@@sG_Chimera on the AX8 you can use only 1 amp block, instead of two. Also, the axe fx II is more powerful, so some of the busier patch changes are a tiny bit faster. the axe fx II has more ins/outs I think. both units use the exact same modelling technology, so they should sound exactly the same.
truce11 If by working musician you mean old Nashville country music session player, then you've got it right. I'm not saying his perspective isn't valid, but it is a very narrow viewpoint. All he ever needs is a single coil guitar with a tweed amp. Hell, most of the time he'll just fly in with his favorite guitar and there will be an amp suitable at the studio or gig waiting for him. That's not going to cut it in virtually every other genre. Modelers like this were designed for the guys who are playing in cover bands or multiple genres/situations where it is impractical to spend 5-10k on different pedal board rigs and amp combinations. That's the demographic for these units. That's the kind of player who should be reviewing this.
That is NOT true! Let's have a look: Joe Satriani, Tosin Abasi, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Alex Lifeson, Metallica, Andy Summers, The Edge, Guthrie Govan, Dave Mustaine, Neal Schon etc... All these guys use Fractal products both live and in the studio. There are a ton of Kemper playeres like Paul Gilbert, Steve Winwood, Steve Morse, Pat Metheny, Devin Townsend and many more. I'm not saying they don't use "old-school" technology whatsoever, but these devices are much more consistent, reliable, convenient and still sound great. That actually makes sense and that is the hard truth you may not want to hear.
I record and gig with the ax8 and with tune/analog rig. They are all just different tools. Many times though the fractal has been the best tool for the job. It sounds fantastic. If it seems like overkill just find the 2 to 4 Amps that you like and forget about the rest.
Just picked up one of these used for 6Bills…Basically a great recording, practice, and jamming tool for the cost of two nice pedals. These are stunningly good for a digital all in one unit. Would even consider it live in the right context.
I started using modelers back in the old Pod days. They worked for most gigs and made life much easier. I jumped on the Fractal train about twenty years ago and have had Ultras, Axe FX II, FM3, FM9. I prefer the older versions of a lot of the models. “Warped Vinyl” is a cool one. Currently have a Fender Tone Master Pro, and a Quad Cortex. Fractal is my favorite!
This is the perfect review of this style of product for me, may not be ideal for those on the academic side of digital but for an analog/tube junkie like myself, Johns no fuss, plug n play attitude is welcome
It is possible to run out of cpu and if that happens the whole thing just goes silent then you’ve gotta go back and delete an effect or two like for instance a compressor or a looper whatever is least critical The FX2 never runs out of CPU but the difficulty of editing on the unit really makes it a headache
being a broadway touring musician, huge amounts of presets are demanded for a show. a good number of broadway shows/tours are using Fractal systems. I'm getting ready to make the leap to a Fractal. Its almost more of a demand knowing how to program these type of systems. And in reality you should be getting paid to program guitar sounds for shows much like keyboard programmers get residuals broadway shows.
Gameboy screen sums it up nicely. I'm all for keeping costs down, but sometimes you don't mind spending a little extra for the right features. In this case, I think it would've been worth the extra cost.
Very interesting demo. I would like to hear demos with no distortion. You sold me if it can sound like a '62 Showman with a JBL D130F speaker for Dick Dale covers and a Vox AC30 for Shadows covers. Maybe even some organ sounds like the B9 and C9 pedals.
I think the biggest issue in today's world, is this is the only type of tech most players are seeing now. How many of today's generation have actually played through a 65 blackface or a 70's model Plexi? Most have only had the luxury of owning a line 6 spider or Pod or something of the ilk. And yes I'm an old guy who has played through these, but my current rig is an Atomic Amplifire into an FRFR setup. Close enough and no where near as heavy to haul to practice or a gig. Great demo.
robsangg I'm in my mid 30s, I've honestly only ever played through 3 tube amps in my life and disliked every experience. I tend to have an audio engineer mindset when it comes to guitar tone and most of the "legendary" amps tend to sound really good at doing just one thing. It just doesn't work for me. I also primarily play in modern churches where the flexibility of an amp modeler and programmable multi effects combo box is generally not only helpful, but a requirement. Everything is FRFR, musicians monitor through IEMs, and using real amps is discouraged and sometimes flat out not allowed. That being said, I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I like the tones that I've made and it's all good.
