Vai goes Axe-FX

BMU

Seems Fractal got Vai on board as an Axe-FX user. Seems like pretty fresh news, the forum post is dated 2 days ago.
http://www.fractalaudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16599

"The flexibility of the Axe-Fx is supreme. I did extensive tone testing with it and found it to be flawless. It's all I need now. It makes me feel like every day is Christmas. It's exceptional and I'm grateful."

This is pretty big, it's going to put demand up pretty sharply I'm guessing. (For instance, I'm wondering if I too "need" one ☹ )

I'm surprised on the one hand because of Vai's endorsements with Carvin and others. But on the other hand Vai has always been an early adopter and technophile.

Checking out their website, I had no idea so many artists were using the Axe-FX. Here's Petrucci:
“The Axe-Fx has completely and forever changed the way I look at guitar processing. This box does an incredible number of things astonishingly well.”

guitarboy2828

That's pretty cool.. Thing is with these guys, it's probably just one piece of their huge rig.. He's probably adding the Axe-FX in one of the loops in his TC electronics G-system.

Petrucci's rig is just HUGE.. So, if he uses this it's just for a couple effects on board or something.. ?

Or maybe i'm completely wrong, but i'm pretty sure that is how these guys would use them.

BMU

guitarboy2828 wrote That's pretty cool.. Thing is with these guys, it's probably just one piece of their huge rig.. He's probably adding the Axe-FX in one of the loops in his TC electronics G-system.

Petrucci's rig is just HUGE.. So, if he uses this it's just for a couple effects on board or something.. ?

Or maybe i'm completely wrong, but i'm pretty sure that is how these guys would use them.

Ya, very true. Lots of speculation on the web about what Vai means with "It's all I need now." But I'm pretty sure he's not chucking out his Carvin Legacy...or the endorsement deal that comes with it.

It's more this comment from Jeff Loomis that makes me sit up and take notice:
“I am able to create the exact guitar sound and touch dynamics I want from the ground up with my Axe-Fx. Need I say more?”

To me Loomis is THE guitarist to beat right now in heavy music. He plays an Engl head that is the tonal wet dream of metal shredders the world over. Maybe that quote is taken out of context but he seems to be talking about the actual tone, not just using it for effects.

Anyway I'm not a fanboy or rushing out to buy one just yet. Moore's Law and market dynamics will bring the price on tech of this type down in time anyway. I'm just watching developments with interest.

Muhammad

BMU wrote
guitarboy2828 wrote That's pretty cool.. Thing is with these guys, it's probably just one piece of their huge rig.. He's probably adding the Axe-FX in one of the loops in his TC electronics G-system.

Petrucci's rig is just HUGE.. So, if he uses this it's just for a couple effects on board or something.. ?

Or maybe i'm completely wrong, but i'm pretty sure that is how these guys would use them.
Ya, very true. Lots of speculation on the web about what Vai means with "It's all I need now." But I'm pretty sure he's not chucking out his Carvin Legacy...or the endorsement deal that comes with it.

It's more this comment from Jeff Loomis that makes me sit up and take notice:
“I am able to create the exact guitar sound and touch dynamics I want from the ground up with my Axe-Fx. Need I say more?”

To me Loomis is THE guitarist to beat right now in heavy music. He plays an Engl head that is the tonal wet dream of metal shredders the world over. Maybe that quote is taken out of context but he seems to be talking about the actual tone, not just using it for effects.

Anyway I'm not a fanboy or rushing out to buy one just yet. Moore's Law and market dynamics will bring the price on tech of this type down in time anyway. I'm just watching developments with interest.

Pity your in Cape Town, you could've tried mine out.
It really is all that they're saying..
I play with mine through a pair of pc speakers! (plenty loud and good enough for not waking up neighbours/babies/dogs) No more amp, pedals, cables....
And I havent missed a thing or gas'd for anything since getting mine. (maybe a decent midi footswitch, but thats not reaaly a biggie)
Infact, I havent even been on the forums for a while.. Work, home, axe...

But it's a proper mission to get one..
Just ask Ruvann. I got really really lucky..

BMU

Muhammad: was wondering if you'd show up in this thread! ? I totally believe you. I haven't used an amp since I got my POD 2.0. (For anything but practicing in front of the TV that is.) Now I have the POD XT which I think is close to perfect. No doubt because I don't know any better - I have no trouble believing the Axe-FX is a significant improvement.

You're in a privileged position to have one dude, enjoy! If it was as easy as walking into a music shop (and taking out a 2nd mortgage) to get one, I'd probably have one by now!

This might be waving a red flag to the tube purists, but I actually don't care what "real" tube tone sounds like, to me it's irrelevant. I want a cool sound, not a real sound. I think things like the Axe-FX are going to bring about a shift in that direction in the next generation of guitarists.

Also, I can't wait to see what the competition comes up with. You can bet Digitech and Line 6 are sweating away furiously to meet this new challenge. They're going to refine the interface, bring it out at a better price point. Plus hardware gets more powerful and cheaper all the time (Moore's Law again) ...there's never been a better time to play guitar - let the games begin!

Muhammad

BMU wrote Muhammad: was wondering if you'd show up in this thread! ? I totally believe you. I haven't used an amp since I got my POD 2.0. (For anything but practicing in front of the TV that is.) Now I have the POD XT which I think is close to perfect. No doubt because I don't know any better - I have no trouble believing the Axe-FX is a significant improvement.

You're in a privileged position to have one dude, enjoy! If it was as easy as walking into a music shop (and taking out a 2nd mortgage) to get one, I'd probably have one by now!

