Nice review Rhett. I have owned several Fractal products over the years, and currently have an FM3. One of my favorite things about Fractal is how they approach modeling more like a 'sandbox' than a mimic. As an tube amp designer and builder it is really neat to see how detailed they get. For example, you talked about bias excursion. That is a real thing that can happen in a tube amp. Take a Deluxe Reverb. The power tubes are biased in fixed bias. This means you set the cathode to ground and apply some negative voltage to the grid. Because the plate of the tube conducts all the high voltage, the electrons generated at the cathode flow past the grid to the plate in a predictable way depending on how the bias voltage is set. Excursion is like a journey. Sometimes if set the amp to a certain setting that really pushes the power section hard, and you play a low E chord that really taxes the power section on top of that - the bias will go on a bit of a journey instead of remaining static and stable. The coupling capacitor separating the power tube grid from the phase inverter will try to deal with this by 'clamping'. This clamping causes the bias voltage to raise. Perhaps from -35vdc at start to something crazy like -70vdc. This occurs for a short period of time and the jolt gets discharged by the grid resistor. In the end this is a small explanation and part of why a tube power section can be so dynamic. Think of the way a note blooms. You play that low E chord. The amp kind of struggles and freaks out for a brief moment, and then as it settles into the sustain it comes back to 'normal'. That's part of bias excursion. The way you play the guitar interacts with the bias of the power tubes (kind of). Some bias excursion can be really pleasant to play. Too much can generate blocking distortion which is not fun and sounds bad. What is really neat and exciting is that in the real world it would be very hard to go into your amp and manually tweak bias excursion like you can in a Fractal editor. Fractal is kind of giving you the ability to 'sandbox' things that really happen in a tube amp, and make it conform to reality or defy it in a potentially desirable way. There are dozens if not hundreds of ways you can do this. It would be really neat to take a famous guitar amp, sit down with an amp tech with lots of cool measuring devices, and tweak a fractal model of that amp to identically match it.
You are so spot on Kley. I use my fractal as a tube amp design tool and to explore how real life settings/changes affect models. Because the fractal uses realtime modeling of circuitry you can actually do this. Very cool product indeed.
@nikonmikon I realy like your idea of using the fractal as a tube amp design tool. It would be nice if the fractal could give you the schematics of your end result to build the real deal. Then that alone would be worth the huge price of the fractal.
@@carlos_castanaut I think it would be incredible if they made a different version which allows designers to prototype builds. I'm not sure they will ever do this but it's an amazing tool
@@nikonmikon8915 I don't think they need to make a different model for that. They "only" have to add the option to translate the realtime modeling of the circuit, the dsp algorithm to an actual schematic. And I think they would only have to add some routines to the editor and not changing the HW. I would send them an email to see if this could be possible... They could have some new customers 😎
Pretty spot on to my experience with Fractal. I used an Axe-FX 3 for years as my main live rig (now FM9, which is essentially the same user experience). I’ve gotten to a point where I can quickly make most any adjustment I want live on the unit itself, but it took a lot of time and a lot of repetition to get there. Fractal released an update recently that lets you map whatever controls you want to the main encoders for quick/easy access. They can be different per each preset. It makes making those live adjustments MUCH easier. But again - you have to program it ahead of time. Line 6 just 100% nailed the user interface and experience. Nobody else even comes close, including Quad Cortex (in my opinion). Thanks Rhett!
@@worshiptutorials Except when I play in church. It's a jumpered Plexi AXE-FX patch with a 4x12 British Cabinet IR for me. Imagine Eric Johnson meets Van Halen. Heavenly. Although people sometimes miss the sermon due to their ears ringing. Hey, at least they aren't falling asleep! And, actually, I like a lot of Hillsong, I just don't like all the imitators.
Would love to know more about how to get into your line of work. I’m a musician/freelance audio engineer, and have a business management degree. I’ve always been interested in the process of getting products from concept to market.
@@TheCamilocedeno My guess is you'll also need a mechanical or electrical engineering degree to appeal to the human resources managers who hire for those kind of jobs. The other way is to find a company you like and want to work for, move there, and be persistent. And hust as you did here with the original poster, try to get in touch with the people who are doing the jobs you want.
@@TheCamilocedeno - It is an interesting line of work. A lot of times companies are looking for people from varied backgrounds who have a keen interest in the customer's perspective (you hear Voice of Customer or Customer Empathy a lot). I would recommend two books to see if you like it first: Swipe to Unlock and The Build Trap. If after those, you are still interested, grab a PM interview book (Cracking the PM Interview - a great read) and study up. Then just fix up your resume and apply to any company that fits what you want to do. This is a game of attrition - you will probably be applying for 6 months to 100's of jobs and landing a few interviews (this is true for everyone from former PMs to new PMs) as a lot of these jobs are budget and team dependent.
@@brushstroke3733 - even for people who have those degrees, it is a long process if you aren't coming from a tech giant. You are basically in a war of attrition and competing budget lines where timing is the number one factor in whether you get called for an interview or passed over. If you are interested and not already a PM, I would definitely recommend Cracking the PM Interview as a good overview of the job and the interview process. It is a little longwinded, but really good at breaking down some of the standard problems you'll come up against. Also, we LOVE different perspectives (not necessarily tech)! If you don't have a team that looks like your customer base, you are most likely building a sub-par product.
I own an FM3, which is my first modeler (besides the old line 6 "bean!"). When shopping last year, I ultimately decided that the primary goal is to get the best sounds possible - which, as you say, is what makes the Fractal products stand out. Definitely agree on the user interface - it's abysmal when compared to Helix and Neural. And I build all of my presets using the editor. But for live use I'm mainly just tweaking volume and EQ on these, which is fairly easy to do from the device interface.
It seems to replicate the sound of a tube amp pretty well, but what about the smell? None of these things are able to replicate the smell of a hot tweed amp.
Coming soon in stores near you, the amp tube warmth car scent in two models. The classic tree model and the air conditioner clip. But wait, if you call now we will include a bonus 1/4" tube amp scented instrument cable. For a limited time only.
In over 35 years of playing guitar, the Axe FXIII is by far the best purchase I have ever made. My closet is full of boutique pedals and my amps are gone. Crazy. I go for similar tones as Rhett and the AXE FXIII is exceptional for what I do.
Very interesting. Im an old die hard “pedal and real tube amp” guy, but I am more and more open to digital and Fractal - probably FM9. I very often need to use it as a traditional live set up, with some sort of cabinett/speaker. Do you have any idea of what speaker to look for? This is so new for me….
@@goswo You can Look for a good power amp. can be solid state like matrix, or something with tubes like a mesa 2:90. the tube amp is much heavier than the ss one. off course you need good cabs lots of choices there. the other way can be with active monitors like Headrush, Friedman, Atomic. now you would only need one speaker for mono or two for stereo. and no need for seperate power amp.
@@goswo No Thanks. for more precise help it is often handy to tell what kind of music you make and the size of the gigs you play. there are so many options today, it is not difficult to find gear but it can be difficult to find the ultimate gear.
got my axe fx a little over a year ago. as someone who plays exclusively in a bedroom at the moment in limited space, it was the perfect solution for my needs, easy to dial in a good sound without cranking a real amp, easy to record, no need for a bunch of pedals, tons and tons of options, etc. I agree about the actual user interface on the axe fx being complicated, i always use the axe edit as well but that’s not a problem for me since my whole rig is in the corner of my room
@@MarkPritchardGuitar A lot of people would say Helix's delays are better than Fractal's, especially the newer ones. Fractal's reverbs are definitely excellent.
You'd still have to go to discreet pedals to find the best modulation, even digital. Kemper, Fractal, Line 6 all make good digital modulation effects inside their modelers but somebody like Strymon are on a whole another level. Obviously this goes against an idea of having entire rig in one device, but it shows there's still ways to go and grow in that aspect.
I'll be getting one this year. I watch Leon Todd a lot and learned SO much from him and also Marco Fanton and Brett Kingsman. I love all the bells and whistles and I have tons of time to "tweak" it. I'll be running wet/dry/wet guitar onstage and using my midi keyboard and MainStage running through the fractal at the same time. HUGE I/O in the back and it the system itself will be the heartbeat in my little studio. Great machine. Good work covering this. Thanks Rhett.
Fair review Rhett. I have a Mk I Axe FX III which I bought after auditioning the competition. No reason why a weekend warrior like me should own this for monthly pub gigs - it is like bringing a Bazooka to a bar brawl. I love the fact that I can replicate guitar tones from 40+ Indie classics that we churn through. Once dialed in I would never touch the settings during set. It is essential to have the FC12 controller for my use case. I know that the audience doesn’t care , being an electrical engineer by original training I love it that I can change the “bias excursion frequency”
Love my Axe fx3. Best piece of gear I've owned in 25 years. The tones I get make me smile every time I plug in. I prefer using axe edit, but sure front panel editing can be a learning curve.
Yeah I agree it’s a curve. I’m not sure it’s really a drawback like Rhett suggests. If I’m gigging I’d create presets and scenes within the presets, dial them in before or soundcheck and theoretically I shouldn’t have much need to tweak anything from there. Worst case scenario I bring my MacBook 😂
My fm3 has been the best money I've ever spent for guitar gear. It sounds incredible, I've owned it for 6 months and still get blown away by the tones I get from it. The amount of amazing amps, cabs, effects are insane and then you can dial them in even further with all the detailed knobs and things. It's nuts and I totally recommend it for tweakers like me or guitarist's who want the best sound possible from a modeler
1960s 70s Vintage Marshall amps, fender twin reverbs, Roland Gp16, zoom boxes, pedals galore, I’ve had ‘‘em all. AXFXIII, is really all I need. It’s why so many top bands use Fractal. I need
Love my AXE FX III. Had it for over two years. Lots of firmware updates. You can really do anything with it. Leon Todd and Cooper Carter are the default experts. BTW, AXE-Edit is much easier to use than the front panel. You can get the floor model, which might be better for live shows.
Great review, Rhett. Back in my working-band days I bought an Axe-Fx Ultra (original/Mark 1). While I was blown away by the sounds (this was 2011), the interface was terrible. Nonetheless, I got the dedicated foot controller and ended up gigging it. I’d been a die-hard cranked tube amp & pedals guy up to that point. But at the level I was working at, a close-miked cab always sounded small and boxy thru the FOH, however much air it was moving on stage. This MkIII sounds breathtakingly good. Keep up the great work. Your channel is a great resource, much appreciated.
god I adore my axe fx 3, it's been the absolute best thing i've ever spent money on. I also LOVE the amount of detail and options the device gives me and the UI.
For live playing I use a Helix floor in combination with a mesa triple crown 50. I have set it up in a 4 cable method and a midi cable to switch between channels from my amp and to control the amps reverb, fx loop and solo function (on and off). This works absolutly amzing for me I have my setlist set up in the helix so that every song has his own snapshots. and when I want a clean sound with the reverb from the amp I just hit the food switch and it is instantly there. But for example if I want to switch to a lead tone with a reveb from the helix. I hit the lead snapshots, and the midi cable switches the reverb from my amp off put the amp on the lead channel and that happens instantly. Also if I put a amp model from the helix on the block from the fx loop my mesa will act as the cabinet for that ampmodel. The flexibilty of this setup is just amazing. And super easy to setup. I will never part from this.
I’ve always been a traditional player. Turn the amp way up. Turn the guitar down for clean. Add effects if you want. The fractal does that. At this point, there’s no other modeler I would buy. And if my fractal broke, I’d buy another one the same day. You get used to the interface if you actually use it. Or just use worse modelers. That works too.
I couldn’t agree more with this video. I use the effects as outboard effects for all kinds of things in my studio as well. The delays and reverbs on synths and everything . The thing also is a great interfsaxd
BINGO! Any Fractal unit from the FM3 to the AxeIII is quite at home just being an external effects processor in any studio...no guitar needed. Look Ma, it makes a great computer audio interface too! 😀
Another thing to consider about having an Axe FX3 is that is is a fantastic multi-channel FX processor for synths, samplers, eurorack, etc. 4 stereo in/out and non-linear high quality FX routing puts it in the league of an Eventide H9000, but for stacks less $$. You can get far more use out of this box than just guitar processing. And when the day down the road comes that you want to "upgrade" to whatever the fresh new hotness is for your guitar rig, you can keep this in the rack as that awesome FX unit for other gear. If they marketed this device to synth players, they would be out of stock non-stop! Also, while I also mostly use the software editor for speed, I disagree that the interface is hard to use. It's actually really well designed and functional once you learn it. Compared to a guitar amp? Yeah, it's more complex. But compared to a synthesizer? Nah! Anyone who has every programmed a Roland JV series will find this box a dream to use.
