I know this is now two years later, but every time I have a question about some kind of guitar modeling I come straight to you! You make by far the best reviews. The demo song portion of your videos is done absolutely perfectly, and because you instantly switch between one modeler to another and then back to the real amp without any empty space between you can very easily hear if there are any differences! No other UA-cam channel nails these comparisons and reviews like you do, nor do they measure as many objective things as you. Thank you for your UA-cam channel Leo! You are amazing!
I wonder how amp companies will face this new era of amp simulation. Today more than ever, buying a $ 4,000 amp is not the best idea, when a $1,500 bucks device can do the same and with at least 30 amps built in. Thank you for this review Leo! You´re the best.
Hi Eric, this is a great compiment, that makes me happy! It's a good point, even because in order to record a song you need to add to the amp, a cab, a mic, a preamp, an audio interface...so you're gonna end up close to 10k. The value for money of these amp modelling pedalbpard is very high! Thank you for your message!
@@LeoGibsonGtr I just saw some tour videos of Kiko Loureiro with Megadeth. He plays the quad cortex on the whole tour. Two cables to his power amps into the cabs and two cables to inear and to front of house. Just for the show they build up three marshall stacks. But he confessed only two of them are used ;-) It's only a matter of some years and all guitar bands are using modelers and cabs without speakers (only inear monitors).
Thanks for doing the comparison! I have been waiting a “genuine” comparison rather then all the sponsored review from companies! Really appreciate the efforts here! Thanks Leo
We are getting closer and closer to the real deal. Must be an exciting trip ever and ever again for you Leo. Great compliments for you approach, outstanding playing and many thanks for taking us with you on you journey.
Thank you Bernie! Yes, these machines are really great and it has been an amazing fun year testing team! I'm really happy that you appreciate the approach and the playin...it really means a lot to me!!!
Quad Cortex will have to make new updates to the fireware. It is a new toy that will have to grow. For now, Fractal FM3 is unmatched. Thank you for your dissemination work Leo. Greetings from Italy-
You are currently the best guy to make this kind of tests, since you are not biased (A lot of youtubers are currently very biased and obviously will pick the qc in any situation even if the qc is not the best at that situation).
Great playing and video. The quad cortex seems to smooth things out a touch while the FM3 provides a touch more transient texture but we are splitting hairs. The crunch sound of the FM3 at 18:44 sounds more amp like than the actual amp afaic whereas I prefer the slightly smoother lead tone of the cortex at 19:35
Feel test after Leo adjustments 15:20 Soldano 15:37 Quad 15:59 Fractal Chord 16:15 Soldano 16:26 Quad 16:35 Fractal Thanks for one more amazing comparison Leo. For me I love the possibilities of fractal but in therms of sound both are pretty amazing I can´t feel any difference
Ce comparatif est remarquable : Factuel, pragmatique, objectif. En plus, fait avec une belle composition personnelle. C'est tellement rare. Bravo Monsieur.
I own the Quad Cortex and love it. However the differences seem so negligible that any one should be able to get what they needed from either device. I love the fact I can have 8 different scenes with an infinite number of changes in each seen.
Undoubtedly, the sound quality of Fractal is impressive, but I also want to note that your presentation of information is very detailed and very intelligent, it also impresses. Thanks for your job Leo. All the best man!
@@LeoGibsonGtr avrei una domanda a cui il manuale che ho letto non ha dato risposte: visto che volendo si possono utilizzare 4 rig differenti per 4 strumenti immagino si possano anche utilizzare gli switch indipendentemente altrimenti la cosa non avrebbe senso.... poniamo il caso che io sia un cantante/chitarrista e abbia bisogno di 4 scene e un effetto (whammy/boost) per il rig 1 (chitarra) e 2 scene e 1 effetto (harmonizer in modalità momentary on) per il rig 2 (microfono). Sarebbe possibile assegnare gli switch per come li vorrei io o solo tramite controller esterno o non sarebbe possibile? Chiaramente le scene del rig 1 devono essere indipendenti dal rig 2 e viceversa
Great video as always and amazing playing! I would just add one thing to the things you said: the FM3 is complex but only if you want it to be. I have had the FM3 for two months and I find it very easy to get good sounds quickly. The viewers should know that there is an “authentic” set of parameters that imitates what you see on the front of the physical amp. You can stay at that level and get amazing results. The deeper parameters are only there if you want them.
Thank you Will, I'm really happy that you like the channel and playing! I'm honoured for your sub...it really means a lot to me!!! Thank you so much!!!
Thank you for taking the time to create this comparison video. I don’t own either of these units, but for me the QC is the clear winner here. The FM3 seems to add something strange; a bit thinned out and slightly distorted by comparison, on my playback system. Incidentally, each of our systems are accentuating certain frequencies differently, so some viewers may not be hearing things others are.
Hi, your are welcome! Yes, for sure each system can accentuate a freq over the other...the higher fidelity should be with studio monitor...but even studio monitor can be different...so we have to accept a margin of error...also derived by the fact that my ears are different from yours. Thank you!
