Feel like answering some noob questions about Rack rigs?

[rsm]

Here are a few that haven't been mentioned: ISP Technologies Theta, Bogner Fish, Voodoo Labs Guitar Preamp, Rocktron preamps - I've not tried these or looked at the specs recently.

Mesa Triaxis?

I still have (and dig) a JMP-1 and JFX-1, Tech 21 PSA 1.1, and an ADA MP-2...I was a big ADA user back in the day. For the ADA MP-1, I also used an ADA MQ-1 graphic EQ...here is my last ADA rack:

Former Axe-Fx Ultra owner, I'd like to have another FWIW. I have a TC Electronic G-System that I use with a Vox Tonelab (desktop model) for a direct board; a Nova System I use direct or in front of a Fender tube amp...both great effect options. Before you get a G-System, I recommend reading what is known as "Laird's white paper" it is stickied on the TC Electronic G-System user forum...getting it to work correctly depends on your entire rig configuration...best to see what you are in for before you take the plunge IMO.

I'd work on getting the core tones first (preamp(s) and power amp(s)) then move on to effects. IMO.

 

[IamTheHuman]

Well, I've selected the preamp already. That would be the engl midi tube pre. I don't care for marshall or mesa tone. Marshall is loose in the mids and a little too vintage sounding for me, and I utterly despise the lows with mesa (sorry triaxis suggesters). I was tempted by the VHT unit, but it still didn't deliver the sound I wanted after examples. Only thing that got close was the engl, and it just needs to be warmed up a tad. That I can do.

So poweramps. At first, my needs are simple. Drive the output to an ear candy buzzbomb cab, and maybe some cab impulses (which I'm still kinda experimenting with). I kinda want the option to switch between 6L6 and EL34's. Any poweramps let you switch kinda like the mesa road king 2? I kinda dug the idea of being able to change that on the fly.

 

[roadifier]

Well, I've selected the preamp already. That would be the engl midi tube pre. I don't care for marshall or mesa tone. Marshall is loose in the mids and a little too vintage sounding for me, and I utterly despise the lows with mesa (sorry triaxis suggesters). I was tempted by the VHT unit, but it still didn't deliver the sound I wanted after examples. Only thing that got close was the engl, and it just needs to be warmed up a tad. That I can do.

So poweramps. At first, my needs are simple. Drive the output to an ear candy buzzbomb cab, and maybe some cab impulses (which I'm still kinda experimenting with). I kinda want the option to switch between 6L6 and EL34's. Any poweramps let you switch kinda like the mesa road king 2? I kinda dug the idea of being able to change that on the fly.

The randall RT 2 50. its midi and lets you switch from el34/6l6. or it can be bridged to mono for 100 watts, with both tube types.

 

[jlbaxe]

fwiw my axefx/2-90-2 rig sounds better than anything else I've used before, not to mention anyone my band has ever played with. It's unbelievably clear, dynamic and huge sounding and is only 6 rack spaces. It's consistent, simple, dead silent and so far 100% reliable. It is just as good in the studio and i can practice at all hours of the day through an interface & phones with my midi board on the floor just like my live rig. I really don't understand all the hate because my ears sure aren't broken and is surely not comparable to a POD or eleven rack.
Also, the effects on it alone are probably better than just about anything out there not to mention their routing ability. If i wasn't using it as a preamp I would surely have it in my rack just for this reason. The reverb algorithm is said to be one of the best ever and I would agree.
I don't get what the "axefx sound" is that everyone talks about here on this forum so if anyone would like to enlighten me please go ahead. Different strokes for different folks I guess but i think alot of this trash talk is hearsay

+1 I use mine with the RT2/50 w/quad of JJ E34Ls.

The randall RT 2 50. its midi and lets you switch from el34/6l6. or it can be bridged to mono for 100 watts, with both tube types.

You cant bridge the RT2/50.

 

[mattTHERIPPERsanchez]

fwiw my axefx/2-90-2 rig sounds better than anything else I've used before, not to mention anyone my band has ever played with. It's unbelievably clear, dynamic and huge sounding and is only 6 rack spaces. It's consistent, simple, dead silent and so far 100% reliable. It is just as good in the studio and i can practice at all hours of the day through an interface & phones with my midi board on the floor just like my live rig. I really don't understand all the hate because my ears sure aren't broken and is surely not comparable to a POD or eleven rack.
Also, the effects on it alone are probably better than just about anything out there not to mention their routing ability. If i wasn't using it as a preamp I would surely have it in my rack just for this reason. The reverb algorithm is said to be one of the best ever and I would agree.
I don't get what the "axefx sound" is that everyone talks about here on this forum so if anyone would like to enlighten me please go ahead. Different strokes for different folks I guess but i think alot of this trash talk is hearsay

This x1000. My Axe Fx is the greatest gear decision I've ever made, and it is so much more compact than the dual head/6U rack setup I was using before. The only difference between our rigs is I've got the Mesa 2:90 instead of the VHT, but it sounds incredible regardless. Also for you guys preaching simple rack setups, I couldn't possibly agree more.

