5 Reasons I Bought the Axe FX 3 over a tube amp
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- 5 Reasons I bought the Axe FX 3 over a tube amp! This answers a question I have been asked numerous times in the short time I have owned this beast. So in this video I highlight my top 5 reasons I bought the #AxeFX3.
Se more about the AXE FX3 at the #fractalaudio website: www.fractalaud...
Links to the guitars I played in the demos:
PRS SE Range: amzn.to/2ODivYm
Harley Benton CST-24T Emerald Flame: goo.gl/wsH25B
Harley Benton SC-450 PLus LD Vintage: goo.gl/pFuyyP
Thanks for watching and take good care folks!
You have but one life - live and enjoy it. Peace :o)
#Guitar
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Rode NT1-A condenser mic and articulated arm/stand - amzn.to/2yZ7Ykr
RØDE M3 Cardioid Condenser Microphone - amzn.to/2z14g9R
DBX 286S Mic Preamp/Compressor - amzn.to/2EFCx4P
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Studio Monitor Professional Headphones - amzn.to/2yVMkxF
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I'm waiting for Harley Benton to build one...
HaHa Loves it..
They have
Banging a harley benton through it sounds really good! Shows you need to spend your money on the amp not the guitar
I couldn't agree more. I'm so pleased with the Harley Bentons 👍😎
After many, many hours playing and tweaking my Axe-fx lll presets, I bought and downloaded AustinBuddy's Axe-Fx III Naked Amps - 1000+ Sounds and I have no words, only tears of joy!!
Just to give you a different perspective, I went the other way. Had an Axe Fx II for almost a decade. Loved it, played it A TON, recorded with it, but despite having a lot of time invested, I ended up tweaking more than playing. I knew how to edit it, front panel and Axe Edit, and was constantly tweaking knobs. I started messing with it more than playing. So I got rid of EVERYTHING. Bought a nice inexpensive tube amp, some pedals, and a pedal board and am loving the pure simplicity of it. I'm putting together a UA-cam channel to document my journey back to analog gear. To each his own! Enjoy the Axe Fx III. It is one hell of an amazing product with incredible tech.
Funny enough, my kids had never heard me play through a tube amp. Always through the Axe. When they heard me plug into the amp for the first time, they all said, "WOW Dad! That sounds AMAZING!!" I never heard that from them with the Axe. maybe they were just used to the sound. I don't know. YMMV
Yes I have spent 33 years as a lead from the guitar into a tube amp guy in the main. Although I used the GT100 for my function band just because of the range of sounds I needed for such diverse covers. I still fire up the Orange Dark Terror though never fear! Love the ability to use both now! :-)
@@Chinaguitarsceptic check out Leon Todd and Cooper Carter on UA-cam. They have loads of Axe Fx content. Especially if you like the Mesa style presets, Leon Todd is an excellent resource. Also, join the Fractal Forums. Amazing community of really awesome people. Enjoy!!
Yes I am subbed to Leon already and he was a great source of research. I am also a member of the Axe Exchange and Fractal Forum. Everyone seems so nice. Leon has uploaded a ton of great stuff there too!! :-)
I traded a tube head for my Kemper and then traded it for a tube head and pedals. I too spent too much time tweaking and switching profiles. Since I got my amp I havent touched any dials except volume. I love it so much.
I think you can get complicated or simple with either piece of gear. Some people tweak real amps forever via tube bias mods, tube changes, pedals, and eqs. The amp models in the Axe Fx don't need any in depth parameters tweaked to sound good. The reality is that people don't just want something that sounds "good", they want "that tone." For some its a specific amp, for others it's an unattainable chase. The best scenario is to have your dream amp, then get the Axe Fx as your secondary 200+ amp setup.
For many of us that already own a great tube amp, having a digital system to add to our arsenal is great, But after years of playing I have a hard time saying to a new guy to go full on digital only. I think we're real close, but not just yet. Specially not trading my Mesa Road King on an FX unit of any kind. Now on the other hand if you do a gigging scene or a bunch of home studio stuff, a unit such as the AxeFx is a great versatile tool. I still try my best to follow the rule of thumb as to "Play more, Tweak less." A tone of tones can way too easy to get lost in & keep you distracted. & Besides there is nothing quite like a fat amp with glowing tubes Kicking one in the chest :D --- Get both you won't be disappointed & most of all have fun!
Tweek less play more! Yup love that! 👍👍👍
Which one mesa boogie road king 2 or mark v 90 ?
@@enginkarasac6176 RD KIng 1 along side a 5150 in stereo.
Fantastic video (as always) and congrats on the III. Have you tried it with a power amp and a cab yet?
Hey Leon thanks bro. Love your channel and been learning lots. I will PM you! :-)
Great video mate!😎👍
Thanks Shane! It was all thanks to an awesome idea from the UA-cam wizard! ;-)
Glad you're enjoying it my friend
“Flapping your jeans” ! Love it. Great discussion on the AxFX. Often think of simplifying and you have laid it out clean and simple. Thanks and really like how your channel has evolved. That’s music,...that’s life! Cheers.
Thanks my friend I'm delighted you enjoyed it and bless you for the kind words about my channel. 👍😎
everybody reviews the axe fx and kemper or line 6 helix, but no one ever says that you need a power amp and a cabinet for the rig to be complete. they should factor those into the budget.
