Growing up I had a Digitech GNX3, ibanez prestige and an ibanez toneblaster. Now, I have all PRS axes and Fractal gear using studio monitors and direct FOH or FRFR to simulate. The moral of this fine tale is that yes, you
can jump right in but make sure you prepare yourself for the same learning curve you had with the Zoom or any digital gear. Here are my quick suggestions:
- Start simple. If you build your own presets using the AX8-Edit software (simple to use), start small with just an AMP + CAB combo that you like with a shunt straight across from I > O
- RTFM and/or read then post on this forum. When I first started, I had some seemingly dumb questions that were answered quickly. I'll re-open my wound, I asked why just an amp in the signal chain sounded horrible. Well, it's because you need an AMP + CAB block if you are simulating a powered amp and an internal IR (impulse response) to reflect the tone you want. I'm not ashamed to have learned that within the first couple weeks of preset building
- Listen/Watch the videos. Chris from AxeFXTutorials.com has some great how-to videos along with others on here. This is a community that values sharing, experience and relative skill to better the product (about 80%+ of us) for the greater good of us all.
This is a new animal that you have to tame yourself. If you're patient, willing to learn and are prepared to get some of the best tones possible then go for it mate.
As for the monitors, running FOH isn't as scary as one would think. Some things to search for on here are "amp in the room" "FRFR (full range flat response)" "pushing air" for the in room dynamics. For myself personally I have some studio monitors I bought on Craigslist for $300 that I build my presets on/practice with, then plug directly into a PA either at church or my own gear for gigs. Gain staging is the concept that is crucial for understanding how to properly hear how loud a preset will be. What I mean is if you build your presets for you setlist and change your amp models often, know that some of the referenced amps will sound louder or quieter depending on the model. Overall FOH direct is blissful if you or someone you know has some basic knowledge of a soundboard (running EQ flat etc.).
Hope that helps mate! Intimidating? Yes. World class digital guitar revolution? Yes. An absolute blast once you understand the conceptual design? Yes. Can you do it? Only you can decide that: