I did it.....

[jcj]

Man...I haven't played one of those in years, Kurt; now I need to go check out some clips

 

[steve_k]

Steve did it right, couple of RCF NX 12-SMA's and the midi switcher. That's the way to give it a chance. He's having fun, good for him. I'm trying to hold out to check out the Active Atomic CLR cabs.

I agree Steve did it right. I've been hit or miss with modelers for awhile but once I got the RCF 12SMA as my monitor and a good PA with my Kemper... that was the missing link for me. Still not 100% tube feel but I'm closer to the tones I like with the Kemper and man it's nice to have a consistent tone in my face and not have the tone change a lot when you move around. I always felt sorry for anyone facing my cab because I knew they were have thier head ripped off. I had to dial it in bright to get the cut where I wanted it and I heard it with the cab hitting the back of my legs.

I'm sure I sound better out front too.

In a nutshell, you pretty much summed up the attributes of going the digital route, whether it is Fractal or Kemper. Its fucking guitar EVERYWHERE. Instead of focused, you are now dispersed. On a much bigger scale, it sort of reminds me of the Bose surround system and those little cube speakers and how the sound can be so full and dispersed as opposed to a conventional stereo system. Same with the Axe, set up in this way. I haven't even thought about a cab or power amp set up. Let the Axe or Kemper do the work for you.

Is it the same as a tube amp...no. But, to me, the trade-off is worth it. I just now got into the EQ of the models I like and there's quite a few adjustments to make within each model if you so desire, that really alter the output and feel of the unit. For the 6 days now that I have had it, I haven't once thought that this doesn't sound like a real amp. Surprisingly too, because I thought I would dwell on this doesn't sound like amp X or amp Y. To the contrary, I (and the emphasis is I) sound better and play better with the Axe than a mic'd amp.

I have mainly focused on the high gain amp sims for now, sorting out the heavies, since this is what I play most. Oddly enough, I landed on a few amps that I have never played or owned and those are Fryette D60, the Carol Ann OD2 and the PV 5150 sims with actually the 5150 (they call it the FAS 6160) getting a lot of interest. The Mesa Recto Red is fantastic too, without any tweaks. The IIC+ needed a bit of GEQ tweak to get where I wanted. Another favorite right out of the box is the EVH Circa 1982 preset without any tweaks.

Cool thing is the set up though on the A2. I am running the FOH direct to the main outputs in Output 1 and the active monitors to Output 2. In the I/O settings, copy Output 1 to Output 2 and you can control the volume to each, but the patch is identical. If I kill Output 1 and tweak the EQ to the monitors, which are full range and flat frequency, then send the signal to flat FOH channels, the sound is almost identical. Just a little bit of tweaking on the channel EQ's on the mixer and I'm there. No dicking around with mics, mike placement, ambient amp noise, drummer spillover into the mics and no ice picks.

Yeah, I know, its still honeymoon...but the A2 set up is the skin ticket for me. Now, I am just waiting on some amp boxes for the fire sale.....

Steve

 

[pstar]

sir steve, i'll take the green one, red one, black w/gold face plate, funny logo one off to the side.... what was that paypal again......

free up some $$ for some real nice designer handbags /luggage for that hairdresser's lazer box,,, multiple uses

great... its workin for ya !

 

[gtr31]

Had the ax great sound but to deep for me .
If cliff does and AX lite as he discussed I could easily be pulled back in though .
The Splawn Nitro ,Marshall silver and the latest batch of IR's that can be loaded are certainly tempting
I don't even want the FX a single Rack with Amps and IR loading would be the bomb

 

[Ventura]

Mo....see, now you're asking the question that I have been pondering as well and what I was trying to work out. Right now, I am sending everything fully amped and cabbed using the sims to the FOH from Output 1 L/R to two channels on the board. Output 2 is copied and sent to my active monitors. FOH is getting some EQ adjustment at the Mackie. With the RCF monitors being full range and all frequencies essentially even, what comes from the monitors is a bit different than FOH. I think, what I will end up doing is setting up the presets to run to a relatively flat FOH, prefader, that way the sound man doesn't have to do much adjustment, other than volume. Then, decide whether to take a AUX signal back to the monitors from the FOH or take signal direct from the A2 to the monitors like I am set up now. Since I can control Output 2 with the A2, I will probably do it the way I am doing it now.

Steve

Sorry I missed this post in amongst the flurry of activity above...