This is true.
Yea....complete...power amp...pedalboard....or powered speakers...etc....4k....as a metal or mental player....the kemper sounds best.....axe has much better fxs.....kemper with fx8 would be ideal.....
I use a Crown XLS 402(300W per channel @ 8ohms)and two Peavey PV-115 passive cabinets(400 watts program, 800 watts peak) and I am having fun! Plus, you can simultaneously run to the FOH with the same uncolored sound.
That depends on your needs. I'm just going to use it at home with headphones.
@@Chinaguitarsceptic I go straight to the PA into my inears. No power amp or cab. The soundman does not a nightmare and I sound great. Axe 3 user
Thank you for this video my friend!! I am a die hard tube amp guy with my Mesa Boogie and Peavey amplifiers but struggle to get the tone I want for recording. This has helped out tremendously and I appreciate that. Great playing and great video brother!! Keep up the great work.
Thanks so much brother, I really appreciate that and glad it has given you some impartial perspective from someone you can trust. :-)
I bought the Ax FX 3 a couple of months ago. For recording, in a condo no less, it's an absolute dream.
Love it mate
I now own the Axe Fx 2 after using only a tube amp and a pedalboard with a bunch of pedals i.e. Strymon, MXR etc.. for more than 10 years. I have had the opportunity to try different tube amps: Mesa, Friedman, Laney(the one I used to have), H & K, Marshall. I play mostly at rehearsals and live setups at medium-sized concerts with my rock band.
I have also tried the Amplifire, the AX8, Kemper, POD HD, Helix. All I can say is that I am impressed about the progress that digital devices have made since my first Korg AX100g. The first time I brought a Kemper at the rehearsal, everyone was impressed hearing the sound of it (I strongly recommend Fremen presets btw for both the Kemper and the Axe). The 2 devices that impressed me the most were the Fractal ones and the Kemper. It's hard to beat them in the digital world. I chose the Axe because of the wide variety of effects and tweaking capabilities. Sound-wise, I know what I want and I don't tweak that much. Setup-wise I find the Kemper to be extremely simple to setup. Having a tube amp with a regular board implies buying loads of cables, switches, adding a power supply and taking 10 minutes to setup gear for the show.
I understand why some people prefer tube amps, but the tone isn't very far and getting the sound right at every concert is simple for me in both cases but more convenient for the Axe. As for the initial investment, I believe owning a tube amp with pedals is more expensive in my case and the switching possibilities are limited unless some additional investment is made. Now, I am happy I have more amps, more effects and more flexible routing choices (because I need them). If you play with straight-in-the-face sounds, then the Axe is overkill. As someone mentioned, tweaking is a human problem, not the device fault :p
I use and will always use both my friend and each has its place and best use scenario. For the studio the axe is the obvious choice but I'd probably stick with tube for live. 👍😊
Informative video my friend!! I can see the benefit of both tube/valve amps and modeler equipment.
Like all things buddy there is a place for everything. :-)
You are right, for a studio its perfect. Live you cant beat a great amp. You know in your heart the Axe FX tones are good but not like a real good amp. There is a clarity and sweetness to a great amp that digital doesn't quite get. (dont stone me guys, its just my opinion) :)
Bob Boitt exactly...even for studio a truly great tube amp wins though it can be a pain to capture a great sound. Axe is very good but still it sounds a bit too artificial and a bit tin sounding like every digital modelling amp. I've used Axe in the studio and it was surprisingly good...still all that juicyness and hair you get only from the real thing was lacking.
@@mickeyguide3112 For me the biggest advantage to Axe-Fx / Kemper / etc is sitting at home and casually playing or recording a riff. If you got an idea and you wanna slap it to wax real quick, they're great.
You know what? That is absolutely true, BUT, for the guy who is playing, not for the audience, why? because the audience is listening through a mic cab sounding through a PA.
@@ravovasquez fuck the audience.
Very interesting, as usual on your channel. I didn't know this particular gear. If I can give my experience, I agree with you: investing or not investing in a (so expensive) piece of gear depends on the type of musician you are. Some times ago I decided to move towards an iPad based setup, made of some multi-efx, a Bluetooth pedal board, a looper app. After messing around with compatibility between apps, apps and pedal board, new stuff to buy to make things work together, etc. I decided to go back to semplicity: a Zoom G1xon (made a handful of sounds, the ones I really need) a Digitech looper, two cables and a amp. Maybe not as simple as guitar-cable-amp, but not so complex indeed. On the other hand, I've bought a Variax std, which gives me the chance to have a nice collection of guitar sounds, including the acoustics. I've found my personal peace of mind.
That's all that counts buddy and I am so glad you have found a setup that works and you're content with. As artists, that's when we are able to best and fully express ourselves. :-)
Great video... as usual! 😉👍
Thanks brother. 👍😎
@@Chinaguitarsceptic I've been following you since the purple LP unboxing ;)
I am really wanting to get my hands on the axe fx 3!!!!
I enjoy tinkering and it will be my tone bank for many years to come.
