Is Axe FX worth it?

[rynnce]

I've never liked any direct guitar tone that I tried (chameleon, voodu valve, pod, korg REMS, apple logic models).

Is the Axe Fx really that good? I'd really like to get away from micing amps for home recording.

 

[LIA1]

Yep.

Seriously.

Especially for home recording.

 

[s0c9]

Yup. Absolutely !
The price is worth the included effects alone!
Add in the cab choices, 50+ User IR's and the 36+ amp models, and presto!

 

[Audioholic]

What I find you lose with any direct recording is the ability to capture room and space, slightly, but in a mix, sometimes these things go away anyway. I have been using the Axe Standard for direct recording for years now and I am still using it very happily.

 

[CaseyCor]

Yes.


...I want one

 

[The Hoff]

It's worth it.

 

[verderacer]

Anybody use it for a live rig here?

 

[jharpersj]

I used an axe2 last night direct, big system great sound guy who does lots of bands and he came up and asked what it was because he loved it. It sounded as good as any amp I have used, and I was out the door in about 5 minutes.

 

[university81]

yes =)

can't be beat for home use/recording imo , i still have to try it at higher volumes, just got one in a trade, was gonna wait a bit before posting a HnaxeD =0

 

[LIA1]

Anybody use it for a live rig here?

Yep, just last night as a matter of fact and for 3-4 months now. It's been fantastic ESPECIALLY for playing in a cover band where I need a few different sounds. For the original band I play in it's a bit of overkill but going direct has been awesome for keeping my tone consistent. The only thing that sucks about using the Axe FX live is convincing the 60 year old sound guy that the sonic world will not end if I just go direct. Every old fart has to be dragged kicking and screaming into me just giving him an XLR cable that he can just plug in and go. After the show however I always get complements that my rig sounded really great.

 

[romanianreaper]

I love my Axe-FX II and I'm not even using it in an "ideal" setup right now. I'm going thru a Mosvalve MV-962 then into two Marshall 4x12 cabs. Ideally, I'd love to go into a powered speaker or P.A. system because people seem to get the best sound that way.

 

[mysticaxe]

I used an AxeFx live for about 2 years in a more traditional setup - AFx to power amp to guitar cab. Sounded great! Reliable, great tone.

 

[rynnce]

Thanks for the replies!

Can anyone speak to the differences between the ultra and standard?

Rob

 

[dfrattaroli]

I had an Ultra and a Standard. I loved the way they sounded through an SS power amp and guitar cab. I never liked how it sounded direct oddly enough. I sold them both and now have a Pod HD 300 for when I feel like wrestling with getting a good direct tone. Oddly enough, I like the Pod a little bit more than the Axe for direct tone. I'm still not lovin' it though. I've never used the POD through an amp and cab though and doubt it would be as good as the Axe. I've heard plenty of clips of guys getting excellent direct tones but for me, I could never make it happen. I just chalk it up to not being real good around a DAW. But all I heard was how easy it was supposed to be. Anyway, if you can demo one first, that's always the best way to go.

Dave

 

[dfrattaroli]

Thanks for the replies!

Can anyone speak to the differences between the ultra and standard?

Rob

At used prices, I'd get the Ultra. The extra effects, especially the synth are excellent.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Thanks for the replies!

Can anyone speak to the differences between the ultra and standard?

Rob

Ultra gives you more effects and more memory so you can load more effects into a single chain, or for when you want to combine 2 amps. Tonewise you get the same thing. But if it's between a $1200 standard and a $1500 ultra, I'd just get the Ultra.

 

[tlingen]

It's defiantly worth the few hundred bucks to have the Ultra over the Standard. I first had the Standard then 3-4 months later bought the Ultra and it's the one piece of gear that I just wont flip.

Check out this feature comparison between the Ultra and Standard from the Fractal wiki site.

http://wiki.fractalaudio.com/index.php? ... comparison

 

[university81]

if you see a good deal on the ultra, it's worth the extra coin

i have the standard, but wouldn't mind having the extra horsepower not just for more effects/options in the signal path, but some of the extra effects seem pretty cool, i'm almost considering buying one and selling the standard lol , but it's still a fair amount of money (around 400 euro difference on the used market) so i'm not sure it's worth it given how i use it

by this i mean say dual amp setups, or say amps with a lot of multiple effects + cab sim which loads down the standard quite quickly
there are ways around this using multiple presets, but yeah if you can get the higher end model for a bit more why not

 

[BYTOR]

Got the Axe2 about 3 weeks ago and it is awesome!!
There is no tone you cannot get from this amazing box.
You are only limited by your ear and skills.
Resistance is futile!!!

 

[jcj]

My $1200 Standard was absolutely worth it; been 3 years, and I still like it just fine

I haven't bought a $2600 II, because the difference doesn't justify the cost, for me.