I remember in the early 90's when everyone was saying the same thing about the Digitech 2120 that's being said about these axefx now. I know the axefx are more "advanced"...but that comes with technology of the time. I'm curious to see what happens five years from now.
Off Topic fractal axe fx
- Thread starter fatoni
- Start date
bkrumme
Well-known member
No doubt. I've gone through tons of effects processors and modelers. I finally stopped with my G-System...but I'm open to anything that sounds better
The G-System is already 3 years old or so and the software updates don't come too fast...but it's solid.Does the Axe-FX do everything the G does?
fbecir
Well-known member
Really true !
Who remembers the ART SGE Mach II ? It was hot in 1990 (I bought one in October 90). In fact, it was a big waste of money ... A few months ago, I played a bit with it ... just 5 minutes and it was enough to see that it was crap.
My stompboxes never let me down
bkrumme
Well-known member
Really true !
Who remembers the ART SGE Mach II ? It was hot in 1990 (I bought one in October 90). In fact, it was a big waste of money ... A few months ago, I played a bit with it ... just 5 minutes and it was enough to see that it was crap.
My stompboxes never let me down
See, that's one of the things I love about the G-System. You can integrate all the stompboxes you want into a G-System rig...and it works great. Plus, the price point is great in comparison to a humungous rack system with a 2290, Eventide, etc.
bbake1
Well-known member
I had a G-System before the Axe-FX and now with the Ultra, yes it does more and better, IMO. The Axe-FX also takes to stomp boxes well. I have no regrets and don't see myself going back to a head/cab or combo amp.
DTJPPR
Well-known member
The Axe-FX is an amazing unit. It brings a lot of clarity to High-Gain settings that is hard to get live by conventional means, especially in a 2 guitarist situation.The thing is that it doesn't push the same Air that a standard Tube amp does. It's hard to explain, but I've done sound for some people, one band having a guitarist with axe FX -> Mesa Stereo 2:50 Power Amp -> Stiletto 4x12 and another using a standard Mark IV -> Stiletto 4x12, and it just doesn't feel the same. There was a lot more overtones and thump coming from the Mark IV side of the stage.
However, if you're using In Ear Monitors, and want a consistent tone night to night, it's perfect. Also the BEST Recording tool on the PLANET. I would say get one, but don't sell the Mark IV.
However, if you're using In Ear Monitors, and want a consistent tone night to night, it's perfect. Also the BEST Recording tool on the PLANET. I would say get one, but don't sell the Mark IV.
bkrumme
Well-known member
See...this is why tube amps are still used. You just can't get the harmonic richness of tubes from anything else. It all just sounds so sterile. To me, there's nothing like plugging your guitar straight into the front of an awesome tube amp and going to town. This is especially true for recordings. A couple good mics (Shure SM57 and Royer 121 come to mind) to capture that tone and a good space to do it in is all you need for recording.
Brian G
Well-known member
I've had a Standard for roughly a year and a half. The support in the form of frequent firmware updates, enhancements and just pure TONE improvements has been unprecedented. It was always impressive, and then gets better . . . it's like Christmas every couple of months.
Like any sophisticated tool, it requires some time investment to get what you personally want out of it, in terms of exact sounds. Not that it's not great from the get-go, but you also have the potential to "break down barriers" that exist with traditional amps, to craft tones that you really can't achieve on a practical level with just a couple of good tube amps. Want that Vox "glass" tone but a bit sweeter? Can do. Want to switch from the tonal shape of Celestion Blues to V30's? Give me a second, there you go . . .
IMO, what makes the Axe great is the combination of off-the-charts versatility in the same box with high quality sounds. Just the effects alone are worth the price of admission.
I prefer it with a very high quality FRFR monitor, but I will say, you are now into "reproduction", and most PA products out there are too colored to really do the Axe justice.
My opinion, YMMV.
Like any sophisticated tool, it requires some time investment to get what you personally want out of it, in terms of exact sounds. Not that it's not great from the get-go, but you also have the potential to "break down barriers" that exist with traditional amps, to craft tones that you really can't achieve on a practical level with just a couple of good tube amps. Want that Vox "glass" tone but a bit sweeter? Can do. Want to switch from the tonal shape of Celestion Blues to V30's? Give me a second, there you go . . .
IMO, what makes the Axe great is the combination of off-the-charts versatility in the same box with high quality sounds. Just the effects alone are worth the price of admission.
