Talk me out of an Axe-Fx!!

[Gainfreak]

This is going to be my standard answer from now on on the axe-fx.

Tried it. Didn't like the Full Range Flat Response (FRFR) and direct recording tones enough to keep it. You know how everyone says the clips always lack something or never blow you away? That was my experience with it FRFR and direct. I think eventually they will sound as good. It might be a version or two from here, but I think there's a good chance modeling will sound as good as tube.

It sounds amazing through a tube power amp though. It easily is the best guitar preamp/effects box you can buy when run in conjunction with a tube preamp. It easily did mark IV tones, and I'd dare say it could sound better than a Mark IV. If you were looking for the best sounding, most flexible, live rack rig out there to pair with a tube power amp and a couple of 4x12 in stereo, and the Axe would be a monster rig. I don't have a need for this type of rig right now.

If you want a FRFR/recording rig for home and bedroom use, it's the best digital modeler out there, but it doesn't sound as good as tubes yet IMO.

 

[degenaro]

For folks to be proclaiming this has the "feel" of a tube amp, IMO is something of a joke.

you couldn't be more wrong. have you played one? doubt it, all the hype is for a reason, comparing them to Digitech or Line 6 is just dumb, yes, same basic concept, BUT quality is on a whole other level.

No doubt, more and better quality effects. The AMP tones IMO, don't make it. I've heard nothing yet that says otherwise. I didnt compare it to Line6.
Im sure it has a nice digital feel. That part translates in the clips Ive heard.

Anyway, whatever floats your boat.
I prefer a tube amp.

just to point out the obvious...my Eventide had amp modelsas well..well sorta. And that went bye-bye. There is no reason that one has to use the amp models. It's an fx box that happens to have models that IMO sound and feel right,

 

[stratotone]

I love mine, it's like a swiss army knife. Live at gigs, I've been told I have the best sound I've ever had. Before someone comes in and bashes what I used to use as crap, same bands I've gigged with:

Bogner XTC
Randall MTS
Mesa Rackmount Recto
Ceriatone Trainwreck clone

and a few others... been in the same band over 4 years, and for me some amps made it to a few gigs and then sank back into the sea of GAS.

Even if I wasn't using it live, it's great for quick recording of clips. Or you can pull a line out from an amp and use the fx/cab emulators for direct recording without any mics. Or you can just use the effects if you really dig your tube amp. Or you can run a preamp or head with the axe and have several channels of 'real' tube amp pre and power amp, plus modelling channels.

I also didn't have to sacrifice any gear - I still have my Bogner and about a dozen or so amps, so hey, if it didn't work out for me I could flip it and no great loss. I'm very lucky in that aspect.

If you like what you already have, don't get one. If you have some extra bucks and you like what you already have and can afford to pick one up to try, I'd say you should at least consider it.

Pete

 

[degenaro]

I love mine, it's like a swiss army knife. Live at gigs, I've been told I have the best sound I've ever had. Before someone comes in and bashes what I used to use as crap, same bands I've gigged with:

Bogner XTC
Randall MTS
Mesa Rackmount Recto
Ceriatone Trainwreck clone

and a few others... been in the same band over 4 years, and for me some amps made it to a few gigs and then sank back into the sea of GAS.

Even if I wasn't using it live, it's great for quick recording of clips. Or you can pull a line out from an amp and use the fx/cab emulators for direct recording without any mics. Or you can just use the effects if you really dig your tube amp. Or you can run a preamp or head with the axe and have several channels of 'real' tube amp pre and power amp, plus modelling channels.

I also didn't have to sacrifice any gear - I still have my Bogner and about a dozen or so amps, so hey, if it didn't work out for me I could flip it and no great loss. I'm very lucky in that aspect.

If you like what you already have, don't get one. If you have some extra bucks and you like what you already have and can afford to pick one up to try, I'd say you should at least consider it.

Pete

As I said in that other thread the either or mind set floors me, I love the Axe, and I think it can hang with my amps through the VHT power amp, then again it better hang since it's the same price as a high end amp.
And yeah, I still have like 15 or so amps.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

I heard there may be an Axe-Fx VST plug in, that sounds cool if he is planning to separate out the software and offer it on a pc platform for those that would use it in a more stationary environment.

 

[duesentrieb]

Are there rackmountable kits for MacBooks available?

