Fractal Audio AxeFX Ultra Live?

[jesserides2005]

I've been researching the AxeFX & was curious how many of you that have one, use it as the main preamp in your live rig? Right now I am using a Diezel Einstein & Mesa Triaxis w/ 50/50 & a Rocktron Intellifex for effects. I really love my rig, however as a full-time barband cover dude, there are a lot of stages that we play that are too small for my rig & I have to turn down so low that it really sucks actually.

I was wondering if the AxeFX into my existing power amp & say a 1x12 would sound good live & by "sound good" I mean does it "sound & feel" like a real amp? I've tried all the other modelling stuff & I just don't dig it at all.

Also, can it really cover all musical styles? We play everything from George Strait to Metallica depending on the room, so I'm looking for something that has "convincing" tone from classic to modern country and rock?

I appreciate any info anyone can give me.

Thanks,
-d

 

[bstaley]

Yes. It does feel like a "real" amp and and it is easily as versatile as anything out there. I don't have a Diezel but I do have a Triaxis and I built a "Triaxis" patch on the Axe which I think is every bit as good as the real thing. The only reason I am hanging on to my Triaxis now is for sentimental reasons. I also have a Egnater M4 and I have not quite been able to tweak the Axe to sound as good as the Eggie (to my ears). At least not yet.

The Axe is head and shoulders above any other modeler I've tried.

 

[timbo]

I'm in a coverband as well. I bought the AxeFx Ultra because I wanted more of a variety of tones than my JVM halfstack could provide. Not only that, but a 100 watter and a 4X12 was just wayyyy too powerful for 90% of the venues we play.
The AxeFx also let me get away from switching guitars all the time too. Venue owners are not real pleased when your up there dickin around with amp dials, switching guitars, screwin with pedals and wasting time while people are leaving the dance floor. I hit one midi pedal on my FC-300 to change patches on all my gear and use expression pedals, control pedals on my FC-300 as well. I can go from song to song in the blink of an eye. So yeah, what I'm saying is that for live use the AxeFx rocks!

That said the tone I get now or I should say variety of tones is amazing. To me it has the feel, grind and chunk of a tube amp in a live setting unlike any of the Line 6 units or the Digitech GSP1101 which to me sound absolutely horrible. Believe me, I've tried them all in my quest for a do-it-all box. I have the AxeFx running through a Carvin TS-100 stereo tube power amp and a Marshall MC212 cabinet in stereo. Too me the sound is amazing. Blows the JVM outta the water. And the fx are first class. I sold my Eventide Eclipse and the Ultras effects rank right up there. Some people are running the AxeFx through powered PA speakers which I don't like the sound of at all. There also using the cab sims with this method which I think should only be reserved for recording direct into a console. But that's just me. To me nothing sounds better than a good ole tube power amp and guitar cabinet. I know I have no desire for any other amps even though there are alot of great ones out there. They all do what they do great, but each one has it's limits and I'm not into being an amp whore with 10 amps sitting around. I can't get them all up on stage so what's the point? I'm biased of course but I think you'll be real happy with the AxeFx especially if your in a variety coverband. On the other hand, if I was in a original band I might just have one amp, mod it and make it my signature sound.

 

[Juggernaut]

You guys have SERIOUSLY got to stop talking about these things.......

I'm borderline about to SPAM the VHT to fund one.

 

[degenaro]

The Axe has become my go tpo set up for my money gig. I run it through a VHT 2/50/2 into either a THD 2x12 with Heritage 65s or Golds...

 

[jesserides2005]

Thanks for the info guys! You Rock!

I think I'm going to go for it, I just don't know which one to get? The Standard or Ultra?

 

[bstaley]

Thanks for the info guys! You Rock!

I think I'm going to go for it, I just don't know which one to get? The Standard or Ultra?

Ultra. It gives you more capability when Cliff releases new firmware that taxes the CPU harder.

 

[timbo]

Yeah, exactly. I always buy more than I need and it usually works well most of the time. You definitely want plenty of cpu power for creating more elaborate patches. So, I would definitely recommend the Ultra. Plus it has some features the standard does not.

 

[gtr31]

Bstaly ,

First let me say I Love your Egg tones .Especially the Eg5 ozzy.

How close is the Ax fx to copping the Sl2, Eg5 .What is it missing?

Do you think it is in there or still out of reach of the Fractal capability at this point .

 

[bstaley]

Oh boy, that's a tough one to answer. The thing is, since I have no plans to get rid of the Eggie, I really haven't tried to copy those tones. What I have tried to do is replace the MKIV Lead patch from my Triaxis and so far I think I've had great success. Also keep in mind that I am not a wizard at tweaking the amp sims. With the exception of the Triaxis patch and a Recto patch, most of my time has been devoted to programming the effects.

I did create a Recto patch that I think is as good as the ERect module. The SL2 and EG5 are just a perfect combination of tones for me so there's no need to try to copy them. I may do it someday just to see if I can. Then I would have a backup in case of failure.

I don't know if the Axe will be able to fool you in a blind test which is the Eggie or which is the Axe. At least not at my current level of programming ability. Don't think of it in terms of "cloning" an amp. Think of it in terms of building your own amp that has characteristics of another amp. I can guarantee you though that if I was totally without the Egnater or my Triaxis that the Axe would get me by just fine.

Hope that helps.

 

[Hectic Watermelon]

Bstaly ,

First let me say I Love your Egg tones .Especially the Eg5 ozzy.

How close is the Ax fx to copping the Sl2, Eg5 .What is it missing?

Do you think it is in there or still out of reach of the Fractal capability at this point .

My Ultra just showed up, and those were ironically the first tones I tired to dial in. Trying to get the SL2 with the JCM 800 tone stack and it's getting there. Mind you, I am running it 100% in the Axe FX into studio monitors. If into my 2-50-2 and cabs, it would be much closer right of the bat. Even if you don't nail a particular tone 100%, it seems to me that it is going to get really close. The power and speaker modeling sections are just insane. This is the first "modeler" that I enjoy. And I've probably tired all the good ones.

I have to record a solo for a guy's album tonight, and I'm going to try the Axe FX 100% in the box versus mic'ed cabs and really see how it shakes out. I may give the artist both copies and see which he takes.

And for the OP, the presets change instantly with spill over very much UNLIKE the eclipse. whatever...

 

[timbo]

John,

You will be extremely pleased with the AxeFx running it through your 2-50-2 and guitar cabs. I'm floored every time I gig with mine. Matter or fact (sounds cheezy) but we played our county fair here Monday night outside. Large stage and provided backline, lights, EV stacks on each side of the stage and a provided soundman. Of course I brought my own rig, Carvin TS-100, Ultra, Marshall MC212 cab and it was mic'd with a Sennheiser E906. It was just thunderous out front from what I could tell. Wife said it sounded awesome. The AxeFx has been a proven GAS killer.