I could not agree with you more on each and every reason you picked this over a valve or "real" amp/cab. I switched to a modeler several years ago and I'll have to say, I'll probably never buy another amp. It is just so much fun to dial through all the amps and tones you can get with one of these. I've been using the Line 6 stuff for a long while now. I'm going to upgrade this year, but I may hold out and save my shekels for the AxeFX after hearing your thoughts. I need the floorboard form factor, so I'm leaning toward a Helix or Headrush. I still have my "real" amps in my music room, but rarely play thru them. I use a FRFR 600w cab with my Firehawk FX. I'm not a pro and no one complains about my tone. Queue the haters, but the tone, versatility, lower volume and easy of use trumps the rest for me. God bless bro! 🎸😎
Could we be any more on the same page brother! Thanks for the kind encouragement as always my dear friend. 👍😎
If you are a home hobbyist, you can get an Axe Fx II XL for MUCH less than the III and you will never use it's full capabilities. Trust me on that one. I had the Axe Fx II for almost a decade and barely scratched the surface.
An AX8 is quite similar to the Axe FX 3 and is a floor board footprint.
Great video! These are the exact reasons why I bought a Fractal Audio AX8, I love it!
I have made a lot of presets myself which can be heard on my channel.
Cool mate I will check it out :-) Thank you!
Chinaguitarsceptic Fractal are definitely keeping tune amp makers on their toes, I had a Friedman before and that was great but I can get so many different tones out of my AX8!
The Axe FX 3 sounds really good in the video. I guess I still like the simplicity of putting a microphone on the speaker of an amp with only a few knobs, and a pedal or two in front. Thanks for the demo!
Thanks brother. Yes it is a matter of each to their own taste and whatever works for you is great my friend :-)
Great review. I know a guitar tech that works with lots of touring bands all over the world and he was singing the praises of the Axe-FX. So many pros using it.
It was seeing so many touring musicians using it and it cropping up on albums all over the place that got me interested and researching it. I have to say now I have it I can totally agree and see why they use them. This thing really appeals to me and the tones inspire me to play and write. Can't ask for much more than that brother! :-) Thanks for your kindness too, it's much appreciated. :-)
The Kemper and Helix sound just as good, soooo much cool gear out there today, love it.
i have tube amps....i have modelers. everything has a place where its the right tool..the right screw driver for that job. If you're playing a gig where having a raging tube amp isn't what everyone else wants...or...you're the one doing the loading in and out and you want something that sounds great that doesn't weigh 100 pounds (i have 2 discs in my back that are messed up and I just can't carry super heavy stuff anymore without paying a pretty heavy price in terms of pain) then something like a kemper, helix, axe effects ect might be for you. There is something so refreshing about plugging straight into a good amp that just sounds...good. Those amps can be super versatile too, you just have to know how to use your pedals, guitar controls, and effects to get those tones. A lot of tools can give you great tones. It's about what you play...not what you play it thru..that will get people interested and rocking.
I think you are spot on here my friend. 👍
I think you're right on the money about the Axe III. I was at the guitar summit in Mannheim last year and watched Pete Thorn using an Ox, Thomas Blug through Amp 1, some other German guy using a Kemper, Larry Mitchell through Axe III and Phil X through his tube stack - all on stage together. All sounded great but Phil just came through better. Could be partly because I was quite close and probably a lot of oomph directly from the cabs. So yes, I think it's brilliant for home a studio and it CAN be as good live, but that's a bit more difficult.
Regarding #2 of cons, if it's loud enough for Metallica... also James still runs it into one cab on stage, so that when he needs that extra boost of feedback or sustain, he can still get it. So I don't know that #2 really even applies.
Metallica is lame AF when compared to their shows where they played amps though, almost seems like they neutered themselves when they went digital. I own an Axe 3, but still… I need to get a tube amp soon to save my mortal soul.
@@justinTime077 Yeah I'm guessing you don't like it just because you know it's digital. Guitar amps blasted through a PA sound like shit anyhow so it makes virtually no difference to a live rig, except that it's way easier to maintain and set up every night.
I'm legally blind and have been playing guitar for over 30 years. At fort Knox rehearsal/recording studio in downtown Chicago me and about 20 other friends did a blind folded play test between a real Mark IV and an Axe 3 with matrix power amp into a two 12 cab with V30s. Same settings on both amps. Nobody guessed right. In fact the majority who felt strongly about one sounding/played the best seemed to always pick the axe
While modeling amps have certainly come a long way I'm finding more and more that the headphone+studio monitors approach lacks that 'something intangible' that a decent combo amp or stack somehow adds to a performance. I've recorded my share of rock bands and orchestras and electronic synth bands and I keep finding myself whenever I can ditching the DI and placing microphones in front of nearly everything, which includes putting keyboards through real amps when possible. Maybe it's just me needing to hear the real voice of what ever it is instrument in its natural state at a decent volume as opposed to relying on only studio monitors and headphones before I hit the record button.
Be it a Sax or Drums or a piano or a electric guitar I also find the performance of the player benefits from hearing the true voice of their instrument... Jam a set of cans on their head and the performance often suffers...
I hear you and I get that. Although I'm not sure about Mics on keyboards but I do get the logic. What ever works best for your brother. 👍😊
Every studio should have one, however I have heard this unit live at an outdoor festival, guy was using in ears so no jean flapping for him, I asked him afterwards if he missed the having a cab behind him, he said "no because the sound you heard our front is what I hear in my ears". And I can tell you the sound out front was amazing, from funky clean stuff to the Van Halen cover his band did. nuff said. :)
Look forward to you coming over to give the AF3 a workout mate. :-)
You can still run it into a cab onstage like Metallica does for when you want to feel it, or have more feedback/sustain.
