Yet another Axe-fx Thread .....

[ratter]

Why didnt your vibe work in front Mike? that sounds strange...

"Didn't work" was a bad choice of words I guess....it just didn't sound very good. It just seemed not be as intense as usual. But I didn't mess with it too much.

Hmmmm, Im wondering why that would happen? I thought that Vibe clip of yours was pretty damn good but I didnt get to hear if it had THE THROB, you know what Im talking about...

Not sure why that would happen. Probably something retarded and completely unrelated, like a dead battery. But the internal vibe is good enough that I didn't bother with it any more. The microvibe has never truly blown me away anyway. I think it's very good, but I'm sure it probably falls a bit short of some of the $300 vibes out there...

 

[Gainfreak]

I have two main gripes with most of these things. One, they don't react like I'm used to with the volume knob...

I PREFER the way the Axe-Fx responds to guitar volume, to almost any tube amp I've used. To me, it's like you get the knob-response of a cranked plexi-style amp, with almost ANY model you dial up. So many high-gain amps, don't react like that AT ALL....

YMMV.

*edit/recant* Just checked it with my stoopid-gain rhythm channel, and, it acted like a stoopid-gain channel on a stoopid-gain amp... which is to be expected.

I can tell you that it (knob response on the Axe-FX) whips the ASS of any other modeler I've touched. And I've owned more than my share of them.

I agree with you. the only thing that I noticed, and this is with ANY AMP, that if you have the stupid gain patch with a gate, you will loose some of touch when rolling off the knob but that's to be expected but its a lot better on this then my normal rig when I use a gate. The regular patches without mondo gain work amazingly well and much better then ANY modeler Ive used.

 

[Bob Savage]

Also, I think that most people running full tube rigs rarely come close to really pushing the power section. The guys who do are often using attenuators, which are also a tone compromise. And a whole lot of master-volume amps (most?) sound like ass if the power section is cranked.

Im my opinion only some amps sound good (subjective) with a cranked power section. I'd also say that most modern amps sound poor (again subjective) with their power section cranked.

 

[GITTarzann]

I agree with you. the only thing that I noticed, and this is with ANY AMP, that if you have the stupid gain patch with a gate, you will loose some of touch when rolling off the knob but that's to be expected but its a lot better on this then my normal rig when I use a gate. The regular patches without mondo gain work amazingly well and much better then ANY modeler Ive used.

I agree, the gate thing can really kill your sound when you roll off the volume.

There is a block called a gate/expander that is footswitchable you can use in conjunction with the front gate, switch it out when you roll down and you get better response than just the front gate cranked.

 

[degenaro]

Also, I think that most people running full tube rigs rarely come close to really pushing the power section. The guys who do are often using attenuators, which are also a tone compromise. And a whole lot of master-volume amps (most?) sound like ass if the power section is cranked.

Im my opinion only some amps sound good (subjective) with a cranked power section. I'd also say that most modern amps sound poor (again subjective) with their power section cranked.

FWIW...my Avenger, D60, SIG-X, T-verb, they all like to be cranked...

 

[Dr Tone Control]

what does an Axe-Fx sound like through a PA-type 100W-200W amp, into a guitar cab?

 

[Fred the Shred]

Holy necrobump!

The Axe sounds great in many situations, but through an actual guitar cab you should switch off the cab sims, to avoid having a muffled tone (resulting from the superimposition of the emulated and real cabs).

 

[Dr Tone Control]

Holy necrobump!

The Axe sounds great in many situations, but through an actual guitar cab you should switch off the cab sims, to avoid having a muffled tone (resulting from the superimposition of the emulated and real cabs).

Good threads last forever!

I meant if you use it into a guitar cab, how important is it to use a valve power amp?

 

[Fred the Shred]

Not too important, but it boils down to personal taste in the end - when I use my Mesa power with a guitar cab, I will have patches made for it, so it's kind of like a hybrid setup of sorts, and it's an interesting variation of what I usually do.

 

[Ventura]

Holy necrobump!

The Axe sounds great in many situations, but through an actual guitar cab you should switch off the cab sims, to avoid having a muffled tone (resulting from the superimposition of the emulated and real cabs).

Good threads last forever!

I meant if you use it into a guitar cab, how important is it to use a valve power amp?

First off, check the stickies on this forum: http://forum.fractalaudio.com/forum.php

Secondly, do some searching on this forum - the answers you've been asking for have been seriously talked out. With so many different answers, there's no real ONE answer, just preferences.

I'm an Axe convertee... No longer a skeptic, this thing kicks.

Welcome aboard,
V.

 

[Dr Tone Control]

Holy necrobump!
First off, check the stickies on this forum: http://forum.fractalaudio.com/forum.php

Secondly, do some searching on this forum - the answers you've been asking for have been seriously talked out. With so many different answers, there's no real ONE answer, just preferences.

I'm an Axe convertee... No longer a skeptic, this thing kicks.

