My AX8 is growing old on me

[Lord Toneking]

I think I'm ready to go back to an amp/cab/pedalboard

I love the versatility of the AX8, but I just can't get over the not being able to roll back the volume without it getting all broken up and digital sounding. It sounds good and all (especially FOH) but the stage sound is not quite what my ears want to hear. I've been using a CLR up front and a 2x12 as a backline cab powered by a 44mag pedal. Im finding that I'm lugging as much gear as I did in the past now just to get a decent stage sound.

When does it ever end?

 

[sleewell2]

seems like lots of people buy them and then sell them.

nothing beats a cranked up tube amp into a 412 (or two 412s). I am sure they are great recording tools and for big bands that fly for tours they must save a lot of money.

 

[mudf00t]

You don't have that problem if you are 4CM a real amp. At least I don't.

 

[ejecta]

I prefer real amps to digital but with the gigs I'm doing now I have to use a modeler and I use and AX8. That said I don't have an issue rolling back my volume knob and it still sounding good and that's one of main things that must happen for me in a rig.

 

[Chris O]

Guess I don't hear about the issue you're having with any regularity. Bummer it isn't working out for ya!

 

[Lord Toneking]

I prefer real amps to digital but with the gigs I'm doing now I have to use a modeler and I use and AX8. That said I don't have an issue rolling back my volume knob and it still sounding good and that's one of main things that must happen for me in a rig.

I hear many guys say this but it doesn't work for me. I like how I can roll back using a tube amp and I can pick as soft as I need to or a little harder for more volume and dynamics. With the AX8 it breaks up and feels and sounds digital. I've been on the fractal forum with this issue and it doesn't matter how I setbthe gate or even use the gate it still crumbles and does that digital breakup. Drives me nuts!

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Welcome to my world. Sold the AX8 and now have a BE100. Loving it. I also don't think any of the models of the Friedman actually sound like the Friedman now that I have one.

 

[Lampshade1973]

Shame, I was looking into a modeler for gigging...

 

[JerEvil]

I have been considering going back to all-tube for live gigs as well with something like the Torpedo Live. I LOVE my Kemper but I still bring a full rig of stuff with me for gigging which negates the whole idea of modelers for simplicity. Most of my gigs are corporate events these days so a small tube combo MIGHT work but still not sold on that idea.

 

[maddnotez]

ever try using a real dirt pedal like an 808 with the AX8?

 

[PBGas]

Welcome to my world. Sold the AX8 and now have a BE100. Loving it. I also don't think any of the models of the Friedman actually sound like the Friedman now that I have one.

This is exactly true! I tried to love the XTC models on the Kemper and even purchased a few of them but absolutely not even close once you have played the real amp. Glad I'm not the only one who realized this.

 

[Lord Toneking]

ever try using a real dirt pedal like an 808 with the AX8?

No, and to be fair I've ne er really dug deep into it. I use only a couple amps sims and have some scenes setup and it's been working fine. To its credit, every sound man that's run sound for us races on it and how it sounds at FOH. It's more of a feel thing for me

 

[cardinal]

IMHO I'd get a real amp/cab and use Positive Grid BIAS on a phone if you're in a situation that needs a modeler. BIAS is cheap, easy to use, and I'm as happy with it as I was when I had an AFXII years ago.

 

[ejecta]

I've said this a lot before.... if you go into these modelers thinking they will be exactly like playing a real amp then you are going in with the wrong attitude and if you fixate on that it's not the same you will not have a good experience. It's not the same and it never will be. Is it close? It's in the ballpark. I don't really have issues with rolling my volume back and using pick dynamics at all. The music I play and the gigs I do now I have to do that. Is it the same as real amp? Nope but again it's close enough to where the ways it's a much better solution for the gig far outweigh that difference it has with a real amp.

 

[Chris6870]

Turn the noise gate down/off and you wont have that problem.

 

[slyym]

What about using an external noise gate and turning the ax8's off? What about using a pedal to control the amps gain with instead of controlling gain with your volume knob? that way you get the same effect but the ax8 doesn't see any less volume from the guitar. I used to do that with my old ultra.

 

[Chris6870]

I turn the noise gate all the way down so it is just barely on. Have not had a need for it.

 

[brianiac5150]

Went through A LOT of modelers and software only to return to tube amps and couldn't be happier. I did get an FX8 recently, though, and paired with a tube amp it's simply awesome.

Straight into my V-Plex 50 and/or Deluxe Reverb provides mind-numbing tone for days. Hell...straight into any clean amp sounds good. 4CM with the Shiva 20th and/or Marshall 1923 is epic. Has channel switching relays, as well. Haven't dug into that yet, though.

I say and/or 'cause one can go to two different amps at the same time, straight in or 4CM.

I can't imagine anyone going back to a tube amp and not being happy.

Thing that did it for me was (along the lines of what has already been said here and elsewhere) plugging into my Kemper, then pulling that plug and putting it into a tube amp right beside it. It was glaring and startling. For some reason it never really registered before doing that. I don't own a BE or Ecstasy, however, having played them then hearing the modeled version was nowhere close.

There are many instances, though, where a KPA or AX8 type unit just makes perfect sense and I am not talking them down. Both companies are making incredible products, IMO.

 

[Chris6870]

I like the AX8 4CM with my tube amp too(FX8 is probably even better) But the hassle of all the cabling, midi switch box and lugging an amp head is not that appealing. I guess it depends on the gig and the venue.

 

[thenine]

I use a FX8 into JVM (on board midi). Quite awesome and versatile