Gonna try and see if I can make the switch over to the FRFR world from a tube amp background. Let me know if you all have any tips! Would love to hear your own stories!
so it's been a hot minute! Do you still have the Laney LFR212 ? I am switching from a Mesa TC-100 with a wide body 2x12 with V30s and there was a "learning curve" in terms of how I actually EQ the entire amp section for my patches along with how I select the IR settings. I have a Fender Tone Master Pro 1000W 12' FRFR cab right now but I really wanted to look at adding the Laney to get a stereo rig setup going. ONE problem I seem to have is that I find my 7 and 8 string tones especially the low E or low B sound very flubby and woofy compared to my wide body 2x12 cabinet... 1 year of messing around with EQ, trying users patches etc. and I still can't find one that actually has that tightness of a real cab... but everything else I've played has sounded wicked!
Hey there! I actually sold the cab a few weeks after making this video. Kinda regret it a little now, but I see they just released a 4x12 too! Way too heavy for me, but fascinated by it, nonetheless. A low cut helps tame the flub but it still won't translate to the "amp in the room" feel of a traditional amp. That was one of the issues I was dealing with as well that I couldn't get over. It's just all about getting used to it, I guess. I will say that the Laney was one of the better FRFR cabs I've tried. Light years better than anything from Line 6 for what it's worth.
Hey thank you so much for sharing your experience. I kind of ran into the same problem with the fender tone Master pro it's a 1000 watt FRFR cabinet. My biggest gripe with every single one of these cabinets is that instead of just providing a proper power section and a 12-inch guitar speaker they put a PA speaker in and a 2-inch tweeter or a 1-inch tweeter and call it a day and think people are just going to love it? I really think people would love a tube power section with 6L6 or EL84 going into a traditional greenback or vintage 30 or hatsu demon 😈 something that would actually growl, like a proper guitar cabinet... I'm still going to keep my quad cortex and the FRFR but I've ended up going back to a traditional 2/12 cabinet with my 5150.... It's just unbeatable in the room at the time but for recording purposes I guess I can understand the FRFR draw, it does provide the album in the room sound versus the guitar in the room sound for what it's worth to me. I contacted Laney about their 4 X 12 that thing is entirely too expensive and too difficult to move around but also an interesting concept.
Hey! So I ended up selling it and went back to my Mesa. I will definitely revisit FRFR at some point, but I'd want a lighter cab in that case. The Laney is really heavy so I'd want something more convenient.
@@gabrielviana88 sorry for the late response. I do feel it sounds more like a cab than a traditional PA speaker. I actually sold the cab soon after making this video and went back to traditional cabs.
@@poison4822 I just preferred the “amp in the room” feel so I went back to my tube setup. I do plan on using FRFR in other projects that are not hard rock/metal. I don’t seem to be bothered by not having the “amp in room” sound for non heavy gain sounds.
Hey thanks so much for making this video! I have a fractal fm3 and looking to pick one of these up! What do you use to carry your laney fr around? Cab Case or flight case? Any suggestions, names? Cheers!
Hi, Matt! I actually never used the cab live so I never had to consider that. I went back to a traditional Mesa cab soon after recording this vid. I don’t use a case with my current cab so I doubt I would have bought one for the Laney either. But my cab definitely has battle scars on it so I did sacrifice that. I imagine you can get flight case for the Laney though. I remember seeing one for the LFR-112.
I tested the Matrix GT800FX with the Matrix cab as well. Still wasn’t doing it for me. I could go with the tube power amp route, but that would defeat the purpose for me haha. I’m gonna still fiddle around with this setup. I really want to love it!
@@retorgere3718 I think a real tube amp will sound different, depending on how you use it. With the Laney you leave your amp and cab sims on, or use the Laney cab sim. How are you using the tube amp now… just for the power amp, or are you also using a traditional cab as well?
