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Axe FX gas...


rockguitar2000

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I've never thought I'd be one to actually want to try this all out. I gave up on modelling stuff as my main rig years ago (tried PodXT Live and Vetta II). I still use the PodXT Live as my effects unit, though through the loop of my Rebel 30 head.

 

then i saw a few videos of the axe fx, ultra specifically recently, used live.

 

i know there's the whole love or hate going on but im really intrigued. I'd have to raise some funds but Im thinking a used Ultra at some point could be in the works. then i'd have to buy the remaining pieces for a live setup, going direct to the PA and also monitoring on stage using my own speaker for consistency. maybe a poweramp and then into my mesa boogie thiele 1x12 for stage use.

 

what to do, what to do...

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The ability for the AxeFX to be incredible or no depends on your ability to tweak it.

Basic settings can get you close, but if you really dive in and get to know it; that's when it starts to really shine.

It's not going to be as simple as picking up a head and tweaking a few knobs to get awesome tone, but it can do so much more than just a head.

That all being said, I can't say that I'd sell my best tube gear to have it replaced my the AxeFX.

I used my AxeFX Std. with a power amp for live shows for about a year; then after some massive tweaking that ended up in me getting annoyed with all the tweaking and trying out new settings, I went back to my tube gear and there's something primal and incredible about a plugging right into a tube head and getting that tone. Yeah, the AxeFX can get close; closer than anything else that's on the market...but I'd suggest getting it and testing it with your current favorite head before dumping heads.

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I've used quite a few different power amps actually.

My VHT 2/90/2 was the best tonally, but it weighs about the same as a dead corpse and I was looking for portability, so I bought one of those Peavey iPR1600 power amps. STUPID loud and weighs almost nothing, it has a different tone to it that I was able to use the global EQ to tweak a bit to get what I wanted out of it without needing to change all my presets.

I've also used a Mesa 20/20, Mesa 50/50, Marshall 8008, Crate PowerBlock and an EHX 44 Magnum.

All work decent, but the VHT sounded the best and the Peavey was the best for weight and power pure power.

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Picking up an Ultra on Wednesday!

 

 

 

Then may I suggest this for a FRFR (Full range, flat response) monitor?

 

I just got this in after checking the fractal forums. This is a great powered PA speaker for not a lot of cash. ($599.00 new but you can get them a lot less off of ebay used)

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/electro-voice-elx112p-live-x-series-active-12-loudspeaker?src=3WWRWXGB

 

And you may consider this for a low cost floor pedal. ($200.00 new)

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/rocktron-midi-mate-midi-control-pedal

 

They even have a video on ebay to tell you how to set it up with an axe fx ultra.

 

 

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The ability for the AxeFX to be incredible or no depends on your ability to tweak it.

 

I dunno. I think it used to take a lot more tweaking, but with all the firmware revisions over the years it's now lot less tweaky. There's a lot more to tweak now, but I find myself doing less and less of it to get the sounds I want. I certainly spend a lot less time tweaking than I used to with my tube amp stuff. :idk:

 

Dunno, maybe that's also partly me becoming more familiar with the unit over time, or maybe me becoming less picky about tiny details. :idk:

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I have a Traynor k4 keyboard amp I'll try first. I don't own a power amp yet.

 

 

The link I gave was for a powered speaker. Some like to have a seperate power amp and speaker, but I find it easier to carry around to a live gig if I have it all in one.

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I dunno. I think it used to take a lot more tweaking, but with all the firmware revisions over the years it's now lot less tweaky. There's a lot more to tweak now, but I find myself doing less and less of it to get the sounds I want. I certainly spend a lot less time tweaking than I used to with my tube amp stuff.
:idk:

Dunno, maybe that's also partly me becoming more familiar with the unit over time, or maybe me becoming less picky about tiny details.
:idk:

 

+1. I don't have a long history with the unit, only got it last year but all this tweaking talk doesn't jive with my experience either. It sounds like an amp out of the box. that's the freaking point. If you are dicking around with traditional cab based live rigs or questionable monitoring systems you probably have to work with the unit to overcome limitation set by outboard gear but AxeFx->Quality FRFR Monitors should be instantaneous tone city.

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If you are dicking around with traditional cab based live rigs or questionable monitoring systems you probably have to work with the unit to overcome limitation set by outboard gear but AxeFx->Quality FRFR Monitors should be instantaneous tone city.

 

 

Well said!

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man got my ultra couple of weeks ago used it in band practice and gigs and must say it really is great. saves my back fro lifting all the heavy gear and gives u tonnes of versatility> I run mine through the FOH PA but also picked up a mackie srm450 v2 to hear myself at home

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i'm a newb when it comes to these rack mounted things but the axe fx2 looks amazing.

 

I plan on buying a nice high gain head and 2x12 cab, but after that I'm grabbing the AXE FX for all my tone needs! This thing is amazing.

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