@@poulwinther well I made this comment before watching the video. After a watching I decided id probably prefer to have the quad cortex because its newer and has a nice interface and possibly unlimited amps but I want to wait and see how people react to it after 6 months or so before I buy it
This is so true. While I have an AX8 and Headrush Prime (both great), even my little Digitech RP360XP sounds great if you build your own presets and explore it's full capabilities. Everything in recent years sounds very good or better.
Leo, I love your reviews! Great playing, great analysis, great info! No BS! A lot of UA-camrs jump around and swoon all over a new product, calling it "awesome", "must have", claiming it's the best on the market and so on. Your reviews can be trusted and I thank you for that. Now to the devices. The Quad Cortex is more useful for live performances as you can access the patches easier than the FM3. In terms of sound, the Quad Cortex matches the original amp better, not necessary in "sound" but the FM3 sounds harsh and sterile compared to the Quad Cortex. This could be the result of that particular Soldano patch but is more likely an overall trait of the FM3. So my money is on the Quad Cortex.
Hi thank you, these are really great compliments!!! I'lll do the best I can and your appreciation really push me forward! Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
Leo, your video is very systematic. Although your presentation is a bit too formal and very scripted, I like it. You don't make any joke and just present your thought in straight forward manner. Oh and your solo is very very beautiful.
Thank you very much for the comparison. The Quad Cortex sounds a lot more high res in the high-end to my ears. The Fractals just always have some sort of muffled quality to them which I just don‘t like. I‘m gonna sell my Axe FX-3 and buy a QC instead and I‘m finally fully convinced. Thanks again!
Leo, very helpful video!!, I own both, as you point out I also used them in different situations. Thanks for your valuable information and experience you share with the guitar community!! Cheers
Thanks for doing this, I've been on the fence about trading in my helix floor and upgrading to the quad cortex . After this video I'm no longer on the fence ...so long line6
excellent comparisons. loved the demo too. I thought at first listen, the FM3 sounded much fuller than the QC. but also more trebly. Thanks for actually trying to match sounds instead of saying one sounds closer. Appreciate the video! liked and subbed
Quality content and impeccable guitar playing and musicianship. Thanks, this is the exact two I have been mulling over for the last year, my tubes amps want to retire, and I've sold 95% of my pedals. Grazie mille Leo.
Great review. To me it sounds like this Soldano > QC >FM3. I could tell when you start playing the leads that the true soldano still has some weight even on single note runs. The QC was mimicing this almost perfectly. FM3 sounded ok from frequency perspective but it lacked the percussiveness and pick attack and the weight. Almost as if it was not level matched - a bit weaker, thinner and not as 'in your face'. Great job!
FM3 for me. The extensive parameters, ever-expanding list of effects, inbuilt looper, and price appeal to me more as a home musician. I like creating unique sounds and the FM3 (or Helix) are better suited for that. The capturing abilities, multiple footswitches, microphone inputs, I have no use for them in the Quad Cortex. I would like to capture my Fryette amplifier, but I'd rather just use the amp if all I ever wanted the Quad Cortex to do was capture my favourite tube amp.
Thank you!!! I'm happy you like the production....I'm investing a lot in that ... so your feedback are important!!! Your sub really means a lot to me....thank you!!!
Leo thank you for this review. For those of us that are still waiting on the unit and still deciding if we should pull the trigger, these reviews are invaluable. I was ready to buy the FM3 until I seen the Quad Cortex. I don't need but a simple layout with something easy to setup and use, so I'm waiting on the Quad Cortex.
Thank you Leo for this very informative review. I love your videos, they are all very good! In this comparison the flip side of the coin is that if I agree with you that the QuadCortex is in its infancy’s and so we should give it a bit of credit for some missing features, we can also say that FM3 is more “dated”/older than QuadCortex we cannot expect the latest and greatest of Quadcortex. It’s hard to keep up with this technology, but it would be good to see a comparison with the FM9 on day. Grazie ancora, ciao!
Ciao Francesco, thank you so much, I'm really happy that you enjoyed the video!!! I do agree with you...as regards the comparison FM9 vs Quad Cortex...we will see...the FM9 is very expensive and having the FM3 I don't know if I'm gonna buy it...furthermore the waiting list for the FM3 was over an year long...so we have to see if the FM9 will be quicker... Thank you once more, your feedback and appreciation are really important for me!!!
@@LeoGibsonGtr I totally understand - self funding gear testing can turn out to be quite expensive. I will keep following your channel. I only have a small DV Mark Jazz and a semiacoustic guitar. I never got to understand well pedals and I am toying with the idea of getting something versatile like a pedalboard to emulate multiple amps and have fun playing some blues/funk and learning something new. Your channel is one of my go-to places for news and a bit of daydreaming about gear :) Buon fine settimana
Grazie, I'm really happy that you follow the channel! Thank you for sharing your experience, and yes, amp modeling pedalboards are fantastic tools to experiment withe amps, tones, effects, etc....
