bradlake
Axe-Master
So, @austinbuddy .....ready yet to weigh in on the 9.04 update in regards to your work ??......IMO, there is some mojo in it for sure...
@FractalAudio commented in the Axe Fx firmware thread that the bass and treble were less compressed in Q9.04...I have been testing comparing 8.02 to 9.04, same presets between two firmwares using my XL and AX8... will try to post a video with a few comparison examples by next weekend.
In general, my impressions so far are that presets originally created for 8.02 (and then made compatible with 9.02) are darker sounding on the new 9.04, meaning, without as much high-end detail - it's a notable absence compared to 8.02. They are also more compressed sounding. Not sure if there are simple solutions to getting them to sound like 9.02 or 8.02 (thoughts out there?)
Personally, I still think 8.02 is the bomb — fantastic high-end definition. It may be that under 9.04, that high-end can re-dialed back in, but for me not so easily so far... you probably will need to turn up treble for most amps by at least “+1” number setting to get back towards the 8.02 tone originally dialed in... but am glad a few of you have posted that you like the presets with 9.04...they will be a little darker and more rounded and compressed basically.
@FractalAudio commented in the Axe Fx firmware thread that the bass and treble were less compressed in Q9.04...
Good point about which version he was basing that onYep -- I know he did say that, BUT I don't know if Cliff may be comparing it to 9.03, not 8.02... what is the benchmark?
My job is to figure out how the 9.02/8.02 TonePack presets sound under 9.04, and so far in A/B testing, they sound the way I described above to my ears.
Not a complaint on my end -- they don't sound bad. They just don't have the detailed high-mid end as present as when I dialed it in pretty meticulously originally under 8.02, and still there in 9.02 with SPKR COMP set to off.
When you hear/see the video examples I am putting together and will post, side by side, you'll hear it instantly. Hope to get that out next weekend, I'm traveling some this week, will take time to do it right.
Cliff wanted to get that speaker compression thing going as part of the amp models, and for me, I generally just leave it off for what I like -- the amp is more dynamic and responsive to me to play this way. Not everything may play like me or likes that though. He also did change the power amp somehow in 9.0 (says in notes). He's a genius and knows what he is doing, always trying to make it better!
I just really really like firmware 8.02 -- very detailed high end. It may be that I can get 9.04 presets to sound like 8.02 versions, which is my gold standard firmware, but so far, have not figure out any easy ways to get there -- that power amp modeling changed it coupled with SPKR COMP.
Between my AX8 and XL, I'll always have a Fractal unit here with 8.02 loaded on it! But that doesn't mean 9.04 won't work fine, as others have said above -- glad they are liking it under 9.04 too. And who knows when firmware 10 may come out? hahaha
Gday,
Just bought them - wow - I see what you mean! It's refreshing to hear just the amps for a change!
Also (unexpected) there are some very good staring points for bass amps...$78 and and worth it.
Thanks
Pauly
Thanks Pauly. Enjoy!
For my American friends, $78 Australian is equivalent to $59 American (the price has not changed!)
Wanted to share a story.
Yesterday I got a call from the guitar tech for Taylor Swift. He’s a great guy, met him before. He has the Tonepack and they are preparing for Taylor Swift’s next tour. (sidenote: She had the highest grosssing tour of any act in America last year I believe).
They are using Fractal Axe-Fx again on tour. The tech and her guitar player were doing a deep dive into the TonePack to audition and compile tones for the tour’s set list. Blown away! He called just gushing about it, we chatted for 45 minutes. He said what many of you have written here, how the tones were so true and inspiring to play.
Calls like this make my day. Just has to share!
They are using Fractal Axe-Fx again on tour. The tech and her guitar player were doing a deep dive into the TonePack to audition and compile tones for the tour’s set list. Blown away! He called just gushing about it, we chatted for 45 minutes. He said what many of you have written here, how the tones were so true and inspiring to play.
Calls like this make my day. Just had to share!
That would make my day too. . . . congrats!
Just curious. . . . what Quantum version is he running?
Terry.
I'm still on 8.02. I decided to focus on playing! I'll move up when it makes sense, but I won't do each release again, like I used to. Your presets caused that shift for me.He told me 8.02. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Not uncommon that touring bands stick with a firmware a generation or two back. You don’t want to be changing firmware in middle of a tour.
It’s my favorite of all time. About to get into Axe III Ares so that will be good to check out, Cliff did some cool re-working of stuff...I'm still on 8.02. I decided to focus on playing! I'll move up when it makes sense, but I won't do each release again, like I used to. Your presets caused that shift for me.
Terry.