So who's playing an Axe-FX?

[toneboy]

I'm going on just about 4 months with my Ultras now and I love 'em. Being able to switch between so many different good sounding and feeling amp models is a blessing. I often forget there are no tubes in those black boxes and it freaks me a out bit, but in a good way. It's so nice to have a rig that is simple (1 wire in, 1 wire out) and flexible.

[musicdr]

I keep trying to find fault with my standard.But I can't.Its been a blessing in the studio.I was watching a zep video the other day and noticed page using a leslie sound on several guitar parts.I was doing a second clean guitar part for a ballad, turned a knob,pressed a few buttons, instant leslie sound.It added so much to the song, yet so easy to dial up.And it sounded convincing.Normally I don't enjoy tweaking gear, with the axe I look forward to it because the sounds are very rewarding.

[Silverburst]

Hey Algiman, how's the Axe fx going ? you've been quiet for 2 weeks in this thread Good or bad thing ?

Btw: How do you guys feel that the Axe let the characteristics of you guitars sound trough ?

Another thing I was wondering: How old is the Axe fx and are there any rumors of a new version ? Because at the rate it goes with Line6, I'd hate to buy one and see a new one arrive 1 year later, making the "old one" obsolete since digital stays digital when it comes to support and value. That Line6 just stopped Vetta support years ago while the software still contained bugs is just not acceptable, so that's why I'm still a bit sceptical

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by pmike

Btw: How do you guys feel that the Axe let the characteristics of you guitars sound trough ?

It's incredibly transparent. I played my Strat through it for the first time last night and it sounds like a Strat, even with gobs of distortion. My old MP-1 based rig made the Strat sound very similar to my other guitars. Not so with the Axe-FX.

Another thing I was wondering: How old is the Axe fx and are there any rumors of a new version ? Because at the rate it goes with Line6, I'd hate to buy one and see a new one arrive 1 year later, making the "old one" obsolete since digital stays digital when it comes to support and value. That Line6 just stopped Vetta support years ago while the software still contained bugs is just not acceptable, so that's why I'm still a bit sceptical

There are no rumors of a new version coming out any time soon. As far as worrying about bugs in the software, Fractal Audio is amazing about updating firmware consistently to both improve/expand functionality and fix the few bugs that pop up here and there. Generally, bug fixes are dealt with immediatly.

[Algiman]

Originally Posted by pmike

Hey Algiman, how's the Axe fx going ? you've been quiet for 2 weeks in this thread Good or bad thing ?

Unfortunately I'm working away from home a lot at the moment, so I've not had as much time to play with it as I'd like. I'll do a full review in the new year. But, my initial thoughts are all possitive. I had been using a triaxis, but the AxeFX actually sounds and feels more like a valve amp than the triaxis does. It has a far more natural response. The effects are great, and once you get used to the programing it is pretty simple to use, and very versitile. Money well spent! My only time with it so far has been through a mesa 2:90 into a 2x12 cab, so I've not really used it to its full potential yet, but I'm extremely happy with the tones I have come up.

[Silverburst]

rats toneboy... you cannot say anything bad about this unit can you ?

Have you used it live ? and if so how smooth was the step towards PA-connection in terms of having to adapt patches ? and did you stand out of the band, because that is main complaint with modelers in general.

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by pmike

rats toneboy... you cannot say anything bad about this unit can you ?

Sure I can. It's not perfect, nothing is. The lack of a USB connection or even memory card slot would make moving data (patches and firmware) significantly easier. Getting an Axe-FX to communicate with a MIDI interface (on a PC) can be trial and error. I have (2) interfaces, one works fine for patches but won't work with firmware. From reading the official boards, that the number one problem most folks have with it.

Have you used it live ? and if so how smooth was the step towards PA-connection in terms of having to adapt patches ? and did you stand out of the band, because that is main complaint with modelers in general.

I haven't used it live (I don't play out any more) but I have would no issues using one for that. I also wouldn't give a crap about what other people (in the band or the audience) thought about me using a modeler. Either they like my sound or they don't.

