Why would you switch? Not saying it's a bad decision, but I'm interested in understanding the reasoning behind it.
@@iurigrang 1. Would like to explore the captures. 2. Dual amp setup. 3. XLR input for occasional mic recording. 4. Transpose on the FM3 is unusable in my opinion. 5. With the FM3 I often spend more time tweaking than actually playing
You can tell the tones are killer by how much fun the player is having. Thanks for the awesome video Rabea ❤
Rabea, you're a saint. Thanks for all you do for the community man.
To prevent too much tube saturation coming from the QC into the power amp you can back off the master volume on the amp model and turn up the output to compensate. In this situation you could duplicate the same amp direct vs the output to the real amps and just adjust it the model going to the real amps accordingly.
Hey Bea, great video,thanks for this. Just wondering, given that you are only using the power amp section of the tube amps, have you ever considered just using power amps, such as the mesa fifty/fifty?
noted on the mono/stereo config. BUT I gotta say, just my opinion the cabs sound great! alot fuller! Maybe becuase of the stereo/mono difference. I have a 5150 stealth 6l6 50 watt with an fx return and it cranks with goj plug-ins ...boom!
The Direct sounds are in Mono in this example or is it just me?
Yeah I messed up by not changing the cab block to stereo.
That being said, my main demonstration here is how it sounds through the cabs. We all know how it sounds through XLR’s haha
@@RabeaMassaad As a non QC user I didn't know why would you have 2 XLR outputs if it was mono, but yeah great tones and playing anyways
Fun and informative video. Your playing is always inspiring.
Incredible sound! Love it!
I ran the Gojira Rust amp on my QC through a Fryette PS100 into a 4x10 at volume last night and, holy sheet. That is the closest I've ever gotten to a proper EVH blue channel. It was bang on perfect.
I use a similar set up, I have a lane for amp going to SD Powerstage and onto my 4x12 for feedback and then two other lanes for stereo amps and fuzz for FOH. At a recent gig the sound engineer talked me into just using floor monitors for the feedback via cab sim xlr out used by FOH. I monitor in ear and usually get a nice balance and can feel air from the cab, but the floor monitor took away the joy the 4x12 gives me, changing that interaction also made the guitar sound less organic and a lot less fat (I crave fatness).
Glad you made this video! Thank you!
Rabea, you are very fun, enjoy your experimentation, tones is in your fingers before anything, the talent and skill rings present. But some cutting edge tech does help.
Great job as usual ! And great sounds of course ...
Sounds incredible man 💪!
I really enjoyed listening to this 👍
this is everything I wanted to know, thanks so much! greeting from Chile!
Really nice video ! :)
One thing I'm curious about. At the end of part1 when you demonstrate the feedback thing, how does that sound in the XLR output ? Do you get the same feedback, same harmonic content ? I'd assume yes because once you've got the pickups and cab(s) resonating, the IR block gets the same input and should produce the same result (coloured by whatever cab it's modelling of course) but I'm not entirely sure.
You will get the same out of the xlr’s but only because the amp is providing that feedback - in relation to me stood in front of it.
As I said, through monitors it can be achieved but it’s way different. The feedback comes from a cranked amp and being stood near it.
@@RabeaMassaad Got it, thanks. 👍
Honestly the direct cabs sound much better than direct awesome video. Love to use my HX Stomp 4 cable method with my Friedman PT V2 sounds so good combining them.
This is the best of all worlds. I will have a QC. It is in fact, a certainty. I WILL run it like this. I will. It will be the end of so much tap dancing.
This set up is amazing, The ultimate live rig. The tone from both the effects return and direct XLR are unbelievable. I know you mentioned that it doesn't matter what amp you use. I guess my question is, are all effects send and return loops on different amps created equal?
Amazing tones…I’ve had a QC sitting in my Sweetwater cart..time to buy
Running the amp blocks into the FX Return of a tube amp is doubling the effect of a poweramp + load. You'll always have the sonic "print" of the amp block's load which NDSP used to model the amp and you'll also get the frequency response of the real tube amp's poweramp + cab load overlayed.
Still, if it sounds good, it is good.
