romanianreaper
Power User
It's just people getting super hyped about the unit, man. Not much more. Like I said, many people are probably just hearing the amps louder as there is a volume increase with this fw, and they are assuming "huge" differences.
I've had the Axe-FX for years now and disagree. I have been playing guitar since 85' and if a certain part of the tone equation fits my personal preference (example, Marshalls have more low-end, etc.) then to me, it is a huge difference. In my opinion, the firmware updates are not meant to be an overwhelming update across the board that pleases every player. In one update, they improve the grind, pick attack, low end, and overall feel of hard rock/metal amps. The next firmware update, they might please the Fender fans with more bloom and touch sensitivity that just feels better.
There has been something with almost every recent update that has pushed the overall tone, and/or convenience of the amps within the unit. In other words, there are things inside the unit that are easier to achieve so that users across the board can get better tones rather than a handful of users who tweak controls constantly.
Separate from the amp tones, they have included new amps, higher quality effects, more IRs, more options, etc. I had a VH patch that I used years ago and it sounded great. However, when Cliff added the voltage drop option, it took it to a whole new level. I think that is what we are really talking about here. Everything sounds great and phenomenal but you still can always add things to make tones lean in a certain direction and have more of that extra "oomph". We are talking about things beyond just gain and distortion.
Messing with the B+Constant, Pick Attack, SAG, etc. make HUGE differences in some of the tones I've had on recordings, etc.
Like I said, just my opinion and several of us will always disagree but I know it is not just hype. If someone is hearing the same thing with every firmware update, then they are not tapping into the front panel and messing with the tube types, mic pre, and tons of other added options that you have to turn on before hearing the changes.