Ok,
So after about a month of getting my Axe I can safely say that I've just managed to scratched the surface with a dirty fingernail.
What I've found so far is truly amazing...
But lets get objective for the purposes of this review;
The Axe is not some magic box, it doesnt have hidden tubes or the dna of some rock god built into it.. It's a modeller. Plain and simple.
So what makes it so special?
Like anything else, it's the attention to detail.
Every part used in the Axe is of the highest quality, from the processor to the input jacks and everything inbetween.
Then there's the software:
Completely routable and programmable, Assign controllers to almost anything, place effects anywhere in the chain, place amps and cabs anywhere, have multiple chains, link them, assign controllers to them.. It can get pretty out of hand ?
Each effect comes with about 3 pages of tweaks and options.
For example - the Drive blocks allow you to choose which diode to simulate..
So what if your not a tweaker..
Thats fine too, just setup a rig as you would the real thing: drive>amp>cab>effects>out.
This is where I am at the moment (a little deeper than that but this is the starting point for me)
The result I've got, even at this basic level are so good that I may never get further.. I've got amazing crisp cleans, great dirty drives and some of the most awesome effects I've ever managed to create using a multifx pedal.
I can emulate almost anythingI want to play or copy and if needed, with alot of tweaking, I could exactly copy most famous rigs and sounds.
What sets it apart from everything else is how alive it feels.
It has that warm compressed tube amp feel,the best I can describe it as is a deep whump.. Lol
Clean it up and it can sing and shimmer. Heck there's even a violin patch floating around on the net.
There's so much more to write, and so much more to say, but I think i'll keep adding to this post as I need to..
Questions though are welcome.. Though answers will be limited to the size of my brain ?
SO where's the proof?
Here ya go:
Clean
http://www.box.net/shared/5quq0m7fpf
Dirty
http://www.box.net/shared/xt3i1k3oqr
Short cool effects clip
http://www.box.net/shared/sj5qsedgyi
But a quick preamble-
This is recorded direct - Guitar (PRS Cu22) > Axe > crappy lead from output 2 on Axe (Left) > Sound Blaster Audigy 2 External box Mic input> Audacity
Not exactly high tech.
Due to the connection, it's recorded in mono.
I'm looking into using the Digital out on the Axe when I get time to set up.
It sounds good though. If it doesnt sound great, bear in mind, it's my crappy pc and bad cables/recording interface thats bringing the axe down. Not the other way round.
How can I say this? I've plugged the axe into a hi-fi, an amp and my pc.. It has yet to sound crap.
Ok here's the links (excuse the playing)
No backing tracks, no mixing, no eq.
Just direct axe.
Volumes may be a bit low though.
Let me know
