How to Get LOUD (or Quiet) Using Amp Modelers & Cab Sim Pedals

So, you’ve perfectly dialed in your modeling rig for your band’s set list with amps, effects, and the like all ready to swap in and out with the stomp of a footswitch. The tones are superb, as they should be — your modern modeling unit effectively puts the world’s most well-stocked collection of studio amps and effects at your command.

Still, when you’re onstage or at band practice, it’s tough not to crave the sound and feel of a real speaker pushing out air behind you. And though playing through your modeler with headphones can be fruitful for practice and recording, letting loose through a real set of speakers (even on a desktop amplifier!) is often more rewarding and, most importantly, fun.

Luckily, Sweetwater has just the thing to bridge the digital divide between the realm of modern modeling and the time-tested world of guitar cabinets: full-range, flat-response (FRFR) cabs. These powered cabinets form a blank sonic palette for your modeling rig, ensuring that every preset remains clear, crisp, and uncolored. Moreover, Sweetwater offers stage-ready powered speakers that cover much of the same ground as an FRFR speaker, or you can use an external power amp to hook up an old-school guitar cab to your modeling setup.

What Are FRFR Cabs?

A full-range, flat-response guitar cabinet is engineered to reproduce your signal with zero coloration, allowing your processor’s amp, effects, and speaker models to resound with the utmost authenticity. Like PA speakers, FRFR cabs often combine a large driver for the low frequencies with a tweeter to cover the high frequencies to deliver a fuller spectrum of sound than a traditional guitar cab is capable of.

However, FRFR cabs differ in that they often utilize regular guitar-amp form factors; they generally feature more guitar-centric appointments such as onboard IRs and guitar-friendly EQ controls; and they aim to be as neutral-sounding as possible. Sweetwater’s robust selection of FRFR cabs is growing all the time, so here’s a selection of our current favorite models.

Fender Tone Master FR-12 1,000-watt 1 x 12-inch Powered Guitar Cabinet

Generations of guitarists have become accustomed to a Fender amplifier backing them up onstage, and Fender carries that tradition into the modern modeling world with their Tone Master FR-12 FRFR cabinet. Packing a hard-hitting 12-inch speaker paired with a 1-inch high-frequency driver, the FR-12 dishes out a whopping 1,000 watts of power to take on any stage. Need to perform a quick tonal adjustment on the fly? The FR-12’s top-mounted control panel gives you access to a powerful 3-band EQ, a volume knob, and a bass cut control that altogether offer a far more convenient alternative to bending down to fuss with your modeler’s settings.

Finally, the element that truly sets the FR-12 apart from the FRFR pack is simple: it looks just like an old-school Fender cabinet right down to the black Tolex, silver grille cloth, and tilt-back metal legs! All in all, the FR-12 represents a seamless blend of modern FRFR firepower and traditional Fender style in a reasonably lightweight, portable package.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

HeadRush FRFR Go Portable Desktop Amplifier

High-wattage FRFR cabs can give you power and presence up on the stage, yet the HeadRush FRFR Go portable desktop amplifier proves that they’re just as handy when you’re jamming at your desk! This ultra-compact FRFR cabinet sports a 30-watt power rating, two 3-inch speakers, and a rear bass port to deliver an impressively rich sound that’s sure to elevate your woodshedding sessions. A 1/8-inch stereo aux input and a dedicated Bluetooth channel further enhance this cab’s utility, allowing you to stream tunes and backing tracks to play along with. Plus, you get a convenient top-mounted control section with Bass and Treble knobs to quickly shape your sound. Ready to go anywhere, thanks to its rechargeable battery with up to 13 hours of uptime, the HeadRush FRFR Go grants you the power of full-range, flat-response anywhere, anytime.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Positive Grid Spark Cab 140-watt 1 x 10-inch Powered Guitar Cabinet

Scores of Sweetwater guitarists swear by their Positive Grid Spark amplifiers for at-home playing and practice, and the Positive Grid Spark Cab allows you to take those Spark sounds straight onto the stage. This 140-watt cab is purpose-built to pair with Positive Grid’s Spark modeling amplifiers with a dedicated 1/8-inch Spark input along with two combo inputs for guitarists who wish to audition this cab with their non-Spark modeling system. The combination of a 10-inch woofer and two high-frequency dome tweeters delivers a clear and accurate response, and you also get a handy contour switch to emphasize low and high frequencies. Topped off with a noise-defeating ground-lift switch and rugged yet lightweight MDF construction, the Positive Grid Spark Cab replicates your favorite Spark amp and effects models like you’ve never heard before.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Line 6 Powercab Series

Whether you’re rocking a Line 6 Helix or any other modeling unit, Line 6’s Powercab series provides you with both neutral FRFR performance and the traditional tone of a guitar cabinet. Three distinct models are available, two 1 x 12-inch models and one 2 x 12-inch option. Each speaker in the series sports a 1-inch high-frequency driver to cover your signal’s top-end detail, and the wattage of the Powercab series ranges from 250 watts up to 500 watts.

So, what singles out the Powercab series from the rest of Sweetwater’s FRFR offerings? These cabs feature a standard “Flat” mode for neutral FRFR performance, yet they also come equipped with a host of built-in speaker emulations (six on the 112, 12 on the 112 Plus and 212 Plus) to provide you with that dynamic, responsive amp-in-a-room feel. Moreover, every Powercab comes equipped with MIDI I/O, a USB port for preset editing, a backlit LCD screen, and a microphone-emulated XLR output. Last, the 112 Plus takes it all to another level with 128 user presets for your favorite third-party impulse responses.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Laney LFR Active Guitar Cabinets

Laney’s LFR series dishes out a seriously stage-shaking degree of FRFR firepower with cabs ranging from a standard 1 x 12-inch all the way up to a massive 4 x 12-inch FRFR monster. No matter which configuration you choose, your LFR cab wields a 1-inch LaVoce compression driver for spotless high-end detail. Volume is all but an afterthought, thanks to the LFR series’ robust power ratings that range from 400 watts all the way up to 2,500 watts to take on everything from late-night jams to festival stages.

