Bringing back front-end effects, and I'm stumped on my switcher choices! Please help!

https://i.imgur.com/X2Vpcs0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5WKO9gv.jpg

Provided above is the picture of my current state of front-end effects. Later down the road, I plan to secure a second Captor X for going stereo direct with my Fryette 2902, a second compressor pedal for slap guitar tones and either an octaver or an EVH phaser.

Now, here is where I'm stumped. I'm using the ISP Decimator ProRack G with my Synergy SYN-2 before everything goes into the Fractal Axe-FX III for post-FX only. For clean tones, because the ISP Decimator ProRack G is not MIDI-compatible, I don't have a way of bypassing the noise gate at will without dedicating two loops in the switching system specifically for the SYN-2 (which will remain always on) and the channel 2 noise gate, so that I can bypass the noise gate manually whenever I'm playing clean tones.

The rack shelf I'm using right now is the Middle Atlantic UD1 rack shelf. As you guys can probably already tell, it's not a huge amount of space. Upscaling the rack shelf to a Penn Elcom unit might help a bit, but I don't expect it to work wonders, and given this current setup I have doubts as to whether I'll be able to fit a Voodoo Lab HEX or an RJM Mini Effect Gizmo X onto the shelf. (Actually in fact, I don't think I'll be able to fit the MEG X at all given how tight the space is gonna be for patch cables.)

So at this point, I only have one of two options:

OPTION 1: Downscale compressor #2 to a mini compressor such as a Xotic SP or Wampler Ego Mini. While mini compressor pedals are noisy AF, at least this will allow me to make room for the Voodoo Lab HEX so that I can fit patch cables through for the Synergy SYN-2 and channel 2 of my ISP noise gate.

OR

OPTION 2: Upscale the switching system to an RJM Effect Gizmo or a Voodoo Lab GCX. This means I'll have to compromise on a backup power amp to my Fryette 2902, but at the very least this will allow me to avoid compromises on my front-end pedals, and potentially allow me to make room for additional front-end pedals that may allow me to phase out the Digitech Whammy Ricochet.

What do you guys think? Should I downscale my second compressor to an Xotic SP or Wampler Ego Mini, or should I upscale my switching system to an RJM Effect Gizmo, even if it means having to forego any hopes of getting a backup power amp?

You are WAY down the Rabbit Hole, my friend... I've been there and it's why rack systems for guitar went out of fashion for 15, 20 years or so... if you can't afford to hire a helper with money to spare for the best of everything it's a trick proposition.

In answer to your question I pose another question: how often do you use the compressor? Is it just for clean sounds or is it going to be contributing noise to your gained out metal solo sounds? You see where I'm going with this.

Also, it won't look as cool but you need more ventilation in that gear. In fact you may want to reverse the order of devices so the tube gear ventilates to the top... despite the fans your power amp is heating the underside of your preamp PCBs and both of them are cooking thatprocey fractal. Heat rises, flimsy PCBs like the sort in digital processors are very heat sensitive.

Oh man, compressors are a staple in my repertoire, not just for clean tones but also for mid-gain tones where at least one of my compositions I'm writing utilize slap guitar, which we all know require much more aggressive compression, hence why I need two different compressors for different purposes.

Also, I tried to reverse the order of the gear but unfortunately, I just couldn't do so. Because of how the Fryette 2902 is extremely heavy AF, trying to put it on top will not only risk injury to my arms (I don't have much arm muscles FYI), I also risk damaging the Fryette power amp every time I have to pull it out for maintenance, so the 2902 is gonna have to stay where it is at the bottom. My goal at this point is to try and work around the 2902 being at the bottom.

Update to the situation:

I'm selling the Axe-FX III. Seriously, fuck those tyrants who decide to denigrate anyone they disagree with. I'm going back to Strymon's and Eventide, and NEVER. LOOKING. BACK. Modelling solutions do not work, they never did work, and they never will work for me.

Fractal Audio, you've just become the bass player of modelling solutions, so much in fact that I'm actually starting to see redeeming qualities of stompboxes.

I gotta be honest, the route you're going should just have tons of studio gear. With what you're into I'd it were me I would've just scavenged my recording equipment for this rack... like hook up a proco r2dU and an 1176 or RNC or both in loops and get an eventide orville on reverb! I still really dig the TC g system with the integrated floorboard. It's a bit dated but sounds fine for modulation and delay/verb... and it's the heart of your rig control-wise. Might not be good enough for you. I thought I was fussy but you?

I just recently reacquired my Strymon TimeLine and BigSky. These are never, EVER leaving my rig as they are tried and true, and the shimmer reverb and delay effects are FAR superior compared to the Fractal.

Lesson learned, don't give in to the modelling scam that Fractal fanboys are selling these days. Their advice is just about as reliable as online marketing advertisements.

I'm gonna post a new thread regarding the chorus unit I'm looking for.