ENGL Fireball 25 vs Ironball SE! Comparing Two EPIC "Lunchbox" amps!
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- Thanks for watching my EPIC comparison of the ENGL Amplification Fireball 25 and the Ironball Special Edition SE. Which one would you pick and why? Let me know!
Watch my in-depth review of the Ironball SE here: • INSANE Lunchbox Amp?! ...
Watch my in-depth review of the Fireball 25 here: • ENGL Fireball 25 Revie...
RedSeven Amplification Amp Central Review & Demo: • AMAZING Reactive Load!...
York Audio Impulse Responses: www.yorkaudio.co/
Thanks for watching! Please subscribe along with the bell and follow SDS at:
/ sonicdrivestudio
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/ jon_symons
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction & Feature Comparison
02:58 Fireball 25 Clean
04:39 Ironball SE Clean
06:14 Isolated AB Back To Back Comparison Clean
08:32 Fireball 25 Crunch
10:24 Ironball SE Crunch
12:23 Isolated AB Back To Back Comparison Crunch
14:36 Fireball 25 Heavy
16:37 Ironball SE Heavy
18:49 Isolated AB Back To Back Comparison Heavy
20:55 Fireball 25 Heavy 8-String
22:22 Ironball SE Heavy 8-String
23:46 Isolated AB Back To Back Comparison Heavy 8-String
25:03 Conclusion
#engl #fireball25 #ironball #ironballse #comparison #tubeamp
Which one is your favorite?? Let me know!
I own the FIREBALL 25 and I'm very happy with it. The Ironball sounded a little bit thinner to me, but also quiet good.
Last week i ordered an EVH 5150 III EL 34 50 WATT and connected it to my ENGL 212 Pro Cabinet - in my Opinion the EVH beats the ENGL Fireball, much more gain and much more agressive tone for my ears. (I like playing Songs from Anthrax, Metallica, Maiden, Helloween, Slayer and so on).
Great video! I personally prefer the Fireball 25. It has an overall bigger and more dynamic sound. The Ironball SE sounds great to my ears, but it sounds a little more flat across every gain setting. It's obvious that has been created to please more modern requirements (extended range guitars), but the added features, make it a tough choice to get any of this little beast 😅😅 .
Fireball!
Fireball. The 6L6 power tubes give it a bigger sound. Both are great, though.
Your ideas are making amps sounding better than they are.
Man, a Fireball 25SE would rule the world. The Ironball sounds great, but I think it lacks the low end grunt of the big bottle Fireball 25. I think EVERYONE here wants the SE features, but in the Fireball 25 😁
Spot on
there is a pedal from GUP tech called QueBec, it really changes the low end response of an amp if the amp dont have that features but u know its extra buck.
I was thinking the same thing!
I have that pedal don't waste your money @@yousocrazy1199
Should put 6v6s in the ironball.
I can't imagine a better value in tube amps than the Ironball SE. I had the original ironball then got the SE and it is legitimately an all in one recording solution. And it's adorably tiny. The fireball sounds brilliant here too and I might need to pick one up. Your videos are bad for my wallet.
Always super high quality videos. Thank you!
Love your detailed reviews and your demo tunes are really exceptional. I can tell it takes a lot of work. Thanks heaps! As for the amps I can't help preferring the tightness of the Ironball even though it's way more expensive and has stuff on it I really don't need or will every use - darn it.
man you have so many cool videos i've queued up to watch ! This comparison was exactly what i was looking for. I'll be getting the SE hopefully later this year.
Man I've watched a few of your ENGL amp revies now and your 8 string songs are REALLY catchy lol. Also the reviews are great and super in depth!
Man, you would deserve a LOT more subs.
Exceptional quality videos you make and they help a lot when deciding on particular amps.
Your work excels the majority of similar channels.
Earned my sub, thanks for the videos.
That 8string heavy with the fireball sound at21:22 pretty much nails “the metal tone” imo. So awesome!!!
Thx for sharing
Gotta say, the Ironball SE sounds slightly tighter and more aggressive in the mix! Awesome work as always Jon! Keep up the great work!
Thanks for doing this! I've been wanting to see these two side by side. I think the Fireball 25 is my favorite. There's just a little extra grit in the sound that I like better than the Ironball SE. They're both great, though. Starting to get a little obsessed with the Fireball 25, TBH. Like, "sell my current gear to get money" obsessed, lol.
Get the FB25, you will not regret it. It an EXCELLENT amp.
This helped me to decide, now i have the Fireball 25 for nearly a year and it's even better than expected.
I purchased it mainly to use at home but now i also often carry it to the rehearsal room and use it instead of the big old Invader 100 because it's easier to set up and it kinda sounds better. New favorite amp, very versatile, money well spent!
Woooooooooo boyyyy them that there Fireball 25 thang is mighty nice with that 8 stringer! Awesome demo dude as always 🤟👽
After receiving January salary, i'm going to get myself Fireball 25. That sound on 8 string ... Love your videos, and thank you for the video, and also for perfect timing :D Cheers
I had recently purchased the Fireball 25 after comparing that and the Ironball SE. I thought they sounded pretty similar in clips online, but I did not need all the features if the Ironball. Hearing them back to back, I think the Ironball sounds really good, but I made the right choice as I prefer the Fireball sound. It's more open to me and less compressed, which I prefer. Great video as always!
I wish you would do a video with this exact Fireball tone in the Helix :D this is pure gold!
Now that I have the Fireball 25, I guess I'm gonna' have to get Ironball SE because of this video. At this point yer' just fueling my addiction haha. Seriously good demo/playing as always.
Absolutely the best musical demos and comparisons I've ever heard! Thanks for this, exactly what I was after! (Fireball wins)
Thanks for the comparison video!!! Can you do a comparison video with the marshall DSL and the JVM?
I picked up a Fireball a few weeks ago and I LOVE this thing! Sounds very rowdy yet controlled. I put a MXR 10 band eq in the FX loop and it has really pushed the sound to a whole other level! Sounds fantastic with my Hesu and Mesa cabs. One thing to note is the built-in noise gate is really good. I’m curious about the Ironball but feel totally satisfied with the Fireball.
Great review as always. IMO the clean channel leans towards the Fireball but not sure if it's simply that extra 5 ponies mid-boost giving it more oomph. As for the crunch and high gain stuff the I-Ball's tightness, like others have mentioned , is the differentiator here. Throw a 7 or 8 string at it and it sounds even better and incredibly defined and punchy. My little guy runs this through a Peavy 1x12 with a Celestion G12 Greenback and it is amazing how crisp and powerful it sounds. There is no doubt the SE punches above its weight class but I would be seriously remiss if I didn't say both sound great and I would not kick either one of them out of bed for eating crackers.
the comparison i waited for so long !! to my ears f25 sounds better , I guess this will be my next amp.
in the same price bluguitar amp1 iridium is also a good choice , review it if you can find one , is phenomenal , I have it 5 months now and I am still in the honeymoon!
Besides your really detailed reviews the songs you compose are always superb. Especially the first one here reminds me of Opeth somehow... By the way, I have the Ironball and I love it for I can use it in my Vintage style band playing a Strat and a Flying V but also in my technical Death Metal band with my Jackson Kelly!
Oh, you can use both of these amps for that. Still though: grats for an awesome huge sounding little amp :)
Chose the SE. Both sound terrific but the SE has so many features.
Thx a lot for your reviews, they are a great help. 👍🏼🤘🏼
...and a 60percent higher price tag.
Keep it up! Nice comparison
What I gather form this great comparison is that both sound awesome!
Though I think it is possible to let the Ironball sound like the Fireball to 99% by turning up the bass slightly and taking away some of the mids.
As I will have the Ironball soon, I will try exactly this. I want to replace my beloved Engl E650 Ritchie Blackmore with the Ironball to have a lighter and more versatile package. The sound of the E650 is about in the middle of the Ironball and Fireball.
edit: I get why you chose to take the same settings for both to compare. But I think it would be an even better comparison to tune both amps to sound the best or as similar as possible and then compare in which direction you had to go to achieve it. This could be one section of the video, so doesn't need to be for the whole video.
Especially in terms of the mix this is almost detrimental, as you can hear that the mix is fine tuned to the sound of the Fireball, not the Ironball. The bass guitar for example would need a bit more upper bass to complement the Ironball compared to the Fireball.
Love all your videos and have watched most of them. One request, could you do a video with the Ironball SE, but instead of using the RedSeven, could you use the SE's internal IR's direct into your audio interface/DAW?
