Metallica Rig Rundown 2017 tour

[BrentSSL]

Everyone at Woodstock seeing Jimi Hendrix found a way to enjoy the concert even though all his pedals were not true bypass. All the thrash bands I've seen using this gear are awesome live I saw Testament last year killer show and they Used Kempers. If I were Metallica I'd be using those I think they feel better when used live imho. HoweverI had a great time in New Jersey seeing Metallica and I will see them on the in door shows as well.

 

[riffsfordaze]

Everyone at Woodstock seeing Jimi Hendrix found a way to enjoy the concert even though all his pedals were not true bypass. All the thrash bands I've seen using this gear are awesome live I saw Testament last year killer show and they Used Kempers. If I were Metallica I'd be using those I think they feel better when used live imho. HoweverI had a great time in New Jersey seeing Metallica and I will see them on the in door shows as well.

I'm glad you had a great time seeing Metallica man! They are still my favorite band of all time! They made it on their own terms and nobody can ever take that away from them!!! I guess at the end of the day we all just give a shit about the band! Tone is obviously a very subjective thing and we all have our opinions.

 

[stanbog]

Everyone at Woodstock seeing Jimi Hendrix found a way to enjoy the concert even though all his pedals were not true bypass.

Damn, now that you said it I can clearly hear it in the youtube vids....

 

[kalt]

Testament is using Kempers and I'm pretty sure Megadeth uses Fractals Metallica is just up to date with thier gear

Sadly you are correct, and the list goes on and on and on....
At certain points in sailing the seas of cheese in this life it just might be a good idea to Zig when others Zag. IMO

Spot the motherfuck on..............

 

[kalt]

I mean I think it's cool Hetfield uses live cabs to get into the music I don't think this is the death of guitar tone it's just the future. I'm a purest at heart but if my band had become a national touring act with as many hits as they have I'd be using Kempers or fractals.

Just curious, if you were a national touring act, why would you use Kempers or Fractals (as opposed to real, non simulated tube amps)?

 

[BrentSSL]

I mean I think it's cool Hetfield uses live cabs to get into the music I don't think this is the death of guitar tone it's just the future. I'm a purest at heart but if my band had become a national touring act with as many hits as they have I'd be using Kempers or fractals.

Just curious, if you were a national touring act, why would you use Kempers or Fractals (as opposed to real, non simulated tube amps)?

We went on a small "tour" and if my band played the garbage rock we played on a national or world tour I think the a solid state worry free dependable rig would be a benefit. The bass player was always too loud he had a monster rig. I had a dual rectifier and mesa cab. The other 2 guttar players had a marshall full stack and a line 6 spider ii half stack. If we were all on Kempers our stage volume could have been kept down and the audience would have had a better time.

 

[skoora]

I mean I think it's cool Hetfield uses live cabs to get into the music I don't think this is the death of guitar tone it's just the future. I'm a purest at heart but if my band had become a national touring act with as many hits as they have I'd be using Kempers or fractals.

Just curious, if you were a national touring act, why would you use Kempers or Fractals (as opposed to real, non simulated tube amps)?

We went on a small "tour" and if my band played the garbage rock we played on a national or world tour I think the a solid state worry free dependable rig would be a benefit. The bass player was always too loud he had a monster rig. I had a dual rectifier and mesa cab. The other 2 guttar players had a marshall full stack and a line 6 spider ii half stack. If we were all on Kempers our stage volume could have been kept down and the audience would have had a better time.

Just because it would be digital doesn't mean your volume issues on stage are automatically over. Especially if playing smaller venues with little, to no P.A.

 

[Kevin11]

Metallica's guitar tones are being sent to at least 4 places:

1) IEMs
2) Wedges
3) On-stage guitar cabs
4) FOH

The tones have to work and sound great consistently in all of them. I think the IEMs are a big reason they've gone with the Fractals. I'm guessing it's just easier for them to get a great direct-to-ear guitar tone.

Totally agree, as an analog, tube amp guy myself, Fractals make for boring rig rundowns. Might be a little less so if they'd show or discuss some of the parameters of the patches they're using, but I doubt that'll happen any time soon...or ever.

Digital modelers are a tool, a means to an end. Not against them at all. I don't care how the tones are generated as long as the end result sounds great for the player, the FOH tech and most importantly the audience. Victim5150's AX8 Ozzy tones are killer and a perfect example of what I'm talking about and what they can do in the right hands.

 

[BrentSSL]

I mean I think it's cool Hetfield uses live cabs to get into the music I don't think this is the death of guitar tone it's just the future. I'm a purest at heart but if my band had become a national touring act with as many hits as they have I'd be using Kempers or fractals.

Just curious, if you were a national touring act, why would you use Kempers or Fractals (as opposed to real, non simulated tube amps)?