Anyway, can't wait for the Fortin Nameless X to land on the QC
Indeed…
Even with your IR’s turned off? You’re still getting a lot of coloring? Because I just posted that yes that’s true and it turned out my cheapest amp sounds the best. When it breaks I’m not repairing it it’s too expensive these days with the tube prices etc. repair guys are far and few. But I’ll with have to use another amp or get a power block which I think will sound and feel different. Idk what I’ll do. I wish it came with its own power. I had no plans to use plug ins. They turned out to be great. They sound really good.
@@Utube-g3g yes, even with an IR turned off.
M8 your a leged for this 🙌🙌 didnt realise i could have FOH irs and real cab without ir on at the same time 🤝🤝🤝🙌🙌🙌🙌
Super useful, thanks a lot Bea !
Never thought of using a tube amp as poweramp with the QC because I can't turn off the poweramp on the amp models like I could o the Axe FXIII. But I guess it sounds great anyway!
Man. I would love to have a quad cortex.
They've been given a lot of shit in the past because of the lack of Plug-in support, now it's honestly amazing and it can do everything I need it to do and even more. If you can splash out the cash, I'd recommend them even more now than ever before
Do it man. You won't be disappointed
Honestly, bite the bullet! I did a year ago and it's the most versatile bit of gear I've ever used. I use it live and then as an audio interface when I cant be arsed to use my X32, sounds great with everything you put through it.
Will be the best purchase you've ever made. My most used piece of gear and my go to in my home studio for guitars at this point
Sweet baby! That rig sounds great!
This is awesome. Game changer.
Sounds awesome !
Very nice!
Gotta try it myself.
Could do a capture of each power amp section + cab to run on the direct output to compare the same mic placement and the added effect of the amps (however small).
Sounds SICK! great tutoral on hybrid rigs, thanks! Could you also show what is your approach to volume/eq staging for different presets/scenes? I've been told that my guitar disappears on the mix when I switch presets/scenes, and I'm not sure how to tackle this
Again, I know you’re not asking me. I’ve had the same issue. I think you can up the mids and or lower the gain to cut through the mix.
Agree with you : Direct Out for PA and Real cab for guitarist pleasure : the best compromise ! When your plug-in will be compatible with QC ? Any idea ?
Forgot to hard pan the direct output, so it lacks true comparison value, for the direct sound is thinner due to being mono and the cabs are richer due to stereo. But the cabs sound cool...
This confused me 😅 I wouldn't expect the amp models to sound this good when played through a power amp, as I'd expect that these amp models (or captures, for that matter) usually have the power amp already in the same block. This makes you use two power amps essentially. I noticed when I captured my own amp (pre+power) and then connected output 3 to my amp's return, it didn't sound very good. I then captured the preamp and power amp SEPARATELY. I'm splitting after my preamp capture, and one lane is going straight into my amp's return, and the other one has the power amp capture first, then an impulse response, and then goes into my monitors. This way I preserve my amp's natural sound pretty much 100%.
Can you only use these plug ins if they're If you already own them? How do you transfer them from your DAW to your QC? I'm a little lost here as you can see 😅 but equally as excited!!
From what I understand if you already owned them you can import them but if you got the QC without owning any you have before Aug 28th to use their free gift. The gojira X or plini X if no x you can’t import them yet. When they’re ready you will have to pay for them. I happen to get both plini x and gojira. I’m more a plini sound and I wasn’t going to even use plug ins but I tried them and I’m really impressed. They sound full and Kindve like more 3D. I got two because I have a back up and a used one. Will be selling one. I believe if you owned any of the plug ins before with or without an X I think you can import them double check.
through the cab is much more harmonically rich and full sounding. This might make me get a Cortex in the future sheesh
By the time i save up for a QC your’s and nollys archetypes will hopefully be out🤘🤘
Thank you for making this.
So I’m guessing this would be the same running through a bass amp. I would just go through the effects return to be able to completely control the tones using the QC?
I wish someone would do this with bass. 🙏
That’s what our bass player does. He runs a preset with a couple of bass amp models blended that run into the fx return on the microtones 900 head and 6x10 cab
@@RabeaMassaad great. thank you for writing back. gives me a little bit of confidence moving forward without swapping out my tube rig I spent forever collecting and dialing in.