I picked up the Fireball 25 yesterday. I love it.
Wow! You are one great musician - I really enjoyed that clean guitar piece ... reminds me of Randy Rhoads and Stevie Blaze :)
Phew... I made the right choice. I picked up the fireball 25 last week as I found a good deal and am glad it's more my taste after all.
Great playing and demonstration
Man, Jon, that Fireball 25 really sounds massive when it comes to the heavy riffage. This was a great comparison between the two. But, I'm gonna stick with the Fireball 25. Thanks for taking the time to be so thorough. Cheers from Texas.
Awesome video Jon as allways!Engls are definitely some of the best high gain amps out there!
They are absolutely awesome! Agreed!
Haha agreed, but they are so much more than just high gain amps. You are not wrong though :)
I have the fireball 25. I was not aware of the SE with all the options until after the fact. After listening, I made the right decision. I also have a helix hx without the amp modeler so I am happy.
Can you switch channels using Helix? I have HX Stomp XL and I am thinking about this amp.
Great Job!! 👍🏻
I really like the Fireball 25 more.
IronballSE is like a swiss army knife all around AMP 👌🏻
Wish there will be a Fireball 25SE in a near future, that would be my choice definitely 🙏🏻
YES! Thank you so much for making this video, I have been anxiously waiting for it! Awesome riffs, excellent tones, and great comparo. I recently purchased the Ironball SE and ever since my thoughts have been, I love it BUT should I have gone with the Fireball 25?
IMHO the Fireball 25 seemed to provide extended highs, extended lows, a little more presence and a more rich sound. The Ironball sounded great but smaller and "boxy" kinda dull and or flat in the highs and lows.
The Ironball SE does have Gain Boost feature and what I found is that when used is a secret weapon that REALLY takes the lead channel to that next level missing when not activated.
Am I crazy? Maybe..
What are your thoughts on using the Ironball on lead channel with the gain boost feature compared to the Fireball when playing heavy riffs on 6-stringers, ha ha?
Crunch with the Fireball was nice but I love the Ironball's EL84 sound, without a doubt.
Great Job! I own the Ironball SE and its a great amp but, wouldn't recommend it if you like pedals. It doesn't respond well to some of them. Its more of an all in one amp. Also the noise gate will cut off effects in the loop like reverb etc. Another crazy thing I found is that the pre amp controls for both the clean and lead actually change the sound of the power amp section or at least if you are running through the loop. I had the Kraken Pre amp running though there and If I change the channel or settings on the Ironball I would get completely different sounds with the Kraken.
Definitely the Ironball SE sounds more to my taste, the EL84s probably play an important role here. Nice music buddy!!
Definitely the Fireball for me. I just think it's more direct and in your face sounding, more punchy palm mutes too. Just more suited to the sounds I like and I don't really ever use effects.
I'm an Ironball SE owner and bought it for the tight sound, which is pretty much the same conclusion you came to. Sounds like I bought the right amp!
Same here. I originally wanted the fireball but it was out of stock so I tried out the ironball and fell in love with the tone. Very tight and sounds really good with green backs
@@markolivares6943 I use a Cannabis Rex and Jensen Electric Lightning with mine.
Geez I love ENGL amps. I loved these both!
Since I bought Fireball25 and DSL20( thanks to your channel) my double Rec and Savage 60 Mkll el34 just crying in the corner and want to be played again 🤣🤣🤣✌🏻🤟🏻
Hey John! Awesome riffs as usual!
Have you ever considered releasing the tracks in a lossless format?
I completely agree!!!
They both sound great. The fireball has a low end/bass response that I would cleave out in a mix to make way for the kick and bass drum anyway so for recording purposes there isn’t a whole lot of difference here. Think I’m gonna get the iron ball. Appreciate the demo. The extra features on iron ball.
The riffs you played during the Stephen Carpenter guitar section where just awesome and they really make me want to play some heavy music! I'm a drummer but I would take either guitar amp they both sound fantastic!
8 string playing is awesome, would love to get that Engl Fireball
I prefer the extended low end in the Fireball, but they both sound great 🤘
The Fireball 25 packs 6L6 tubes, they tend to drive lower tunings better. It also sounds quite close to the large form factor. The Ironball is an amp in its own class.
