Fractal Audio Axe-FX - This thing is STILL a Monster Part II

[Scott Peterson]

The original thread is one of the mega threads on the board that our techs have named as one of the issues for poor board performance. This is simply a continuation of that thread in response to the original thread being locked down.

I've owned the Axe-FX Standard since June 2007 and I am more blown away with it than ever (September 2008 as I type this - 15 months along now...).

I'll simply put it this way - I've got over 60+ shows now with it. I've played with other guitarists on gigs, in jam sessions and even in one-on-one tonefests with real amps in the same room - Marshall's, Vox's, Fender's Mesa's, Bogners and Matchless amps. It can hang with them - and not only that - it can hang with any of them do even if the other guy sports a full on pro-style pedalboard to boot. Add in the mic/speaker cabs and that I can run direct to FOH and into a recording setup (I've done some commerical jingle sessions with it) and it's something else to behold.

I don't fuss with settings live. I don't have to. I've adjusted the global settings for a handful of shows. I run direct to FOH with IEM's on the bulk of my gigs now; if I need to suppliment or play loud on stage, I use a powered PA speaker (QSC HPR122i). I get tone, feel, response and every sound guy and every musician I've played with (and any that are in the crowd) have all noted that it sounds fantastic in the mix. No fighting to be heard, no muss, no fuss.

For me, the honeymoon period is well gone. Unlike some assumptions about me; I am not 'justifying' my purchase habits. I've simply allowed myself to think outside the guitarist's mindset about what gear 'should' look like and how to build a rig and found a new way to work. I simply focus on the music I play now, and the presets I've created for myself serve the songs.

It's not an 'emulation' machine. It's a 'creation' machine. I am not out there trying to just cop this or that; I am chasing my ideal tone just like the guys on the gear merry-go-round buying the latest greatest hot amp and pedals; except I don't need to go beyond the box I have. It's an amazing feat; I would not have believed it and don't expect to convince anyone that hasn't heard or played it that I'm not blowing smoke, not hyping, not filling anyone up with BS. I don't work for Fractal, I don't get free gear from Fractal, I don't get favors from Fractal. It just changed MY world and I like to talk about it because I know from reading the threads here on this forum and others, from talking to real world touring musicians and weekend warriors to bedroom jammers.... there is a need for something like this. It's not just empty marketing promises. It delivers the goods.

If you can get over the total 'mind ****' that it requires to try it; you'll find this isn't hype, never was, never will be. And it keeps evolving, changing and getting better... in ways no other piece of gear I've ever owned has ever done.

I like to tell new owners something that Eric (SoloAct) told me when I got mine, "Put on your helmet, because once you understand this thing, your head might explode."

It's quite the monster.

Carry on.

[mwc2112]

Good call on the new thread Scott. Here's a link to the old one in case anybody wants to use it as a reference (since it's locked and soon to be 847 pages deep).

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=267882

[scoob]

link to the old thread? Aren't we trying to avoid that?

[jgm]

Thanks Scott, I always like to hear about gear after the "I just gotta post on HC" period has passed. Couple of questions.

I'm pretty much an old SOB in approach and like simplicity and the ruggedness of good analog gear. I don't tend to use a lot of effects and I don't find myself thinking I need ten different amp flavors. BUT. The idea of plugging a unit into the back of my Genz Benz 200 watt Shen Pro is really appealing (use it like you use your QSC and have two acoustic channels still available). What has kept me from pulling the trigger on one of these however is concern that it's too much for what I need. Seems kid of silly to have all that capability and use two or three settings?

So, too much of a unit? Do they make an Axe-Fx "lite"?

[Scott Peterson]

Originally Posted by jgm

Thanks Scott, I always like to hear about gear after the "I just gotta post on HC" period has passed. Couple of questions.

I'm pretty much an old SOB in approach and like simplicity and the ruggedness of good analog gear. I don't tend to use a lot of effects and I don't find myself thinking I need ten different amp flavors. BUT. The idea of plugging a unit into the back of my Genz Benz 200 watt Shen Pro is really appealing (use it like you use your QSC and have two acoustic channels still available). What has kept me from pulling the trigger on one of these however is concern that it's too much for what I need. Seems kid of silly to have all that capability and use two or three settings?

