I have a 1st world problem....

[jb4674]

I bought an 11R not too long ago it's still sitting in my music room in the UPS box that it came in (sealed and unopened nonetheless). The advantage of it still being sealed is that I can take it back to the UPS office and "refuse" the package, thereby saving myself money by not having to pay to ship it back. The disadvantage of not opening it is not experiencing what the device will sound like when connected to my rig. As it stands, and if I were to open it, I would connect it to my Tech 21 PE60 because I don't think the 11R would have any advantage if connected to a tube amp. I have until October 4th to send it back, so I need to make a decision.

Obviously, the main thing that bothers me is the lack of support Avid has shown its customers in terms of offering an editor for the device without having to use PT. The second thing (and this is not a fact but merely a plausible occurrence) is that Avid might be revising the 11R and release an updated version come next NAMM to compete with Fractal and Kemper (adding profiling capabilities to the device along with more horsepower)?

As for the positives, I've heard great demos from several folks and the processor definitely has the potential to sit in the same room with the Axe FX when it comes to the modeling aspect of it. At its current price point, it's quite difficult to beat the device in terms of hardware and sound

My options are:

1. Keep it
2. Send it back
3. Test it out, send it back if not happy and pay for it

What would you do?

P.S.: Yes, I'm cheap, lol

 

[Jim Soloway]

If you ordered it and it was safely delivered and it's already at your home, how can you possibly still refuse delivery?

 

[jb4674]

I called the retailer I bought it from and they suggested the idea.

 

[pomfret]

Why did you buy it?

 

[2leod]

You are right - unquestionably a first world problem.

 

[Guitar Vilain]

Here's my take on the 11R, YMMV: It sounds really, really good, I'd say 99.9% the tone of the real thing, but that extra .1% is going to cost you - either a Kemper, AexFXII or the real thing. What it's great for: laying tracks and on stage, IMHO it sounds better live through a power amp (either tube or SS) and a guitar cab. Computer editor isn't an issue, programming from the front panel is very, very easy. You only need PT to back up and restore patches, really. My complaints: no pitch effects whatsoever, no custom IRs and it really needs more dirt box models. Also parameter editing could be made a bit deeper, and it lacks global EQ. Unfortunately I don't think we're going to see any further development on it from Avid, which is yet another con. But it's a pretty great box as it is, hard to beat in its price range AFAIK.

 

[Gasp100]

"If you ordered it and it was safely delivered and it's already at your home, how can you possibly still refuse delivery?" = Agreed
"You are right - unquestionably a first world problem". = Agreed!
"Here's my take on the 11R, YMMV: It sounds really, really good, I'd say 99.9% the tone of the real thing, but that extra .1% is going to cost you - either a Kemper, AexFXII or the real thing. What it's great for: laying tracks and on stage, IMHO it sounds better live through a power amp (either tube or SS) and a guitar cab. Computer editor isn't an issue, programming from the front panel is very, very easy. You only need PT to back up and restore patches, really. My complaints: no pitch effects whatsoever, no custom IRs and it really needs more dirt box models. Also parameter editing could be made a bit deeper, and it lacks global EQ. Unfortunately I don't think we're going to see any further development on it from Avid, which is yet another con. But it's a pretty great box as it is, hard to beat in its price range AFAIK". = YES!

 

[Pietro]

If you can't tweak an 11R to sound good, the problem is not the unit.

And if it's safely delivered, you can't "refuse it". I'm surprised any retailer would suggest that. Check it out online by doing a tracking on it with UPS, it'll show delivered.

 

[jb4674]

Why did you buy it?

Three letters (and it's not TGP, lol)

 

[jb4674]

And if it's safely delivered, you can't "refuse it". I'm surprised any retailer would suggest that. Check it out online by doing a tracking on it with UPS, it'll show delivered.

I agree with you, Jim and Gasp. I'm sure whomever I spoke with had no clue as how the process works, so I'm out 30-40 bucks in shipping fees to send it back to the retailer...

 

[chrishurley]

Shipping it back won't be a huge expense. I don't know how you can refuse something you already received.

If you're allowed to test it before you return it, I think that makes the most sense. If you love it, then you're set.

On the other hand, if you won't use protools ever, you might save money by returning the one you have and buying a used one without protools for ~$400-$450 off evilbay...

 

[Jim Soloway]

FWIW, I bought one used and while I was able to get a really good tone, I didn't care for the whole experience. I needed a software update and dealing with Avid was as bad as support calls could get. Then when the software arrived, I found it to be light years behind the Pod HD Edit for controlling settings. The tone I did get, I managed by playing with the hardware and contrary to what a lot of people say about the 11R, I didn't find that to be intuitive at all. I think I had ti up for sale in about a week.

Just my experience, your mileage may vary.

 

[VCuomo]

I would connect it to my Tech 21 PE60 because I don't think the 11R would have any advantage if connected to a tube amp

Really? Your tube amp can do everything the 11R can do?

Why not put the 11R output into the effects return of your tube amp and just use the tube amp's power amp?

 

[Trebor Renkluaf]

If you ordered it and it was safely delivered and it's already at your home, how can you possibly still refuse delivery?

 

[jb4674]

Really? Your tube amp can do everything the 11R can do?

Nope, I never said that

Why not put the 11R output into the effects return of your tube amp and just use the tube amp's power amp?

I have two Peavey JSX amps and usually the amp will get in the way of the modeler and vice versa in terms of sound. The PE is more efficient in that regard since the cabinet emulations won't be colored by the amp's preamp, as it has no preamp.

 

[mwc2112]

The PE is more efficient in that regard since the cabinet emulations won't be colored by the amp's preamp, as it has no preamp.

Putting it into an amp's FX Return bypasses the preamp.

 

[birdie_in_texas]

I love my 11R..I don't give a **** if Avid ever does anything for it ever again (which they won't it seems)..it is pretty much perfect the way it is..and I hate Pro Tools 10 that came with it..but probably because I am too dumb to "figure it out"..but it sounds pretty freaking awesome...an amazing amount of fantastic rigs already for you to download over at http://www.elevenrackpresets.com/

 

[ztevie]

Bought a used 11R. Great tones, great piece of gear... I sold it, though.

Reason was Pro Tools. I really need a editor, but to have to fire up PT every time is a PITA!
I gave Pro Tools a fair chance. It didn't install on my older AMD pc due to hardware compatibility issues, but I thought, what the hell, it's time for a new computer anyway.
Built myself a new PC, installed Pro Tools. t was however not what had expected. Heavy on the resources, PT 10 is only 32 bit, so it didn't take advantage of my 12 Gb RAM and my Windows 7 64-bit. It crashed every now and then, and didn't find the interface very logical compared to my old Cubase SX.
I got tired of all the hazzle, so I got rid of it. Nothing against the 11R tones though...

Now I have Presonus Studio One and an Axe Fx II... I'm happy!!

I'd say: If you already use Pro Tools, or are willing to convert to it, altough it can be a adventurous journey... At least, open the box and try it!

 

[lspaulsp]

"although it can be a adventurous journey."
Might be the nicest way I've EVER seen it put! Nice job. My hat's off.

 

[GuitarKidd]

Why did you buy it?

Agreed... What's the point of this?