Can't believe I'm asking. (Axe FX related)

[guitarslinger]

Okay, I've resisted the whole time, but now, I think it may just be the ticket for my fx between my M4 and 2150.

What is the best way to buy it? Cliff? Used? Tone Merchants?

Would I be stupid to get the standard instead of the Ultra?

Brad: Do I still need to keep my 2290?

Also, are the harmonies at least as good as the Eclipse?

 

[Gainzilla]

Okay, I've resisted the whole time, but now, I think it may just be the ticket for my fx between my M4 and 2150.

What is the best way to buy it? Cliff? Used? Tone Merchants?

Id say Direct, Used are so close to new for the most part in price..

Would I be stupid to get the standard instead of the Ultra?

Go with the Ultra, you seem to dig alot of the stuff that the Ultra has over the Standard

Brad: Do I still need to keep my 2290?

Hell no IMO

Also, are the harmonies at least as good as the Eclipse?

Abso friggin Lutely!!!

Kage

 

[dfrattaroli]

I got my Standard for $1300 and got it in a few days. Saving $200 or so was worth it to me. As for Ultra Vs. Standard, that's your call. I decided I didn't need the extra stuff in the Ultra but if you could one for under $1500, grab it.

 

[aeroic]

Gene:

I got mine from Rob @ Tone Merchants. I'd get it from him, so if you have questions, you can call him up to ask!

As far as tones man...the effects are REALLY REALLY good man. They are good if not better than the Eventide stuff I've used in the past. Even if you only use it for effects, I'd totally get one.

As for Standard vs Ultra. From talking to Rob about it...He said Cliff has configed the hardware in the Ultra to be able to upgraded "at least" for the next 5-6 years of firmware updates. At some point, you won't be able to upgrade the standard as much since it doesn't have as fast as a processor and not near as much memory. The limits of the Standard will be reached much faster in the long term than the limits of the Ultra.

If this is something you plan on keeping for a long time, the Ultra is the only way to go.

 

[dfrattaroli]

If this is something you plan on keeping for a long time, the Ultra is the only way to go.

Good point. But the Axe is basically a computer. I'm not expecting the shelf-life of the Ultra to be that long either. I'd bet we see an Ultra II in no more than 3 years. If I get 3 years of use from the Standard, I'd be happy to upgrade then. But there's just so much in the Standard as it is, I can't imagine ever getting close to using it all.

 

[aeroic]

If this is something you plan on keeping for a long time, the Ultra is the only way to go.

Good point. But the Axe is basically a computer. I'm not expecting the shelf-life of the Ultra to be that long either. I'd bet we see an Ultra II in no more than 3 years. If I get 3 years of use from the Standard, I'd be happy to upgrade then. But there's just so much in the Standard as it is, I can't imagine ever getting close to using it all.

We could. But from what Rob was saying...I think we'll see other items come out before an Ultra II, but who the heck knows

 

[dfrattaroli]

If this is something you plan on keeping for a long time, the Ultra is the only way to go.

Good point. But the Axe is basically a computer. I'm not expecting the shelf-life of the Ultra to be that long either. I'd bet we see an Ultra II in no more than 3 years. If I get 3 years of use from the Standard, I'd be happy to upgrade then. But there's just so much in the Standard as it is, I can't imagine ever getting close to using it all.

We could. But from what Rob was saying...I think we'll see other items come out before an Ultra II, but who the heck knows

Well, I hope he gets the controller out. That would be great.

 

[Digital Jams]

 

[boof]

what is the maximum time each delay can do on the ultra for the stereo delay? I didn't see specifics in the manual.

 

[King Guitar]

Okay, I've resisted the whole time, but now, I think it may just be the ticket for my fx between my M4 and 2150.

What is the best way to buy it? Cliff? Used? Tone Merchants?

Would I be stupid to get the standard instead of the Ultra?

Brad: Do I still need to keep my 2290?

Also, are the harmonies at least as good as the Eclipse?

Gene,

1. Call Rob at Tone Merchants and get it from him, he is a stand up guy and is awesome to deal with, no brainer there.

2. Get the Ultra, I know how you are and thats what you will end up with anyway so save a step.

3. I took the 2290 out of my big rig at Dave Friedmans request as the Axe-Fx does it very well. This allowed for a custom Rack-systems/John Suhr designed mixer to blend the w/d/w signal and get rid of any phasing. That said I would not get rid of the 2290 as it is awesome. I put it in my other rig. They don't make it anymore so do not sell it!

4. Yes the FX in the Axe-FX are as good as my Eclipse, actually similar to my H8000FW which is the flagship Eventide.

Hope that helps.

Brad

 

[stephen sawall]

If I see a "Axe Fx preamp better than M4" from Gene....

 

[cliffc8488]

what is the maximum time each delay can do on the ultra for the stereo delay? I didn't see specifics in the manual.

8 seconds

 

[boof]

what is the maximum time each delay can do on the ultra for the stereo delay? I didn't see specifics in the manual.

8 seconds

Gracias

 

[rsm]

Had an Ultra sold it, regret selling it. Considering a Standard (or if I managed to convince Cliff to create a 1U amp/cab sim only unit - I'd get this), but knowing me I'll want an Ultra, and will end up getting another Ultra...need to wait until funds are available.

