Axe-FX II

[emperor_black]

The purpose of the AXE-FX is not only to emulate what you can do with real amps and pedals but to give you a chance to explore somethings that you cannot easily do in real life. For example, on the axe, you can use a 5150 model with a Uberschall tone stack. You can increase the bias all the way to 1 and never worry about burning your power tubes prematurely. You can use an Cab IR which is a mix of Uberkab + Marshall 1960. You can change the clip diode of a OD pedal without using a soldering iron.

Well, are they 100% accurate? No. But, who cares? Does the audience (in my case my 4 yr old and my wife ) know that you're not really using a Uberschall? Scar symmetry use a behringer vamp and they have such a great tone. Of course its all multi-tracking, but I digress. Its been so many days since I lifted and moved my tube heads and just taking the Mark IV up and down the stairs and to the fedex office gave me a pain in my arm for the next 2 days. LOL

[Jack Napalm]

Its been so many days since I lifted and moved my tube heads and just taking the Mark IV up and down the stairs and to the fedex office gave me a pain in my arm for the next 2 days. LOL

My MTS head has been collecting dust. I finally have to pick that damn thing up tonight. Going to a studio where hopefully it will be sold.

[emperor_black]

I still have the Bogner Uberschall to sell. That damn thing doesn't even stay up straight when lifting it up.

[Larz]

Using an AXE FX is like buying a book on how to solve a Rubik's Cube.

[RacerX]

Does the audience (in my case my 4 yr old and my wife )

"Yay Daddeeeee!"

[Trem]

The purpose of the AXE-FX is not only to emulate what you can do with real amps and pedals but to give you a chance to explore somethings that you cannot easily do in real life. For example, on the axe, you can use a 5150 model with a Uberschall tone stack. You can increase the bias all the way to 1 and never worry about burning your power tubes prematurely. You can use an Cab IR which is a mix of Uberkab + Marshall 1960. You can change the clip diode of a OD pedal without using a soldering iron.

Well, are they 100% accurate? No. But, who cares? Does the audience (in my case my 4 yr old and my wife ) know that you're not really using a Uberschall? Scar symmetry use a behringer vamp and they have such a great tone. Of course its all multi-tracking, but I digress. Its been so many days since I lifted and moved my tube heads and just taking the Mark IV up and down the stairs and to the fedex office gave me a pain in my arm for the next 2 days. LOL

One thing the axe helped me to realize is how many amps i could have maybe bought and wouldn't have ended up liking enough to keep.

Marshall or Slo. All i ever used in it really was the Slo anyway. It's why i bought it as i always wanted to try one, and it turned out it was as i had hoped. From the beginning it was the sound closest to what i like. Everything else was not even close or i ended up trying the to see if i could get the sound i was already getting from the slo emulation if it would in some way be better..but nope Slo was the one.
The mesa orange was ok to mess with, but ultimately not what i would choose in the end for myself.

I notice i like all kinds of peoples tones from all these different amp when hearing them, but playing them is totally different. Like it sounds good when they play it but the feel, grit or sustain, tightness whatever just isn't right when i play it.

Using an AXE FX is like buying a book on how to solve a Rubik's Cube.

It's not that hard really, i had made 8 patches total. I ended up sticking with the third one from that point on, which was basically the first patch with an effects chain and wah. Stuff i don't normally use but could switch on if i wanted.

In the end as far as playing live or in a band situation the axe proved to be awesome
and easy to use as a regular head - without the weight or hassle of another effects unit or pedals if you use wanted to use those.. I would say it is a great unit to use live.

Another thing about live sound. Imo trying to get or fretting with tons of time and effort
to get an "ultimate" live tone is a waste of time in a way, i mean if you can get an acceptable sound for your liking that fits in the mix within the context of the band, it's good enough.

Number 1, playing live goes by so fast and you are just more worried about playing well and being able to hear yourself -it's a total blur. And at least from the audience stand point, unless they are all guitar players there to critique your tone and every nuance.. taking into account the PA, the venue and the fact that the average person is just trying to listen to the singer. I can't see that it matters That much.
Unless your Steve Vai or something and can afford the time and manpower to do all the work required to get everything just so...fuckit.

Get an amp that you like that is loud and reliable - Plug in and play and be done with it.

The two amps that worked best from the bands that played at the Loudness show? Marshall.

[MOSHWITZ]

Sup?

I kind of find all the freaking out / Bashing/ Defending/ Dumping/ Praising, all kinda funny Myself.

you got the guys that are like " WTF?,,, I just bought this thing"
you got the guys that are like "I seen this coming"
you got the guys that are like,,,"I told you so"
Etc, Etc,,

I could go on and on about the BS on every thread blowing up on all the music pages including this one,,, but its futile,,,at best.

My .02,,,,
Is the II a great product?,,,,From what I have read of the Technical Specs....Absolutely

Did they fuck anyone when they released it?... Ehh,, I suppose,,, but if you have it
you gotta put it out sometime,,,,and the Axe-FX is a little over 5 years old so...ya know,,,,, it was time.