Agree! Compared to a guitar amp and a few pedals it does feel very complicated, but any keyboard player used to programming different synths will find it actually very organized and logical to use
Yes! I've used my Axe FX3 many times to process multiple instruments at the same time in a live setting - greatly reducing the gear I have to haul. I especially like using the tone match feature to create IR's for acoustic guitars, enabling a piezo saddle pickup to sound like a mic'd instrument. I think I've run everything except vocals and drums through mine. And I'd also agree, the interface is reasonably easy to use once you learn it - the performance page is particularly useful for tweaking parameters in a live setting.
I’ve been gigging and recording with helix for 5 years. No question, the UI is tops. I’ve been using Fractal gear (FM3 & FM9) for about a year and a half and it’s phenomenal. I tend to do the heavy lifting with the software editor, and fine tune things with the unit. I don’t find the UI on the Fractal to be bad. While it’s not as easy as a Helix, I don’t find it to be debilitating by any means. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
We use Fractal for our live guitar and bass sound exclusively and it's a must to have either the FC6 or FC12 foot controller to get the most out of them because the unit controls themselves are more difficult if you're trying to make changes on the fly. Fractal more than makes up for this with their app and when you add the foot controller it gives you so much more than just buttons to push. The depth of options is second to none.
FM3 guy here. I also own a Helix Floor. Both are great units and you’d be fine with either one. I do find myself using the FM3 the most. As a tube amp guy, it gives me the most authentic “feel” with their amp models. And with each update the reverbs and delays just keep getting better.
I'm pretty sure the big bands that use this (Metallica, Def Leppard..etc.) don't have to worry about tweaking it, they have roadies/techs to do it. I'm going to buy one, I think they sound incredible. Awesome review Btw
It’s always the same “Metallica, Def Leppard”. But #1 those bands are ancient now. #2 they are for convenience and continuity of sound as opposed to lugging stacks. But most guys still use a 1x12 or 1x10 and some real pedals, and mic up. That’s where the best sound comes from IMO. Metallica and Def Leppard’s tone could be copped by most modelers relatively easily, not that I’d ever care to.
So what? They would never compromise tone. Why in the hell do you think Het is so damn guarded with his rig, impulses/exact gear? Deep down inside you know you cannot tell the difference. I've owned the big 6 in heavy amp/rock heads. There is no difference. There IS.NO.DIFFERENCE. Guys like you would nitpick a blemish on a crabs piss hole though..."Don McNevin''😂😂Man that name screams a cork sniffing douche 😂
i have an fender tonemaster deluxe reverb , that's how far i want to go with this digital /modeling amp thing , i get confused by all the options on these modelers , it's just not practical for gigging in a pub with my classicrock / blues coverband .
Very respectable of you taking your time learning it before posting the review. I bought an ultra a long while ago and after working 8 hour shifts on it for a week straight I sold it. It wasn’t for me. The whole using it with a power amp into a cab thing to me just didn’t give me the results I wanted at all. Amp models that I’d owned previously didn’t sound anything like the real thing, probably was great DI but I couldn’t get a usable sound.
We are using an Axe3, our singer/rhythm owns it, but we are all blown away by what it can do. We took a bit of time to emulate our rigs, a Carvin 100w and 4x12 and my SVT-CL 4x10-1x15. We actually can't tell the real from the axe's version of them apart when A vs B-ing them with the amps miced in the booth. Me and the lead player (I'm bass) are eating our words about modelers this evening 😮. The rack controls suck though, and I don't see us ever using it live.😊
Hi Rhett, i'm an Axe-Fx III user too, there are some shortcuts to adjust the amps and effects by double tapping the A-E encoders. I'm also into similar tones to you and have been debating over a Kemper.
Best piece of gear I ever bought. I drooled over it for about 2 years. What I didn't expect was how great the Axe FX would work with my computer as a DAW. I use Reaper and that app works great with the AXE. Now I double rack a riff and I experiment with bus mixing. I've also got a couple loud amps and they are best for playing with a drummer in a room...2 at once is nice.
Also want to add, looking at the reverbs you have in parallel; you actually want to have the mix set to 100% and then use either level or input gain on the reverb block to mix to taste. Having it in parallel with the mix set to less than 100% is actually introducing more of the dry signal to the overall output. Just something I noticed watching the video. And, great vid as always.
Perfect! Good to know changing that in my live setup immediately. I've always seen it in some preset's but unsure what to do when setting it up myself.
This one tip alone just improved everything I do with the Axe FX. Thank you. This cleaned up and made every preset I've tried it with sound infinitely more clear and professional. Thanks man. Even after 2 years of owning it, I learn new stuff all the time.
I have an AX8 and love it. Even with the the new generation I don't see a need to upgrade. These units stand the test of time. You just have to use the software for editing.
Yeah... I've had my AX8 for three years and feel I am in a good spot. It sounds good, is highly portable and has pretty much eliminated my GAS for any new amps. I had to chuckle about Rhett's take on the AXIII interface. Going from the AX8 interface to the AXIII's is like going from DOS to Windows 7. Since AX-Edit is free, I don't think the designers expect users to really do any meaningful editing via the unit's interface. Even when I go to shows, I bring a cheap laptop in case I need to do some minor tweaking for the room.
I've been using a Helix for about 2 years. I got an FM3 two weeks ago. Helix nails the UI. They totally blow the FM3 out of the water there. That said, once you get used to the AXE, it's not that big a deal. I do dislike the disparity between ease of use in the Editor vs. the front panel. I don't really play live so the control aspect isn't much of an issue for me and I was able to record with the FM3 with literally zero tweaking out of the box using a couple stock presets. That's a new one for me. I think the thing folks should keep in mind with any of the Axe products is yes, you can get option paralysis from everything you can tweak but you really don't have to. After some crazy experimentation, I feel like you get a better sound from the amp models when you keep it simple and tweak it like it's a normal amp. It's nice to swap tubes and diodes but not necessary.
I have a AXE-FX III and I absolutely love it. It really has everything you could want, my pedals have not been touched since I have acquired the AXE. However, I have the FC-12 and expression pedals and it is insane how much you can customize the lay out of the foot controller. I will say you can dial in a tone that you desire with pretty much any genre of music but at first it is extremely overwhelming, especially when you get into the selecting cabs. I feel like once you find you cabs for certain styles of music or cab that produce desired tones, you can really get some good tones and use out of it. I would recommend any of the fractal products, especially if you are someone who like to chase tones and play around with developing sounds.
Spot on! You gotta find your cabs and I use all stock ones but the axe fx is the only unit I've ever used were I can actually get the tones I'm hearing in my head and you really don't need axe edit I still use the 2 and the front panels not even as good as the 3 and I don't have any problems
Totally agree! I always suggest to people that they don't need to use everything just because they have it. Pick a stock rig that matches what you used to use (or always wanted to use!), and then pretend nothing else is in the box and go make music! At some point you will be comfortable with how to use it, and then maybe add a second rig. Just build out as you go, rather than trying to grok the fullness of the box all at once. That's a fools game.
@@ChristopherOrth oh god yes I've had mine for a long time and I'll never make it through the whole unit I usually have a handful of amps that I always go back to and get on a new amp kick every once and a while I've been using the tucana lead for a few days now and its amazing
Excellent review! I have to agree on all points, especially the user interface on the unit itself, I literally couldn’t change anything if I needed to…BUT… I do all my set up at home on my computer, which literally gives me the most amazing sounds I feel are possible in todays world and completely eliminate any need to tinker with the front panel in a live setting. With that said, I agree with the blinding options, way too many things to think about, but on the other hand, that’s what makes it able to achieve the most amazing sounds I’ve ever heard. Now onto my biggest single complaint about the Fractal Axe FX III: while it’s a good thing that they’re in constant product development and release lots of updates, sometimes an update completely screws with every one of my presets. When you consider that I have 50 or 60 painstakingly dialed in presets that need to be reevaluated each time there's a major update, I view this as a HUGE negative. With that said, I’m also looking to sell all of my previous gear and amplifiers and just move forward with this incredible device. Thanks again for the awesome review!
As much as I enjoy the Axe FX III, I have to agree with you abou the FW updates messing with presets. That said, those FW updates are all in the name of achieving higher quality modeling. Which at this point is insane as I don't know how much better it can get. They're at 99.9%, but striving for that 0.1% more. Thats what makes them great.
Man, I've had all of the major amp options, Kemper, Iridium, ACS1, HX Stomp, Fractal, Real Tube Amps. In my experience, it's the only one that's finally, truly fully captured the tone of the tube amps it models. Full stop, absolutely mind blowing. It comes down to whether or not you love using tube amps or not, but your tone is never compromised. Don't know how they did it, but I'm happy they did :)
LOL! I've had my FM3 for almost month, I'm glad I'm not the only person who struggles with the front panel. Sounds so great, I'm okay with the clunky front panel.
Oh, and as a thanks for your videos, I'm gonna buy your Fractal pack. I'm not a "metal" guy either, so I have a feeling your pack is gonna be full of presets I'm gonna really dig.
Four hours later... man, I really dig those presets! I seriously have been playing them for four hours LOL! Can't pick a fav, they're all great. You should definitely make more.
At this point, I think they all have really good sounds. It's just a matter of which UI you bond with the best and spending some time with it. To me, Helix is the best UI.
As a recording engineer from the 70s-90s. Nothing touches the FX3! I’ve worked in and at many world class studios in their prime! And the Fx3 is everything I wanted in a well stocked amp room, pedal board and FX rack! Now they started to add midi and synths! As an engineer/classic rock gtr player who spends most of his time in a Cntrl Rm, it’s all I could ask for! PS: I do have a second fx3 at home plugged into a home stereo sys! It’s been running 24/7 for 2yr! I use a Shure Wireless system with multi transmitters attached to 3 or 4 gtrs. I can walk in pick up a gtr and have sound with in seconds!
When I was looking at the AX8 and the Helix, the thing that swayed me to Fractal (aside from Fractal's huge amp library) was hearing that the Helix's stock cabs were horrible and really needed after market IRs to make it better.
I recently purchased the FM3 which just so happens to be my very first modeler. You got it right about how much unfriendly the UI is and I'd be lost if it wasn't for the fact the FM Editor makes up for the dismal user interface. On the plus side the sound from this box is definitely great and is the main reason for me getting it. First impressions do make a difference. As always, keep up the great work and many thanks for your honest review.
Of all the "flagship" multi-effects/modeler devices like this, the Helix is still my favorite. Simply because it is by far the easiest to use and has the most user friendly interface. There have just been too many times I was in the middle of a rehearsal or gig and and had to adjust something on the fly. So ease of use really counts for a lot
I own the AxeFX II (and the MFC101 fott controller with a 4 switches extension box that i made myself and 2 Mission Engineering pedal) and totally agreed with your review on all the point you covered! My workaround about the user interface in gigs are: - the iOS version of the editor that i use on a big iPad Pro (but less big than a laptop) via a midi bluetotth adapter - the RAC12 box (1u rack) that is a midi controller with 12 encoders/push knobs and a little color lcd made by very smart french guys... so you can map to the knobs the most important control of the amps or the effects (you can map much more than 12 controls because each knob can have a "pushed" and "not pushed" function and even there are serveral "pages" of controls mapped... but in this case i'll go back to a too crowed device... so select the - say - 12 o 24 mandatory physical controls you need and you are set.) Unfortunately this RAC12 controller is discontinued - what i call "bracket scenes"... where i set the "central" version of a patch... and two + and - scenes... say... more bright... more dark. The combo of these solutions (all or just two of them) can turn the AxeFx in a more usable gig gear!
I think this review was sponsored by line 6 .... You simply cannot truthfully think that. I've had two line 6 rack units and now they are gone.The Axe is here to stay. No harsh sounds to deal with. The ability to do anything, and i mean anything is at your finger tips....And the reason you don't bring it to gigs is ridiculous. Sorry...
I play one JMP-1 preamp, on OD1 since 1997. I now have two JMP-1's. Takes seconds to create a patch. I've gotten left behind for sure, in the meantime, I've spent more time working on my playing, than tweaking endlessly. Looking at the Axe III looks like a complete ball-ache to navigate around. NO doubt the axe stuff is good though, but most of us just want a handful of tones. for me, I only need two, clean and dirty. great video and it's shown me that I'm probably better off not getting anything new.