We went on a small "tour" and if my band played the garbage rock we played on a national or world tour I think the a solid state worry free dependable rig would be a benefit. The bass player was always too loud he had a monster rig. I had a dual rectifier and mesa cab. The other 2 guttar players had a marshall full stack and a line 6 spider ii half stack. If we were all on Kempers our stage volume could have been kept down and the audience would have had a better time.

Just because it would be digital doesn't mean your volume issues on stage are automatically over. Especially if playing smaller venues with little, to no P.A.

But we did have a PA most of the time being a original band in my area that was kind of un heard of. I also roadied and ran sound throughout my music career and have seen too many tube amps go down during a show. Those were national acts that happened too also I'm also looking at it from a stand point of if we were on the type of tour Metallica us doing not local gigs. However if they made the MXR m-80 in guitar form that and a few other pedals would be my rig. It also helps when you have a sound guy like big MICK running your sound.

 

[shredtilimdead13]

They’ve can borrow my rack next time they are in town. I’m sure they would find the tones more than adequate.

How did you get that boogie custom eq? Is that two 5 band eq's re-housed? if so who do I have to pay to get that done?

 

[phil b]

Once they start building tube amp "clones" of that AxeFx sound, thats when I will buy another one!

I really really really wanted to leave the Diezel and Mesa stuff at home and just use a small Axe rig but after a while I just wasnt happy.
Tried tube poweramps, s.s. amps..etc but could never get the punch that my tube amps have. Good for Mctallica that they are using them, but if anyone believes that its not about convenience and about that Fractal sound..well...

 

[Tone Monster]

They’ve can borrow my rack next time they are in town. I’m sure they would find the tones more than adequate.

How did you get that boogie custom eq? Is that two 5 band eq's re-housed? if so who do I have to pay to get that done?

I believe they were $3K IIRC

 

[skoora]

I mean I think it's cool Hetfield uses live cabs to get into the music I don't think this is the death of guitar tone it's just the future. I'm a purest at heart but if my band had become a national touring act with as many hits as they have I'd be using Kempers or fractals.

Just curious, if you were a national touring act, why would you use Kempers or Fractals (as opposed to real, non simulated tube amps)?

We went on a small "tour" and if my band played the garbage rock we played on a national or world tour I think the a solid state worry free dependable rig would be a benefit. The bass player was always too loud he had a monster rig. I had a dual rectifier and mesa cab. The other 2 guttar players had a marshall full stack and a line 6 spider ii half stack. If we were all on Kempers our stage volume could have been kept down and the audience would have had a better time.

Just because it would be digital doesn't mean your volume issues on stage are automatically over. Especially if playing smaller venues with little, to no P.A.

But we did have a PA most of the time being a original band in my area that was kind of un heard of. I also roadied and ran sound throughout my music career and have seen too many tube amps go down during a show. Those were national acts that happened too also I'm also looking at it from a stand point of if we were on the type of tour Metallica us doing not local gigs. However if they made the MXR m-80 in guitar form that and a few other pedals would be my rig. It also helps when you have a sound guy like big MICK running your sound.

That's why folks should have a backup for their tube amp. A crate power block or Magnum 44 and the appropriate floor unit and your done. Back up and running in less than 5 minutes. I would rather have a less than ideal backup easily put in place, with my primary tone at it's best, than have a rock solid primary that never goes down but isn't the best tone. FWIW, in 15 years of playing live I never had a tube amp go down. I had it sound off due to low voltage on the stage (rectified with a regulator) but never go down. Fractal is basically a computer, and they never crash or bug out, do they.
Tone is always subjective and put me square in the camp that will stay with a tube amp, but if people dig the digital from a tonal standpoint. That's OK. I never joined a band or played live to be too practical about the sound. Business was another matter. I did it because it felt awesome to lock in with some folks cranking up some tube goodness. If I had to do it with a sound that's not exciting me, why do it?

Like I said before though, in regards to Metallica, it's more the band's sensibilities on what they want to dial in rather than the gear itself.

 

[thegame]

How many dozens upon dozens of road cases does Metallica take out on tour for staging, PA, drums (+ even more of those stupid giant floor toms on this tour), and even for wardrobe/back stage stuff ? What are they really saving by leaving the tube amps at home ? Those fractals are housed in sizable road cases as well. How much lighter/smaller is that compared to tube amps in a road case ? Most international touring bands using tube amps have duplicate rigs in North America and Europe to cut down on shipping already.

As far as consistency they had already worked out a system for consistent live tone since the black album tour using mic'd isolation cabinets. Oh gee, I guess that was another 2 road cases to schlep around. I'd rather have an inconsistent tone that hypothetically might vary from a 6/10 to 10/10 night after night than be straddled with a half assed 5/10 (I'm being generous) bland tone like Metallica "enjoys" nowadays.

Sadly Metallica's tone has gone the way of Lars' drumming. Lazy, uninspired and a shadow of what it once was.