Thanks Leo. I'll wait a year for the product to mature and see if the product is resilient enough. For now I have the FM3 but I do find it difficult to tweak. There is a brightness to Fractal that I don't enjoy. As well, when running too many effects simultaneously this brightness causes a lot of artifacts for me.
Hi, thank you for sharing...I would suggest to check out the impedance curve setting...those were game changing for me. Also the mic preamps and the quality level of effects play a role in the overall sound...in my opinion....
In FM3 you have on back two trs outputs which are marked as Out2 and in settings you can turn on output functionality for them. After that Out2 will replicate the signal normally sent to Out1. So there is an option to have unbalanced outputs in FM3.
Your comparisons rule Leo! Well in my home studio coming from my speakers and fairly loud, I had the same look in my face as you had, in the MORE SOUNDS section. I just couldn't decide! These units sound really good. Now since buying smthn like this is an investment of some sort, I admit I respect and feel a bit better using a Fractal product. But don't get me wrong I really loved the DSP and maybe they will be a good company in the future but they are a new company and Fractal makes me a bit more secure. Love your English, keep up the good work!
Thank you Nick, I'm really happy that you like my comparison videos!!! I fully understand you...they are both great options...and big investments...so you should buy what makes you fell better and more secure! Thank you once more!
Loved your approach to comparing the two units - super helpful! And your playing is great! It would have been nice to see how some other amp models sound, and also would have been nice to hear clean sounds, but really liked that you picked a sounds where we could hear dynamics (if you demo one sound, really glad that you focused on crunch - and realize that it takes time to put all of this together :-) ). Very well done! I’m glad that I found your channel!
@@LeoGibsonGtr I also really enjoy your Unbiased Comparisons , all very well done but it's you playing i enjoy the most you have great Phrasing and technique, Kudos leo
First: Very into your playing and songwriting. Kudos, Leo! Second: The FM3 seems to have a bit more presence than the actual amp and QC. But from what I’m seeing; it looks like that can all be adjusted to match if one takes the time. Third: This is the best comparison video on modelers that I’ve seen. I’m supposed to be getting my QC in about a month. I’m extremely tech savvy but, for some reason, that doesn’t spill over into my electric guitar world. Maybe because my roots are acoustic guitar. All I know is that (like you) I don’t need a LOT of effects and (not like you) I’m not an amp tweaker. :) I play through clean amps and use my pedals, mostly. Looking forward to the QC models...but I’m also very excited about capturing my pedals and amps. Thank you SO much for this video, Leo. Definitely helped clarify my thoughts. Cheers!
Hi Bob, thank you so much, your feedbacks are really important for me, so I'm really happy that you have appreciated and enjoyed the video! Thank you also for sharing your opinion and experience!
All 3 are so good that the limiting factor will be me, my playing and my ability to set them up. For that reason, the QC would be my choice. Easier to use, more foot switches and most portable. I could be wrong, but I think I'd get option paralysis with the FM3. A fantastic comparison and really helps me realise the QC is the right way to go or me. My level of nerdiness (high but not grandmaster) makes the QC most likely the way forwards for me.
Thank you, you are so encouraging and supportive...thank you so much, your feedback and appreciation is really important for me! And, by the way, you are the legend of the amps comparisons!
Hello Leo, here I am again watching your detailed go through and 2 cents of these 2 great units! Trying to decide which to get of these for modelling not effects. Recently been on the Quad cortex side as I am a high gain player and the captures you can download / purchase sounds ideal for me as even though the FM3 has more base amps it's "missing" some that I'd want and are available on the Quad cortex. I've not played either as late to the game on these high end units. Color me confused haha. Good day!
As ever a really in-depth view of probably THE TWO Rolls Royces in the “Modeller” / Profiler world forget your Kempers! Just shows how even “Old tech” and “New tech” really are when it comes to sound! All the difference is reinventing the wheel as such. It’s also great Leo that you bought them both and is unbiased! Which is way more than can be said of a lot of other testers. Thank you for your dedication and balanced appraisals!! Keep going
Thank you for the comparison. Indeed, only time will tell in this horse race. Either way, the technology moves forward and all interested parties in the outcome win. Competition = good
Thankyou Leo.. Excellent video.. what this shows me is how close digital is coming to analogue.. there might be slight differences but in a mix or live I would doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference. Thankyou again 😊
💽 My new EP is out now, please check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/rORYU3-v4t4/v-deo.html
What should I buy in 2024 not the most expensive but not the cheapest?
I know this is now two years later, but every time I have a question about some kind of guitar modeling I come straight to you! You make by far the best reviews. The demo song portion of your videos is done absolutely perfectly, and because you instantly switch between one modeler to another and then back to the real amp without any empty space between you can very easily hear if there are any differences! No other UA-cam channel nails these comparisons and reviews like you do, nor do they measure as many objective things as you. Thank you for your UA-cam channel Leo! You are amazing!
Thank you so much for such great compliments...really super appreciated!!!