Given the cost of a killer one channel non-MV amp, matching cab and the pedals to make it useful.... it's one hell of a bargin IMHO. I do full shows with 5-6 presets total; because they fit the songs best. I've done full sets with one or two presets. It's quality across quantity that's cool to have; but just because you 'can' does not mean you always 'should'.

So, too much of a unit? Do they make an Axe-Fx "lite"?

Not yet, but the maker has hinted at such a beast. No ETA or other information has come out to my knowledge (though it is rumored to be in a pedal format).

[gag halfrunt]

Scott, in the spirit of directly continuing from the old thread, I'd like to ask the question I posted at the end:

Do you think a Morley volume pedal (Little Alligator) would work as an expression pedal to control the output volume? HillbillySims had some trouble using one kind of volume pedal, but then no trouble with another.

Any idea why one works, and the other doesn't?

[9-Pin]

This is like finishing War and Peace, only to find out that there is a sequel you need to start.

[Scott Peterson]

Originally Posted by gag halfrunt

Scott, in the spirit of directly continuing from the old thread, I'd like to ask the question I posted at the end:

Do you think a Morley volume pedal (Little Alligator) would work as an expression pedal to control the output volume? HillbillySims had some trouble using one kind of volume pedal, but then no trouble with another.

Any idea why one works, and the other doesn't?

I do not; but if you post up on the Fractal Forum and ask you'll get a big range of good responses.

FWIW, I use a modded crybaby from SquareOne (he no longer makes these conversions, which is a shame).

[gag halfrunt]

Originally Posted by Scott Peterson

I do not; but if you post up on the Fractal Forum and ask you'll get a big range of good responses.

FWIW, I use a modded crybaby from SquareOne (he no longer makes these conversions, which is a shame).

OK, that's my next stop. Just figured I'd ask you in case you had some direct experience

[jgm]

Thanks Scott. If he comes up with a simpler pedal format unit I will definitely have to try one - could cover a heck of a lot of ground. I might even call them tomorrow to get a sense of timing since I'm currently going through amp angst.

BTW, if it hasn't already been done, somebody should try one of these units through something like my Genz Benz . For the acoustic/electric crowd, could be a heck of a rig an a blessing at many levels. I've run a Tweedy pedal through the amp and it can be very passable, and I would imagine that a unit with a lot more sophistication could go a long way. My particular amp has a 12" neo speaker so it's a little more appealing to try than say two 5" speakers.

[Shark Diver]

Instead of a "Part 2" thread you should have gotten an Ultra - it could handle it. :AOK


Just played another Casino gig, sound guys loved it. Just so easy to control stage volumes and FoH mix and have great, consistent tone every time.

[solo-act]

Originally Posted by Scott Peterson

I like to tell new owners something that Eric (SoloAct) told me when I got mine, "Put on your helmet, because once you understand this thing, your head might explode."

Except I left out "once you understand this thing"

When I got mine, my head was exploding because my mind had to keep expanding and expanding and expanding like it was inhaling a never-ending mental beer bong.

I would get my mind to wrap around twenty things, then BAM there's another screen, and a dozen more things to learn about, and on, and on, and on, and on, no matter how far you reach, there's always more out there.

You can stop at the first screens & knobs of one amp & cab and get a great tone. But if you want to venture into the never ending tonal rabbit hole, grab the manual, food, water, a pillow, say goodbye to your loved ones and DON'T FORGET YOUR HELMET

[guitarist58]

Just daydreaming, but an all-in-one "combo" (maybe kind of tilt-back like a monitor) appeals to me. Just that and my Midimate


oh, and a guitar of course

[PosterBoy]

This amount of technology just scares me

[SkyhighRocks]

Just got my QSC yesterday and was able to play my ultra through it for an hour or so last night. I got such a beautiful clean tone out of it that I spent so much time just playing on that patch that I forgot to move onto others.