Axe FX - experience and general opinions!?

DrGonzo · 2011-03-07T19:10:59+00:00

Hey any of you have any playing time and opinions of the Axe FX by Fractal Audio?? There is really a huge hype online about this and it has an ever increasi...

Axe FX - experience and general opinions!?

Tokai-SA

DrGonzo wrote:
aja wrote: Can anyone really argue that the Axe FX is not worth it because a POD HD is almost as good for much less money, but then rush out to buy a tube amp for crazy money because solid state amps do not sound as good as tube amps even though the SS are cheaper?

Unless you have used the darn thing in person, there is no way a sound/video clip is going to tell you if it is worth it or not.

Tokai SA wrote: We did a few VERY QUICK clips with my HD500 yesterday, PJH is playing a Les Paul, I just scrolled to an amp sim, did no tweaking at all.
This is still with the old version, I haven't uploaded the new software with a bunch of new tweaking updates, like 'sag' control, 'tube bias' adjustment, poweramp volume, etc, etc.

We didn't have time to even get to the Marshall and Bogner amp sims...we were in a rush.

It starts with a Mesa Dual Rectifier, it ends with the DrZ Route 66.

Try micing an amp and getting these tones, not so easy.

Listen at volume through studio monitors and keep in mind this is without spending time tweaking the patches.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10632968

Bring on the Axe-FX 11...we'll match the tones everytime with a Pod HD500 for a 1/4 the price. ?.... ?

I tried the Pod HD300 earlier this week, as i thought it would be a great alternative recording solution, i was quite excited about it and I really have to say I was terribly dissapointed...
I think perhaps I was routing it wrong or doing something wrong?? - I was playing it straight into the input of a M-audio Bx5a studio monitor - there was some nice clean sounds but the main thing im after is distortion, and it was not great to my ears... At first the switch was on live and it sounded not so great and then we switched it to studio, it sounded better but the distortion still sounded a bit wrong to my ears.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me?? I think im gonna go back with my macbook and soundcard and record some of the models straight into Cubase, like I would be doing when at home recording, and then I can probably make a better judgement.

Let me just say that I would MUCH rather pay R5000 for a hd500 than R20000 for a AxeFX - but if i cant get the sound/tones i desire out the pod then its back to the drawing board....

The HD300 and 500 have identical amp sims, you should be able to get the same tones with the HD300 as the clips I posted.

Tokai-SA

ruvann wrote:
Tokai SA wrote:
ruvann wrote: sorry. correction.

Lincoln Brewster got his Axe-FX in September 2009.
A guy on the Axe-FX forum saw him live and had a chat with him aftwerwards.
He was using the Axe-FX Ultra with a Liquid Foot Junior and a CAE midi switcher.
The guys on the Axe-FX forum should spend more time recording with their Axe's and posting clips than discussing which "big names" are using it. ?...yikes!, talk about cork sniffers over at that place. :?

It's not what the AXE could do for my tone, it's what the AXE would do to my personality that worries me. ?

Yeah why would people want "General Discussion" categories on forums ??? ?
Anyway, did you miss the "Recordings" section?

You obviously haven't spent enough time with Axe-FX "clan"...stick around, you'll learn about them. ?

I didn't miss the recordings section at all, I look at recent posts, I click on what seems interesting, and I reply....usually haven't a clue what section it's in or I'm in.

I see this thread is in the "Amps" section, which is the wrong section, the Axe-FX and HD series are both not amps, they're modellers...but don't tell the Axe-FX boys it's not a real tube amp because they'll have a fit. ?

ruvann

DrGonzo wrote:
Let me just say that I would MUCH rather pay R5000 for a hd500 than R20000 for a AxeFX - but if i cant get the sound/tones i desire out the pod then its back to the drawing board....

I'm actually thinking now.
I bought my PODxt for R4700. Bought my PODx3 for R5000, and if I upgraded to POD HD500 it would've been another R5500.
Buying an Axe-FX is actually then not that expensive, considering that the $2000 Ultra at the time of it's release in 2006 was about R12000 and a person would still not NEED to upgrade to the next model now.
Both the Standard and Ultra won't be fully obsolete for at least a couple more years.
How quickly do other modellers become obsolete?
It also has a much better resale value than other modellers.

ruvann

Tokai SA wrote:
You obviously haven't spent enough time with Axe-FX "clan"...stick around, you'll learn about them. ?