Sounds absolutely massive. Rebea, what case are you using for your guitars in the background? ❤️
As I only use amps and cabs I assume I would only need to disable the cab block? Is there a general setting that can do this for all the patches in the QC?
Yes. Go to setting and look for it. You can definitely globally turn off all the cabs. I have it done.
Upon Direct it's slightly center left and upon Cab it's slightly right.....what about using both at same time? (I'm using Sony MDR 7506 headphones)🎸👍
@RabeaMassaad could you please share with us your IRs!!
The feedback made me wonder if you could capture the Digitech Freqout pedal... probably not, but I might just try...
I wonder how this will be once your plugin is compatible with QC, synth block will be madness out of real amps
I can’t waiiiiit hahahaah
@@RabeaMassaad Looking forward hear those NES licks in stereo, hope to see some megaman noodling my man
what IR are you using? sounds awesome!
The cab had so much more depth and dimension. I got lost around the 13 min mark!!
I dig it. My opinion this is the best way to use a modeler live. I run a kemper rack through a tube power amp to guitar cab. Only way to role...
This is how I like to run. The one challenge is having an easy way to adjust EQ on amp without having to dial in each preset. Global EQ would work but it usually gets disabled on the heavier presets.
Just run an external graphic EQ.
@@neighbourhoodmusicianI do that way, GE7 get the job done
I need different volumes for my solo sound on foh and my headrush monitor. I copied the whole signal chain and sent the to different outputs.
Since I’m using „scenes“ and row 1 (overdrive) and 3 (clean) are in use, I have to copy both…maybe you have a better idea?
Love your tone btw 🤘🤠🤘
Cheers from Berlin
Hey Rabea, I’m new to the QC world. I wanted to ask if you ever adjust your input volume prior to creating any presets, for specific guitars? As a bassist I split my QC as well and run it into the power amp section of my mark bass head, but noticed that it is significantly low in volume when jamming with my band. Any pointers would be awesome! Love the content you provide.
@RabeaMassaad …. I suppose the amping up would work the same with a Marshall 9200 power amp as it would going through the Return on the FX Loop of an amp ? …. Same setup as you described in your video but instead of going through the FX Loop of an amp you just chucking it in the input of the power amp
Great vid! What's your take on using a tube power amp (which inevitably colors the sound, but could have a better feel) vs a more neutral solid state power amp (and letting the power amp sim of the QC do its thing)?
I’m using a tube amp to power the QC. I know you’re not asking me but each amp I have sounds different. The cheapest amp oddly sounds the best. I don’t think it’s coloring it very much. And I turn off the IR’s globally. I wonder what it would sound like through monitors but players seem to want to switch to real guitar cabs. FYI I haven’t had really great amps that long and they come first. They take pedals beautifully and I just want to spend more time with them. But the QC is the only modeler I’ve kept. Besides the overlooked Yamaha double modeler hd100. Sounds and feels great. Plug right in $800 new with power.
Well let's see him use Neural without the amp mics because that's how most of us play. I don't need to be confused with the setup for using it with the house setup.
Nice video. This is exactly how I use my QC with Kraken rig.
I am noticing more low end when using QC amps in comparison to the real head.
Do you notice this as well?
Is it cause the tube coloration is basically doubled?
My thoughts exactly - we are essentially doubling up on power tubes so although it still sounds great. I think that’s where the extra low end is coming from
In that case: you could just throw an EQ on to the lane which goes the cabs, right? Will try that setup at the weekend and mess around with a 4x12 V30 🙌🏻💪🏻
@@derbasti1987 yeah I am also going to try this. At the moment I am using a send before the cab block. That way I don't need to use an entire row for splitting. But equing would be way easier this way.
@@RabeaMassaadYeah or use a neutral tube power amp like a Fryette which is meant not to color the tone at all but provide tube warmth.
Did some measurements this morning. It's about a 6db bell cut at 100 hz, to match the QC amp to the real amp.