You hit the nail on the head, Steve. I gravitate towards just a few sounds too, sounds that will suit my playing and - with any luck - help me develop my style and technique further. My sounds (all tube amps with some pedals) inspire me, and they trigger an *urge* to play. I'd feel like Rhett in this: sitting at the console of the Space Shuttle, wondering what the hell I need to do to make it work to my liking. That's a killer for inspiration.
@@claudevieaul1465 Funny thing is that is exactly what the Axe Fx does for me. In my two years of owning it, I've written, recorded, and in general played guitar more than in the previous 12 years of using analogue gear combined. Different strokes for different folks at the end of the day but the point is on the Fractal, you have the option to go as deep or as shallow as you want, it just comes down to self-discipline.
Jeez, yeah the effects are amazing. Coming from a GT-1000, seems like the Axe-FX platform is really the only modeling unit that's a step up, plus it's got way better amp modeling. And totally agree with you, just AB'd the effects on some other videos on the Quad Cortex, and the Axe-FX is just leagues ahead. I see an FM9 in my future.
Boss GT1000 effects are amazing! The sounds are so clear and wide. Unfortunately I sold mine because I wanted to remember my old days cranking a tube amp in a full band. I started to collect pedals again.
I own a AXE FX III since it came out (coming from Line 6). I absolutely love it, so many new (free) update (upgrade). Very easy to make new preset that sound great. try the the speaker resonance tab (AMP), It make a big difference.
I like my Kemper Stage and being able to profile any amp out there. You just have to know how to Mic a cabinet correctly to get awesome sounds. Then some minor tweaking.
Nice review. I've been through so many multi effects pedals! Zoom 505, DOD tech 4, Digitech rp 50, 250, 255, Vox Tonelab, Zoom g3xn. So glad the newer ones have separate buttons to turn effects on and off without needing to scroll through patches. My biggest worry is if you're going directly into an interface or a p.a. and the unit goes down your whole rig is gone! I'm seeing more guitarists not even using actual amp's anymore. I did have to finish a gig with a modeling pedal after my tube amp blew out. But that's all I'd ever use it for, as a backup.
I use Fractal for many reasons. Tone is first and most important. I feel if you’re a guitarist in 2022 part of your gig bag tools should be an old MacBook Air or some PC equivalent. I have the AxeFx-III as well as an FM3. If I have a fly gig I use a small 12x12 laptop bag that holds my FM3, an EV-5, a Mosky, all necessary cables and a MackBook Pro or an old Air. Gigging without a laptop is like playing a gig in the 80’s without zebra striped spandex! 😂 It's only a "MAJOR" problem if you make it one. After two years you should know the front panel a little better. 😜
Solid review. I think the most useful thing that the others don't have that the Fractal has that has a huge impact on dialing in tone is the graphic eq on every amp. I use Quad Cortex because it accurately models my existing amps and is easy to use. I don't care that much about reverbs. A little goes a long way. A Timmy would be cool and I'm looking forward to the doubler, other than that, I'm not missing anything.
I think the Axe FX 2 is actually becoming drastically under appreciated considering now you can get it in good condition for a lower price than the Helix (If you refresh reverb everyday lol) I got my Axe FX 2 XL+ in 2021 for $1200 which included the foot controller and it was *The* best investment I have Ever made as far as amp emulators go. I like it better than the Helix and most other alternatives. I know some people who refuse to buy used items but you can not go wrong with it if you can find one in good condition for a low price. After a year of gigging with it on tour it still holds up like the day it arrived, and I have no issue getting any tone I want. The user interface is *not good* but the default sounds make it worth it and it's easy to change virtually any surface effect /tone I personally usually wait until the new model is out before I buy anything so that I can save money and still get a great product that isn't obsolete
I got on the Fractal train a few years back with the AX8, I now have an AXFXIII and an FM3, and may get an FM9 in the future. Simply because they give me all I need. The amp tones, effects and options are fantastic Yes, they're very complex bits of kit, but you can keep things simple and set up great sounding basic rigs. My presets are generally very straightforward, it's just there's all this horsepower there to go nuts if I want. I find the front panel OK to work with. I had the III on my desk when I got it and used it a fair bit off of the front panel,. Once I've set up the preset I don't really do loads of tweaking on them anyway., and the editor is so much better than anything else I've tried Having had a HX Stomp I'd say there's pretty decent difference in quality of tones between the two systems. The Fractal for ME is just way better and not anywhere near as frustrating as I found the Stomp. I certainly agree that Fractal is the best in terms of options and I think it's like any piece of gear, if you know what you're doing you can get the most from it. Thankfully the Forum are super helpful and channels like Leon Todd give you all kinds of help. So some might call me a Fractal fan boy, but it's simply because they give me the results I want for the music i want to play Enjoyed your video Rhett
@@payman.amini1 It actually doesn't. If you spend time with it's fine Plus, if you've dicking around with the deep options during a gig you haven't prepped properly Always considered it common sense to know your gear
@@tonykennedy8483 Spending time to learn useful stuff is very good and my hobby but sometimes we have to spend time on things not because we are learning along and that knowledge will be added to our library, but it is because that stuff is not optimum is another thing which is completely the waste of time. Imagine using assembly language instead of a proper high level programming language to make a small program or even worse using machine codes. If you are not familiar with that analogy here is another example, Imagine digging a big hole using a week spoon instead of a proper pick and shovel or even better an electric hammer. Other companies have done far better job to give the user better and more effective interaction including touch screens and more logical workflows and they still are less expensive. As Rhett said the modeler and what it can achieve and sound is pretty good (even the metal monster, Metallica is using it in there concerts) but user interface is far from ideal (if you are James or Kirk from Metallica it won't bother you as you have all sort of dedicated engineers and staff and they are getting paid to make everything work but most of us don't have that luxury).
This was a great sanity check! I bought this unit when it came out and have struggled over the years to want to use it compared to something even as simple as the HX stomp. Yes, it’s got amazing sound, but I’m a local player and don’t need to get my tone 100% like John Mayer to get the point across. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks that way!
Got a FM3 when it first came out and just got the FM9. Coming from tube amps and pedals I was blown away at how good the Fm3 sounds live. You get used to the 3 foot switches, but I prefer the extra switches on the FM9. But it’s bigger and heavier. I could fit the fm3 on a backpack, the FM9 is twice heavier and I had to get a case. Once I dialed my sounds I hardly ever had to touch anything live. And the new updates added extra functions to the front panel so it’s a little easier to navigate it now. The user interface and the physical unit could definitely use some work, the helix is still the most elegant and user friendly unit. But as far as sound and feel I still prefer the fractal, even more than my old tube amp and pedals rig
I'm with you, I love my cranked dr103 and pedals, but its totally unusable in most venues or jams. I'm still on ax8, and I love it, the effects, the amp feel, and the noise floor. It's so quiet, and that's something with my strat and pedals was not quiet lol
Not a fan of anything “all in one”. I can appreciate this for what it is. I could not, for myself, justify the cost. I do love the deep dives. I liked the plexi video from the other day as well.
Haha, me as well until I actually justified the cost of my existing pedal board (the pedals, the cables, the power, the board, the effort, the inflexibility of cable routing on the fly) and worked out it was cheaper to buy an FM3. So I did. Never been happier.
The AxeFx 3 plus the FB 12 pedalboard/midi controller ($2500) costs less than a Matchless Chieftain, which is one of the amp models. With the AxeFx, you get high quality models of 100+ other amps, thousands of cabs, and hundreds of effects pedals. If your effects chain has ten pro-caliber pedals, that’s another $2000-3000 you don’t need to spend. Getting an AxeFx has pretty much ended my pedal purchasing compulsion.
If you do the math, the Axe 3 and extra controller + expression pedal more than justifies its cost when you compare it to practically any modern tube amp rig and pedalboard. You could fit an entire stereo rig with a ton of effects into one preset for half the price of that rig and it sounds just as good and weighs nothing compared to it. And you still have like a hundred more open presets.
Relax everyone; he said he couldn’t justify the cost “for [himself]” I happen to have a helix lt, not the fractal, but I understand what you are all saying, and I agree. However, some folks don’t need or want models of dozens of different amps, or super massive pedalboards. Some folks already have thousands of dollars in boutique pedals but don’t want to or can’t sell them off. There’s lots of reasons why somebody might not want to drop a few grand on a modeler. It doesn’t mean or imply that you didn’t make a smart choice for you.
The user interface of the axe fx is very easily learnable it takes a little time but when I went from the 2 to the 3 I didn’t even have to look at a manual the interface was planned out so well and I do all my programming on the front of the unit most of the time . Most people just don’t take the time to try because of the software
There was a time that I lived in Mid-town Manhattan and I used to say "if you can't find it in New York City, it doesn't exist.". The Axe-Fx III is kinda like that. If you can't get it from the Axe-Fx III, it can't be had. I've been using Fractal gear for many years and when I was in a classic rock cover band, it was a life saver. I could faithfully replicate every sound of every song (as many as 40 songs per night) with just one guitar and the Axe-Fx. No more hefting around multiple guitars, amps, cabs, effects... I would have appreciated the FM9 while I was gigging but it wasn't available at that time. Now I'm just a home studio guy so I get everything I want in a platform that I'm already familiar with. I agree pretty much with everything Rhett has to say (I've used all the other toys also). Many years ago I suggested two UI "Levels" - USER and ADVANCED USER. I suggested that they be different UIs, with the ADVANCED (Sound/Electical Engieer Level) not shown until specifically selected. The default UI should be a guitarist workflow, and not the Engineer workflow. But, here we are. I could say more, but I'm going to stop right here. The Axe-Fx will give you want you want, but you have to deserve it by enduring the learning curve. Fractal have "modeled" every electrical nuance and behavior of the components in a tube/valve amp. It's not just a digital sound-alike. Full disclosure: I wound up with Fractal gear because I was looking for super quality effects for live performances - I was happy with my tube amp. I went to Fractal for the effects, and then after less than a year I mothballed my tube amp because basically, nobody could tell the difference and the FOH guys liked it much better.
I'm a Helix user myself simply for the reason Rhett stated: the Fractal is just way more than I need. My Helix is also more of a routing unit to outboard pedals and amplifiers so I'm not even that concerned with the quality of it's modeling (which is still great). As someone who designs UI's professionally, none of the interfaces are great the the Axe-FX is unforgivably bad. I do have friends who use their Axe-FX to great success tho so go with Rhett's recommendation and figure out your needs before making such a big purchase.
Very interesting and helps me with choosing my upgrade after the Line6 POD xt pro rack. That thing is pretty ancient now and I love to see where all this great companies have taken their modellers.
I have been all across the board in the quest for tone and I found my favorites and preferences... But I also want to keep session and gig equipment to a minimum. My EVH 50 watt head and 212 cab are lighter compared to other “gig worthy” equipment, but I gotta say, bringing a an FM3 or HX Stomp centric mini board, and a PA wedge have been just amazing. I’ll definitely agree that Fractal’s on board UI is really clunky compared to Helix and by a huge margin. But there have been significant improvements where you can double press the A,B,C,D,E buttons and they’ll instantly go into the parameters of the amps, drives, and other key effects which has made on the fly changes substantially better. Still doesn’t beat turning a knob that’s right there, but the workflow has been improving. All I can say is that ever since Ive got my FM3 and now Axe FX III, is that they are phenomenal units for all types of musicians where they want pretty much limitless possibilities. Even for the guys who keep it simple. It just takes a mindset adjustment when coming up with presets and tones. You always gotta dive in with a goal in mind, and don’t stray from it, or else you’ll just do more tweaking and adjusting instead of playing which would understandably a turn off. Once I got past that, it’s definitely my number one piece of equipment even above my traditional tube amp and pedalboard.
I stepped into the Fractal world a year ago with the FM3 after months of tinkering I have made it through to the other side. Lucky enough to get in under the gun to receive an FM9 before the chip shortage shut down their builds. It’s awesome and great for building a full blown pedal board even two amp setups that you can tuck under your arm. I do get the editing difficulty without the editor, but with Fractal they are constantly updating their products and software improvements are just a free download away. Would love to see them incorporate a tablet interface for easier live performance tweaks.
Had the axe 3 over a year now and it's awesome and easy to use via Axe Edit. Editing on the unit itself is silly given how many thing you'll actually want to fine tune.