Ya, I'd say you're on the right path as you really do wanna hear what you sound like to everyone else - as opposed to basking in your own sonic glory while - potentially - the audience hears bunk. All sims on is gold to FOH, as that's the same in any mic'd cab set up. You may just wanna flatten it - as mentioned - and make sure you get to do soundcheck (outboard) before the show. Basically ensure the soundcat and you are similar in ear.

Sounds like you're loving it. The D60 is a killer. And I know you've mentioned your leaning towards the heavies, but man, some of the cleans are just off the hook. The pick attack and touch sensitivity is unbelievable.

So there it is - another comrade accepting of the 1s and 0s.

Keep it coming

 

[steve_k]

Mo....see, now you're asking the question that I have been pondering as well and what I was trying to work out. Right now, I am sending everything fully amped and cabbed using the sims to the FOH from Output 1 L/R to two channels on the board. Output 2 is copied and sent to my active monitors. FOH is getting some EQ adjustment at the Mackie. With the RCF monitors being full range and all frequencies essentially even, what comes from the monitors is a bit different than FOH. I think, what I will end up doing is setting up the presets to run to a relatively flat FOH, prefader, that way the sound man doesn't have to do much adjustment, other than volume. Then, decide whether to take a AUX signal back to the monitors from the FOH or take signal direct from the A2 to the monitors like I am set up now. Since I can control Output 2 with the A2, I will probably do it the way I am doing it now.

Steve

Sorry I missed this post in amongst the flurry of activity above...

Ya, I'd say you're on the right path as you really do wanna hear what you sound like to everyone else - as opposed to basking in your own sonic glory while - potentially - the audience hears bunk. All sims on is gold to FOH, as that's the same in any mic'd cab set up. You may just wanna flatten it - as mentioned - and make sure you get to do soundcheck (outboard) before the show. Basically ensure the soundcat and you are similar in ear.

Sounds like you're loving it. The D60 is a killer. And I know you've mentioned your leaning towards the heavies, but man, some of the cleans are just off the hook. The pick attack and touch sensitivity is unbelievable.

So there it is - another comrade accepting of the 1s and 0s.

Keep it coming

Clean....what's that for? Yeah, I need to pick one, but after a quick run through of the amps, I will probably just do something with either a Deluxe or Twin model. They sound best to me.

 

[Greg Riley]

Great info and stories.. Makes me want one for Christmas

 

[ejecta]

Is it the same as a tube amp...no. But, to me, the trade-off is worth it.

This. The guys who say the AxeFX and/or Kemper feel exactly like a tube amp IMHO don't know, are lying, or don't feed off of what make tube amps unique in their playing style. That's not cut down..... to each his own. But for someone like me who gets off on that tube bounce and the unique reaction a tube amp gives you when playing with dynamics.... the modeler world can take some getting use to. Do modelers get close to tube sound and feel? IMHO yes the tone can be pretty accurate but the feel is not 100% there. However, like you said I think the trade off of going this way is well worth it.

Tonight will be my first rehearsal with the new rig so this will be the next true test for me. After that we'll see how the gigs go. So far I'm enjoying it.

 

[tfridgen]

Is it the same as a tube amp...no. But, to me, the trade-off is worth it.

This. The guys who say the AxeFX and/or Kemper feel exactly like a tube amp IMHO don't know, are lying, or don't feed off of what make tube amps unique in their playing style. That's not cut down..... to each his own. But for someone like me who gets off on that tube bounce and the unique reaction a tube amp gives you when playing with dynamics.... the modeler world can take some getting use to. Do modelers get close to tube sound and feel? IMHO yes the tone can be pretty accurate but the feel is not 100% there. However, like you said I think the trade off of going this way is well worth it.

Tonight will be my first rehearsal with the new rig so this will be the next true test for me. After that we'll see how the gigs go. So far I'm enjoying it.

I think part of why I can't 'feel' the difference is due to the fact that I'm crankin it through a 2:100. When recording, even though the feel isn't the same as an in the room cranked amp, I'm not really expecting it to as I'm listening an playing through near fields anyways...

 

[loudgtr]

Great thread. Really appreciate all the posts and info...starting near the end of page 2
Going to be doing some recording and live playing soon and want good consistant tone.
I've had a line6 combo for years that I always thought sounded great even though it didn't have that tube bounce&feel of all the "real" amps I've had and still have. Playing the combo always made me sound great at lower volume...and seriously, for me, like I was playing through miked amps that were cranked up giving me the goods

 

[Quickdraw]

Great info and stories.. Makes me want one for Christmas

ya, I hear you... and here I was thinking that I was already past wanting one of these, and I'm back to gassing big time!