Doesn't having the cab/IR block after the time based effects slightly alter the sound? I've been doubling up anf putting them on both output rows (not an efficient use of CPU) so was pleased to see you don't. When I tried it it seems to make the sound overall more present (on the Direct output) as the block is after them?
But if you are going DI the audience won’t hear all that wonderful feedback and cab interaction in FOH, is that correct?
15:33 is this a song? It sounds so awesome
Maestro ❤
Just a bit confused as to the power amp section for both signals. What is going on with the direct signal as far as power amp simulation? Are you sending the QC power amp simulation into the power section of the Kracken amps? The plugins "amps" are preamp and power amp sections into cabs, so turning off the IR section is still sending the power amp to the Kraken correct?
Hey Rabea thanks for the great video 👏…I don’t have the QC yet.So would this sound good through a Marshall 100/100 el34 dual mono block power amp.I have one for many years haven’t used it for 20 years maybe it would be good with a QC?What do you think?Or anyone care to give me their opinion would be great.
@RabeaMassaad does the QC support preamp blocks and amp blocks? I use the same method with Helix but place a preamp block in front of the amp return and an amp block to the XLR outputs.
My friend, new subscriber here. I have a question, today I left a comment on the latest Sunday with Ola, because in a section of the video Ola tried the new FM turbo from AXE FX and he was saying that when sending the guitar through the FX loop it was recommended to shut down the power amp section in the amp. So I asked him how to turn off the power section from an amp in QC and he told me just to select the preamp block only. I do not have a cab to make tests but I have been using the same approach like you showed in the first part of the video when playing live. What's is your take on the power section of the amps? should be better if selecting only a preamp section of an amp block in QC or its not necessary since its a different unit? Thanks, I don't hear any difference in your video BTW
Can't wait til I get a QC and put it through a 4x12 😩
Are the IR's you use available for download/purchase anywhere? They sound killer.
So you only need one jack from out 3 into the return of a normal amp? Up until now I’ve using the 4 cable method. All that time I just needed one cable!?
I’ve been wanting to go this route but scared it’s just not going to have the feel and sound of a regular amp. I had an Axe fxII with Mesa 2/90/2 through Mesa 4x12 and just didn’t like the feel. Tried it with the Matrix power amp and had the same issue. It was sterile or something. Wanting to take the leap but don’t want to be disappointed. Is anyone able to confirm how this method is? It sounds amazing for sure!
juste incroyable
You are feeding the jack output to the FX return of the amp which means it goes through the power amp. Now, you have power amp modeling at QC (on the amp you have) so effectively it would be 2 power amps chained? Or am I missing something ? I am running similar setup, XLR outputs to the mixer but I run a preamp capture to the FX return of my amp for the power amp + cab (JVM 205H).
@@KrieTiK yeah it’s technically 2 power amps chained, hence the enhanced low end. You can combat that a bit by reducing the master of the model. But yeah, it’s not necessarily the most ideal in that sense but, unless you run captures of preamps only, this is the most flexible way
@@RabeaMassaad thanks for the clarification. Anyway, it sounds great !
It's impossible to demonstrate this in a video since all we hear are mic'ed sounds, so I'll ask about your experience instead: how does the sound in the room from the cabinets compare to the monitored sound from the XLR out? If you mike the cabs and compare to the monitored XLR out then they ought to sound the same, but I expect that the direct sound from the cabs without mics will sound different than the monitored sound from the XLR.
Another way of hearing the difference would be A/B in the room with the guitar straight into the real kraken and out to the cab versus the QC into the effects return. Good thing you have 2 krakens ;-)
Models and profiles always sound like mic'ed guitar tones to me rather than straight sound from a cab, since that's what they are.
It sounds massive In the room. A Very different experience
Which IRs are you using for live sessions and where to get them? I often find my presets to have a lot of treble and sound without any body when running FOH.
Hi Rabea! Love your videos. I use my QC mainly with headphones as I need to keep the volume low (apartment levels). After watching this, I'm curious if you could suggest a tube amp that I could run at low volume with the QC? Or is a FRFR a better solution?
