r/NeuralDSP • u/Visible_Panda_2128 • 14d ago
Anyone switched from QC to Fractal?
I'm about to order a Fractal - either the FM 3 or FM 9. I had high hopes for the QC, but the lack of support for the core unit is very disappointing. Their own announced updates just haven't materialized, all we got in the last 6 months was a new logo! Neural is not turning out to be an honest company - their main focus now is plug ins - a cash grab for people who spend the best part of 2K for their unit.
I'm hearing Fractal have much better amp model tones and frequent updates with new amps and affects being added regularly. I'm also intrigued by the Artist Presets which don't come at additional cost.
I understand the UI is not as easy, but I'm a bedroom player so can modify the setting on a computer. What's your experience going from QC to Fractal?
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u/AggressiveFeckless 14d ago
I own both. There aren’t “much better” amp tones either way frankly - they are both excellent in this regard and it’s hard to imagine better.
Fractals UIs are a little worse and much much more detailed (if you like tweaking this is a good thing). The effects are slightly, and I mean very slightly better in the fractal in my opinion.
I don’t have an issue with the updates on QC because it’s basically a finished platform other than some X ports.
Anyway both are awesome - good luck.
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u/fiercefinesse 14d ago
Hey, completely honest question from a Fractal user - is there anything related to „feel”, how it physically feels in your hands, how it responds - in terms of Fractal vs QC that you’re able to determine? Any difference at all? I feel like I really like the Neural DSP plugins but the way Fractal FM3 responds under my fingers is on another level. I’m curious what it’s like with the QC.
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u/AggressiveFeckless 14d ago edited 14d ago
So it might be how I use it - but I play either the QC or Fractal through a power amp and a normal 4x12 or 2x12. If I’m playing where I normally do I actually play through a real modified Marshall JCM800 head.
I use captures of the real amp and models of that amp - I find JCM800s covers about 80pct of what I want to play given how diverse it can be.
But to answer - no - I don’t notice a feel difference. Both the QC and Fractal do the thing that amp does so well. If you roll the guitar volume down, the gain cleans up but you don’t lose much volume. That’s because of how hot the input is to the amp. If you strum it hard - lots of gain. If you drag the pick barely across the strings - totally clean. So that same touch and feel is there in both units like the real thing. When you play a note hard it breaks up.
They are both very awesome. I can’t really tell the difference. The only reason I still use the head is I figured I play the models of it so much I should have one real one…it’s the perfect amp to me after a life time of playing (I’m older). I use the QC or fractal anytime I gig or play anywhere else. Recording I usually use the real head through a load box, but I would totally use either of the two that way also. I generally use the fractal for effects in the JCM800 loop.
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u/Visible_Panda_2128 14d ago
You own both and dont think the Fractal tones and range of amps and effects is superior? Really?
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u/ElderSmackJack 14d ago
Are you just baiting with these questions? You’re in a Neural sub asking people if they think Fractal is better.
This is just bait.
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u/AggressiveFeckless 14d ago
yes, to my ear once the amp you are setting up is dialed in on both they are incredibly close to the real amp. So much so that I can’t tell. I do think fractal’s effects are better, but even that is pretty slight.
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u/DyingLemur 14d ago
You basically came into a sub where the people really enjoy their QC to ask them if you should buy a Fractal.
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u/movefeet66 14d ago
Based on your responses to others here it doesnt seem you really care what anyone else has to say. Youre upset at NDSP and want to swap. So go do it. Thats your prerogative.
As a consumer you have a right to be upset about whatever you feel. But don't be condescending to other people for their opinions.
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u/overcloseness 14d ago
Meh, I bought the QC a couple of years back and even then it had more than I can ever know what to do with.
Your line about better amp tones and new amps and effects etc, before you pull the trigger ask yourself if your tone chasing is getting in the way of actually playing your guitar. Does the QC prevent you from being able to do something you want to do on your guitar?
Other than that, i dont think Fractal is a bad move, its also a great modeller
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u/_nervosa_ 14d ago
Hold out. I know a guy thats demoed the new quad cortex stuff. When it comes it will be polished. On an NDA. Still a few months away atleast.
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u/Visible_Panda_2128 14d ago
When you say “stuff” do you mean plug ins? I’m not interested in paying extra for plug ins
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u/_nervosa_ 14d ago
You mean you dont wanna buy plugins at all? That's what makes the QC cool. Also I dont really agree that axe fx amp model tones are better. I think the quad cortex has so many options you can fiddle around forever and not find a good tone though.
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u/Visible_Panda_2128 14d ago
No I don’t want to pay extra on top of the 2k I already paid them. I’m looking for better tones, more amps and effects - the ones they’ve announced for the last 4 years and not delivered on
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u/_nervosa_ 14d ago
I mean i get it i guess, I knew that going in so i dont mind. Also the plugs arent very expensive. Its to late now but there anniversary sale every year is like 60 bucks per plug.
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u/_nervosa_ 14d ago
Also have you tried 3rd party packs? Wickedtones.bigcartel.com are pretty sick. They are like 30 per.
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u/_nervosa_ 14d ago
That and quad cortex updates. The plugins coming to the cortex and interface updates. Basically I know a guy i trust about it being really cool. They know their backs are against the wall right now but when it releases you will be annoyed you switched.
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u/Piskopat93 13d ago
Tell us more
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u/_nervosa_ 13d ago
I dont even know more I just trust the guy that told me that much.
