BillHoudini
Member
Hello everyone! I'm an ex-Fractal user, I used to have an Axe Fx Ultra (2014-2017). Back then I couldn't afford the II, so I thought I could get a taste of the Fractal magic that way. Long story short, I hated the Midi to USB fanction, the buggy Axe Edit and the limited IR options. So I went back to tubes with a Torpedo Captor, because I can't crank my Victory VX Kraken where I live. I was happy for a while, but here's the thing...
First of all, I was never a tube guy. Sure, I had a Marshall JVM, a Peavey 5150 combo and the Victory VX Kraken, but the whole concept of weight, amp service once in a while, fuses dying before a gig, carrying everything like it's made off glass, etc, made me search for digital alternatives early on. First was the Line 6 POD, then the Atomic Amplifire and then the Axe Fx Ultra. I loved how the Ultra sounded, but the problems I had with it were more than I could afford at the time.
Here comes the question. I love how the Fractal products sound, I've tried the AX8 and the II, but I can't afford the III. Should I make the jump back? I play and listen to many different genres, from Police to Richie Kotzen and from Yngwie Malmsteen to Gojira. I know that one amp can't do that, especially the Kraken which doesn't have a clean channel. Another point towards the II is that I really like it's effects, best effects I've played by far, easily comparable to the Eventide and Strymon pedals.
My only concern is the "feel" factor. I'm still an intermediate player, but I'm practicing a lot and having lessons regularly. My teacher convinced me to go back to tubes, because they're more "unforgiving" and that will help me improve my dynamics, muting and overall feel on the instrument. Even though I trust him blindly on the teaching part, he's a bit of a tube elitist, he admits it himself. After the Quantum concept, do you guys find vast differences in feel between the Axe Fx II and tube amps? I want to be able to sound good in whatever I'm plugged into, not just the Axe Fx.
Last question, how can I get the "amp in the room" feel with the Axe Fx II? Buy a power amp and cab, or a straight FRFR monitor will do? I ran the Ultra throught the PA when I was gigging and I missed that feeling quite a lot to be honest. If you read this through, thank you for your time and patience!
First of all, I was never a tube guy. Sure, I had a Marshall JVM, a Peavey 5150 combo and the Victory VX Kraken, but the whole concept of weight, amp service once in a while, fuses dying before a gig, carrying everything like it's made off glass, etc, made me search for digital alternatives early on. First was the Line 6 POD, then the Atomic Amplifire and then the Axe Fx Ultra. I loved how the Ultra sounded, but the problems I had with it were more than I could afford at the time.
Here comes the question. I love how the Fractal products sound, I've tried the AX8 and the II, but I can't afford the III. Should I make the jump back? I play and listen to many different genres, from Police to Richie Kotzen and from Yngwie Malmsteen to Gojira. I know that one amp can't do that, especially the Kraken which doesn't have a clean channel. Another point towards the II is that I really like it's effects, best effects I've played by far, easily comparable to the Eventide and Strymon pedals.
My only concern is the "feel" factor. I'm still an intermediate player, but I'm practicing a lot and having lessons regularly. My teacher convinced me to go back to tubes, because they're more "unforgiving" and that will help me improve my dynamics, muting and overall feel on the instrument. Even though I trust him blindly on the teaching part, he's a bit of a tube elitist, he admits it himself. After the Quantum concept, do you guys find vast differences in feel between the Axe Fx II and tube amps? I want to be able to sound good in whatever I'm plugged into, not just the Axe Fx.
Last question, how can I get the "amp in the room" feel with the Axe Fx II? Buy a power amp and cab, or a straight FRFR monitor will do? I ran the Ultra throught the PA when I was gigging and I missed that feeling quite a lot to be honest. If you read this through, thank you for your time and patience!