What am I doing wrong? AFX3 sounds awful when played loud

Probably a stupid question…. But would the power source make a difference? I’m assuming not, but just curious.

I’m running a Citronic power conditioner rack strip, and then connecting the AFX3 and cabs from it. I know it’s not a top of the line make or model, but I thought it had been good so far - just checking this wouldn’t cause any weird issues…?
 
FarleyUK said:
Probably a stupid question…. But would the power source make a difference? I’m assuming not, but just curious.

I’m running a Citronic power conditioner rack strip, and then connecting the AFX3 and cabs from it. I know it’s not a top of the line make or model, but I thought it had been good so far - just checking this wouldn’t cause any weird issues…?
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No. The axe-fx already has a fairly complex filtered power supply that provides steady DC power and current to the inner workings. Your conditioner isn’t helping or hurting.
 
Ok, I'm going to chime in with another thought: maybe you just don't gel with other people's presets?

I know from first hand experience about this.

I have never found much in the factory presets that worked for what I want to hear. I was hoping that this most recent batch of updated Axe Fx III factory presets would change my opinion as they were/are being raved about. I've been thru all of bank A and they just mostly are not usable for me (emphasis on me).

Same thing with Austin Buddy. I have a couple packs...

I can dial in presets that sound great for me but others mostly just don't work.

I honestly don't know why and wish it wasn't the case, but I've pretty much accepted it...

It's really odd because I can listen to recordings of other people using these presets and getting great results.
 
Maybe try wearing headphones to see how it sounds first? Cygnus through my cheap ass $20 dollar headphones sounds like absolute heaven. And Cliff, you’re right on with how other modelers sound compared to the Axe! If it still sounds no good try resetting the amp or tweaking the preset? Just some thoughts
 
unix-guy said:
Ok, I'm going to chime in with another thought: maybe you just don't gel with other people's presets?

I know from first hand experience about this.

I have never found much in the factory presets that worked for what I want to hear. I was hoping that this most recent batch of updated Axe Fx III factory presets would change my opinion as they were/are being raved about. I've been thru all of bank A and they just mostly are not usable for me (emphasis on me).

Same thing with Austin Buddy. I have a couple packs...

I can dial in presets that sound great for me but others mostly just don't work.

I honestly don't know why and wish it wasn't the case, but I've pretty much accepted it...

It's really odd because I can listen to recordings of other people using these presets and getting great results.
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Interesting… are you using third party IRs?
 
FarleyUK said:
Interesting… are you using third party IRs?
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I tend to stick with the same IRs for my presets once I find something I like.

Yes, I am using 3rd party primarily.

I found that I really like G12H30 IRs. My current favorites are from the ML Legends pack and the York Audio MTCH pack.

I like either mix IRs or a blend of an SM57 and M160 (or R121).

I play most on single coil neck pickup in edge of breakup type of tones and like lead tones that lean towards Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, Robben Ford, etc.
 
I like the new iteration of some of the factory presets. Didn't care for any of them when I first got my axefx3 a couple years ago... mainly because I didn't know what I was doing. They were a great resource for learning and make a great starting point when first starting out. For me tho most of the presets I've downloaded I don't gel with. I can't emphasize enough how helpful Leon and Marco YouTube tutorials have been. It was quite the learning curve from the digitech/lexicon stuff I had come accustomed to over the decades. That being said the Axefx3 in conjunction with axedit is such a great interface. Crafting a patch is a much more fluid, cohesive, and intuitive experience. This is the only peice of equipment I've ever owned that I don't feel the need to throw more pedals or rack units at to achieve the tones I hear in my head. It's actually quite liberating to be freed from the tone quest/gear acquisition hamster wheel.
I dig it!
🤘
 
unix-guy said:
Ok, I'm going to chime in with another thought: maybe you just don't gel with other people's presets?

I know from first hand experience about this.

I have never found much in the factory presets that worked for what I want to hear. I was hoping that this most recent batch of updated Axe Fx III factory presets would change my opinion as they were/are being raved about. I've been thru all of bank A and they just mostly are not usable for me (emphasis on me).

Same thing with Austin Buddy. I have a couple packs...

I can dial in presets that sound great for me but others mostly just don't work.

I honestly don't know why and wish it wasn't the case, but I've pretty much accepted it...

It's really odd because I can listen to recordings of other people using these presets and getting great results.
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more!

The best thing to do with the factory presets for me, is to save blocks that I like to the library for later tweaking and incorporating into my own preset.
 
unix-guy said:
Ok, I'm going to chime in with another thought: maybe you just don't gel with other people's presets?

I know from first hand experience about this.

I have never found much in the factory presets that worked for what I want to hear. I was hoping that this most recent batch of updated Axe Fx III factory presets would change my opinion as they were/are being raved about. I've been thru all of bank A and they just mostly are not usable for me (emphasis on me).

