Considering the Move to AxeFX, advice?

[Spaceboy]

Oh, and definitely splurge for the II over the Ultra. It's leaps and bounds better.

 

[skullfxr]

I have a thought or two. Maybe it has been mentioned, Maybe not.

Resale. as newer versions come out with newer models you will lose value faster. Every amp I would buy would not go down in price much if any, i buy smart and have not lost money yet.

With individual components you can repair one part.

Also with stuff coming out like the Ox box, you lose a lot of issues with volume and recording at whatever volume needed. I plan to buy one once they start showing up used.

BUT AXE rocks for anything that you need a lot of different things.

Personally two switches takes good care of me for most cases. If you need extreme utility AXE is it IMO.

 

[jkdsteve]

Keep your amps and save for the Axe.

 

[LCW]

So if the AX-8 is based on the FX II.... any rumors or info on an AX-8 replacement that would be based on the FX III?

 

[Spaceboy]

The AX8 had issues for me. It kept running out of DSP on even basic patches. As I mentioned above, I'm a fairly dry player but do use some verb and delay, but still the AX8 wouldn't be able to handle my modest needs. The AX8 is still relatively new and Its are still being supported, so I doubt it would make much sense for Cliff to release a III-based AX8 at this point, but I'm sure that would eventually happen.

 

[Pat6969]

I don’t think there’s been an update to the AX8 since September last year, which is a lifetime to afractal users. With the III running the new modelling engine I’d be surprised if the AX8 gets much more. I could see a new floor unit sooner than later, something that uses the new modelling. My 2 cents.

 

[stratjacket]

I know it’s expensive, but damn the Axe III is amazing. I’ve spent the day just trying different routings and blending between my amps and the Axe. So many options. With 4 inputs (each and L and R) and 4 outputs (each a L and R), you can get pretty damn creative.

I was messing around with W/D, multiple cabs, all sorts of blends of amps with the Axe. I ended the night (2Am work night I may add) with this path:
Guitar -> pedals -> Marshall JVM (not using loop) -> Suhr Reactive Load -> Axe III some effect blocks -> Eventide H9 -> Axe III (added delay, reverb, etc...) -> Monitors. The sound is monsterous and 3D sounding. I spent most of the time playing guitar and messing around with the H9, routing and setup was easy.

If you can keep your amps and add and Axe III, man they go together like peas and carrots.

 

[jkdsteve]

The AX8 had issues for me. It kept running out of DSP on even basic patches. As I mentioned above, I'm a fairly dry player but do use some verb and delay, but still the AX8 wouldn't be able to handle my modest needs. The AX8 is still relatively new and Its are still being supported, so I doubt it would make much sense for Cliff to release a III-based AX8 at this point, but I'm sure that would eventually happen.

Later iterations of the firmware did lower the CPU use by 10-12%....it helped with the 'verb caused CPU limitation for sure.

It's high time for a newer AX8 with more DSP power.

 

[romanianreaper]

I know it’s expensive, but damn the Axe III is amazing. I’ve spent the day just trying different routings and blending between my amps and the Axe. So many options. With 4 inputs (each and L and R) and 4 outputs (each a L and R), you can get pretty damn creative.

I was messing around with W/D, multiple cabs, all sorts of blends of amps with the Axe. I ended the night (2Am work night I may add) with this path:
Guitar -> pedals -> Marshall JVM (not using loop) -> Suhr Reactive Load -> Axe III some effect blocks -> Eventide H9 -> Axe III (added delay, reverb, etc...) -> Monitors. The sound is monsterous and 3D sounding. I spent most of the time playing guitar and messing around with the H9, routing and setup was easy.

If you can keep your amps and add and Axe III, man they go together like peas and carrots.

That is badass!! With my Axe-Fx II, I've always been a front panel guy and never got into the Axe Edit thing so I think my transition over to the III would be easier than others. When I first got it, I was adjusting tube types, messing with the B+Constant, and all kinds of stuff just chasing the tones. As the firmware got updated over the years, I barely had to touch a thing and the tone was there.

I can't even imagine how great the III would sound after having the II. One of these days I'll pull the trigger but still happy with my II.

 

[PeteLaramee]

I went with the Axe II a few years ago and then bought the MFC footcontroller. Once I realized I could go with the AX8 and not miss anything (I don't use a ton of different effects) I sold the II and MFC and bought an AX8.

The bad thing about it is there are so many tweakable parameters you can easily get lost and/or overwhelmed. It took some time to find my sound, but now I can't imagine going back to lugging around a marshall head and 4x12 ever again.