I didn't miss the recordings section at all, I look at recent posts, I click on what seems interesting, and I reply....usually haven't a clue what section it's in or I'm in.

I see this thread is in the "Amps" section, which is the wrong section, the Axe-FX and HD series are both not amps, they're modellers...but don't tell the Axe-FX boys it's not a real tube amp because they'll have a fit. ?

Seems the POD "clan" and other modeller boys don't take it very lightly that there's a modeller more sought after than theirs and by some people, more sought after than tube amps. ?

Maybe some feel it is unfair that people post about the Axe-FX in the "Amps" section but still post about the POD in the "Modellers" section ?

Malkav

This is a very humurous thread ?

I think I'd rather have an Axe-FX than a valve amp, there are just certain tones it can get that a valve amp couldn't deliver on. I fully support the digital movement though...

I don't doubt that even when this unit has it down 100% and is undeniably equal to a tube amp there'll still be a bunch of nay sayers "claiming" to hear a difference. I'm not saying it's there yet, but I am saying that generally guitarists are full of k@k.

As for the whole price thing, I'd happily pay the R20k or whatever it works out to get it here cause the other day I fell in love with a valve amp. That amp is the Framus Cobra and as much as I want one I simply can't justify R33k (retail) for just the head alone, even with my staff discount the Axe is still a more affordable option and by comparison the Framus is a 1 trick pony, I'm not a 1 trick player ?

I have a GT-10, I can get amazing results from it, I don't doubt I could get even more amazing results with the Fractal but I see the limitations of my GT and the PODS. Also with regards to the Line 6 HD, the cab emulations in them, though impulse, aren't as good as the Fractal's, you can also load new impulses to the AXE-FX which you can't do with the POD. There really is quite a mountain of difference between them with regards to flexability and tone.

I am however not an Axe-FX fanboy, from an objective point of view it is simply superior, but in the hands of people with more money than common sense they're a waste of time, perhaps even more so than a POD or GT cause they have more parameters that can be f***ed with and therefore more capacity to sound terrible as well ?

ruvann

There are some new clips of the Axe-FX II.
They are sounding SWEET!

http://javajunkiemusic.com/Audio/shiva1a.mp3

I'm LOVING this guy's tones.
Sorry, but this is the kind of stuff I've never heard coming from other modellers.

With that said, if someone does hear this in another modeller, by all means enjoy.

DrGonzo

Chad Adam Browne wrote: This is a very humurous thread ?

I think I'd rather have an Axe-FX than a valve amp, there are just certain tones it can get that a valve amp couldn't deliver on. I fully support the digital movement though...

I think for me, There is no question, I would MUCH rather have an arsenal of some awesome Tube amps... thats hands down. But the fact that I am always gonna have issues with space and loud noises, it is just not probable. and for music production & recording purposes, having an a whole array of world class tones is quite essential, and until I have a pimped out studio with 6 or 7 sextastic amps, I think the axefx (OR HDpod ?) is definately an option to consider!

DrGonzo

By the way, although i should probably post this in my other topic about import amps etc... this seems quite the hot forum at the mo.... 8)

Does anyone know what the duties would be on importing an AxeFX? on ebay it seems to come to around $1700 including shipping.

Are there even duties on something like this?
I really want to know how this stufff works - The last 5 items i have ordered and had delivered from ebay, there has been not one cent of duties charged.

someone mentioned in the other thread that it is only parts not amps that get burned for duties... I dont know exactly what he means but i wonder how something like this would apply to the axeFX?

So how much extra could one expect from such an order?

Norman86

DrGonzo wrote: someone mentioned in the other thread that it is only parts not amps that get burned for duties... I dont know exactly what he means but i wonder how something like this would apply to the axeFX?

Yeah, that was me...
Look, as far as i know, guitar parts and amplifier parts attract duties, when buying separately.
Guitars in kit form and amplifiers in kit form attract duties, where whole guitars and whole amps dont! i dont know why! if im not mistaken, it should say exactly that in the duties form?!

Jacquesg4j

Okay I am going to get this topic going again...

I will agree that the Axe FX will be a nice tool for bedroom play and recording and all of that... Good tone at low volume...

