Off Topic Axe-FX

[73h Nils]

Okay, I'd post this on the Petrucci forums, but I've never been able to join for some reason :s

Anyway, in regards to the title, I am becoming very interested in the Axe FX. Yes, I am selling my Mesa Boogie (can rarely use it; amazing amp but I'm not getting enough use out of it, really) and these modeler phenoms are getting me all hot and bothered with their perceived awesomeness at all things tone.

What I want to know is, aside from a reasonable price (CAD) for a used one (both Ultra and Standard; I prefer the Ultra), what do I need to actually USE one? I'm going to keep my 2x12 cab, but I think I need a power amp with it, correct? Just an SS power amp will do? I can't play through the cab unless I have a power amp, right? Also, how expensive is a decent SS poweramp (and which brand)? 400$?

Also, Canada doesn't have any places to try these out, does it?

Thanks guys!

 

[azazael]

I have fancied trying out the Axe-Fx myself.
Been lusting after one for nearly 2 years since a friend of mine in USA got his.

I have read about the Standard model having problems with not having enough processing power for some OTT signal chains but I think everyone should just go for the Ultra anyway. I mean what is the price difference really? I have no idea but I don't really think it would be that much. I just think its better to be safe than sorry.

Power amp wise. I am sure the company makes power amps to go with it but they are not cheap if I remember. Personally I would be going with a valve poweramp just to possibly add some overall warmth and added realism to the sound.

I'd love it... I love my POD X3 and what I can coax out of it but having an Axe-Fx would be like a tweakers wet dream.

 

[Dizzy]

Okay, I'd post this on the Petrucci forums, but I've never been able to join for some reason :s

Anyway, in regards to the title, I am becoming very interested in the Axe FX. Yes, I am selling my Mesa Boogie (can rarely use it; amazing amp but I'm not getting enough use out of it, really) and these modeler phenoms are getting me all hot and bothered with their perceived awesomeness at all things tone.

What I want to know is, aside from a reasonable price (CAD) for a used one (both Ultra and Standard; I prefer the Ultra), what do I need to actually USE one? I'm going to keep my 2x12 cab, but I think I need a power amp with it, correct? Just an SS power amp will do? I can't play through the cab unless I have a power amp, right? Also, how expensive is a decent SS poweramp (and which brand)? 400$?

Also, Canada doesn't have any places to try these out, does it?

Thanks guys!

Yep, you need a power amp.

$400 should get you a pretty good SS Power Amp.
I run my Ultra through a Tech21 PE 400 (2x200W) and two 1x12 Thieles loaded with EVM12L Black Labels :

 

[azazael]

Yep, you need a power amp.

$400 should get you a pretty good SS Power Amp.
I run my Ultra through a Tech21 PE 400 (2x200W) and two 1x12 Thieles loaded with EVM12L Black Labels :

Don't forget you're Toshiba Portege...

lol

 

[Dizzy]

Don't forget you're Toshiba Portege...

lol

It's actually a Tecra

 

[azazael]

It's actually a Tecra

Whoops I never noticed the touchpad.

 

[fatoni]

yeah you need a power amp. btw the new update 9.0 is amazing. get yourself a cheap carvin dcm poweramp. a good rule of thumb is 5x the wattage youd need from a tube amp...thats what they say at least. i picked up a dcm 1000 for 200 usd and it is great although i picked up a atomic fr to make use of the cab sims. i got rid of my mark iv and have no regrets. the axe totally cured all my amp cab and effect gas so that says alot. from tube snob to tone snob is what it does

 

[Bassey]

Hi everyone,

Just recently picked up a Axe Fx ultra myself (3 weeks ago) and I have to say it is pretty awesome. I absolutely love it for studio recording. Especially with the latest update and the Redwirez impulses. Once you get to know the unit it's easy to dial in any tone you like.

But I am still looking for a good way to use it live. I am using a Peavey JSX with 4x12 cab. When I use the Axe through the JSX's power amp (effects return) I don't like the tone. (Tried different options such as cab and power amp sims on and off, but no real extensive tweaking)

I am interested to know how others with an Axe made the switch from their previous gear to a rig with the Axe.

As for Nils: If you can miss the extra bucks I would go with the Ultra straight away. Like mentioned by azazael the difference in price isn't that big and you won't have the feeling you're missing out on the extra's the Ultra has over the standard.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[SouthernShred]

I owned one for a long time and personally went from power amp and 2x12 cab to a powered FRFR PA speaker and preferred that so I could make use of all the cabinet/power amp modeling...that said, mine sounded great with an ART SLA series power amp...the SLA-2 is really popular among axeFX guys and relatively inexpensive...fits in a single rack space too

If you're gigging, you'll need a MIDI footcontroller as well...