I'll still take my pedals over a all in one footboard. These "all in ones" have been around for years and there isn't one do it all box. If there was.. every major guitar player would have that "magic" box. Watch any "rig rundown" and you'll see that in 2021 nobody has a "magic box". They all create there own tone using pedals. Pedals also have one superior feature too..... you don't need to be a rocket scientist to dial things in. I've had multi effects racks and board through the years and I still currently own a Line 6 HD500X and while it does sound good after hours of jacking around with it and saving patches...... making changes, specifically if needing to make them quick in a live situation, isn't as easy and making a pedal adjustment fast LIVE. It might be cool for a studio but live forget it, IMO.
Yeah does what it says. I did have a line 6 jam once. I did like it a lot but I spent more time tweaking than playing....one for the pros? Excellent quantity and quality, at a price.
Hows the best/easiest way to use headphone monitors with the axe8 (maybe a focus rite scarlet 2i2?? Also can it sound good playing through 2 JBL 8 inch monitors and what easy to use (for beginners) software to use? Thank you for sharing!
The fact about these processor's is that their will always be a better one out the following year. When it comes to amps the best ones have all been made already.
Or better yet, there's this kid named Mitch Baker on youtube that has both devices and he's made quite a few videos comparing them side by side, A/B switching pretty much in real time for most of the videos.
You need an audio interface. The USB in the AX8 is for modifying patches, firmware updates, installing shared presets, etc... but nothing with audio. It also does not have a headphone out, so I suggest getting an audio interface that can monitor in stereo, like the Focusrite 2i4. You can then use that with headphones, and can monitor without using computer software, when you want to, as well as having all the benefits of having a nice audio interface.
They had to give up things here and there to keep the price point down to introduce to a new segment. This modeling thing is all they do, and you can tell they are DEDICATED. Their support is great and they are constantly releasing new amp models and updated firmware. The Helix is a very attractive box, for sure. I was deciding on an AX8, Helix, or Amplifire. I chose AX8 based on Fractal reputation and it seemed to do the sounds I wanted. I have been happy with it. If multiple amps and such is important to you, I have not seen negative comments on the Helix either. It seems like a nice option.
If you have a computer audio interface which speaks S/PDIF, which I do, there is no need for a USB audio interface on the AX8. I get a pure digital transfer directly to my computer without one.
Stainless Steel Probably but with all the reported software problems the Bias FX has been having, it's not a fair fight. Fractal's firmware has been historically bullet proof and features are added with stunning regularity. Bias FX may turn out to be decent product eventually, but if the reviews are to be believed, it has a long way to go. See the Premier Guitar review of the Bias FX for a cataloging of noted software issues.
They definitely could've made a much larger display window like the Helix. Would certainly come in handy at a live gig, when you aren't connected to a computer. How does it clean up when you roll off the volume? Usually the issue with all amp modeling.
Not really my thing but I could see this being a real sensible purchase for a lot of players, especially if you're out doing cover tunes. I'm not gonna buy it but I'm glad it's out there.
Sum Vigil yeah true .. this thing is amazing and I'd love it. I just the the Blackstar HT-1R and all my old pedals so now I can have a decent tube sound at 1 am (it has a headphone output with cab simulation).. But for years I've use Guitar Rig only computer with the pedal they made for it.
I bought one of these and sent it back right away. I'm not sure how these reviews are done but they sure sound better on the internet than they do in person. These things are no where near the sound of a tube amp. That's why very few if any touring guitar players are using these for the amp sims. Most of the big name guitar players promoting these are either being paid to do so, or are getting the equipment free.
That is NOT true! Let's have a look: Joe Satriani, Tosin Abasi, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Alex Lifeson, Metallica, Andy Summers, The Edge, Guthrie Govan, Dave Mustaine, Neal Schon etc... All these guys use Fractal products both live and in the studio. There are a ton of Kemper playeres like Paul Gilbert, Steve Winwood, Steve Morse, Pat Metheny, Devin Townsend and many more. I'm not saying they don't use "old-school" technology whatsoever, but these devices are much more consistent, reliable, convenient and still sound great. That actually makes sense and that is the hard truth you may not want to hear.
