All user reviews for the Avid Eleven Rack

Now let me first state, I have tried literally every piece of guitar equipment out there. Handwired amps, production amps, hybrid amps, modelers, whatever. I've used it all in a lot of different environments. I've noticed over the last few years that modelling technology has been getting scarily close. It started with the digitech gsp1101 a few years ago and then really burst out of the scene with the Axe-fx that some of you may be familiar with. For a while the axe-fx has been hands down the best modeler I've tried, and when the 11 rack came out I knew I had to give it a shot, given the fairly attractive price.

Features are pretty good. The unit was wisely designed to work as a kind of interface for recording, and in this regard it's got an upper hand over most modellers that leave any compatibility with PC's and DAWs as an afterthought. The 11 rack comes ready to work with pro tools with a full recording feature set which is very nice. Not many other processors can claim this really. The amp selection is decent. Same for effects. I think the philosophy here is supposed to be quality over quantity, which I think most guitarists are learning to appreciate. I'd rather have 15 great amp sims than 80 bad ones.

UTILIZATION

In my use it is probably the most compatible unit I've had. The focus here is recording, although you can use it in a live situation. Whether Digi wants to admit it or not, this unit is in direct competition with the Axe-fx as well as some of it's lower end peers. It's not trying to be any of them, but obviously comparisons are going to happen. I think the axe-fx is more of a live/recording unit while the 11 rack really focuses on recording and excels there.

SOUND QUALITY

Here's what it comes down to. The 11 rack is a well thought out unit and from a functional standpoint it really whips most of the competition. Everything was thought out well and it packs in some serious features for the price. But the sound quality is, at the end of the day what really matter. The effects are pretty darn good. I would say it's what line 6 wishes it could be. The emulations are pretty mucb ace. Sometimes effects can sound a bit...much? But hey that's guitar for you. Now the amps on the other hand are not quite there to me. Yes they are a step up from most modellers in this price range. Are they as good as the real ones? No. They just aren't all the way there. And not as close as the rival axe-fx. I don't want to detract from the unit though as I am a lot more picky than most people since I have some of the real world amps to compare. The 11 rack sounds good, it's just a bit less real to me. The amps are more studio-ized if I can even use that word.

Long story short, if you are recording it's worth the price. For live use I would look elsewhere. This isn't that kind of unit.

Sound card that uses pre-amp comes with Protools LE8! USB connection on my Mac (Macbook) Acuna latency to work on Protools allows us to rework all of our songs. The audio mixer of this app is excellent. Studio and Live use by processing the effects loop which I can not separate myself from my little darlings effects pedals! I was looking for an amp and I got this pre-amp. After a month of using home studio and I'll carry around in the room to repeat, this rack is tough! I put 9 because the only small shadow is that it is a pre-amp and not an amp.

SOUND QUALITY

install without any problems and no lag whatsoever on Mac or PC!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a month and then I had a bump on Pod Pro. There is no comparison except that the Pod is just a pre-amp that handles less well nutralité and potatoes of my effects loop! I would do this choice obviously. 845 euro, when you love there are still a little but it forgot the next month

Multi purpose digital preamp with amp simulation, programmable expensive but good quality.
For use with guitar or bass. Mic for vocals. I have for two months now (the first received was defective, I was replaced by the manufacturer)
Often compared to the benchmark (the FX axis) or pod to new HD, I sincerely believe he is located, in sound quality between the two.

The rack is really well done, there are a multitude of possibilities in the types of outputs (pre or post amplifier, before or after effects, with or without emulation HP etc ...)
POD is more elaborate than HD, but somewhat less comprehensive than an Axe Fx (may be easier to access, too)
Where I find it really great, it's as a "Swiss Army knife" of guitar.
I prepare my home for the compounds with many different sounds in one song, I rule with onions each of my sounds, and when I arrive in repeated, everything is in place, it's terrible.
Pro Tools 8 LE (supplied with the rack) allows me to record my riffs and power very quickly recover its config, even if I had not originally saved ... interface other than Sonar, which I used until now, but eventually we find the same philosophy to soft, therefore, not so difficult to move from one to another) ...
on the other hand, to benefit from the GUI software of the eleven rack, you need to launch any pro tools. It's a bit like using a 38 ton to move a bag of cement.
But hey, it works perfectly, even if it takes more than a minute to get the interface of the coup ... Strongly version stand-alone package ...
I must admit that the programming on single rack is possible, but less user-friendly interface that owl.
By repeating, I send the output to my amp Tech21 (without preamp combo that serves me back), the XLR outputs to the mixing desk (and sound recordings). I order the rack by noon, thanks to my old pedal Vox Tonelab SE.