 

[gibson5413]

I heard there may be an Axe-Fx VST plug in, that sounds cool if he is planning to separate out the software and offer it on a pc platform for those that would use it in a more stationary environment.

That would be very cool!

 

[thiswaythatway]

One of the hardest things for any guitarist IMHO is getting a tone that works for them. Even in this day and age I have guitar playing friends who are clueless when it comes to getting a good sound lol.
If you found a combination that works for you then I see no need to buy an AXE-FX. You would be buying it just for the sake of getting something new.


On another note the AXE-FX is not going to be for everyone and as with any piece of gear, you really need to know what to expect from it and what you want to use it for.
I bought an axe-fx because I joined a new coverband that will be covering stuff from Boston to Led Zep and I needed a way to change up the sounds depending on what tunes/band we are playing. The Axe-fx KILLS for this.
I also needed a rig that was portable because the band Im now in will have fly out gigs. Its easier for me to fly out a 4 space rig and guitars instead of a tube amp and a switching rack system.
I've tried the line 6 stuff and other digital modeling and the tone and feel is not there and It is there with the Axe-FX. The line 6 stuff also sounds compressed and processed no matter how much you tweak the presets and forget about rolling off your volume knob.
You've heard it from countless people who have played the Axe-FX in the right context that the feel is there and it is.....and if it isn't, you can make it feel and respond the way you want to which to my knowledge you cant do with any other .

This is just my opinion on the subject but i feel like it's a complete waste of time trying to get a bunch of different tones even if you're in a cover band. One reason i feel that way is because the guy who i saw that did covers better than anyone, Kenny Dubman, could get tones from Pantera to Metallica to EVH to SRV and Hendrix , all with his Les Paul, a parts superstrat, and Marshall halfstack and some pedals.

I think it's important to not play a U2 tune with a metal tone but as long as you can get in the ballpark it's good enough. One main reason is that, well, when you're playing cover songs nobody really gives a shit in the bar crowd anyway. Generally, as long as you don't butcher the songs people know then they could care less. And 99% of the people in the crowd never pay attention to guitar tone.

I feel that chasing all the different tones as songs you cover might be something of a personal challenge but it's a lot to worry about and soundmen usually like one solid sound to work with. When i was doing a hectic cover band schedule, chasing tones is the last frigging thing i worried about. The important stuff i worried about was, I wanted my stuff to work after the roadie set up everything, i wanted my free beers , i wanted my set list, and i had to try to stay sober enough to know who i was sleeping with that night All in that order.

 

[70strathead]

I keep looking at these things when I really shouldn’t be

Here’s what I have so far: Smile

1. I’m already 100% happy with my rig and sound
2. My existing rig takes less than 5min to fully set up
3. I’d rather spend more time writing new songs than tweaking sounds
4. I don’t like tweaking gear in general
5. Our rehearsal place has a terrible PA that I wouldn’t’ want to plug direct
6. My band mates already think I need serious therapy
7. Tubes are cool

Number 1 and 3 are pretty much how I feel. The only device that I spend loads of time on is my Roland GR-33 guitar synth which i love because it enables me to achieve all the sounds/instruments outside of guitar tones. A wonderful writing/composing tool! but takes a lot of tweaking..

Ant

 

[Gainfreak]

One of the hardest things for any guitarist IMHO is getting a tone that works for them. Even in this day and age I have guitar playing friends who are clueless when it comes to getting a good sound lol.
If you found a combination that works for you then I see no need to buy an AXE-FX. You would be buying it just for the sake of getting something new.


On another note the AXE-FX is not going to be for everyone and as with any piece of gear, you really need to know what to expect from it and what you want to use it for.
I bought an axe-fx because I joined a new coverband that will be covering stuff from Boston to Led Zep and I needed a way to change up the sounds depending on what tunes/band we are playing. The Axe-fx KILLS for this.
I also needed a rig that was portable because the band Im now in will have fly out gigs. Its easier for me to fly out a 4 space rig and guitars instead of a tube amp and a switching rack system.
I've tried the line 6 stuff and other digital modeling and the tone and feel is not there and It is there with the Axe-FX. The line 6 stuff also sounds compressed and processed no matter how much you tweak the presets and forget about rolling off your volume knob.
You've heard it from countless people who have played the Axe-FX in the right context that the feel is there and it is.....and if it isn't, you can make it feel and respond the way you want to which to my knowledge you cant do with any other .

