Snouttrout
Inspired
I received my Axe FX 3 nearly a week ago and I've a had a chance to use it in a few different scenarios. I thought I would run these experiences by the users and see if you have suggestions. I have been experimenting with the JP2C yellow and red models. I took the two cab models from the factory Petrucci preset. Then I used the recommended settings described on the boogie page:
Yellow channel:
Gain 6.5
Master 4
Presence 7
Treble 5
Middle 4
Bass 2.5
EQ 1 Settings
80hz +6db
220hz +5.5db
750hz -5.5db
2200hz +3.5db
6600hz +5db
Red Channel:
Gain 8.5
Master 4.5
Presence 6
Treble 5.5
Middle 4.5
Bass 3
EQ 1 Settings
80hz +6db
220hz +5.5db
750hz -5db
2200hz +3db
6600hz +4db
(I know that I may need to tweak these setting my my set-up, but I thought I needed to start from somewhere, and I have no previous experience with Mesa Boogie amps. I'm curious if you have used these kinds of JP2C EQ settings with a live band. My past experiences with cutting the mids and boosting the highs (in the graphic eq in this case) has never worked in live settings for me. I've always had to use a smiley face EQ. )
I also use the 2db high frequency boost to approximate shred mode for the yellow channel.
1. Two JBL 308P MK II studio monitors:
The AXE Fx III sounds really amazing through these monitors. It was really easy to get something to sound very good. Rhythm and leads sounded great, although I was surprised that the JP2C yellow channel with gain on 6 makes you work a bit, but it sounds nice and tight. (Does JP use a boost up front?) The lead on channel 3 just blew me away. No complaints here. Everything sounded great.
2. Real Mesa Boogie 4x12 Oversized Cab and Carvin TS100 tube power amp (I'm using this power amp until my matrix GT1000FX arrives):
It took me a a while to figure out how to do this, but I essentially turned the cabinet modeling off. I didn't change anything else. It sounded very good. I cranked the power amp and felt the floor shake! Heavy, punchy, and tight. Smooth lead tones.
3. One EV ZLX P 12" PA.
I used the scenes in the preset I had programmed with my JBL monitors with the suggested EQ. This sounded like garbage. I had everything flat on the PA, and the settings simply didn't translate well at all to the PA.
CONCERNS:
1. I am concerned that if the AXE sounds bad through my PA, then I will sound bad on other PAs. Perhaps this is teaching me a real lesson about FRFR. I am currently considering either a pair of Matrix FR12P cabs or Xitone 12 in cabs and use them with my forthcoming GT1000FX power amp. Would these cabs be loud enough with a real drummer? Do they have the sound of miced 4x12s? ( I might be the only person in the world who prefers the sound a SM57 on a cab as compared to the cab itself.) Anyway, maybe may PA is not very good.
2. I'm very concerned about editing settings on the AX3 in a live setting, as I don't own a laptop. Is there a trick to getting to EQ settings quickly? I mostly intend to use the AX3 for live use, so this is really important to me. Perhaps you have some suggestions? I generally only get about 45 minutes for performance so I can't spend a lot of time searching the things I might need to change on the fly, namely amp EQ and delay levels.
I would be grateful for any thoughts or comments you might have. Thank you!
Yellow channel:
Gain 6.5
Master 4
Presence 7
Treble 5
Middle 4
Bass 2.5
EQ 1 Settings
80hz +6db
220hz +5.5db
750hz -5.5db
2200hz +3.5db
6600hz +5db
Red Channel:
Gain 8.5
Master 4.5
Presence 6
Treble 5.5
Middle 4.5
Bass 3
EQ 1 Settings
80hz +6db
220hz +5.5db
750hz -5db
2200hz +3db
6600hz +4db
(I know that I may need to tweak these setting my my set-up, but I thought I needed to start from somewhere, and I have no previous experience with Mesa Boogie amps. I'm curious if you have used these kinds of JP2C EQ settings with a live band. My past experiences with cutting the mids and boosting the highs (in the graphic eq in this case) has never worked in live settings for me. I've always had to use a smiley face EQ. )
I also use the 2db high frequency boost to approximate shred mode for the yellow channel.
1. Two JBL 308P MK II studio monitors:
The AXE Fx III sounds really amazing through these monitors. It was really easy to get something to sound very good. Rhythm and leads sounded great, although I was surprised that the JP2C yellow channel with gain on 6 makes you work a bit, but it sounds nice and tight. (Does JP use a boost up front?) The lead on channel 3 just blew me away. No complaints here. Everything sounded great.
2. Real Mesa Boogie 4x12 Oversized Cab and Carvin TS100 tube power amp (I'm using this power amp until my matrix GT1000FX arrives):
It took me a a while to figure out how to do this, but I essentially turned the cabinet modeling off. I didn't change anything else. It sounded very good. I cranked the power amp and felt the floor shake! Heavy, punchy, and tight. Smooth lead tones.
3. One EV ZLX P 12" PA.
I used the scenes in the preset I had programmed with my JBL monitors with the suggested EQ. This sounded like garbage. I had everything flat on the PA, and the settings simply didn't translate well at all to the PA.
CONCERNS:
1. I am concerned that if the AXE sounds bad through my PA, then I will sound bad on other PAs. Perhaps this is teaching me a real lesson about FRFR. I am currently considering either a pair of Matrix FR12P cabs or Xitone 12 in cabs and use them with my forthcoming GT1000FX power amp. Would these cabs be loud enough with a real drummer? Do they have the sound of miced 4x12s? ( I might be the only person in the world who prefers the sound a SM57 on a cab as compared to the cab itself.) Anyway, maybe may PA is not very good.
2. I'm very concerned about editing settings on the AX3 in a live setting, as I don't own a laptop. Is there a trick to getting to EQ settings quickly? I mostly intend to use the AX3 for live use, so this is really important to me. Perhaps you have some suggestions? I generally only get about 45 minutes for performance so I can't spend a lot of time searching the things I might need to change on the fly, namely amp EQ and delay levels.
I would be grateful for any thoughts or comments you might have. Thank you!