Author Topic: Axe FX (Read 6377 times)

opprobrium_9 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:36:00 AM »

Quote from: hunter

My Axe FX arrived today. Oh no what a monster. This is so complicated, but on the other hand offers so much.

The only thing I was worried about was whether I can make it sound like a convincing straight "guitar - amp" thing, if that works out, then with all the flexibility, models, effects etc, i could tweak new sounds until my last days (may they be far in the future).

So here is my attempt at a quick wiggle, trying to replicate the tone of my Marshall head with a "Brown" Model and a "SoCal 4x12" cab. I have to say, I just about was able to make this monster work somehow, so this is not gonna be any close to perfect, as there are zillions of parameters, so please judge gently:

http://www.thegutbusters.com/temp/test_mono.mp3

Is this the same thing you were raving about a while ago and had those youtube clips with that guy demonstrating? If it is, then congrats man, that is some serious kit! The clip sounds alright in my studio headphones, not as spectacular as the Budda, but as you say, you only JUST got it working. Again, congrats.

_tom_ · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:39:16 AM »

Quote from: Absolue_Zero

Here's a couple of AFX JTM45 samples. I've never played a '45 so I couldn't say whether they're representative or not.

JTM45
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6665856

JTM45 & SLO (in a single patch)
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6506602

The 2nd one sounds better to me than the first though still kinda digital sounding. If it feels like a proper amp it'd be pretty cool though I reckon :)

Twinfan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:54:16 AM »

Quote from: Absolue_Zero

Here's a couple of AFX JTM45 samples. I've never played a '45 so I couldn't say whether they're representative or not.

JTM45
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6665856

Hmm. Bit too much gain for a JTM45 to be honest, and not enough clarity. Nice thicker sound though.

DeanS · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:59:23 AM »

As Twin says too much gain/compression for a JTM but sounds pretty good anyway. Although I've not tried a Axe Fx I find that with other modellers I get bored of the available tones pretty quickly and never seem to get any sort of vibe going on in my playing.

sgmypod · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:59:37 AM »

both very high gain...don't sound like a jtm

gwEm · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2008, 12:51:12 PM »

Quote from: DeanS

Although I've not tried a Axe Fx I find that with other modellers I get bored of the available tones pretty quickly and never seem to get any sort of vibe going on in my playing.

To be honest, I've had the same experience... But I'm willing to give technology a chance myself. One day they will be as good - better probably. The danger is getting drawn into cheese extra effects. Reading the AxeFX website it seems they have the right design philosphy.

Will · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2008, 01:31:05 PM »

I've been looking into a modeller, but I just want the one sound, and maybe be able to add some delay.
Can it do medium gain Marshall type stuff, with the dynamics of heavy picking getting you into heavy territory, and a roll back of volume and soft picking semi clean?

LazyNinja · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2008, 01:45:20 PM »

Quote from: hunter

Quote from: Twinfan
Yeah, it sounds OK actually.

I'm just wondering why you're bothering with modellers when you have the real thing????

There are several reasons. Initially I just wanted to know what the hype is about, but in fact I play in a cover band, and I am sick of compromising either on versatility or tone or simplicity.

Also the inconsistency is buggering me, one day it sounds good, one day bad, tube amps can be very difficult.

I am also fed up with lugging around the heavy stuff and tap dancing for FX and sounds. (e.g. switching from a clean sound with chorus and delay to a distorted rhythm sound means switching 3 times or setting up a complex and heavy midi/audio switching device).

I want all in one unit, easy to set up and light to transport. Some nice FX here and there, but mainly gorgeous clean and drive tones with a grain of FX to spice them up, but all switched with a single program change.

If you're wanting channel switching and fx switching without tap dancing did you know that a TC G Major could do that with a MIDI pedal? I think you just need to connect the footswitch jack of your amp to the G Major somehow. I just got one but I haven't set it up with my Laney yet because I haven't got enough cables :(

Axe FX has been getting a lot of hype for a while now. I'm looking forward to listen to your clips when I get home.

hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2008, 02:18:22 PM »

Quote from: LazyNinja

Quote from: hunter
Quote from: Twinfan
Yeah, it sounds OK actually.

I'm just wondering why you're bothering with modellers when you have the real thing????

There are several reasons. Initially I just wanted to know what the hype is about, but in fact I play in a cover band, and I am sick of compromising either on versatility or tone or simplicity.

Also the inconsistency is buggering me, one day it sounds good, one day bad, tube amps can be very difficult.

