Axe-FX questions

[johnnyjellybean]

A few things have been bugging me about the Axe-Fx. The first is regarding a power amp. I hear people talking about one power amp being better than the other. Since the Axe-Fx is digital, shouldnt you be able to just program the unit to sound like any power amp you want? For example, people seem to like the VHT power amps. Cant you program the Axe-Fx to sound like a VHT power amp while actually using a Solid State poweramp? I understand that the unit is "before" the actual poweramp, but still, cant you program the Axe-Fx to emulate everything?

Also, and this is kinda a fun jab, I see people who claim the Axe-Fx is the best thing in the world and they have sold off all of their stuff since it is not needed, yet they continue to buy new amps. Why not just program the Axe-Fx to emulate what you are gassing for... unless the Axe-Fx can't?


FWIW, I really dig the Axe-Fx, but to me, it could never replace the real thing...and I wouldnt want it to.

Yes you can emulate the sound of a tube power amp while using a clean transistor power amp.

 

[R.D.]

A few things have been bugging me about the Axe-Fx. The first is regarding a power amp. I hear people talking about one power amp being better than the other. Since the Axe-Fx is digital, shouldnt you be able to just program the unit to sound like any power amp you want? For example, people seem to like the VHT power amps. Cant you program the Axe-Fx to sound like a VHT power amp while actually using a Solid State poweramp? I understand that the unit is "before" the actual poweramp, but still, cant you program the Axe-Fx to emulate everything?

Also, and this is kinda a fun jab, I see people who claim the Axe-Fx is the best thing in the world and they have sold off all of their stuff since it is not needed, yet they continue to buy new amps. Why not just program the Axe-Fx to emulate what you are gassing for... unless the Axe-Fx can't?


FWIW, I really dig the Axe-Fx, but to me, it could never replace the real thing...and I wouldnt want it to.

O.K., here’s my take ( $ 0.02 worth ) ….

The reason there’s a big debate on Axe-Fx / Power Amps is because the “that type of typical” use would involve using standard guitar cabs ….

If you go that route, you’re going to want to “defeat” the Power Amp sims and the Cab Modeling in the Axe-Fx …. The character of the Power Amp and Guitar Cabs would be redundant otherwise.

Now if you’re going to use an FRFR system, then the Power Amp simulation would be that of whatever Amp you’ve dialed up. In the event you’ve selected a Pre-Amp ( ie; 3+SE ), then you’ve got a simulation of whatever Cliff matched it with when he programmed it. My memory isn’t that good, but I believe the 3+SE was matched w/a MESA 2:90 for example. I don’t remember at all what the Soldano X99 was matched with ?

Does that answer your question ?

 

[jcj]

I still have amps and the Axe, and will probably buy more

Honestly, I could easily get by with the Axe alone, but a part of me feels like I just SHOULD have some tube amp (or four) around

I'm fortunate to be in a position to play as loudly as I'd like, so I feel I can still get the most out of my tube amps.

If I had volume constraints, they'd probably all be gone. None of them, and I mean none, sound close to the Axe at low volume.

Believe it or not, the only amp I ever tried to nail with the Axe is the Cornford MK50. It worked.

I like the Axe for what it lets me dial, but I've never cared about actually cloning my other amps. I guess I probably approach it differently than most.

As a matter of fact, to me, the models don't necessarily sound like the amps they're modeling, I love some models in the Axe I don't care for in reality.

As to the power amp question, I've never tried anything but the VHT. It works for me, and I'm too lazy to experiment. No need to reinvent the wheel

 

[Gainfreak]

One thing I'll never understand is why people have the tendency to say that they are going to sell off everything because they bought another piece of gear. I have the Axe=fx and its AMAZING but I still want other amps and I didn't sell off shit nor do I want to LMAO.

To answer your Jab/fun question.....Not many people have the ear to copy or emulate what they are gassing for and even for some that do, they might not want to spend the time doing so lol

Oh yeah.... answer me this though....If I'm gassing for a piece of gear that Ive never played or have had hands on experiance with How am I supposed to copy it with the axe-fx?