@@zinkferd I used running the 4cm but now I use the amp return so I can avoid the mix sound in between the amp and helix . My amp is H&K 36 grandmeister
Thank you for video. I have the powercab 212 and fractal fm9. My powercab is missing all the highs and mids. I was thinking about getting the laney to solve that issue. Any input would be greatly appreciated
The Laney was miles better than the Powercab to me, which sounded a bit too brittle. You’ll definitely get a richer low end with the Laney and a more pronounced high end that isn’t too piercing. I also liked the way the cab interacted with the guitar. Closer to a real cab than any of the other FRFR solutions I’ve tried as of now.
SO did it replace your traditional rig? I have purchased a couple things in the past few years and I just cant part with my Archon and My Peavey Cab. It doesnt come close to me. AND if you have someone else grab an opposite end of an 80 pound cab, Your only lifting 40 pounds! lol
Why not stick with your Mesa cab and use a solid state power amp? You should get a similar (or identical) sound. You definitely need some additional EQs to shape the low and high end, but again - its possible. Route your signal without a cab block to out 2 with an additional EQ and test again.
@@zinkferd I also played tube amps (JCM, Rectifier, ...) with my Orange 4x12 and a huge pedalboard in the past. Now, i have a small temple audio 24 and a FM3 with the power stage 170 power amp and everything is great. Running this in both FOH and a PPC 212, best of both worlds and reduced massively in weight and size :)
Hey man have you still enjoyed this set up? I’ve been running a FM3 into a SD PowerStage into a 1x12 V30. It sounds great but I do limit myself with the modeling capabilities because the real cab colors the tone. I’ve tried some cheaper FRFR set ups before like the Headrush and didn’t get along with it. Does something like this add some more authenticity to the tone ?
I definitely felt this added more to the in the room sound vs the Headrush. I haven’t used it since I made the video though. I still use my traditional tube amp setup.
I'm using a pair of these Laney LFR-212 in a stereo setup with my headrush pedalboard. What i've noticed while virtually rebuilding my 1959 full stack: Even with two of these Laney's LFR-212 at 550W each (800W sinus -> ~550W RMS) you won't get the serious punch of a 100W Marshall in the room. You can compensate for this with hotter IR files, but it still not entirely there. But in a recording this doesn't matter, because no mic in the world will ever capture these masses of air moving. Btw. If you really crank the Laneys to the max, the integrated LED lights will start to flicker.
Greetings from India 🇮🇳 Wanted to see more detailed videos on your Laney lfr2/12 and the Fm9. I am a Helix user and wanted a budged frfr system to use it for band rehersals. Also thinking to upgrade my Helix for Fm9
@@zinkferd I wanted to know about theFm9 using scenes, when you change preset using scenes from clean to drive does it have a large amount of Audio lag ?
Buddy, I've been using my helix on a mackie thump active box. I have never used an frfr case and the opportunity arose to pick up a laney lfr112. Does it make a big difference in sound quality? Worth to buy? 
Honestly, I don't think it will make that big of a difference. The 2x12 version does give it a little more of an "amp in the room" vibe though. Would this be for bedroom/rehearsal play or for live? FRFR speakers are essentially like PA speakers.
@@zinkferd ,It would be for use in the bedroom and with band. I had thought about getting the 1x12 version due to the practicality of transportation. I've been using the Helix a makie thump 12a, sounds good but something is missing.
@@zinkferd Buddy, I play a little bit of everything in my projects. Mostly rock and reggae music. I really like British tones and in reggae I use fender simulation.
@@gabrielviana88 Honestly, I think the Mackie will be sufficient. The LFR might be a little more bass heavy. I actually sold my LFR-212 because I felt something was missing. What I was missing was the feel of a real amp in the room. Maybe that's the same thing you feel is missing? The LFR might help a little, but it wasn't substantial enough for me.
do you think this amp would be loud enought to jam witha drummer and full band?also have you found ro can you reccomend any lightweight amps that would work great for giggin with drummer that i can run my multi effects unit out of and still get enought sound... also you said the laney is heavy?? of
Sorry for the late response! It's definitely loud enough to play with a drummer. HeadRush makes lighter ones, but they definitely don't sound as good as the Laney. But again the Laney weighs a lot!!
