If you’re a modeling guitar player, using the likes of the Quad Cortex (or any other modeler like a Kemper or Line 6 Helix) like me and you’re on the hunt for the best FRFR (Full Range, Flat Response) cab for your Neural DSP Quad Cortex – the Laney LFR cabs are easily the top choice if you actually value the sound of those effects and amp models you’ve spent AGES creating – and this is why!
I’m not just saying this, but I’ve tried many different FRFR cabs, but only one stood out for its usability and quality of sound: the Laney LFR series of FRFR guitar cabs. These cabs weren’t just good, they were great and the sound and usability was tailored to the Quad Cortex, almost like they were meant to be – like Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne – it just worked!
So if you’re thinking of buying a FRFR cabinet for your Quad Cortex, Here are 5 reasons why the Laney LFR is the best FRFR cab for Quad Cortex users, with a little of my own experience thrown in.
The Laney LFR series is the best FRFR cab for the Quad Cortex, because of its flat 47Hz–20kHz frequency response and custom 12” drivers with LaVoce compression which reproduce the Quad Cortex’s amp models with unmatched clarity. Built-in cab emulation frees the Quad Cortex’s SHARC DSP for complex patches, while LA·IR technology supports direct IR loading. Features like DI out and aux input make it a plug-and-play option for gigs while preserving that pristine sound you need in the studio and at gigs.
One of the reasons we buy the Quad Cortex is because of its SHARC DSP – it’s easily the best feature – so it makes sense to get an FRFR cab that can keep up with it. As the Quad Cortex’s SHARC DSP is super accurate with amp and effect modeling, to really hear the details you need an FRFR cab that can not only handle it but allow you to hear the intricate nuances of the amp and effects modeling. The Laney LFR’s flat frequency response and high-quality drivers ensure every detail of your modeled tones is delivered in precise detail without ANY colouration – unless you want it to be.
Pictured: Laney LFR-112 FRFR cabinet
I’m a gigging guitarist, so when I play I know that there’s going to be a bit of a difference in the “set up at home” sound and the “live” sound. But, when I plugged my Quad Cortex into the Laney LFR-112 with a tonne of different presets set for my gig, I was pretty excited about how it sounded as it was just as good as it was at home when I was dialling everything in. I was using clean Fender Twin tones and for the “heavy sections of songs” i was using the more aggressive tones of the Soldano SLO-100 – sounded exactly as I wanted them to. The LFR’s clarity made my Neural DSP’s cab simulation block shine and preserved my tones during rehearsals and live shows.
One of the highlights was using the Quad Cortex’s Archetype Plini model with reverb and delay as the LFR pumped out the effects so clearly I felt like I was rocking out in a cathedral. It was like the Laney LFR was designed for the Quad Cortex.
Digital modelers like the Quad Cortex are super flexible which is why we want them, right? But having an FRFR cab that can adapt to your setup makes them so much more useful. The Laney LFR’s switchable cabinet emulation and IR capabilities offer options beyond what’s available in the Quad Cortex and actually helps you save processing power when you need it.
For medium to larger live shows I use the LFR-212 and disable the Quad Cortex’s cab sim and use the Laney’s built in emulation. This allows me to conserve the Quad Cortex’s processing for effect heavy patches. Recently I set up a scene with the Neural DSP Archetype Nolly amp model, blending a high gain rhythm tone with ambient delays. I used the LFR’s 4×12 emulation and got a room-filling cab sound without maxing out the Quad Cortex’s DSP.
At home, I used the Laney LFR-412 and made use of the Laney’s LFR-412’s LA·IR technology and got the room-filing sound of the 4×12 cab using the DI emulated OUT directly to my DAW while using the Quad Cortex for effects all without making a sound in the room – it was like I was recording in a world class studio with the amps completely opened up. The Laney LFR-412 is also the best FRFR cab for larger style venues and festivals too, as you can get that 4×12 feel of real air being pushed around when you’re onstage.
FRFR cabs are built with technical precision but often lack the feel and stage presence of a traditional guitar cab – let’s be honest we love the way guitar cabs look, but traditional FRFR speakers just look like, well, a PA speaker! The Laney LFR series bridges that gap, giving guitarists the look and feel of a real guitar cab – because it is!
Pictured: Both Guthrie Govan and Devin Townsend use Laney LFR cabs.
Using the Laney LFR-212 with my Quad Cortex at band practice felt like playing through a high-end tube amp and I looked the part too – did I mention the LED lights on the front look incredible? The cab’s angled design directed the sound right at me so I could lock in with the band. The HF Trim Control was a lifesaver when we moved to a smaller rehearsal space – I dialled back the highs just enough to suit the room without compromising the Quad Cortex’s tone.
Looks wise the LFR sits right next to a half stack, which is important if you want your rig to look as good as it sounds.
And yes, I’ll mention the LED lights again – they just look rad on stage!
Whether you’re gigging, recording or practising you need a cab that’s powerful and if you’re trying to create an ampless guitar rig or building a digital guitar rig you need it to be portable. The Laney LFR series has options to suit any situation – read the power ratings below.
Pictured: The Laney LFR-212 cabinet is best FRFR cab for digital guitar rigs on mid to large size venues.
For smaller gigs and rehearsals I’ve been running the Laney LFR-112 as 400w is plenty to fill a room and the lightweight design makes it easy to carry alongside my Quad Cortex because I’m trying to slim my rig down. At a bigger venue where we were headlining, I paired the Quad Cortex with the Laney LFR-412 and unleashed the 2600w so I could hear myself onstage – because let’s be honest, we want to be able to feel that amp onstage, not just through monitor speakers on stage. Even at high volumes, the sound was incredible as all my specific effects and amp models came through beautifully – best of all, they sounded the same at every venue.
Watch Devin Townsend talk about his Laney LFR full range cabinets – LFR-412, LFR-212 and LFR-112
At the end of the day, a good FRFR cab should work with your digital rig to complement it and the Laney LFR does – this is why the Laney LFR cab is the best FRFR cab for Quad Cortex. Its features complement the Quad Cortex’s, or any amp modeler for that matter because Laney made it as easy to use, as flat sounding as possible (in a good way) and gave you the option to use built-in cab sims to save on processing space.
The Aux Input is a lifesaver when it comes to rehesring new parts or just jamming at home. I plug my phone into the LFR and run backing tracks through the Quad Cortex’s Looper. The DI Out with cab emulation has also been a life saver at gigs where I had to do direct to FOH. The sound techs loved the clarity (and the fact sound check is WAY faster) and I loved not having to compromise my tone at any venue.
One gig that stands out was when I used the Quad Cortex’s MIDI to automate patch changes during a long set. The LFR reproduced every note perfectly, it was clear this cab was the best FRFR can for the Quad Cortex as it just sounded exactly how I needed it to.
Pictured: The Laney LFR-412 – the worlds first (and only) 4×12 FRFR cab!
After running the Laney LFR cabs for quite a while at home and at gigs, it’s clear the Laney LFR series is the best FRFR cab for Quad Cortex users or ANY digital modellers for that matter as we all know the reasons why modelers need FRFR cabs. From its clarity and versatility at gigs and in the home studio to design and integration these Laney LFR FRFR guitar cabs cover everything I need and to be honest, I’m never going back to any other FRFR speakers. Whether you’re a touring musician, studio player or bedroom player the Laney LFR is the perfect FRFR cab for your digital rig whether you use Quad Cortex, Line 6 Helix or Kempers – or any for that matter. Just try them out and see why they’re the best FRFR cabinets for guitarists today.
I did and I’m never going to use anything else.