Fractal Audio

Rig Rundown: Propagandhi

March 21, 2018

Politically charged prog-punkers Chris Hannah, Todd Kowalski, and Sulynn Hago of Propagandhi take PG through their road rigs.

Fractal Audio Systems Presents the X-Load LB-2 Reactive Load Box

March 2, 2018

Press Release

The LB-2 provides both balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4" line-level jacks plus a speaker thru for connecting an external speaker cabinet while using the DI outputs.

Fractal Audio Launches the Axe-Fx III

January 31, 2018

Press Release

The unit features a totally new user interface featuring a color display with five corresponding push knobs.

Rig Rundown: Devin Townsend

January 17, 2018

John Bohlinger

In one of our funnest-ever RR shoots, the original Strapping Young Lad waxes giddy and witty explaining his signature axe, pickups, and all-digital setup.

Rig Rundown: Periphery [2017]

December 27, 2017

Chris Kies

Behind-the-scenes details on the three-headed guitar monster's updated signature axes (and pickups), and their unusual reliance on a blend of 20th- and 21st-century amp technology.

Rig Rundown: Animals as Leaders [2017]

December 20, 2017

Perry Bean

Investigate how progressive rockers Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes weave emotive jams with 16 strings, both tube heads and digital amp modelers, and a stockpile of stomps.

Gear of the Year 2017

November 7, 2017

Premier Guitar Staff

Another year, another dazzling parade of pedals, guitars, amps, modelers, and accessories that made our noggins spin.

Rig Rundown: A Perfect Circle

May 10, 2017

Chris Kies

James Iha and Matt McJunkins cover their 21st-century setups while lead guitarist Billy Howerdel shows off the range of sounds he needs to pull off the band’s expressive discography.

Mastodon’s Bill Kelliher Channels Pain and Gain

April 28, 2017

Joe Charupakorn

With hearts plagued by sorrow, new amps that go to 11, and a new ESP Sparrowhawk signature model, the 6-string riff-master and his bandmates made the powerful—at times elegiac—new album, Emperor of Sand.

Rig Rundown: Jimmy Eat World

March 8, 2017

Perry Bean

Jim Adkins and Tom Linton tossed their traditional setup to the side and packed up some P-90-loaded axes for their latest tour.

Rig Rundown: Meshuggah [2016]

December 21, 2016

Perry Bean

The Swedish metal masters eschew cabs for a mix of high-powered amps, some digital modeling, and 8-string axes.

Fractal Audio Systems AX8 Review

December 19, 2016

Joe Gore

The sounds of Axe-Fx are now available in a compact pedalboard format.

Rig Rundown: God Is an Astronaut

September 28, 2016

Chris Kies

The instrumental post-rock group shows how they mix tried-and-true instruments with modeling technology for an expansive soundscape set for orbit.

Divide and Conquer: Asking Alexandria’s Ben Bruce and Cameron Liddell

June 3, 2016

Joe Bosso

To channel their metalcore angst, the guitarists divvy up 6-string duties onstage and in the studio.

Deftones: A Little Darkness

March 10, 2016

Tzvi Gluckin

Stephen Carpenter and Chino Moreno discuss filling different guitar frequencies, tone modeling, and keeping the inspiration alive for more than two decades.

Rig Rundown: August Burns Red

January 27, 2016

Perry Bean

The Grammy-nominated outfit shows us the Ibanez guitars, Kiesel basses, and Kemper and Ampeg amps that ignite their metalcore sound.

Tone Tips: Modelers vs. Traditional Rigs, Part 2

December 23, 2015

Pete Thorn

You can keep some tradition and still take advantage of what modeling has to offer.

Dweezil Zappa: Roots and Branches

November 29, 2015

Jason Shadrick

For his first solo album in nearly a decade, Via Zammata’, the bona fide guitar geek looks to his ancestors—and his father, Frank—for inspiration and creates a wild mix of genres that’s uniquely Zappa.