It's an OK unit for gigging but not a lot of usable sounds for production. The preset offering is kind of underwhelming. Far too many grainy distortions which sound hair metal dated or way over the top metal. How about a choice of edge of breakup tones? Fractal is a greed machine they make you pay for utilities like Cab lab. Give me a break. There are numerous 3rd party vendors that offer production ready presets. Seriously you're paying over a 1000 and you can't give a customer a wealth of production ready tones out of the box? The firmware support is poor. They stopped offering updates after like 3 years? Who does that? Want to keep a customer, act like it then Fractal. On the plus side, the computer UI is good and the Ax8 Exchange is a great community. I am keeping mine and will evolve it myself, but wouldn't buy another Fractal unit.
Need to ask....so for live use, this unit is mainly used to go through the house sound system and you use a stage monitor. What about for home use and instances where you want to jam with some other people and don't have a PA system? What are some of you guys using in this scenario? Powered monitor I would think. Which ounces pair well with this thing? Thanks. My fender amp just died and I'm thinking of one of these. I played through one of these at a gig when I got to sit in on a couple songs. The sound and more importantly the FEEL just blew me away.
Yup....and the user relative to editing and tweaking all of these units. Someone who knows what they are doing can tweak sounds on even low end units and get em to sound very nice. Yup, it's all about competency!
I respect this equipment BUT I can't do it, maybe I don't like that many options, maybe I prefer a tube amp, I don't know what it is, I'm just not into it
John.....you're playing is amazing.....................but holy crap please do not do dotted 8th delays. You're as bad a that kid that thinks he's great but has no rhythm
Cerebral Nomad I have both an Eventide H9 and an AX8...you missing the point. The AX8 is primarily an amp simulator, whereas the H9 'is an effects unit. I use my H9 in the effects loop of the AX8 and they work wonderfully together. Nonetheless, they are very different products.
You'd think that wouldn't be much of an issue but its literally the only thing putting me off. I have to play in an apartment and would only be able to crank it up through my monitors 2 days a week, the rest of the time headphones are almost essential. The Kemper is the same price and, oh look, a headphone jack XD
I Watch You From Afar but, if you can use it through your monitors, it means you have an audio interface, therefore, you have a headphone out right there :v
So what’s the truth about the monitors for this thing? I get how this goes right to PA for live gigs. But what about gigs or at home when you can’t go through a PA? What monitors are best with this unit?
this looks fun but running a dual amp setup will always sound better. And let's face it 2 sounds and musician skills is all you need unless your in a band that plays mindless crap too thousands of teenagers. Seriously.
Why do people need to buy such expensive units? Just go and buy your favorite tube amp and cab. You'll never get the sound of a tube amp with an emulation module. Maybe you need delay, phaser, chorus and a reverb at the same time? Are you kidding? All that stuff just masks your imperfections in guitar playing. The only good thing is just: it lets you feel like if you were is space!
it sounds fuzzy, compressed, digital, fake ...i dont how folks can play on this o_O i prefer 4 the price of this stuff to buy just a 2nd hand good tube amp + a couple of Eventide pedals
its scary how good it sounds
Fractal AX8 rules! I use it in all my videos and concerts! Such a great sounding tool for recording and playing live!
John plays great on the outro bit with the Dumble patch! :)
Difference between this and ax fx 2?
@@sG_Chimera on the AX8 you can use only 1 amp block, instead of two. Also, the axe fx II is more powerful, so some of the busier patch changes are a tiny bit faster. the axe fx II has more ins/outs I think. both units use the exact same modelling technology, so they should sound exactly the same.
I am waiting for a color LCD screen- come on Fractal Audio give us color.
WTF. I've owned an AX8 for almost a year now and I never realized it had a metronome. O_o
Awesome.
RTFM
Metronome? Where is that?
Thanks Premier Guitar. Yours are the most professional and inspiring videos out there. I love to hear this guy play. That Les Paul kicks a$$.
You can really tell John is having fun playing with this, which should tell you all you need to know about this thing :)
I appreciate John's working-musician's perspective
truce11 If by working musician you mean old Nashville country music session player, then you've got it right. I'm not saying his perspective isn't valid, but it is a very narrow viewpoint. All he ever needs is a single coil guitar with a tweed amp. Hell, most of the time he'll just fly in with his favorite guitar and there will be an amp suitable at the studio or gig waiting for him. That's not going to cut it in virtually every other genre. Modelers like this were designed for the guys who are playing in cover bands or multiple genres/situations where it is impractical to spend 5-10k on different pedal board rigs and amp combinations. That's the demographic for these units. That's the kind of player who should be reviewing this.
