Fractal Audio FX8 Mark II Multi-Effects Pedalboard – Professional Grade Guitar Effects with True Analog Bypass & MIDI owned by Hershel Yatovitz of Chris Isaak’s Silvertone. Comes with original box and manual.
Hershel Yatovitz is an American guitarist best known as the lead guitarist for Chris Isaak’s band, Silvertone. Yatovitz has been a member of the band since the mid-1990s and has been a crucial part of Isaak’s signature sound, which blends rockabilly, surf rock, and classic pop. His playing is often characterized by its tasteful, melodic lines and its ability to evoke the retro, vintage tones reminiscent of early rock ‘n’ roll and surf music.
This Fractal FX8 has been used on numerous Chris Isaak tours and contains all his special patches for the Chris Isaak shows.
The Fractal Audio FX8 is a powerful multi-effects pedalboard designed specifically for guitarists. It’s part of Fractal Audio’s renowned lineup of digital effects processors, known for their high-quality sound, extensive versatility, and robust build quality. The FX8 was created with the needs of both studio and live musicians in mind, offering a wide range of effects and control options.
Key Features:
High-Quality Effects: The FX8 includes a vast array of effects, all derived from Fractal Audio’s flagship Axe-Fx processor. This includes everything from overdrives, distortions, delays, reverbs, modulations, compressors, pitch effects, and more. Each effect is meticulously modeled to sound as close to its analog counterpart as possible.
Analog Bypass: The FX8 features true analog bypass, ensuring that when effects are off, your guitar’s signal remains pure and unaffected. This is crucial for maintaining tone integrity in a professional setting.
Dual Processor Design: The FX8 uses dual processors to ensure that it can handle multiple effects simultaneously without compromising on quality. This allows for complex effect chains, combining multiple effects with ease.
Switchable 4CM (Four Cable Method): The FX8 is optimized for use with the Four Cable Method, allowing you to integrate it seamlessly with your existing amplifier setup. This method lets you place certain effects before the amp’s input (like overdrives and distortions) and others in the amp’s effects loop (like delays and reverbs).
Scenes and Presets: The FX8 allows you to create and store up to 128 presets, each containing 8 different effects that can be turned on or off in real-time. Additionally, the “Scenes” feature lets you switch between different combinations of effects within a single preset, making it ideal for live performance.
MIDI Capabilities: The FX8 includes comprehensive MIDI functionality, allowing it to control or be controlled by other MIDI devices. This is particularly useful in complex rigs where multiple devices need to work together seamlessly.
Tuner and Noise Gate: Built-in tuner and noise gate functions ensure your sound remains tight and in tune, further adding to its practicality as an all-in-one solution for live or studio use.
Rugged Build: The FX8 is built with a rugged metal chassis, designed to withstand the rigors of touring. The footswitches and expression pedal inputs are also built to last, ensuring reliability on stage.
USB Connectivity: The FX8 can be connected to a computer via USB for firmware updates, preset management, and more. Fractal Audio regularly updates their products, adding new features and improvements based on user feedback.
Sound and Usage:
Studio Quality: The effects in the FX8 are of studio quality, making it an excellent choice for recording musicians who need a wide range of high-quality sounds in a compact unit.
Live Performance: The FX8 shines in live performance settings due to its extensive control options, rugged build, and high-quality sound. The ability to switch between scenes and presets quickly makes it ideal for guitarists who need versatility on stage.
Versatility: Whether you’re looking for subtle enhancements to your tone or want to create complex soundscapes, the FX8 is versatile enough to handle any genre or style of music.
Market Position:
Premium Pricing: The FX8 is positioned as a premium product, reflecting its extensive features and high-quality construction. It’s aimed at professional musicians and serious hobbyists who demand the best from their gear.
Competition: It competes with other high-end multi-effects units like the Line 6 Helix, Boss GT-1000, and Kemper Profiler. However, its tight integration with Fractal Audio’s ecosystem and focus on effects rather than amp modeling sets it apart.
Summary:
The Fractal Audio FX8 is a top-tier multi-effects unit designed for guitarists who need the best in sound quality, versatility, and reliability. Whether you’re in the studio or on stage, the FX8 offers a comprehensive solution for all your effects needs, making it a valuable tool for any serious guitarist.