Same thing with Austin Buddy. I have a couple packs...

I can dial in presets that sound great for me but others mostly just don't work.

I honestly don't know why and wish it wasn't the case, but I've pretty much accepted it...

It's really odd because I can listen to recordings of other people using these presets and getting great results.
Click to expand...

not to hijack this thread, that sounds exactly like me. I couldn't find anything in the factory presets that felt "just right" so I ended up scrapping them all and just build my own stuff from scratch.

I was a bit puzzled so I started posting some presets here for a sort of reality check; to see whether I was just totally off, had a blind spot somewhere or something:

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/thre...c-120-metal-prog-preset-with-user-irs.163372/

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/jtm-45-magnatone-updated-for-cygnus.165901/

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/vibroverb-super-reverb-fw-16-00.172555/

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/plexi-100w-1970.170800/post-2057521
 
FractalAudio said:
Sounds like you're clipping somewhere. If you have to turn treble down that much then you are likely clipping somewhere, probably outside the Axe-Fx. If the Axe-Fx is set to +4 dBu it is capable of very high signal levels, enough to overpower some mixers and monitors. Friedmans are dark amps so something isn't right. If you are using XLR cables be sure the mixer/monitor is set to line level not mic level.

As with any modeler the quality of the playback devices is of utmost importance. Right now I'm playing loud through a pair of Focal Trio 11 Be and it sounds stunning. I'm actually comparing the Axe-Fx with several other high-end modeling products in an A/B test and the sound is just exquisite and the feel is amazing.
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This thread caught my eye. Long time Fractal owner of every piece of Axe FX hardware for years.
Did not like Cygnus and the new presets at all when they came out. Everything was too hot and sounded generic and like a shitty Marshall.

It turned out my Mackie mixer had the Axe Fx 3 channel gain knob bumped up by mistake after a recording session with my keyboard where the keyboard channel gain level knob was adjusted several times.

Put it back to unity gain and all is well.
This is the best the Axe Fx 3 has ever been.

My suggestion is to double check your gain signal path. Good luck.
 
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Its difficult to jump in with suggestions - when cliff already has lol... BUT:

1. Im the same as others - I dont generally find factory - or 3rd party - presets work for me. All the ones I use Ive built myself. This has always been the case since my first standard in 2007.

2. backline/amp makes all the difference in the world..... Its one reason I STILL like a power amp and my 2x12 zilla (with 1 x v30 and 1 x creamback). There is a factory cab (a zilla one with creambacks) that sounds pretty close as it should. Its kind of what Im used to hearing I guess (had that cab with heads pre-axf). using amp/cab keeps things consistent.

3. Ive been through some good PAs and it sounded rubbish, Ive been through some cheap PAs and it sounded worse lol. The RIGHT good PA and it sounds really nice. Ditto for monitors. My Adam A5xs were OK but not great, and I had events and something else prior that were worse. My current Neumann KH120s with the KH750 sub is TOTALLY different. sounds AND feels pretty great at any volume.

IMO - IF your going direct to desk - you either need a competent soundman (either a really good one, or at least ne that knows the PA his mixing on) OR need to find a PA that works for you, and always use that (not always possible of course - and sometimes not even wanted) . Youll get the same problems with a real amp/cab mind through a poor PA or with a poor soundman.
 
unix-guy said:
Ok, I'm going to chime in with another thought: maybe you just don't gel with other people's presets?

I know from first hand experience about this.

I have never found much in the factory presets that worked for what I want to hear. I was hoping that this most recent batch of updated Axe Fx III factory presets would change my opinion as they were/are being raved about. I've been thru all of bank A and they just mostly are not usable for me (emphasis on me).

Same thing with Austin Buddy. I have a couple packs...

I can dial in presets that sound great for me but others mostly just don't work.

I honestly don't know why and wish it wasn't the case, but I've pretty much accepted it...

It's really odd because I can listen to recordings of other people using these presets and getting great results.
Click to expand...
me too
 
paulmapp8306 said:
1. Im the same as others - I dont generally find factory - or 3rd party - presets work for me. All the ones I use Ive built myself. This has always been the case since my first standard in 2007.
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This is interesting. Have you ever recorded your tones direct into a DAW? Still sound as good in mix? If yes you may have golden ears, if no, you gotta issue elsewhere in the chain
 
AngusV said:
This is interesting. Have you ever recorded your tones direct into a DAW? Still sound as good in mix? If yes you may have golden ears, if no, you gotta issue elsewhere in the chain
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yeh - ive recorded into a daw, and they do sit perfectly.

Im used to that - I run our bands (both of them) mix pre show, and I re-mix all out "from the desk" live takes. Ive probably done more mixing (live predominantly but studio as well) that I have actually played over the last 40+ years.
 
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