Or just ANYONE that wants great tone and a whole lifetime worth of pedals in one affordable box.
That is NOT true! Let's have a look: Joe Satriani, Tosin Abasi, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Alex Lifeson, Metallica, Andy Summers, The Edge, Guthrie Govan, Dave Mustaine, Neal Schon etc... All these guys use Fractal products both live and in the studio. There are a ton of Kemper playeres like Paul Gilbert, Steve Winwood, Steve Morse, Pat Metheny, Devin Townsend and many more. I'm not saying they don't use "old-school" technology whatsoever, but these devices are much more consistent, reliable, convenient and still sound great. That actually makes sense and that is the hard truth you may not want to hear.
I record and gig with the ax8 and with tune/analog rig.
They are all just different tools. Many times though the fractal has been the best tool for the job.
It sounds fantastic. If it seems like overkill just find the 2 to 4 Amps that you like and forget about the rest.
Just picked up one of these used for 6Bills…Basically a great recording, practice, and jamming tool for the cost of two nice pedals. These are stunningly good for a digital all in one unit. Would even consider it live in the right context.
love the blade runner analogy, so true!
He plays licks that demonstrate the effects.. good on him.. great technology
I love John’s overall attitude. To see this joy alone makes me want to lean this way, and say no to the Helix.
Great review and playing John Bohlinger .. many thanks .. cheers ..!!
By Jove, I think he was having a lot of fun with this review / the AX8.
I started using modelers back in the old Pod days. They worked for most gigs and made life much easier. I jumped on the Fractal train about twenty years ago and have had Ultras, Axe FX II, FM3, FM9. I prefer the older versions of a lot of the models. “Warped Vinyl” is a cool one. Currently have a Fender Tone Master Pro, and a Quad Cortex. Fractal is my favorite!
It's clear you are having tons of fun with it. There's a "Just try and get me back to work" attitude here haha.
This is the perfect review of this style of product for me, may not be ideal for those on the academic side of digital but for an analog/tube junkie like myself, Johns no fuss, plug n play attitude is welcome
The ultimate modeling beauty
Man I love your playing how can I resist one of these after hearing you make it sing
8:47 ''Ooouh I like that one!'' sooo funny dude great review!
Dude! Wonderful demo. Dream job!!!!
I've just realised - if Bohlinger is Dorian Grey, Timothy B Schmidt is the raddled portrait in the attic
Love this guy! Love his attitude!
1:00 an edge fan are we?
This was a great demo.
The playing is just awesome. Would it work plugging into a standard amp?
Man! can't wait to get one of these things!!
The only thing that really needs to be added in the next version is a Headphone jack :-) Hear us Fractal???
It is possible to run out of cpu and if that happens the whole thing just goes silent then you’ve gotta go back and delete an effect or two like for instance a compressor
or a looper whatever is least critical
The FX2 never runs out of CPU but the difficulty of editing on the unit really makes it a headache
Love all the tones!
Please have someone else demo a unit like this.
Why what do you mean
wow .... awesome sound
being a broadway touring musician, huge amounts of presets are demanded for a show. a good number of broadway shows/tours are using Fractal systems. I'm getting ready to make the leap to a Fractal. Its almost more of a demand knowing how to program these type of systems. And in reality you should be getting paid to program guitar sounds for shows much like keyboard programmers get residuals broadway shows.
you are absolutely right, it is almost impossible to hear in pa the same sound that I hear in front of my amplifier, it makes me very upset.
Sounds good. Shame about the Gameboy screen.
Keeps costs down, and there's the software of course.
Gameboy screen sums it up nicely. I'm all for keeping costs down, but sometimes you don't mind spending a little extra for the right features. In this case, I think it would've been worth the extra cost.
Agreed, I have a Helix and the screen is so fantastic. Its no touch screen but it has the ease of an iPad
Edit with a PC. Bigger screen on the unit means more fragile. Not good for stage bro.
Headrush has a touch screen and it's cheaper than AX8. Headrush sucks, though...