 

[riffsfordaze]

How many dozens upon dozens of road cases does Metallica take out on tour for staging, PA, drums (+ even more of those stupid giant floor toms on this tour), and even for wardrobe/back stage stuff ? What are they really saving by leaving the tube amps at home ? Those fractals are housed in sizable road cases as well. How much lighter/smaller is that compared to tube amps in a road case ? Most international touring bands using tube amps have duplicate rigs in North America and Europe to cut down on shipping already.

As far as consistency they had already worked out a system for consistent live tone since the black album tour using mic'd isolation cabinets. Oh gee, I guess that was another 2 road cases to schlep around. I'd rather have an inconsistent tone that hypothetically might vary from a 6/10 to 10/10 night after night than be straddled with a half assed 5/10 (I'm being generous) bland tone like Metallica "enjoys" nowadays.

Sadly Metallica's tone has gone the way of Lars' drumming. Lazy, uninspired and a shadow of what it once was.

The Truth!!!!

 

[shredtilimdead13]

They’ve can borrow my rack next time they are in town. I’m sure they would find the tones more than adequate.

How did you get that boogie custom eq? Is that two 5 band eq's re-housed? if so who do I have to pay to get that done?

I believe they were $3K IIRC

Wow 3k? I imagine that's a real custom boogie piece then, would be easier and cheaper to buy two of their pedals and just pay somebody to re-house them or am I missing something special about the rack version?

 

[psychodave]

They’ve can borrow my rack next time they are in town. I’m sure they would find the tones more than adequate.

How did you get that boogie custom eq? Is that two 5 band eq's re-housed? if so who do I have to pay to get that done?

I believe they were $3K IIRC

Wow 3k? I imagine that's a real custom boogie piece then, would be easier and cheaper to buy two of their pedals and just pay somebody to re-house them or am I missing something special about the rack version?

It’s a custom one off piece made out of original GEQ’s and mark series circuit boards powered by a high voltage transformer. While I like the 5 band Boogie EQ Pedal, it sounds nothing like the real thing (not even close). I added the boogie logo. It makes the modded Triaxis preamps sounds like my real 2C++. Plus one of my Triaxis’ has the TX4 board and the Recto channel is insane with the EQ. I had a chrome chassis rev f and this sounds better. Bigger, clearer and just massive with no can of bees tone.

My strategy 400 is also modded with dual push pull depth pots. Sounds massive.

 

[shredhead7]

I've never seen Metallica live, probably never will. I did see Megadeth live and spoke with their roadies afterwards, complimenting them on the tone. I asked what they were running through and they were using AXE's. This was three years ago. It was a club show, but the sound was great. You could hear everything perfectly in the mix. There is something to be said about going all digital, as evidenced by how amazing bedroom productions are getting.

 

[Tone Monster]

They’ve can borrow my rack next time they are in town. I’m sure they would find the tones more than adequate.

How did you get that boogie custom eq? Is that two 5 band eq's re-housed? if so who do I have to pay to get that done?

I believe they were $3K IIRC

Wow 3k? I imagine that's a real custom boogie piece then, would be easier and cheaper to buy two of their pedals and just pay somebody to re-house them or am I missing something special about the rack version?

It’s a custom one off piece made out of original GEQ’s and mark series circuit boards powered by a high voltage transformer. While I like the 5 band Boogie EQ Pedal, it sounds nothing like the real thing (not even close). I added the boogie logo. It makes the modded Triaxis preamps sounds like my real 2C++. Plus one of my Triaxis’ has the TX4 board and the Recto channel is insane with the EQ. I had a chrome chassis rev f and this sounds better. Bigger, clearer and just massive with no can of bees tone.

My strategy 400 is also modded with dual push pull depth pots. Sounds massive.

....And when do we get a clip??

 

[shredtilimdead13]

They’ve can borrow my rack next time they are in town. I’m sure they would find the tones more than adequate.

How did you get that boogie custom eq? Is that two 5 band eq's re-housed? if so who do I have to pay to get that done?

I believe they were $3K IIRC

Wow 3k? I imagine that's a real custom boogie piece then, would be easier and cheaper to buy two of their pedals and just pay somebody to re-house them or am I missing something special about the rack version?

It’s a custom one off piece made out of original GEQ’s and mark series circuit boards powered by a high voltage transformer. While I like the 5 band Boogie EQ Pedal, it sounds nothing like the real thing (not even close). I added the boogie logo. It makes the modded Triaxis preamps sounds like my real 2C++. Plus one of my Triaxis’ has the TX4 board and the Recto channel is insane with the EQ. I had a chrome chassis rev f and this sounds better. Bigger, clearer and just massive with no can of bees tone.

My strategy 400 is also modded with dual push pull depth pots. Sounds massive.

I was worried you would say something to that effect.

and yeah this needs clips!