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ibanez4life SZ! « The all in one box that replaced my HUGE rig! »
Published on 04/19/11 at 16:29Fractal Audio Systems stepped into the guitar world with a device that has become the next evolution of electric guitar modeling and processing. The Axe FX Standard and Ultra were released as the ‘all-in-one’ box for a guitarist, featuring
- 2 space rackmount design
- top quality amplifier modeling
- cabinet simulations with room for 3rd party IRs
- world class effects and processing
- fully customizable routing
- stereo inputs and outputs
- MIDI in, out, and thru
- Phantom power for MIDI controller via adapter
- SOO Much more!
UTILIZATION
Using the Axe FX can be as easy or complicated as one would like. Putting together a great sounding patch is as quick as selecting an amp and cab model. For tweakers, and those really wanting to fine-tune their sound, the Axe FX offers parameters much deeper and customizable than your standard amplifier or rig. Overall, the menus are very easy to navigate, and setting up your patch routing is very intuitive. The biggest selling point for the Axe FX- it has over 50 amplifiers, and every effect you could want, all in one small box.
SOUND QUALITY
This is where the Axe FX standard strong, and greatly ahead of all its previous and current modeling competitors. The sound and FEEL of the Axe FX is very close, if not identical to a real amplifier. Having it side by side with the amplifier it is modeling, with the proper tweaking, it is nearly impossible to discern in an unbiased A/B test. After converting to the Axe FX, I was able to sell all 5 of my high end tube amplifiers (Mesa, Bogner, etc.) and a HUGE rack of units and processors, as it achieved all my tones before and more, in a much more convenient package. The best part- I feel like I am finally able to get MY sound, and not a different EQ of the sound someone else designed.
OVERALL OPINION
For those willing to embrace this new technology, and get over the fact that it doesn’t have vacuum tubes in it, the Axe FX is an amazing tool for any guitarist. It replaced a HUGE analog rig for me, and am getting better sounds than ever, in a simpler, smaller package, without the necessary maintenance of tubes. I try not to think of the Axe FX as a modeler, but as a very versatile amp on its own, and I believe this is the best way for anyone to approach it. Did I mention is does AMAZING direct recording too?
- 2 space rackmount design
- top quality amplifier modeling
- cabinet simulations with room for 3rd party IRs
- world class effects and processing
- fully customizable routing
- stereo inputs and outputs
- MIDI in, out, and thru
- Phantom power for MIDI controller via adapter
- SOO Much more!
UTILIZATION
Using the Axe FX can be as easy or complicated as one would like. Putting together a great sounding patch is as quick as selecting an amp and cab model. For tweakers, and those really wanting to fine-tune their sound, the Axe FX offers parameters much deeper and customizable than your standard amplifier or rig. Overall, the menus are very easy to navigate, and setting up your patch routing is very intuitive. The biggest selling point for the Axe FX- it has over 50 amplifiers, and every effect you could want, all in one small box.
SOUND QUALITY
This is where the Axe FX standard strong, and greatly ahead of all its previous and current modeling competitors. The sound and FEEL of the Axe FX is very close, if not identical to a real amplifier. Having it side by side with the amplifier it is modeling, with the proper tweaking, it is nearly impossible to discern in an unbiased A/B test. After converting to the Axe FX, I was able to sell all 5 of my high end tube amplifiers (Mesa, Bogner, etc.) and a HUGE rack of units and processors, as it achieved all my tones before and more, in a much more convenient package. The best part- I feel like I am finally able to get MY sound, and not a different EQ of the sound someone else designed.
OVERALL OPINION
For those willing to embrace this new technology, and get over the fact that it doesn’t have vacuum tubes in it, the Axe FX is an amazing tool for any guitarist. It replaced a HUGE analog rig for me, and am getting better sounds than ever, in a simpler, smaller package, without the necessary maintenance of tubes. I try not to think of the Axe FX as a modeler, but as a very versatile amp on its own, and I believe this is the best way for anyone to approach it. Did I mention is does AMAZING direct recording too?