I run Line6 x2 wireless-> Axe Fx-> Mesa 2:90-> Mesa OS4x12
and my main patch is essentially a boosted Mesa Mark II+C blended with a Soldano SLO, so I'm definitely not doing anything ridiculously intricate their either. I don't need a boatload of effects, just solid tone

 

[roadifier]

The randall RT 2 50. its midi and lets you switch from el34/6l6. or it can be bridged to mono for 100 watts, with both tube types.

You cant bridge the RT2/50.

It said on their website that you could bridge them, but I guess they were wrong. They had lots of typos, like 100 watts per channel, and 50 watts bridged. when I last looked.

 

[jlbaxe]

The randall RT 2 50. its midi and lets you switch from el34/6l6. or it can be bridged to mono for 100 watts, with both tube types.

You cant bridge the RT2/50.

It said on their website that you could bridge them, but I guess they were wrong. They had lots of typos, like 100 watts per channel, and 50 watts bridged. when I last looked.

I Have one and it would be cool to be able to bridge and mix tubes. I believe Bruce Egnater commented about it not being bridgeable on the Egnater forum.

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

Just a quick note about the axe fx. Most clips are done with the included cabinet impulses, but I found that they sounded bad through everything. Red Wirez impulses were much better, and a power amp either solid state with a lot of head room, or tube with the power amp sims off were much better. There are some good axe fx clips on the Red Wirez web site.

Also I should have my new rack set up friday...Mako Mak4, Mesa 50/50. Simple clean, and loud!!!!

If you can decide on a power amp, and cab, then try an axe fx I think you would be surprised.

 

[Dimebag11]

yea, the Mako Mak4 should definitely be in contention...surprised there was no mention of it until the previous poster.

 

[Zachman]

fwiw my axefx/2-90-2 rig sounds better than anything else I've used before, not to mention anyone my band has ever played with. It's unbelievably clear, dynamic and huge sounding and is only 6 rack spaces. It's consistent, simple, dead silent and so far 100% reliable. It is just as good in the studio and i can practice at all hours of the day through an interface & phones with my midi board on the floor just like my live rig. I really don't understand all the hate because my ears sure aren't broken and is surely not comparable to a POD or eleven rack.
Also, the effects on it alone are probably better than just about anything out there not to mention their routing ability. If i wasn't using it as a preamp I would surely have it in my rack just for this reason. The reverb algorithm is said to be one of the best ever and I would agree.
I don't get what the "axefx sound" is that everyone talks about here on this forum so if anyone would like to enlighten me please go ahead. Different strokes for different folks I guess but i think alot of this trash talk is hearsay

I think the AXE is KILLER. Re: it's sound-- it has a transparent sound if you will. Not that that's a bad thing, but compared to say my Eventide H8000FW (which has a color to it, all it's own-- and it's a REALLY nice color), same with the Lexicon PCM Reverbs, the TC 2290, TC 1210-- the Axe isn't quite the same. Not a dig, just a reality to be aware of when choosing sonic colors, and textures for your sonic landscape/content.

Hope that helps

 

[IamTheHuman]

That sounds like just the Axe FX, is it not? I'm not at all interested in the axe for preamp sounds. I didn't know the cab simulator actually used impulses and not lesser cab simulation methods. Can you upload your own impulses to it? Or no? I'd be interested in the axe FX just as an FX unit. I wish I could buy one WITHOUT the preamp section. Hahaha.

 

[Zachman]

Well, after doing some research a bit on things everyone talked about, I still want the engl midi tube pre (I can fix sterile, I can't fix sloppy). Now its the choice of good fx rack setups. The G-force/Gsystem setup is what is catching my eye the most. Anyone have extensive use with either of their programming methods? I also really dug that site that did custom switching options that was mentioned above, and will definitely be considering some of those options. As far as that torpedo thing went, I think that may be a bit too much money, and the audio examples they had were less than convincing to even drop $500 on it honestly. Anyone have any better examples of that item?