I use a headrush 112 with my FM9. But I added an EQ pedal to shape the headrush sound for live. I run the FM9 into the EQ then eq straight to frfr112. Sounds really good. Narrow but good. I run the 112 in back of me and th 108 in front.
Hey how do you feel about the cab 3 months on? I am running a helix into Powercab 112 / Katana MK2 (pwr amp in) in stereo. I’d like to use this behind me and the PC112 as wedge in front of me.
It's actually sitting in the original box. I went back to my tube amp/cab setup for live shows and sold my Fractal FM9 as well. Honestly, the LFR-212 is the best FRFR cab I've tried so far. It really packs a punch and moves air, compared to some of the other ones I've tried, and it's a bit less brittle sounding. Unfortunately for my back, I am still partial to real amps. I love most of the amp modelers for recording though!
@@zinkferd I love the combo of my current two cabs and love my sounds ;) Just love the look of a 212 vertical. Tried few stores in Australia but they wont order to test only for me to buy it, which I wont without testing it! Would love two in Stereo :D Actually sold my Two Rock once I got the helix ;) Some of my sounds... Both with AZ HH and AZ HSS. Let me know what you think? th-cam.com/video/jbFqTXnRw1A/w-d-xo.html
I sold the Fractal FM9 and went back to my tube amps. I am thinking I might regret that decision. I am curious to try the Neural Quad Cortex so maybe I will get an FRFR cabinet again. Not sure which one just yet though. I did like the Laney, but it was so heavy.
@@zinkferd Man Im in the exact same place. Love tubes but want to explore my Helix completely and not be slave a certain sound. The 212 is cooler than 112 (which for the 412 oldies a 112 seems like a toy). But in term of sound , does the frfr performs differently than normal cabs? Does a 212 frfr sound better than a 112 or is just a matter of looks? Honestly, deciding if: a) keep tubes or go to FRFR and b) if FRFR , then 112 or 212 (for gigs). Thanks a lot for your time and comments.
@@williyG70 Sorry for the late resposne! I never really tried a 112, but I imagine the 212 would push more air for sure! For heavier music I'd suggest a 212 over a 112. But honestly I also heard that 8 inch speakers really help keep the focus on the mids so you don't get those woofy bass sounds and piercing highs like you do when you crank an FRFR patch. Of course you can also take care of that by adjusting the EQ on your patch directly. But you'd need to do it at your live level to make sure it translates properly. If you are going direct to the front of the house then maybe the 112 would be sufficient as something to monitor your sound a bit and feel like you are playing an amp. At the moment I am back with my Tube setup. But I really want to give FRFR another chance sometime soon. The Laney FR212 was definitely loud enough to cut through the drums!
I’m doing the exact same thing with a fractal fm3 and the laney 212, just sold my Mesa boogie dual rectifier to fund the purchase
Oh wow awesome! I still prefer the sound of my Mesa head. Can't seem to part with it haha
Are you still liking this setup? I have an FM3 as well.
so it's been a hot minute! Do you still have the Laney LFR212 ? I am switching from a Mesa TC-100 with a wide body 2x12 with V30s and there was a "learning curve" in terms of how I actually EQ the entire amp section for my patches along with how I select the IR settings. I have a Fender Tone Master Pro 1000W 12' FRFR cab right now but I really wanted to look at adding the Laney to get a stereo rig setup going. ONE problem I seem to have is that I find my 7 and 8 string tones especially the low E or low B sound very flubby and woofy compared to my wide body 2x12 cabinet... 1 year of messing around with EQ, trying users patches etc. and I still can't find one that actually has that tightness of a real cab... but everything else I've played has sounded wicked!
Hey there! I actually sold the cab a few weeks after making this video. Kinda regret it a little now, but I see they just released a 4x12 too! Way too heavy for me, but fascinated by it, nonetheless. A low cut helps tame the flub but it still won't translate to the "amp in the room" feel of a traditional amp. That was one of the issues I was dealing with as well that I couldn't get over. It's just all about getting used to it, I guess. I will say that the Laney was one of the better FRFR cabs I've tried. Light years better than anything from Line 6 for what it's worth.
