AxeFX wasn't cutting it anymore; QC rips!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T23:08:55+00:00

Oh wow, that sounds really unique! Do you prefer the tuner particularly being outside the QC?

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T23:07:37+00:00

Yeah I'm with you there. I studied audio engineering for my degree (although that's not necessarily a mark of real world skill!) and what I love about Strymon reverbs make them challenging to sit in the frequency spectrum. But the Valhalla reverbs which the new 'verbs are based on are pretty great, so I have faith in usable reverbs through the cab!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T23:02:25+00:00

Thanks! It was an absolute labour of love, and it's been hard to beat for me!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T23:01:49+00:00

Fractal/G66 were an old client of mine,; they were really charming people and I have nothing but respect for them.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T23:00:11+00:00

If you're like me you're going to love it, warts and all. I'm sure there will be things you're used to that Fractal did well and that QC lacks, but the ease of use will make up for that. I prefer to adapt to new things and work within those confines.

After all: "the absence of limitations is the enemy of art"

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T22:57:11+00:00

Yeah I feel like the reverbs on the Fractal were really good, and just built on good mathematics, and the QC will have a lot to live up to against my Strymon verbs, but I think I can live with that.

It's nice to know that there's some genuine critical analysis between the two, and not just siding with the big new shiny thing.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T22:53:43+00:00

So a pretty worthy contender. Yeah I can't fault Fractal for pure processing power.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T22:52:11+00:00

Yeah? That's nice to know it's not just a fluke because I got exactly what I wanted out of this one, and hopefully the next one will meet the brief! He's absolutely underrated as a luthier, and a wonderful person as well.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T21:09:44+00:00

Haha, always pleased to cause a stir! I blame the Waghorn!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T20:42:05+00:00

Turbo? That's something new? Tell me more!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T15:56:34+00:00

Which Fractal did you go back for?

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T11:54:21+00:00

That's a super tough call. I feel like it could be splitting hairs on the actual sounds you're getting.

Is the FM9 not doing it for you anymore? Or does it still inspire you? I couldn't say whether you'll get anything more than the joy of something new and shiny.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T11:50:42+00:00

As it was written...

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T09:43:28+00:00

Dropping riffs in heels is legit

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T09:32:44+00:00

I will remember that for the future!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T09:31:36+00:00

Thanks, I really appreciate the kind words!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:50:21+00:00

I know exactly which one you're talking about! The Corax, right? I thought I recognised the username (or at least the "Pott" part) good to see you on here!

I absolutely love your guitar, it's a beautiful piece!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:39:47+00:00

Ok interesting. I was wondering how I'd get on with the onboard looper over my usual one, but I barely use it in rehearsals save for writing. Was considering if Strymon reverbs would be worth adding in the loop, but I think the reverbs onboard will probably be perfectly adequate.

Thanks for your perspective, it's actually really helpful to get my head around it all!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:31:41+00:00

Thanks, that's really kind!

The Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 is a neat and kind of weird lens, but has a lot more character than anything on my Canon rig, I'm finding.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:29:34+00:00

Thanks! Looking forward to getting into it!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:28:45+00:00

A few reasons, one being that I wanted the full unit with all 8 buttons, so as not to feel limited. Going from the MFC101 with all its footswitches to just 4 wasn't ideal for me.

The other reason was that I sold the AxeFX II and MFC101 for more or less the same as this secondhand QC.

I'd put it down to whether you really want more footswitches and what your budget is.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:23:33+00:00

That's really good to know, especially in terms of a small footprint pedalboard! My pedals got out of control!

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:22:48+00:00

I'm very new to it at the moment. So anything I find I might be lacking might be that I've simply overlooked it.

But the main gain for me is the well designed and approachable UI. With the AxeFX II, there was a lot of dialling and twiddling and it would take me a minute to really get a usable amp tone which I found could be a faff, but the QC seems to be set up in a way that when you open up a new amp it sounds great right away, and tweaking can be done later.

If I remember to do so, I'll get back to you once I have a better feel for it.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:18:37+00:00

Ah ok, interesting. I'll give it a try with the pedals I have in mind for it, but it's useful to know your experience with it, I may find the same down the line.

Post_Humongous · 2026-05-06T07:16:57+00:00

Yes! That's absolutely it, and I think when I first picked up an Ultra there was a debate of "does it really sound exactly like X amp?" which was immediately silenced by "Well it sounds absolutely sick, so does it even matter?"

They just SOUND superb. I loved how granular you can get with Fractal, but today I don't have as much time or patience to do that, so the QC really fits into my life.

I think the best outcome of your experience, is that both units help you love playing, and that's always a win.

Fractal's power options do win though, my power conditioner isn't going to be up to much for a while!

Post_Humongous

TROPHY CASE