The front panel is not that difficult to use. If I can learn how to use the front panel, everyone else can. Also, do you not have a laptop? You can take a laptop anywhere with you. Could they have a better user interface?Yes, but that’s not the focus. The focus is the best sounding Modeler ever. Not to mention the awesome updates they put out for free. it took me about 4 days to get a good hold of the unit. Copper Carter has a great course and Leon makes great videos. Regarding the price. Just imagine never having to buy an amp or modeler again. Having a large support system on the fractal forum and constant game changing updates. No brainer for me. If you’re serious about music, you should be serious about you’re equipment.
Nice review. I haven't tried a Fractal. I own a Line6 Helix and, in my experience, it's totally possible to get it to sound amazing, if you really work hard at it. The problem is that it's far easier to get it to sound like crap. I'm not 100% happy with any of my presets, and I'm not happy with any of the presets I've downloaded either. I also agree that the factory presets aren't very good. They are, however, useful for learning how the signal chains put together.
Find a used Axe FXII if you don't want to drop FXIII levels of cash and prepare to be amazed. I've owned many "real" amps in 32 years of playing, and have run a ton of rack stuff from my 80's gig rack built around a GP-8, to the next step of a Digitech GSP2120, to others including an Eleven rack, Pod HD Pro and a ton of pedals over the years. I love my Fractal. It smokes all the other processors I've had by a good margin, and on most days I'm not at all sure I could pass a blindfold test between my best presets and the best amps I've had. I absolutely love it.
i use a Helix HX stomp only for practice but the shifter is simply not usable even for practice its very annoying. Helix is over priced. Afx3 is underpriced.
The funny thing is I had the complete opposite opinion. I only used the front panel for the first few weeks with the unit and although it did take a bit to learn once I got it I was like "oh wow its so intuitive" haha.
I don’t gig at all. I am a songwriter with a one room studio. In a few months I will only have space for an apartment size desk with a rack for recording. As a result, I am re-evaluating all of my gear I’ve owned a Kemper non-powered rack since 2015. I love its profile’s sound quality. The current studio effects and stomp pedals are also great. The fact that Kemper has done many, many free firmware upgrades over my time of ownership makes me love the platform too. But I have some issues with the Kemper. I won’t sell it, but I am looking at an FM9 MK2 Turbo to augment my setup. The FM9 has half of the DSP of the Axe FX3 Turbo, which is more than adequate for what I need it for. While I plan on using its amp and cab models to augment the profiles I own, much of what I want the FM9 for is as a multi-effects box. The analog and digital routing on the FM9 will allow me to set up a combination of a 4 cable + wet/dry/wet rig. I will also be able to easily integrate my UAD2 Apollo powered plugins with the FM9 by routing my Apollo X6 interface into a stereo loop I can create on the Fractal. I loved your review. You nailed my need for a pro multi-effect and modeling platform in a small space with unreal flexibility. The fact is that I prefer to use an editor for sound design regardless of how the on-unit user interface is designed. And I’ve been pouring over the user manuals for all of the Fractal units for a long time, so I have a pretty good understanding of how the block structure works and how to create scenes and presets. Frankly, even with a thorough pre-reading of the manual, I expect that I will still have a learning curve to overcome using the editor to create my own settings.
I prefer my Quad cortex because of portability and the fact you can do everything on the QC without a computer. Rhett's cranked fender stack profile is actually my go to presets. It sounds amazing! I just wish they had a way to charge money for the captured so professions like Rhett and Michael Britt would get involved and make presets and captures
Hey Rhett, long time AxeFX III user here. Definitely agree with your assessment of the front panel. I will say that I travel with my laptop every weekend and so I just always use the editor. I will say the most I’ve been frustrated with Fractal was when they released v. 18 and it drastically changed the way my presets sounded and it’s taken me hours to get back. I will say I love my FC12 controller and they way it integrates with the unit as a whole. One of my favorite things about the rack unit is global blocks and how they allow me to sync settings (amp and drive settings) across different presets (songs).
So, when you are on a gig do you often decide that you need go buy new pedals and wire them in on stage or add resisters with a soldering iron while the opening act is playing? Or do you set your gear up ahead of time and then just use it?
I've been gigging a lot and I can tell you that I never did a gig without adjusting some parameters on my pedals, it might be gain, it might be eq but I always do, sometimes I had to use a ts808 clone as a boost, some.other it was my "high gain", overdrive depending on the venue
Couldn't agree more, plus you can set up global performance knobs for the things you might want to tweak live..gain, verb level, etc. I've had no problems getting around the front panel without going to axe-edit. It's just not hard to learn. Amazes me that Rhett hasn't learned to use the front panel after having it over 2 years
Hey Rhett ! ! Great video, as usual. I agree with you 100% ! ! If I'm going to pour so much money into an effects unit such as the fractal, I want a unit that is ready to go and extremely user friendly. The reason I haven't bought one of these is because of the huge learning curve that must be conquered before getting the sweet tones they're capable of getting. The navigating through the myriad settings that's also required to acheive a targeted tone becomes too frustrating. I also believe that Fractal is shooting itself in the foot by making these almost unobtainable effects units. I would think that if they really wanted tocapture a bigger piece of the market, then they would adjust their availability to a wider range of players by creating units that are within a more affordable price point. Thanks again Rhett, I'm sure glad I've fond your page a years ago. Great content ! ! !
I own the FM9 (one of the lucky ones who got into the wait list on day one) and all of my last videos are recorded with the FM9. I agree about the usable sounds comment. Owned helix and kemper and most of the preset are not usable (understatement). The FM9 effects are amazing. The best out there. Sold my H9 pedals don’t need them anymore. Overall that’s the best modeler / stomp box I had ever and speaking from experience. One issue which is common to all modelers. The sounds has a bit too much high end so this needs to be modified to your liking.
It's not too much high end. It's because you're listening to a close mic'd sound through your monitors. The same happens when you listen to your recorded tube amp sound in a studio.
Agreed on the helix presets. The first thing I did was delete them all after hearing how they sounded. I’m still super happy with my HX Stomp as an amp modeler, though. I probably would’ve bought the axe FX FM3 if it fit more snugly on my pedalboard
Btw, regarding the UI. I completely agree with Rhett. But my opinion is that if these companies will provide a good app for either iPad or IPhone (android devices as well) this could mitigate the issue of live situation. Kemper went I that direction already by releasing their app for iPad. It’s a good step towards giving us the tools we need
The concept I use is to be sure all programing is done before heading to a show. Never a need to adjust presets. Set up the performance tab to look like an amp front and you adjust your bass, mid, treble at the show along with volume or whatever else you need. Best machine out there. The target all others aim for!
I've had my Axe-FX II for years now and honestly have 0 plans to "upgrade"/change it. There's always going to be something "better" out there...the Axe-FX sounds great and works great for me. And, no one in their right mind would try to do anything on the front panel, man...just plug a computer into it, dial in your stuff and you're done!
I have an Axe FX ll for years also and I agree with every word you said. The only thing I touch on the front panel is the on off switch, I always hook it up to my computer.
@@marksystemed4678 Yup. Exactly. The only time you really need to mess with the screen is for changing settings and you really only do that once. All the day to day usage is done with the computer. Works great!
I agree with the difficult editing without the software, but it's exactly why I chose to buy it for studio use and not live, i didn't want a loud amp for home use. Live scenarios imo are better with an amp of your liking and your pedal board setup
I agree. The sound is second to none but the user interface is a nightmare. I have an AX8 and love it but my biggest complaint is the learning curve. I wish it had a user mode that mimicked the user interface or controls of whatever pedal, effect or amp you were using. Then maybe an expert mode if you were a tweaker.
I run my Axe-FX connected to a PC (OK, a Mac, actuallly... ) and use it exclusively with the Axe-Edit software. It's a million times easier to use with Axe-Edit than it could ever be with the front panel display and controls.
Just purchased the presets. You did a great job, Rhett. All VERY usable and real. No silly high gain stuff, which is just my cup of tea. You nailed those Bluesbreakers JTM 45 all the way! :) Thanks!
I have the boss katana mkII 100watt head into a 1960 marshall 4x12. Much like the Axe you really need a laptop to really unlock what the amp can do. However the amp controls are very usable to tweak things at a basic level for maybe a slight eq or gain change. One thing I love is the 2 expression pedals I can run with it. I use one as a volume pedal and the other will vary either the strength of my FX or often how much drive my fuzz or overdrives are getting. Its great being able to roll that on and off to really unlock a ton of tones. Also price wise it is probably the cheapest of the units. I think it takes a bit of a practice to really dial in a great sound but you can also share your settings with others and download theirs. The last feature that I absolutely love with head vs the combo amps. The head has a 5" "practice" speaker. In a small venue you could probably mic this and get a passable sound though you are probably better off getting a 1x12 or 2x12 cab.
People SEVERELY underestimate how important an "intuitive" interface can be. Apple has been programming us since 2007 to use a touchscreen and get real time, haptic feedback. That's why the QC has the best interface, bar none.
I had an AxeFx Ultra and bought an Axe-Fx II years ago, which I love. Unfortunately, it makes little sense for me to upgrade to the Axe-Fx III despite how awesome it may be. I had already made a substantial investment into a pedalboard built around the MFC-101, (which has been rendered obsolete by the new foot controllers that support the 3) plus a rack case designed to house a 2 rack space unit, so I’m not about to start from scratch just to support upgrading to a new unit. However, it makes perfect sense for someone just diving in to get a 3. Just my two cents, for what it’s worth.
I would argue that improving the user interface for this agreed professional tool is not really going to be possible considering that its level of detail is exactly why it is hands down the best modeler currently available. Having a professional tool and not having a professional tool in the same box is well... 'nuf said.
I'm certainly a Fractal Audio fan, however, due to its obscene price tag, I'm on a Kemper, which is much more satisfying to use for me, compared to the Helix I had before. And even if I come to buy an Axe FX some day, I'll still keep the Kemper around for being amazing.
I’m a trucker. Every one of your opening jams make excellent “driving music”. Wish I had about 3 straight hours of this.
Nice review Rhett. I have owned several Fractal products over the years, and currently have an FM3. One of my favorite things about Fractal is how they approach modeling more like a 'sandbox' than a mimic. As an tube amp designer and builder it is really neat to see how detailed they get. For example, you talked about bias excursion. That is a real thing that can happen in a tube amp. Take a Deluxe Reverb. The power tubes are biased in fixed bias. This means you set the cathode to ground and apply some negative voltage to the grid. Because the plate of the tube conducts all the high voltage, the electrons generated at the cathode flow past the grid to the plate in a predictable way depending on how the bias voltage is set.
Excursion is like a journey. Sometimes if set the amp to a certain setting that really pushes the power section hard, and you play a low E chord that really taxes the power section on top of that - the bias will go on a bit of a journey instead of remaining static and stable. The coupling capacitor separating the power tube grid from the phase inverter will try to deal with this by 'clamping'. This clamping causes the bias voltage to raise. Perhaps from -35vdc at start to something crazy like -70vdc. This occurs for a short period of time and the jolt gets discharged by the grid resistor.
In the end this is a small explanation and part of why a tube power section can be so dynamic. Think of the way a note blooms. You play that low E chord. The amp kind of struggles and freaks out for a brief moment, and then as it settles into the sustain it comes back to 'normal'. That's part of bias excursion. The way you play the guitar interacts with the bias of the power tubes (kind of). Some bias excursion can be really pleasant to play. Too much can generate blocking distortion which is not fun and sounds bad.
What is really neat and exciting is that in the real world it would be very hard to go into your amp and manually tweak bias excursion like you can in a Fractal editor. Fractal is kind of giving you the ability to 'sandbox' things that really happen in a tube amp, and make it conform to reality or defy it in a potentially desirable way. There are dozens if not hundreds of ways you can do this.
It would be really neat to take a famous guitar amp, sit down with an amp tech with lots of cool measuring devices, and tweak a fractal model of that amp to identically match it.
You are so spot on Kley. I use my fractal as a tube amp design tool and to explore how real life settings/changes affect models. Because the fractal uses realtime modeling of circuitry you can actually do this. Very cool product indeed.
This is why I love Fractal so much. The depth of tweaking sound is infinite and ‘real time’. Love it love it love it!
@nikonmikon I realy like your idea of using the fractal as a tube amp design tool. It would be nice if the fractal could give you the schematics of your end result to build the real deal. Then that alone would be worth the huge price of the fractal.