Nothing beats the Fireball sound in my opinion! I am really eager to hear a Powerball 2 in real life, as I have heard people say it can do what the Fireballs do and more.
I have an older brother of a regular E606, and I also had a choice of this Fireball25. And it was generally a good choice. It works with any type of metal, it is more full, and with a pack of Hesu 212 on Demons it sows fear and destruction. Recommend
I always played V30s and sometimes a Greenback. Mostly V30s though. I listened to the Hesu cab loaded with Demons vs V30s (The other John Browns channel). I need to mix one of each now in a 212 cab. Great speaker, the Demon. Togther with the classic V30 it could destroy. Hurraaaaaah!
Damn this is the exact video I needed haha. Honestly if I didn't have the pedals that I have my pick would be the fireball purely on what it has, the ironball is a bit leaner, tighter in the bass end. It would add more to my rig than the fireball would at this point.
Hi John, would like to ask if you can use a line6 helix to control the channel switching and also add effects infront (od) and after (verb/delays) on the engl fireball25? I really like how the fireball25 sounds but hesitant to buy one for this reason. Thanks John!
Wish they would do a powerball lunchbox with the direct out options the ironball has, because I *love* the sound of the powerball ii so much, I just want it in a smaller more convenient amp.
Man those 5 watts really change the vibe...Gotta dig that low end on the Fire...
For me the Fireball wins with more clarity due to different mid frequencies. BTX the Fireball sounds better in this videos than in your PRS MT 15 vs ENGLE Fireball comparison. I think it's due to your presence setup that you've pushed a bit higher this time :)
So happy for this video for me personally. I recently ordered the Ironball SE and was wondering if I made a mistake. I have been ruminating over the Fireball 25 for about a year. I like the extra features of the Ironball and can change the power tubes later if I want. Your video comparisons are simply the best!! The A B switching is so helpful!! A person can’t go wrong with either amp. They both sound incredible!! 🤘🏻
Thanks! :)
You'll love the Ironball SE, I put mine through a 12" 70 watt Jensen Electric Lightning and it sounds fantastic! Not as tight as it is in this video. Which cab/speaker you play it through will make a difference.
@@Achilleion If I were splitting hairs I find the FB to have better all around tone. However, because I will not be doing an A B at home; the IB wins my money simply due to the additional features. At times I had to make sure I was looking at the screen to know which one I was hearing. If the FB had all the same features I would have ordered it without a doubt. I know I will be stoked when the IB shows up.
@@docsworld1369 There's a lot of demo's for the IB SE with guys cranking the lows and mids and it's an entirely different animal. This video was unfair because he did it at comparable settings. There will be settings where the IB has the better tone.
@@Achilleion super excited!! These two are just incredible!
Ritchie Blackmore said for a reason he only uses the first channel of his signature Engl amp. The second channel was just added for marketing reasons (because customers might want to have a second channel with higher gain).
Подскажите пожалуйста, когда отключаешь выход на кабинет и берёшь линейный сигнал из усилителя в звуковую карту, теряется ли влияние оконечника?
Rocking a Fireball 25 since 3 years, for Thrash and Melodic Death. It does wonders in both style.
In love with the Fireball. Thought it might get usurped by the Ironball but not in this video.
Dude I really am interested in purchasing the Iron ball SE. The versatility is great and the cleans with the effects like ehco, reverb and such captures a great sound. The 25 demonstrated here sounds fatter and thicker during the clean tones. I'm confused because they are both great amps and idk what to buy
Did you decided and get any??? I'm on the fence regarding the Ironball SE Vs EVH 5150 LBX S
I really like your sound in the examples - very tasty.
But unfortunately you don't show the effectiveness of the EQ (especially of the midrange) which is very crucial when buying a heavy sounding amp.
In future videos could you please add a section where the riff gets played through a looper and you turn the knobs to show the whole band of the EQ as well as different settings?
I like the sound of the Fireball a tad more. But the features on the Ironball are a for sure selling point. Just get a nice overdrive to dirty up the Ironballs distortion a bit more and it'll be fine!
Awesome tones. I love all the features on the SE, seems like a great all-in-one. Do you consider that to be a lunchbox amp?
