NGD - AX8

[maddnotez]

Got this in the mail today!!! Nothing new but it's a pretty awesome unit it seems. Was hoping to tame the gas by having endless options and plus the portability factor was very appealing.

It seems very in depth and I'm going to need a lot of time with this. I've only had a few minutes with it and ran through some of the stock presets. Haven't even figured out how to disable the cab sims or power amp yet so I can't really give an opinion just yet on the tones but I'll post back in 3 years after I figure it out.

 

[JerEvil]

Sweet! So, what was the blem? Can you even tell?

 

[maddnotez]

Sweet! So, what was the blem? Can you even tell?

This is all I could find. $200 off for this little ding. I'll take it, still has the same 1 year warranty but no returns on B stock.

Very happy with the condition, wasn't sure what to expect.

 

[thiswaythatway]

You gotta plug your PC into it and use Axe Edit. Trust me, just do it. Editing the AX8 from the unit itself it's like speaking French and German at the same time as doing advanced Calculus.

 

[maddnotez]

You gotta plug your PC into it and use Axe Edit. Trust me, just do it. Editing the AX8 from the unit itself it's like speaking French and German at the same time as doing advanced Calculus.

I've actually been doing fairly well. I've figured out how to navigate, edit the presets and also disable the cab sims. That's what I was missing, sounded hollow at first but it's what I expected. After cab was disabled it started sounding great.

I'm getting some really good sounds even with just the presets. Unfortunately the kid is trying to sleep so I'm at whisper volumes. So far so good and I can't wait to download some custom presets and building my own. I will get to the AX edit sooner or later but having fun with no PC right now.

Need to bring it to a practice and run it through the PA for a better test.

 

[thiswaythatway]

It's soo much easier with Axe Edit. I almost don't know how to tweak from the unit since I'm always on the PC tweaking it.

 

[311boogieman]

I'll post back in 3 years after I figure it out.

Congrats

 

[The Hoff]

Definitely doable without axe edit but it makes it much more intuitive and simple.

HNGD!

 

[slyym]

Sweet! So, what was the blem? Can you even tell?

This is all I could find. $200 off for this little ding. I'll take it, still has the same 1 year warranty but no returns on B stock.

Very happy with the condition, wasn't sure what to expect.

That is unacceptable! I wouldn't even play it looking like that. You can go ahead and send it my way!

 

[Chris6870]

I would recommend the AX8 tutorial videos. Helps a LOT with the learning curve.
https://axefxtutorials.selz.com/

 

[maddnotez]

I would recommend the AX8 tutorial videos. Helps a LOT with the learning curve.
https://axefxtutorials.selz.com/

Yeah idk, I've already figured out how to navigate and edit. Next step is downloading presets, making my own and then file conversions and IR's.

I think I can figure it out between the forums and the manual.

Call me crazy but paying someone $20 to watch their YouTube video does not seem appealing to me.

 

[Chris6870]

I would recommend the AX8 tutorial videos. Helps a LOT with the learning curve.
https://axefxtutorials.selz.com/

Yeah idk, I've already figured out how to navigate and edit. Next step is downloading presets, making my own and then file conversions and IR's.

I think I can figure it out between the forums and the manual.

Call me crazy but paying someone $20 to watch their YouTube video does not seem appealing to me.

Yea I was the same way, but the time saved is worth more than $20 to me.

 

[maddnotez]

I would recommend the AX8 tutorial videos. Helps a LOT with the learning curve.
https://axefxtutorials.selz.com/

Yeah idk, I've already figured out how to navigate and edit. Next step is downloading presets, making my own and then file conversions and IR's.

I think I can figure it out between the forums and the manual.

Call me crazy but paying someone $20 to watch their YouTube video does not seem appealing to me.

Yea I was the same way, but the time saved is worth more than $20 to me.

I have considered it honestly but is it just the very basics? I can get through presets, edit them and understand all of the parameters within the presets and the manual shows how to wire it up for any configurations that I would use.

I just don't know what it covers and thought that if it's only those things then what would be the point you know? I know I've barely seen the tip of the iceberg and there is much more to learn but will that video cover those other things?

Sweet! So, what was the blem? Can you even tell?

This is all I could find. $200 off for this little ding. I'll take it, still has the same 1 year warranty but no returns on B stock.

Very happy with the condition, wasn't sure what to expect.

That is unacceptable! I wouldn't even play it looking like that. You can go ahead and send it my way!

Agreed, you are right. You can have first dibs if you want

Still undecided on the unit. I need to download some custom presets, make my own, test some IR's and also bring to band practice to run direct before I will make my mind up. So far so good and I think I will keep it but it is just like another more convenient thing you know? I really can't see this replacing my tube amp but I definitely need more time with it.

I'll post back in 3 years after I figure it out.

Congrats

Thanks man It is really awesome for sure but like you can see above, I just need more time with it to see what I think. Modeling is brand new to me and the Fractal stuff is pretty deep. It is really nice though having everything all in one box.

