Ok so I have been using modellers for YEARS - ever since my Vox Valvetronix and early Line 6 stuff. I have never gone the FRFR route, as I NEED the feel of a real tube amp and cab. So generally I have been running through rackmount tube power amps. Now I have the Helix LT and LOVE LOVE LOVE my setup - cab sims and IR's DISABLED, using Helix as preamp into my Peavey 50/50 power amp (EL84's).
BUT... it seems most users are doing the FRFR thing and almost everything seems geared toward THAT. So of course I am curious. I happen to have a QSC K12 (a pair actually) as I also DJ weddings. So I tried it through that and found it "interesting". I completely understand the concept of "mic'd cab sound" and all that jazz, and probably could go that route and be happy.
But ALAS, my question: I have seen on numerous threads and forums (Line 6, Kemper, Fractal) where people say "no no no, stay away from QSC and other such "P.A" speakers as they aren't TRULY FRFR". But isn't the whole selling point of FRFR that you are going to be hearing at home/ studio/ practice/ on stage EXACTLY what the audience is hearing? Don't they HEAR you through the P.A. SPEAKERS? Shouldn't we be dialling in P.A. speakers then? Because if you're going to tell me that my QSC isn't going to cut it, well this is confusing to me. If I dial in my perfect tone on a TRULY FRFR speaker, and then say "THIS is exactly what the crowd is gonna hear! YAY!!!"... well isn't that inaccurate, seeing as the sound guy is then going to pump your signal in to a damn QSC K12 (or other such speaker) anyway?
I can see where this may sound like I am being snarky or already have my mind made up, or whatnot... but I promise you I am genuinely asking because I am confused :) It is making me want to just stick to my good old fashioned way of playing thru a real cab and mic'ing it, and not worrying about what the crowd is hearing, as we have done for decades, LOL. (but I AM intrigued by the idea of going FOH/FRFR and am considering getting a Friedman ASM-12 or ASC-12, but will; my QSC be just fine after all???)