@@carlos_castanaut I think it would be incredible if they made a different version which allows designers to prototype builds. I'm not sure they will ever do this but it's an amazing tool
@@nikonmikon8915 I don't think they need to make a different model for that. They "only" have to add the option to translate the realtime modeling of the circuit, the dsp algorithm to an actual schematic. And I think they would only have to add some routines to the editor and not changing the HW. I would send them an email to see if this could be possible... They could have some new customers 😎
Pretty spot on to my experience with Fractal. I used an Axe-FX 3 for years as my main live rig (now FM9, which is essentially the same user experience).
I’ve gotten to a point where I can quickly make most any adjustment I want live on the unit itself, but it took a lot of time and a lot of repetition to get there.
Fractal released an update recently that lets you map whatever controls you want to the main encoders for quick/easy access. They can be different per each preset. It makes making those live adjustments MUCH easier. But again - you have to program it ahead of time.
Line 6 just 100% nailed the user interface and experience. Nobody else even comes close, including Quad Cortex (in my opinion).
Thanks Rhett!
PS: ‘Cliche worship guitar sound’ 😂😂. We do more than just hyoooge verbs and delays.
… sometimes 😅
@@worshiptutorials When? Everything sounds like Hillsong these days.
@@kendevries3212 everything?
@@worshiptutorials Except when I play in church. It's a jumpered Plexi AXE-FX patch with a 4x12 British Cabinet IR for me. Imagine Eric Johnson meets Van Halen. Heavenly. Although people sometimes miss the sermon due to their ears ringing. Hey, at least they aren't falling asleep!
And, actually, I like a lot of Hillsong, I just don't like all the imitators.
@@kendevries3212😂😂😂😂😂😂
As a dev / product manager - I really enjoy your user experience testing experience. This is like watching my day job!
Would love to know more about how to get into your line of work. I’m a musician/freelance audio engineer, and have a business management degree. I’ve always been interested in the process of getting products from concept to market.
@@TheCamilocedeno My guess is you'll also need a mechanical or electrical engineering degree to appeal to the human resources managers who hire for those kind of jobs. The other way is to find a company you like and want to work for, move there, and be persistent. And hust as you did here with the original poster, try to get in touch with the people who are doing the jobs you want.
@@TheCamilocedeno What city you based in?
@@TheCamilocedeno - It is an interesting line of work. A lot of times companies are looking for people from varied backgrounds who have a keen interest in the customer's perspective (you hear Voice of Customer or Customer Empathy a lot). I would recommend two books to see if you like it first: Swipe to Unlock and The Build Trap. If after those, you are still interested, grab a PM interview book (Cracking the PM Interview - a great read) and study up. Then just fix up your resume and apply to any company that fits what you want to do. This is a game of attrition - you will probably be applying for 6 months to 100's of jobs and landing a few interviews (this is true for everyone from former PMs to new PMs) as a lot of these jobs are budget and team dependent.
@@brushstroke3733 - even for people who have those degrees, it is a long process if you aren't coming from a tech giant. You are basically in a war of attrition and competing budget lines where timing is the number one factor in whether you get called for an interview or passed over. If you are interested and not already a PM, I would definitely recommend Cracking the PM Interview as a good overview of the job and the interview process. It is a little longwinded, but really good at breaking down some of the standard problems you'll come up against. Also, we LOVE different perspectives (not necessarily tech)! If you don't have a team that looks like your customer base, you are most likely building a sub-par product.
I own an FM3, which is my first modeler (besides the old line 6 "bean!"). When shopping last year, I ultimately decided that the primary goal is to get the best sounds possible - which, as you say, is what makes the Fractal products stand out. Definitely agree on the user interface - it's abysmal when compared to Helix and Neural. And I build all of my presets using the editor. But for live use I'm mainly just tweaking volume and EQ on these, which is fairly easy to do from the device interface.
It seems to replicate the sound of a tube amp pretty well, but what about the smell? None of these things are able to replicate the smell of a hot tweed amp.
Foo McBar - Dude.......best comment i've seen this week on any channel.
Yeah the smell inspires better playing - as does the nitro finish smell on your Les Paul...
:)
after practice or show I always come to amp and smell it for a while. It similar smell like coming from yet copies :D
Coming soon in stores near you, the amp tube warmth car scent in two models. The classic tree model and the air conditioner clip. But wait, if you call now we will include a bonus 1/4" tube amp scented instrument cable. For a limited time only.
In over 35 years of playing guitar, the Axe FXIII is by far the best purchase I have ever made. My closet is full of boutique pedals and my amps are gone. Crazy. I go for similar tones as Rhett and the AXE FXIII is exceptional for what I do.
Completely agree - best gear purchase I have ever made as well.
Very interesting. Im an old die hard “pedal and real tube amp” guy, but I am more and more open to digital and Fractal - probably FM9. I very often need to use it as a traditional live set up, with some sort of cabinett/speaker. Do you have any idea of what speaker to look for? This is so new for me….
@@goswo You can Look for a good power amp. can be solid state like matrix, or something with tubes like a mesa 2:90. the tube amp is much heavier than the ss one. off course you need good cabs lots of choices there.
the other way can be with active monitors like Headrush, Friedman, Atomic. now you would only need one speaker for mono or two for stereo. and no need for seperate power amp.
@@bramesque thanks a lot. Very kind of you 😀
@@goswo No Thanks. for more precise help it is often handy to tell what kind of music you make
and the size of the gigs you play. there are so many options today, it is not difficult to find gear
but it can be difficult to find the ultimate gear.
got my axe fx a little over a year ago. as someone who plays exclusively in a bedroom at the moment in limited space, it was the perfect solution for my needs, easy to dial in a good sound without cranking a real amp, easy to record, no need for a bunch of pedals, tons and tons of options, etc. I agree about the actual user interface on the axe fx being complicated, i always use the axe edit as well but that’s not a problem for me since my whole rig is in the corner of my room
Of all the modelers nobody can touch fractal when it comes to reverb.
100% and the Delay's.
@@MarkPritchardGuitar A lot of people would say Helix's delays are better than Fractal's, especially the newer ones. Fractal's reverbs are definitely excellent.
@@AudacityWorks the kemper reverbs and delays are also fantastic.....
You'd still have to go to discreet pedals to find the best modulation, even digital. Kemper, Fractal, Line 6 all make good digital modulation effects inside their modelers but somebody like Strymon are on a whole another level. Obviously this goes against an idea of having entire rig in one device, but it shows there's still ways to go and grow in that aspect.
I think Empress also deserves a mention. The ghost setting on their verb is absolutely gorgeous
I'll be getting one this year. I watch Leon Todd a lot and learned SO much from him and also Marco Fanton and Brett Kingsman. I love all the bells and whistles and I have tons of time to "tweak" it. I'll be running wet/dry/wet guitar onstage and using my midi keyboard and MainStage running through the fractal at the same time. HUGE I/O in the back and it the system itself will be the heartbeat in my little studio. Great machine. Good work covering this. Thanks Rhett.
Fair review Rhett. I have a Mk I Axe FX III which I bought after auditioning the competition. No reason why a weekend warrior like me should own this for monthly pub gigs - it is like bringing a Bazooka to a bar brawl. I love the fact that I can replicate guitar tones from 40+ Indie classics that we churn through. Once dialed in I would never touch the settings during set. It is essential to have the FC12 controller for my use case. I know that the audience doesn’t care , being an electrical engineer by original training I love it that I can change the “bias excursion frequency”
Love my Axe fx3. Best piece of gear I've owned in 25 years. The tones I get make me smile every time I plug in. I prefer using axe edit, but sure front panel editing can be a learning curve.
Yeah I agree it’s a curve. I’m not sure it’s really a drawback like Rhett suggests. If I’m gigging I’d create presets and scenes within the presets, dial them in before or soundcheck and theoretically I shouldn’t have much need to tweak anything from there. Worst case scenario I bring my MacBook 😂
My fm3 has been the best money I've ever spent for guitar gear. It sounds incredible, I've owned it for 6 months and still get blown away by the tones I get from it. The amount of amazing amps, cabs, effects are insane and then you can dial them in even further with all the detailed knobs and things. It's nuts and I totally recommend it for tweakers like me or guitarist's who want the best sound possible from a modeler
1960s 70s Vintage Marshall amps, fender twin reverbs, Roland Gp16, zoom boxes, pedals galore, I’ve had ‘‘em all. AXFXIII, is really all I need. It’s why so many top bands use Fractal.
I need
Love my AXE FX III. Had it for over two years. Lots of firmware updates. You can really do anything with it. Leon Todd and Cooper Carter are the default experts. BTW, AXE-Edit is much easier to use than the front panel. You can get the floor model, which might be better for live shows.
Great review, Rhett. Back in my working-band days I bought an Axe-Fx Ultra (original/Mark 1). While I was blown away by the sounds (this was 2011), the interface was terrible. Nonetheless, I got the dedicated foot controller and ended up gigging it. I’d been a die-hard cranked tube amp & pedals guy up to that point. But at the level I was working at, a close-miked cab always sounded small and boxy thru the FOH, however much air it was moving on stage.
This MkIII sounds breathtakingly good. Keep up the great work. Your channel is a great resource, much appreciated.
god I adore my axe fx 3, it's been the absolute best thing i've ever spent money on. I also LOVE the amount of detail and options the device gives me and the UI.
Me too.
For live playing I use a Helix floor in combination with a mesa triple crown 50. I have set it up in a 4 cable method and a midi cable to switch between channels from my amp and to control the amps reverb, fx loop and solo function (on and off). This works absolutly amzing for me I have my setlist set up in the helix so that every song has his own snapshots. and when I want a clean sound with the reverb from the amp I just hit the food switch and it is instantly there. But for example if I want to switch to a lead tone with a reveb from the helix. I hit the lead snapshots, and the midi cable switches the reverb from my amp off put the amp on the lead channel and that happens instantly. Also if I put a amp model from the helix on the block from the fx loop my mesa will act as the cabinet for that ampmodel. The flexibilty of this setup is just amazing. And super easy to setup. I will never part from this.
I’ve always been a traditional player. Turn the amp way up. Turn the guitar down for clean. Add effects if you want. The fractal does that.
At this point, there’s no other modeler I would buy. And if my fractal broke, I’d buy another one the same day.
You get used to the interface if you actually use it. Or just use worse modelers. That works too.
I couldn’t agree more with this video. I use the effects as outboard effects for all kinds of things in my studio as well. The delays and reverbs on synths and everything . The thing also is a great interfsaxd
BINGO! Any Fractal unit from the FM3 to the AxeIII is quite at home just being an external effects processor in any studio...no guitar needed. Look Ma, it makes a great computer audio interface too! 😀
John Petrucci does exactly this with his Mesa/Boogie rigs. He uses the AXE-FX for delay and chorus, and I think reverb too
Another thing to consider about having an Axe FX3 is that is is a fantastic multi-channel FX processor for synths, samplers, eurorack, etc. 4 stereo in/out and non-linear high quality FX routing puts it in the league of an Eventide H9000, but for stacks less $$. You can get far more use out of this box than just guitar processing. And when the day down the road comes that you want to "upgrade" to whatever the fresh new hotness is for your guitar rig, you can keep this in the rack as that awesome FX unit for other gear. If they marketed this device to synth players, they would be out of stock non-stop!
Also, while I also mostly use the software editor for speed, I disagree that the interface is hard to use. It's actually really well designed and functional once you learn it. Compared to a guitar amp? Yeah, it's more complex. But compared to a synthesizer? Nah! Anyone who has every programmed a Roland JV series will find this box a dream to use.
Agree! Compared to a guitar amp and a few pedals it does feel very complicated, but any keyboard player used to programming different synths will find it actually very organized and logical to use
Yes! I've used my Axe FX3 many times to process multiple instruments at the same time in a live setting - greatly reducing the gear I have to haul. I especially like using the tone match feature to create IR's for acoustic guitars, enabling a piezo saddle pickup to sound like a mic'd instrument. I think I've run everything except vocals and drums through mine.
And I'd also agree, the interface is reasonably easy to use once you learn it - the performance page is particularly useful for tweaking parameters in a live setting.
I’ve been gigging and recording with helix for 5 years. No question, the UI is tops. I’ve been using Fractal gear (FM3 & FM9) for about a year and a half and it’s phenomenal. I tend to do the heavy lifting with the software editor, and fine tune things with the unit. I don’t find the UI on the Fractal to be bad. While it’s not as easy as a Helix, I don’t find it to be debilitating by any means. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
I have Kemper and love to go always anywhere with my real amps on his best settings sounding really organic.