I wonder how amp companies will face this new era of amp simulation. Today more than ever, buying a $ 4,000 amp is not the best idea, when a $1,500 bucks device can do the same and with at least 30 amps built in. Thank you for this review Leo! You´re the best.
Hi Eric, this is a great compiment, that makes me happy! It's a good point, even because in order to record a song you need to add to the amp, a cab, a mic, a preamp, an audio interface...so you're gonna end up close to 10k. The value for money of these amp modelling pedalbpard is very high!
Thank you for your message!
@@LeoGibsonGtr I just saw some tour videos of Kiko Loureiro with Megadeth. He plays the quad cortex on the whole tour. Two cables to his power amps into the cabs and two cables to inear and to front of house. Just for the show they build up three marshall stacks. But he confessed only two of them are used ;-) It's only a matter of some years and all guitar bands are using modelers and cabs without speakers (only inear monitors).
Not really. This sounds like shit.
I quite agree with you. The comparison of gears, Leo Gibson channel is number one！
Thank you, this is a great compliment...really appreciated!!
Absolutely!
Thank you!
Leo really takes the time to do a thorough job.
@@picksalot1
I think so. And the archives is my treasure.
The level of new units became so high now and it is so close to real deal. And again the best presentation by you. Congratulations.
Yes! Thank you for the complements...really appreciated!!!
Thanks for doing the comparison! I have been waiting a “genuine” comparison rather then all the sponsored review from companies!
Really appreciate the efforts here! Thanks Leo
Thank you, your feedbacks are very important for me....and I'm happy you find the review useful!!
Came here for comparison, fell in love with your solo style
Thank you, when you like my playing...I'm super happy!!! 👍🏻🎸🙏
This channel just gets better and better!
Thank you!!! I'm happy you noticed the effort I put to improve and provide you with more enjoyable content!
We are getting closer and closer to the real deal.
Must be an exciting trip ever and ever again for you Leo.
Great compliments for you approach, outstanding playing and many thanks for taking us with you on you journey.
Thank you Bernie!
Yes, these machines are really great and it has been an amazing fun year testing team!
I'm really happy that you appreciate the approach and the playin...it really means a lot to me!!!
Quad Cortex will have to make new updates to the fireware. It is a new toy that will have to grow. For now, Fractal FM3 is unmatched. Thank you for your dissemination work Leo. Greetings from Italy-
You are welcome Paolo! Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
You are currently the best guy to make this kind of tests, since you are not biased (A lot of youtubers are currently very biased and obviously will pick the qc in any situation even if the qc is not the best at that situation).
Thank you Francisco, this is a great compliment, that really makes me happy!
Totally agree. This guy seems to have more clues that a lot of the others combined. Excellent review and comparison.
Finally! Leo, you are the number one guy to give the most honest and detailed reviews about these gadgets!
Thank you Mika, this is a great compliment!
So far one of the best comparisons. Exactly how I’d do an A/B/C comparison.
It’s insane how good these modelers are next to a $4k amp.
Thank you, I'm really happy you like it!
Yes, I do agree...without considering the extra money needed to buy cabs...mics...preamps and so on...
They are not next to an 4K amp. They are next to many 4k different amps and lot of boutique pedals, staying below 2k...!
Indeed, in a band mix, I doubt anyone would know the difference.
Outstanding as usual Leo!
Thank you, rally appreciated!!
Great playing and video. The quad cortex seems to smooth things out a touch while the FM3 provides a touch more transient texture but we are splitting hairs. The crunch sound of the FM3 at 18:44 sounds more amp like than the actual amp afaic whereas I prefer the slightly smoother lead tone of the cortex at 19:35
Hi Stephen, thank you, I'm happy you like the video...thank you also for sharing your opinion!
Feel test after Leo adjustments
15:20 Soldano
15:37 Quad
15:59 Fractal
Chord
16:15 Soldano
16:26 Quad
16:35 Fractal
Thanks for one more amazing comparison Leo. For me I love the possibilities of fractal but in therms of sound both are pretty amazing I can´t feel any difference
Thank you so much, both for the timing and for the compliments, that really mean a lot to me!!!
I don’t care about these products.....but man your playing is outstanding!!! You deserve a lot
Thank you, this is a great compliment that push me forward to make the best I can!!!
Ce comparatif est remarquable : Factuel, pragmatique, objectif.
En plus, fait avec une belle composition personnelle.
C'est tellement rare.
Bravo Monsieur.
Thank you Jean, this is really a great compliment! thank you so much for your feedback that is super important for me!
I own the Quad Cortex and love it. However the differences seem so negligible that any one should be able to get what they needed from either device. I love the fact I can have 8 different scenes with an infinite number of changes in each seen.
Magnificent!! Such a wonderful review. You are a musical saint!
Thank you soooo much...when you like the music...I'm super happy!!!
You could make a POD kidney bean sound amazing!!! You’re playing is so clean and effortless - love it!!!!
Thank you Homer, I'm really happy that you like my playing!!!