Very interesting demo. I would like to hear demos with no distortion. You sold me if it can sound like a '62 Showman with a JBL D130F speaker for Dick Dale covers and a Vox AC30 for Shadows covers. Maybe even some organ sounds like the B9 and C9 pedals.
Dave F clean tones are dope but it may not replace b9 c9
Dave F there is an awesome shadows set of patches available that are dead on to the recordings
@@kingjb99 link?
I want one!! :D Great review!
Great review. Dang that 's cool.
John’s such a classy player, he could sell me anything
I think the biggest issue in today's world, is this is the only type of tech most players are seeing now. How many of today's generation have actually played through a 65 blackface or a 70's model Plexi? Most have only had the luxury of owning a line 6 spider or Pod or something of the ilk. And yes I'm an old guy who has played through these, but my current rig is an Atomic Amplifire into an FRFR setup. Close enough and no where near as heavy to haul to practice or a gig. Great demo.
robsangg I'm in my mid 30s, I've honestly only ever played through 3 tube amps in my life and disliked every experience. I tend to have an audio engineer mindset when it comes to guitar tone and most of the "legendary" amps tend to sound really good at doing just one thing. It just doesn't work for me. I also primarily play in modern churches where the flexibility of an amp modeler and programmable multi effects combo box is generally not only helpful, but a requirement. Everything is FRFR, musicians monitor through IEMs, and using real amps is discouraged and sometimes flat out not allowed. That being said, I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I like the tones that I've made and it's all good.
Hopefully the release the new version of this so used ones are bargains. Would love one of these over two expensive Strymon pedals.
I'll still take my pedals over a all in one footboard. These "all in ones" have been around for years and there isn't one do it all box. If there was.. every major guitar player would have that "magic" box. Watch any "rig rundown" and you'll see that in 2021 nobody has a "magic box". They all create there own tone using pedals. Pedals also have one superior feature too..... you don't need to be a rocket scientist to dial things in. I've had multi effects racks and board through the years and I still currently own a Line 6 HD500X and while it does sound good after hours of jacking around with it and saving patches...... making changes, specifically if needing to make them quick in a live situation, isn't as easy and making a pedal adjustment fast LIVE. It might be cool for a studio but live forget it, IMO.
What kind of speaker cab?
wow, actually sounds pretty good! Very good!
lol
what do we hear? Sound from PA or AX8 directly into DAW??? Thanks
The audio in this video is not balanced. I found myself having to turn up the volume when he talked and turn it back down when he played.
grreat sounds from AX8 & guitar - maybe raise the audio levels in this vid.
Headrush sets the bar for screen and user interface. Nothing else comes close
It has a wawa sound without wawa pedal. Smart
Yeah does what it says. I did have a line 6 jam once.
I did like it a lot but I spent more time tweaking than playing....one for the pros?
Excellent quantity and quality, at a price.
Why Have you not 200 ×3 dd end amp
can AX8 do amp switching via TRS? ...
how many programable fx loops for external pedals if you are using ax8 with 4CM...???
Watch guitar master Larry Mitchell play thru one live every Tuesday night on his FB or YT channel.
thanks for the sharing
What speakers/monitor is this plugged into please?
Ha ha, opening comment about sounding like one of those annoying kids at a music store on Saturday was pretty funny!
Give the guy who hates technology some of the best technology to review. Totally makes sense.
projectgoatse it does, let's see if he can use it and be happy with the outcome
I'm pretty sure Richard Henshall of Haken uses this pedal.
I love this box.
Cave Manny? Does he play with Mastodon or Queens of the Stone Age?
Wow!!!! Listening to this Monster Pedal feels like im in Heaven. Does the Boss GT-1000 got close to this Perfection? Or Even Better?
King Rj Legaspi nowhere close at all but it is a decent effects board.
Hows the best/easiest way to use headphone monitors with the axe8 (maybe a focus rite scarlet 2i2?? Also can it sound good playing through 2 JBL 8 inch monitors and what easy to use (for beginners) software to use? Thank you for sharing!
The fact about these processor's is that their will always be a better one out the following year. When it comes to amps the best ones have all been made already.
But they are thousands of dollars.
It's a $100 less than the L6 Helix. Like to hear them back to back.
Look at Ola Englund's comparison of them
Or better yet, there's this kid named Mitch Baker on youtube that has both devices and he's made quite a few videos comparing them side by side, A/B switching pretty much in real time for most of the videos.