Honestly, for low volumes FRFR might be the way to go. I doubt there is a single tube amp that can be as low as you need and still sound as good as it should. That being said i've seen some that can switch to 1 watt.
I’m no t sure about that. I’m in an apt and I’m using a 50 watt amp’s return input and a real guitar cab. The volume seems to come from the quad.
But this is not 4 cable method, what hapen with the efects like reveb and delay ? thanks
nice!
Is it possible to turn on the cab sim on quad cortex and then run through the physical cab?
Love this.. can a bass player use it?
Yes it has bass amps and cabs in the unit, albeit not as many as guitar amps. I believe their bass plugins will eventually become comparable with it as well.
Is there any trick to doing the direct/cab dual setup without wasting an entire path?
Could I do this by just using my powered Kemper through a 2x12 ?
You could! Although honestly, tube power amps just give it so much more beans and power 💪
@@RabeaMassaad digital consistency with pure tube power. Prob the best combo!
How are you coping with the relatively high latency of the plug-in presets going beyond 6-7 milliseconds which adds about 2.5 meters of distance between you and your amps?
I don’t hear plug in latency re the one’s going through the QC.
@@Utube-g3g That is good for you (maybe) but it also does not change scientifically measured facts. I prefer to keep my patches beyond five milliseconds.
When using the FX, when you switch to the cabs, it sounds so much wider than the direct sound.
That’s because I made a mistake and didn’t setup the cab block to be stereo! It’s a mono cab. I totally didn’t think to change it! It can be stereo I just didn’t demonstrate that.
That being said, the main purpose of this video is to hear it through amps and cabs. We all know how the direct tones sound haha
@@RabeaMassaad Ahh got it
@@RabeaMassaad I went back to one of your recent videos, "Using Amps With Quad Cortex," and the wideness is pretty similar since you did put in a stereo cab in the block.
Such a good video, especially for a QC noob like me. Question: If I were to bring my QC to the studio, I assume I could not plug it straight into the board, correct? I would have to run it through a power amp, and then run it out of that into the board? Or is there another way?
Does anyone know if Archetype Rabea is going to get this capability?
Eventually they all will but given they still haven’t announced Rabea X it’s gonna be a bit
@@StupidGuitar Dang, that sucks. Archetype Rabea is the best one in my opinion.
@@alkaliforever9051 yeah but also one of the more complicated to port due to the synth which is one of its coolest features
Hey Rabea.
How its QC for 80’s rock? On Yt its mostly high gain metal tones :D
I have now Kemper, but i think to sell Kemper and buy QC. What do you think?
Also, your playing its amazing!
Thanks so much. I would say it can handle most tones.
For 80’s I’d go JCM800, Soldano or 5150 then add a boost, maybe an EQ after to shape the tone to work for that sound.
The great thing with modellers is being able to mould the sound exactly how you want. If it’s not quite right, add an EQ to shape etc.
But yeah I’d say it can do 80’s no problem
Thank you for your reply.
What do you think about live difference bettwen Kemper and QC? From what i heard i think QC its easy to set up good sound.
Its QC build good to handle live situations?
Sorry for my english…
@@markocapl898yeah I would definitely recommend the QC over The Kemper. It’s a more modern product. The sound and feel I think is superior. It’s much more flexible too.
I’ve toured mine for a few years now and it’s reliable.
How about Rabea X?
I also waiting for release of Rabea X, cause I consider it the most inspiring of all the products
Gatdamnnmm even though RUclips shit sounds fire
If I didn’t have a fractal…it would be my second choice 😅
I struggle a bit to understand the obsession with "bridging the gap" between tube amps and modelers when it seems to be the consensus that modelers would sound better through a clean solid state amp when you can't turn off the power section, like in the QC.
This seems to me like fixation with tubes for fixation with tubes sake? The disadvantage between modelers when compared to real amps hasn't come from the lack of "tubes" for a long while now, and it has really only been a disadvantage that IRs through PA have compared to a real cab. To make up for it, the important part in the signal chain is the cab, and everything else should just try to move out of the way.
I don’t feel it’s an obsession. At least not for me. But I love the feel of tube amps and this approach bridges the gap for me.