Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II XL

I play mostly classic rock and metal and I could finally dial in a decent distortion. It has great effects too and it's become the only piece of guitar gear I've needed once I got it. I still currently use it to this date and most of my recordings have been on this of late. I formerly used a Lexicon Lambda budget interface prior with Line6 products but after the AXE FX II XL I wouldn't go back

Here's one my latest tracks recorded with the AXE FX using it as a USB interface.
https://youtu.be/BobQ5c7EARI

The effects are too numerous to be listed here.
With the latest update to the device, there are over 180 amps modeled.
The list of effects is no less impressive, and type of effect there is still a wide variety.
I found sounds Eventide is say ...
The techno used is original. Rather than trying to replicate a type of sound from the amp by conventional formulas used by competitors, Fractal simulates amp component by component. One of the computing unit of the apparatus (3 there, I believe), is dedicated to only the physical reproduction of the lamps.
That's why it sounds so close to a real amp.

UTILIZATION

Using the AXE is not very complicated, the greater part of the parameters are easily and their default setting already sounds pretty good. However, if one digs, the possibilities are endless and there is a bunch of advanced settings to refine those (not me).
One can learn a tinker's sounds as and able.
There is a very good soft Mac, Win and Linux / Wine that works very well. The drivers of the camera can be installed on Linux or it is seen as a USB2 soundcard.

G66 provides a doc Quickstart, useful to take his first steps.
I've had six months, and I'm probably just scratched the possibilities of the machine. I have not tried the Tone Match (which permlet to reproduce the sound of an amp by having her listen).

I register my home with Bitwig Linux. It works well.
The app shows 4 channels: 1 dry and 1 stereo stereo with all the effects.

SOUND QUALITY

Among the effects that I use and love:
* The amp sims, this is the top.
* The Wah (amazing).
* The reverbs,
* Chorus.
There are so many other effects that I do not use (yet).
For now, there is nothing that I would not be able to do with it, by repeating, studio or concert hall.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months, I had a Pod X3 Pro (blah), an Eleven Rack (way, excellent), and then the Fractal, there is no comparison, The fractal smashes everything.
My other guitarist, who is big on amp and effects pedals (it has a nice collec of Eventides and vintage pedals) and never hooked to this kind of material change of heart.

It's expensive, yes, but it is without compromise, for me, there is no better.
More updates (3 or 4 years) add new amps, effects, prefectionne simulations etc ... It is a living product and fast moving.

I added the community now very active and friendly, there is an exchange of sound website with guys who know the system, I recovered a lot to suit my taste.

Digital amp modeler (Rackmount) wholes types, product provides access to a list of guitars and amplifiers firms (to use the term) amazing.
I was not thrilled with this kind of product! For example: Roland VG99 for me to play on a Les Paul guitar from that nylon strings like a Godin is not credible.
The is very different is that I use my guitar amp on I choose and it works.
I for comparison an old Boogie Mark IV and a collection of Mesa in the box, it sounds the same.
The firware updates regularly provided by Fractal Audio make the product evolves: 14.0.2 firmware to date. Ditto for pedal MFC-101.
The manufacturer provided all the tools to edit and update on a Mac or PC (Windows 8.1 X64 support) and USB driver for connecting a computer, because the beast is also a formidable card.
I acquired directly pedals MFC-101 (via XLR cable) and I installed the live AXE EDIT to be able to adjust and understand the workings of the beast.
All connectors are here: MIDI, Audio (Jack and XLR) DI 48K, and various opportunities extensions: Pedal control and external Switch.
Guitar input on the front, just take the headphone above.
A large display shows the current preset or tuner, and all this is sync on the display of the pedal, including Tuner: ca it's very convenient!

UTILIZATION

The editor everything becomes clear: access to sound banks, chaining hardware and suddenly we can easily test the result if you want to change the speaker or amp.
One can easily explore the presets provided and reassurance on: impossible to have the gear to Mr. Gilmour at home, except with the AXE FX.
And if by chance you still want more, there are speakers and amp complete packages on the internet, just search on the forums.

There is also an editor for the pedals (http://www.ejozsoftware.com/default.html) remains a full-fledged MIDI pedal for those who want to make independent use.
But the marriage of the product is the winning pair for easy use of the Audio FX.
The pedals are already pre-programmed for easy use super and it is possible to acquire a set of "Sticker" for the names of effects (pedals) on the MFC-101.

All manuals are provided in PDF on the website builder, and a small quick start guide comes in the box (with some goodies from G66. , Thereby putting hands in direct sludge ..

SOUND QUALITY

My set is as follows: Ibanez Jem diverse and varied / a pair of Mackie SRM450 for direct / Edirol M-16DX and KRK-6 for monitoring / Cakewalk SONAR X3 for the sound.

The effects are excellent and can fully reprogrammed according to his taste.
The most impressive is the potential to make a Floor Pedal Board with wiring and looping effects impossible in normal times: nobody at his disposal as many effects pedals in order to achieve what is in the AXE FX.
But we can keep it simple and play amp and a live drum and CA SONNE!

Do not hesitate to read the few pdf files on the site, and I found the list of amps provided in the machine and their correspondence in presets.

OVERALL OPINION

I wade over since April 23, 2014, the day he arrived at home.
At the beginning, we have fun. Then explores and then become aware of the infinite possibility of the machine.
Then immersed in textbooks and is registered on the forum.
The grip is very easy, especially with the pedal, then if you want to go further, we must dig editor and textbooks.
Personally, I still wonder what I'll do the "shoveled" unnecessary sounds like Star Wars that are in it, but at the same time I have 100 user presets for fun, so I left unchanged.
At first, I listen, I try, I explore, and I store what I like.
Value for money: it's expensive, but not disappointed with the result.
I will redeem without problems.