@@deransadventures what does Metallica do?
I do have a love for modelling amps myself. When I got back into guitar I found out about them n now have 2 (both fender mustangs) and most of them can give a lotta sound in a small space. Luckily for players like me there are options out there on a smaller budget. Myself I managed to get my hands on a used mustang v back in january for $150, It does lack the cab / mic options of that axe fx but still a lotta amp for less than many of the pedals in that very same store.
It's never about budget more than inspiration. Rock on Bro!!! :-)
Still there are many among us including me who've got limited budget for guitar gear. Though if I had the money I'd prolly get 1 of these but for now I don't.
Love the tones youre getting. The Axe allways sound so great and look easy to use compared to some products. Not tried one yet. I
When I considered to buy one there was not easy to get your hands at one. Ended up with Helix and I have learned to love it and use it.
Sold 90% of amps and pedals to pay for Helix and its totally worth ot. Use it with FRFR active speakers. It's wonderful to get all this great options in one device.
Thanks for a niiiice vid CGS.
Killer tones brother. I bought the Headrush Pedalboard for all the same reasons :)
👍😊❤️
Awesome FX and you're bang on, this sounds like the real deal meal with extree Tabasco sauce!!
Sweet axes as well brother.
How often do you visit Ed Dana's chats? I arrived just in time to say a few stupid things then say goodbye!
Brother you've come a long way from the videos om that flower power couch, to the cup cakes complaining about the couch pattern...weirdos!
You fixed that issue with blanket and just carried on as if the cup cakes were normal!!
Then you built your studio and started un-boxing sweet guitars and amps, and from there you started an entire slew of effects, amps, software etc etc!!
It's been one entertaining, and info packed journey with my British rock star brother!!!
The channel has grown in leaps and bounds!! Thank you for the tremendous effort, and you know how to handle butt pipes who's only goal in their lives is to scan channels with back up buddies, searching for something, anything to bitch and moan about.
Most would engage in tomfoolery and I've seen some tremendously stupid wars, even between friends, which go on for years!! IDIOTS!
Not you! You handle those menaces like Roger Moore's James Bond!!
This message may, or may not be sponsored by strong pain meds....OK you got me, I'm caked...sigh
But I do love the channel!!
Jack - Canada
Hey my Canadian brother, it was such a lovely surprise to catch up on Eds hangout last night. I was about to retire to my pit when you arrived but I stuck around to have you light up my evening. Your sense of humour really gets me right in my funny bone brother.
Thanks for your super kind words my friend and I hope we can catch up on a hangout soon. Fondest from your UK brother 👍😎🤘🇬🇧
@@Chinaguitarsceptic
And thank you for the kind words also!
I know it's hard to believe (wink wink) but a lot of folks don't enjoy my hense of sumor ! LOL!
Bro, one reason I love the channel of many, is your incredible generosity! NOBODY just up and sends a friend who's feeling down an electric guitar and the fact that you are honest, and I can trust everything you say which is very rare on a LOT of the other guitar channels.
I really dig the channel and of course, who doesn't LOVE gweetars???
Take care brother, and thank you again for your tremendous efforts in showing gear testing it live and giving your honest opinions..
Hey, before I bravely run away, as sir Robin did in Life of Brian, have you ever thought of having a song writing contest? Have writers record their songs on their own, with guitar or piano. I suppose you could have submissions with entire bands, but I suspect most people aren't able to produce anything that ambitious.
Make it simple, record a song you wrote on your own with guitar of pie-ano! I have a few tasty numbers laying around!
Just a thought!
Where in England are you located? I had an uncle who owned a pub in Maidstone Kent, The Sun Inn" . I have relatives all over England,
I am still in shock after learning so many major European cities have become majority Muslim, like London, Paris, Hamburg, and what about Sweden? Smoly Hokes!! Must be a real culture shick!!
Take care Brosephus Maximus C.G.S. !! Maybe I'll catch you over at ED
Jack - Canada
Also I have Pod that I do like and have even used live before going back to a h&k statesman tube amp.
Both nice choices my friend :-)
The Axe FX 3 sure looks & sounds nice for studio work \m/
I'm really happy with it. Hopefully the tones on the video give a good impression even with YT compression of the audio signal.
Nice video! I agree that for recording and performing it is a more stable, efficient and cost effective solution. I will be sticking to my multi-watt Mesa Express 5:50+ and nano effects pedal board for my home studio.
Nice! It's great you have something that works perfectly for your needs mate. 👍😎
I hook mine up to a pair of 1000 watt powered EV speakers. It gets close to that amp in the room sound and has balls. Part of gain staging live has to do with volume, even with FRFR's, you got to be pushing some air. Its not quite the same as pushing a 4x12 speaker cab, but its still sweet.
Cheers man and thank you for the vid!
Cool brother glad that works for you. I'm using it a little different just in the studio but great to know folks are enjoying it live along with Metallica! 👍😁
You could also get a Two Notes loadbox (about $300) and use their wall of sound plugin. Obviously not as capable as the AXE3 but if your main goal was to get the marshall sound, you'd be pretty close.
Good shout mate but I needed the flexibly of many different sounds. I really want to try the two notes!
