Considering the Move to AxeFX, advice?

[ghosty999]

I've always been happy with my JMP-1 / ADA MP-1 rack set ups but I've found some cons over the past few gigs:

- Reliability (Valve power amp)
- Heavy to carry (4u rack case)
- Limited effects capability
- Limited MIDI triggering
- Heat (Runs hot due to compact 1U power amp)
- Limited tones
- Recording limitations (especially at low volumes and cab sim sounds flat)
- Running direct cab sims sound meh

I've also started doing more Djenting as well as the usual 80s shred rock / metal / blues... so thought it might be time to move to the AxeFX and have some questions as I know many of you have made the leap. Sadly I'm unable to afford owning both so it would be the move to sell my JMP-1 rig and move to the AxeFX!

Questions!

1. I'd like the AxeFX 2 but the Ultra is much more available right now. Is the 2 miles ahead of the Ultra and are there still firmware updates? Will I be displeased with my Ultra if I get one and then hear the 2?

2. If running a power amp and speaker, what is preferable? My EL84 20/20 U1 Power amp or a 8000 ValveState? I'd obviously rather the ValveState as it's much lighter and consistent but obviously will loose that nice Valve power state.

3. I've read the Ultra only has one DSP that shares both FX and Tone, is this a limitation if I'm only running a few effects with fairly simple routing?

Any other information please let me know,

 

[tallcoolone]

Yes the II is miles ahead of the Ultra...

 

[RandyVanMartini]

There’s all kinds of smokn’ deals right now on IIs bundled with the matching foot controller from guys wanting to jump to the III.

That being said, go for the III if you can swing it!

 

[eecamichael]

I moved to the Fractal Audio AX-8 about two years ago, and my Triaxis > 2:90 and Mesa Mark IVs have been silent since. I jumped in both feet, going FRFR with a Xitone 1x12 powered speaker, and going direct to FOH for gigs.

I have never been happier with my tones, and my GAS level is at an all time low. It has expanded my playing, and I find that I am playing more, sounding great at low volumes, and not tweaking as much as I thought I would, although I do tend to keep things simple.

 

[JimmyBlind]

I think there are more pros than cons to owning a top notch modelling unit. Maintenance, portability, consistency, studio. etc.
I found there was too much in the box for me though. It was almost a lesson in what I didn't need and also that I just kinda prefer the organic 3D character of a tube amp & the fun with modular pedals.
I had an Ultra & GT800FX for about 6 months. Loved it at first but eventually switched it out for another Diezel & was pretty relieved when I did. If only to have a narrower spectrum of sounds & knob simplicity.
I'd probably advise spending some time with one before switching out your rig. I'd give myself that advice in hindsight.

 

[stratjacket]

I've had several Line 6 products. For Fractal, I've had the Standard, the Ultra, the II and now the III

1. I'd like the AxeFX 2 but the Ultra is much more available right now. Is the 2 miles ahead of the Ultra and are there still firmware updates? Will I be displeased with my Ultra if I get one and then hear the 2?
There are no more firmware updates for the Ultra. Where it is is where it's always going to be. The Ultra will still sound damn good, the II will have more routing, more power, more options, newer and better sounding models. How much better? It's all relative, I used the Ultra for many years and it sounded great.

2. If running a power amp and speaker, what is preferable? My EL84 20/20 U1 Power amp or a 8000 ValveState? I'd obviously rather the ValveState as it's much lighter and consistent but obviously will loose that nice Valve power state.
I think the Power and Cab IR's are some of the best parts of the Fractal gear, being able to model a cranked power tube amp sound and get professional mic'd cabs is a big selling point to me. I like the FRFR route. I use mine with a good set of Studio Monitors and it sounds awesome. and I have a Mission Engineering Gemini that sounds amazing as well. There are some great FRFR options out there.

3. I've read the Ultra only has one DSP that shares both FX and Tone, is this a limitation if I'm only running a few effects with fairly simple routing?
The Ultra has limited capacity which is why the move to the II and then the III. However, the software that runs on the Ultra will run just fine and everything works. There will be no limitations when using tons of effect pedals and the amp's, etc...

 

[ghosty999]

I moved to the Fractal Audio AX-8 about two years ago, and my Triaxis > 2:90 and Mesa Mark IVs have been silent since. I jumped in both feet, going FRFR with a Xitone 1x12 powered speaker, and going direct to FOH for gigs.

I have never been happier with my tones, and my GAS level is at an all time low. It has expanded my playing, and I find that I am playing more, sounding great at low volumes, and not tweaking as much as I thought I would, although I do tend to keep things simple.

That sounds like it could be me this time next year, I just can't hack the AxeFX 3 price and to be honest the 2 would do more than I needed already so there may be diminishing returns on getting the 3. Keeping GAS low is excellent so it might be the way forward!