 

[Digital Jams]

IMO most people sweat the power amp thing too much and should just play their freaking guitar. I mean if your gigging out I can see the concern to get the best that they can to cut through a mix and have the headroom needed. Basement warriors do not have that problem like myself You have enough options in your basement I believe power amp wise

If I was in a position that I could only afford one amp it would be the axefx but since I am lucky I would also be screwing around with the latest and greatest super hype amps

 

[mortega76]

I come from a camp that has never owned a tube amp... so I've always used SS and digital. My first amp (growing up) was a Marshall Valvestate 200 (watt). I was a teenager and I saw that it had twice the power of any other amp in the store so it must have been better I never remember ever liking the tone of that thing. Well, years later I sold it to get a Vetta II HD because it had all the hype in the world... I struggled to get anything that didn't pierce my ears with digital fizz... but at the time it was the "best" digital amp available. A couple of years later I hear about this thing called the Axe-fx and how it's supposed to be the best thing available in digital modelers. Well I sold my Vetta II HD with FCB and ATA case to someone in Germany... then I sold a couple of guitars and I finally had the cash to buy a power amp (QSC GX5), case and FCB1010. My Ultra came with 5.13 (if I remember correctly)... and I could never seem to get a decent distortion tone from it with that firmware. I remember my band mates telling me that I should get my Vetta II HD back because that sounded much better. Well, it wasn't until firmware 7.00 that my Axe-fx came alive because Cliff had updated/refined the power amp algorithms. (Most of the folks that were happy with their sound were probably already running tube power amps) Since that time, non of my band mates have even mentioned my old amp. The Axe-fx is an ever evolving platform... different portions of it have gotten better and better with each firmware revision...

My baseline firmware was 5.13

6.xx (updated cab sims from 512 to 1024)
7.xx (updated power amp sim goodness)
8.xx (updated drive block goodness)
9.xx (updated/refined power amp goodness again)
10.xx (updated prescense goodness)

Each revision seams to take off another "virtual" blanket off my sound...

To answer your questions...

"Since the Axe-Fx is digital, shouldnt you be able to just program the unit to sound like any power amp you want? For example, people seem to like the VHT power amps. Cant you program the Axe-Fx to sound like a VHT power amp while actually using a Solid State poweramp?"

No, if you have the power amp sims turned on you are "stuck" with whatever power amp algorithm is programmed with whatever amp sim you are using.

"I understand that the unit is "before" the actual poweramp, but still, cant you program the Axe-Fx to emulate everything?"

When you say "everything," I think you're just throwing that term out there without even knowing what the Axe-fx is capable of doing. But "everything"? No.

"Also, and this is kinda a fun jab, I see people who claim the Axe-Fx is the best thing in the world and they have sold off all of their stuff since it is not needed, yet they continue to buy new amps. Why not just program the Axe-Fx to emulate what you are gassing for... unless the Axe-Fx can't?"

If I could afford it, I would buy an Ubershall and a VH4S and still keep my Axe-fx... most folks that buy "other amps" is simply... because they can.

If you want one, just get one and try it out! 10.0 is a very good update!!! Cliff worked his magic on this one again!

 

[Mark Day]

If you use a tube poweramp and conventional guitar cab with the AxeFx then you would disable the poweramp and cab sims. If you use a SS poweramp and conventional guitar then you would keep the poweramp sim ON and still turn off the Cab sim if you are NOT using the direct out feature.

I personally use an SS amp and guitar cabs. I keep both the cab and PA sims ON. I utilize OUT 2 via a programmable FX loop block to send a poweramp "simmed" signal to my poweramp and guitar cab BEFORE the cab block in my presets. This way my guitar cab gets poweramp sims and NOT the Cab sims but OUT 1 gets both the PA and Cab emulation, perfect for going to the DAW, FOH and Atomic wedges.

If you use a SS amp with regular guitar cabs then you can take advantage of the Amp block's poweramp simulation for each and every amp model sim.

In my case I am so NOT interested in cloning other amps, I just want presets that I can make sound the way "I" want them to.
I have found that I can easily dial in a sound that I really dig. May not be what others dig, but I like the tone and feel of what I am using.

Mark

 

[mortega76]

If you use a tube poweramp and conventional guitar cab with the AxeFx then you would disable the poweramp and cab sims. If you use a SS poweramp and conventional guitar then you would keep the poweramp sim ON and still turn off the Cab sim if you are NOT using the direct out feature.

I personally use an SS amp and guitar cabs. I keep both the cab and PA sims ON. I utilize OUT 2 via a programmable FX loop block to send a poweramp "simmed" signal to my poweramp and guitar cab BEFORE the cab block in my presets. This way my guitar cab gets poweramp sims and NOT the Cab sims but OUT 1 gets both the PA and Cab emulation, perfect for going to the DAW, FOH and Atomic wedges.

