AxeFx2 for apartment use

[JerEvil]

Also, for fuck sake, it's not a "PC" - It does not allow use of keyboard or monitor. You keep calling it a computer likening it to something kids use to surf the interwebz!

It is a piece of music/recording equipment. The fact that someone here got hosed on the resale of their unit is their problem. These outdated models of "computer" as mentioned still regularly sell for closer to their original price than most mid level instruments and retain higher resale than ACTUAL computers. Case and point, a new MacBook Pro in 2009 was $1300. That computer used is now worth $400 - $500.

Axe FX Ultras have retained about 80%+ their original retail value.

 

[shgshg]

It's a computer. Why do you think it isn't?

 

[Code001]

He didn't say it's not a computer; he said it's not a PC. There's a difference, and it matters because you're applying consumer PC-related theories to a device where they do not necessarily apply. To make the comparison is silly, basically.

 

[gtr31]

I buy everything I own based on what it will be worth in ten years. This is why I won't buy a cell phone, a lap top, a TV, a car, or anything that may devalue. I am very smart with my money. I have lots of money because I never buy anything at all.

LOL....exactly.

None of us are even guaranteed to be alive 1 minute after reading this...much less 10 years from now.

Buy what the fuck you want(without being too careless) that makes you happy & stop obsessing on resale value.

I made the mistake of buying fridge once for $1500. Ten years later I sold it for 100 bucks! WTF! I'll never do that again, it's canned goods from now on.

Should have bought the ULTRA

 

[shgshg]

He didn't say it's not a computer; he said it's not a PC. There's a difference, and it matters because you're applying consumer PC-related theories to a device where they do not necessarily apply. To make the comparison is silly, basically.

And what consumer-pc-related-theories would they be?

 

[Shiny_Surface]

I look at high end modelers like leasing cars that you trade in every few years. Chances are that it will still work and sound great when the next generation is released, but you might not be as excited when it's successor arrives so you trade up.

 

[Code001]

He didn't say it's not a computer; he said it's not a PC. There's a difference, and it matters because you're applying consumer PC-related theories to a device where they do not necessarily apply. To make the comparison is silly, basically.

And what consumer-pc-related-queries would they be?

How about the fact that no DSP processor has yet to actually supersede the ADSP-TS20xS for years now? That blows Moore's law completely out of the water right there.

How about the fact that the standard Axe-Fx Standard can still be seen sold for like $1000 these days? There goes the depreciation argument.

Proof:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fractal-Audio-A ... 232d858334
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Axe-FX-standard ... 3a8259fe3c
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fractal-Audio-S ... 4173eca9ad
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fractal-Audio-A ... 27d3387be9

How about the fact that these arguments against electronic-related devices do not apply when it comes to the music field? We have people shelling out $5000+ for a fucking Tri-Stereo Chorus. That should tell you right there that no normal concepts apply when it comes to technology in the music industry. Trying to box the Axe-Fx, or any electric device for that matter, in some sort of category simply because it has x or y, or is built from parts x or y, is absolutely meaningless in this field.

 

[gtr31]

Thats one thing I will say about the Axe Fx . You will not take a bath selling it .
I had a AX2 I did not want to put in the extra money for controller FRFR etc .
I sold it with 24 hours for what I got it for plus the shipping.
So if you don't like the Axe on top of the 15 day return period you really can move it faster than ANY other gear guitar amp etc I have seen

 

[shgshg]

How about the fact that these arguments against electronic-related devices do not apply when it comes to the music field? We have people shelling out $5000+ for a fucking Tri-Stereo Chorus. That should tell you right there that no normal concepts apply when it comes to technology in the music industry.

or, put another way: people are stupid.

The Axe-FX is a specialized computer device with a clunky interface that looks and acts the way it does because that's the way such devices have always looked and acted ("ooh, a black 2RU unit with an LED and a knob and some buttons, how innovative"). Someone's gonna come along with the modelling equivalent of the iPhone and the Axe-FX will look like a Motorola brick by comparison. At that point the resale value will drop off a cliff.

That's not to say that the Axe-FX sounds bad or is inconvenient. I think the Axe-FX is bloody brilliant and to my ears sounds almost indistinguishable from the pile of valve amps I have here that I never plug in because it's a PITA. As a guitar preamp it is space-age stuff. But as a computer it's stone-age.

So I guess what I'm saying is, buy an Axe-FX because you think it sounds good and it meets your requirements. Don't buy one as an investment.

 

[supersonic]

So I guess what I'm saying is, buy an Axe-FX because you think it sounds good and it meets your requirements. Don't buy one as an investment.

No need to point that out. I would guarantee 99.9% buy an Axe fx expecting to take a hit. This whole argument is way off track from the OP and is of little help to the OP.