 

[PBGas]

I never wanted Fractal anything. Was completely against it. Hated hearing about all of the waiting list horror stories, etc.

What a fool I was! I know they had some issues in the past with this but this time, they were great with the new product. The FC was a manufacturing delay and there isn't much you can do with that but they continually provided updates and were right on with their revised delivery times. I got my spot on the waiting list and got mine in almost the exact time frame they advertised.

I enjoy having a couple of options for playing live and it really depends on the venue.
I have an amp that I use and love with my UA OX. That yields an amazing FOH tone.

.....But the Axe III is really something. In another couple of months, I'll have had it for a year! I did not expect to like it as much as I do! Out of all of the direct solutions that I have owned (Kemper, Helix, etc.) it sounds the best to my ears. I use it with a Friedman ASM-10 for my monitoring. I just got the new FC-6 footswitch for it back in January and what a nice compact setup I have that I can use anywhere! I haven't even cracked the manual really. It can be as easy or as complex as you want it to be.

 

[shredhead7]

For those that go to the AXE that still have your old amps, is it easy to go back to them? What I mean is, when I had my ADA MP1 rig going, that was like butter to play. Going from that to a head, was hard, it took a few days of woodshedding to get back to shape. Then, jumping back on the ADA was like a cocaine fueled shredfest. Does the AXE have the same effect on your playing, it's overly easy, so you lose a step or is it to the point that it's pretty similar lag as a real amp?

 

[stratjacket]

For those that go to the AXE that still have your old amps, is it easy to go back to them? What I mean is, when I had my ADA MP1 rig going, that was like butter to play. Going from that to a head, was hard, it took a few days of woodshedding to get back to shape. Then, jumping back on the ADA was like a cocaine fueled shredfest. Does the AXE have the same effect on your playing, it's overly easy, so you lose a step or is it to the point that it's pretty similar lag as a real amp?

I go back and forth all the time. I currently have 4 heads and the Axe III. My favorite path is amp with pedals -> Suhr Reactive Load -> Axe III (for Cab IR's and effects) -> Studio Monitors.
But I also play them separately sometimes. I'm a set-it and forget-it dude, so I have my amps and Axe set and configured and rarely tweak, just a matter of where I plug my guitar in and what Axe preset I select.
So it's not hard for me, but I could see where it may be for some if you're a constant tweaker.

 

[muudrock]

Definitely grab a II or III. IMO, don't spend your time/money on the Ultra.

The best results running into a guitar cab I've had are with the Matrix GT 1000 feeding a 2x12. I will also say that the FR market hjas some really good options as well. I ended up going with a Friedman ASC 12 FR Cab. It is the closest feel to a guitar cab while still delivering the FR/IR exprience.

Again, the Axe FX II is still a great unit with more than most will need. I held on to mine even after getting the III.

 

[muudrock]

I have no issue jumping between my tube amps and the Axe.

For those that go to the AXE that still have your old amps, is it easy to go back to them? What I mean is, when I had my ADA MP1 rig going, that was like butter to play. Going from that to a head, was hard, it took a few days of woodshedding to get back to shape. Then, jumping back on the ADA was like a cocaine fueled shredfest. Does the AXE have the same effect on your playing, it's overly easy, so you lose a step or is it to the point that it's pretty similar lag as a real amp?

 

[ghosty999]

I've had several Line 6 products. For Fractal, I've had the Standard, the Ultra, the II and now the III

1. I'd like the AxeFX 2 but the Ultra is much more available right now. Is the 2 miles ahead of the Ultra and are there still firmware updates? Will I be displeased with my Ultra if I get one and then hear the 2?
There are no more firmware updates for the Ultra. Where it is is where it's always going to be. The Ultra will still sound damn good, the II will have more routing, more power, more options, newer and better sounding models. How much better? It's all relative, I used the Ultra for many years and it sounded great.

2. If running a power amp and speaker, what is preferable? My EL84 20/20 U1 Power amp or a 8000 ValveState? I'd obviously rather the ValveState as it's much lighter and consistent but obviously will loose that nice Valve power state.
I think the Power and Cab IR's are some of the best parts of the Fractal gear, being able to model a cranked power tube amp sound and get professional mic'd cabs is a big selling point to me. I like the FRFR route. I use mine with a good set of Studio Monitors and it sounds awesome. and I have a Mission Engineering Gemini that sounds amazing as well. There are some great FRFR options out there.

3. I've read the Ultra only has one DSP that shares both FX and Tone, is this a limitation if I'm only running a few effects with fairly simple routing?
The Ultra has limited capacity which is why the move to the II and then the III. However, the software that runs on the Ultra will run just fine and everything works. There will be no limitations when using tons of effect pedals and the amp's, etc...

Great info! I still like the idea of running a Valve power amp and 2x12 but it's cool to look at the FRFR options. I have some KRK Rockits I'm sure will work great for bedroom shredding.

