high gain

[SloeGin]

Hey guys,

Here's the 'problem'. I really dig my 11 Rack.
Easy to dial in the sounds like AC/DC , Hendrix, Slash, Van Halen, Bonamassa, AIC. They sound great except high gain stuff à la Megadeth and Metallica.
Still with the ERXP i don't dig the high gain sounds. Just some weird frequencies that quite a few people seem to have noticed with the 11R.
The Axe-fx' high gain amps/sounds just kick so much ass and the possibility of running 2 amps at at time is just really cool.

So now i'm wondering ... do i just keep my 11 Rack and hope that with future updates the high gain gets better OR do i get an Axe-fx just for the high gain stuff ... but isn't that a bit over the top since i don't gig?
Or do i replace the 11 Rack for an Axe-fx?
The only down side for me , aside from the high price, is that the axe-fx looks much more complicated, to me, to dial in a good sound. All those parameters are just too much for me ...

Anyone got some advice?

Thanks

[jlynnb1]

its so weird, i love the high gain tones and don't hear any of the frequencies that a very few have mentioned.

[Hendrix95]

Have you tried playing around with the graphic and parametric eqs to try to dial out some of the frequencies that you're not liking?

[adamquek]

I haven't had any problems with mine to be honest. I love the M2-Lead and DC Modern models, they are my go-to amps for high gain rhythm stuff ala Megadeth and Metallica. For Metallica tones (especially pre-black album), I find an off-axis 421 works well on the v30 4x12. For the DC Modern I tend to experiment with more mics, especially the SM57, and also switch between the V30 4x12 and the marshall 4x12. The parametric EQ comes in handy for notching out certain frequencies (like 1kHz for the Master of Puppets sound) or rolling off the low end to make it less muddy.

I've got quite a few clips out there on my Metallica and Megadeth tones, if you've heard them and you don't like them/can still hear those frequencies, then perhaps we just hear things differently. Alternatively, if you do like them, there's no post-production or special sauce on my tones. They're all straight out of the 11R, and should be attainable with a little trial and error depending on your specific gear

[hitchorange]

Maybe a dumb suggestion, but since you think the axe fx is too complicated...Why don't you try the pod hd, instead of selling your 11r and loose money.
Keep it and buy a pod hd, try it in the store and see if it fills the gaps the 11r leaves in your tones. For 300euro you get really nice tones.
Just a thought .

[mouzer]

If it's really a frequency thing, you could probably EQ it out with the new ParaEQ. It may sound elementary but make sure you try as many different cab/mic combinations as you can. Some amps combined with certain cabs and certain mics will give you more of the notch-y annoying frequencies and some will be less. It's an issue of finding the right combination, IMO.

I like to bring up my tone as a track in ProTools and use plugins to find the offending frequencies. Sometimes the visual aspect of using plugins (EQs, Analyzers, etc) cuts down on the trial-and-error.

Also, watch your 'master volume' in the amp block. High gain amps often use the preamp for most of the distortion, so adjust the amp accordingly. Setting your master really high with an amp like a Recto will lose the tightness you want and may add harmonics at frequencies you don't want.

[Willowdale]

Sell all your stuff and buy an Axe2 when it comes out. Or try to get a good price on an Ultra or standard. Good prices are out there. Stop chasing your tail trying to save money.
It is just that good. Does the 11R and to a lessor extent the podhd have some decent to good things about them? Of course they do but there are major compromises with these. Scrape up the cash to get whichever Axe Fx you can and stop compromising. You will thank me

[mouzer]

Good luck tracking down an Axe II when it does get released...if history repeats itself (which I think it is bound to) there will be limited quantities available and every unit will be snatched up within 15 minutes of becoming available in the Fractal store.

As an 11r owner and someone who just finished up an 11-hour recording session last night with an Axe Ultra, my unsolicited advice is DON'T sell everything that you have for a device you have no experience with. The Axe is an incredible piece of gear...the best, actually IMO....I just don't think what you're looking for is unattainable with 11r.

[SloeGin]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try to mess a bit with the PEQ and cabs

@Willowdale: It's tempting to grab an axe-fx but i worry about the difficulty of the thing. I'm a horrible tweaker and don't have much (required) knowledge concerning amps, frequencies, routing etc...

[Willowdale]

The Axe2 is said to be more user friendly for those who were overwhelmed by the Ultra/Standard.
For basic great high gain and rock tones for which you speak though, the current Axe Fx are extremely easy to setup.

[jlynnb1]

I don't think there is a lot to be gained whe it comes to pure amp tones with the axe, other than sheer variety. The multitude of fx and routing optikns is where it kills the 11r.....that and using 3rd party ir's.

[Danny W.]

http://www.harmonycentral.com/docs/DOC-1652

Danny W.

[TFC]

Originally Posted by Willowdale

For basic great high gain and rock tones for which you speak though, the current Axe Fx are extremely easy to setup.

I agree. I just got an Axe and am not too fond of spending a lot of time tweaking to get good sounds. Fortunately, I don't need to. Some of the presets are fantastic. And to create your own sound, just pick an amp and a cab and you've probably got a great hi-gain sound already. Very simple. I don't have any experience with 11 Rack, but I have used Boss GT-8, GT-10 and a Pod X3 Live. The Axe isn't any more difficult to program. And unlike the others, you don't need to do all the "extra" programming (e.g. EQ tricks, etc.) to get a really good sound.

And it's a great time to buy one used. You can get a very good deal and I would guess not lose much if any money if you decide you don't like it and want to sell it.

[Laskyman]

The AXE absolutely KILLS for high gain. And Low gain. And Clean. And the effects- well, this topic has been covered in great detail...
with the prices dropping- NOW is the time to go FRACTAL....

[grunge782]

Originally Posted by SloeGin

Hey guys,

Here's the 'problem'. I really dig my 11 Rack.
Easy to dial in the sounds like AC/DC , Hendrix, Slash, Van Halen, Bonamassa, AIC. They sound great except high gain stuff à la Megadeth and Metallica.
Still with the ERXP i don't dig the high gain sounds. Just some weird frequencies that quite a few people seem to have noticed with the 11R.
The Axe-fx' high gain amps/sounds just kick so much ass and the possibility of running 2 amps at at time is just really cool.

So now i'm wondering ... do i just keep my 11 Rack and hope that with future updates the high gain gets better OR do i get an Axe-fx just for the high gain stuff ... but isn't that a bit over the top since i don't gig?
Or do i replace the 11 Rack for an Axe-fx?
The only down side for me , aside from the high price, is that the axe-fx looks much more complicated, to me, to dial in a good sound. All those parameters are just too much for me ...

Anyone got some advice?

Thanks

Sell the 11 Rack and find a used Standard or Ultra. If you are a rack guy, the Axe-fx can't be beat for hi-gain IMO. Oh and it is VERY easy to dial in a good hi-gain sound on the Axe. Just use the normal equing, possibly use a boost and adjust the sag to your taste for tightness or looseness. Then use the global eq on the Axe to cut out some of the flub and fizz. Done.