What's all the hype about Axe Fx?

[Mikernaut2]

This guy has great demo vids showing off the amazing variety of sounds and I think I'm now sold after watching his 7 vids. And by god he's just using what looks to be a mid range Ibanez. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubu8A...eature=related

[hippietim]

yes and yes

[Flatpicker]

Pure noobie questions.

I have a Pod XT that I run into an Atomic AR112-18. Can I just swap the Ultra in and still use the Atomic?

Can I program patches to the Axe unit by using my PC?

[hippietim]

The AxeFx IS NOT an easy unit to operate compared to a tube amp.

I understand what you are getting at but if you step back for a moment getting a tube amp sounding great is not easy either unless you are one of the few fortunate folks that can take a stock amp and turn the knobs to basic settings and be done.

[hippietim]

Billz - will it do it for you? I dunno. Here's some ideas on getting you an answer.

My personal rig needs are all over the map. I play in a cover band that does everything from Pat Benatar to the Stones to Evanescence to T.Rex. And it looks like I'm joining an acoustic project now - so I'll need to be able to run 6 and 12-string acoustics, mandolin, and probably acoustic bass (and maybe some synth/organ stuff).

My previous rig was a drawer full of pedals, a MIDI switcher, Eventide Eclipse, Bogner Fish, Boogie 2:90, and a few different Port City Cabs. The rack weighed a ton and I had the power amp in it's own rack. Plus the cabs. Oh and that rig cost somewhere between $6-7k (I hate adding that up). The Axe-FX rig to replace all that is a much lighter rack and a powered monitor - those two pieces cost me $2800. I'm not counting the foot controller since that is the same between the two rigs.

Ask yourself if you need it at all. If you are already getting what you want then fuck it - you don't need one. On the other hand, are there sounds that you cannot achieve with your current rig then the Axe-FX is well worth consideration.

One way or another I need some sort of rig that's pretty versatile - I've done it with a single channel amp and pedals too - there are lots of ways to pull off a great rig.

Don't think the Axe-FX is just going to work for you right away. It won't. Just like every other rig you've ever used. It takes time to dial it in. There are a lot of guys doing metal with the Axe-FX - the sounds are in there. Think about the time and effort you've spent swapping tubes, preamps, fucking with parametric EQs, BBE enhancers, etc. Guess what - you get to do some of that again.

Regarding the complexity - I can see how the Axe-FX can seem intimidating to a lot of folks. It can be complicated if you want it to be. But if you are methodical, sensible, and can process written instructions then it shouldn't be a problem at all. Too many folks sit down with it and want to do the most complex effects routings and switching first rather than just create a basic patch. That is a bizarre approach to me - with a brand spankin' new traditional guitar rig full of pedals, rack gear, amps, etc. would you start by hooking every single gadget up at once and turn all the effects on and then bitch about how hard it is to dial in a good sound? It never ceases to amaze me how guys get on the forums and say something "I just got the Axe-FX and hooked it up 10 minutes ago but I'm having a hard time dialing in a patch that transitions between this crazy U2 modulated echo tone to a Slash solo tone using an envelope controller". Fucktards.

You need to think about your output. You've said you want to run an ass ton of 4x12 cabs. That'll work fine. I recommend a solid state power amp - you get more versatility out of the Axe-FX if you let it do it's thing with the power amp modeling - it really is outstanding.

I would suggest you consider looking into a full range speaker system - the powered PA speakers are great like the FBT Verve 12ma, QSC HPR122i, etc. Another thing that cracks me up are the guys on the forums that despite having never tried it - they "know" that a PA speaker can't deliver the thump (or whatever) that they get from a 4x12. Oh really? So then I say "hey genius, you realize that when you mic your rig that it's going out to the audience using those same PA speakers". My Verve 12ma will deliver punishing volumes and so much low end that our bass player said the other day "you're guitar rig has more bottom end than my bass rig". Guitar players listen with their eyes too much.

I've never had more people come up to me and compliment me/us on how great my guitar sounds and good the balance of the band is live. Since we run direct there are no fucked spots in a club where the guitars are too loud or can't be heard. Compare that to the guys that use a 4x12 with a tube amp - so they compensate for having a very directional cabinet with poor dispersion by cranking up which leads to a terrible mix.

[roodyrocker]

Bill, you don't need to dump your Marshall or Uber just because you have an Axe-Fx. That is unless you need to fund the Axe-Fx that way. Its not an either or thing. I love my Axe-Fx Ultra but I will still not get rid of my Marshall, Bogner, Mesa, Randall, and ADA stuff. The possibilities are endless with the Axe-Fx, you might find yourself using your amp plus maybe the Axe-Fx as an effects processor with it. Who knows? The Axe-Fx is definetly good enough to gig out with if you don't want to lug around big heavy amps and rack processors and whatnot

[pro-fusion]

You want clips? I've recorded three albums with my Axe-FX Standard, which you can listen to and download in their entirety here: http://councilofone.bandcamp.com/

The good news: the Axe-FX absolutely blows away all the other modelers. Period. End of story. If you've got the $$$, you shouldn't even consider any of the others.