AX8 sounds better to me.
Uh no it's almost 500 MORE than the helix
can u connect this thing to the PC and record or u need an audio interface?
Records via USB as far as I know.
You need an audio interface. The USB in the AX8 is for modifying patches, firmware updates, installing shared presets, etc... but nothing with audio. It also does not have a headphone out, so I suggest getting an audio interface that can monitor in stereo, like the Focusrite 2i4. You can then use that with headphones, and can monitor without using computer software, when you want to, as well as having all the benefits of having a nice audio interface.
Wow... so it's a pretty lackluster device compared to the L6 Helix then. I thought no dual tones was the only main negative for me.
They had to give up things here and there to keep the price point down to introduce to a new segment. This modeling thing is all they do, and you can tell they are DEDICATED. Their support is great and they are constantly releasing new amp models and updated firmware. The Helix is a very attractive box, for sure. I was deciding on an AX8, Helix, or Amplifire. I chose AX8 based on Fractal reputation and it seemed to do the sounds I wanted. I have been happy with it. If multiple amps and such is important to you, I have not seen negative comments on the Helix either. It seems like a nice option.
If you have a computer audio interface which speaks S/PDIF, which I do, there is no need for a USB audio interface on the AX8. I get a pure digital transfer directly to my computer without one.
Clean. ????
I love this device
12:52 sounds like Dave Weiner's "Party Piece"
Or Jilly’s on Smack by Primus
Better than bias Fx?
Stainless Steel Probably but with all the reported software problems the Bias FX has been having, it's not a fair fight. Fractal's firmware has been historically bullet proof and features are added with stunning regularity. Bias FX may turn out to be decent product eventually, but if the reviews are to be believed, it has a long way to go. See the Premier Guitar review of the Bias FX for a cataloging of noted software issues.
They definitely could've made a much larger display window like the Helix. Would certainly come in handy at a live gig, when you aren't connected to a computer. How does it clean up when you roll off the volume? Usually the issue with all amp modeling.
Actually, they went to the moon, using a computer smaller than the commodore 64.
badly needs a better screen or an Android dock.
That bend at 1:42!
not bad for "pluggin' into a damn computer"
skip to 10:00 min mark. you're welcome...
Not really my thing but I could see this being a real sensible purchase for a lot of players, especially if you're out doing cover tunes. I'm not gonna buy it but I'm glad it's out there.
He saved using store enter enter.
13:41
Very Nuno B.
I like it
Sorry to burst your bubble, John. We still don’t have replicants running about needing to be retired like in Blade Runner.
Ive spent years with digital systems and amps and I've just gone back to tubes and stand alone pedals..... can't beat them in the end.
Sum Vigil yeah true .. this thing is amazing and I'd love it. I just the the Blackstar HT-1R and all my old pedals so now I can have a decent tube sound at 1 am (it has a headphone output with cab simulation).. But for years I've use Guitar Rig only computer with the pedal they made for it.
I bought one of these and sent it back right away. I'm not sure how these reviews are done but they sure sound better on the internet than they do in person. These things are no where near the sound of a tube amp. That's why very few if any touring guitar players are using these for the amp sims. Most of the big name guitar players promoting these are either being paid to do so, or are getting the equipment free.
That is NOT true! Let's have a look: Joe Satriani, Tosin Abasi, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Alex Lifeson, Metallica, Andy Summers, The Edge, Guthrie Govan, Dave Mustaine, Neal Schon etc... All these guys use Fractal products both live and in the studio. There are a ton of Kemper playeres like Paul Gilbert, Steve Winwood, Steve Morse, Pat Metheny, Devin Townsend and many more. I'm not saying they don't use "old-school" technology whatsoever, but these devices are much more consistent, reliable, convenient and still sound great. That actually makes sense and that is the hard truth you may not want to hear.
Just look up their rig rundowns and look what they are using...
Except that clearly, you can beat them....
