Off Topic Axe-FX

[Bassey]

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.

Well I don't know. I can get great tones in the studio but when I use it live I feel like I am playing something digital. I am absolutely sure that computers and digital controllers will replace tube amps...but I guess for me it's just not right now

I am going to look for a dedicated power amp and try my last efforts. But my Axe Fx trial period is almost over I really want to like the Axe but I guess when it's not for me it's just not meant to be. Maybe anybody over here who had the same experience and can talk me out of returning the axe?

 

[Lou]

Don't do it! LOL

It takes time to dial in your tone and figure out how the controls interact with each other. Try picking your amp and taking everything out of the chain (reverb, etc). Dial in your tone - take advantage of the advanced parameters page and listen to what each does.

What kinda sound are you shooting for?

 

[Bassey]

Don't do it!

Lol

Well the problem is...I can get the sounds I like at home or in the studio, and to me they sound killer. Never had any better tone in these situations. And like you said...it cost a lot of time to dail in the perfect tone. To get good sounds out of the unit is not that hard...but getting killer sounds will take more time.

The problem I have with it is how to use it in live situations. It doesn't perform to my expectations that I had. Perhaps with more tweaking. It is still a killer FX unit. (I like it even better than the G system) so if I can't find any usable sounds for live situations, I am probably going to use it as an effects unit with my JSX

For those interested: the one thing I noticed is that the Axe really is a responsive unit. I have used it with my JP6 le07 and with my BFR JP7 with RW neck and you can really tell the difference between the guitars (with the same preset).

Edit: For lead sounds I like a bit of a Marco Sfogli vibe to it with a little bit more edge and bite. Again: no problem in studio situations but live (or at higher volumes) I can't find that tone

For rhythm I like a chunky high gain sound. Not heavily scooped. Perhaps a bit like Petrucci's rhythm sound on SFAM (especially on Fatal Tragedy)

I guess the problem lies in dialing in higher gain tones at high(er) volume. It tends to sound, well...digital for a lack of a better term. Is there a way to make it sound less digital? (apart from ditching the unit and getting a tube amp )

 

[fatoni]

its not a problem with the axe its a problem with poweramp imo. the carvins and arts are too cheap not to try and if it still doesnt work out the axe is still a relative deal if just used for effects. it replaced my mark iv and gsystem and i couldnt be happier

 

[Lou]

Have you tried setting your sounds at gig level? That will make a difference.

 

[steveh]

I had a standard for 2-weeks and ended up selling it. I had three problems with it:

A. The price - relatively, it's a very expensive piece of kit, so it had to be fantastic for me to keep it.

B. It didn't quite match my valve amps for tone. It got 95% of the way there, but that last 5% was very important to me.

C. I couldn't stop fiddling with it! The range of possible adjustments is huge and I found it impossible to stop changing all sorts of parameters, just to hear the effect...and that's just the amp sims! I found this was stopping me from concentrating on playing.

This was all quite a while back when there was a very long waiting list so I got back what I paid for it, no more, no less. That made the decision whether to let it go or not a bit easier.

Given the plethora of absolutely stellar reviews by 90% of people who have one, I can't help feeling I'll get another at some point in the future (possibly the Axe-PC) and give it another go, but that's my take on it. Not trying to start a flame war.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[pantalaimon]

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...

I'm using the Axe-FX with the 1010 and it works fine! Those two expression pedals make the axe even more powerful. The feeling of the pads is not all that great but, thinking about the price, its still a great pedal.

 

[agt]

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!

I've been considering an Ultra for about a year although I had never played one. Inspired in part by this thread, I test drove one two days ago at a local dealer. I brought one of my Balls and played the Ultra through the Atomic Reactor FR full range amp.

Oh.
My.
Goodness!!!

Freaking amazing, and I am used to some nice tube amps. My point is, you seem to have tried it though traditional guitar amps. Have you tried yours through a full range system?

 

[azazael]

I've been considering an Ultra for about a year although I had never played one. Inspired in part by this thread, I test drove one two days ago at a local dealer. I brought one of my Balls and played the Ultra through the Atomic Reactor FR full range amp.

Oh.
My.
Goodness!!!

Freaking amazing, and I am used to some nice tube amps. My point is, you seem to have tried it though traditional guitar amps. Have you tried yours through a full range system?

I think personally as I have said before i would running it through a valve power amp of some description, however I believe the problem these guys seem to have is not using a good power amp is just having the patches configured at a good gig volume.

I am loving that its a tweakers paradise however it might be a bad thing but it only makes it even more versatile once u learn how to use it.