 

[steve_k]

Is it the same as a tube amp...no. But, to me, the trade-off is worth it.

This. The guys who say the AxeFX and/or Kemper feel exactly like a tube amp IMHO don't know, are lying, or don't feed off of what make tube amps unique in their playing style. That's not cut down..... to each his own. But for someone like me who gets off on that tube bounce and the unique reaction a tube amp gives you when playing with dynamics.... the modeler world can take some getting use to. Do modelers get close to tube sound and feel? IMHO yes the tone can be pretty accurate but the feel is not 100% there. However, like you said I think the trade off of going this way is well worth it.

Tonight will be my first rehearsal with the new rig so this will be the next true test for me. After that we'll see how the gigs go. So far I'm enjoying it.

I think part of why I can't 'feel' the difference is due to the fact that I'm crankin it through a 2:100. When recording, even though the feel isn't the same as an in the room cranked amp, I'm not really expecting it to as I'm listening an playing through near fields anyways...

Set up makes a hell of an impact. I am using the RCF NX12SA monitors (2 of them) which are FRFR. Being a flat frequency response, EQ the outputs to make it sound like you want it to. This represents sending the signal to a relatively flat EQ'd FOH for plug and play when you get the unit out gigging. And, there's no messy set up. I am running these monitors from the XLR outputs in Output 1 and then I am running direct FOH though Output 2 (R/L). In the I/O settings, copy Output 1 to Output 2 and then control the volume sent to the monitors and volume sent to the FOH from the knobs on the front panel. Easy stuff.....

What gets me too is the difference in the cab impulses. I can't recall if the actual cabs are that much difference, but thumbing through the IR's on the A2 and auditioning them with the various speaker/mic option is amazing. There's so much audible difference in the Marshall, Bogner, Diezel, Mesa......cabs that are in the A2. The various speaker options and combinations make a hell of a difference too.

Steve

 

[Ventura]

Gentlemen.

I believe we've lost another comrade.

Steve, wherever you are or end up, we loved ya buddy

Uncle Mo

 

[pstar]

shopping for the matching designer gig bag for that hairdresser's lazer box.


sorry sir steve i couldn't resist !

pstar runs and hides.

 

[pstar]

unc where u been ?

hhhm, watching kemper videos ?

 

[steve_k]

shopping for the matching designer gig bag for that hairdresser's lazer box.


sorry sir steve i couldn't resist !

pstar runs and hides.

I know where you live....

 

[steve_k]

Gentlemen.

I believe we've lost another comrade.

Steve, wherever you are or end up, we loved ya buddy

Uncle Mo

Not to worry.....I still have a war room with a few of my boat anchors......

 

[Ventura]

Not to worry.....I still have a war room with a few of my boat anchors......

Thanks god man... I swear, I read this following excerpt: I am using the RCF NX12SA monitors (2 of them) which are FRFR. Being a flat frequency response, EQ the outputs to make it sound like you want it to. This represents sending the signal to a relatively flat EQ'd FOH for plug and play when you get the unit out gigging. And, there's no messy set up. I am running these monitors from the XLR outputs in Output 1 and then I am running direct FOH though Output 2 (R/L). In the I/O settings, copy Output 1 to Output 2..... and I thought "that's it, he's gone...never thought it would happen to Steve. Next time we Steve log on, he'll be wearing a crisp collared shirt, clean haircut, and telling us to calm down or the thread will get locked. He'd go on about processing power of DSPs and how the most recent firmware is betterer than any primitive "tube" amp....".

Thank goodness you've got the mancave with the anchors Stevie. Get in there, like an AA meeting, you'll need to stay on top of this latest situation.

Mojo

 

[Ventura]

unc where u been ?

hhhm, watching kemper videos ?

I've been good Bro. Busier than a 1 legged man in an ass kicking competition, but good. It's been a big month and it's only 4 days in. Latest vacation trend is now turning into 1 year minus a day to check out, go off the grid, surf, and chill. We all need our rewards

Peace,
Mo

 

[pstar]

unc where u been ?

hhhm, watching kemper videos ?

I've been good Bro. Busier than a 1 legged man in an ass kicking competition, but good. It's been a big month and it's only 4 days in. Latest vacation trend is now turning into 1 year minus a day to check out, go off the grid, surf, and chill. We all need our rewards

Peace,
Mo

decision is finalized ?

www be available in that part of the world ?

so, u need someone to keep that gear cleaned and oiled. May i volunteer