The bad news: as you can hear from my albums, even the best solution available for direct recording still isn't quite the same as miking a real guitar speaker. I'm currently investigating various options, which will probably result in me using the Axe-FX in various combinations with a real tube amp and a Grendel Dead Room isolation cabinet. One of the great things about the Axe-FX is its flexibility. You can use it purely as an effects unit, or as both the front and back end of a signal chain using a four-cable setup: guitar --> Axe-FX (pre FX & amp sims) --> amp --> cab --> mic --> Axe-FX (EQ and post FX) --> board. For recording purposes, unless you have a pro studio, an isolation cabinet is probably called for in this setup, but you could even conceivably use this setup live with a regular cabinet.

[Chad]

Cool, Guys..I am a complete moron when it comes to tweaking rack gear. I use 3-4 differtent sounds (rythm dry, rythm wet, Lead boost dry, Lead bosst wet, and one harmonized) all based on ONE "metal" tone. Is this the end-all-be all preamp for needs as simple as mine. I'll prolly be using 1/100 of its potential. It will be nothing more than a preamp to me, coupled with a dual tube or possibly a dual powerful SS poweramp..into two or four 4-12" cabs. I'm assumimg this could do whatever my beloved Marshall rack does and better. ..and possibly sound close to two Ubers or any combination of both my rigs.

Is this unit overkill for me, and is it too complex for a Troglodyte like me.

BTW I always prefer preamp distortion over poweramp distortion. What would be an awesome two channel SS poweramp with more than enough power and headroom to make my neighbor's head explode..like in that movie Scanners.

If such a rig would crush my beloved Marshall rack 9200/JMP-1/JFX-1/BBE 422..I would consider it. But I gotta know before I'd make that leap. If it is THAT good, it may replace my beloved Uberschall too. Which means I have more than enough gear to sell (+$) to buy two of these fuckers..

It would be kinda cool to be able to put a complete SS rig that could hang with or kill the best boutique amps. I know the tone will be much more stable and consistent without the worry of tube maintenance and so on. I'm certainly no "tube snob" I just want the best tone I can possibly achieve...which I think I have, But if this thing is that good..fuggit. What has me thinking is althoug my Uber may sound better than my JMP-1 w/ (diode clipping) . The Marshall rig is certainly much more consistant than any all tube amp I've ever owned, and I would not be the player I am without it. But if I can have the same kind of dynamics, depth, girth and full-bodied range as tubes by going 100% SS..all the better. I like consistency at all volume levels. Just set and forget, to enable me to spend the rest of my musical life playing and not waste another valuable second tweaking. Fuck tweaking already. What would you rather be doing with your gear..constantly fuggin' with it, or playing it. It would be like NEVER having to set up, or change strings on your favorite guitars ever again. I like that idea!!!

I said years ago, that it would be a matter of time before moddelers will replace the real thing. This wasn't the case with The Vetta (which are cool), and HD147. ..and common sense dictates they'll keep getting better. But the real question is ..are we there yet?

BillZ is coming around.....in a prior post ya said ya would never buy one.

The AxeFx IS NOT an easy unit to operate compared to a tube amp. If a person has any OCD tweaking issues, then they could likely drive themselves to the looney bin with an AxeFx.

With that said, once you get your head around the layout and how the controls work, you can simply put in an Amp & Cab block and tweak around with those just like you would with a real Amp & Cab. Or if you were to go into a power amp and 4x12s, then you wouldn't even have to mess with a cab block and could solely focus on the Amp block. Once you get it tweaked to where you want it, then you can slowly add things like delay and so forth to get the patch where you want it.

I know you are not a clean player, but I just tried some "on the edge of breakup" settings that a player listed on the Fractal forum.....and it sounds unreal with a Strat. And I own a Allen boutique Fender clone amp. There are a bunch of good sounds in this thing.

[Rupe]

I'm getting really close to pulling the trigger on one of these. Several players whose opinions I respect have given the unit glowing reviews (Tim, I still need to call you!). On the other hand, most of the detractors are offering up philosophical opinion based on preconceived notions or have simply listened to clips. I haven't encountered too many people who have actually used one who have anything bad to say.

At 41, I don't need to lug around a back breaking 100+ pound rack and 4x12 anymore if I can get great tone in a compact package. Hell, 90% of the audience wouldn't know the difference between Bogner and a Bugera anyway...great tone is almost always a "selfish" pleasure and goes completely lost on the typical club goer.