It really depends on the gig. Studio as a supplement and live at very least as an effects processor and for some gigs where it is inears only it is the best solution for sure IMHO.
It's so versatile for sure it can be used in many ways.
I don't see why I would ditch my Mesa JP-2C for an Axe-Fx III anytime soon. It has 3 channels with multiple configurations, 2 graphic EQ, midi implementation, cabinet sim, headphones out, 60W/100W of raw power and plenty of balls!
I don't think anyone was suggesting that mate. Sounds an awesome amp. I'd love to model it into my axe fx and add it to my library of sounds.
Great video! Sorry if this seem like a silly question, but what model PRS Guitar is that ?
No problem it's an SE custom 24 Ltd edition maple. Thanks for the kind words too mate. 👍😊
Hey Brother, I haven't taken you to task for a while hahaha. Your channel has come so far, good on ya mate. I used one live at a very high volume, it didn't have the sheer power of my Marshal JMC 100 watt 800 series. But for low volumes & practicing it's great but that's an expensive practice amp & that's what I'd use it for. The cleans where great, but the lead tones can be so muddy. And who would want to sound like Metallica .... Really Sir hahaha. Take care mate.
Hey brother, great to hear from you. Have to agree totally mate. Take care my friend 😊🙏👍
If i had the cash id have one of these in a snap! Currently rocking a Laney IRT30 Combo with marshall 1960a cab, a Boss GE7 (modded by me for less hiss) in the loop and the usual, delay, chorus, verb and amp switch stuff on the board (The EQ in the loop is just for tone shaping), oh and a boss metalzone for the occasional muse style bit, i know by the time ive totalled up the price of my rig i could get an axe fx ii, but it literally boils down to up front cost, ive used a couple of other "rack" based solutions similar to axefx etc, and with a good power amp or into your amps fx return and cab emulation turned off they can sound killer
Love it
I use both tube amps and modelers. But if I see Jcm800s for cheap on craigslist I buy them and add them to my stacks of amps. Great video!
Cheers bud. Yeah good call on the investments I think they'll increase in value over time for sure., 👍
When my guitar friends come over I let them pick between Bogners, Mesa's, Marshalls, Orange, Sound City, Music Man, Peavey and more. They always pick that 1985 Jcm 2210 with a huge smile on there face. Dont know why, just the way it is.
Happy New year Brother, I hope this year is your best yet, take care.
Thanks so much brother, likewise I hope it's a fantastic year for you.
In my opinion, if you have any kind of serious recording setup, it's a must.
It's not that the Axe FX line is better than real amplifiers. Amplifiers and cabinets in a real room are have their many uses. So does the Axe. It provides quiet operation and seamless integration into your projects, and it provides versatility that goes miles beyond what any studio can encompass in buying real life equipment. No studio is going to have all of the amps in existence.
love to have one but the 3grand price tag puts me off so i looking more towards the head rush or helix
Bang on with modeling. Great for homestudios not so good for live👍. I heard some front of houseguys that hate this for live sounds just as you say they dont cut thru.
Thanks mate I'm glad you and most people here seem to feel like you that I have offered an unbiased balance.
This unit will be perfect for many as it is me for what I'm using it for but it won't suit everyone. Nothing will please ask if the people all of the time. 👍😊
I just got a Kemper cause for weeks it was a toss up between that unit and the Axe fx. Im glad i got the Kemper, but not to knock the Axe fx it does sound nice :)
Cool man. Whatever works best for you is best. 👍😎
It’s a great tool for the touring and recording pro musician, but for the hobby and bedroom player it’s more of a want than a need.
Couldn't agree more at this price point. 👍
Great Video! One thing to mention a negative to live preforming, is that the band or gig (for the house) needs to have a quality PA system alone with an experienced sound engineer, because how cheap the PA your running through. Now if you bring an amp to run through, it needs to be a full reference speakers. In other word PA Power Amp and Speakers. This is because you can not use a guitar amp and speaker,. unless you tell the AXE-FX to turn off Amp Simulation and not to use the cab, which in my option would too expensive.
I definitely get the Axe-FX itch from time-to-time (same thing with the Headrush). But since I view the vast majority of current gear purchases in the "how can I use this with the band I play in" context, as cool and versatile and just plain fun as it looks it just wouldn't add any value in my situation. Your first and second reasons why one should pause before pulling the trigger nailed it exactly for me. Once I've dialed in my rig (usually four pedals, a 12-inch Fender style combo, and whatever guitar I've chosen for the night) to complement the room and the rest of band I don't need to do much else to get the three or four main sounds I'll need in the set. I'd probably just end up using one model in the Axe-FX and it would probably just be one of the amp I already own! :)
Doesn't mean I don't want one though! :)
Yes, thanks. I know that many people will fall into that category and this is probably beyond the needs of many users. Glad I made those additional points to consider in order to balance the message.
Axe effects or helix are great for studios or for players who want a lot of different amp sounds but what this video emphasised for me today was the lack of transients on all of the sounds dialled up.
This is what I experienced anytime I’ve tried a modeller: There is just not the same connection between the fingers and the sound and that makes me play less creatively.
It inspires me to play but there will be many like yourself who will not be inspired by it. I will never stop playing my Marshall or orange Amps but this is just a great way to get lots more tube amp sounds without breaking the bank entirely. I'm pretty sure I couldn't tell the difference in a blind test.