I've been a firm believer in FRFR for a long time, even before I got an Axe-FX.

[EL-CeeDee]

Can any AXE-FX users comment on the new Eleven Rack ? How does it hold up to the fx ?

[Silverburst]

Originally Posted by Algiman

I had been using a triaxis, but the AxeFX actually sounds and feels more like a valve amp than the triaxis does. It has a far more natural response.

Yikes... that's a really bold statement. If that would be the case.... I've been looking at a tri-axis myself as well this week (owning both is just too expensive). It simply looks like that should simply be THE tube preamp. (I had MP-1's, MP-1 3TM's, Sansamp...)

Originally Posted by EL-CeeDee

Can any AXE-FX users comment on the new Eleven Rack ? How does it hold up to the fx ?

It's something that fills the gap between Line6/Digitech/GT10 and AxeFx. But only has about 1/4 of the AxeFx's amp and drive models, no dual amp possibility amongst other things. On the other hand it's less than half the price and the unit's interface as well as software GUI look a lot beter.

Someone made a verry nice comparative spreadsheet
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...nw&output=html

[EL-CeeDee]

It's something that fills the gap between Line6/Digitech/GT10 and AxeFx. But only has about 1/4 of the AxeFx's amp and drive models, no dual amp possibility amongst other things. On the other hand it's less than half the price and the unit's interface as well as software GUI look a lot beter.

Someone made a verry nice comparative spreadsheet
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...nw&output=html

I know the numbers, but how does it sound and feel? To, never having tried the axefx, the eleven FELT like an amp, and was very good when connected to a tube power amp. It has some major disadvantages ( patch switch time, limited options, etc. ), but I was looking into the specifics of the sound and feel..
Anyone able to comment on that ?

[Algiman]

Originally Posted by pmike

Yikes... that's a really bold statement. If that would be the case.... I've been looking at a tri-axis myself as well this week (owning both is just too expensive). It simply looks like that should simply be THE tube preamp. (I had MP-1's, MP-1 3TM's, Sansamp...)

It is, and if someone had said this to me a few months ago I would have wondered what they were smoking

A friend came over and tried out my rack the other night. The triaxis is still sat in the rack (though disconnected) so they assumed that was what they were playing through - he was absolutley stunned when I turned the triaxis off, leaving only the 2:90 and the AxeFx.

If you want a triaxis, mine may well appear in the classifieds soon, though the GAS monster in me wants to keep it.

[Silverburst]

aiaai... this isn't making things easier. I wonder the difference between the standard and the ultra... At first sight, the ultra has a bunch of extra extreme and more synthesisy effects where I wonder if it's worth the extra price. Does anyone know if there is any difference in the amp model / drive model / fx quality both units share ?

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by pmike

Does anyone know if there is any difference in the amp model / drive model / fx quality both units share ?

The drive, amp and cab models are exactly the same between the Standard and the Ultra. Cliff (the designer and owner of Fractal Audio) has explicitly stated more than once that this would always be the case.

The reverb algorithms in the Ultra a wee bit better and as I recall, the pitch shifter in the Ultra is a little better too but I'm not 100% about that.

[toneboy]

BTW, one sweet little recent addition to the all the drive models was a 3 band EQ (bass, mid level, mid freq, treble) which has made a huge difference in the patches I tweaked for my Les Pauls and Strats. All 3 guitars have traditional pickups so they don't have the metal tone my other guitars do (which have Tone Zones) but the LPs and Strat sound amazing clean.

With the EQ in the drive block, I'm able to slightly boost the mids (+ 3dB at 638 hz) for the LPs and Strats and I also roll off the treble a bit for the Strats as well. While I could have used a Parametric or Graphic EQ block to essentially do the same thing, this change in firmware made it unnecessary. The added CPU cost of the EQ in the Drive is unnoticeable.

[Algiman]

I presume you've had a good look round here: http://www.fractalaudio.com/forum/

I went for the Ultra on the theory that as future software upgrades come out there will be some things only the Ultra can do. At the moment I'm not using anything that the basic version can't do.