Its interesting you say that, I agree the guy is a great guitar player but I think kidney used to be a great piece of gear on its own
Honest review. Very difficult to find this days in UA-cam.
Thank you, I'm happy you appreciate it!
Undoubtedly, the sound quality of Fractal is impressive, but I also want to note that your presentation of information is very detailed and very intelligent, it also impresses. Thanks for your job Leo. All the best man!
You are welcome and I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!
I can't say nothing but good things about your videos, you're really on a different level from other youtubers
Thank you, this is really a super compliment!!! Your feedback is very important for me, and I'm happy you like my videos!!!
Ottimo! Aspettavo proprio il tuo test, sei veramente una preziosissima fonte di informazioni, grazie di tutto!
Grazie a te! Sono felice di essere stato di aiuto!
@@LeoGibsonGtr avrei una domanda a cui il manuale che ho letto non ha dato risposte: visto che volendo si possono utilizzare 4 rig differenti per 4 strumenti immagino si possano anche utilizzare gli switch indipendentemente altrimenti la cosa non avrebbe senso.... poniamo il caso che io sia un cantante/chitarrista e abbia bisogno di 4 scene e un effetto (whammy/boost) per il rig 1 (chitarra) e 2 scene e 1 effetto (harmonizer in modalità momentary on) per il rig 2 (microfono). Sarebbe possibile assegnare gli switch per come li vorrei io o solo tramite controller esterno o non sarebbe possibile? Chiaramente le scene del rig 1 devono essere indipendenti dal rig 2 e viceversa
The review I’ve been waiting for! Thanks Leo!
You are welcome Alex!
Great video as always and amazing playing! I would just add one thing to the things you said: the FM3 is complex but only if you want it to be. I have had the FM3 for two months and I find it very easy to get good sounds quickly. The viewers should know that there is an “authentic” set of parameters that imitates what you see on the front of the physical amp. You can stay at that level and get amazing results. The deeper parameters are only there if you want them.
Thank you, I'm happy you like the video! Thank you also for sharing your opinion, and .... it's a good point....
Leo thanks for this review. I own the fm3 and am happy with it
Hi Bobby, you are more thank welcome! Thank you for sharing your opinion!
Great video Leo, nice song and very complete and balanced comparison, thank you!
You are welcome!!! I'm really happy that you like both the music and the video!!!
Thank you Leo! New subscriber here. Great channel, and great demo of the QC/FM3!
Thank you, really appreciated! Your feedback is super important for me!
Very nice way of explaining the differences and ups and downs of both units.Thank you !!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You are welcome, and I'm happy you like the video!
Superb playing. You’re making me want to buy the FM3.
Thank you!!! When you like my playing...I'm happy! Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
Thanks for the review! Amazing playing and review as usual!
If I could give one more like I would XD
😊 Thank you Mauricio, really appreciated!!!
That was the most scientific comparison of guitar hardware I have ever seen 👍
Thank you!!! really appreciated!!
Amazing comparison video. Incredibly indepth but not TOO much. Perfect! Subscribed (and great playing and composition)
Thank you Greg! This is an amazing compliment, and your sub really makes me happy!!!
This channel it's great. Congrats.
Thank you Felipe, I'm super happy that you like the channel!!!
Amazing demo and Amazing Guitarist!👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you!!! This is a great compliment that really means a lot to me!!!
Wow am I glad I clicked on this channel you're an awesome player there Leo and very smart with the gear subscribed
Thank you Will, I'm really happy that you like the channel and playing! I'm honoured for your sub...it really means a lot to me!!!
Thank you so much!!!
Thank you for taking the time to create this comparison video. I don’t own either of these units, but for me the QC is the clear winner here. The FM3 seems to add something strange; a bit thinned out and slightly distorted by comparison, on my playback system. Incidentally, each of our systems are accentuating certain frequencies differently, so some viewers may not be hearing things others are.
Hi, your are welcome! Yes, for sure each system can accentuate a freq over the other...the higher fidelity should be with studio monitor...but even studio monitor can be different...so we have to accept a margin of error...also derived by the fact that my ears are different from yours.
Thank you!
Leo, keep up your good work. It is highly appreciated!
Thank you so much for your feedback! I really appreciate it!!!
Killer demo song as usual, I always come to every video for the song, regardless of the product..!
Thank you, this is a great compliment...you know that when you like my music...I'm happy!!!
This was the video I was waiting for to decide what to buy
Thank you Robert, I'm happy to have been of some help!
So what did you decide if you don't mind?
@@poulwinther well I made this comment before watching the video. After a watching I decided id probably prefer to have the quad cortex because its newer and has a nice interface and possibly unlimited amps but I want to wait and see how people react to it after 6 months or so before I buy it
@@olredbeard420 I appreciate your reply. I am pretty much in the same boat.
We are at a point that it doesn't matter what you pick.
Hi Joanes, thank you for sharing your opinion!
This is so true. While I have an AX8 and Headrush Prime (both great), even my little Digitech RP360XP sounds great if you build your own presets and explore it's full capabilities. Everything in recent years sounds very good or better.