If you use a SS amp with regular guitar cabs then you can take advantage of the Amp block's poweramp simulation for each and every amp model sim.

In my case I am so NOT interested in cloning other amps, I just want presets that I can make sound the way "I" want them to.
I have found that I can easily dial in a sound that I really dig. May not be what others dig, but I like the tone and feel of what I am using.

Mark

Hey Mark!!!

I've seen some of your old videos of you building amps... answer me this... have you "built" any more tube amps since owning the Axe-fx?

 

[stratotone]

A few things have been bugging me about the Axe-Fx. The first is regarding a power amp. I hear people talking about one power amp being better than the other. Since the Axe-Fx is digital, shouldnt you be able to just program the unit to sound like any power amp you want? For example, people seem to like the VHT power amps. Cant you program the Axe-Fx to sound like a VHT power amp while actually using a Solid State poweramp? I understand that the unit is "before" the actual poweramp, but still, cant you program the Axe-Fx to emulate everything?

Also, and this is kinda a fun jab, I see people who claim the Axe-Fx is the best thing in the world and they have sold off all of their stuff since it is not needed, yet they continue to buy new amps. Why not just program the Axe-Fx to emulate what you are gassing for... unless the Axe-Fx can't?


FWIW, I really dig the Axe-Fx, but to me, it could never replace the real thing...and I wouldnt want it to.

Just my opinion, based on owning an axe for a few years now and owning a few amps that it emulates...

I prefer a VHT power amp, it just sounds better. I think the axe benefits from a tube power section, if it didn't then why the hell would they partner up with atomic amps?

Regarding people who still buy new amps - the axe fx can do a nice job with emulations, but you can't take a fender twin emulation and tweak it to sound like a Marshall. You could probably take a marshall emulation and maybe make a decent cameron 'copy' but you'd need a cameron there and have to go through so many different configs it could drive you nuts. Best to wait for Cliff to add it, I figure eventually he'll have all the good amps on there.

I see the axe-fx as a great ADDITION to my tube amps, not a replacement. I prefer a cranked tube amp over the axe, but have had situations where I needed a different solution - played some casinos where they bitched about stage volume, and the axe was a life saver. Ditto for quick recordings too... and the effects are world class.

Pete

 

[Gainiac]

IMO most people sweat the power amp thing too much and should just play their freaking guitar.

Scotty you wrapped it up right there...

 

[Digital Jams]

IMO most people sweat the power amp thing too much and should just play their freaking guitar.

Scotty you wrapped it up right there...

Yeah right???

I have other things to worry about like my playing

 

[Gainiac]

Find a good tone for you, shut up and rock...

 

[Mark Day]

If you use a tube poweramp and conventional guitar cab with the AxeFx then you would disable the poweramp and cab sims. If you use a SS poweramp and conventional guitar then you would keep the poweramp sim ON and still turn off the Cab sim if you are NOT using the direct out feature.

I personally use an SS amp and guitar cabs. I keep both the cab and PA sims ON. I utilize OUT 2 via a programmable FX loop block to send a poweramp "simmed" signal to my poweramp and guitar cab BEFORE the cab block in my presets. This way my guitar cab gets poweramp sims and NOT the Cab sims but OUT 1 gets both the PA and Cab emulation, perfect for going to the DAW, FOH and Atomic wedges.

If you use a SS amp with regular guitar cabs then you can take advantage of the Amp block's poweramp simulation for each and every amp model sim.

In my case I am so NOT interested in cloning other amps, I just want presets that I can make sound the way "I" want them to.
I have found that I can easily dial in a sound that I really dig. May not be what others dig, but I like the tone and feel of what I am using.

Mark

Hey Mark!!!

I've seen some of your old videos of you building amps... answer me this... have you "built" any more tube amps since owning the Axe-fx?

No time. I love building amps. The effort it takes to get the parts here and ship amps to the States, simply isn't worth the hassle. The ridiculous hassle we get crossing the border here in my city is beyond belief. The Canadian Border guards are in a dispute with the Mohawks over the guards requirement to carry sidearms (funny doesn't seem to be a problem that the US Border guards 3 minutes on the other side of the bridge carry).
Anyway they have a temporary Customs setup and the lineups are just stupid.
Before, I could build an amp for someone and drive across the border, pay my $7 exporters fee and ship from the USA. There's no way I'm shipping from Canada to the USA for one-offs. The Customs and brokerage fees simply aren't worth it.

