Active monitor for guitar modeller

[Kwackman]

Hi,
I have a multiFX pedal with amp and speaker simulators.
I'm looking at getting a cheap monitor for live use.
I see FRFR cabinets are recommended, although they seem a lot more expensive than "ordinary" floor monitors.
I'm not looking for massive volumes, and the smaller and lighter the better.
I was hoping for a monitor with 8" or less speaker, mostly for size.
Any recommendations or different ideas?
I COULD switch off the amp/speaker simulator and use a guitar amp, but the modeller gives me more amp options, which are very useful.
TIA

[Drew Stephenson]

Does it have to be a FRFR cab or would a decent 8" PA cab do the job?

[Kwackman]

That's what I'm hoping!
Something like this maybe?
https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Li ... eaker/3XTY

[sonics]

That's what I was going to suggest. There's a similar dB Tech cab, too. I can't say I've heard either, though. I have used the Headrush cab, but it's about twice the price.

[The Coastal Path]

FWIW I have both the Headrush FR112 and the Alto TX310. The headrush does sound better - but it weighs a bloody ton and the convenience of the Alto often makes it preferable - it’s still loud enough for on stage monitoring and my modeller obviously sounds the same for the audience through the main PA. I use a Pod Go and the global EQ is useful to compensate for the limitations of the Alto - doesn’t need much.

[Kwackman]

Very useful info, thanks.

EDIT
Headrush is 3 times the weight of the Alto!

[sonics]

Alto TX308 = 5.6kg
dB Tech B-Hype 8 = 6.6kg
HeadRush FRFR108 MK2 = 9.5kg

[ef37a]

FYI the trio my son plays bass for in France have the Alto TX310 and put 3 mics and a guitar through it and are very happy with the results.
The genre is a sort of 'French/African jazz' that I neither understand nor like much but he does! They are not a loud band.

Dave.

[Kwackman]

Alto TX308 = 5.6kg
dB Tech B-Hype 8 = 6.6kg
HeadRush FRFR108 MK2 = 9.5kg

Thanks, I was looking at the FRFR112, which is a mere 16.3 kg!

It's looking like either the Alto 308 or dB tech B-Hype 8 at the moment.
Ta for the info.

[Kwackman]

FYI the trio my son plays bass for in France have the Alto TX310 and put 3 mics and a guitar through it and are very happy with the results.
The genre is a sort of 'French/African jazz' that I neither understand nor like much but he does! They are not a loud band.

Dave.

Thanks Dave.

[Sam Spoons]

A PA speaker is, by definition, FRFR so any half decent powered PA cab should get the job done.

[sonics]

Thanks, I was looking at the FRFR112, which is a mere 16.3 kg!

I guessed that, having moved them around!
Sorry I can't help with a recommendation. I've hear neither the Alto or the dB Tech, as I said.

[MarkOne]

Why not take the next logical step, and go for IEMs?

[Kwackman]

A PA speaker is, by definition, FRFR so any half decent powered PA cab should get the job done.

Thanks Sam, from the replies here, it looks like you're correct.
I did wonder if FRFR was marketing BS to trap gullible guitarists!

Why not take the next logical step, and go for IEMs?

Ta for the idea, but not really practical for the set-up we have.

[SafeandSound Mastering]

If I can drop in on this one, does anyone know of a stereo version of such a device. I could get away with something like 2 x 4 or 5inch drivers I think.

I like to hear my guitar effects/model in stereo which of course adds depth and interest to the sound. (ahem, my playing needs it) Actually in truth I just like to hear pseudo stereo as it is more pleasurable on the ears and I appreciate reverb/delay etc. in stereo.

At the moment I run line outs to minijack in on a very convenient but rather too small bluetooth type speaker, I miss some lows though.

I am considering another set of Eris 3.5 for this (maybe strapped together). Though wonder if there is a guitar specific stereo unit. I wish guitar speakers/amps did more stereo/pseudo stereo.

[Kwackman]

If I can drop in on this one, does anyone know of a stereo version of such a device. I could get away with something like 2 x 4 or 5inch drivers I think.

One possibility would be the Boss Dual Cube LX.
It IS a guitar amp, but if you select the "Stereo In" option, the guitar amp bit is bypassed, and it becomes a stereo monitor.
It is rated as "5W + 5W", but I can't find out what this 5W really is, I suspect it might not be the RMS value!
It is quite loud, and in a small rehearsal room it does OK, but once the rest of the band turn everything up for the rock numbers, it struggles a bit.
I have one- I feed mono to both inputs.

[ef37a]

The Blackstar ID range are stereo and house what are effectively 'hi fi' speakers but get the "guitarey" sound with digital trickery. Pretty sure you can run them clean. Son has the id40 (20+20W) and that is pretty punchy.

Must be loads on The Bay by now?

Dave.

[Drew Stephenson]

If I can drop in on this one, does anyone know of a stereo version of such a device. I could get away with something like 2 x 4 or 5inch drivers I think.

Yamaha THX stuff? Guitar input is mono but the aux input is stereo.

[Sam Spoons]

Spark 40 is stereo too but it's still only a practice amp.

[BigRedX]

If you are running a speaker simulator on your effects you want your monitor amp and speakers to be as "uncoloured" as possible.

[Music Wolf]

I regularly gig with a Helix (in fact we have two guitarists, both using Helixes), previously I've used a Kemper, a Vox ToneLab, a Marchall JMP-1 etc.

If you are using amp & cab sims then you do really need FRFR cabs but PA cabs are fine. If you are using a regular guitar combo then I would recommend you to bypass the tone stack by going straight into the FX return and switch off the cab sims. A lot of these specialist FRFR cabs aimed at guitarists seem to be about trying to capture the feel, and look, of a conventional amp on stage. IMHO they are not necessary.

These days I'm going straight to the PA and we have a couple of wedge monitors on stage (or I use in ears). At home I use my studio monitors or headphones. I have tried using an old pair of Adam A5s as stage monitors (on head-high stands), but you are really pushing things volume wise.

[SafeandSound Mastering]

Thanks for suggestions will check those out.

[Kwackman]

If you are using amp & cab sims then you do really need FRFR cabs but PA cabs are fine....

.....A lot of these specialist FRFR cabs aimed at guitarists seem to be about trying to capture the feel, and look, of a conventional amp on stage. IMHO they are not necessary.

Slightly confused...

[Music Wolf]

If you are using amp & cab sims then you do really need FRFR cabs but PA cabs are fine....

.....A lot of these specialist FRFR cabs aimed at guitarists seem to be about trying to capture the feel, and look, of a conventional amp on stage. IMHO they are not necessary.

Slightly confused...

Sorry, I was less than clear.

An PA type FRFR cab is fine, but don't pay over the odds for something that purports to be 'designed' specifically for guitar and which costs significantly more. I've used an Alto 210 PA cab in the past just to provide some on stage vol with the added advantage that I could pole mount it to get it at head height (much better than a conventional cab pointing at the back of your knees).

[BigRedX]

I have an RCF745 PA cab which, along with a Line6 Helix, is now my bass rig. The form factor means that it will fit in places on stage where there wouldn't be room for a traditional amp and speakers, and the tilt-back shape allows me to point it at my ears rather than my knees. On the couple of occasions I have used it to deliver my bass FoH, where the PA was vocals only, the improved dispersion characteristics compared to my previous rig meant that I only needed to be slightly louder on stage than normal as opposed to so loud I could barely hear the rest of the band.

In fact the only downside is that most of the time it's complete overkill for what I need, as it only gets used for rehearsals and the smaller gigs with one of my bands, so I could have got away with something smaller and lighter