FRFR vs 1x12 vs 4x12 emulation modes ?

Bill McCloskey · Posted 27 Jun 2024 11:36 am

I just got a Laney FL-212 2x12 800watt powered speaker for use with my Kemper. Tried to buy the Kemper Kone, but they aren't available anywhere. My sweetwater rep recommended the Laney, and I love it so far, in fact blown away. even has a blue light you can switch off and on for effect.

it has 3 emulation modes: FRFR: obviously the flat response from the Kemper emulation. But it also has a 1x12 and 4x12 emulation modes. I don't really know anything about those emulations. Can anyone explain the difference between the three modes?

Bill A. Moore · From: Silver City, New Mexico, USA

Doesn't it change the tone when you switch to those settings?

Bill McCloskey · Posted 27 Jun 2024 1:09 pm

I haven't really playing with it enough yet to determine what the difference is. I was hoping someone here would know.

Fred Treece · From: California, USA

I would use the flat response mode when running the Kemper into the Laney. Use one of the other two modes when running direct to a PA mixer or recording console. You don’t need a speaker emulator when you have a speaker. You can certainly try it. Might sound funky but it won’t hurt anything.

Bill McCloskey · Posted 27 Jun 2024 1:32 pm

Thanks Fred, That is the way I'm running it. I hadn't thought about the effect of recording out. Makes sense.

Man, I love this thing and it looks cool as hell.

Bill McCloskey · Posted 27 Jun 2024 4:06 pm

There is a three way toggle switch on the Laney. up position is FRFR, middle position is 1x12 emulation, and down is 4x12 simulation. On the speaker itself. Not on the Kemper.

Fred Treece · From: California, USA

I just looked up that unit, Bill. I was not clear on that mode switch being on the Laney speaker cab. Sorry about that.

Those emulation modes are for the Laney’s line out. So switching them around without having it connected to a PA probably won’t make any difference to the sound you hear from the speakers, only from the PA mains. Interesting concept.

If the Kemper also has speaker cabinet modeling capability, the two emulators would probably compete and possibly create a phasing problem. I would shut the one in the Kemper off. If the Laney is on FRFR, it might be okay to experiment with the Kemper speaker modelers.

Bill McCloskey · Posted 27 Jun 2024 4:25 pm

I played around with it. Definitely a different effect as you cycle through, but the FRFR sounds the best. I'm completely blown away by this unit. I personally have never played anything that comes close to the low end and high end clarity of this powered speaker. At $1,200 I may buy two. I'll certainly be selling some stuff. This thing is simple mind blowing.

Fred Treece · From: California, USA

A powered speaker with speaker emulation…I may be out of my element here, as usual.

The FRFR emulation setting is what we miss out on when a line out (or mic) takes the normal guitar amp signal and feeds it into a full-range PA speaker system. I’m sure it sounds great.

I would be curious to know what happens to the Laney’s FRFR setting if the “Link Out” were sent to a PA. I would expect excessively booming bass and piercing highs, but maybe there is some magic dust at work. The other two emulation settings probably are there to temper the eq, and might provide a more manageable signal for the FoH system operator.

I know when keyboard players send their full-range signals to a PA, certain synth sounds get buried in a mix because there is a lack of focus in the eq. It’s a case of “what sounds great in the practice room” not making it on stage with the band. On the other hand, the straight piano patches usually sound fantastic.

Alan Murphy · From: N Ireland

Hi Bill

The Kemper Kone driver appears to be currently available in the USA at 180 dollars with free shipping.

I am also thinking of trying one with my Kemper to give a true FRFR output with the integrated power amp.

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