Hey thank you so much for sharing your experience. I kind of ran into the same problem with the fender tone Master pro it's a 1000 watt FRFR cabinet. My biggest gripe with every single one of these cabinets is that instead of just providing a proper power section and a 12-inch guitar speaker they put a PA speaker in and a 2-inch tweeter or a 1-inch tweeter and call it a day and think people are just going to love it? I really think people would love a tube power section with 6L6 or EL84 going into a traditional greenback or vintage 30 or hatsu demon 😈 something that would actually growl, like a proper guitar cabinet... I'm still going to keep my quad cortex and the FRFR but I've ended up going back to a traditional 2/12 cabinet with my 5150.... It's just unbeatable in the room at the time but for recording purposes I guess I can understand the FRFR draw, it does provide the album in the room sound versus the guitar in the room sound for what it's worth to me. I contacted Laney about their 4 X 12 that thing is entirely too expensive and too difficult to move around but also an interesting concept.
Any updates on this?
Dig my Mesa tooooo, but want frfr
Hey! So I ended up selling it and went back to my Mesa. I will definitely revisit FRFR at some point, but I'd want a lighter cab in that case. The Laney is really heavy so I'd want something more convenient.
I love my Laney LFR 212 in combination with my Helix Floor. Just sounds awesome.
How high are you setting your high trim?
Do you think you sound better than a PA speaker? Do you have a video so I can hear your sound?
@@gabrielviana88 sorry for the late response. I do feel it sounds more like a cab than a traditional PA speaker. I actually sold the cab soon after making this video and went back to traditional cabs.
Why?@@zinkferd
@@poison4822 I just preferred the “amp in the room” feel so I went back to my tube setup. I do plan on using FRFR in other projects that are not hard rock/metal. I don’t seem to be bothered by not having the “amp in room” sound for non heavy gain sounds.
Hey thanks so much for making this video! I have a fractal fm3 and looking to pick one of these up! What do you use to carry your laney fr around? Cab Case or flight case? Any suggestions, names? Cheers!
Also have you tried plugging in an Aux? How does it treat backing tracks?
Hi, Matt! I actually never used the cab live so I never had to consider that. I went back to a traditional Mesa cab soon after recording this vid. I don’t use a case with my current cab so I doubt I would have bought one for the Laney either. But my cab definitely has battle scars on it so I did sacrifice that. I imagine you can get flight case for the Laney though. I remember seeing one for the LFR-112.
Great info. I’ve been testing a BUNCH of solid state power amps with my real cabs but they all lack something so far compared to my amps.
I tested the Matrix GT800FX with the Matrix cab as well. Still wasn’t doing it for me. I could go with the tube power amp route, but that would defeat the purpose for me haha. I’m gonna still fiddle around with this setup. I really want to love it!
@@zinkferd Yeah I am the same. I did try a tube power amp and still didn’t love it, plus it was heavy and expensive.
@@zinkferd I have a question? Dose the LFR 212 sound like a tube amp? I use the helix with tube amp and I get that hair blowing feeling .
@@retorgere3718 I think a real tube amp will sound different, depending on how you use it. With the Laney you leave your amp and cab sims on, or use the Laney cab sim. How are you using the tube amp now… just for the power amp, or are you also using a traditional cab as well?
@@zinkferd I used running the 4cm but now I use the amp return so I can avoid the mix sound in between the amp and helix . My amp is H&K 36 grandmeister
Great video!
I'm undecided between this Laney and a Line 6 PowerCab. Do you suggest the Laney?
Thanks
Definitely prefer the Laney over the Line 6. It was by a lot for me.
Thank you for video. I have the powercab 212 and fractal fm9. My powercab is missing all the highs and mids. I was thinking about getting the laney to solve that issue. Any input would be greatly appreciated
The Laney was miles better than the Powercab to me, which sounded a bit too brittle. You’ll definitely get a richer low end with the Laney and a more pronounced high end that isn’t too piercing. I also liked the way the cab interacted with the guitar. Closer to a real cab than any of the other FRFR solutions I’ve tried as of now.