Agreed.
Freaking seriously dude
depends how you use it and depends on your guitar skills.
This was so informative, thank you!
You are welcome and I'm happy that you appreciate the video!
Leo, I love your reviews! Great playing, great analysis, great info! No BS! A lot of UA-camrs jump around and swoon all over a new product, calling it "awesome", "must have", claiming it's the best on the market and so on. Your reviews can be trusted and I thank you for that. Now to the devices. The Quad Cortex is more useful for live performances as you can access the patches easier than the FM3. In terms of sound, the Quad Cortex matches the original amp better, not necessary in "sound" but the FM3 sounds harsh and sterile compared to the Quad Cortex. This could be the result of that particular Soldano patch but is more likely an overall trait of the FM3. So my money is on the Quad Cortex.
Hi thank you, these are really great compliments!!! I'lll do the best I can and your appreciation really push me forward!
Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
YESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been waiting for this video!!!!!
Thank you, I hope you have enjoyed!!!
I hear slightly more warmth or less top end in the QC. I like the additional foot switches with the QC. Excellent review.
Thank you, both for the compliments and for sharing your opinion!
By far the best review on Internet! Congrats Leo! 👏🏻
Thank you, this is a great compliment!!! Appreciated!
1st time see you play bass. Very nice ! Keep going. FM3 sounds more realistic. But both incredibly good/ 4 madness nice music.
Yes...I always play bass in my song...this time I ended up also adding the Leo bassist to the video.. 😊
I'm happy you like the music!
Excellent work with the vid! Cheers!
Thank you so much!!! I'm happy you like it!
Thanks for the review leo 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽
You are welcome!!!
Leo, your video is very systematic. Although your presentation is a bit too formal and very scripted, I like it. You don't make any joke and just present your thought in straight forward manner. Oh and your solo is very very beautiful.
Thank you Randy, really appreciated! I'm happy you like the format and you feedback is super important for me!!!
Great evaluation - love your videos and your playing. Keep it up 👍 Regards from Denmark.
Thank you Lasse, I'm really happy you like the videos and the playing!!!
Thank you very much for the comparison. The Quad Cortex sounds a lot more high res in the high-end to my ears. The Fractals just always have some sort of muffled quality to them which I just don‘t like. I‘m gonna sell my Axe FX-3 and buy a QC instead and I‘m finally fully convinced. Thanks again!
You are welcome Dominik, I'm happy to have been of some help!!!
Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
You're going to regret that.
leo you have an incredible ear! you did spot differences that are indistinguishable for me
Thank you, really appreciated!!! It may also depends on the monitors you are using. You need really good monitors to get all the nuances...
Good job! Fantastic review!!
Thank you, I'm really happy that you like the review!!!
Leo, very helpful video!!, I own both, as you point out I also used them in different situations.
Thanks for your valuable information and experience you share with the guitar community!!
Cheers
You are welcome, and I'm really happy that you find the video useful!
Thank you also for sharing your findings!
Thanks for doing this, I've been on the fence about trading in my helix floor and upgrading to the quad cortex . After this video I'm no longer on the fence ...so long line6
Hi Jay, thank you for sharing your experience and I'm happy to have been of some help!
Another great comparison demo. I have a slight preference for the sound of the FM3.
Thank you Lee, really appreciated!
Thank you for sharing your opinion!
In my ears the FM3 had the least tonal difference when he switched to the real Soldano amp, the QC had a brilliance to it that’s audibly different.
excellent comparisons. loved the demo too. I thought at first listen, the FM3 sounded much fuller than the QC. but also more trebly. Thanks for actually trying to match sounds instead of saying one sounds closer. Appreciate the video! liked and subbed
Thank you, your sub really means a lot to me!!! Thank you also for sharing your opinion about the tone!!!
Great Job! Thanks Leo, this test, comparison it's awesome 🙌🏽
Thank you soooo much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!
demo song was rad man. Thanks for the vid.
You are welcome and thank you so much: when you like my music....I'm super happy!!!!
Quality content and impeccable guitar playing and musicianship. Thanks, this is the exact two I have been mulling over for the last year, my tubes amps want to retire, and I've sold 95% of my pedals. Grazie mille Leo.
Prego!!! Thank you for the compliments, that really means a lot to me!!!
Dear Leo, your reviews are awesome, keep up the great work!
Thank you, I'm happy you like the videos!!!! I'm trying to do my best, and your appreciation really push me forward!
Great review. To me it sounds like this Soldano > QC >FM3. I could tell when you start playing the leads that the true soldano still has some weight even on single note runs. The QC was mimicing this almost perfectly. FM3 sounded ok from frequency perspective but it lacked the percussiveness and pick attack and the weight. Almost as if it was not level matched - a bit weaker, thinner and not as 'in your face'.
Great job!
Thank you Karol, your feedback is really important for me!!! Thank you also for sharing your opinion and analysis!
