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Users: Highcastle_of_Tone
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Porcupine Tree - New album & Tour

Any other PT/SW fans here? I'm stoked to finally be seeing them again after 12 years. I feel very fortunate they're coming to a nearby venue (Irving) because it's not a huge tour. https://porcupinetree.com/home/ https://porcupinetree.com/#tourdates
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Mar 8, 2022
- Replies: 42
- Forum: The Lounge
How you know you're busy...

12 hours later and I still don't have time to open it. I'm busy with a large song/video project for Berklee and I have an additional arrangement of a Beatles track I haven't started and they're both due Sunday. I'll break it out soon enough, I've got a few ideas where I can use it in these...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Mar 30, 2018
- Replies: 8
- Forum: The Lounge
King Crimson Fall Tour 2017

Finally got to see one of my favorite prog bands of all time last night in Dallas. I got into them a bit late, during the Discipline-Beat-TOAPP era, but I've been a big fan ever since. If you get a chance, it's well worth attending. I waxed a bit poetic in the review I posted on FB: A theater...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Oct 22, 2017
- Replies: 14
- Forum: The Lounge
NGD - expanding the arsenal back to analog...

I have had a Port City cab for a few years (used with AxeFx via fx loop powered with a Matrix GT), and a few months ago got a H&K Grandmeister, which I've been loving. For a long time I've wanted to have an amp iso room (inspired by Pete Thorn, Tim Pierce) so I started that process a while back...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Jun 20, 2017
- Replies: 1
- Forum: The Lounge
Rascal's Refrain

A song about my late teenage years, comprised of work, partying, and listening to music. 30 years later, not much has changed. Electric guitars were tracked through the AxeFx stereo out as well as spdif. I toyed with the idea of reamping but ended up using Guitar Rig for a doubled clean sound...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Apr 1, 2017
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Recordings
Rascal's Refrain

An ode to my late teenage years when I spent all of my time either working, partying, or listening to music. Sometimes all three at the same time. Electric guitars were mostly AxeFx. I recorded both the AxeFx output and the spdif out, using the spdif for the doubled cleaner part on the solo. I...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Mar 31, 2017
- Replies: 1
- Forum: The Lounge
Generation Axe in Dallas 4/17/16

Grabbed a few photos and clips, and managed to get one of Yngwie's picks (not so rare as he throws 3 or 4 per song). Fantastic show, all players were amazing. Three AxeFx units were spotted, two in Tosin Abasi's rig on stage left and one in Steve Vai's rig in between his two Legacys.
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Apr 18, 2016
- Replies: 4
- Forum: The Lounge
My interview with Troy Grady of "Cracking the Code"

I conducted this back in February of this year. Troy Grady was a great subject and very articulate and forthcoming with his answers. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, his web series "Cracking the Code" explores the techniques of guitar virtuosos like Eric Johnson, EVH, Yngwie and...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Sep 30, 2015
- Replies: 5
- Forum: The Lounge
Up the Irons!

Giving the new Iron Maiden album a first listen, loving it so far and I'm at the end of disc 1 of 2. Seems like a return to Powerslave era Maiden, with three songs clocking in at over 10 minutes and the whole album around 90 minutes or so. Bruce is sounding great, although he's lost a bit of...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Sep 6, 2015
- Replies: 19
- Forum: The Lounge
I'm interviewing Mark Day tonight

Post your questions below if interested. I have a fairly comprehensive list already and Mark's a busy man so I may not even have the time to ask them, but I'll try my best to throw in a few good ones from the forum. For those wondering, Mark is doing me a real solid here as this is for a class...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Feb 11, 2015
- Replies: 67
- Forum: The Lounge
Any music critics?

As posted a few weeks ago, I'm enrolled in the Music Production program at Berklee. As part of one class I'm trying to get feedback on some pre-selected songs. This requires listening to two songs (3.5 min long each) and then answering 4 questions about them. Anyone who's interested and so...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Jan 27, 2015
- Replies: 6
- Forum: The Lounge
Looking for opinions...

...from the wide variety of backgrounds we have here. I'm currently enrolled in Berklee Online's Music Production program. One of the courses (Music Production Analysis) often involves running experiments that involve having subjects listen to music and give feedback. I'm just throwing out a...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Jan 19, 2015
- Replies: 4
- Forum: The Lounge
Wish List: VU Meters in Axe Edit

I'm thrilled with this new feature. It would be awesome if it was viewable from Axe Edit, preferably on the main toolbar so it could always be seen if desired.
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Dec 5, 2014
- Replies: 22
- Forum: Axe-Edit (Gen I, II only)
VU Meters are the bees knees...