UTILIZATION

Quite a simulated amp and effects pedal emulating some ... Obviously, Digidesign has taken the party to less than competitors, but relies on the quality of emulation. I added the expansion pack (91 euros), and I'm really pleased, I just need a reverse delay and a pitch shifter. the rest is perfect. I discuss those in my ToneLab SE loop insertion ... AC wiring makes me more, that's why I hope they will release these effects of these 4 ...
Another reproaches, when changing sound, the time of his previous sounds muted (I think it's called spill-over)
The sound is very good. Compared to my old multi effects (pod and ToneLab), it is much more "dynamic". It gives a much better rendering of the interpretation.
For example, a sound "crunch" goes from "clean" to "very full" according to the attack of the strings. I found the sensations of my old tube amp. Purists will tell you that lack of harmonics in the sound compared to a true class A amp, Me, I'm not sure that everyone feels the difference. In any case, I, I can not feel it (the lack of dynamics and harmonic was more obvious on my old vox simulation or pod, it''s clear)
We play progressive rock (Porcupine Tree style), I use a twin reverb emulation for my clean sounds, and an emulation plexi 45 more or less saturated for crunch, and the solo passages hard. I "sculpt" my sustain the compressor dynamic expansion, it is in all my presets ....

SOUND QUALITY

Me, I'm delighted. To fully enjoy the stuff, I put in a 2U fly to transport without fear, and I bought a headphone BayerDynamic DT 990 to enjoy the sound quality.
Last thing: I used a sound card for my desktop PC ... a "Swiss knife", I tell you ...

Eleven Rack is a system for recording and processing sound for the guitar, suitable for both studio and on stage. Eleven Rack boasts a true entry-Z, to recreate the impedance of the modeled amp selected. . Pro Tools software supplied with the rack is combined with a high resolution interface hardware accelerated DSP Rack Eleven allowing all guitarists to make professional recordings. Whether you are a musician or stage Eleven Rack offers the sounds of guitar amps and effects hyper realistic.
I use 2-Eleven rack config, the first with a HP laptop (Dual core running at 2.5 GHz and 4GB of ram under Vista) and on a 4 core CPU clocked at 3 GHz and 4 GB of ram on XP Pro .. Suffice to say that everything works very well on both config ..
I use it mostly for the guitar taken in the studio but it is not left for the stage connected to a MIDI pedal ..
I said that I still prefer some other guitars with the rack Eleven ..
I use a lot for lead Warmoth kit fitted with microphones and a Joe Barden Start Vintage Hot Rod for clean sounds ..

UTILIZATION

The use I have no problem if it is being used at Sonar (DAW) I am obliged to nitpick a little Pro Tools because the interface is really different .. I put a little damper on the board plugs in in Pro Tools for my taste they are somewhat less sensitive to those that I use as normal ..
on the other hand no problem with compatibility of some plugs like EZ Drummer or other virtual amps ..
I have not yet made registration on many tracks simultaneously, but my PC holds, and it accepts as normal the 16 recording tracks plus 16 reading without my cpu does not climb .. I think with the pro tools must be able to keep up ..
On the guitar sounds do not worry because it is the latency Eleven rack that manages DSP ..

SOUND QUALITY

No problem when the install vista with XP a little more, but I did a bad manipulation which I think was the cause of the problem but all ends well anyway ..
On the rack of Eleven Plug In no particular it presents itself as the most current plug guitar ..
It's best to work a sound from the plug rather than the rack ..