 

[Dimebag11]

Best monitors you'll find under $1,000 are the Dynaudio bm5a mkII. One day I'll be able to afford those and ditch my M-Audio monitors, but for now they work fine......

 

[IntenseJim]

Tangential question for the Axe crowd:

When we see these recurring threads of "ditch my tube amps for the Axe" and speakers/cab issues arise, why can't you run the Axe Fx with cab simulators turned OFF and then into a power amp (tube or SS) into the guitar cabs you already own and achieve great tones?

Why do you have to or prefer to use the Axe Fx with cab sims ON, ditch you guitar cabs, and purchase 'flat' monitors?

Then you could either save money or purchase the foot controller. What am I missing?

 

[21_guitars]

Most seem to think the axe sounds the best with monitors. However some prefer the way you stated.
As to the OP, the axe or kemper would work well for living in a apartment.
Or you could keep your amps and pedals and buy a TN live.
I have a Zoom G3 and a Fender Mustang 2 that work for practicing at home.

 

[spirit7]

I had an Axe II for late-night playing and sold it. The aim was to use it with headphones but I personally found the overdriven tones through cans (Sennheiser HD650s) sounded like garbage. So traded it for a Pitbull UL and just play my amps at very low volume late at night.

My £0.02.

-C

 

[lessthan12]

I had an Axe II for late-night playing and sold it. The aim was to use it with headphones but I personally found the overdriven tones through cans (Sennheiser HD650s) sounded like garbage. So traded it for a Pitbull UL and just play my amps at very low volume late at night.

My £0.02.

-C

So you're comparing playing the axe fx through headphones to playing a real amp? hmmm,Im guessing you didnt read any of the threads explaining why playing the axe through headphones yields less than stellar results. I can get my axe fx II to sound far better than any tube amp Ive owned at low volume running through a et of genelecs. FWIW, I had a first year VHT Pittbull classic combo and was the best sounding amp Ive ever had...when it was turned up to wall shaking volumes. At low volume it just ok but not great,just like every other tube amp out there

 

[spirit7]

I had an Axe II for late-night playing and sold it. The aim was to use it with headphones but I personally found the overdriven tones through cans (Sennheiser HD650s) sounded like garbage. So traded it for a Pitbull UL and just play my amps at very low volume late at night.

My £0.02.

-C

So you're comparing playing the axe fx through headphones to playing a real amp? hmmm,Im guessing you didnt read any of the threads explaining why playing the axe through headphones yields less than stellar results. I can get my axe fx II to sound far better than any tube amp Ive owned at low volume running through a et of genelecs. FWIW, I had a first year VHT Pittbull classic combo and was the best sounding amp Ive ever had...when it was turned up to wall shaking volumes. At low volume it just ok but not great,just like every other tube amp out there

God why is every Fractal owner such a tedious fanboy? I did read about that but thought I would give it a go anyway through a headphone amp and with decent 'phones (and, of course, play it through monitors). Ultimately, the headphone tones didn't sound great and I found the tones through monitors completely uninspiring. Not to mention the incessant tweaking. It's just not for me.

I use the UL at rehearsals so it's never at low volumes, but both my Herbert and XTC 20th sound much better (TO ME) than the Axe II did at low volumes. Anyone who says you can't get those amps to sound decent at apartment-friendly levels is just plain wrong, in my opinion. Alternatively, there's always the Two Notes...

-C

 

[21_guitars]

Yes, this was my experience as well. However, it was fine for gigs once you get used to it. I was also in the constant tweaking group that drove everyone crazy.I had to let it go, and yes the 20th XTC sounds good at any volume. I love that amp, but for practicing there cheaper solutions.

 

[spirit7]

Yes, this was my experience as well. However, it was fine for gigs once you get used to it. I was also in the constant tweaking group that drove everyone crazy.I had to let it go, and yes the 20th XTC sounds good at any volume. I love that amp, but for practicing there cheaper solutions.

Haha - of course, I'm not suggesting that the OP fork out £3.5k for a 20th XTC just for practicing! Love the amp too. My point was more that you can use full-wattage amps to rehearse at bedroom volumes without too many problems.

-C

 

[21_guitars]

I understand, the diesel gas has got a hold on me. VH4 and TN live for me!
Fractal is coming out with something new so I would wait a few more months.

 

[JimmyBlind]

I'm quite surprised. The AxeFX through headphones will deliver the full capability of the unit's amp & cab modelling straight to the ears. Assuming the simulation is all turned on (?)
Running it through any room speaker, whether it be an active monitor or a poweramp & cab, will only compromise the sound, if anything. A decent set of headphones allows you to hear the unit in its absolute purest form.
I'd actually argue that headphones are the optimum output medium.