This is just my opinion on the subject but i feel like it's a complete waste of time trying to get a bunch of different tones even if you're in a cover band. One reason i feel that way is because the guy who i saw that did covers better than anyone, Kenny Dubman, could get tones from Pantera to Metallica to EVH to SRV and Hendrix , all with his Les Paul, a parts superstrat, and Marshall halfstack and some pedals.

I think it's important to not play a U2 tune with a metal tone but as long as you can get in the ballpark it's good enough. One main reason is that, well, when you're playing cover songs nobody really gives a shit in the bar crowd anyway. Generally, as long as you don't butcher the songs people know then they could care less. And 99% of the people in the crowd never pay attention to guitar tone.

I feel that chasing all the different tones as songs you cover might be something of a personal challenge. But when i was doing a hectic cover band schedule, chasing tones is the last frigging thing i worried about. The important stuff i worred about was, I wanted my stuff to work after the roadie set up everything, i wanted my free beers , i wanted my set list, and i had to try to stay sober enough to know who i was sleeping with that night All in that order.

Changing guitar tones to match the tune is something that Im doing for my own head and not realy for the audiance although it does help regardless of what most people think. One of the number one coverbands in america working out of Las vegas does the same thing with the guitar tones and they are Number one for a reason and part of that reason is because of how well the guitarist matches the tone original version.

You also have to take into consideration that there are more reasons as to why Im doing what Im doing. This band already has fly out gigs Dan. Would you A) rather have to rent a backline at your expense not knowing what it will sound like or
B) Have to fly out your amp head, Rack effects or pedals as well as guitars or
c) Fly out an Axe-fx rig and 2 guitars knowing what you tone will be like?


What difference does it make if I use the boogie setup with a switching system, rack effects and cab or a self contained unit, Boogie Poweramp and cab?
The changing of tones is just a plus/

I hate to say this to you but me knowing the tones that you like and also knowing that you haven't spend two seconds with this thing is really starting to make me laugh my ass off because from where Im sitting, I know youd love this thing.


all the best

~R~

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, but I can't talk you out of it. Keep you amps though. It is another fun, incredibly powerful tone tool for your arsenal...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

As far as amp and cab modeling for direct recording, really not much better than any of the many other modeling toys I've played with throughout the years.

I have to give it to the Don... Although he did not directly call modeler on my "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" clip (I lied and said it was my Mojave PeaceMaker to see if anyone would call modeler) in the other thread, he said it didn't sound as "organic" as (Chris) Thump's video camera PeaceMaker clip. He gets my "golden ears" award...

That said, I honestly can't hear what he does and to me, the modeling in the Axe-FX is a QUANTUM leap above everthing else I tried and I have been a POD XT Pro owner for years... I'm pretty amazed by what I'm hearing... very organic to me, even medium gain...

Steve

 

[Gainzilla]

I keep looking at these things when I really shouldn’t be

Here’s what I have so far: Smile

1. I’m already 100% happy with my rig and sound
2. My existing rig takes less than 5min to fully set up
3. I’d rather spend more time writing new songs than tweaking sounds
4. I don’t like tweaking gear in general
5. Our rehearsal place has a terrible PA that I wouldn’t’ want to plug direct
6. My band mates already think I need serious therapy
7. Tubes are cool

I was very happy with my boogie rig and like you, It took mere minutes to set up. However my rig was a 10 space shock rack that weighed probably 120+lbs. It stayed in storage with the PA and it came out when we gigged 1-3x a month. I heard the AxeFx and was Blown away by tone and feel as well as the virtually unlimited potential of the unit.

Another Big reason that I switched is now that I have the axefx , I not only use it at gigs but rehearsal and at home and get the same great sound everywhere.. Getting a much better bang for my buck this way...

I couldnt be happier to be honest..

Kage

 

[bill]

I would hold steady on selling gear if I were you. The issue is your own temperment and how much you like to tweak with knobs and programs. Lots of players are on board with that mentality and its right for them and they can get the tone they want and be satisfied with the newest box on the block for a while. I know players that would do well with this unit but I also know my own taste in equipment and would never make the jump no matter how many people do. I think I would miss the hiss of my ancient 1959 Guild amp and would have to model the sound of the filter caps drying out somehow. Not for me but I never went for the POD or the other stuff that claims to do it all. I guess I would rather be limited to a few options that sound great to me than have tons of effects availible to me that may be close but not really 100% there. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Anonymous]

That said, I honestly can't hear what he does and to me, the modeling in the Axe-FX is a QUANTUM leap above everthing else I tried and I have been a POD XT Pro owner for years... I'm pretty amazed by what I'm hearing... very organic to me, even medium gain...