FM3 for me. The extensive parameters, ever-expanding list of effects, inbuilt looper, and price appeal to me more as a home musician. I like creating unique sounds and the FM3 (or Helix) are better suited for that. The capturing abilities, multiple footswitches, microphone inputs, I have no use for them in the Quad Cortex. I would like to capture my Fryette amplifier, but I'd rather just use the amp if all I ever wanted the Quad Cortex to do was capture my favourite tube amp.
Hi Daniel, tank you for sharing you opinion and decision!
Your playing anda Sharing is Amazing !!!
Cheers from Bali, Leo 🍻🔥🤘
Thank you, I'm really happy that you like it!
@@LeoGibsonGtr Your welcome, Sir 😁🔥🤘🙏
Excellent production Leo. Thank you for these videos. Subscribed!
Thank you!!! I'm happy you like the production....I'm investing a lot in that ... so your feedback are important!!!
Your sub really means a lot to me....thank you!!!
Leo thank you for this review. For those of us that are still waiting on the unit and still deciding if we should pull the trigger, these reviews are invaluable. I was ready to buy the FM3 until I seen the Quad Cortex. I don't need but a simple layout with something easy to setup and use, so I'm waiting on the Quad Cortex.
Thank you, I'm really happy that you like the review and to have been of some help!
Great comparison/review! I think I will depart my other “stuff” and buy a QC that fits to my purposes very well. Thank you Leo!
You are welcome, I'm happy to have been of some help, and thank you for sharing your final decision!
Bello il pezzo all’inizio 👍Complimenti!
Grazie...quando vi piace la mia musica...mi fate felice!!!
Thank you Leo for this very informative review. I love your videos, they are all very good! In this comparison the flip side of the coin is that if I agree with you that the QuadCortex is in its infancy’s and so we should give it a bit of credit for some missing features, we can also say that FM3 is more “dated”/older than QuadCortex we cannot expect the latest and greatest of Quadcortex. It’s hard to keep up with this technology, but it would be good to see a comparison with the FM9 on day. Grazie ancora, ciao!
Ciao Francesco, thank you so much, I'm really happy that you enjoyed the video!!! I do agree with you...as regards the comparison FM9 vs Quad Cortex...we will see...the FM9 is very expensive and having the FM3 I don't know if I'm gonna buy it...furthermore the waiting list for the FM3 was over an year long...so we have to see if the FM9 will be quicker...
Thank you once more, your feedback and appreciation are really important for me!!!
@@LeoGibsonGtr I totally understand - self funding gear testing can turn out to be quite expensive. I will keep following your channel. I only have a small DV Mark Jazz and a semiacoustic guitar. I never got to understand well pedals and I am toying with the idea of getting something versatile like a pedalboard to emulate multiple amps and have fun playing some blues/funk and learning something new. Your channel is one of my go-to places for news and a bit of daydreaming about gear :) Buon fine settimana
Grazie, I'm really happy that you follow the channel!
Thank you for sharing your experience, and yes, amp modeling pedalboards are fantastic tools to experiment withe amps, tones, effects, etc....
Thanks Leo. I'll wait a year for the product to mature and see if the product is resilient enough. For now I have the FM3 but I do find it difficult to tweak. There is a brightness to Fractal that I don't enjoy. As well, when running too many effects simultaneously this brightness causes a lot of artifacts for me.
Hi, thank you for sharing...I would suggest to check out the impedance curve setting...those were game changing for me. Also the mic preamps and the quality level of effects play a role in the overall sound...in my opinion....
Wow Great Job Leo!
Thank you! I'm happy you like it!!!!
In FM3 you have on back two trs outputs which are marked as Out2 and in settings you can turn on output functionality for them. After that Out2 will replicate the signal normally sent to Out1. So there is an option to have unbalanced outputs in FM3.
Ok, thanks for pointing it out.
Thanks for this fabulous comparison!
You are welcome and I'm really happy that you like the video!!!!
Great comparison video, well done. Your studio looks amazing!
Thank you, I'm really happy that you like the video and the studio!!!
Very nice review and great playing man!
Thank you, really appreciated!!!
Your comparisons rule Leo! Well in my home studio coming from my speakers and fairly loud, I had the same look in my face as you had, in the MORE SOUNDS section. I just couldn't decide! These units sound really good. Now since buying smthn like this is an investment of some sort, I admit I respect and feel a bit better using a Fractal product. But don't get me wrong I really loved the DSP and maybe they will be a good company in the future but they are a new company and Fractal makes me a bit more secure. Love your English, keep up the good work!
Thank you Nick, I'm really happy that you like my comparison videos!!! I fully understand you...they are both great options...and big investments...so you should buy what makes you fell better and more secure!
Thank you once more!
Great information! Thank you so much Leo!!!
You are welcome and I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!
Tks Leo for shearing this very good job
You are welcome, I'm happy you like it!!!
amazing comparative LEO!!!
Thank you, I'm really happy that you like it!!