Being able to ensure I'm sending a consistent signal to my monitors is helping reveal where I need to tweak the actual signal chain to get desired effect and not wondering if it's the output level or not. I knew this would be useful, but it's even better than I imagined. Thanks Cliff and team!!
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Dec 3, 2014
- Replies: 35
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Discussion
16.02 is like buttah...

like buttah... that's all...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Oct 14, 2014
- Replies: 7
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Discussion
Saw the Winery Dogs last night

The newish trio with Ritchie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan, and Mike Portnoy. They're an interesting mixture of over the top chops in a hard rock/pop song structure. Fantastic live band. Give their album a listen and definitely go see them live if you get a chance.
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 25, 2014
- Replies: 28
- Forum: The Lounge
Queen to tour this summer!!!

Title says it all. Along with Zeppelin and Floyd, Queen is probably the band I most want to see live that I never got to see. Brian May is one my all time favorite guitarists and musicians in general, and Roger Taylor is a monster drummer and singer too. Adam Lambert will be singing, and he's...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Mar 6, 2014
- Replies: 52
- Forum: The Lounge
NGD

a sneak preview, if you will. Better quality and more informative pics coming later tonight after I get home. I'm sure some of you internet sleuths will figure it out in short order. (Hint: it's in the boxes) Bored at work, if you were wondering...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Mar 6, 2014
- Replies: 25
- Forum: The Lounge
Random AxeFX III ideas

FIRST - I'm not suggesting there's a need for an AxeFx III by any stretch. I still haven't figured out how to harness more than about 5% of the capabilities of the AxeFx II. Actually this idea probably applies more to the Axe Edit/software side, but more on that in a minute. I needed a new...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Dec 25, 2013
- Replies: 10
- Forum: The Lounge
RRHOF loses the shred of credibility it gained last year

Yes and Deep Purple both passed over. I thought Prog & Classic Rock were going to start getting a bit more recognition with the admission of Rush, but sadly they appear back to their old ways. Congrats to Peter Gabriel, Nirvana & KISS, they all deserve to be admitted. Linda Ronstadt + Hall &...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Dec 17, 2013
- Replies: 28
- Forum: The Lounge
Cover tunes worth it?

Howdy Axers, for those in regular cover band gigs, do you get a sense of fulfillment from the gigs (whether you make money or not) that justifies the trouble you went to learn the tunes and tones? Learning songs that I like never feels like work or wasted time to me. Unfortunately, most of the...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Nov 25, 2013
- Replies: 23
- Forum: The Lounge
Taking the Port City Plunge...

I had inquired about a 2x12 OS a month ago, and I just got an offer on a discounted show demo model so I've taken the plunge and bought a 2x12 with Warehouse ET-65s. I'm planning for this to be my main sound with the option of FRFR with an atomic wedge and/or JBL EONs. I'm still considering the...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Jun 17, 2013
- Replies: 9
- Forum: Amps and Cabs
I'm a Senior Member, and sh*ts going to change around here...

...I mean, I get better parking now, right? Free T-shirt? Due deference from the young-uns? Oh, hey, I do know what I get today. My AxeII back!!!! Sent it in for repair of the LCD front panel and it's "Out for Delivery" as I type. So long Guitar Rig 4, it was nice reminiscing on the old days...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 16, 2013
- Replies: 79
- Forum: The Lounge
The AxeFx makes you sound better*

@ @
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 8, 2013
- Replies: 7
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Discussion
Holy Shitballs in reverse

I just sent my II in for repair on the front panel screen. I had to play through Guitar Rig 4 for the first time since 2010. I previously thought GR was the pinnacle in modeling before I bought my Ultra. If I wasn't moving into a new house this summer I would seriously consider buying a second...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 4, 2013
- Replies: 8
- Forum: The Lounge
Screen contrast

Not sure if this is a bug, but it started after the FW10 update. Upon startup the contrast is so small you can't read the display. Adjusting the contrast control and resetting doesn't seem to make a difference. It does seem to improve with time the longer I have the unit powered on. Has anyone...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Apr 14, 2013
- Replies: 8
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Bugs
A little Zep

In the interest of historical accuracy, I played this as if I was at MSG on half a fifth of Jack. Sloppiness was totally intentional. Really. EDIT: Gear was LP Custom into AxeFx II, Plexi Bright with I think an esoteric RCB and a little delay. This is just me having fun, not meant to be a...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Apr 4, 2013
- Replies: 4
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Recordings
Nothing to see here, move along...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Mar 28, 2013
- Replies: 0
- Forum: The Lounge
Your 7 favorite ways to avoid admitting you're OCD about FW10/AE

In other words, what are the other reasons you keep checking these pages every 5 minutes? 1. My refresh button is sticky and I need to keep it loose. 2. One of my smart ass comments may have been liked and I need to see by who. 3. They might announce AxeFx III. 4. They might have finally...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Mar 26, 2013
- Replies: 6
- Forum: The Lounge
Looks like Joe B is done with BCC for good...

Don't know if this was already posted, but it seems pretty final now. There's a good interview about his current projects as well: Interview: Joe Bonamassa - Restless Pick Syndrome - Premier Guitar
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Mar 15, 2013
- Replies: 24
- Forum: The Lounge
I don't know why I keep clicking on these links...

