Yet more praise for Axe FX Ultra

[smilefan]

Been using the Ultra for about 6 months now (upgraded from Standard after 2 yrs use). I mostly use it live thru a VHT 2/90/2 with guitar cabs
(EVM12L spkrs). Two weeks ago I did the first studio session I've done
in years up in Portland, OR and I took the Axe. Wow, and I thought it
was good live!

I got to DI to the recording board, run FRFR thru some nice Mackie powered 15" 3 ways, and go thru some combo amp FX returns
(whose speakers were then mic'ed). Adapted easily in every situation with
minimal tweaking (global EQ is a God-send). Saved SO MUCH time over
my usual mic'ed tube amp tweaking.

I used some heavy effects-based patches for some of their songs and they tracked
clear and beautiful. Sounded in the mix as if my track had already been fully mixed down.

Their engineer: "This is too easy"

The other band guitarist: "This isn't fair! What is that thing?"

Three years in, and the Axe continues to blow me away. Just when I think I've topped out my patch quality, I discover some new chain placement/routing, Para EQ, controller/LFO, or envelope trick that bumps the realism of my patches another 1-2%.

The majority of my patches now as good as anything I ever got with tubes, and drastically more flexible. I like amps in the Axe I could never bond with in real life (AC-30, Matchless). The effects capabilities of the Ultra almost require you to think like a studio engineer rather than a guitarist to fully exploit their potential. I'm taking advantage of and playing against delays, envelopes, and other FX in a way I never did before the Axe. It has changed who I am as a player.

Best money I ever spent on guitar gear, nolo contendere.

[Scott Peterson]

I hear ya.

Be careful though... you'll be branded as a kool-aid drinkin' cult member for posts like this. Must be the honeymoon, because it's just a computer and new technology will come along next month making your expensive box a paperweight.



(Note - just kidding. )

[smilefan]

I'll be waiting with baited breath for any new modeller
that is "better" than the Ultra. I suspect the flow of commerce
will produce alot of "pretty close" products in years to come,
at a much lower price point. But, my expensive box has thrilled me
non-stop for 3 years with no sign of the honeymoon wearing thin.

[Guitar Josh]

Originally Posted by smilefan

Best money I ever spent on guitar gear, nolo contendre.

Only a correct use of the term from a literal Latin translation

[jdolll]

Haven't regretted mine for a second. Haven't looked at an amp since I got it

[RayRay]

Originally Posted by jdolll

Haven't regretted mine for a second. Haven't looked at an amp since I got it

Yup. Same here!!!

[jrockbridge]

I've long been convinced the Axe-FX is a powerful tool for recording. I'm less convinced that it's a great solution for live performance.

Too often, it sounds buried in a live mix. The few live recordings where the Axe-FX sits real well in the mix, seem to have been taken directly from the board, which is a direct recording. Otherwise, it sounds as if it suffers from generation loss. It doesn't seem to sound "WOW" the way a great amp can live. Of course, it could be a coincidence or the fault of inexperience in properly utilizing the technology, but I'm not the only one who's noticed the phenomenon. It's been noticed at multiple live shows from multiple listeners. And, there's live band recordings all over the net that illustrate the point.

[ford]

You know.... if the Kool-Aid tastes good... drink it up!!!!! Who cares what the ice tea drinkers think.

[smilefan]

Originally Posted by jrockbridge

I've long been convinced the Axe-FX is a powerful tool for recording. I'm less convinced that it's a great solution for live performance.

99% of what I use the Axe for is live playing, often outdoors.
I am as picky as any player I know, and my sound is crisp and
percussive (if I have dialed the patch that way). Having played
most classic "big" amps live, I am 100% satisfied with the response
and sound I get from my Axe rig (VHT 2/90/2 thru EVM12L-loaded cabs).

[jrockbridge]

Originally Posted by smilefan

99% of what I use the Axe for is live playing, often outdoors.
I am as picky as any player I know, and my sound is crisp and
percussive (if I have dialed the patch that way). Having played
most classic "big" amps live, I am 100% satisfied with the response
and sound I get from my Axe rig (VHT 2/90/2 thru EVM12L-loaded cabs).

Yes, but how does it sound out in the audience?

[JasonE]

Originally Posted by jrockbridge

I've long been convinced the Axe-FX is a powerful tool for recording. I'm less convinced that it's a great solution for live performance.

Too often, it sounds buried in a live mix. The few live recordings where the Axe-FX sits real well in the mix, seem to have been taken directly from the board, which is a direct recording. Otherwise, it sounds as if it suffers from generation loss. It doesn't seem to sound "WOW" the way a great amp can live. Of course, it could be a coincidence or the fault of inexperience in properly utilizing the technology, but I'm not the only one who's noticed the phenomenon. It's been noticed at multiple live shows from multiple listeners. And, there's live band recordings all over the net that illustrate the point.