Steve

You may just need to tweak your shunts a bit.

You're right... I think that may just take things "over the top"...

 

[degenaro]

Out of curiosity...
Always dug Music Man amps...solid state front end into a tube power section.
Dig loud clean amps with pedals...like a SD9 and TS9 into a Twin, or Hiwatt. How exactly is that all that different then say any modeller into a tube power amp?
I really don't think the tube front end is what make shit feel right, plus as far as I understand it the front is the part to model that is easier to accomplish, but I have no first hand knowledge there-so...SS or be it analog or digital fron ino tubes...really not that far off is it?

And Steve, you gotta load down your Jose head once you're done and run through the cab sims in the Axe that's way dope.

Flexi through it...

 

[degenaro]

I keep looking at these things when I really shouldn’t be

Here’s what I have so far: Smile

1. I’m already 100% happy with my rig and sound
2. My existing rig takes less than 5min to fully set up
3. I’d rather spend more time writing new songs than tweaking sounds
4. I don’t like tweaking gear in general
5. Our rehearsal place has a terrible PA that I wouldn’t’ want to plug direct
6. My band mates already think I need serious therapy
7. Tubes are cool

1)Then no need to change a thing...I got the Axe because I was curious, I did not expect it'd stay, let alone become a big part of my set-up.
2)That's the shit!
3)Then write, I spent more time playin than before since adding the Axe
4)Then you might want to save yourself soem money
5)See 4
6)Fuck 'em
7)Cool? Certainly can be, but it isn't a given.

 

[ejecta]

That said, I honestly can't hear what he does and to me, the modeling in the Axe-FX is a QUANTUM leap above everthing else I tried and I have been a POD XT Pro owner for years... I'm pretty amazed by what I'm hearing... very organic to me, even medium gain...

Steve

You may just need to tweak your shunts a bit.

The only person who can tweak my shunt is my wife.

 

[degenaro]

Out of curiosity...
Always dug Music Man amps...solid state front end into a tube power section.
Dig loud clean amps with pedals...like a SD9 and TS9 into a Twin, or Hiwatt. How exactly is that all that different then say any modeller into a tube power amp?
I really don't think the tube front end is what make shit feel right, plus as far as I understand it the front is the part to model that is easier to accomplish, but I have no first hand knowledge there-so...SS or be it analog or digital fron ino tubes...really not that far off is it?

And Steve, you gotta load down your Jose head once you're done and run through the cab sims in the Axe that's way dope.

Flexi through it...

I think opposite. IMO, tube front end works into a SS poweramp.

A tube poweramp....IMO isnt helping a digital front end.

Ive played SS shit. I ran a GK SS head in my 80's band and fooled everybody.
Montrose/ Allan played Pierce.

Best tone I ever heard is early 90's Landau. Marshall, Holdsworth thing into the H&H SS poweramps.

Except with the loaded down Marshalls you still have the tube power section as it is. I've used loaded down heads into a MosValve and dig that fine.
Not sure I get the point regarding the Pierce and the GK, isn't that kinda saying the same as me?
And then there's the Flexi clip that's posted above...tube pre and power amp loaded down ino speaker sim, if you have no use for the Axe's amp models you don't think that this is conceptually really cool? The ability o silnt recording through cab sims that IMO soun really cool?

I'm not going to argue about this with any one what works for me, works for me. But I would imagine that the idea of the stuff that isn't amp models in it actually would appeal to you.

 

[Gainzilla]

Except with the loaded down Marshalls you still have the tube power section as it is. I've used loaded down heads into a MosValve and dig that fine.
Not sure I get the point regarding the Pierce and the GK, isn't that kinda saying the same as me?
And then there's the Flexi clip that's posted above...tube pre and power amp loaded down ino speaker sim, if you have no use for the Axe's amp models you don't think that this is conceptually really cool? The ability o silnt recording through cab sims that IMO soun really cool?

Dude, youre beating a dead horse, he isnt going to accept anything outside of what he likes..