Nice balanced review. And I do mean review not demo. Don’t get to see much of these on channels this size. I salute you! 🤘🏻🎸
We use Fractal for our live guitar and bass sound exclusively and it's a must to have either the FC6 or FC12 foot controller to get the most out of them because the unit controls themselves are more difficult if you're trying to make changes on the fly. Fractal more than makes up for this with their app and when you add the foot controller it gives you so much more than just buttons to push. The depth of options is second to none.
FM3 guy here. I also own a Helix Floor. Both are great units and you’d be fine with either one. I do find myself using the FM3 the most. As a tube amp guy, it gives me the most authentic “feel” with their amp models. And with each update the reverbs and delays just keep getting better.
I'm pretty sure the big bands that use this (Metallica, Def Leppard..etc.) don't have to worry about tweaking it, they have roadies/techs to do it. I'm going to buy one, I think they sound incredible. Awesome review Btw
It’s always the same “Metallica, Def Leppard”. But #1 those bands are ancient now. #2 they are for convenience and continuity of sound as opposed to lugging stacks. But most guys still use a 1x12 or 1x10 and some real pedals, and mic up. That’s where the best sound comes from IMO. Metallica and Def Leppard’s tone could be copped by most modelers relatively easily, not that I’d ever care to.
So what? They would never compromise tone. Why in the hell do you think Het is so damn guarded with his rig, impulses/exact gear? Deep down inside you know you cannot tell the difference. I've owned the big 6 in heavy amp/rock heads. There is no difference. There IS.NO.DIFFERENCE. Guys like you would nitpick a blemish on a crabs piss hole though..."Don McNevin''😂😂Man that name screams a cork sniffing douche 😂
i have an fender tonemaster deluxe reverb , that's how far i want to go with this digital /modeling amp thing , i get confused by all the options on these modelers , it's just not practical for gigging in a pub with my classicrock / blues coverband .
Very respectable of you taking your time learning it before posting the review. I bought an ultra a long while ago and after working 8 hour shifts on it for a week straight I sold it. It wasn’t for me. The whole using it with a power amp into a cab thing to me just didn’t give me the results I wanted at all. Amp models that I’d owned previously didn’t sound anything like the real thing, probably was great DI but I couldn’t get a usable sound.
…. it’s not a tube amp *disappears into a puff of smoke*
We are using an Axe3, our singer/rhythm owns it, but we are all blown away by what it can do. We took a bit of time to emulate our rigs, a Carvin 100w and 4x12 and my SVT-CL 4x10-1x15. We actually can't tell the real from the axe's version of them apart when A vs B-ing them with the amps miced in the booth. Me and the lead player (I'm bass) are eating our words about modelers this evening 😮. The rack controls suck though, and I don't see us ever using it live.😊
Hi Rhett, i'm an Axe-Fx III user too, there are some shortcuts to adjust the amps and effects by double tapping the A-E encoders. I'm also into similar tones to you and have been debating over a Kemper.
Best piece of gear I ever bought. I drooled over it for about 2 years. What I didn't expect was how great the Axe FX would work with my computer as a DAW. I use Reaper and that app works great with the AXE. Now I double rack a riff and I experiment with bus mixing. I've also got a couple loud amps and they are best for playing with a drummer in a room...2 at once is nice.
Also want to add, looking at the reverbs you have in parallel; you actually want to have the mix set to 100% and then use either level or input gain on the reverb block to mix to taste. Having it in parallel with the mix set to less than 100% is actually introducing more of the dry signal to the overall output. Just something I noticed watching the video. And, great vid as always.
Perfect! Good to know changing that in my live setup immediately. I've always seen it in some preset's but unsure what to do when setting it up myself.
This one tip alone just improved everything I do with the Axe FX. Thank you. This cleaned up and made every preset I've tried it with sound infinitely more clear and professional. Thanks man. Even after 2 years of owning it, I learn new stuff all the time.
@@nahnotsomuch2292that is freaking awesome. I'm so happy I was able to help.
I have an AX8 and love it. Even with the the new generation I don't see a need to upgrade. These units stand the test of time. You just have to use the software for editing.
Yeah... I've had my AX8 for three years and feel I am in a good spot. It sounds good, is highly portable and has pretty much eliminated my GAS for any new amps.
I had to chuckle about Rhett's take on the AXIII interface. Going from the AX8 interface to the AXIII's is like going from DOS to Windows 7. Since AX-Edit is free, I don't think the designers expect users to really do any meaningful editing via the unit's interface. Even when I go to shows, I bring a cheap laptop in case I need to do some minor tweaking for the room.
Looks and sounds amazing. For me, a used kemper + the tone junkie everything pack can get you almost any sound you need.
MBritt Kemper profiles work fantastically for live applications.
I've been using a Helix for about 2 years. I got an FM3 two weeks ago. Helix nails the UI. They totally blow the FM3 out of the water there. That said, once you get used to the AXE, it's not that big a deal. I do dislike the disparity between ease of use in the Editor vs. the front panel. I don't really play live so the control aspect isn't much of an issue for me and I was able to record with the FM3 with literally zero tweaking out of the box using a couple stock presets. That's a new one for me. I think the thing folks should keep in mind with any of the Axe products is yes, you can get option paralysis from everything you can tweak but you really don't have to. After some crazy experimentation, I feel like you get a better sound from the amp models when you keep it simple and tweak it like it's a normal amp. It's nice to swap tubes and diodes but not necessary.
I have a AXE-FX III and I absolutely love it. It really has everything you could want, my pedals have not been touched since I have acquired the AXE. However, I have the FC-12 and expression pedals and it is insane how much you can customize the lay out of the foot controller. I will say you can dial in a tone that you desire with pretty much any genre of music but at first it is extremely overwhelming, especially when you get into the selecting cabs. I feel like once you find you cabs for certain styles of music or cab that produce desired tones, you can really get some good tones and use out of it. I would recommend any of the fractal products, especially if you are someone who like to chase tones and play around with developing sounds.
Spot on! You gotta find your cabs and I use all stock ones but the axe fx is the only unit I've ever used were I can actually get the tones I'm hearing in my head and you really don't need axe edit I still use the 2 and the front panels not even as good as the 3 and I don't have any problems
Totally agree! I always suggest to people that they don't need to use everything just because they have it. Pick a stock rig that matches what you used to use (or always wanted to use!), and then pretend nothing else is in the box and go make music! At some point you will be comfortable with how to use it, and then maybe add a second rig. Just build out as you go, rather than trying to grok the fullness of the box all at once. That's a fools game.
@@ChristopherOrth oh god yes I've had mine for a long time and I'll never make it through the whole unit I usually have a handful of amps that I always go back to and get on a new amp kick every once and a while I've been using the tucana lead for a few days now and its amazing
Excellent review! I have to agree on all points, especially the user interface on the unit itself, I literally couldn’t change anything if I needed to…BUT… I do all my set up at home on my computer, which literally gives me the most amazing sounds I feel are possible in todays world and completely eliminate any need to tinker with the front panel in a live setting. With that said, I agree with the blinding options, way too many things to think about, but on the other hand, that’s what makes it able to achieve the most amazing sounds I’ve ever heard. Now onto my biggest single complaint about the Fractal Axe FX III: while it’s a good thing that they’re in constant product development and release lots of updates, sometimes an update completely screws with every one of my presets. When you consider that I have 50 or 60 painstakingly dialed in presets that need to be reevaluated each time there's a major update, I view this as a HUGE negative. With that said, I’m also looking to sell all of my previous gear and amplifiers and just move forward with this incredible device. Thanks again for the awesome review!
As much as I enjoy the Axe FX III, I have to agree with you abou the FW updates messing with presets. That said, those FW updates are all in the name of achieving higher quality modeling. Which at this point is insane as I don't know how much better it can get. They're at 99.9%, but striving for that 0.1% more. Thats what makes them great.
Man, I've had all of the major amp options, Kemper, Iridium, ACS1, HX Stomp, Fractal, Real Tube Amps. In my experience, it's the only one that's finally, truly fully captured the tone of the tube amps it models. Full stop, absolutely mind blowing. It comes down to whether or not you love using tube amps or not, but your tone is never compromised.
Don't know how they did it, but I'm happy they did :)
LOL! I've had my FM3 for almost month, I'm glad I'm not the only person who struggles with the front panel. Sounds so great, I'm okay with the clunky front panel.
Oh, and as a thanks for your videos, I'm gonna buy your Fractal pack. I'm not a "metal" guy either, so I have a feeling your pack is gonna be full of presets I'm gonna really dig.
Four hours later... man, I really dig those presets! I seriously have been playing them for four hours LOL! Can't pick a fav, they're all great. You should definitely make more.
At this point, I think they all have really good sounds. It's just a matter of which UI you bond with the best and spending some time with it. To me, Helix is the best UI.
This is probably true unless you want to do something more complex than a kempers very limited signal chain allows
Helix has the easiest UI to navigate for sure, I just prefer the options and depth of the Fractal
With the constant updates the Helix has, I get more and more convinced I made the right choice.
@@kikiphallin as an owner of both, fractal puts out WAY more updates more frequently than Line 6 does for the Helix.
@@phillipsouthard8285 Thanks for the info!, what kind of updates are those?
As a recording engineer from the 70s-90s. Nothing touches the FX3! I’ve worked in and at many world class studios in their prime! And the Fx3 is everything I wanted in a well stocked amp room, pedal board and FX rack! Now they started to add midi and synths! As an engineer/classic rock gtr player who spends most of his time in a Cntrl Rm, it’s all I could ask for!
PS: I do have a second fx3 at home plugged into a home stereo sys! It’s been running 24/7 for 2yr! I use a Shure Wireless system with multi transmitters attached to 3 or 4 gtrs. I can walk in pick up a gtr and have sound with in seconds!
The Helix is amazing but you’re absolutely right about how bad the stock presets are lol
Swarms of bees for days!
When I was looking at the AX8 and the Helix, the thing that swayed me to Fractal (aside from Fractal's huge amp library) was hearing that the Helix's stock cabs were horrible and really needed after market IRs to make it better.
@@jameslane9537 yes I use only IR for cab and now helix + two powercab are the best music gear I have ever own
I recently purchased the FM3 which just so happens to be my very first modeler. You got it right about how much unfriendly the UI is and I'd be lost if it wasn't for the fact the FM Editor makes up for the dismal user interface. On the plus side the sound from this box is definitely great and is the main reason for me getting it. First impressions do make a difference. As always, keep up the great work and many thanks for your honest review.
I would suggest you spend some time with the front panel. It's actually pretty simple.
Of all the "flagship" multi-effects/modeler devices like this, the Helix is still my favorite. Simply because it is by far the easiest to use and has the most user friendly interface. There have just been too many times I was in the middle of a rehearsal or gig and and had to adjust something on the fly. So ease of use really counts for a lot
I own the AxeFX II (and the MFC101 fott controller with a 4 switches extension box that i made myself and 2 Mission Engineering pedal) and totally agreed with your review on all the point you covered!
My workaround about the user interface in gigs are:
- the iOS version of the editor that i use on a big iPad Pro (but less big than a laptop) via a midi bluetotth adapter
- the RAC12 box (1u rack) that is a midi controller with 12 encoders/push knobs and a little color lcd made by very smart french guys... so you can map to the knobs the most important control of the amps or the effects (you can map much more than 12 controls because each knob can have a "pushed" and "not pushed" function and even there are serveral "pages" of controls mapped... but in this case i'll go back to a too crowed device... so select the - say - 12 o 24 mandatory physical controls you need and you are set.) Unfortunately this RAC12 controller is discontinued
- what i call "bracket scenes"... where i set the "central" version of a patch... and two + and - scenes... say... more bright... more dark.
The combo of these solutions (all or just two of them) can turn the AxeFx in a more usable gig gear!
I think this review was sponsored by line 6 .... You simply cannot truthfully think that. I've had two line 6 rack units and now they are gone.The Axe is here to stay. No harsh sounds to deal with. The ability to do anything, and i mean anything is at your finger tips....And the reason you don't bring it to gigs is ridiculous. Sorry...
I play one JMP-1 preamp, on OD1 since 1997. I now have two JMP-1's. Takes seconds to create a patch. I've gotten left behind for sure, in the meantime, I've spent more time working on my playing, than tweaking endlessly. Looking at the Axe III looks like a complete ball-ache to navigate around. NO doubt the axe stuff is good though, but most of us just want a handful of tones. for me, I only need two, clean and dirty. great video and it's shown me that I'm probably better off not getting anything new.
You hit the nail on the head, Steve. I gravitate towards just a few sounds too, sounds that will suit my playing and - with any luck - help me develop my style and technique further.
