Axe-FX Ultra

[ampjunkie]

Personally, I wouldn't go into the input of the JVM .... I always got the best results going out of the Axe FX to the effects return of the host amp. Then there's no preamp coloration at all.

so no 4cm? That's how I originally plugged in but was directed to the other way.

The whole idea of the 4 cable method (getting both pre and post preamp effects) is moot with the Axe FX .... the effects that you'd put pre-preamp (ODs and boosts) can be done that way, with the time-based effects after the preamp.

All you need is a power amp, the AFX does the rest! (I never tried using stereo powered monitors, but lots of folks find that the best way to get the best representation of the unit. That way you can have power of the power amp sims work for you, and not have the 'fixed' power amp of your host amp (whether it be 6L6 or EL34 or EL84, what have you)).

 

[SkyhighRocks]

The whole idea of the 4 cable method (getting both pre and post preamp effects) is moot with the Axe FX .... the effects that you'd put pre-preamp (ODs and boosts) can be done that way, with the time-based effects after the preamp.

All you need is a power amp, the AFX does the rest! (I never tried using stereo powered monitors, but lots of folks find that the best way to get the best representation of the unit. That way you can have power of the power amp sims work for you, and not have the 'fixed' power amp of your host amp (whether it be 6L6 or EL34 or EL84, what have you)).

hmmm...I'm going to try the original way tomorrow then. If i don't need all those extra cables, I'll be happy. I'm using it with a JVM now but eventually i might pick up a carvin or similar type power amp.

 

[mctallica1]

Running the Axe using the 4 cable method works very well. I do it frequently...however, I am finding less and less that I want to use the preamp section of any amp for.

There were really only 2 amp tones I was not having much success getting out of the Axe: VHT and Mesa Mark high gain.

I recently bought a Mark III specifically to use as a benchmark to get the Mark tones I want. I knew they were in the box, I was just not finding them. Hooked it up using the 4 cable method so I could A'B using the same power section and tinkered until I got there...I tend to revert back to tweakign with my eyes. Hard habit to break...but when I an disciplined about tweaking with my ears, I have much success. Now I have found them (and discovered I REALLY like the Axe through the Mark series power section...not sure if it is the 6L6's or the Mark specifically. Just bought a Mesa 50/50 to see what I think. Should be here next week).

Still haven't found a VHT type tone I am happy with ( I may start tinkering with one of the Hiwatt models boosted and EQ'd...I have always thought VHT's sounded and felt like hot rodded HiWatts), but I have every other amp type I dig with the push of a button



There are so many ways to run this thing...and they all work incredibly well.

Right now, I am running it through the following, depending on my mood:

Mesa Mark III
Carvin DCM600
VHT 2/50/2

Plus I have a Mesa 50/50 on the way.


They all sound different and awesome.

 

[Bob Savage]

hmmm...I'm going to try the original way tomorrow then. If i don't need all those extra cables, I'll be happy. I'm using it with a JVM now but eventually i might pick up a carvin or similar type power amp.

That's exactly what I would do, except I'd like to get a hold of a nice tube PA. I'm actually dying to bring the AF to a jam but I don't have a PA or MIDI pedal. I'm guessing a SS PA would sound good but I'm really wanting some tube PA juiciness so I'll probably hold out until I'm in a position to pickup a nice tube PA. Apparently the VHT amps are smoking.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

That's exactly what I would do, except I'd like to get a hold of a nice tube PA. I'm actually dying to bring the AF to a jam but I don't have a PA or MIDI pedal. I'm guessing a SS PA would sound good but I'm really wanting some tube PA juiciness so I'll probably hold out until I'm in a position to pickup a nice tube PA. Apparently the VHT amps are smoking.

I need to get my sounds all together by next weekend for 2 gigs, as well as getting my fcb to work with it.

I'm still not sure what I'll do about a power amp. I'd like to keep it under $500 if possible so tubes might be out of the question. It seems like everyone like everyone I ask is saying that the Axe simulates tubes so well that you don't need a tube amp.

 

[Anonymous]

Over the past couple of months, Ive really experimented with all Axe fx set ups I could think of. I tried both solid state and Vht 2/90 and Vht 2/50 power amps. I tried mackie and qsc powered monitors. I finally settled on a set up of using a VHT 2/90 with a couple of Port City OS 1x12 cabs. One thing I did that is a little unusual is I put a Vht Valvulator in front of the Axe fx because sometimes I use a 20 foot Evidence cord. The valvulator added a subtle warmth to the sound that I like alot.

rob

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Here's a dumb question...

I'm using 16 ohm speakers. It's been a long time since I've used any kind of power amp other than heads. Most of the rack power amps I'm looking at only seem to show 2,4 and 8 ohms...do I need a 16 ohm power amp to run my cab?

 

[stratotone]

I'm still not sure what I'll do about a power amp. I'd like to keep it under $500 if possible so tubes might be out of the question. It seems like everyone like everyone I ask is saying that the Axe simulates tubes so well that you don't need a tube amp.

I will say in my past experiences, a solid state poweramp is fine for wet only effects. If you are planning on using amp sims from the Axe-Fx through a real speaker cabinet, a tube power amp would be the best. Even when I tried playing a tube amp through a solid state power amp for re-amping purposes, it just ended up feeling solid state and lifeless. Different strokes for different folks though.

Yup, there are many ways to hook these up. I tried mine with a couple different tube powered setups (fx return of bogner 101b into '76 marshall cab w/blackbacks, '80s JCM800 marshall cab with 75s, and Randall MTS 2x12, and a Randall RT2/50 midi switchable power amp into same cabs, and randall MTS 100 fx return, same heads) and all sounded fine, I preferred the bogner by a close margin, RT2/50 2nd, RM100 3rd.

Ended up buying a QSC HPR122i and it sounds better to my ears. I can get really super low end girth as tight as I want, or loosen things up in the axe fx. It reminds me of my KRK studio monitors on steroids. It's a little smaller than my 2x12, and I can put my axe-fx in a 2 or 4 space rack without a heavy power amp.

Pete

 

[SkyhighRocks]

bump for my dumb question

 

[Bob Savage]

I tend to revert back to tweakign with my eyes. Hard habit to break...but when I an disciplined about tweaking with my ears, I have much success.

It's too bad more people don't practice this.

Still haven't found a VHT type tone I am happy with ( I may start tinkering with one of the Hiwatt models boosted and EQ'd...I have always thought VHT's sounded and felt like hot rodded HiWatts), but I have every other amp type I dig with the push of a button

I haven't created any presets with the thought of simulating another amp however, I'd have to say you'll likely get closest by using a boost in front of a Hiwatt model. One of my presets on axechange is setup like this and may be a good place to start. I can't remember which preset it is at the moment though, sorry!

 

[gtr31]

Its clip 3 I think .

And I did hear a lil. VHT in that one boosted Hiwatt .

I think if you used the Hiwatt tone stack in a higher gain model you could probably simulate an UL ..after a few tweeks

 

[degenaro]

Here's a dumb question...

I'm using 16 ohm speakers. It's been a long time since I've used any kind of power amp other than heads. Most of the rack power amps I'm looking at only seem to show 2,4 and 8 ohms...do I need a 16 ohm power amp to run my cab?

8 ohm setting will be fine. VHT power amps are 4/8/16 I believe.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

thanks Ed