[horns666]

Cool, Guys..I am a complete moron when it comes to tweaking rack gear. I use 3-4 differtent sounds (rythm dry, rythm wet, Lead boost dry, Lead bosst wet, and one harmonized) all based on ONE "metal" tone. Is this the end-all-be all preamp for needs as simple as mine. I'll prolly be using 1/100 of its potential. It will be nothing more than a preamp to me, coupled with a dual tube or possibly a dual powerful SS poweramp..into two or four 4-12" cabs. I'm assumimg this could do whatever my beloved Marshall rack does and better. ..and possibly sound close to two Ubers or any combination of both my rigs.

Is this unit overkill for me, and is it too complex for a Troglodyte like me.

BTW I always prefer preamp distortion over poweramp distortion. What would be an awesome two channel SS poweramp with more than enough power and headroom to make my neighbor's head explode..like in that movie Scanners.

If such a rig would crush my beloved Marshall rack 9200/JMP-1/JFX-1/BBE 422..I would consider it. But I gotta know before I'd make that leap. If it is THAT good, it may replace my beloved Uberschall too. Which means I have more than enough gear to sell (+$) to buy two of these fuckers..

It would be kinda cool to be able to put a complete SS rig that could hang with or kill the best boutique amps. I know the tone will be much more stable and consistent without the worry of tube maintenance and so on. I'm certainly no "tube snob" I just want the best tone I can possibly achieve...which I think I have, But if this thing is that good..fuggit. What has me thinking is althoug my Uber may sound better than my JMP-1 w/ (diode clipping) . The Marshall rig is certainly much more consistant than any all tube amp I've ever owned, and I would not be the player I am without it. But if I can have the same kind of dynamics, depth, girth and full-bodied range as tubes by going 100% SS..all the better. I like consistency at all volume levels. Just set and forget, to enable me to spend the rest of my musical life playing and not waste another valuable second tweaking. Fuck tweaking already. What would you rather be doing with your gear..constantly fuggin' with it, or playing it. It would be like NEVER having to set up, or change strings on your favorite guitars ever again. I like that idea!!!

I said years ago, that it would be a matter of time before moddelers will replace the real thing. This wasn't the case with The Vetta (which are cool), and HD147. ..and common sense dictates they'll keep getting better. But the real question is ..are we there yet?

[Matt_B]

We're original metal guitarists. I don't think we care too much about nailing other people's tone. We just wanna nail our own..

Agreed. I'm ecstatic that I can get the same tone from the Axe-FX that I was getting with my ADA gear. My brain still has a problem understanding that I'm not playing through a tube rig but my wife (and my wallet) are very happy that I'm done buying gear.

[horns666]

Well I know Mosh's taste in style and tone is pretty close to my own, and he's a good player. That holds more weight to me than anything posted so far really.

We're original metal guitarists. I don't think we care too much about nailing other people's tone. We just wanna nail our own..

[beachjammer]

Well this guy on the AXeFX Forum nailed "Erics".. tone..
Looks like im going to have to have one!
Futher down the page to the middle check out this Eric Johnson AxeFx preset! Damn

*Im getting good too...i checked out some of his other songs, and thought..."This guy likes Steve Morse"..
then when i saw his live vid from a state fair...his axe was...(drum roll please)...Musicman Morse! :-))

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=676119&content=music

Ok... Tim must be right! This alone is worth the price of admission! Lynch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7m0pYtzWC0&fmt=22

Man what tones! It's amazing that you can get all that from just one unit! This thing just keeps getting better and better!

What was the little card thing the guy on the Lynch video kept using? I watched some of his other videos and he was using it on them as well.

[MOSHWITZ]

:ROTF:

Dave, don't be ridiculous - according to all the guys that have never used an Axe-FX extensively it is all just hype. What could you, who merely owns an Axe-FX, possibly know about the tones one can achieve with the Axe-FX? Stop drinking the Koolaid my friend and go back to some limited antique gear.

I hear ya brother, and your right,,what the hell could I possibly know about tone? I'm just 37 and I have only owned 12 tube amps and about 100 rack units in my life, I still have a long way to go before I should be giving any gear/tone recommendations

I'm glad all the hype comes in awesome orange , as I prefer the orange Koolaid over all the other flavors and I know my fuckin Koolaid

MOSHON
DAVE

[Newc]

I've been digging into my 2101 Artist lately, focusing on the User Algorithms. It's got power, for sure. I was finally able to get a tone out of it that is extremely close to the MP-1+TSR12 combo (using EQs from both) by adding a 15-band Graphic and 5-band Parametric EQ into a chain. I set the 5-band to the same freqs as the MP-1 operates on, and then set the 15 band the same way as it's set in the TSR12.

However, the more I work with it, the more I'm agitated by the limitations of not being able to build a true dual-path setup (2 different but complimentary signals going left and right - like playing through 2 amps at once) because you can't adjust/alter the actual preamp stage (distortion and 6-band graphic EQ).


I truly think I'm going to dump all my rack gear and put it towards an AxeFx, because I will never be truly happy until I can have the flexibility I've always wanted.