Both the LFR-112 and LFR-212 boast switchable emulation modes from FRFR operation to tones that mimic the qualities of standard 1 x 12-inch or 4 x 12-inch cabinets. In contrast, the flagship LFR-412 brandishes Laney Advanced Impulse Response technology and IRs built into its speaker-emulated direct out, and you can even load up your own third-party IRs via USB. A road-ready build with eye-catching onboard lights tops the LFR series off with signature Laney flair, all adding up to a rock-solid FRFR option for the guitarist after stage-conquering volume and versatility for their modeling rig.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Friedman ASC Series

The boutique guitar scene isn’t all about handwired tube amps! Case in point, the Friedman ASC lineup of active modeler/profiler monitors brings Dave Friedman’s amplifier-engineering mastery to the realm of FRFR amplification. Each cabinet in this trio kicks out 500 watts of pure, transparent power, courtesy of Friedman’s proprietary, all-analog Class G amplification, and both standard guitar-cab and angled personal-monitor form factors are available options. Plus, the ASC series also features a subsonic filter control, a turn-on mute, and soft ramp to eliminate unwanted pops, clicks, and other noises when setting up. Finished with boutique-level appointments including Celestion speakers, Celestion high-frequency drivers, and lightweight Baltic birch cabinets, Friedman’s ASC series of active monitors will round out your modeling setup with a high-class edge.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

HeadRush FRFR MKII Series

Ideal for guitarists who want an accessible entryway into the world of FRFR performance, HeadRush’s FRFR MKII cabs pack superior stage-ready projection into a compact, wedge-shaped form. This series comprises the FRFR-112 MKII (2,500 watts, 12-inch speaker) and the FRFR-108 MKII (2,000 watts, 8-inch speaker), and each cab is additionally equipped with a high-frequency compression driver. Most impressively, these MKII versions upgrade their predecessors by adding full Bluetooth compatibility, making these cabs equally adept at streaming music between sets or during your practice sessions. You also get a 100Hz highpass filter, dual combo XLR inputs, an XLR direct output, and a ground switch. For the guitarist after a top-class FRFR speaker to serve as their stage monitor, it’s tough to top HeadRush’s FRFR MKII lineup.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Electro-Voice ZLX G2 Powered Loudspeakers

The Electro-Voice ZLX-12P-G2 may not be an FRFR speaker in name, but this portable active PA speaker is equally adept at amplifying your modeling rig’s signal when you’re rocking the stage. In fact, this 1,000-watt PA speaker features a quintet of operating modes, including FRFR mode. This mode is specially aimed at guitar modeling processors, providing a clean and neutral response through the speaker’s 12-inch woofer and 1.4-inch compression driver. Did we mention that the ZLX-12P-G2 also boasts built-in Bluetooth capabilities, onboard DSP, a 4-channel digital mixer, and onboard effects? Powerful enough to handle your modeling rig and versatile enough to handle music streaming and bog-standard PA duties, the Electro-Voice ZLX-12P-G2 is a robust addition to any musician’s stage arsenal.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Power Amplifiers

Prefer to stick with a tried-and-true passive guitar cabinet? No problem — send your modeling rig’s signal into a dedicated power amp to interface it with any compatible guitar speaker cabinet.

Synergy SYN-5050 Rackmount 2 x 50-watt Tube Amp

For the guitarist who sees both sides of the analog/digital modeling coin, there’s the Synergy SYN-5050. Fueled by four 6L6s, this 100-watt tube amplifier (two bridgeable 50-watt channels) drenches your signal with the ever-sought warmth and depth of valve technology. Plus, the SYN-5050 also comes equipped with master Presence and Depth knobs to tweak your signal. And while the SYN-5050’s 100 watts might sound less powerful on paper than the rest of our FRFR cabs, it’s important to remember that tube watts are perceived by our ears as far louder than solid-state watts!

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Seymour Duncan PowerStage 100S 100-watt Stereo Guitar Amp Pedal

Seymour Duncan’s PowerStage 100S represents an even more portable power-amplifier solution with 100 watts of high-headroom Class D power available per channel. This power amplifier is designed to sit on the ground right next to your pedals and can drive your cab and send your signal to the front of house simultaneously using the dual balanced XLR outputs and dedicated stereo speaker outputs. Need to dial down the bass or make a quick adjustment to your high end? The PowerStage 100S’s 4-band EQ and Presence knobs have you covered. You’ll also benefit from the built-in, bypassable cabinet simulation. Whether you’re bringing your own cab or simply after the most consistent power source possible for your modeling setup, Seymour Duncan’s PowerStage 100S does it all in a pedal-size package.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

Conclusion

Whether you choose an FRFR cab, a powered PA system, or a power amplifier paired with a guitar cabinet, upgrading your modeling rig with real, air-pushing speakers is a surefire way to elevate your playing experience on the stage, in the studio, and in the practice room. Not sure what option will work best for you? No problem — simply give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 for personalized, professional advice on how to get the most out of your modeling rig!
The post How to Get LOUD (or Quiet) Using Amp Modelers & Cab Sim Pedals appeared first on InSync.