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Tips for using Modellers Live – How to get the best out of your Modeller!
Introduction
I have been using a modeller of some kind for a few years now to gig with! In this time, I have a few interesting tips on how to use modellers live. Ways you can set one up or alter your preset to make sure you are getting the best out of it in a live context! A lot of people struggle using modellers, especially if they are using them with IEM systems. You might find yourself unhappy with the sound. Hopefully, some of these tips will help you with this issue!
These are not going to be your normal tips that you would expect; these are actual tips to help you get the most from your rig when using it live and make sure you get the best and most consistent-sounding rig you can! So, with all that being said, let me dive straight into the first point! This could be the biggest one in this list.
Modellers Live: When to make the patch!
The most important factor is volume and where the patch will be used! Making a patch for playing at home in headphones will lead to a very different sound than what you will need for playing live! Adjustments always need to be made when using a patch live. Normally this is less slow end and more mids/treble.
Most people create these wonderful patches at home, but then when they use them in a band mix their sound just vanishes! Knowing what frequencies are needed in a live aspect is key to being heard in a band mix.
Sadly, this is something you can only get by playing live and learning about the sound differences mentioned above. This is where the other points I will mention below will come into their own. Once you have played your patch in a few live scenarios then you will understand what needs changing and what doesn’t. My advice would be to create two patches, one for home use and one for gig use.
Modellers Live: Know your patch!
I think a key part of using a modeller in any context live is to know your patch! There are millions of pre-made patches available to download and use, which is fine, but make sure you spend some time going through the patch and understanding how it works and what bits do what!
This will become important if you ever need to change something on the fly! If you don’t know how to work the patch, it could take you a while to dive into the patch and find out what needs to be changed! At home, or in your bedroom, this is fine! On stage, this becomes more of an issue.
Personally, I am a big fan of creating my own patches and starting from scratch in all my patches! Not only does this give you a full understanding of your modeller patch, in case of on-the-fly changes, but it also helps you understand the modeller itself. Knowledge is key when using products like this!
Modellers Live: Know your modeller!
Something I feel that most people don’t do is read the manual! We all think we can work things out, and most of the time that is true. However, there are small little details that you might not know that could drastically improve your sound. Most manuals are available to download in a PDF format. Meaning you could download them and search them for keywords. I import all my manuals onto my iPhone and load them into iBook. This way, I can bookmark certain parts and annotate them if needed.
Alongside this is to play around with your modeller! Don’t focus on building a patch, focus on learning the device, the controls, and what does what! When this is combined with reading the manual, you will quickly and easily pick up the modeller and perfect it! This will allow you to create presets easier but also adjust and use the device more efficiently! Something that can help you out in a lot of ways.
Modellers Live: Blend in Real Pedals!
If you are going from an amp and pedal rig into a modeller, then adding a few real pedals into your rig could help massively! This will give you something to fall back on if you need to adjust on stage. Overdrives and delays are popular choices! Simple to adjust without menus.
This is perfect if you are new to modellers and have swapped from a “real” rig. Going from amps and pedals can be a big adjustment; having to learn menus can take time, so having a few pedals to help you out is a great way to lean into modulars.
One of my rigs uses this: I have a proper pedalboard filled with actual pedals and then a Neural nano Cortex acting as my amp! Going direct to the desk. This is great because it is a simple rig but so familiar. A great middle ground.
Modellers Live: Adjust your Master EQ!
A huge thing I did when I used a modeller as my main rig is adjusting the master EQ! I found myself setting up patches, using them, and spending ages adjusting the tone controls on the pedals and amps. Nothing ever felt just right. Until I changed the master EQ settings. This glued all my presets together and made it sound so much better!
It will be different for everyone, but I started by taking the low end out (anything below 150) and also trimmed some of the high end out of the sound as well. This helped me clean up the rumble and sort out the top end fizz that some digital modellers have.
Have a play around with your settings and see what you like and get on with! All modellers have a master EQ section, and you should always adjust it to your taste!
Modellers Live: On stage sound!
My final point about using modellers live is about stage noise! Silent stages have their place, and I do plan to do a whole article going over what this place is. However, my biggest issue is the lack of air movement and “on-stage” volume. I know this defeats the point of a silent stage. However, I do feel that having some sound behind you will make you perform and play better.
This can be tricky to do with modellers; however, there are options like FRFR speakers or using an FX loop. If you want to find out more about your options, you can check out my article going over different types of rigs (Article Here). I go over all the different kinds of rigs, including their advantages and drawbacks.
I do have an article going over why I think modellers don’t get the speaker simulation just right (Article Here). However, if you want to make your sound “feel” a lot better, you can run it into an FX return or a power amp!
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed my article about tips for using modellers live. Hopefully, you have learnt something new reading this! If you have any other tips on using modellers live that you think I missed, then please send me an email or drop me an Instagram message.
I am not anti-modeller in the slightest; they have their place and can be so useful! However, I do find myself enjoying an amp now! Tube or digital! This is an article I have coming up very soon going over this and why I am slowly going back to an “old school” kind of rig. I might even have something interesting being made related to this!
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