AxeFx 2 on the way!!

[roodyrocker]

Thanks, Chris! I always wanted to try one, but was put off by the "gotta tweak it" factor.

Right now my main rig is a 5150 head + Soldano 4x12 cab - if I want to retain these / go for cheapest Axe-Fx rig, all I need is a power amp?

I like extreme metal: death, black, and thrash - what power amp(s) should I look for? I guess a foot controller board is called for also?

Ron, You should consider something like a used QSC HPR 122i. The Axe Fx, QSC, and an mic cable to connect them becomes your entire rig. It sounds great and very portable with 450w of power. For a controller I just use a plain old Behringer FCB. Its a cheap controller but works to switch the programs on the Axe Fx just fine. The only thing I had to change was an adjustment in the settings menu on the Axe Fx so the program numbers corresponded to each other. I forget which was which but the Behringer started at program 0 whereas the Axe Fx Ultra started at program 1. There is a simple setting in the Axe Fx to match them up

[chrisolson]

I prefer solid state power amps with the Axe.

[roodyrocker]

I prefer solid state power amps with the Axe.

The power amp in the QSC HPR series is solid state. Sometimes I hook up a pair of HPR 122i's for stereo sound

[nateb]

The power amp in the QSC HPR series is solid state. Sometimes I hook up a pair of HPR 122i's for stereo sound

I run 2 K-12's they are a ton of fun without the ton part.

One thing about having an Axe-FX. After I got all setup, I haven't had the desire to buy an amp in 3 years.

[chrisolson]

One thing about having an Axe-FX. After I got all setup, I haven't had the desire to buy an amp in 3 years.

That's kinda my hope, especially with the 2. If the profiling is as good as a few of the Betas I've heard so far, any amp I've ever heard will be at my fingertips.

[roodyrocker]

I run 2 K-12's they are a ton of fun without the ton part.

One thing about having an Axe-FX. After I got all setup, I haven't had the desire to buy an amp in 3 years.

The Axe Fx sounds great through the powered QSC speakers. And yes, you're about the weight part The Axe Fx sounds great whether on cleans drenched in delay/chorus or all out brutal distortion. I wish I could say it killed my desire for buying amps but I'm a gearhead so I still go for amps as well as the Axe Fx

[hippietim]

Thanks, Chris! I always wanted to try one, but was put off by the "gotta tweak it" factor.

Right now my main rig is a 5150 head + Soldano 4x12 cab - if I want to retain these / go for cheapest Axe-Fx rig, all I need is a power amp?

I like extreme metal: death, black, and thrash - what power amp(s) should I look for? I guess a foot controller board is called for also?

In all likelihood you can use the 5150 as a power amp. As long as it has a series loop you should be good to go. Just run the Axe into the effects return of the 5150. I was running my Axe II into a Bogner Ecstasy this way - it works great.

You definitely need a foot controller. A lot of folks use the Blechinger FCB foot controller but I know how much you love them. A Rocktron MIDI Mate will work great and won't break the bank.

If you're going to run the Axe into a traditional power amp/cab setup, you definitely want to disable cabinet simulations or it will sound like someone through a blanket on your rig - there is a global option to do this so you don't have to do it in each individual patch. If you are cranking the tube amp you will probably want to disable power amp simulation as well so it doesn't get too squishy. It's also a global option in the same place as the cabs.

[hippietim]

Here's my evolution with the Axe-FX as a gigging rig:

• Axe-FX Ultra -> Boogie 2:90 -> Port City 2x12 - SM57 mic'd to FOH - Axess FC1 MIDI controller - I ran like this for about 6 months
• Axe-FX Ultra -> FBT 12ma (FRFR monitor) - direct to FOH - Axess FC1 MIDI controller - I ran like this for over 3 years
• Axe-FX II -> Boogie 2:90 -> Boogie 2x12 vertical Rectifier cab -> Senheiser e906 mic'd to FOH - Fractal MFC-101 - I've been running like this for about 6 months

I recently picked up an RCF FRFR monitor and may go back to that - having different cabinet simulations is pretty sweet.

Every so often I still go gig with a tube head and pedals - it's still a lot of fun like that too.

[hippietim]

get the Kemper. IMO from what I have heard so far it kicks the AxeFX's ass in a big way. Pretty impressive actually.

I'll have to disagree with that. I had the Kemper for several weeks and sent mine back this past week. It has potential for sure but it doesn't surpass what the Axe-FX II does. I'll take another look at the Kemper in 6-9 months when they've had some time to iron out their issues.

[nateb]

Stuff....

Sup Tim,

I saw you posting on the Axe Forums a bit more these days. I didn't realize that you got back into the Axe-FX II.

-Nate

[wilkinsi]

I've never used an Axe-FX, but I'm impressed by the fact it has a stereo loop for starters.

[chrisolson]

From this:



...to this:



...and I'm really pretty happy! It does all I need. I need to get a foot controller of some type - leaning toward the Voodoo GC Pro now.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

One JCM800, two greenback cabs, and one boost here. One sound, no effects, and loving it! It is impressive to see how far DSP has come though.