Do I think,,, as John Put it "following the Line6 Corprate model"?

Fuck no,, If you take a look through the wishlist on the Fractal forum, and Read all the shit people have wanted or cried about not having,,, for the last 3 years or so,,, the Axe-II incorporates 90% of those things,,,it.. IS.. the product that people wanted their beloved Axe to be...so WTF :think: Here it is folks, This guy is actually LISTENING to What you have been asking for, and now it's Delivered to you,, And your gonna Piss and Moan?

Oh,,and Line 6 would have put out out at least 5 new products covering the 11 Firmware updates that Fractal provided for FREE.. the standard/ultra's currently have 70 amps + FX,, and Although the chips are almost full, Cliff said there is still some room for more amp models so there are still some goodies to be had before its full. BTW,,and when it does,,, Just because it is full doesn't mean it don't work anymore.



Will I buy an Axe-II...... Hell Yeah, Eventually

Am I gonna dump my Ultra just to get it.....Nahhh,, I don't think Tim..

Am I mad that they put out the AXE-II and Bested my Ultra.....Fuck no,,Technology moving forward is a wonderfull thing,, and I haven't Tweaked it all it can tweak yet,,,And I have done allot of tweaking,,,and playing,,and always finding great new useable sounds everyday,,,
Like this non typical Mosh sound from the no tooby Kiddie pool
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10628176

I still love it,, Its a great piece of gear no matter what else is out there.

MOSHON
DAVE

[Hellbat]

IMO They need to release AXE-FX Lite. Keep the USB of the II, Make it half as powerful as the II. Use less expensive DACs since the USB will allow straight digital full quality output. Cut out some of the repetitive amp models. Sell it for around $1250. You hit that price point and you will have more hobbyist recording guys biting on it.

[RacerX]

IMO They need to release AXE-FX Lite. Keep the USB of the II, Make it half as powerful as the II. Use less expensive DACs since the USB will allow straight digital full quality output. Cut out some of the repetitive amp models. Sell it for around $1250. You hit that price point and you will have more hobbyist recording guys biting on it.

I like this idea

[emperor_black]

Cliff said in one of the threads that he's pulling ads from magazines to reduce demand. he cannot keep up with the demand. If he produces an AXE Lite, it'd just result in the opposite. For now, its not going to happen seems like.

[VitaminG]

IMO They need to release AXE-FX Lite. Keep the USB of the II, Make it half as powerful as the II. Use less expensive DACs since the USB will allow straight digital full quality output. Cut out some of the repetitive amp models. Sell it for around $1250. You hit that price point and you will have more hobbyist recording guys biting on it.

and then when they start turning up in pawn stores for $400, I'll pick one up!

[Shawn Lutz]

IMO They need to release AXE-FX Lite. Keep the USB of the II, Make it half as powerful as the II. Use less expensive DACs since the USB will allow straight digital full quality output. Cut out some of the repetitive amp models. Sell it for around $1250. You hit that price point and you will have more hobbyist recording guys biting on it.

its called Avid Eleven Rack LOL Plus you get ProTools with it, done deal

[Hellbat]

its called Avid Eleven Rack LOL Plus you get ProTools with it, done deal

Yes, I already own an AXE-FX Lite then! hehe.

Maybe have the LITE be a "frozen" platform with no updates other than pure bugfixes. Partner with a large manufacturer to produce them or at least produce subcomponents and do the final assembly yourself. Probably would never happen though as I think the creator would feel like he's selling his soul instead of selling more product.

[jgcable]

Cliff said in one of the threads that he's pulling ads from magazines to reduce demand. he cannot keep up with the demand. If he produces an AXE Lite, it'd just result in the opposite. For now, its not going to happen seems like.

I talked to Fractal's marketing department and they told me the reason there is so much demand.
They have an incredible marketing program. They advertise by placing their ads on pillow cases, hampers and night stands. This way they can get to 99% of their customer base. They gave me some inside engineering information too that I was sworn to secrecy on but I will share it with all my JCF brothers. They are working on a volume knob that only goes to 2 and can be used in a dorm room or in a room that is adjacent to where a baby is sleeping. I even have the code name for it. Its an acronym. Its called the
IHNIWMASLLALBIHNPWALBETIPTISJAGAARTA

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY AMP SOUND LIKE LIVE AND LOUD BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER PLAYED WITH A LIVE BAND EVEN THOUGH I PROFESS THAT IT SOUNDS JUST AS GOOD AS A REAL TUBE AMP.


Yeah for me!! Yeah for school!! Allright Hamilton!

[jgcable]

I really need to hear one of these rigs live in a club. I heard that somebody has one because the sound guys in one of the clubs we play in were ranting and raving on how great it sounded and how easy it was to set up direct. The guy was using a FRFR powered cabinet and going direct.
Its the only time I ever heard of the AxeFX being used around here.
I love busting chops on this and I hope you guys don't take any of my posts about this too seriously. I am sure its a great rig because there are alot of JCFr's that I respect that use them.