SO did it replace your traditional rig? I have purchased a couple things in the past few years and I just cant part with my Archon and My Peavey Cab. It doesnt come close to me. AND if you have someone else grab an opposite end of an 80 pound cab, Your only lifting 40 pounds! lol
I went back to my Mesa head, haha. So… no 😂 I still have hope for one day though hehe.
Why not stick with your Mesa cab and use a solid state power amp? You should get a similar (or identical) sound. You definitely need some additional EQs to shape the low and high end, but again - its possible. Route your signal without a cab block to out 2 with an additional EQ and test again.
The point was actually to lighten the load haha.
@@zinkferd I also played tube amps (JCM, Rectifier, ...) with my Orange 4x12 and a huge pedalboard in the past. Now, i have a small temple audio 24 and a FM3 with the power stage 170 power amp and everything is great. Running this in both FOH and a PPC 212, best of both worlds and reduced massively in weight and size :)
Love the Operation Mindcrime poster!!
Thanks man, it's signed by all the original dudes!
Hey man have you still enjoyed this set up? I’ve been running a FM3 into a SD PowerStage into a 1x12 V30. It sounds great but I do limit myself with the modeling capabilities because the real cab colors the tone. I’ve tried some cheaper FRFR set ups before like the Headrush and didn’t get along with it. Does something like this add some more authenticity to the tone ?
I definitely felt this added more to the in the room sound vs the Headrush. I haven’t used it since I made the video though. I still use my traditional tube amp setup.
I'm using a pair of these Laney LFR-212 in a stereo setup with my headrush pedalboard. What i've noticed while virtually rebuilding my 1959 full stack: Even with two of these Laney's LFR-212 at 550W each (800W sinus -> ~550W RMS) you won't get the serious punch of a 100W Marshall in the room. You can compensate for this with hotter IR files, but it still not entirely there. But in a recording this doesn't matter, because no mic in the world will ever capture these masses of air moving. Btw. If you really crank the Laneys to the max, the integrated LED lights will start to flicker.
Greetings from India 🇮🇳 Wanted to see more detailed videos on your Laney lfr2/12 and the Fm9. I am a Helix user and wanted a budged frfr system to use it for band rehersals. Also thinking to upgrade my Helix for Fm9
Greetings! I actually sold the Laney and the FM9. But if you have any specific questions I can try my best to answer them!
@@zinkferd I wanted to know about theFm9 using scenes, when you change preset using scenes from clean to drive does it have a large amount of Audio lag ?
@@gauravlama2079 So sorry for the late response! In Scenes I don't remember it having a lag. It definitely did outside scenes.
Buddy, I've been using my helix on a mackie thump active box. I have never used an frfr case and the opportunity arose to pick up a laney lfr112. Does it make a big difference in sound quality? Worth to buy?

Honestly, I don't think it will make that big of a difference. The 2x12 version does give it a little more of an "amp in the room" vibe though. Would this be for bedroom/rehearsal play or for live? FRFR speakers are essentially like PA speakers.
@@zinkferd ,It would be for use in the bedroom and with band. I had thought about getting the 1x12 version due to the practicality of transportation. I've been using the Helix a makie thump 12a, sounds good but something is missing.
@@gabrielviana88 What kind of music are you playing, mainly?
@@zinkferd Buddy, I play a little bit of everything in my projects. Mostly rock and reggae music. I really like British tones and in reggae I use fender simulation.
@@gabrielviana88 Honestly, I think the Mackie will be sufficient. The LFR might be a little more bass heavy. I actually sold my LFR-212 because I felt something was missing. What I was missing was the feel of a real amp in the room. Maybe that's the same thing you feel is missing? The LFR might help a little, but it wasn't substantial enough for me.
do you think this amp would be loud enought to jam witha drummer and full band?also have you found ro can you reccomend any lightweight amps that would work great for giggin with drummer that i can run my multi effects unit out of and still get enought sound... also you said the laney is heavy?? of
Sorry for the late response! It's definitely loud enough to play with a drummer. HeadRush makes lighter ones, but they definitely don't sound as good as the Laney. But again the Laney weighs a lot!!