I think part of that is because a lot of people put too many effects in their patches trying to make them sound like a recorded guitar sound. That makes them get lost in the mix. I have seen the same thing happen with plenty of other effects units as well as with pedals.

I have used mine live and people out front that know my sound didn't even notice that I didn't have an amp on stage. I mentioned to some of them that I was using a new processor then they noticed I didn't have an amp. A lot of questions came after that about what it was and how I was running it.

[smilefan]

Originally Posted by jrockbridge

Yes, but how does it sound out in the audience?

Only occasionally work with sound folks on my circuit, but have never
heard a single critical comment, in fact the opposite. The lead singer
often runs out into the audience and says it sounds fantasic.

[Scott Peterson]

Originally Posted by jrockbridge

I've long been convinced the Axe-FX is a powerful tool for recording. I'm less convinced that it's a great solution for live performance.

Too often, it sounds buried in a live mix. The few live recordings where the Axe-FX sits real well in the mix, seem to have been taken directly from the board, which is a direct recording. Otherwise, it sounds as if it suffers from generation loss. It doesn't seem to sound "WOW" the way a great amp can live. Of course, it could be a coincidence or the fault of inexperience in properly utilizing the technology, but I'm not the only one who's noticed the phenomenon. It's been noticed at multiple live shows from multiple listeners. And, there's live band recordings all over the net that illustrate the point.

Well, I disagree. Strongly.

I play at my Church every week - every week. I know the room. I get to hear reference recordings of every performance recorded from a reference mic at the mix position. I'm not a big 'effects' guy either, and I'm fanatical about my tone... and always have been. It not only stands up, it sounds better than most every rig any other guitarist has used - and I'm not just talking POD's. I'm talking Two Rock, Matchless, Vox and so on. Real full blown tube rigs that sound great. And I've used the Axe-FX there for 3 years. It's never let me down.

But I also play in rock bands, pop bands, acoustic gigs, country/rock, funk and classic rock bands. And I've heard reference recordings done at those shows and listened critically for the same 3 years. I'm fanatical about fitting in the mix, and know what I want to hear. I hear it.

I talk to the FOH guys at every show I play; and the response has been universally positive - usually expressed as disbelief and questions like, "What the HELL is that thing? Holy sh@t it sounds good!". In other words, no one is damning it with faint praise.

I run direct to FOH and self monitor on stage via a powered monitor (that I carry) or IEM's.

So your statement about 'buried' in the mix is mistaken or the guy you heard with one (or if it is you) simply need to spend some more time learning what they are doing with it. I've got a good thread here in this section deconstructing my JCM-800 patch with the Axe-FX. I invite you to give it a read. Clips are here: http://snd.sc/ayJiKh http://snd.sc/cLlxHw

[jrockbridge]

Originally Posted by JasonE

I think part of that is because a lot of people put too many effects in their patches trying to make them sound like a recorded guitar sound. That makes them get lost in the mix. I have seen the same thing happen with plenty of other effects units as well as with pedals.

I have used mine live and people out front that know my sound didn't even notice that I didn't have an amp on stage. I mentioned to some of them that I was using a new processor then they noticed I didn't have an amp. A lot of questions came after that about what it was and how I was running it.

You make a good point. Heavy effects patches may be part, or all, of the problem. Certainly the AFX is not the only box that can get lost in a live band mix. I've noticed the phenomenon a lot more as modeling has become more popular. But, sometimes, a bad mix is the fault of the person at the board and it happens with amps as well.

I'm not being an AFX hater. As I said, "I'm less convinced that it's a great solution for live performance." I certainly did not say it sucks. But, I've taken note of it getting lost in a live mix. Others have noticed the phenomenon as well.

Scott and Smilefan are both convinced that it sounds great live. Both use it regularly live, so it's probably just a case of dialing it in properly to cut through

[Jerrod]

Originally Posted by jrockbridge

You make a good point. Heavy effects patches may be part, or all, of the problem. Certainly the AFX is not the only box that can get lost in a live band mix. I've noticed the phenomenon a lot more as modeling has become more popular. But, sometimes, a bad mix is the fault of the person at the board and it happens with amps as well.

I'm not being an AFX hater. As I said, "I'm less convinced that it's a great solution for live performance." I certainly did not say it sucks. But, I've taken note of it getting lost in a live mix. Others have noticed the phenomenon as well.

Scott and Smilefan are both convinced that it sounds great live. Both use it regularly live, so it's probably just a case of dialing it in properly to cut through

If the hammer misses the nail, is it the hammer's fault?