Looks like the Axe2 is what I'll need to start bidding for.

 

[Racerxrated]

I had the AX8 for a month, it sounded good but won't replace any of my Marshalls/Mesas. I would go for the AX8 since it has the tones of the II and is WAY cheaper than the III. And, in an easy portable pedal platform. I liked it much better through a tube power amp than the FRFR speaker I tried.
Just make sure you keep your rack preamp if you like it as much as you do..that way you can easily go back to it if the AXE doesn't work for you.

 

[romanianreaper]

I run my Axe-Fx II into a pair of KRK monitors and have no other amps at the moment and haven't had another amp since 2012. When I walk into a guitar store and play thru a traditional amp, it doesn't blow my mind so much that I want another amp.

If you do get a Fractal setup, I'd keep your other setup. That way if you ever want to go back or want to have both, you are covered.

 

[Ventura]

I've teeter-tottered between analog and Axe since the first days they came out.

I've yet to try their latest and greatest - but it was the tone on the Fractal forum, the constant updates, and the lack of "in the room" feel that always had me go back to my actual tube rigs.

I also like the comment above - the Fractal path taught me a lot about what I don't need. And with that wisdom gleaned, I've found myself in a place of a few choice stomps in-front or looped, MIDI controlled, and I just play a lot more now than before. I've flipped and flopped a lot of amps, but the key was finding the core amps to run stereo to get "my sound" and also offer range in that sound. I've found that now, and that's it. Sure hauling it around is a serious pain the ass - if I hauled it around to a lot of venues or whatnot, I'd opt to go with a modeller with my exact patches in it and just plug and play.

Anyway - main thing is, it's an experience you have to truly try before the itch gets scratched. And the better of the units you can get will assist in knowing if it's the right path for you. Buying an earlier version may just tickle your want to know what the newer version offers. I'd say jump in full tilt and get the latest and greatest and if it's not your cup of tea, least there's a market for resale with very little depreciation. Upfront cost may be significantly higher, but you're guaranteeing yourself the fullest experience without doubt of what "could be", and if it's not your schtick, you can turn around and sell it with the difference from cost to sale the price you paid to learn the truth.

Peace
Mo

 

[stratjacket]

...you can turn around and sell it with the difference from cost to sale the price you paid to learn the truth.

I call it The Rental Price for shit you don't keep.

 

[ghosty999]

...you can turn around and sell it with the difference from cost to sale the price you paid to learn the truth.

I call it The Rental Price for shit you don't keep.

Isn't that the rational someone suffering from GAS uses to justify their many purcahses?

 

[PBGas]

...you can turn around and sell it with the difference from cost to sale the price you paid to learn the truth.

I call it The Rental Price for shit you don't keep.

Isn't that the rational someone suffering from GAS uses to justify their many purcahses?

YUP. It’s called a coping strategy! LOL. I do it all the time and it is instant relief.

 

[Spaceboy]

I had an Ultra and a II, as well as the original Kemper for whatever that's worth, and I will probably be splurging for the Axe III sometime soon. I found the Axe FX to be cumbersome, expensive, fiddly, and simply not sound as good as a real amp. HOWEVER, for home use I have never owned a piece of equipment that was more convenient, more inspiring, and more versatile. I am a relatively simple player that needs 3-4 amp tones, reverb and delay. I also pretty much only reach for the typical British flavored speakers like V30, GB, T75, etc. The Axe FX was, and probably still is too much for my basic needs. I attempted to use them through various amplification methods (solid state, tube, and FRFR) and it never really satisfied me, always caused me to spend too much time tweaking. I am interested in trying it as a live solution again, but my primary interest now is for wiring music at home. I get some fairly satisfying sounds through plugins already, but delegating the guitar processing to an Axe FX III would free up my computer to let me have more control of a final mix, because now I am limited with my computer can handle. The Axe is also extremely expensive if you're a basic player like me. There's the obvious cost of the unit, the foot controller, some system of amplification, and other minor tidbits. You could easily be $4000 into the setup, and then really not even saving space if you decide to do the poweramp/guitar cabinet option. If you're an effect guy though, obviously you could be coming out ahead with the prices a good pedalboard setup costs. If you're a basic boosted 2203 through 1960a player like me, maybe reconsider. You're not going to save weight with Axe from your current rack setup.

So, I guess my advice is not immediately start selling anything. Buy the Axe and expect a learning curve, sit on it awhile before decided to part with anything you might regret. I made the mistake of selling almost everything, becoming dissatisfied and turning back, having to resource everything I needed. I found the Axe FX to be most satisfying at home than with a band, and in that scenario is potentially cheaper because all you really need is a couple studio monitors to get playing, which $500 can go a long way in a typical household untreated room. Sorry to ignore your questions, I think the other dudes handled that better than I could and still felt the need to chime in a bit since I chronically float back and forth on modeling units.