Yes
Got the Fireball and I would take it again. I just like that wildness and bit more open sound over the tight and focused one of the Ironball. That said, wouldn't mind having the Ironball sitting on top of my Fireball either ;)
Haha for sure! But with a drive, some compression and EQ and you could also get a very tight sound from the F25 too
Can i also use my headphones with these amps?
@@MegaAndyGG yes with ironball.
Very close. Fireball is a touch more scooped and has a tiny bit more hair in the high mids. Which makes Ironball, in comparison, feel slightly less aggressive and more refined as a result. Dunno, I'd be equally happy with either. Though as Helix user, I do love the Fireball model, and Fireball 25 has that exact same character, so by a tiny margin Fireball wins for me.
If i had the money i would want both! But i think i still prefer the fireball feels more aggressive!
What are you playing ? It sounds very amazing at begining…- there is some Ktulu in it, BUT in your own way! Great!!!😋
I have the FB25 and couldn't be happier. I went with that one because of the full sized 6L6 tubes. I never like the EL84s, when those amp are turned up they seems to loose fullness in my opinion. I have used the FB25 in live situations and it is extremely loud enough and full. I dont even conciser it a lunchbox amp.
Well, its not a lunchbox amp so i think you consider right. Very versatile even though most play hardrock and metal on it. My next amp. I only play at home nowadays so i should rather use money on a really good pair of studio-monitors or a high end modeller, but effing nothing beats a new amp :)
I love my Ironball SE, super versatile and killer tone. I just have to find a proper midi foot controller for it.
I have the same amp, I got the Engl Z12 controller, very nice but I wish it came with a better manual.
Hx stomp is a good "midi controller" :)
@@dryzd was always curious if the HX Stomp could switch channels on an amp. Might have to try that out
@@Wyatth58 I am using XL version it with revv g20 and working great. I strongly recommend this unit.
They're very close in goodness, but I slightly prefere the FB25, more low punch and less mid! 🤘🏼💣
I like the fireball 25 more. At first the ironball seems to cut a bit better, and is brighter. But it does sounds much more compressed. Because of that the fireball sounds more dynamic and responsive. That's why I would go with the fireball.
Tbh, I much preferred the FB25 in basically all different tones here. Both the clean and crunch I outright disliked the IBSE sounds :/ The only place where the IBSE sounded interesting and on par (but different) with the FB25 was in the high gain tones. Feeling pretty good about my FB25 purchase :) Still want the IBSE one day though to expand my sounds XD But it's probably going pretty far down on my wish list as there are more interesting amps out there.
Now we just need to compare these with the Mesa Mini Rec, Mini Marks (V25/V35) and the Peavey 6505MH to round out the comparison :D
Great video as always, Jon!
PS! That clean progression totally gave me Diablo 2 vibes, ha ha ;)
Put the IBSE through a 12" Jensen Electric Lightning and it'll change your opinion ;)
Good review. I was wondering about these two. I’m probably leaning on the SE side mainly because of the ability to connect it to my mac. Apartment living and all that.
Just a quick Q - know you always mention the York plug-in you use ; what are you editing in Logic Pro, Studio One ? Thx for these videos and greetings from NZ 🎸🤘🍻
Don't know about Fireball, but the Ironball is not only engineered but build in Germany.
Nice video!
You need to do a video with a Fortin Sigil!
will be nice see a comparation engl fireball 25 vs engl metalmaster 20 / or also 40 ...... and the ironball vs the rock master
i like the bigger tubes apparently
I may have missed it but does the Ironball SE have to be connected to a cab? Or can it function on its own do to the powersoak?
Both have a power soak!
Could you the Engl savage? Next? :)
Fireball win. I love the low end and the fat sound
Very glad I went with the Ironball SE, but I do see a Fireball in my future. Just dont tell my wife. Haha
I honestly just love the Ironball’s voicing, it’s becoming my absolute favourite metal amp out there! I think it’s because it’s so tight and at high gain levels it doesn’t have the fizz I can’t stand with high gain amps! 🤘🏻
Yeah it's a very unique and very good amp with its own voice!