I am also fed up with lugging around the heavy stuff and tap dancing for FX and sounds. (e.g. switching from a clean sound with chorus and delay to a distorted rhythm sound means switching 3 times or setting up a complex and heavy midi/audio switching device).

I want all in one unit, easy to set up and light to transport. Some nice FX here and there, but mainly gorgeous clean and drive tones with a grain of FX to spice them up, but all switched with a single program change.

If you're wanting channel switching and fx switching without tap dancing did you know that a TC G Major could do that with a MIDI pedal? I think you just need to connect the footswitch jack of your amp to the G Major somehow. I just got one but I haven't set it up with my Laney yet because I haven't got enough cables :(

Axe FX has been getting a lot of hype for a while now. I'm looking forward to listen to your clips when I get home.

Yep, but using the G System with the 4 cable method is again gonna suck tone and kill the spirit of the simple tube amp layout. I'd rather go one way or the other, lugging around and hooking up a G System PLUS a tube head PLUS a 4x12 etc ...

Give me 2-3 weeks then we'll see what the Axe really does...

AndyR · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2008, 02:48:53 PM »

Quote from: Will

I've been looking into a modeller, but I just want the one sound, and maybe be able to add some delay.
Can it do medium gain Marshall type stuff, with the dynamics of heavy picking getting you into heavy territory, and a roll back of volume and soft picking semi clean?

Hunter's gonna be your man for a definitive answer, but I would suspect YES (if Line6 and VOX can do it!)

I've been using Line6 PODXT for a couple of years and recently converted to VOX Tonelab LE.

The PODXT does what you ask, but with a processed sort of sound. It sounds like the guitar on a record, rather than the amp in the room with you.

I got the Tonelab because I think the sounds are better - more like the amp in the room - and I didn't want to go into AFX territory budgetwise (not that I checked how much they are!). The Tonelab does what you ask, and better than the PODXT in my opinion. Although I really switched for the VOX and Fender models (much nicer in the Tonelab), it's the Marshall models I use most, and I use them exactly how you describe.

AndyR · « **Reply #25 on:** July 01, 2008, 02:51:12 PM »

Quote from: hunter

Give me 2-3 weeks then we'll see what the Axe really does...

I'm quite looking forward to this - as long as I don't end up wanting one!!

_tom_ · « **Reply #26 on:** July 01, 2008, 03:28:01 PM »

Quote from: DeanS

As Twin says too much gain/compression for a JTM but sounds pretty good anyway. Although I've not tried a Axe Fx I find that with other modellers I get bored of the available tones pretty quickly and never seem to get any sort of vibe going on in my playing.

Same here, they lack the feel and always have a really plasticcy sound, for lack of a better description. I've heard a few good Pod clips but they are few and far between, probably require a ton of tweaking.

I am interested in the Sansamp Liverpool though, I've heard a few clips of em and liked it. I'm also interested in the Blackstar pedals but I havent heard any amazing clips of the emulated output. I really want something that feels/sounds like an amp that I can plug into pc speakers or headphones for uni but I'm yet to find anything thats convinced me enough to spend the money on it.

JamesHealey · « **Reply #27 on:** July 01, 2008, 03:42:26 PM »

those JTM45 clips sound nothin' like a JTM45 to me, more like a Bogner Ecstasy.. I mean when I hear a JTM45 I think big fat warm guitar tone with lots of air and a certain kinda sag and flubby bottom end... I don't hear that in those clips at all..

LazyNinja · « **Reply #28 on:** July 01, 2008, 07:37:42 PM »

I really like the clips Hunter awesome playing too. Not very JTM45-like but sounds great nonetheless. Would love to hear low gain clips of the Axe FX.

Quote from: hunter

Yep, but using the G System with the 4 cable method is again gonna suck tone and kill the spirit of the simple tube amp layout. I'd rather go one way or the other, lugging around and hooking up a G System PLUS a tube head PLUS a 4x12 etc ...

Give me 2-3 weeks then we'll see what the Axe really does...

4 cable method like you can with other multi effects where you use send/return? If so I didn't mean that. I meant that you can switch channel of your amp using MIDI messages so that you can assign FX presets to any amp channel individually and select them by one stomp on a MIDI footswitch. However, it does mean that your signal is always going through the FX unit all the time so it could suck tone as you say. I still don't know how to do it so I could be talking rubbish though :lol: It's explained here.

hunter · « **Reply #29 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:34:32 PM »

Here is anothe attempt, using the XTC and guitar volume:

http://www.thegutbusters.com/temp/axe_bogner.mp3