Chinaguitarsceptic Don’t get me wrong I am not anti digital far from it. I run an Eventide H9. I also use a computer and midi guitar for synth sounds but I just can’t get on with amp modellers. Maybe I should try a Kemper!
A modeler might be my next "amp" purchase but only because I already have 4 tube amps. 😊
That's the time to buy one IMHO
@@Chinaguitarsceptic agreed, get the real thing into your ears first. 😉
Thanks for a great video! I wish that I could afford one. Of course you could use something like the Seymour Duncan Powerstage 700 when you play live, they would probably be able to push enough air 😉 Hopefully the venue could provide with one or a couple of decent cabinets and then it’s still possible to travel light and with all those great sounds.
Great call on the PS700, I bet that would rock the af3 output! 👍👍👍
That orange LP is beautiful
YEAAASSSSS Art SGX!!! Lol I still have one kicking around.
Question for ya tho, do ya use headphones only? Or do you use studio monitors or powered frfr cab as well? If so which one(s)?
Mix of all three my friend. Usually record with headphone and mix with a combination for reference.
Old Guy's Guitar...!! .you have target the Holy Grail of the problem, the same thing happened to me...but with the Helix...I reach to the point where I was literally not playing guitar...instead I was trying to sound like Gilmour, next day like Statriani, Van Halen, Jerry Cantrel or STV...etc the list and styles can go on ..!!!for ever...the point is that all of us have a style and that "style" won't succes on all this digital choices...
I 'm going back to my tubes amp, with a Tech 21 RK 5 ...and my soul as guitar player it's in recall mode...
Digital tools are great, for producers, studio records and pro musicians that need to tour with good sound and light equipment... But maybe too much information and choices for a home and spare time player..
Cables and pedals is the fun part mate.
You can come and work with me anytime mate 👍😊
I've seen cases where the price for items in Euros/GBP matches the US price despite the exchange rate, but why the hell does it cost significantly more in Euros/GBP? It also seems like the UK/EU distributor doesn't offer sale prices when it's on sale on the Fractal site.
Doesn't seem very fair does it, but it happens in so many things not just guitar stuff. :-(
Just found your channel and enjoying your videos! I love this technology, and I have a similar piece of gear. I see so many bashing them, and hating presets...I don’t understand that. The presets have some format of effects and amps etc, and they all have KNOBS! Just like the actual gear you can simply turn the stinking knobs, on your guitar too! Wow! Just being silly nice video!
Cheers buddy I agree with you. No too many bashing here yet but I'm braced for it. You'll never please all of the people. 😊
Modelling does make sense for lots of purposes. I live in a flat so a valve amp for recording is no good
Perfect for you then and the fact that I can dial in any tone and hear the studio quality version at 3am is awesome!
Dude, what the LED Barr you have in backlight ? C'est très joli
P.S : I get the AX8 for myself, I hope it's gonna sound good as well, Peace dude
Thanks brother. The led are sunlight battens. 👍
How do you use it? Do you just run it through a speaker cab? Or do you you have to run it through powered monitors
It does work similarly to a preamp or effects unit. It doesn't have its own power amp so I use it direct into the studio sound board and monitor with my studio monitors or headphones. 👍😊🔊🎧
In my 17 years of Recording guitars at home, Wityh the podXT, then amps , then a hand built BADCAT Hotcat30R with various mics then to the kemper, I realised that the "fizzy digital sound" is bad cab modeling or as I found out just bad miking. the moment you get a "fizzy digital sound" from badly miking up your £3000 hand wired class A amp. Last weekend I got the Axe FX 3 and oh man..... it's just pissed all over my Kemper in every way possible. Theres no difference between that and a tube amp when recorded. none.
Great tones buddy loving the bentons very nice hb green prs style
Thanks buddy. 👍😁
Did you just compare this thing to a pod from the 90s?
Oh yes
What are your thoughts on synergy??
Sorry for my lack of understanding, I'm not familiar buddy.
@@Chinaguitarsceptic it is a valve modular preamp system, many different modules preamps
I play different style of music so it will be definitely worth the price tag. But my thing is where I can I download patches or profiles for the axe fx iii
The axe fx forum brother.
Chinaguitarsceptic awesome 😎 so does it have a built in power head? Like u need the power head version of the kemper
Modeling amps great but the learning curve to figure all the nuances is a bit much. How is the usability of the axe fx & how easy is it to figure out by yourself? Thanks.
Great point and in the short time I have had it I find it to be intuitive. I will do some demos on delving into the the unit more mate very soon :-)
Chinaguitarsceptic that’s great to hear. I’m sure as time goes units will become much more familiar to us. Thanks for your work it’s extremely helpful.🇺🇸✌🏻🎸🤘🏻🇬🇧
Awesome video. Do you need a power amp to use the Axe FX III ?
No it can go direct into the sound board or headphones or you can put it in a power amp bro :-) I has no built in power amp section if that is what you meant? Thank you BTW you rock!!! :-)
@@Chinaguitarsceptic If I wanna play it through a speaker cabinet, do I need to buy a power amp? if so, which one works best in your opinion? Thank you.