My sounds (all tube amps with some pedals) inspire me, and they trigger an *urge* to play.
I'd feel like Rhett in this: sitting at the console of the Space Shuttle, wondering what the hell I need to do to make it work to my liking.
That's a killer for inspiration.
@@claudevieaul1465 Funny thing is that is exactly what the Axe Fx does for me. In my two years of owning it, I've written, recorded, and in general played guitar more than in the previous 12 years of using analogue gear combined. Different strokes for different folks at the end of the day but the point is on the Fractal, you have the option to go as deep or as shallow as you want, it just comes down to self-discipline.
Agree with UI, as without Axe-Edit, it’s a pain; however, it’s my fav out of all the products out there as well. Good review!
Appreciate the info. I’m always surprised that people even go directly with the stock stuff. You have to tweak no matter what modeler you use.
Jeez, yeah the effects are amazing. Coming from a GT-1000, seems like the Axe-FX platform is really the only modeling unit that's a step up, plus it's got way better amp modeling.
And totally agree with you, just AB'd the effects on some other videos on the Quad Cortex, and the Axe-FX is just leagues ahead.
I see an FM9 in my future.
Boss GT1000 effects are amazing! The sounds are so clear and wide. Unfortunately I sold mine because I wanted to remember my old days cranking a tube amp in a full band. I started to collect pedals again.
I own a AXE FX III since it came out (coming from Line 6). I absolutely love it, so many new (free) update (upgrade).
Very easy to make new preset that sound great. try the the speaker resonance tab (AMP), It make a big difference.
I like my Kemper Stage and being able to profile any amp out there. You just have to know how to Mic a cabinet correctly to get awesome sounds. Then some minor tweaking.
Or just buy one of the THOUSANDS of commercially available amp profiles. They are top notch.
Nice review. I've been through so many multi effects pedals! Zoom 505, DOD tech 4, Digitech rp 50, 250, 255, Vox Tonelab, Zoom g3xn. So glad the newer ones have separate buttons to turn effects on and off without needing to scroll through patches. My biggest worry is if you're going directly into an interface or a p.a. and the unit goes down your whole rig is gone! I'm seeing more guitarists not even using actual amp's anymore. I did have to finish a gig with a modeling pedal after my tube amp blew out. But that's all I'd ever use it for, as a backup.
I use Fractal for many reasons. Tone is first and most important. I feel if you’re a guitarist in 2022 part of your gig bag tools should be an old MacBook Air or some PC equivalent. I have the AxeFx-III as well as an FM3. If I have a fly gig I use a small 12x12 laptop bag that holds my FM3, an EV-5, a Mosky, all necessary cables and a MackBook Pro or an old Air. Gigging without a laptop is like playing a gig in the 80’s without zebra striped spandex! 😂 It's only a "MAJOR" problem if you make it one. After two years you should know the front panel a little better. 😜
Solid review. I think the most useful thing that the others don't have that the Fractal has that has a huge impact on dialing in tone is the graphic eq on every amp. I use Quad Cortex because it accurately models my existing amps and is easy to use. I don't care that much about reverbs. A little goes a long way. A Timmy would be cool and I'm looking forward to the doubler, other than that, I'm not missing anything.
I think the Axe FX 2 is actually becoming drastically under appreciated considering now you can get it in good condition for a lower price than the Helix (If you refresh reverb everyday lol)
I got my Axe FX 2 XL+ in 2021 for $1200 which included the foot controller and it was *The* best investment I have Ever made as far as amp emulators go. I like it better than the Helix and most other alternatives. I know some people who refuse to buy used items but you can not go wrong with it if you can find one in good condition for a low price.
After a year of gigging with it on tour it still holds up like the day it arrived, and I have no issue getting any tone I want. The user interface is *not good* but the default sounds make it worth it and it's easy to change virtually any surface effect /tone
I personally usually wait until the new model is out before I buy anything so that I can save money and still get a great product that isn't obsolete
I have been using Fractal gear exclusively since 2007. I was on the original Ultra wait list and today I use the AX8 both live and recording.
Theres a reason big touring acts are using axe fx3s through tube amps....it sounds just as good as the old preamps....
I got on the Fractal train a few years back with the AX8, I now have an AXFXIII and an FM3, and may get an FM9 in the future.
Simply because they give me all I need. The amp tones, effects and options are fantastic
Yes, they're very complex bits of kit, but you can keep things simple and set up great sounding basic rigs.
My presets are generally very straightforward, it's just there's all this horsepower there to go nuts if I want.
I find the front panel OK to work with. I had the III on my desk when I got it and used it a fair bit off of the front panel,. Once I've set up the preset I don't really do loads of tweaking on them anyway., and the editor is so much better than anything else I've tried
Having had a HX Stomp I'd say there's pretty decent difference in quality of tones between the two systems. The Fractal for ME is just way better and not anywhere near as frustrating as I found the Stomp.
I certainly agree that Fractal is the best in terms of options and I think it's like any piece of gear, if you know what you're doing you can get the most from it. Thankfully the Forum are super helpful and channels like Leon Todd give you all kinds of help.
So some might call me a Fractal fan boy, but it's simply because they give me the results I want for the music i want to play
Enjoyed your video Rhett
All that doesn't change the fact that it's UI sucks.
@@payman.amini1 It actually doesn't. If you spend time with it's fine
Plus, if you've dicking around with the deep options during a gig you haven't prepped properly
Always considered it common sense to know your gear
@@tonykennedy8483 Spending time to learn useful stuff is very good and my hobby but sometimes we have to spend time on things not because we are learning along and that knowledge will be added to our library, but it is because that stuff is not optimum is another thing which is completely the waste of time. Imagine using assembly language instead of a proper high level programming language to make a small program or even worse using machine codes. If you are not familiar with that analogy here is another example, Imagine digging a big hole using a week spoon instead of a proper pick and shovel or even better an electric hammer.
Other companies have done far better job to give the user better and more effective interaction including touch screens and more logical workflows and they still are less expensive.
As Rhett said the modeler and what it can achieve and sound is pretty good (even the metal monster, Metallica is using it in there concerts) but user interface is far from ideal (if you are James or Kirk from Metallica it won't bother you as you have all sort of dedicated engineers and staff and they are getting paid to make everything work but most of us don't have that luxury).
Cliff from Fractal is like: Dude, I forgot that we loaned that 3 to you 2 and a half years ago, so could you, like you know, send it back? ;)
This was a great sanity check! I bought this unit when it came out and have struggled over the years to want to use it compared to something even as simple as the HX stomp. Yes, it’s got amazing sound, but I’m a local player and don’t need to get my tone 100% like John Mayer to get the point across. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks that way!
Theres dozens of us!
I have the Axe-Fx III and the Helix and I love them both. I came to the same conclusion you have.
Honey Bee has to be one of Tom Petty’s greatest overlooked riffs in his catalog. I always have a blast playing that riff/song on guitar.
instantly recognizable too!
Tom Perry?
@@davidg1612 Aw nuts! Stupid fat fingers on an iPhone! LOL! Fixed!
@@davidg1612 Yes.
Got a FM3 when it first came out and just got the FM9. Coming from tube amps and pedals I was blown away at how good the Fm3 sounds live. You get used to the 3 foot switches, but I prefer the extra switches on the FM9. But it’s bigger and heavier. I could fit the fm3 on a backpack, the FM9 is twice heavier and I had to get a case. Once I dialed my sounds I hardly ever had to touch anything live. And the new updates added extra functions to the front panel so it’s a little easier to navigate it now. The user interface and the physical unit could definitely use some work, the helix is still the most elegant and user friendly unit. But as far as sound and feel I still prefer the fractal, even more than my old tube amp and pedals rig
I'm with you, I love my cranked dr103 and pedals, but its totally unusable in most venues or jams. I'm still on ax8, and I love it, the effects, the amp feel, and the noise floor. It's so quiet, and that's something with my strat and pedals was not quiet lol
Not a fan of anything “all in one”. I can appreciate this for what it is. I could not, for myself, justify the cost. I do love the deep dives. I liked the plexi video from the other day as well.
Ditto.
Haha, me as well until I actually justified the cost of my existing pedal board (the pedals, the cables, the power, the board, the effort, the inflexibility of cable routing on the fly) and worked out it was cheaper to buy an FM3. So I did. Never been happier.
The AxeFx 3 plus the FB 12 pedalboard/midi controller ($2500) costs less than a Matchless Chieftain, which is one of the amp models. With the AxeFx, you get high quality models of 100+ other amps, thousands of cabs, and hundreds of effects pedals. If your effects chain has ten pro-caliber pedals, that’s another $2000-3000 you don’t need to spend. Getting an AxeFx has pretty much ended my pedal purchasing compulsion.
If you do the math, the Axe 3 and extra controller + expression pedal more than justifies its cost when you compare it to practically any modern tube amp rig and pedalboard. You could fit an entire stereo rig with a ton of effects into one preset for half the price of that rig and it sounds just as good and weighs nothing compared to it. And you still have like a hundred more open presets.
Relax everyone; he said he couldn’t justify the cost “for [himself]” I happen to have a helix lt, not the fractal, but I understand what you are all saying, and I agree. However, some folks don’t need or want models of dozens of different amps, or super massive pedalboards. Some folks already have thousands of dollars in boutique pedals but don’t want to or can’t sell them off. There’s lots of reasons why somebody might not want to drop a few grand on a modeler. It doesn’t mean or imply that you didn’t make a smart choice for you.
Love my Axe III and all previous Fractal modelers. They changed my life in a good way.
The user interface of the axe fx is very easily learnable it takes a little time but when I went from the 2 to the 3 I didn’t even have to look at a manual the interface was planned out so well and I do all my programming on the front of the unit most of the time . Most people just don’t take the time to try because of the software
There was a time that I lived in Mid-town Manhattan and I used to say "if you can't find it in New York City, it doesn't exist.". The Axe-Fx III is kinda like that. If you can't get it from the Axe-Fx III, it can't be had. I've been using Fractal gear for many years and when I was in a classic rock cover band, it was a life saver. I could faithfully replicate every sound of every song (as many as 40 songs per night) with just one guitar and the Axe-Fx. No more hefting around multiple guitars, amps, cabs, effects... I would have appreciated the FM9 while I was gigging but it wasn't available at that time. Now I'm just a home studio guy so I get everything I want in a platform that I'm already familiar with. I agree pretty much with everything Rhett has to say (I've used all the other toys also). Many years ago I suggested two UI "Levels" - USER and ADVANCED USER. I suggested that they be different UIs, with the ADVANCED (Sound/Electical Engieer Level) not shown until specifically selected. The default UI should be a guitarist workflow, and not the Engineer workflow. But, here we are. I could say more, but I'm going to stop right here. The Axe-Fx will give you want you want, but you have to deserve it by enduring the learning curve. Fractal have "modeled" every electrical nuance and behavior of the components in a tube/valve amp. It's not just a digital sound-alike. Full disclosure: I wound up with Fractal gear because I was looking for super quality effects for live performances - I was happy with my tube amp. I went to Fractal for the effects, and then after less than a year I mothballed my tube amp because basically, nobody could tell the difference and the FOH guys liked it much better.
I'm a Helix user myself simply for the reason Rhett stated: the Fractal is just way more than I need. My Helix is also more of a routing unit to outboard pedals and amplifiers so I'm not even that concerned with the quality of it's modeling (which is still great). As someone who designs UI's professionally, none of the interfaces are great the the Axe-FX is unforgivably bad. I do have friends who use their Axe-FX to great success tho so go with Rhett's recommendation and figure out your needs before making such a big purchase.
Agreed. Which ever need does their UI development needs to be sacked. It’s so shit. They need to get the guy who designed BIAS to work for them.
Im a nux 300 user because helix is overkill
Very interesting and helps me with choosing my upgrade after the Line6 POD xt pro rack. That thing is pretty ancient now and I love to see where all this great companies have taken their modellers.
I love my Stomp, but the Helix line has too many amp options. It's a pain sorting through them all.
I have been all across the board in the quest for tone and I found my favorites and preferences... But I also want to keep session and gig equipment to a minimum. My EVH 50 watt head and 212 cab are lighter compared to other “gig worthy” equipment, but I gotta say, bringing a an FM3 or HX Stomp centric mini board, and a PA wedge have been just amazing.