Welcome aboard,
V.

thanks to all!
I was skeptical that it was just like a PC amp sim in a box, but now understand it's better.
I get to try one on Tuesday. If I go for it, I'd usually use it into a recording rack for Protools.
Just curious what setup would be adequate if I took it out.
Cheers
Tone

 

[Ventura]

Holy necrobump!
First off, check the stickies on this forum: http://forum.fractalaudio.com/forum.php

Secondly, do some searching on this forum - the answers you've been asking for have been seriously talked out. With so many different answers, there's no real ONE answer, just preferences.

I'm an Axe convertee... No longer a skeptic, this thing kicks.

Welcome aboard,
V.

thanks to all!
I was skeptical that it was just like a PC amp sim in a box, but now understand it's better.
I get to try one on Tuesday. If I go for it, I'd usually use it into a recording rack for Protools.
Just curious what setup would be adequate if I took it out.
Cheers
Tone

If you're going to use it as a direct-in recording tool, you can utilize all its functionality 100% of the way. Everything. And I'd also suggest acquainting yourself with Axe-Edit, but maybe 1 day's not enough for understanding all there is to know. If you're getting it for a limited period of time, simply dig into it. Find out how it works (5 to 10 minutes) and then after that, start playing and play lots

Basically, rules of thumb are as follow:
- into an FRFR or PA like 'neutral' system, use all the emus - preamps, poweramps, cabs, mics, etc.
- same as the above goes for direct-in recording
- going through an amp, amp dependent, you can get away with using the powersection sims, or conversely, turn them off globally or via the SAG function in each poweramp
- if using a poweramp into cabinet set up, you know it, turn off the cabinet emus globally, you don't want to replicate a cabinet through a cabinet (= mud!!)
- for the most part, turn it on, dial it in, and give 'er

It's not for everyone. It's not as simple as an amp. It does have a learning curve. But if you let your ears be your guide, and not worry about the fact it's a processor based emulation device, you'll come to realize there's a lot that this little black box can do.

I picked one up strictly as an FX module. I'm now using it probably about 50% of the time as an emulator (amps, preamps, etc.) as well. As an effects unit, it's incredible - especially considering the price. It scores LARGE in this department. As an emulator? It obviously works amazingly well as well - otherwise I'd not be playing it as a one-box rig as much as I have been. I think it's probably the best purchase I've made in helping me "play more" than anything else in recent past.

YMMV,
V.

 

[Dr Tone Control]

It's not for everyone. It's not as simple as an amp. It does have a learning curve. But if you let your ears be your guide, and not worry about the fact it's a processor based emulation device, you'll come to realize there's a lot that this little black box can do.

I picked one up strictly as an FX module. I'm now using it probably about 50% of the time as an emulator (amps, preamps, etc.) as well. As an effects unit, it's incredible - especially considering the price. It scores LARGE in this department. As an emulator? It obviously works amazingly well as well - otherwise I'd not be playing it as a one-box rig as much as I have been. I think it's probably the best purchase I've made in helping me "play more" than anything else in recent past.

YMMV,
V.

I am getting a one hour demo from a generous Pro in his studio
I've got a Vg99, and have always had guitar synths, so I'm not a purely-traditional guy.
If I like it, I too hope it will get me to play more. Especially since I can't play my boutique amps in the home studio when the kids are asleep

Cheers!
Tone

 

[romanianreaper]

I saw this posted yesterday on YouTube and thought the guy had some pretty good tones going.

 

[Dr Tone Control]

I saw this posted yesterday on YouTube and thought the guy had some pretty good tones going.

Looks good
Seen any with clean/saturated 6L6 tones or a warm but not OD EF86 DC30 sound?
(I know this is a bit unlikely, I just find lots of Overdriven rock examples, and wondered what else there is)

Cheers
Tone

 

[Fred the Shred]

I just uploaded this: it's not processed in any way and a first take, so please excuse if something sounds less than stellar. It's basically my replica of the lead tone I used when I was actually used a MkIV with two cabs and a Fulltone FD2 in front - it's so incredibly real I find it scary:

 

[romanianreaper]

I just uploaded this: it's not processed in any way and a first take, so please excuse if something sounds less than stellar. It's basically my replica of the lead tone I used when I was actually used a MkIV with two cabs and a Fulltone FD2 in front - it's so incredibly real I find it scary:

Nice tone and playing!

I like when someone has owned gear and was able to replicate it with the Axe-FX. Most people seem to be surprised at how close it sounds to their rig.

 

[Fred the Shred]

Thanks, dude - to be frank, I'm usually more concerned about getting the "feel" and the sonic vibe than absolute, spot on accuracy, but it did happen this time round.

 

[Rogue]

I was skeptical that it was just like a PC amp sim in a box, but now understand it's better.

The OP sure seems taken with it.

 

[Dr Tone Control]

I just uploaded this: it's not processed in any way and a first take, so please excuse if something sounds less than stellar. It's basically my replica of the lead tone I used when I was actually used a MkIV with two cabs and a Fulltone FD2 in front - it's so incredibly real I find it scary:

Sounds very good.
How much of the "feel" of that rig is there with the Axe-Fx?