"one of those annoying kids in the music shop on a saturday"
It's an OK unit for gigging but not a lot of usable sounds for production. The preset offering is kind of underwhelming. Far too many grainy distortions which sound hair metal dated or way over the top metal. How about a choice of edge of breakup tones? Fractal is a greed machine they make you pay for utilities like Cab lab. Give me a break. There are numerous 3rd party vendors that offer production ready presets. Seriously you're paying over a 1000 and you can't give a customer a wealth of production ready tones out of the box? The firmware support is poor. They stopped offering updates after like 3 years? Who does that? Want to keep a customer, act like it then Fractal. On the plus side, the computer UI is good and the Ax8 Exchange is a great community. I am keeping mine and will evolve it myself, but wouldn't buy another Fractal unit.
2 things in %99 of guitar gear demos-aimless BLUES riffing and funk to demonstrate cleans.Yeck!
Need to ask....so for live use, this unit is mainly used to go through the house sound system and you use a stage monitor. What about for home use and instances where you want to jam with some other people and don't have a PA system? What are some of you guys using in this scenario? Powered monitor I would think. Which ounces pair well with this thing? Thanks. My fender amp just died and I'm thinking of one of these. I played through one of these at a gig when I got to sit in on a couple songs. The sound and more importantly the FEEL just blew me away.
try the Bose Compact with this gear, it's amazing.
Its not the gear, its the player.
Yup....and the user relative to editing and tweaking all of these units. Someone who knows what they are doing can tweak sounds on even low end units and get em to sound very nice. Yup, it's all about competency!
I respect this equipment BUT I can't do it, maybe I don't like that many options, maybe I prefer a tube amp, I don't know what it is, I'm just not into it
Cool story.
Jesse Cole
Ahhhhhh lololllol
That's easy then, don't buy one...
You are willfully ignorant. You are the denying the benefits/superiority of this equipment in a LIVE setting.
John.....you're playing is amazing.....................but holy crap please do not do dotted 8th delays. You're as bad a that kid that thinks he's great but has no rhythm
For the money I'll stick to my Eventide H9...
Cerebral Nomad I have both an Eventide H9 and an AX8...you missing the point. The AX8 is primarily an amp simulator, whereas the H9 'is an effects unit. I use my H9 in the effects loop of the AX8 and they work wonderfully together. Nonetheless, they are very different products.
Jim Carrey?
They should have put a headphone jack on it.
You'd think that wouldn't be much of an issue but its literally the only thing putting me off. I have to play in an apartment and would only be able to crank it up through my monitors 2 days a week, the rest of the time headphones are almost essential. The Kemper is the same price and, oh look, a headphone jack XD
I Watch You From Afar but, if you can use it through your monitors, it means you have an audio interface, therefore, you have a headphone out right there :v
So what’s the truth about the monitors for this thing? I get how this goes right to PA for live gigs. But what about gigs or at home when you can’t go through a PA? What monitors are best with this unit?
this looks fun but running a dual amp setup will always sound better. And let's face it 2 sounds and musician skills is all you need unless your in a band that plays mindless crap too thousands of teenagers. Seriously.
Brian Cullen Someone is obviously stuck in the stone ages lol
flyingmanforfun stone ages? hell yeah, love that band!
Dinossaur
I don't treat my Axe-Fx like an amp...
I treat an amp like my Axe-Fx. ;)
I don't treat it like an amp. I treat it like 256 amps, to be precise.
No in built expression pedal. Fail.
4 external pedals supported. Nobody wants to be forced to have one built in.
Why do people need to buy such expensive units? Just go and buy your favorite tube amp and cab. You'll never get the sound of a tube amp with an emulation module. Maybe you need delay, phaser, chorus and a reverb at the same time? Are you kidding? All that stuff just masks your imperfections in guitar playing. The only good thing is just: it lets you feel like if you were is space!
my favorite tube amp and cab and pedal board would cost as much as three of these
Dinosaur
Is he Steve Vai's brother?
How is he making it sound so bad? It sounds nothing like this...
i wanna hear much what the fractal have , but time is up cause to much talk . so only distort with flanger that i heard . not satisfied . bad demo
my Zoom G9 with a couple of tweaks (n preamp tubes upgrading) sounds as good IMO ...but it costs a fraction of this unit o_O (under 200 bucks)
it sounds fuzzy, compressed, digital, fake ...i dont how folks can play on this o_O i prefer 4 the price of this stuff to buy just a 2nd hand good tube amp + a couple of Eventide pedals
Sounds like You forgot the speakersimulation! Far too much treble!
Yuk, what’s with all the fuzziness and oinkie hi mid range tone