This isn't meant to sound derogatory or negative or disrespectful... yadda yadda.....
But is it really that hard to learn how to use the front panel?
I had the same reservations a year ago when I was faced with the prospect of sticking with an outdated FW and a "stable" version of AE, or forgo the security blanket of AE and do all my tweaking on the front panel. I'm glad that I decided to try the former and not miss out on months of awesome updates that have just gotten better and better.
Unless you have access or sight issues, I see no reason why anyone can't learn to use the front panel. Axe Edit might not always be there at a gig for last minute tweaking. It's a good skill set to develop.
I agree 100% that any Axe user ought to be well versed in front panel navigation, but I would like to address the question you asked: is it that hard? The answer to that is going to vary on a per-user basis, and the intentions of said user. The Axe II, as we know, is a high tech piece of kit. It's navigation functions are necessarily complex as it's versatility is vast. I am frankly amazed that Cliff was able to design a front panel that works as well as it does. However to someone like myself, who (before the Ultra) was accustomed to a Marshall JCM 600 and a couple stomps, the Fractal products are an entirely foreign world of new effects, both practical and ethereal, with seemingly infinite parameters apiece. Not to mention adjusting to FRFR. For the purpose of learning about all of the new concepts/effects and how to smoothly integrate them, the editor was a godsend. Even for a quick FP aficionado, Axe Edit saves hours. I use the front panel for everything with my II, but I stick to the basics. Since I've had the Axe II, Edit has been a grump (freezes/crashes computer). So I have not really explored it beyond the base of what I already am familiar with. Mostly because I would rather play my gee-tar than press a lot of buttons. On this note we encounter a point that I think is relevant to the overall marketability of the product. Old tube-geezers (<- most affectionately) in my little town are amazed by the Axe, especially guys that play covers, ESPECIALLY Pink Floyd! But the complexity of it intimidates some, and the editor brings the element that brought Apple it's dominant market share: elegant user-friendly interface.
Mostly Fabio, I submit that what appears simple for one is perhaps not so for another. To the uninitiated, the Axe is indeed a complex machine and should be appreciated as such. If you are gifted of the alacrity of mind as to make your comprehension of the front panel a breeze, consider yourself lucky, but not all are similarly gifted and for them/us it IS hard. That said, if anyone can't use the front panel well enough to easily adjust EQ to match the room or similar essential functions, then it is time to get to work!
Regards to all who have fought in the FP vs. WHERE'SMYFRIGGINAXEEDIT conflict, and a moment of silence for the fallen. My church says that the Fractal Gods are going to bring about the second coming of Axe Edit any day now and usher in the peaceful shutting-up of us all