I’ll definitely agree that Fractal’s on board UI is really clunky compared to Helix and by a huge margin. But there have been significant improvements where you can double press the A,B,C,D,E buttons and they’ll instantly go into the parameters of the amps, drives, and other key effects which has made on the fly changes substantially better. Still doesn’t beat turning a knob that’s right there, but the workflow has been improving. All I can say is that ever since Ive got my FM3 and now Axe FX III, is that they are phenomenal units for all types of musicians where they want pretty much limitless possibilities. Even for the guys who keep it simple. It just takes a mindset adjustment when coming up with presets and tones. You always gotta dive in with a goal in mind, and don’t stray from it, or else you’ll just do more tweaking and adjusting instead of playing which would understandably a turn off. Once I got past that, it’s definitely my number one piece of equipment even above my traditional tube amp and pedalboard.
I’d really love to hear you try a headrush or headrush MX5, and give your thoughts compared to the Axe FX and Helix.
Headrush for the win
I stepped into the Fractal world a year ago with the FM3 after months of tinkering I have made it through to the other side. Lucky enough to get in under the gun to receive an FM9 before the chip shortage shut down their builds. It’s awesome and great for building a full blown pedal board even two amp setups that you can tuck under your arm. I do get the editing difficulty without the editor, but with Fractal they are constantly updating their products and software improvements are just a free download away. Would love to see them incorporate a tablet interface for easier live performance tweaks.
Had the axe 3 over a year now and it's awesome and easy to use via Axe Edit. Editing on the unit itself is silly given how many thing you'll actually want to fine tune.
The front panel is not that difficult to use. If I can learn how to use the front panel, everyone else can. Also, do you not have a laptop? You can take a laptop anywhere with you.
Could they have a better user interface?Yes, but that’s not the focus. The focus is the best sounding Modeler ever. Not to mention the awesome updates they put out for free. it took me about 4 days to get a good hold of the unit. Copper Carter has a great course and Leon makes great videos.
Regarding the price. Just imagine never having to buy an amp or modeler again. Having a large support system on the fractal forum and constant game changing updates. No brainer for me.
If you’re serious about music, you should be serious about you’re equipment.
Nice review. I haven't tried a Fractal. I own a Line6 Helix and, in my experience, it's totally possible to get it to sound amazing, if you really work hard at it. The problem is that it's far easier to get it to sound like crap. I'm not 100% happy with any of my presets, and I'm not happy with any of the presets I've downloaded either. I also agree that the factory presets aren't very good. They are, however, useful for learning how the signal chains put together.
Find a used Axe FXII if you don't want to drop FXIII levels of cash and prepare to be amazed. I've owned many "real" amps in 32 years of playing, and have run a ton of rack stuff from my 80's gig rack built around a GP-8, to the next step of a Digitech GSP2120, to others including an Eleven rack, Pod HD Pro and a ton of pedals over the years. I love my Fractal. It smokes all the other processors I've had by a good margin, and on most days I'm not at all sure I could pass a blindfold test between my best presets and the best amps I've had. I absolutely love it.
i use a Helix HX stomp only for practice but the shifter is simply not usable even for practice its very annoying. Helix is over priced. Afx3 is underpriced.
@@CCH7540 ha. I started with a GP-8 and moved to a digitech 2101 : ) good to know about the fractal
That little blurb at 11:03 is TASTY!!
The funny thing is I had the complete opposite opinion. I only used the front panel for the first few weeks with the unit and although it did take a bit to learn once I got it I was like "oh wow its so intuitive" haha.
I don’t gig at all. I am a songwriter with a one room studio. In a few months I will only have space for an apartment size desk with a rack for recording. As a result, I am re-evaluating all of my gear
I’ve owned a Kemper non-powered rack since 2015. I love its profile’s sound quality. The current studio effects and stomp pedals are also great. The fact that Kemper has done many, many free firmware upgrades over my time of ownership makes me love the platform too. But I have some issues with the Kemper. I won’t sell it, but I am looking at an FM9 MK2 Turbo to augment my setup.
The FM9 has half of the DSP of the Axe FX3 Turbo, which is more than adequate for what I need it for. While I plan on using its amp and cab models to augment the profiles I own, much of what I want the FM9 for is as a multi-effects box. The analog and digital routing on the FM9 will allow me to set up a combination of a 4 cable + wet/dry/wet rig. I will also be able to easily integrate my UAD2 Apollo powered plugins with the FM9 by routing my Apollo X6 interface into a stereo loop I can create on the Fractal.
I loved your review. You nailed my need for a pro multi-effect and modeling platform in a small space with unreal flexibility. The fact is that I prefer to use an editor for sound design regardless of how the on-unit user interface is designed. And I’ve been pouring over the user manuals for all of the Fractal units for a long time, so I have a pretty good understanding of how the block structure works and how to create scenes and presets. Frankly, even with a thorough pre-reading of the manual, I expect that I will still have a learning curve to overcome using the editor to create my own settings.
I prefer my Quad cortex because of portability and the fact you can do everything on the QC without a computer. Rhett's cranked fender stack profile is actually my go to presets. It sounds amazing!
I just wish they had a way to charge money for the captured so professions like Rhett and Michael Britt would get involved and make presets and captures
Sounds amazing! I could see myself getting lost in that thing & never writing music ever again.
Hey Rhett, long time AxeFX III user here. Definitely agree with your assessment of the front panel. I will say that I travel with my laptop every weekend and so I just always use the editor. I will say the most I’ve been frustrated with Fractal was when they released v. 18 and it drastically changed the way my presets sounded and it’s taken me hours to get back.
I will say I love my FC12 controller and they way it integrates with the unit as a whole. One of my favorite things about the rack unit is global blocks and how they allow me to sync settings (amp and drive settings) across different presets (songs).
So, when you are on a gig do you often decide that you need go buy new pedals and wire them in on stage or add resisters with a soldering iron while the opening act is playing? Or do you set your gear up ahead of time and then just use it?
I've been gigging a lot and I can tell you that I never did a gig without adjusting some parameters on my pedals, it might be gain, it might be eq but I always do, sometimes I had to use a ts808 clone as a boost, some.other it was my "high gain", overdrive depending on the venue
Couldn't agree more, plus you can set up global performance knobs for the things you might want to tweak live..gain, verb level, etc. I've had no problems getting around the front panel without going to axe-edit. It's just not hard to learn.
Amazes me that Rhett hasn't learned to use the front panel after having it over 2 years
Hey Rhett ! ! Great video, as usual. I agree with you 100% ! ! If I'm going to pour so much money into an effects unit such as the fractal, I want a unit that is ready to go and extremely user friendly. The reason I haven't bought one of these is because of the huge learning curve that must be conquered before getting the sweet tones they're capable of getting. The navigating through the myriad settings that's also required to acheive a targeted tone becomes too frustrating.
I also believe that Fractal is shooting itself in the foot by making these almost unobtainable effects units. I would think that if they really wanted tocapture a bigger piece of the market, then they would adjust their availability to a wider range of players by creating units that are within a more affordable price point.
Thanks again Rhett, I'm sure glad I've fond your page a years ago. Great content ! ! !
I own the FM9 (one of the lucky ones who got into the wait list on day one) and all of my last videos are recorded with the FM9. I agree about the usable sounds comment. Owned helix and kemper and most of the preset are not usable (understatement). The FM9 effects are amazing. The best out there. Sold my H9 pedals don’t need them anymore. Overall that’s the best modeler / stomp box I had ever and speaking from experience. One issue which is common to all modelers. The sounds has a bit too much high end so this needs to be modified to your liking.
It's not too much high end. It's because you're listening to a close mic'd sound through your monitors. The same happens when you listen to your recorded tube amp sound in a studio.
@@Yekzelf agree although the fractal modeling can compensate on that bc they are mimicking a real amp behavior.
Agreed on the helix presets. The first thing I did was delete them all after hearing how they sounded. I’m still super happy with my HX Stomp as an amp modeler, though.
I probably would’ve bought the axe FX FM3 if it fit more snugly on my pedalboard
Btw, regarding the UI. I completely agree with Rhett. But my opinion is that if these companies will provide a good app for either iPad or IPhone (android devices as well) this could mitigate the issue of live situation. Kemper went I that direction already by releasing their app for iPad. It’s a good step towards giving us the tools we need
The concept I use is to be sure all programing is done before heading to a show. Never a need to adjust presets. Set up the performance tab to look like an amp front and you adjust your bass, mid, treble at the show along with volume or whatever else you need. Best machine out there. The target all others aim for!
I've had my Axe-FX II for years now and honestly have 0 plans to "upgrade"/change it. There's always going to be something "better" out there...the Axe-FX sounds great and works great for me.
And, no one in their right mind would try to do anything on the front panel, man...just plug a computer into it, dial in your stuff and you're done!
I have an Axe FX ll for years also and I agree with every word you said. The only thing I touch on the front panel is the on off switch, I always hook it up to my computer.
@@marksystemed4678 Yup. Exactly. The only time you really need to mess with the screen is for changing settings and you really only do that once. All the day to day usage is done with the computer. Works great!
@@rmp5s Yes, I do use the MFC-101 foot controller for looping though. Trying to loop using the computer controls can be complicated.
@@rmp5s I'll tell you what else is cool and what I take around with me on holiday etc, is the Zoom R8. There are some nice effects in that machine.
@@marksystemed4678 That's the little tiny recorder, right?
I agree with the difficult editing without the software, but it's exactly why I chose to buy it for studio use and not live, i didn't want a loud amp for home use. Live scenarios imo are better with an amp of your liking and your pedal board setup
I agree. The sound is second to none but the user interface is a nightmare. I have an AX8 and love it but my biggest complaint is the learning curve. I wish it had a user mode that mimicked the user interface or controls of whatever pedal, effect or amp you were using. Then maybe an expert mode if you were a tweaker.
I run my Axe-FX connected to a PC (OK, a Mac, actuallly... ) and use it exclusively with the Axe-Edit software. It's a million times easier to use with Axe-Edit than it could ever be with the front panel display and controls.
I find easy with the pc it’s a must.
Just as I was getting on the wait list for an fm9!
Just purchased the presets. You did a great job, Rhett. All VERY usable and real. No silly high gain stuff, which is just my cup of tea. You nailed those Bluesbreakers JTM 45 all the way! :) Thanks!
Purchased?
I have the boss katana mkII 100watt head into a 1960 marshall 4x12. Much like the Axe you really need a laptop to really unlock what the amp can do. However the amp controls are very usable to tweak things at a basic level for maybe a slight eq or gain change. One thing I love is the 2 expression pedals I can run with it. I use one as a volume pedal and the other will vary either the strength of my FX or often how much drive my fuzz or overdrives are getting. Its great being able to roll that on and off to really unlock a ton of tones. Also price wise it is probably the cheapest of the units. I think it takes a bit of a practice to really dial in a great sound but you can also share your settings with others and download theirs. The last feature that I absolutely love with head vs the combo amps. The head has a 5" "practice" speaker. In a small venue you could probably mic this and get a passable sound though you are probably better off getting a 1x12 or 2x12 cab.
People SEVERELY underestimate how important an "intuitive" interface can be. Apple has been programming us since 2007 to use a touchscreen and get real time, haptic feedback. That's why the QC has the best interface, bar none.
No matter how many possibilities your product has, if the user can't figure out how they can do what they want to do... They're useless!
I had an AxeFx Ultra and bought an Axe-Fx II years ago, which I love. Unfortunately, it makes little sense for me to upgrade to the Axe-Fx III despite how awesome it may be. I had already made a substantial investment into a pedalboard built around the MFC-101, (which has been rendered obsolete by the new foot controllers that support the 3) plus a rack case designed to house a 2 rack space unit, so I’m not about to start from scratch just to support upgrading to a new unit. However, it makes perfect sense for someone just diving in to get a 3. Just my two cents, for what it’s worth.
I would argue that improving the user interface for this agreed professional tool is not really going to be possible considering that its level of detail is exactly why it is hands down the best modeler currently available. Having a professional tool and not having a professional tool in the same box is well... 'nuf said.
Considering that the Helix is also a professional tool, I guess improving the user interface should be possible.
Interesting point. My rebuttal would be the "best" modeler would be the one that is the most intuitive to use on stage.
Anything is possible. Cliff could put a nice big touch screen on the unit...
Thank you for the candid and balanced review! I'm looking at a modeler and this confirms my impressions.
I'm certainly a Fractal Audio fan, however, due to its obscene price tag, I'm on a Kemper, which is much more satisfying to use for me, compared to the Helix I had before. And even if I come to buy an Axe FX some day, I'll still keep the Kemper around for being amazing.