When I do buy, I will do what I did before, buy new, order direct from Fractal Audio (no offense to ToneMerchants) but FAS is closer to me on the east coast than TM is - I figure fewer delivery hops and drops.

It is as good as everyone says IMO. I still can't get over the fact I sold mine, my dumbest move of the year (so far).

I'd go with the Ultra because it has more, even if I never use some of its features, I'd rather know they are there and not need them rather than need them and not have them. The Ultra can have more complex signal chains too. (Still, just the nonexistent amp/cab sim unit in a 1U is my preferred version).

Can't answer the comparison questions as I haven't owned that other gear.

 

[ctoddrun]

might be a silly question:


If Cliff charges the same as Tone Merchants for the AxeFx, wouldn't Cliff get MORE money in his pocket by cutting out the middle man?

Nothing against TM, but I would rather see the money go to the brains.

 

[badger71]

might be a silly question:


If Cliff charges the same as Tone Merchants for the AxeFx, wouldn't Cliff get MORE money in his pocket by cutting out the middle man?

Nothing against TM, but I would rather see the money go to the brains.

Or.... having them on the West Coast brings more exposure to a product that virtually has to "win over" potential customers by virtue of it being a solid state modeler....the anti-christ as far as tube snobs go. And being the West Coast, there are a lot of top name guys that go in to try the product which causes positive word of mouth. And, TM gets customers in the door, which is never a bad thing for a store that sells music products.

 

[richedie]

I have really been considering one of these for a long time but more for the amp sims than the effects. I am not a big effects guy. I would rather run direct and only use effects as needed, but the versatility of the whole package is what is so tempting. I used to run a Line 6 Vetta and loved the versatility, but loved the bump in tone and feel with my Egnater.

That said, I can't afford both unless I was single without kids then I would have three! Ha.

Seriously, I think I have decided against it for several reasons. With something like this I spend more time tweaking than playing. I am trying to keep it simple, Egnater and some pedals. The audience doesn't care if I have a zillion effects or even the quality of my effects. My Glass Nexus gets it done for me. I like the ability with the Egnater to quickly make EQ adjustments per room. Maybe the Fractal has a global treble and bass for this purpose.
I would need to get a full range power amp and speaker set up similar to the Atomic Reactor or at least something similar to take full advantage of the amp sims and cab sims.

For me right now, an Egnater, an Egnater 212 and some good pedals and I am in tone heaven.
I will say the big thing that the Fractal offers me is the ability to have patches ready to go on the fly like my Vetta had. However, I guess if I picked up a Randall M4/power amp and used Midi with rack effects, I'd be doing something similar. I just find I am more old school these days with guitar rigs. Guitar, amp, some pedals. I hate the thought of programming a computer to get my tones, but that is me.

I read in several reviews that it does lack in tube feel, but who knows.

The other thing that stands out in my head is that I think my Egnater will still be worth a lot many years from now and probably easily repaired if need be at any time. With the Fractal, it is a computer and the life is limited, they become outdated, start having problems and lose tremendous value over time. I can afford to have the Fractal and 7 years from now realize I may either need a replacement or upgrade and not able to find anyone to buy it. I guess I am just saying that the Egnater is more a sure thing for me. I don't know where I'll be financially 10 years from now, but knowing I could have the Egnater for life and be happy is a good thing.

I used the Vetta for years but then it got kind of stale to me and I got sick of tweaking and patches, etc but when i went to sell, I barely got back a 3rd of what I paid so it was tough getting a new amp.

Anyway, rant over! Again, if I was single and no kids, I'd have one by now, you bet!

 

[rsm]

Richedie,

I want the amp and cab sims as I'm not much of a big effects user. I had an Ultra which was overkill for me, but I've had seller's remorse ever since and the GAS is coming back...

I've posted here and on the Axe-Fx forum (over there most don't want this, as they already have a Standard or Ultra) asking Cliff if he considered a 1U amp/cab simulator unit (with pre/post loops) and suggested maybe having another unit with the effects to make it more modular. Regarding the amp/cab he stated he toyed with the idea, not sure if it will ever see production but the more people that want either one of these separate units maybe the better the odds Cliff will make them?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the Ultra has planned expandability for at least the next 5 years, probably more. Technology will surely improve but it is already amazing, after 5 or more years of updates it will be killer and may not need replacing. It may loose value over time, but you are getting many years of value, convenience and use. IMO, it will age better and hold its value more than most digital boxes will.

 

[richedie]

Very good points, but you can't do hardware updates and that is the catch...plus like all computers - they get old and run poorly and die eventually so it has a limited lifespan but like you said, you pay for the flexibility and convenience and don't get me wrong, I am not ruling it out - but I'd have to sell the Egnater....and I like tubes A LOT!

So, it does not have cab sims?

 

[rsm]

So, it does not have cab sims?

Yes the Standard and Ultra have cab sims. Cliff mentioned he toyed with the idea of an amp and cab sim unit with delay (and reverb maybe?), and maybe without the cab sims, to which I replied I'd like both amp and cab sims (maybe reverb) since I have an FRFR set-up. Still this is wishful thinking as these may never get made