Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II

Well it's the newest generation of the Axe-Fx. This time twice the processing power and a whole lotta goodies thrown in for good measure.
My favorite is that now you can use it as an external sound card for your computer which comes in super handy when re-amping guitar.
Also the fact that the midi controller for it now can be connected with an ethernet cable instead of midi cable and wall wart alone would've been worth it for me.
The editing with from the unit itself is easier than on the ultra now since various knobs get assigned to controls so you don't have to page and scroll through menus like you used to have to on the Ultra.
Plus there's always the editor and just do it o the computer.

UTILIZATION

Out of the box it comes set up pretty well with 40 presets to just demo the actual amp sounds.

SOUND QUALITY

The reason why I have 2 Ultras and a Axe 2. I love what the box can do sonically. Simply put if you know how to dial gear, anything in your head will come out of the speaker. there nuff said. love how it sounds

OVERALL OPINION

I've used the Ultra since 2008 and a few month back gotten the Axe-Fx 2. I didn't think I was gonna like all that much more than the Ultra but to my surprise I did. this one just goes so deep. From the way it lets you go inside the amp and virtually mod anything you'd ever want to. Kudos to the designer.

After 2 years on the Ultra with various amps gathering dust I started a big sell of. Kept a few vintage amps because they have sentimental value for me. Now I'm thinking of ditching those as well since during the recording the last album the tracks I used them on got replaced with the Axe-Fx2.

Great effects, the best I have ever used.
Simu pedal overdrive / disto...très blah.
Simu amps ... very good!
Complete connectivity.

UTILIZATION

I was flying with a FC 300.
Ct1 for the tuner.
Ct2 to increment the scenes.
Exp1 for volume
Ep2 for wha.
The scenes are a strong point of this bike BIG!

The program was quite simple with the manual, it takes some getting used to and after this protocol is a breeze.

The only thing that can scare the departure is the impressive number of settings in the AMP section, we touch all we can do improbable things but in the end ... what good quality is not dependent on number possible and I prefer to have fewer settings but ready adjusting settings, I think especially the tab end of the AMP block.

SOUND QUALITY

Matrix then plugged into a power amp Marshall so the simulation PA was always off to avoid distorting the sound of the preamp.
the result is good even very good, but after several months I took out my old Marshall head and I took a slap! With that said ... I must admit that the couple Matrix / Fractal brings a presence in the mids in a mix experiencing very comfortable live.
You can spend hours programming, search, experiment ect, this is a great tool.
From my side after the tour I served amps offered me only a JCM 800 simulation for drives and a Fender for cleans.
Then I tested with my head 4MC Marshall will serve me as FX preamp and keep my head, what a pain!
Where my gt-10 requires virtually no adjustment to regain its original 4CM with the Fractal had to be very precise adjustments to the volume of the loop to return to normal sound of my head and again ... I have not found it so transparent, so I would say that for about 2300 € have a device that is not 100% transparent 4CM is still not normal.
I did not need all that was in it, I did not use me 100% of the functionality is one of the reasons why I sold.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 1 year in live and studio again.
Before I never used simulation whatsoever on my pedals or on a PC.
I always used the distortion of tube amps and I think if I went back to the config (like others elsewhere) it is not by chance.
With that said, I not spit on the product, it's very upscale!
For the home studio is just perfect!
Big advantage in a rack that is lightweight and very convenient.
In my rack there was Furman / Axis / Matrix, all plugged into a 2x12.

Before buying I think we need to ask a question;
Do I need all this?

The most advanced and realistic of his generation with the MIMIC technology (exclusive fractal) digital preamp, all conceivable effects are available (chorus, delay, eq, comp, wah ...) with many routing options and professional quality; it can be used in many ways with a wide variety of configurations (see manual).

Connectivity is comprehensive because the fx axis 2 has 2 stereo ouput, the first xlr and trs and deuximème in very, noon, SPDIF, USB and Ethernet for fractal pedals.

Many programs exist to take advantage of all these functions (mostly free) as the axis edit the fractal bot, cab and many other lab created by users or studios IRs as ownhammer.

Everything is editable by on PC and it is also very convenient, the fx axis 2 can also act as a sound card.

UTILIZATION

The unit is very comprehensive and allows many options settings. Although it is very well designed, it will take a while before understanding all the parameters; extremely clear and well translate manual will be a great help and a bedside book for a long time.

The edition of the sounds is quite simple via the device itself and even better through the axis edit.

A good pair of speakers monitorings or wedges (Mackie HD1221 in my case) in a room acoustically treated a minimum is greatly advised to ensure that all sounds sound everywhere.

SOUND QUALITY

Everything sounds little we spend some time on it.

I use it with six strings, seven-string, eight-string bass and all in very modern idea and each instrument is respected possible with a dynamic never seen before for a device of this type.

In the sounds that I love, all the presets I created mainly (because they suit me at once), I hate those mainly presets made with too much gain or IRs too serious. But anyone can find a sound he likes as long as he knows what to look for without this machine offered by ocean of possibilities.

OVERALL OPINION

That's positive, it will be two years that I use and I never learned as much about sound since I use both in guitar as low.

It is suitable for all those who like to build a staff and defined but appear inaccessible to those who have never touched a pod or who prefers a very simple sound and leave the rest of the work to sound engineer. With ears monitors, it's just fun because no repisse and perfect return stroke.

The price / quality ratio is insane if you judge the price of a single heads present in the fx axis 2.

The feature I really like is the tone match function to clone its very accurately (even better than the kemper which is the main selling point) and that is great for sound album in two minutes; the re-amping is also something that obsesses me with the fx axis 2.

I had not tried before buying and if it again, I would blindfold because this wonderful little black box has no equal and the surrounding community is super friendly and welcoming which Moreover.

In short, a must have for modern guitar sound.