Axe FX Standard vs. Eleven Rack

[Stratofuzz]

I have a line on an Axe-FX Standard for a grand. Is it worth the hundred bucks more than a new Eleven Rack?

If so, why?

Gracias

[jrockbridge]

I have a line on an Axe-FX Standard for a grand. Is it worth the hundred bucks more than a new Eleven Rack?

If so, why?

Gracias

You can actually find 11R bundled with the ERXP for ~ $750. So, the difference is more like ~ $250. I own an 11R and it does what I need.

I think an Axe-FX Standard is worth an extra $250 because of all the extra amp models, fx models, extra routing options, deep editing that will all mean a lot more tonal possibilities and power. It's no that you'll need all of the extra features, but having more options means you'll have a better shot at using the modeler in the way you want as well as finding the sounds that you like.

The 11R comes with Pro Tools 8, 9 or 10 depending on the bundle, and in some cases, the ERXP which includes more amp and fx models. Also, the 11R allows for reamping with Pro Tools in case that type of recording feature would be a benefit to you.

Obviously, you'd be able to do multi-track record and even reamp with the Axe-FX as well if you want, but it would require you to purchase extra gear like a recording interface and a DAW, for example. If you plan to use the whole 11R bundle including PT's, it's certainly a great value.

[jcj]

I have a line on an Axe-FX Standard for a grand. Is it worth the hundred bucks more than a new Eleven Rack?

If so, why?

Gracias

It is to me, just because I dig the sound and flexibility more than the 11r...I think a grand for the Standard is a pretty great deal.

[Reincaster]

I love my eleven, but I would jump on a standard for $1K. The 11R is great, but even the so-called "outdated" Axe is better for live use. The 1st series doesn't have a headphone amp (I use a standalone one) or USB, but if it's for live use, not a problem.

[atquinn]

$1K is a good price, but it really all depends on how you're going to use it. For me, at this point, the 11Rack is the best turn-it-on-and-play modeller I've had (which includes Boss, Digitech, Line6 and an Axe FX Ultra). But I play a home primarily through headphones so what I'm looking for is undoubtedly diferent from the OP. Still, at $1K, you can afford to buy it and try it without losing much, if anything, if you sell it. I should also, mention that a used Eleven Rack could be bought for around half what you'd be paying for the Standard if price is a consideration.
-
Austin

[TheJudge]

Here we go again! Worth on these units is subjective like so many things about music, gear and tone in general. Only you can decide if it is worth it to you.

The first step I would suggest is defining your goals or what you want to accomplish. Is it playing live, home recording, or something else?

The next step might be to analyze your current setup. Do you typically use a lot of effects? If you play live, do you run two amps in a stereo configuration or are you a plug into one amp and go kind of player?

For what it is worth, I had both units in my home studio for a while, and I kept the 11R because it fit my needs better. Both units are great and offer really cool tones and features. Figure out what you need and get the right tool for the job.

Good luck!

[OverHTheHill]

I agree with TheJudge; It depends on your needs . Are you're looking for AMP modeling only or are you looking for amp modeling with the best effects in a box. AT a thousand dollars considering all the horse power you get with the AXE (powerful DSP that might be multiples of what the eleven Rack has) it's a deal. Then again if you're main concern is AMP modeling, I think that Eleven will do the job.

To me the difference between the top modelers was significant in tonality but fundimentally they're all useable for AMP modeling, by that I mean Eleven, HD, AXE FX one and two. The difference in the AMP modeling sounded to me like the difference between using different brand of strings, some are brighter or darker than others but they all can be made to sound very similar and musical.

When it comes to effects, nothing comes even close to the AXE FX, and if variety and number of amp models is a concern then clearly the AXE FX leaves everhing else in the dust.

[Stratofuzz]

Thanks all of you for your insights (and quickly too!)

I have been digging the HD-500 but after tweaking it's just not quite where I want it. (I have the latest firmware and it is better.) Perhaps more time is needed with the Line 6 but I am an instant gratification kind of guy and the Eleven appears to be the unit for that...just saying.

[Reincaster]

I agree with TheJudge; It depends on your needs . Are you're looking for AMP modeling only or are you looking for amp modeling with the best effects in a box. AT a thousand dollars considering all the horse power you get with the AXE (powerful DSP that might be multiples of what the eleven Rack has) it's a deal. Then again if you're main concern is AMP modeling, I think that Eleven will do the job.

To me the difference between the top modelers was significant in tonality but fundimentally they're all useable for AMP modeling, by that I mean Eleven, HD, AXE FX one and two. The difference in the AMP modeling sounded to me like the difference between using different brand of strings, some are brighter or darker than others but they all can be made to sound very similar and musical.

When it comes to effects, nothing comes even close to the AXE FX, and if variety and number of amp models is a concern then clearly the AXE FX leaves everhing else in the dust.

:agreeAlthough, user IR's change the comparison between the 11R and Axe 1 a bit though. I think the 11R's weak point is the cabinet models.

[desdinova]

The first step I would suggest is defining your goals or what you want to accomplish. Is it playing live, home recording, or something else?

The next step might be to analyze your current setup. Do you typically use a lot of effects? If you play live, do you run two amps in a stereo configuration or are you a plug into one amp and go kind of player?


:agree

I wish we could get deals like that in Europe. The cheapest Axe Std. I saw was more than 1000 euro (make calculations for $).

ATM I'm very happy with the 11R, since all I want is great amp models, only a couple of effects and "amp like" simplicity. But if I needed a lot of effects or didn't mind the initial "learning" (i.e. "tweaking") curve I'd bite the bullet and get a Std. instead. You should see what your priorities are really.