OVERALL OPINION

Eleven rack I use for over two months now and all say that every day new sensations appear ..
I confess that the first days I was somewhat disappointed compared to what I have read or heard in demo but my disappointment was only temporary ..
Do not trust the factory sounds for as many machines it does not ..
But so far, and after a few hours I can say that over the Eleven rack is a war machine, in short ... it kills ......
I have a plethora of guitar amp simulation and rare are those who issue such a sensation of pleasure at the time of the game, have pretty much sound when recording because the sound is stunning, but lacks a bit of heat in the hit while with the Eleven plus the rack I feel that its grain ..
Many people have decried the forums Eleven rack in comparison to ultra fx it is true that on paper seems well below but is it really comparable? I do not think ..
There are certainly less simulation, less effective, less this, less of that but with the two rack I can tell you that for me there's no pictures ..
Eleven With the rack I found modeling may be less but these few give me much satisfaction in sound and in terms of gaming experience, I close my eyes and my studio is inhabited by all these legendary amps ... waouwwwww j'adooooore ...
Yes this machine is incredible, but like many other effects or amps, you must already know what you buy and why we buy, they are its characteristics and use the height of its strength ..
A tone shaping, and is working for a result pro should not forget the rest of the string, guitar, cables, etc. .. tapping etc. ...
Put a Ferrari engine in a 4l, you will never have the desired result and although it's the same in music, and among others with the rack Eleven .. Depending on the config it will be used more or less convincing ..
At my level of 800 euros and some are fully justified and I do it again this election much to the chagrin of my wife ....

Using it as a hardware interface with a Mac Book Pro, and as a re-amp device.
Started with in with Pro Tools 8, upgraded to Pro Tool 9 and the expansion pack.

One of the biggest reasons of why I wanted it is to use as a re-amper, more below.

UTILIZATION

Avid does does updates, unfortunately many times they are paid upgrades that other companies will throw you free.
The one headache is that if I hot plug the unit, I have to restart my lap top since it will not see the interface once it's unplugged.

SOUND QUALITY

Installing drivers and software...good to go. Or alternatively just plug in hook up a set of monitors or head phones and rock.
All functions are fairly easy to get to from the front panel, editing patches and sounds via the ACTUAL knobs will be preferential for many users. That said I much prefer the interface that is only available via Pro Tools.
The re-amping features and use as a audio interface will be all fully usable in any other recording program, the only missing link is the Graphic User Interface.

So...as a reamper...
Open your software select input 1 for a DI guitar signal, if you wanna hear/print the actual sound you have dialed in select input 3 on another track.
If you don't want to hear the direct monitor output that circumvents the software and busses straight to the output/monitor the select re-amp as input in Eleven Rack instead of guitar. The software will still print the DI signal regardless.
Record a track, when you're happy with it and want to mess with different tones set that tracks output to 3/4 re-amp out, select re-amp as input in guitar rig and then select input 3 for your track to record the processed signal.
Now that is all fine and good to re-amp the Eleven Rack, but where it gets interesting is actually using your fave amp for it.
Same set-up, except you send the Eleven Rack efx loop to the amp (obviously bypassing the amp/cab sim),
and then either use a loaded down signal and return to the Eleven R efx return, or mic it and use the mic input (input 2 on your software to record it) and print that.
Most elegant re-amp solution I've come across.

OVERALL OPINION

Lots has been said about 11R. The new expansion pack adds some nice new models, liek a Bogner XTC with 2x12 cab that is voiced rather nice.
The model of the Exotic RC boost is a good one, especially when used with the model of the Matchless DC 30.
Finally a parametric eq and stereo delay added.

Downsides...you still can't run 2 drives at once. The other you can't use 3rd party speaker/cabinet impulses.

I have a Digi001 that I was flying with PT 6.4 under Win XP.
Anxious to find a solution upd my system but not wanting to get into the game upd digidesign hardware (hi rate) and because I used two simultaneous inputs max, I was very interested in all the critter it offers a second facet that interested me: a versatile preamp rack apparently complete and fully controllable for Live.

In short, what you ask for? For me to come Protools long ago not for the guitar but the sound, there is no comparison. I could not go elsewhere.

Installed Vista / Intel QuadCore DUO / 2GB.

Less: Adjustment headphone not present on the facade, a regression compared to my Digi001, in this case. But there is a setting in the options available ...