@@davor6966 yes of course mate. You can play it through any power amp and if you're using it live it's designed to go direct into the pa system and back to you via monitors. If you're wanting to use it at home then any clean hifi amp or studio monitors will be best. You can play it through a guitar amp but you'd want to turn off all the speaker simms and IR features which kind of defeats much of its intended purpose. This is really for getting pretty much any rig setup direct from the box at line and balanced output signals.
Excellent video, Mike...hehehe at 2:59 (that was a 'close' one...good recovery!)...you are an excellent guitarist, my friend...I loved hearing all of the different sounds that that piece of equipment is capable of producing...I'm learning so much from your channel! Ooh...I LOVE it at 9:03 (that is my most favorite sound!)...then you exhibited some EVH skill at 9:38 - YOU TOTALLY ROCK!!! (Oh, LOVE your tee shirt too...it's the first time I've seen it...and I look forward to seeing the unveiling of your 'surprise'!) 💗💗💗
Thank you so much Shauna :-) I hope you enjoyed the surprise. It was only for those who joined it live at the premiere BTW so I am delighted you made it and know what's coming up on the channel. :-)
@@Chinaguitarsceptic - Oh, yes, I did!!! I can't wait to see the new guitars...I bet they're absolute beauties!!! 💗💗💗
All these Axe Fx III videos, and I'm over here still with my Eleven Rack not feeling like I'm missing much.
Alex Hosay the eleven rack has horrible service. I had one and it stopped working even after updating it. I think the eleven rack was hot garbage tho. I’m glad I paid like $200 for it instead of the ridiculous $900 when they first released.
Great review though. I appreciate it.
Thanks Peter 👍
Don't you use any studio-monitors...? Only studio-headphones no speakers?
I use both depending on what I'm doing
I play AX3 live and it is amazing. To get the amp feel I use a Qsc K12 monitor. Being that it is aimed only at myself I can crank it as loud as I want. The audience only really hears what goes through the mixer. The response and feel is amazing. I’ve played everything from Mesa Triple rec half stack to a Fender Blues. Great sound on the axe fx no matter the volume, amazing effects and a lot easier to set up and break down.i played the Ax 2 for 5 years and the ax 3 the last few months and love it
Sounds like you have it cracked for your setup brother. Great stuff! 👍😎🤘
hi ok Ive been a amp guy for years I play a lot in the church, I'm constantly being told to turn the volume down, hard to get a good sound at low volume with a tube amp. I very interested in getting this fractal audio axe-fx iii
I guess one has get buy a rack mount with with enough space for a amp ? then a fold back speaker i guess ??
Don't forget Amp matching :)
Yes - thanks mate :-)
Love your Chanel @@Chinaguitarsceptic
If I had as many nice tube amps sitting around as you do, I may buy the Axe FX too. That may stop me from running out and spending even more on amps.
...but on any digital unit, I'm very hesitant because just like a computer or a cell phone they become out-dated faster than a tube amp and lose virtually all value. Just like the digital devices that you listed at the beginning of the video which are now practically worthless.
If a tube amp had been purchased instead of all that digital stuff, it would still be relevant and valuable.
Digital may sound better than it ever has, and can obviously be more versatile and convenient but it's still an imitation which based purely on tone is inherently inferior to the real thing... Otherwise, why would any tube amp be listed on the Axe FX? ....If digital was superior there would be nothing to imitate.
Yes to all of that. I hope you didn't get the impression that I was asserting that this sounds 'better' than any given tube amp. I'm just saying it's very versatile as a studio tool to get many great tones from one small unit. I'm pretty sure in a blind test that I would find it difficult to tell the difference.
@@Chinaguitarsceptic
Naw... I was just logic-ing my way out of getting one. : )
I think they sound great, and the luxury of having so much tonal fire power on demand is very attractive.
So of course I have to talk myself into submission. lol
I think that what I said is valid, but so is the other side of that coin.
You can do all this super cheaply by linking a Mooer preamp live with a Line6 HX FX for a quarter of the price.
Your video didn't say why you should get the axfx3 over the 2 or 1, all of which do what you said.
The AXFX 2 and 1 was good enough for Steve Vai, when he was awesome.
Are any of you as good as Vai was 12 years ago?
No mate I would never be even close to begin able to attain the virtuosity of Steve vai. Neither did I say that there are no great alternatives as you share here. I was simply sharing my reasons for getting the axe fxIII.
Lmao vai only used the axe fx for simple effects here and there his main rig remained the legacy
Yes
Do you need a cab to use this? Or how do you hook it up to get sound?
I use it direct into my desk but you can amplify it into a cab
Ha Ha Ha, I like your style, not meaning to offend just a different perspective. I am a nice guy really, by the way great playing just not into little plastic boxes of trickery, give me a good old valve amp, any studio or live anywhere. I enjoy your channel keep em coming.
Cheers mate I will. I also still have lots of tube amp wickedness to enjoy don't worry. I'll never get rid of real in favour of just modeled. The axe just perfectly suits my particular use. 👍😊
Yes, good points. But the price, man. The price. Also, a lot of the sounds in fact do not sound 'real' - to my ears. For example, at 5:30 of the video, it is 'sterile', no punch... oops, sorry, didn't mean to offend. I have a Positive Grid Bias mini guitar amp going through a Marshall effects in (power section). Now that's a sound! The Positive Grid internal amp sounds lackluster in comparison to driving it through tubes.