[Black Squirrel]

Its worth a Grand to find out for yourself I have played Live and recorded with both And its not so much about features ect Its about the sound. The Axe Amp models just sound Better (Which maybe is just the cabs But you cant use IRs with the 11R) I found the 11R to be Very hard to deal with live going FRFR (K10 ) Just did not have enough control to get it too sound right.

[jcj]

I have a line on an Axe-FX Standard for a grand. Is it worth the hundred bucks more than a new Eleven Rack?

If so, why?

Gracias

This may not be your thing, but for my money, the Standard is far ahead of the 11R...

Feels better and sounds better.... at least to me...far more flexibility, as well...ymmv, as always :)

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[jcj]

btw....that was V10.0

[mike@switchback]

I'll be a dissenting voice....even ignoring the price, I prefer the 11r to the axe std. For my taste, the 11r is more true to the tones I prefer, is much more user friendly, and I prefer the effects because I value accurate vintage repros over flexibility and quantity. I miss exactly one feature of the axe I owned...the user IRs. But that one feature wouldn't be enough for me to go back.

[TheJudge]

I hope this thread does not go down the rabbit hole like so many others have unfortunately, into the "...the ________ completely outshines the _________." Of course, everyone is entitled to an opinion, and we all have them. Regarding user IRs, since I use my 11R in a home studio, I can easily load up my Ownhammer and Redwirez IRs into Pro Tools and completely bypass the cab and mic model in the 11R. Personally, I think the 11R cabs are really great and add a flavor/spice that is different from other cab models. To each his own. Use the right tool for the right job to accomplish your goals and you can't go wrong.

[desdinova]

Regarding user IRs, since I use my 11R in a home studio, I can easily load up my Ownhammer and Redwirez IRs into Pro Tools and completely bypass the cab and mic model in the 11R. Personally, I think the 11R cabs are really great and add a flavor/spice that is different from other cab models. To each his own. Use the right tool for the right job to accomplish your goals and you can't go wrong.

I'm adding IRs in the DAW also (Reaper), but have found that the provided stock cabs/mics sometimes cut through the mix better. It might be spending more time with particular IRs to achieve, perhaps, better results, but that's the point: why spend time if results are already there.

All in all, any tool can be made to work. I've cut great tracks with the humble G3 or even my old Tech21 TM10 run direct to my interface via XLR out. As for the 11R, which I'm using for close to 2 months now, if they provided a standalone editor and fixed the routing scheme, it would perfect for my needs, both live and in the studio.

[richpjr]

I'm happy with the sound out of my 11R, especially for the price. But the requirement to use ProTools with it and the monster upgrade price having me strongly considering something else. I picked up my 11R around a year ago that came with ProTools 8 LE. I use a Mac and unfortunately 8 isn't supported. To get support I need to upgrade to 10 for $500! If it reliably worked with other interfaces, I could live with firing up my laptop to load presets, but that is hit or miss. I picked up MainStage 2 the other night from Apple when they started selling it separately only to find out I can't even launch it - it hangs trying to initialize. Even Garageband has trouble seeing it.

If you are on a Mac and using Lion, whatever you do, make sure you get the latest version with 10. I'm seriously thinking of selling mine as the aggravation is too great and really out of principle I won't pay $500 to run a current product on a current OS.

[jrockbridge]

........Regarding user IRs, since I use my 11R in a home studio, I can easily load up my Ownhammer and Redwirez IRs into Pro Tools and completely bypass the cab and mic model in the 11R. Personally, I think the 11R cabs are really great and add a flavor/spice that is different from other cab models. To each his own. Use the right tool for the right job to accomplish your goals and you can't go wrong.

There was an 11R owner almost a year ago that posted clips of the 11R Stock IR's vs Ownhammer vs Redwirez. I don't think clips are the end-all-be-all for comparison. However, The 11R Stock IR's sounded very good in every example he posted. In some cases, I preferred the Ownhammer or Redwirez, but the differences were typically subtle. Also, the stock 11R IR's always seemed to be mix friendly. But, I digress. Back to the thread topic.

The Axe-FX Standard is capable of some sounds that are not possible with the 11R. So, for some people, the Axe is going to be the clear choice for that reason.

Although the 11R has fewer amp models and fx, it comes very close to aping the analog gear that it models. Even the feel is there. So, if the list of amp models and fx covers the ground you need (which in my case it does), it's a great solution. For me, the reamping capabilities are the icing on the cake.

[Dr Git]

I was one of the first 11R owners here on TGP, and was a member of the 11R forum when there was 10 members. I loved the 11R. Thought it was amazing. Clever device. A few months later i bought a Axe Fx. I never used my 11R again.

[ejecta]

Having owned both I would give the nod to the AxeFX. I thought there were good tones to be had in the 11R but for my tastes I liked the AxeFX better. My tastes are in the on the edge break up to early 80's amount of gain. Also dig spanky funk clean tones. I also like making new tones with effects.... atmospheric stuff I guess.

[Rod]

I would buy the AxeFx.. fwiw you can buy used 11rs with the exp pack for $650 on here

[Cosmik de Bris]

If you are on a Mac and using Lion, whatever you do, make sure you get the latest version with 10. I'm seriously thinking of selling mine as the aggravation is too great and really out of principle I won't pay $500 to run a current product on a current OS.

Yes, this has put me off of the 11R, in fact Avid's whole support for Lion and all it's products is very poor. The drivers for many of their firewire mixers and pre-amp modules are very flakey and they don't seem interested in fixing them.

[richpjr]

Yes, this has put me off of the 11R, in fact Avid's whole support for Lion and all it's products is very poor. The drivers for many of their firewire mixers and pre-amp modules are very flakey and they don't seem interested in fixing them.

I could even live with the lack of an upgrade (even if I strongly disagree with their upgrade policy) if they at least provided stable drivers.