UTILIZATION

- Protools 8:
Easy installation except the verification codes, a bit tedious ... The driver installed itself in revenge! Day and night with the galleys observed with versions 5.x and 6.x not at all suited to the PC! Very good effort from Digidesign at this level, it's nice
The program runs itself, the 48 tracks and buses are not too many, while beneficial ... and re-amping, it disconnects harsh

- Re-Amping:
Indeed, what is more frustrating than to have saved the game that kills but regret setting its a bit crappy? It takes 2 mouse clicks, time (2s) to redirect the signal from the track in front of the rack and configure this one to receive it, without any wiring of course!
It saves so the dry signal while listening to the processed signal of course, knowing that it is not destructive. You can of course set the bike upstream via MIDI, and recreate conditions LIVE catches using CTRL Change in the arrangement or just engage the saturation effects, eg ... I have no pedal control for the moment so I do what I can lol

Plus: no latency monitoring in protools and triggering effects.

Less: Latency good qques tens of ms to change the patch! I do not expect that I confess, I imagined a patch already spend another without break, and this is clearly not possible!


SOUND QUALITY

I find the sounds good, of course to have a mesa preamp at home it's not worth the lamp, would lie, but frankly at this price is a amp simulation and HP provide good sound and most importantly, it is important for the BER, a signal of that quality with a minimum of breath! I tried Amplitube and consors, it has nothing to do at any level ... Here we get a huge sound and clean.
Mesa gives a super hi gain distortion with bass ill, as the true, the beautiful Tweed Bass, Vox, too. I know less about the Marshall and it's very nice to virtually experience the old models, I also discovered the SOLDANO impressive body and definition.

And then the speaker simulation that changes everything: we finally found the dynamics of the amp sound, almost for real. I surkiffe!

Less: I just wish more distortion pedals for me, to find more different grains on the Clean channel of a same amp. For reverb type effects and modulation dly or even, I added to the mix instead, and LIVE what is proposed is enough for me well and is very well made!


OVERALL OPINION

Superb machine nothing to say. Property fine work. excellent value for money.
I would do this choice without hesitation. Impressive

I stumbled upon this multifunctional device while I was looking for recording interfaces. I was using this primarily as the recording interface, since all I really had to record was guitars. The main selling point of this feature is that it is a very high-tech amp modeler, a recording interface, and an effects processor all in one. I used it as a console for home recording, so I didn't use it in combination with any other consoles or preamps or anything. The amp has a guitar input that is specific for the amp modeling and effects processor, Stereo balanced XLR outputs and dedicated 1/4” outputs, and an XLR mic input with 48V phantom power and a pad switch. The device also features an Integrated FX loop to hook up the effects you already own. The device can also be controlled with MIDI. It also has a tuner, a USB connection, and 2 line-level 1/4" inputs.


UTILIZATION

This device is relatively new, so there are still a few things I'm unsure of, mainly the frequency and quality of updates. As of now, though, I'm not gonna need an update anytime soon. The latency in this thing is almost nonexistent, since it relies mostly on the interface itself to process. The drivers are stable thus far, and they make things easy even on a home recording setup. I am almost positive this will only work with Pro Tools, since Digidesign is the creator of both products. It's capable of playing up to 8 simultaneous channels at once.

SOUND QUALITY

After the basic installation, which took some time, I didn't have any problems. It's about as tedious as installing and new piece of hardware would be. The manual definitely helped me through the entire process pretty clearly, without it I would have been pretty lost. The regular functions of the device, including amp modeling and effects, can be controlled via the plugin that comes with the device as well as on the device itself. In addition, using the plugins allows you to recall previous settings in Pro Tools very quickly.

OVERALL OPINION

I was pretty impressed overall with the variety of sounds that are available on this thing. I think that it's one of the best amp modelers out there. The promos for this product cite its Z auto-impedence as the reason for its pretty realistic emulation of classic amps, like Fender Twins, Marshall stack, Vox AC30s, and Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifiers. As someone whose used the aforementioned amps, I can say that it's about 85% there in terms of tone, which, for the price, is very very good. The effects leave just a bit to be desired, but I was never a crazy effects fan anyway. I think that this is a great idea for someone who needs a range of tones that sound pretty good, and can't afford to invest in a multitude of amps and effects. I have never recommended this before to anyone, given my preference for analog equipment (even when recording digitally in Pro Tools). But this was pretty impressive. Highly recommended to newer engineers, more established studio owners with the real amps and effects should probably skip this.