Eleven Rack

MNM7

Howdy Mates

I know there has been a lot of hype regarding the axe-fx systems and they are the holy grail when it comes to amp modeling. But i would like to know if anyone has any experience with the Eleven Rack? And if you had, what you thought of it. I saw them at TOMS in Sandton, the last time I was there. And are they better or worse than say the POD HD series?

AlanRatcliffe

I use one. Nicer feel and response than the HD, but even with the expansion pack, nowhere near as many amps or effects compared to the HD500 or HD Pro. The HDs are probably better for the high gain amps, where the feel doesn't matter as much, but they have a bigger variety of amps.

The only problem with the Eleven Rack is Avid's corporate attitude. It was designed as a ProTools interface for guitarists and succeeds very well in that regard and is almost coincidentally one of the best amp/speaker modellers. But if you want to use other recording software, it does not integrate like Guitar Rig or other software packages and there is no stand-alone editor either (and they have actively err... discouraged third parties from making one). So if you want to edit patches via computer, make sure you can (and want to) run ProTools on your machine or be prepared to do without.

ProTools refuses to run on my machine (which runs Cakewalk, Cubase and Reaper flawlessly as well as the software editors for TC, Boss, Line 6 and Eventide gear) and Avid will not support it because it is not a ProTools "certified" machine. I have no real interest in PT anyway (Cakewalk has better MIDI capabilities and I've been using it since DOS), so refuse to go to the length of replacing my whole machine for the sake of getting a software editor. I'll eventually crossgrade to something else (or upgrade to an AxeFX) when there is something comparable in the same kind of price range. I'll probably offload my Digidesign 003 interface sometime too and never buy another Avid product again - I don't see why I should support a company who does not support those who have spent a lot of money for their products.

To my mind Avid are trying to force everyone into using ProTools. Hopefully in the long run, no-one will bother using their software or hardware because the software is just too finicky for the mass market and their backup sucks.

...Still, after all that, the Eleven rack is a great sounding unit that can be picked up fairly cheaply brand new with expansion from places like Sweetwater (and US models can run on 230V).

MNM7

Do you only use it for recording? or have you ever used it live?

AlanRatcliffe

Both. ?

MNM7

I'm gonna take a guess and say you use the g-system to control it?

AlanRatcliffe

Yup. Patch changes via MIDI and I've programmed the Boost switch on the G to toggle the Eleven Rack's Distortion pedal on/off.

Currently, MIDI chain is as follows:
G-Sys -> 11R -> GT-Pro -> Nova Drive -> G-Sys

The signal chain:
Magnetic pups -> Filter(G) -> Comp(G) -> Nova Drive -> Lovepedal OD11 -> Mod(11R) -> FX1(11R) -> Dist(11R) -> Amp/Speaker(11R) -> FX2(11R) -> Mod(G) -> Pitch(G) -> Delay(G) -> Rev(G) -> Delay(11R) -> Reverb(11R) -> Mixer

Piezo Pickups -> GT-Pro -> Mixer

Notes:
The 11R allows me to change the order of the chain (unlike the G), so any of the 11R effects can move to where the other 11R effects are.
Yes, there is a bit of duplication between 11R and G, but there are some things each does better than the other. Mostly the G is used for FX, OD11 and 11R are used for drives and 11R for amp/speaker modelling.
The Nova Drive is beginning to look a bit redundant. ?

MNM7

I remember seeing a pic of your rig on the forums, but can't remember seeing the 11R. Is it a new addition?

I can think the ND is a bit redundant. ?

AlanRatcliffe

MNM7 wrote: I remember seeing a pic of your rig on the forums, but can't remember seeing the 11R. Is it a new addition?

I've had it a few weeks now. Replaced the T21 Blonde (which always powered up in the bypass state, so I had to reach around the back of the rack to turn it on every time). Also obviously adds more amps and FX to my rig and is MIDI switchable. ?

I'm getting my 8U rack case and power conditioner on Tuesday - then my rack is complete (usual caveats apply to that statement ?).

Gearhead

8u is too bihiiig ?

MNM7

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: then my rack is complete (usual caveats apply to that statement ?).

Famous last words. ?

AlanRatcliffe

MNM7 wrote: Famous last words. ?

Ja, ja. I know that better than most. ? So let me add "for now..." to that. ?

Gearhead wrote: 8u is too bihiiig ?

Not really - I'm getting a short rack and all the units are fairly lightweight. As long as it fits in the car. ?