I prefer it with a very high quality FRFR monitor, but I will say, you are now into "reproduction", and most PA products out there are too colored to really do the Axe justice.
My opinion, YMMV.
well what do you think the cheapest frfr solution is while being truly flat enough? ive heard good things about the qsr hpr122i and the fbt verve 12ma
bbake1
Well-known member
+1 for QSCs. I have 'em with te Axe-Fx and it is awesome. I get plenty of thump.
^^ Absolutely true. We just got another firmware update today that includes a new pedal compressor among other other things.
Both the routing and midi capabilities are unreal.
I am sure John Czajkowski will comment at some point. Every one of his recordings I have heard with the axe have been awesome.
This all may be too much information to be on the EBMM forum. You can also find a lot of help on the Fractal forum and there's a long thread in the amps & cabs section at TGP.
I have an ultra. It kicks all kind of ass especially if you are recording.
I sold my MK IV prior to even playing an axe-fx and don't miss it. I also still own a Triaxis/Gmajor rig and an F-30. I have not turned on either of them since ordering the axe. (It's been 8 months).
I use it into a Tubeworks Poweramp and like it a lot. Here's a sample: Sorry - no EBMM's on this.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PBAsUAkSPI]YouTube - Hamer Studio Custom Noodle[/ame]
I love (and still do) the Digitech 2112/2120/Johnson millenium amps.
I sold my MK IV prior to even playing an axe-fx and don't miss it. I also still own a Triaxis/Gmajor rig and an F-30. I have not turned on either of them since ordering the axe. (It's been 8 months).
I use it into a Tubeworks Poweramp and like it a lot. Here's a sample: Sorry - no EBMM's on this.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PBAsUAkSPI]YouTube - Hamer Studio Custom Noodle[/ame]
I love (and still do) the Digitech 2112/2120/Johnson millenium amps.
Brian G
Well-known member
I have a QSC HPR122i and like it fairly well. I use it with some minor parametric EQ tweaks based on doing measurements. Lately, some guys have been really liking the FBT Verve 12ma, and it may even be a tad better according to the chat, can't say.
About a year ago I was without the QSC for a while, so I rented another manufacturer's powered monitor to try out, it was bloody awful, to say the least (won't mention names). Took it back the 2nd day into a month rental. So it makes a rather significant difference which FRFR monitor you choose.
*Edit:* Sorry, didn't really answer your question. Be very careful about cheap, if you're particular about sound quality. No plastic-enclosure monitors, for example. For anything you're considering, try to take a CD or two you're very familiar with, and get a demo of the monitor playing that. Listen for smooth, linear response, no obvious peaks or resonances, and be sure to walk around the area in front of the monitor & listen for whether the upper mids & highs are similar both on & off axis. If the monitor has extended bass response, e.g. much below 100Hz, try to audition it raised off the floor.
Last edited:
RocketRalf
Well-known member
All the samples I've heard sound close to the real thing, and considering the versatility and consistency of the sound, I'm sure it's a great investment. But there's still that 5% difference that leaves me wanting a great tube amp cooking it and moving all the air...
edrod
Well-known member
Some of you might find this interesting
JP has one
Fractal Audio Systems • View topic - Petrucci using Axe-FX?
JP has one
Fractal Audio Systems • View topic - Petrucci using Axe-FX?
You know what seems funny (in a ha ha way) about that. It should not need any pedals except for maybe a CC. At least from what I can gather from their site and the few days of trial with one.
On a similar subject, I like when people get a $2000 "all tube amp" so they can rave about it's pure tone and down that "solid state or hybrid diode clipping crap"...then these same people stick a $99.00 overdrive/boost pedal in fron of their amp...you know the one with diode clippers in them LOL.
Last edited:
bkrumme
Well-known member
There's something to be said about that, though. Most effects pedals are solid state. There are a handful which are tube, but the majority are 100% solid state. Diode clippers or not, a good boost or overdrive pedal can go a long way with a tube amp.
The long and short of it: If you like the tone you get from that configuration, then more power to ya.
Not me...I went with an amp that didn't need a "boost" or similar pedal in the first place.
I just talked to a friend of mine that bought a TS9 clone and as it gave him the sound he wanted, he says it added a lot of noise and is now shopping for a noise gate or similar. Good luck to him
I know it will never end for him or others in the same boat.
sickindian
Well-known member
All of that pisses me off as i cant try one and I already spent about 2k pounds only on 2290 and looper if i'd knew its worth the money i would be left with some money to spend on something else grrrrrr.....