Loved your approach to comparing the two units - super helpful! And your playing is great! It would have been nice to see how some other amp models sound, and also would have been nice to hear clean sounds, but really liked that you picked a sounds where we could hear dynamics (if you demo one sound, really glad that you focused on crunch - and realize that it takes time to put all of this together :-) ). Very well done! I’m glad that I found your channel!
Thank yo so much! Your feedback is super important for me! Yes..maybe in future I will check out some more amps...
Thank you once more!
A amazing video, one more time. The machines are awesome!!
Thank you Gabriel, really appreciated! I so agree!
Awesome Playing Leo as Usual
Thank you Mike, I'm really happy that you like the playing!!!
@@LeoGibsonGtr I also really enjoy your Unbiased Comparisons , all very well done but it's you playing i enjoy the most you have great Phrasing and technique, Kudos leo
Mike, I cannot say thank you enough... your compliments really push me forward to do the best I can! Thank you!
First: Very into your playing and songwriting. Kudos, Leo!
Second: The FM3 seems to have a bit more presence than the actual amp and QC. But from what I’m seeing; it looks like that can all be adjusted to match if one takes the time.
Third: This is the best comparison video on modelers that I’ve seen. I’m supposed to be getting my QC in about a month. I’m extremely tech savvy but, for some reason, that doesn’t spill over into my electric guitar world. Maybe because my roots are acoustic guitar. All I know is that (like you) I don’t need a LOT of effects and (not like you) I’m not an amp tweaker. :)
I play through clean amps and use my pedals, mostly. Looking forward to the QC models...but I’m also very excited about capturing my pedals and amps.
Thank you SO much for this video, Leo. Definitely helped clarify my thoughts. Cheers!
Hi Bob, thank you so much, your feedbacks are really important for me, so I'm really happy that you have appreciated and enjoyed the video!
Thank you also for sharing your opinion and experience!
well done man! Appreciate it!
Thank you, I'm happy you like it!
Without doubt the very best reviews ! Fabulous Leo !😎
Thank you Christopher...this is a great compliment!
All 3 are so good that the limiting factor will be me, my playing and my ability to set them up. For that reason, the QC would be my choice. Easier to use, more foot switches and most portable. I could be wrong, but I think I'd get option paralysis with the FM3. A fantastic comparison and really helps me realise the QC is the right way to go or me. My level of nerdiness (high but not grandmaster) makes the QC most likely the way forwards for me.
Hi Alex, I'm happy to have been of some help...and yes, you should buy what is more close to your way of working...
@@LeoGibsonGtr I ended up buying both..... I blame you. :)
and I kept the QC and sold the FM3
Leo the best...! Love your Chanel. Great playing.
Great Exponatin.
Im a Travaling and Studio musician. I think I will go to Nurel Dsp Quad Cortex..!
Thank you, I'm really happy that you enjoy the channel!!!
Yes, the QC is a very compelling unit!
Great video Leo! Thanks
Thank you, I’m happy that you like it!!!
Leo is a legend! A music scientist!
Thank you, you are so encouraging and supportive...thank you so much, your feedback and appreciation is really important for me! And, by the way, you are the legend of the amps comparisons!
@@LeoGibsonGtr cheers mate! :)
Great video! The Soldano and Neural sounded the same to me. The FM-3 lacked a little of something, hard to describe. Some liveliness.
Hi, thank you for sharing your opinion!
Leo, thanks for the video.
You are welcome!!!
Hello Leo, here I am again watching your detailed go through and 2 cents of these 2 great units! Trying to decide which to get of these for modelling not effects. Recently been on the Quad cortex side as I am a high gain player and the captures you can download / purchase sounds ideal for me as even though the FM3 has more base amps it's "missing" some that I'd want and are available on the Quad cortex. I've not played either as late to the game on these high end units. Color me confused haha. Good day!
Hi, thank you for sharing and I wish you a good day to you too!
As ever a really in-depth view of probably THE TWO Rolls Royces in the “Modeller” / Profiler world forget your Kempers!
Just shows how even “Old tech” and “New tech” really are when it comes to sound!
All the difference is reinventing the wheel as such.
It’s also great Leo that you bought them both and is unbiased! Which is way more than can be said of a lot of other testers.
Thank you for your dedication and balanced appraisals!!
Keep going
Hi Mark, thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment and feedback that really push me forward trying to do the best I can!
great playing overshadows the units themselves. :)
but really good reviews as well. :)
Thank you, I'm happy you like the playing!!!
Excellent review.
Thank you, I'm happy you like it!!!
Great song, great guitar licks, the Soldano sounds very good the way you have it set up:) hard to beat.
Thank you! I'm really happy that you like the song!!!
Thank you for the comparison. Indeed, only time will tell in this horse race. Either way, the technology moves forward and all interested parties in the outcome win. Competition = good
Hi Stephane, thank you!!! I totally agree with you!
Thankyou Leo..
Excellent video.. what this shows me is how close digital is coming to analogue.. there might be slight differences but in a mix or live I would doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference.
Thankyou again 😊
You are welcome Rick!!! yes...it's a good time to be a guitarist 😊👍🏻