 

[kalt]

The "Character" settings (frequency and level) are your friends when building presets. Takes the "wet blanket" out.....

Gratz on the NGD!!!

 

[Metal1977]

Congrats!

 

[Shask]

The "Character" settings (frequency and level) are your friends when building presets. Takes the "wet blanket" out.....

Gratz on the NGD!!!

Interesting. What settings do you use for this? I dont think I ever use this control.

 

[Shask]

You gotta plug your PC into it and use Axe Edit. Trust me, just do it. Editing the AX8 from the unit itself it's like speaking French and German at the same time as doing advanced Calculus.

I've actually been doing fairly well. I've figured out how to navigate, edit the presets and also disable the cab sims. That's what I was missing, sounded hollow at first but it's what I expected. After cab was disabled it started sounding great.

I'm getting some really good sounds even with just the presets. Unfortunately the kid is trying to sleep so I'm at whisper volumes. So far so good and I can't wait to download some custom presets and building my own. I will get to the AX edit sooner or later but having fun with no PC right now.

Need to bring it to a practice and run it through the PA for a better test.

I rarely ever use Ax-Edit with my Axe-FX II. I don't know what the big deal is Usually only if I am going to make massive changes. I typcially just tweak the front panel.


Are you playing through a poweramp and cab, or PA speaker/monitor/headphone? I find playing through a poweramp/guitar cab to take far more tweaking. I am always fiddling with the EQ in this situation. It seems like I always need to scoop the overall mids much more. I will usually use a graphic EQ to do this, right before the output. I don't do this when using a cab sim.

My main presets are normally set up with 2 outputs... one to cab, and other to headphones. I try to balance the same core tone to both outputs using EQs just on those paths.

To turn off poweramp modeling, just turn the sag control to zero.

 

[maddnotez]

You gotta plug your PC into it and use Axe Edit. Trust me, just do it. Editing the AX8 from the unit itself it's like speaking French and German at the same time as doing advanced Calculus.

I've actually been doing fairly well. I've figured out how to navigate, edit the presets and also disable the cab sims. That's what I was missing, sounded hollow at first but it's what I expected. After cab was disabled it started sounding great.

I'm getting some really good sounds even with just the presets. Unfortunately the kid is trying to sleep so I'm at whisper volumes. So far so good and I can't wait to download some custom presets and building my own. I will get to the AX edit sooner or later but having fun with no PC right now.

Need to bring it to a practice and run it through the PA for a better test.

I rarely ever use Ax-Edit with my Axe-FX II. I don't know what the big deal is Usually only if I am going to make massive changes. I typcially just tweak the front panel.


Are you playing through a poweramp and cab, or PA speaker/monitor/headphone? I find playing through a poweramp/guitar cab to take far more tweaking. I am always fiddling with the EQ in this situation. It seems like I always need to scoop the overall mids much more. I will usually use a graphic EQ to do this, right before the output. I don't do this when using a cab sim.

My main presets are normally set up with 2 outputs... one to cab, and other to headphones. I try to balance the same core tone to both outputs using EQs just on those paths.

To turn off poweramp modeling, just turn the sag control to zero.

So much to learn here. On one hand it is kind of a pain in the ass and I do prefer the tube amp. Straight forward, sick tone, just dial a few knobs to taste and rock.

But on the other hand I can see how in depth this unit is and the amount of options are endless. I really want to learn it all and maybe I can perfect my tone.

At the very least I can say I have learned more about audio in general since I have been reading up on this. Learning about Fletcher Munson really opened up my eyes and that will be applied for everything, not just the AXE. It also makes me regret not wearing ear plugs for the last 20 years.

I get to jam with my drummer tonight through a PA at loud volumes and looking forward to that. I am going to try to set some time aside this weekend to really dive into this thing.

 

[shredhead666]

Nice! Did you get this through Fractal's B-stock outlet? I've been trying to buy one, but everybody is trying to sell them used w/o warranty for 2-400 over retail.

 

[maddnotez]

Nice! Did you get this through Fractal's B-stock outlet? I've been trying to buy one, but everybody is trying to sell them used w/o warranty for 2-400 over retail.

Yes and I HIGHLY recommend this.

I signed up for the wait list through the Fractal shop. I received an email from the sales dude saying hey I have added you to the list BUT we have some B-Stock's available now. He provided a link to the B-Stock order page which is not visible any other way.

It was $200 off ($1,236 shipped to my door) and the gamble was worth it. You can see the pics I posted, it is 95% flawless with one tiny little ding that I had to search for.

Same warranty as buying new and I could not be happier. I called the sales rep asking some questions before I bought it and he did say they had several B-Stock available but only sent the link to a few people.

If you are seriously considering this I would sign up for the wait list and if they do not mention the B-Stock in the confirmation email I would just ask them about it. Say hey, I know you have B-Stocks hook it up.

I am all about saving a few dollars and with the savings you could either upgrade to the 3 year warranty, buy a nice case for the AX8 or even a cheap powered monitor.