BUT

I practice at low volumes in my bedroom... I like good tone but do not need it when practicing... I can also do good tone pracs through my Pro Tools Interface into headphones and all that cost me R800. So no loud noise there... I gig with good tone and loud singing and sometimes screaming valve amps... And it doesn't have to be at low volumes so no issues there...

For recording... Who owns an Axe FX on here that really uses it to produce and record music and albums that justifies buying a R20k piece of digital equipment... If you want to record a world class album you will need to go to a studio in any ways and you will not record it in your bedroom at low volumes... So yeah for studio use it will work but why use it to record demos or what ever??

Here is my first ever recording and production that I entered in the April Challenge. I recorded it at bedroom level mic'n up my JCM900... and I live in a town house and in 2 years no-one ever complained...

http://www.box.net/shared/q4kfot478g

I think the tone is good enough for a demo?? Opinions welcome! So please explain to me why I need to dig out R20k to produce a demo album in my bedroom? If you are a professional producer by all means, you will make the R20k back in no time, but for a home recording muso... WHY??

AlanRatcliffe

Jacquesg4j wrote: If you are a professional producer by all means, you will make the R20k back in no time, but for a home recording muso... WHY??

Because you can? If you can afford it, why not spoil yourself with the best? Even if it is just for bedroom or headphone practice play, let alone home studio...

Anyway, the more people buying a product (for whatever reason), the cheaper it becomes for everyone else. :dance:

Jacquesg4j

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Jacquesg4j wrote: If you are a professional producer by all means, you will make the R20k back in no time, but for a home recording muso... WHY??
Because you can? If you can afford it, why not spoil yourself with the best? Even if it is just for bedroom or headphone practice play, let alone home studio...

Anyway, the more people buying a product (for whatever reason), the cheaper it becomes for everyone else. :dance:

Hahaha Alan that is one of your most un-philosophical replies ever... GOOD MOOD EY?? Looks like you had a good weekend...

But yeah sure if I had a few extra thousands lying around in my bank account I would consider it... But neither is it one of the things in my Top 10 Most wanted! Don't get me wrong...

...IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GIVE ME ONE TO PROVE ME WRONG I MIGHT CONSIDER IT... 8)

Malkav

Jacquesg4j wrote: I think the tone is good enough for a demo?? Opinions welcome! So please explain to me why I need to dig out R20k to produce a demo album in my bedroom? If you are a professional producer by all means, you will make the R20k back in no time, but for a home recording muso... WHY??

This guy here's name is Keith Merrow, He produced an entire album called Awaken The Stone King all on his own at home in his bedroom. The quality of the recording isn't on the level of demo thankfully, and he decided an Axe-FX would be a great addition to this setup. He has now released this album digitally and is receiving money for it, without all the hassle of dealing with a record label or even a band for that matter. All because now a days demo recordings can sound as good as the finished product.

Here's Periphery, yet again an entire album recorded, produced, mixed and mastered in someone's bedroom using an Axe-FX. Not one mic'd cab involved in either of these albums.

The world of home recording has come a long way and it is now possible to put out an album without the use of a studio or record company, these are the changing climates we live in and the Axe-FX is an enabler. It allows you a whole plethora of studio quality recordable valve tones and effects at the price of only 1 valve amp. The other players like line 6 etc aren't bad but they don't get the quality of sound the Axe-FX seems to, though with a little know how amazing results can follow.

This is Chimp Spanner, yet again an entire album recorded and produced in a bedroom by 1 guy. This guy however uses a Line 6 POD HD500 through his own sets of impulse response cabinet modellers. It's possible to get a startling good tone with them as well, it just doesn't sound quite as "big" to my ears.

So in short yeah it's not good enough for a demo ? (I haven't actually listened to your recording I'm just joking) These days the bar is set pretty damn high and for some people the Axe-FX is just a better option financially and in terms of value for money which it honestly offers a ton of even at that price. I know I'd rather have one and will quite readily save up for one before I even think about going valve...

Jacquesg4j wrote: I practice at low volumes in my bedroom... I like good tone but do not need it when practicing...

Well some people like having good tone to practice with, should we all be tone martyrs just because? I can get that you don't need good tone when practicing, but I like having good tone when practicing. I don't really see where this would be a problem, in fact I'm sure because I love hearing my guitar so much it inspires me to want to practice more.