Mark

 

[ejecta]

I prefer a VHT power amp, it just sounds better. I think the axe benefits from a tube power section, if it didn't then why the hell would they partner up with atomic amps?

If it is so real, why need tubes at all? The Pod and Tonelab used the same Atomic set-up years ago to make the modelers more realer along with the Harmonic Converger.

You dont need tubes you need these.....

 

[Anonymous]

A few things have been bugging me about the Axe-Fx. The first is regarding a power amp. I hear people talking about one power amp being better than the other. Since the Axe-Fx is digital, shouldnt you be able to just program the unit to sound like any power amp you want? For example, people seem to like the VHT power amps. Cant you program the Axe-Fx to sound like a VHT power amp while actually using a Solid State poweramp? I understand that the unit is "before" the actual poweramp, but still, cant you program the Axe-Fx to emulate everything?

Yes, you can. In fact, I use the power amp sims with my VHT. The only thing I turn off when using the Axe with the models is the cab sims... I'm sure I could be happy with any power amp, solid state or tube that had sufficient clean power - I just already had the VHT...

Also, and this is kinda a fun jab, I see people who claim the Axe-Fx is the best thing in the world and they have sold off all of their stuff since it is not needed, yet they continue to buy new amps. Why not just program the Axe-Fx to emulate what you are gassing for... unless the Axe-Fx can't?

No Henning PlexRod 100 model yet...
No Cameron CCV model yet...

In all seriousness, I just like the smell of hot power tubes... I dig my amps. I dig my Axe, why should I sell either of them? Also, I dig the Axe the most for the ease of getting killer tone from direct recording and what the effects sound like in my W/D/W with my amps...

FWIW, I really dig the Axe-Fx, but to me, it could never replace the real thing...and I wouldnt want it to.

I see no reason to. I wouldn't either...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

O.K., here’s my take ( $ 0.02 worth ) ….

The reason there’s a big debate on Axe-Fx / Power Amps is because the “that type of typical” use would involve using standard guitar cabs ….

If you go that route, you’re going to want to “defeat” the Power Amp sims and the Cab Modeling in the Axe-Fx …. The character of the Power Amp and Guitar Cabs would be redundant otherwise.

I completely disagree. I want the power amp to sound like the power amp of the amp being modeled. I'm only using the real power amp for clean power. I keep the power amp sims ON with my VHT and cabs. Of course, you have to turn the cab sims off if using real guitar cabs...

Steve

 

[Flump]

For recording I don't need anything other than the axe-fx. For live playing I really enjoy having an amp behind/next to me on stage so my new rig is going to be the axe into the Randall RT2 50, and then a 1x12 or 2x12 cab. Very portable and easy to use rig and it will do anything I ask of it easily. My previous rig was the Egnater Mod 50 with both the Lexicon MPX G2 and the G Major 2. The axe fx is replacing all those, and I'm using a power amp for it live. I will not be buying another amp anytime soon.

I will add that I'm not looking to completely replicate 1 amp perfectly. I want a sound that I personally like. With the Mod 50 I had the VX and EG3/4x modules because i wanted vox cleans/grit and a darker Marshall distortion and it was great, but I wanted to simplify my rig for ease of recording at home and playing live. With the axe I have 7 presets that i use mostly.

Vox clean
Vox dirt
plexi mixed with JCM 800 just barely breaking up
Plexi mixed with JCM 800 mid gain
Plexi mixed with JCM 800 higher gain
VH4 and SLO 100 mixed high gain
VH4 and SLO 100 mixed super compressed thick ass high gain

I want simplicity and versatility all at once and this rig will do it better than any other.

 

[Gainfreak]

Thanks for the replies. I am really considering getting one and I already have a great Marshall 100/100 poweramp....and I don't feel like getting a VHT.

Dave, we can setup some time to hang and I have no problem bringing the Axe out your way for you to try it out. Let me know!

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Thanks for the replies. I am really considering getting one and I already have a great Marshall 100/100 poweramp....and I don't feel like getting a VHT.

i didn't like the Axe at all with my 5881 9200!


i'm not saying the Axe couldn't sound good with it, it just would have taken way more tweaking with the 9200 than with my Mesa Strategy or with a QSC SS amp. and i never took the time, nor had the desire.


i don't know what it is, but i could swap back and forth between the Mesa and the QSC with the Axe and hardly change any settings. the 9200 would require way deferent settings.

so, might wanna try Ralph's through your Marshall.

 

[lolzgreg]

Bring the Axe-Fx to Fortin fest so we can make a Natas model