I just realized that tone depends SO MUCH on the parts being played. I preferred the raw brutality of the Ironball for the 8-string single note-pedal note stuff. I could hear the synths a bit better in the background. The Fireball sounds artificial? Processed? Scooped for sure. The Fireball sounds much bigger and open on the chord strumming, whereas the Ironball sounds muffled. But then again, a bit later, the Ironball takes away that ear pearcing edge on that picked barred chord. You really need to tune whatever amp you have for each part of a song. Just take a look at Periphery/Misha Mansoor guitar tone/recording videos. Until now I kinda thought they do it excessively. From now on I will always try to tailor my tone for each section of a song, so it will never be too polite/hollow/harsh/muffled. Ofc you can't do that live with a real amp. But you could do it with a modeler :) big win for the digital gear. Overall I would choose the Fireball for the top end clarity and bottom end, since you can always take away frequencies, but can't add them back.
I would love to see the fx loop out of the iron ball into the return of the fireball. Effectively giving the iron ball the power section of the fireball
What's funny is that when I saw the special edition on Gear Gods my instant reaction was that it sounded a little thin and raw compared to what I remember the other small ENGLs sounded like. This confirmed what I heard the first time. I wonder what they changed to make such a difference.
I'm not sure what you mean? I don't think it sounds thin but it has a tight low-end.
@@SonicDriveStudio The cleans on the Ironball don't bloom in the bottom end in quite the same way as the Fireball. In general the Fireball to me sounds just a little be less compressed than the Ironball and that lets the sound bloom overall a little more. Whichever I would prefer would depend on the application. The Ironball I would love to use for my jazz/blues cover band whereas the Fireball I would use in the metal band I play in. I really hope they launch a Fireball 25 SE with the same delay/boost/reveb/mvb features as the Ironball. It just makes gigging life that bit easier.
@@SonicDriveStudio I wouldn't say its thin overall, just in comparison, the lower-mids aren't as thick. It also has noticeably less compression, which I think is also contributing to that perception.
@@Sound_Stable it's has a rather rolled off bottom end.
The Cleansound Ironball se sounds more clear i think?!
I like to get a Fireball 25, but it’s out of my price range right now!
Got rid of my PRS MT15, it was too noisy!
P 6505+ Combo 60W is a lot of amp for rather small coin. Use it as a head into your fave cab, or either change the stockspeaker or be happy :) Just found an almost unplayed one cheap. Thinking of buying it. This is in Europe and still only 350 USD. Sounds evil even with the master real low.
Fireball for the win. Something in the low end is thicker and it has more grit.
...damn I am stuck between choosing the Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 40 or the Engl Fireball 25. Any advice?
Fireball
Thanks a lot!@@SonicDriveStudio
The fireball anyday....and is much cheaper.....It has a nicer fuller sound.....I d like to see a comparison between this fireball and the Orange OR15 as I am undecided between the 2. What do you think? Thanks ;)
Damn... I was really going for the SE due to all the features, but then I heard the sound comparison between these two and man... the Fireball 25 wins for me also, BUT I think I should try them in person. I hope I can get my hands on both in a music store or something.
They are both awesome!
@@SonicDriveStudio Yeah, I know :D so far, my top list is this:
- ENGL Fireball 25
- ENGL Ironball 20 SE
- REVV G20
- Mesa/Boogie Rectifier Badlander 25
- H&K Grandmeister Deluxe 40
I have until next summer to get one ;)
And from this list, @Sonic Drive Studio , still the Fireball 25?
@@TheJuliokan can't go wrong with that one
I will get both. .
both sound awesome, the fireball more metal, the ironball more wilder :)
Fireball 😍😍😍😍
The ironball clean and lead channels were way better to my ears. I preferred the crunch tone on the fireball.
Hmm. The se sounds a wee bit darker. Whereas the fb sounds a tad more open. Cleans def go to the fireball. Distortionwise I prefer the fb as well but the se is no slouch. Just a different flavor.
the ironball is a bit nasal in comparison. i have an IB (non-SE), but i think if the fireball was available back when i bought the IB i would have picked the fireball. what they really need is a small savage/artist edition/blackmore.
Anyone know if the E600 Ironball Combo sounds the same as this Ironball SE head? There are very few videos about the E600 Ironball Combo and if it sounds just as good as this Ironball SE head then I want the combo.
I would assume that the amps are very similar, it's just that the combo has a speaker attached. It could be worth it to just send ENGL a message though
@@SonicDriveStudio Thanks for the answer.