Jacquesg4j wrote: For recording... Who owns an Axe FX on here that really uses it to produce and record music and albums that justifies buying a R20k piece of digital equipment... If you want to record a world class album you will need to go to a studio in any ways and you will not record it in your bedroom at low volumes... So yeah for studio use it will work but why use it to record demos or what ever??

What justifies spending R20k on a Marshall and Cab and all the pedals that would follow to get 3 or 4 tones? You aren't Jimi Hendrix surely you can learn to simply make do with a cube amp? ? - This is just me joking but you get the point ?

If you want to record a world class album now more than ever you don't necessarily have to go into a studio (as stated in the above examples). If I had it I'd record constantly, I don't really see why people can't make the highest quality recordings they'd like? I don't really like using the term demo on recording though, it sort of implies setting off to get shitty results before the recording is even done. Nowadays you don't have to have demos, people will pay money for good music and there are no excuses as to why you can't get results good enough to pay for with a home setup. It just takes a little know how, and a lot of enthusiasm and patience.

Jacquesg4j wrote: and I live in a town house and in 2 years no-one ever complained...

It's nice that in your case noone complains, heck in my neighbourhood I'm up till 12am sometimes setting up patches (which are normally very heavy and done at gigging volume) and noone complains. However not everyone is that fortunate, I have friends who are pretty much forced to use headphones because they live in a flat - now if you can't even practice at an external volume, you'll never be able to record at a proper volume.

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Because you can? If you can afford it, why not spoil yourself with the best? Even if it is just for bedroom or headphone practice play, let alone home studio...

Also I totally support this statement ? it's literally the only excuse needed ?

MoJo-JoJoe

Seems to me the Axe-FX is a very viable gigging tool ... no need to consider it only for home/studio use ...

AlanRatcliffe

Jacquesg4j wrote: Hahaha Alan that is one of your most un-philosophical replies ever...

Actually, I'm a firm believer that whatever you do with your music (or other people's for that matter), the most important thing is you have fun doing it. If a bit of expensive kit (or a cheap and relic'd Squier, whatever...) is going to add to your enjoyment, go for it. Hell, I can have a dammed good weekend programming my GT-8 or rewiring one of my guitars.

Some of us have to be a tad more circumspect than others when buying the higher price ticket items, but I don't begrudge those who have the wherewithal to buy more/better than I do or even those who can get whatever they want whenever the mood strikes them. Even collectors... I know a guy with more ultra collectable guitars than many music stores have Corts and Squiers and he has a fully equipped, but unused recording studio on top of it. He rarely plays, but he still enjoys just owning the stuff. More power to him (plus he's older than me, so chances are his two late '50s LPs, two early '60s Strats and his turn of the century Ramirez will become available one day ?).

I suppose it's all relative - By my gardener's standards, even my (now) modest selection of guitars is an outrageously ostentatious display of wealth. He stands and stares and shakes his head and can't understand why anyone would want more than one good guitar (and even one is more than he can dream of).

MoJo-JoJoe

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: ... (plus he's older than me, so chances are his two late '50s LPs, two early '60s Strats and his turn of the century Ramirez will become available one day ?).

Today I find myself questioning your motivations for friendship ... wonder why ?

AlanRatcliffe

You're younger than me aren't you? Plus I'm not that much into PRSi... ?

...hmmm. Wait a minute... Fender amps... ?

Malkav

MoJo JoJoe wrote: Seems to me the Axe-FX is a very viable gigging tool ... no need to consider it only for home/studio use ...

This is true ?

Both Periphery and another band I like called Animals As Leaders use the Axe-FX direct as their live rig, they just bring along their own personal powered monitors ?

MoJo-JoJoe

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: You're younger than me aren't you? Plus I'm not that much into PRSi... ?

...hmmm. Wait a minute... Fender amps... ?

You'd be surprised! Today someone (who was not wanting money from me .. lol) told me I look like I'm in my 20's .... MWhahahaha

Well there is this with your name on it already:

AlanRatcliffe

MoJo JoJoe wrote: Well there is this with your name on it already:

Well, remember - that was supposed to be my amp anyway. ?

It even matches my favourite underpants...