Great points so definitely no offence taken. Some of the more brittle sounds actually suit a mix much better but on their own I totally agree with you. 😊👍
I like tubes, but dang man this is nice!
Cheers Randy, it's inspired me to play it which for me is all I ask of any equipment. 👍😎
Are you using the factory presets?
Yes totally for now. I will do some demos of building a tone shortly but for now the inbuilt tones are great to play with. :-)
Chinaguitarsceptic thanks man sounds amazing mine will be here next week can’t. Wait
man please can you show the velvet sun preset?
Увидел его оборудование в комнате и охренел
Вот кем надо быть/работать, чтобы была возможность купить это всё не в напряг, еще и успевать регулярно играть, заниматься, использовать все это?..
Вот объясните кто-нибудь!
How does it compare to the Kemper and less expensive Line 6 Helix?
I'm doing a video soon comparing with the kemper. I think the kemper is closer to the Amps but not as hot in the fx department.
As the yrs go by marshalls will increase in price ( collectors market ) it's an investment . Basically .
So your going to protect your future cash cow ..and obtain a product that is beneficial to you .
Indeed and I have a few tube amp's so this was an addition rather than my only option and I think I remembered to state that I won't stop using my tube Amps or maybe that comment but the cutting room floor? 👍🙄
Sure, but the minimal amount those Marshalls are going up every year in value would never compare to the $$$ you'd make from investing in various areas...ie stocks, bonds, money markets, IRA etc. Those Marshalls MAY be appreciating $150/year MAX. Personally, I'd sell the amps, keep the AXE FX and invest the $$$ I received from the amps as they're just gonna sit and collect dust anyway.
hi ya mate a great choice of amp, such a classic piece of gear!! not as good as my HH vs musician!! tho LOL would have been good if i could have seen a soldano amp in there , maybe there is?? classic video once again, keep on rockin.
I'll check out the soldano modeler. I'm sure there will be such a classic tone in there otherwise they have missed a trick for sure! 👍😎
why not a helix?
No reason I just looked at many and decided that this fits my studio needs best from the units currently available.
I’m digging this more then the kemper
What kind of leather jacket is that (brand)?
Huh?
The bit where you are driving, you are wearing a cool looking jacket.
@@aperezdeal ah thanks man but it was not leather. I can't recall where I got it but I wear it all the time. My focus on image and clothes is nil brother so it's something my dear wife or a friend bought me. 👍😊
Well the boss pedals can sound amazing, just look at Joe Satriani, but definetly takes some tweaking with the knobs, I have a youtube channel as well but all my stuff is cheap, but u cant tell, especially if u listen to my music on Soundcloud, its not the effects that make the music sound good, its the emotion coming from the player
Totally right mate 😊👍🙏
theyre great for moving around,but nuthing sounds like the real thing,close but as ull see,,,no cigar
You should go for a Kemper ;)
depends on the convertor you use, i can hear a big diff through my prism, so hearts will sink, yes its chewy sounding through some gear, the price is disgusting for a modeling calculator though
Fair enough mate but for what I need I honestly can't tell and believe you are in a minority of people with acutely precise hearing if you can.
@@Chinaguitarsceptic lol i possibly am a minority, 30 years recording exp has probably ruined my mind not my ears as the tech has gone crazy, yet all the interfaces ive had from 100 up to 3000 pounds have taught me more about fidelity, when i left the smeared world of rme i started to hear albums in a new way, same for guitar sims, depth detail and value, i dont dig mp3 thats kinda what my opinion is like on models to real mics and cabs for what its worth, in my exp the models respond to diff guitar electrics more so than the real deal so that was an interesting discovery, but the aa6 studio devil through affordable high end ad convertors gets it right , im fascinated how many vids i watch of all the guitars and rigs of models costing 5000 up, yet the listening interfaces are sub 1000, not meaning you as i dont speculate, but it changed my mixing world of 30 plus years plus exp, good vid though
Definitely no, the Axe FX III does not sound like a tube amp, I'm sorry! For $2500 you can get a very good tube amp, not a an emulation copy. Every guitar player is searching for his own "killer sound", not for "his" thousand of average sounds.
If you check my logic you'll see that's exactly what I need for my studio and we make the same points here. Although I honestly think you would not know the difference in a blind test and definitely not in a mix.
I don’t think so. Valve amps are outdated garbage. They’re a scam just like analog pedals. I think the modelers are far superior to valve amps. Everyone sounds the same. Don’t be a clown.
31 thumbs down from Helix users. I, however, gave you a thumbs up.
Cheers brother 👍
Lol.... I own a Helix, Kemper, and an old Eleven rack and honestly they ALL sound good, do they sound and feel exactly like my fav tube amps?, No they don't but they do get damn close, and the flexibility is golden. Anyways, I'm sort of over the whole Axr Fx is better than bla, bla bla, and Helix or Kemper are better cause bla bla bla , just use em , play with them and have fun. I also used a Vox Tonelab LE live for about 3 years 3-4 nights a weekj and it sounded great, even recorded an entire album with it, Here's one of the singles from the album, all guitars Vox Tonelab LE.ua-cam.com/video/5Xn3f8q_2c0/v-deo.html
Sounds very good!
Cuz it's fkng epic?!
That's a great reason bro!
@@Chinaguitarsceptic mine just came today!!! Waited 10 years.to get one.