How does the AxeFX for effects compare to other rack units?

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cyndicate

cyndicate

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For those AxeFX owners, How good are the effects on it compared to something like the Gforce?
 
I have the G-system which I truly love. However, the Axe has some more unique type of efx that for me, I love. All the basic efx sound great, same as my G-system, and I can get some nice sounds out of the G-system, but the axe has a few that are not included in the G, some very unique and fun spacey stuff which i love. So, as far as efx, I think the axe has a few that the G system can't do, but aprart from that, they are both killer. The advantage of the G-system is its integrated floorboard,

as of now, I am setting up my G-system to send patch change and tempo information to the axe.

this last weekend while I wait for a power amp to come in, I plugged in stereo direct, listening back on QSC monitors, and it sounded dang good. The only thing I don't usually like with floor monitors and direct sounds is heavy distortion, and the axe was a step up, but still not like a tube head and cab reproducing heavy saturation, but clean, very very articulate and plays very well with others.
 
If Programmed with a midi foot contoller, I can just use the AxeFX as a FX unit as well right? If I am able to midi program everything then the high price tag of the AxeFX isn't too bad if it can replace a rack effect unit.
 
I used a TC G Major through my JVM halfstack loop. The effects were pretty decent but I wanted better quality. I then switched to an Eventide Eclipse which was a huge mistake. The effects were lush but it was like early 90's technology. Patch changing was slow as hell, you couldn't custom build a patch because you could only choose two algorithms at once that were predetermined. Definitely not a live guitarist tool. The I got wrapped up in the AxeFx talk over at TGP and Hugeracks and decided to give it a shot and was blown away. The effects and pitch shifting are as good or better than Eventide hands down. The delays and choruses are killer too.

The AxeFx is very easy to operate. The Eclipse was a pain in the ass.
 
cyndicate":20qoabkh said:
If Programmed with a midi foot contoller, I can just use the AxeFX as a FX unit as well right? If I am able to midi program everything then the high price tag of the AxeFX isn't too bad if it can replace a rack effect unit.
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Absolutely.
 
timbo":ya1pa17v said:
I used a TC G Major through my JVM halfstack loop. The effects were pretty decent but I wanted better quality. I then switched to an Eventide Eclipse which was a huge mistake. The effects were lush but it was like early 90's technology. Patch changing was slow as hell, you couldn't custom build a patch because you could only choose two algorithms at once that were predetermined. Definitely not a live guitarist tool. The I got wrapped up in the AxeFx talk over at TGP and Hugeracks and decided to give it a shot and was blown away. The effects and pitch shifting are as good or better than Eventide hands down. The delays and choruses are killer too.

The AxeFx is very easy to operate. The Eclipse was a pain in the ass.
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It's funny you say that.
I run my rack with the Eclipse so there is another processor after it so I have no issues with the patch changes.
I also use a G System for gigs where I don't take the rack. The lag time on the Eclipse never bugged me. But last night I was fairly amazed by the patch change on th AxeFx and started pondering why I deal with this on the Eclipse.
 
Not sure how it compares to the G-Force, but I had Digitech 2120 and a friend's G-System in my possession for a few days. I found the Axe-Fx to be noticeably less "digital" sounding & feeling. I ditched the 2120 because I felt it was too cold/harsh. The G-System was definitely an improvement over the 2120 and I remember thinking I could deal with this without too much fuss. The Axe-Fx is much better than both IMO. More transparent and when running a similar 4-cable method like the G-System I found it cleaner sounding.

As a side note, I'm curious as to what's going to happen to the G-Force. I've never heard someone say the G-Force could go blow for blow with the Eventide Eclipse, but many who've played/owned both the Eclipse and Axe-Fx feel the Axe-Fx effects are just as good as the Eventide with one's personal preference being the decision maker. As the Axe-Fx catches on more I wonder how the G-Force will fair against the comparatively price Axe-Fx Std.
 
Ed,

I was having to piggyback the Eclipse with a Gmajor just to get by til' I found the AxeFx. It really kinda started to tick me off that I was continuing to run a subpar 300.00 unit just so I could mask the patch change lag time of the Eclipse. The whole idea was just nuts.

Don't get me wrong, the Eclipse's sounds are stunning, especially in a studio or recording environment. As for live use it's true shine, depth and clarity can easily go unnoticed among the other live intruments or vocals.

I'm glad you like the AxeFx. It is an awesome tool.
 
The only downside to using the axe as an efx only is that it will take just a tad more programming and the setting up your input and output levels a touch, as its setup with cab and amp models, you will have to dig in and setup up efx patches only, which really, its pretty intuitive, and you can even bypass all efx with a push of a button, all midi programmable i believe.

right now i just set up my gsystem to change patches and its workign pretty great, you can have delay spill over and such.

oh, and the axe has a little bit noisy operation, Its like a computer, and it has a fan just like a computer, but I think you are computer savy, probally could get a quiter fan in there..
 
timbo":8z4pfovj said:
Ed,

I was having to piggyback the Eclipse with a Gmajor just to get by til' I found the AxeFx. It really kinda started to tick me off that I was continuing to run a subpar 300.00 unit just so I could mask the patch change lag time of the Eclipse. The whole idea was just nuts.

Don't get me wrong, the Eclipse's sounds are stunning, especially in a studio or recording environment. As for live use it's true shine, depth and clarity can easily go unnoticed among the other live intruments or vocals.

I'm glad you like the AxeFx. It is an awesome tool.
Click to expand...
Tell me about it. G Sharp with Eclipse in my case.
That's why I use the G system most of the time, plus the G system has a really useable gate in it.
 
Being an Eventide fanboy I have to admit that for a live rig you have to use several units to combat the lack times, I have a Roland SDE3000 to go with my MPX-1 and run them through a Rane right now for my weekly jams.

The axe-fx would be simplier that is for sure.
 
I'm another Eclipse to Axe Fx convert, no regrets. Can't dispute the Eventide tones but it's just not set up in a guitarist friendly way IMO. The Axe sounds incredible AND is super intuitive to program in a guitar rig, it's the best I've ever used.
 
Thanks for the replies! Good to hear it can be used for FX as well :thumbsup: Now that high price tag doesn't look so bad
 
hey man,

someone just posted an axe for sale on the axe forum if you are still interested.
 
Thanks for the headsup! Kind of way more than what I wanted to pay, I am still in line for the Ultra, about 4 weeks left I think, so I am not really in a hurry to get one.
 
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