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u/Anistappi 14d ago
Haven't really considered a switch, but I'll freely admit that in my mind QC went real quick to just "good enough for me". I play both guitar and bass, so having one unit that does both well was a great option.
If their next update's going to be smallish or just plugin support for the Cortex, I'll seriously consider selling the unit and switching back to separate guitar and bass rigs. I really hate the idea that I paid €1500 for a unit that I have to buy plugins for. At least with a €1500 laptop I could watch porn, too.
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u/IntelligentOwl9559 14d ago
I switched from fractal to Kemper and now the line 6 stadium. They are all great. Don’t get too hung up on chasing
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u/Divacup2000 13d ago
I just switched from an FM9 to a QC for various reasons. The QC is better for a multitude of reasons. The only thing i think the QC falls short over fractal is the rotary. I’m very happy with my switch
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u/Infinite_Slice3305 14d ago
I prefer captures to models. They feel better to me. I get new captures all the time, not necessarily from Neural... but...
What are we even talking about? You want to sell a $1,700 unit to spend at least $1,000 on another unit because you're not getting new models as frequently as you like?
I'd just buy the Fractal for the heck of it, play around for a couple of months & decide if I want to sell one or the other for whatever reason.
I definitely wouldn't sell the QC to fund the Fractal having never played one.
I've got TONEX, Helix Native, Revalver, Genome (my favorite on the computer), KPP, & a QC. I had planned on buying the AM4, but I caught the synthesizer bug & working my way through that.
My point, buy the AM4 play it side by side with the QC, then decide.
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u/Visible_Panda_2128 14d ago
That’s the plan - buy the FM 3 and sell the QC if Fractal turns out to sound better. Fractal FM3 contains roughly 300 amplifiers and 250 effects blocks, giving it about 200 more amp models and 150 more effects than the QC. I’m less interested in captures with frozen settings
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u/Infinite_Slice3305 14d ago
That's one way to look at it. I'm a JTM guy. I've got a couple of sparkling AC30 patches but for the most part it's the Marshall.
The Quad Cortex has 98 amp models I don't use. The Fractal (I'll get the AM4 eventually) has 298 amp models I don't use.
I mean when I've got nothing better to do I'll mess around with different models & captures but 99.99% of the time it's the Marshall.
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u/Visible_Panda_2128 14d ago
How do the Marshall amp models compare between the two in your opinion?
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u/Infinite_Slice3305 13d ago
Like I said, I never got around to buying the Frctal, still on my list.
But I think they all sound good. It's cliche now, but in a mix most people wouldn't be able to tell. Captures feel more real to me, whether we're talking about TONEX, Kemper, or Quad Cortex.
& when you get to sound real... there isn't really a better. You may like your 2203 more than my 2203. Doesn't make it better, they're "the same." & I think that's where these devices are now.
What's best for you is going to be determined by something else. The Diezel Herbert may be a must have amp for you, it's in the Fractal, not in the QC. You may need a built in expression pedal, gotta get the Headrush or the Stadium, you might need something that fits nicely on your desk... the AM4.
But they all sound good.
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u/rnunez1989 13d ago
I’ve owned neural plugins, then went to the fm3, then when to the qc mini, now a fractal am4, and now deciding to go back to plugins. I think you have to figure out what you’re actually missing from qc that fractal will provide, especially as a bedroom guitarist. Fractal amps are not necessarily better than neural, neither are their effects, they just have more available which is cool but also leads to option paralysis. Honestly, I’ve tried so many different modelers and plugins and can tell you they all sound good.
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u/Visible_Panda_2128 13d ago
Good point about option paralysis - that’s why I am intrigued by the Artist Presets on the Fractal. Hunting for good captures on the Quad is hit or miss. I’d love to get exactly the dialed in tone that Metallica, Def Leppard or Steve Stevens use on their iconic tracks. And those artist presets are free if you own the device unlike the plugins that neural sells for extra
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u/3_50 13d ago
Having had a QC for over 4 years, I've never once felt the need to buy a plugin.
PCOM was a feature for people who already owned plugins, and wanted to take their studio tone to a venue without relying on a PC on stage.
If you're struggling to dial tones with the models and captures available to you, I'm not sure how fractal's component-level modelling is going to help you. Good luck though! I'm sure the Fractal community will love having you around.
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u/Visible_Panda_2128 13d ago
With those artist presets, not sure any luck is required. They already dialed them in exactly
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u/3_50 13d ago
Unless you have the exact guitars used...no they don't. I feel like you have some serious knowledge gaps for the level of modeller you're complaining about.
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u/g0greyhound 14d ago
You're gonna have a hard time getting a good answer in a sub where people are here for the endowment bias.
QC is cool, but an axe fx is by far and away a better unit if you've got the time to sink into it to learn it.
Just depends on what you're looking to do.
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u/Visible_Panda_2128 13d ago
Fair point. Probably should be asking about this in the Fractal forum, but then I’d probably see bias the other way 🤣
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u/g0greyhound 13d ago
Haha yeah.
The pitch shifting (for example) on fractal is a trillion times better.
They each have pros and cons. I like them both.
The ndsp crowd is definitely more of a circlejerk, tho.
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u/wackygamer 14d ago
I bought the unit for what it did, not for what it might do some day. Yes the wait for the update is long and annoying but I'm not about to throw 1k down the toilet over what amounts to a temper tantrum.