My First Axe-FX - a few questions

[ghosty999]

New to the world of axeFx! Just grabbed an Ultra (whilst I save for a 2/3) so before I plunge deep into the forums can anyone let me know:

What the last stable version of the tone software for 64bit Win10? I have a MIDI-USB cable at the ready as I will be doing most of my work without access to the face of the unit.

If I disable poweramp/cab sim, how does the unit fair with a Marshall 8008 Poweramp for occasional use with a 2X12? I'm guessing the powerstage sim is a big part of the Axe's sound so removing it means I'm just down to an average digital pre-amp?

Any other recommendations or things I may need? A MIDI pedal is also on the cards.

Thanks dudes!

 

[Elric]

The latest rev of the editor and final firmware should be on Fractal's Site:

https://www.fractalaudio.com/legacy/

I would NOT disable power amp simulations when running a hybrid power amp like the 8008, personally. You lose a lot of the feel and tone especially on the vintage style amps by disabling it. Those hybrid rack power amps like the 8008 are basically straight solid state power amps, they are hardly tubey enough to conflict with the power amp emulation like a real tube section does (IMHO)...

Any coloring the amp has from its preamp tube or 'voicing' that you want to adjust for can easily be handled in the Axe with the global EQing functions on the outputs or in a block on a per preset basis (I am a fan of parametrics for this purpose). Of course it is up to you, it is easy enough to try out both ways.

Definitely DO disable the cabinet simulation very few people like a cab sim into a real cab. It generally sounds horrible.

 

[ghosty999]

The latest rev of the editor and final firmware should be on Fractal's Site:

https://www.fractalaudio.com/legacy/

I would NOT disable power amp simulations when running a hybrid power amp like the 8008, personally. You lose a lot of the feel and tone especially on the vintage style amps by disabling it. Those hybrid rack power amps like the 8008 are basically straight solid state power amps, they are hardly tubey enough to conflict with the power amp emulation like a real tube section does (IMHO)...

Any coloring the amp has from its preamp tube or 'voicing' that you want to adjust for can easily be handled in the Axe with the global EQing functions on the outputs or in a block on a per preset basis (I am a fan of parametrics for this purpose). Of course it is up to you, it is easy enough to try out both ways.

Definitely DO disable the cabinet simulation very few people like a cab sim into a real cab. It generally sounds horrible.

This is perfect info! Thanks very much dude,

 

[ghosty999]

It has arrived! Loving it so far, looking at possibly getting the digital out set up rather than running analogue - digital - analogue - digital - analogue