 

[azazael]

I owned one for a long time and personally went from power amp and 2x12 cab to a powered FRFR PA speaker and preferred that so I could make use of all the cabinet/power amp modeling...that said, mine sounded great with an ART SLA series power amp...the SLA-2 is really popular among axeFX guys and relatively inexpensive...fits in a single rack space too

If you're gigging, you'll need a MIDI footcontroller as well...

What was the reason you sold it?

 

[e.mate]

I guess that all depends on whether you use the cab sims in a live environment...or not.

With the cab sims, I would always encourage everyone to use a good active monitoring unit, e.g. the AER AG-8 seems to have proven good quality here.

Since ages I use a Rocktron Chameleon (for the younger ones: it's a digital preamp, that's what modelers were cold in the old days ), and in the live situation I avoid the cab sims (which is brilliant in the Chameleon), and feed the signal into a hybrid power amp, in my case a Brunetti Rockit or an older ADA Microtube (depending of the setup). It gives me less "digital" and more "direct" feeling in the live situation....cannot really describe it, but just feels better with my playing.

 

[bbake1]

I also have an Ultra with QSC HPR122i FRFR speakers. Sounds amazing. I started with a standard when Cliff started out with Fractal Audio and couldn't be happier. I have many more tones than a few amp heads can produce and at the push of a button. It does take time to get used to and program, but the users forum and Cliff himself is always there with upgrades and solutions for those who have issues. With EBMM and Fractal Audio, the best of customer service with the best products out there.

 

[Lou]

I have an ultra. I've run it both ways - power amp and FRFR. There are many used poweramps out there. Look at ADA - single space SS - light and sound great. Tubeworks made a 2 space rack. There are marshall 8000 series as well.

I have to agree with the recent move to 9.0 firmware, I'm finally happy with my FRFR tone.

Bassey, My prior rig was a mesa triaxis. I've always kinda been a rack guy (Marshall JMP1, etc.). I think the best way to run into an cab is using a dedicated power amp. SO for me it wasn't hard for me to convert. I have since sold all my amps and never turned on my Triaxis afer purchasing the AxeFX. I never missed it.

 

[LawDaddy]

While I don't have an Axe, I do gig with a Line 6 X3 Live, and I've had great results using a Mesa 20/20 running stereo into a Mesa 2x12. The EL84-driven 20 watts/side is perfect for getting the amp up into that tasty zone in small clubs. I use it mainly on a Matchless patch, and the old blues guys can't believe the great tone that I get out of my EBMM rosewood ASS!

 

[73h Nils]

Okay, sweet guys, thanks! They're probably pretty expensive up here though, so I'd have to hunt down a used one, I guess.

 

[azazael]

Does anyone know anywhere in the UK that is selling these?
I have seen them advertised on back of magazines but can't seem to find any shops that are actually stocking them.

 

[SouthernShred]

What was the reason you sold it?

had impending shoulder surgery and knew I'd have a ton of bills...thought I could turn it for what I had into it and move to a cheaper rig and pay some medical bills...

I miss it everyday...not sure when I'll be able to afford another as I'm still paying for the surgery

 

[heka313]

Does anyone know anywhere in the UK that is selling these?
I have seen them advertised on back of magazines but can't seem to find any shops that are actually stocking them.

In Europe they have only place you can get it:

Purchase - Fractal Audio Systems / Atomic Amplifiers

I payed mine this Wednesday and it was shipped the same day, should be here (Finland) next week.

Btw, does any of you use Behringer FCB1010 with Axe-FX? I'm planning to get that to use as a controller, it seems (according to the specs) that it should work fine (10 pads and 2 expression pedals) with that...

 

[petruccirocks02]

Btw, does any of you use Behringer FCB1010 with Axe-FX? I'm planning to get that to use as a controller, it seems (according to the specs) that it should work fine (10 pads and 2 expression pedals) with that...

Any MIDI controller should work with it. I plan on picking up a liquid foot pro for mine at some point.

-Phil

 

[SouthernShred]

In Europe they have only place you can get it:

Purchase - Fractal Audio Systems / Atomic Amplifiers

I payed mine this Wednesday and it was shipped the same day, should be here (Finland) next week.

Btw, does any of you use Behringer FCB1010 with Axe-FX? I'm planning to get that to use as a controller, it seems (according to the specs) that it should work fine (10 pads and 2 expression pedals) with that...

yep, I had an FCB1010 with Uno mod chip and it worked great