Robert Plant hints he'd be open to a Led Zeppelin reunion - NBC News Entertainment This would be reunion gig I would most like to see (ok, tied with Floyd, but they're even less likely), but I'm so jaded on these stories now I can only assume it's more hype. At least this time it's Plant...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Feb 19, 2013
- Replies: 4
- Forum: The Lounge
This is how I picture Cliff explaining why not to use Axe Edit now...

Cliff of Swamp Castle: Random Axe Users, make sure the prince doesn't leave this room until I come and get him. Random Axe User #1: Not to leave the room... even if you come and get him. Random Axe User #2: [hiccups] Cliff of Swamp Castle: No, no. *Until* I come and get him. Random Axe User...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Dec 6, 2012
- Replies: 8
- Forum: The Lounge
AXEII no longer connecting osx 10.8.2

I haven't previously had any issues with the usb drivers, and had been using the most recent (July 12) driver with mountain lion without any problems. Last week I had to wipe my mac and reinstall mountain lion fresh and after installing the usb drivers I was now able to see the Axe as a single...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Oct 17, 2012
- Replies: 12
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Discussion
New John 5 album is quite the ride...

I've always known he was a great guitarist, but I hadn't really listened to much by him. I caught him as the guest guitarist on That Metal Show last season and that opened my eyes a bit. His new album came out in May and it reinforces what a consummate musician and guitarist John 5 is. It's hard...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Aug 22, 2012
- Replies: 5
- Forum: The Lounge
MFC Bug?

I don't know if this is specific to the MFC, but since I updated to FW 7.00 I have been having weird sync issues with my patches. I am running MFC 2.11 & FW 7.0 as stated. On the newer patch banks (I put bank A into my B folder to preserve my old patches) I get all the effect lights on green...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Aug 14, 2012
- Replies: 2
- Forum: MFC Wishes + Bugs
Weiland and VR getting back together

Hell freezes over again. I won' t hold my breath, but I'll be buying the album and getting concert tickets if this happens. One of my favorite hard rock bands of the last 10 years. Weiland was great with STP on the last tour although he's clearly still drinking heavily. I guess he's more of a...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 14, 2012
- Replies: 7
- Forum: The Lounge
Tone Matching has taught me...

that I really don't need tone matching. I love the feature and I've finally been able to get really close on some long sought but unattainable tones. A few that I've struggled with over the years are "Custard Pie" by Zep or even "Crazy Train" or "The Spirit of Radio" for that matter. I've been...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 14, 2012
- Replies: 4
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Tone Match
Roger Waters - The Wall

Going to see one of my all time favorite bands music live for the first time tonight in Austin. Color me stoked. To be honest, I'm more of a Gilmour devotee (for reasons beyond him being the guitarist), but I knew that the opportunities to see any Pink Floyd music live by original band members...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 3, 2012
- Replies: 21
- Forum: The Lounge
FW 6 good for acoustic as well

I have always used a stripped down preset for acoustic. At the most compression, tube pre amp, no cab, reverb and maybe delay if I'm hopped up on coffee. This new FW hasn't altered the sound too much, but there does seem to be some increased clarity and body to the sound. It's definitely an...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Apr 26, 2012
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Axe-Fx II Preset Exchange
When will the RIAA strike FAS?

Not that I've heard anything so far, but it wouldn't surprise me if tone matching became an issue (drop in the bucket compared to downloading songs) of copyright at some point. The total number of users using tone matching off original or copyrighted material is miniscule in the grand scheme of...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Apr 25, 2012
- Replies: 16
- Forum: The Lounge
So what new gear did you get for Christmas?

I'll go first: Les Paul Custom, black with all chrome hardware. Probably the best playing and sounding guitar I've ever owned. My wife also sprung for the Pink Floyd discovery set with the new remasters of all their studio albums.
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Dec 25, 2011
- Replies: 56
- Forum: The Lounge
Drinking the Kool Aid Again...

I had deliberately avoided all things Axe II for several months since I was waiting for the coupon and didn't have any problem enjoying my Ultra. But now my II is enroute and my world is all things Fractal once again. Sorry, I had attenuated G.A.S. as low as it would go, now it's got a life of...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- Oct 24, 2011
- Replies: 1
- Forum: The Lounge
Returned the Atomic FR Powered Cab...

for a wedge! Great cab, but I realized I could use it for my acoustic guitar as well and the wedge is more versatile. If I need a backline I'll just turn it on its side. I want two eventually, but I'm going with one for now. Love this amp!
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 11, 2010
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Amps and Cabs
GAS Killers

Ok, truly there's no such thing, but I have to say the Axe Fx (which I've had for about two months) and the Atomic Powered Cab I just received Friday have got me really happy with my sound (and I haven't scratched the surface yet, still mostly playing with presets). I was loving the AxeFx so...
- Highcastle_of_Tone
- Thread
- May 2, 2010
- Replies: 8
- Forum: Amps and Cabs