I use a headrush 112 with my FM9. But I added an EQ pedal to shape the headrush sound for live. I run the FM9 into the EQ then eq straight to frfr112. Sounds really good. Narrow but good. I run the 112 in back of me and th 108 in front.
Hey how do you feel about the cab 3 months on? I am running a helix into Powercab 112 / Katana MK2 (pwr amp in) in stereo. I’d like to use this behind me and the PC112 as wedge in front of me.
It's actually sitting in the original box. I went back to my tube amp/cab setup for live shows and sold my Fractal FM9 as well. Honestly, the LFR-212 is the best FRFR cab I've tried so far. It really packs a punch and moves air, compared to some of the other ones I've tried, and it's a bit less brittle sounding. Unfortunately for my back, I am still partial to real amps. I love most of the amp modelers for recording though!
@@zinkferd I love the combo of my current two cabs and love my sounds ;) Just love the look of a 212 vertical. Tried few stores in Australia but they wont order to test only for me to buy it, which I wont without testing it! Would love two in Stereo :D
Actually sold my Two Rock once I got the helix ;)
Some of my sounds... Both with AZ HH and AZ HSS. Let me know what you think?
th-cam.com/video/jbFqTXnRw1A/w-d-xo.html
@@zinkferd unfortunately for your back? But the LFR212 is still a hefty thing right?
@@bruunm1975 yeah it is heavy, but not as heavy as my 4x12 and amp head haha.
@@bruunm1975 Great lead tone!
Friend, what's the best sound? Irs from Helix, kemper and similar or simulation from lfr laney itself?

Hey! I preferred straight from my Fractal FM9 using IRs I purchased for it. Bogren Digital and the ToneMission IRs that I really like.
are you going to get the Laney LFR 4x12? it just came out
I think that’d be too heavy for me. I am curious how it sounds though!
@@zinkferd I know, right!
mmmm hmmm, haha@@jamesryder9158
Hi, why you sold the Laney? just thinking of getting one....
I sold the Fractal FM9 and went back to my tube amps. I am thinking I might regret that decision. I am curious to try the Neural Quad Cortex so maybe I will get an FRFR cabinet again. Not sure which one just yet though. I did like the Laney, but it was so heavy.
@@zinkferd Man Im in the exact same place. Love tubes but want to explore my Helix completely and not be slave a certain sound. The 212 is cooler than 112 (which for the 412 oldies a 112 seems like a toy). But in term of sound , does the frfr performs differently than normal cabs? Does a 212 frfr sound better than a 112 or is just a matter of looks?
Honestly, deciding if: a) keep tubes or go to FRFR and b) if FRFR , then 112 or 212 (for gigs).
Thanks a lot for your time and comments.
@@williyG70 Sorry for the late resposne! I never really tried a 112, but I imagine the 212 would push more air for sure! For heavier music I'd suggest a 212 over a 112. But honestly I also heard that 8 inch speakers really help keep the focus on the mids so you don't get those woofy bass sounds and piercing highs like you do when you crank an FRFR patch. Of course you can also take care of that by adjusting the EQ on your patch directly. But you'd need to do it at your live level to make sure it translates properly. If you are going direct to the front of the house then maybe the 112 would be sufficient as something to monitor your sound a bit and feel like you are playing an amp.
At the moment I am back with my Tube setup. But I really want to give FRFR another chance sometime soon. The Laney FR212 was definitely loud enough to cut through the drums!
@@zinkferd thanks a lot!
A review would be awesome, there’s literally no reviews on TH-cam.
Anything in particular that you're curious about?
@@zinkferd ice picky high end, boomy low end, reasons for not liking going digital, and possibly differences compared to a real amp and cab
You need air pushing get an hairdryer !!! lol 😆
hahaha
LFR + QC ?
Never tried the QC, actually.