Thoughts after 1st jam with AX8 - Direct to PA with drummer

[maddnotez]

For me this was the ultimate test. I have been fearing that it would sound really bad, thin and lifeless. That I would not feel the guitar and be missing all of that thump.

I can gladly say that is not the case. For anyone who has not tried a modeler because of this believe me, I am not trying to justify my purchase because I could easily turn around and sell this thing what I payed for it.

What I will say is that yes is is definitely different, it does not sound or feel the same as running a tube amp and a 4x12 behind you but the thump is there. You can definitely feel the guitar.

I am still in the honeymoon phase and for me this is the type of thing I am really going to need some time with but I was really impressed with this and I like it quite a bit. It is like having a miked up live sound at practice. It sounded so much cleaner too.

I still really need to spend a lot of time with the AX8 to learn it in and out and to be able to dial in an amazing tone. This first time I just used a stock preset.

I had it running direct to my drummer's cheap mixer and cheap PA speakers with some Crown power amp I think. It did have an EQ going into it as well but even with a REALLY cheap PA setup and stock presets it sounded really good.

Once I figure this thing out and dial in a really sick tone it is only going to get that much better.

My one concern now is dialing in "my sound" into our crap PA and then gigging somewhere else and getting different results. I have talked to a few people (need to talk to more) and they said that I have nothing to worry about, that dialing in on a crap system is good because when I hit a decent stage it will only sound better. I hope that is the case.

Overall I can say I am very impressed with the AX8 and I will most likely be keeping it. I was on the fence before but it passed the first big test. Now I just need to really learn the product, dial in a great tone and play a few gigs to make my final determination.

TL;DR - It sounds a bit different from a tube amp but it still has the "feel", it is really clean and pretty awesome.

 

[mudf00t]

Thanks for the review

 

[maddnotez]

Thanks for the review

HAHA not that anyone wanted it or that it hasn't been reviewed before but I just wanted to post after really using it as intended. Never had a modeler before so this is all new to me.

 

[Shask]

As for sounding different in different places and PAs...

That is the purpose of the Global EQ. You can dial in EQ corrections for wherever you are that applies to all of your presets. Keep this flat when dialing in your presets, and only use it to fine-tune tweak for different locations.

 

[maddnotez]

As for sounding different in different places and PAs...

That is the purpose of the Global EQ. You can dial in EQ corrections for wherever you are that applies to all of your presets. Keep this flat when dialing in your presets, and only use it to fine-tune tweak for different locations.

Great tip and thanks.

Seems about right. One guy told me to save a few of the same presets only with different post EQ's. Kind of the same thing you are saying only saving them first.

My question to this, without going wireless I guess the only way to dial this in with my ears is to have a very flat FRFR speaker?

Typically, do most stage monitors a venue provide sound the same as what you are hearing FOH?

 

[paulyc]

Or run it into a tube power amp and push a stereo 4x12 behind you anyway while still going into the PA direct, no mics

 

[Fox77]

Thanks for the review. How about the ease of use? It sounds very interesting but I do not want to spend more time tweaking than playing. Is that an issue?

 

[maddnotez]

Thanks for the review. How about the ease of use? It sounds very interesting but I do not want to spend more time tweaking than playing. Is that an issue?

I feel I am not qualified to speak on that. Just got this and it is my first modeler.

With that said, you will have to spend a good amount of time tweaking. MUCH more time VS any tube amp, even the weird ones.

But again, out of the box without tweaking anything at all is sounded really good. The thing is most guys are going to want to get it to sound the way they want and that will take some time.

You can tweak the stock presets, you can download other people's tweaked stock or self made presets and even tweak those or you can build your own presets and save them.

The options are endless and it is very very in depth. I literally could not believe all of the parameters this thing covers. I am unsure if you have used BIAS but the AXE stuff makes BIAS look like child's play compared to everything the AXE covers.

So yes, IMO you do not HAVE to spend tons of time tweaking but you more than likely will. Not to mention the learning curve. I am going to need quite a bit of time to learn everything about this product it is completely insane.

 

[Fox77]

Thanks

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Nice breakdown, thanks! Can never hear too many opinions on the same piece of gear IMO.

 

[indespise]

Seems like a very cool and handy piece of gear to have, so many options for so many situations. I'm glad modelers have gotten to the point that you can reap those benefits without having the shitty sound of the older ones.

 

[garey77]

You should just take a powered monitor with you and base your sound on that so you can have consistency. It doesn't have to be a full sized one (i.e. Mackie SRM450 or JBL Eon), just something to take that you can get consistency out of for monitoring purposes. That way you can not worry too much about how what the sound engineer is doing may be affecting you.

 

[maddnotez]

You should just take a powered monitor with you and base your sound on that so you can have consistency. It doesn't have to be a full sized one (i.e. Mackie SRM450 or JBL Eon), just something to take that you can get consistency out of for monitoring purposes. That way you can not worry too much about how what the sound engineer is doing may be affecting you.

Yes I am planning to get one. I have to go cheap for now and will get something like the Alto TS212 but even then, my worry was ok let me dial in my sound on my ALTO monitor.

Then when I play a gig, not getting the same sound since the venue's PA will sound different. I guess the best way to go about this is to get something expensive, high end and a true FRFR.

 

[CaseyCor]

You should just take a powered monitor with you and base your sound on that so you can have consistency. It doesn't have to be a full sized one (i.e. Mackie SRM450 or JBL Eon), just something to take that you can get consistency out of for monitoring purposes. That way you can not worry too much about how what the sound engineer is doing may be affecting you.

Yes I am planning to get one. I have to go cheap for now and will get something like the Alto TS212 but even then, my worry was ok let me dial in my sound on my ALTO monitor.

Then when I play a gig, not getting the same sound since the venue's PA will sound different. I guess the best way to go about this is to get something expensive, high end and a true FRFR.

Well, you gotta understand that "your sound" is always going to vary from venue to venue due to the PA and most importantly the house sound engineer, regardless of your choice of equipment. The room sound ends up being more of a recreation of your tone, slightly altered by the PA/sound guy/the room itself anyway.

Adding a decent FRFR monitor to your rig for stage volume will allow you to get your sound in your ears on stage. Use the global EQ at soundcheck to tweak the presets to the room, get it sounding perfect in your monitor. From there, the sound engineer can worry about the audience, and you can chime in on that sound as he/she does the job at hand.