And finally, poweramps. The Fryette ones seem pretty popular, as well as mesa. Anyone here have some reasonable working knowledge of preamp sound characteristics? Maybe describe the sound of a few. Since I'll be getting a pre that some feel is sterile, I'll want something that is clear, but CAN warm it up if I want (I'll also be swapping out stock tubes in the pre for some lower gain/warmer preamp tubes, even if just one or two being swapped out).

 

[srommes]

If you have the E570/580 already definitely go with the matching Engl 50/100 poweramp. I'm currently running two E570's along with the 50/100. I've tried the E570 with various poweramps (VHT 2/50/2, 2/90/2, 2150, Mesa 2:90, Randall RT2/50, Marshall 9200 just to name a few) and nothing sounded as good with the E570 as the matching 50/100. If you are after the SE sound in stereo this is the route to go because it sounds as good if not better.

 

[Zachman]

That sounds like just the Axe FX, is it not? I'm not at all interested in the axe for preamp sounds. I didn't know the cab simulator actually used impulses and not lesser cab simulation methods. Can you upload your own impulses to it? Or no? I'd be interested in the axe FX just as an FX unit. I wish I could buy one WITHOUT the preamp section. Hahaha.

You seem to be under the impression that you are "required" to use the amp sounds in the unit. You're no more required to do that, then to HAVE TO use ALL of the effects in the unit all the time.

 

[IamTheHuman]

I know I don't have to use them. But I still have to PAY for them. I'm the kind of guy that wishes everything was modular so I could just buy the parts I need. I'm snobby, but cheap. Its in my blood.

 

[Zachman]

I know I don't have to use them. But I still have to PAY for them. I'm the kind of guy that wishes everything was modular so I could just buy the parts I need. I'm snobby, but cheap. Its in my blood.

Ya, well... If you wish in one hand, and shit in the other, see which one fills up faster. It seems to me like you "Wishing" doesn't accomplish anything other than perhaps unrealistic expectations.


It's a pay to play game, and for the quality, quantity, and routing flexibility of the effects alone-- in something like the Axe-FX, the entry fee is worth it. The amp models are just extras-- for FREE, so no you aren't really paying for them-- if you look at it that way. IF the made you the same hardware and didn't include the algorithms for the Amp models, the cost would still be the same.

Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but you remind me of someone who says they want A, B, C, & D BUT when presented with A, B, C, And D you come up with an excuse as to why you don't really want it, or why you shouldn't get it. Seems silly to me.

It's like these guys that I see, who say they want the best and then act surprised at what it costs to have the BEST. I mean, duh-- I would think you guys would've realized by now, that those requirements command what should be, an expected PREMIUM price tag.

Oh well, Happy hunting

 

[srinivassa]

I don't get the power amp thing for a studio rack rig. Don't you plug in the pre direct? Wouldn't a good power amp just blow the doors off of a studio rack?

Sorry, just wondering. I know I'm not helping the OP. It just seems that if you have to run a tube power amp, you have to dial it way up to get tone.

 

[Zachman]

I don't get the power amp thing for a studio rack rig. Don't you plug in the pre direct?

No

Wouldn't a good power amp just blow the doors off of a studio rack?

No

Sorry, just wondering. I know I'm not helping the OP. It just seems that if you have to run a tube power amp, you have to dial it way up to get tone.

No... A tube Power amp is NOT a requirement, though it is my preference.

Ex. This was recorded at TV Volumes, w/ a Tube Power Amp:

Hopefully this video will help your understanding a bit about how things can be setup:

 

[srinivassa]

I don't get the power amp thing for a studio rack rig. Don't you plug in the pre direct?

No

Wouldn't a good power amp just blow the doors off of a studio rack?

No

Sorry, just wondering. I know I'm not helping the OP. It just seems that if you have to run a tube power amp, you have to dial it way up to get tone.

No...

That's cool bro. I'll make sure to crank my 2x50W rig in my 12x12 sound sensitive studio. Then I can mic it from anywhere. Or maybe I'll just blast my mixing board with 100W of stereo goodness.

yes.

 

[Zachman]

I don't get the power amp thing for a studio rack rig. Don't you plug in the pre direct?

No

Wouldn't a good power amp just blow the doors off of a studio rack?

No

Sorry, just wondering. I know I'm not helping the OP. It just seems that if you have to run a tube power amp, you have to dial it way up to get tone.

No...

That's cool bro. I'll make sure to crank my 2x50W rig in my 12x12 sound sensitive studio. Then I can mic it from anywhere. Or maybe I'll just blast my mixing board with 100W of stereo goodness.

yes.

Whatever floats your boat... Perhaps, you could've taken the time to watch the video I posted, which explains things???