This might be waving a red flag to the tube purists, but I actually don't care what "real" tube tone sounds like, to me it's irrelevant. I want a cool sound, not a real sound. I think things like the Axe-FX are going to bring about a shift in that direction in the next generation of guitarists.

Also, I can't wait to see what the competition comes up with. You can bet Digitech and Line 6 are sweating away furiously to meet this new challenge. They're going to refine the interface, bring it out at a better price point. Plus hardware gets more powerful and cheaper all the time (Moore's Law again) ...there's never been a better time to play guitar - let the games begin!

Haha BMU, I'm becoming the resident fractal audio groupie it seems ?

As far as whether the competition catches up or not, well....
I think it's a matter of economics..
Boss, line6 etc cater to the home musician, hobbyist, poorer professional.
They give you everything you could want in terms of effects amps drives, but at a lower quality compared to high end gear or the real thing (in terms of amps and drives)

Cliff Chase (the designer of the axe) says that this is because of cost cutting when selecting components as well as processing power used in these units. The algorithms used by these units are also less complex because of the hardware limitations.
This is done by choice, the aim being to keep costs down. Which makes sense since most of the target market wouldn't be able to afford insanely expensive units.

The point is, until their target market is threatened, boss and line6 wont bat an eyelid about the axe since it's too expensive for most.

TC electronics and Eventide however... Those two are probably kakking themselves ?

edit: One other reason Fractal Audio is getting so much attention is their customer support.
I emailed fractal abut whether using pc speakers would damage the unit and on info on how to route the connections.
Cliff replied in person!
And thats not an isolated incident..

guitarboy2828

Muhammad wrote
TC electronics and Eventide however... Those two are probably kakking themselves ?

Not really, i mean, Vai was/is using a G-system from TC electronics and I doubt he's stopping.. Like I said earlier, he's probably put the AxeFX through one of the loops of the G-system or something. Pro's like vai don't have any reason to limit themselves to one pedal.. So, doubt he has.

It's like anything really, each has it's place. I bought a Nova system, it's more of a consumer product, as it's in that price range, however, I think it's awesome. Most guys will still buy Boss, Line6 and most will be completely satisfied with it.

Many "pro's" are playing with stomp boxes and a good amp. I really don't see that changing now that AxeFX is out. I'm not hating on the product, I'm sure it's awesome, but I don't think everything is going to sell their gear to use AxeFX, that just never happens.

AlanRatcliffe

I wouldn't call the Nova system a consumer unit - it's more of a grab 'n go pro unit. For many pro players, the issue is size and weight because of flying restrictions and the Nova gives 'em something they are happy using with whatever backline amps they find at the gig.

BMU

I actually know nothing about the Nova system, except what I read here from time to time. So was that the POD killer until the axe-fx appeared? Are the amp simulations regarded as better than Line 6's?

AlanRatcliffe

BMU wrote I actually know nothing about the Nova system, except what I read here from time to time. So was that the POD killer until the axe-fx appeared? Are the amp simulations regarded as better than Line 6's?

No amp sims, just studio quality effects. Made for use with a real amp. Few pros use amp sims live. ?

BMU

Oh ok, thanks. That explains why it's been under my radar, not a big effects user.

I wish more bands WOULD start using sims direct to the PA. I'm thinking of local metal bands where the music is just a rumbling noise 'cos they think you need a 100w head to play a venue the size of a pub. Frustrating.

Or for smaller bands who can't carry their own backline with them on tour. One of my favourite guitarists/bands, Per Nilsson from Scar Symmetry:
"We're on tour right now where we use the POD X3 floorboards, it actually sounds really awesome. It's a super practical solution for the live setting, doesn't really weigh anything, consistent sound night after night. In the studio we use real amps."
http://farsideguitars.blogspot.com/

Muhammad

see the thing is the Axe's amp sims are so good that it really does replace an amp. In every situation. Vai won't be using it for effects only since, like you said, he has access to plenty of pro effects gear. Though interestingly, the effects in the axe are not like what your used to. Two or three "knobs" or a few parameters like delay length, decay feedback etc.
In the axe you get every possible variable for a said effect. its up to you to learn how that effect works then apply that to get what you want. Extremely powerful and difficult at times. stock settings will give you a start, but tweaking can do some super crazy shit too ?

BMU

BMU wrote It's more this comment from Jeff Loomis that makes me sit up and take notice:
"I am able to create the exact guitar sound and touch dynamics I want from the ground up with my Axe-Fx. Need I say more?"

Yay, I'm first to call b*s on my own post. Here's a brand new interview with Loomis. Guess what? Just using it for the effects. LOL!!! Axe-FX g.a.s. stepped down from Defcon 1 to Defcon 4. Just more marketing cr*p. (I'm not disputing it's an awesome gizmo though.)

http://guitaredge.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=603:jeff-loomis-back-in-black&catid=45:interviews&Itemid=66
"I heard that you’re currently using Fractal Audio’s Axe-Fx live now.
At the moment I only use that at home, not live. I use an ENGL Savage 120 head through ENGL cabs. I’m thinking of working the Axe-Fx into my live gear for effects though."

Sean

BMU wrote Axe-FX g.a.s. stepped down from Defcon 1 to Defcon 4.

Yeah, quite a letdown when that happens ☹ although the relief on the wallet makes up for it a little ?

guitarboy2828

This is Vai's Facebook status:

"Steve Vai My new amp rig... I'm running the send out of the back of my Carvin Legacy II into the Axe-FX and then back out of that returning two two Carvin Legacy heads. Amazing Flexibility. It's a powerful combination."

Interesting, so he is just using it for effects. So, are the effects on the Axe better than the G-system then? Or does he like the fact that they're all in one and it's all controlled via midi controller?