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  1. Casper

    AITR

    Ya, me too. I didn't even know there was a User 2 bank until this discussion. Shows how much I use it.
  2. Casper

    AITR

    TC G-Force has a G-Card. Recommend keeping the Axe Fx III line together on this, adding or swapping to make room for Fullres IR capability. Quality and capability upgrade vs quantity. IR libraries can be stored on a computer.
  3. Casper

    Just blew a transformer

    Fractal has been pretty rock-solid for me. Only had one Axe-Fx failure. An eprom fried in 2009 in my Ultra. Within hours Fractal sent me a new eprom and was back in business. Had various tube amp failures, mostly the tubes but sometimes other things like reverb springs popping off. Suspect...
  4. Casper

    Cab Talk: What to consider when deciding between 1x12, 2x12 or 4x12 cabinets?

    Close eyes and use ears, scroll through selections. You may be surprised. Even though 4x12 may be associated with high gain or rock stacks, you may find more, and bigger speakers doesn't always sound bigger or better.
  5. Casper

    Marshalls sound bad

    Try playing some of your favorite recorded music through your PA, or FRFR setup. See how that sounds, so you have a reference. Then, if you can, mix in the Axe-FX through the same system, playing along, and see how it sits in that mix. If you like 80s rock, check out the updated #11 Brit800...
  6. Casper

    Marshalls sound bad

    Yes, agree, you shouldn't need to dial in Eric Johnson or do too much tweaking. The Marshall models sound good on mine just pulling up the factory preset settings. The new scenes on some of these are really great.
  7. Casper

    Just blew a transformer

    lol "it sounded good for a while"
  8. Casper

    Just blew a transformer

    Yeah, not sure why they are shorted.. maybe something rattled loose or arc damage. I pulled the tube and measured across the pins. Heater pins 2, 7 and plate 3 show continuity. No continuity across the other pins. No screen resistor, Blankenship with Fender Princeton-like circuit. The tube...
  9. Casper

    Just blew a transformer

    Another reason to like the Axe Fx. While cranked and shaking in glorious overdrive, my combo amp's power tube (6v6 EH GT) heater shorted to the plate today, taking out the transformer with it. Sudden silence and a nice burnt smell. On to cranking the Axe-Fx, it neither shakes nor stresses...
  10. Casper

    🆕 Axe-Fx III Cygnus Factory Presets "Enhanced" - Preview 1

    Thank you for your focus on the presets. I think it is a smart business decision for Fractal to keep these up. While I enjoy creating my own, I find the basic factory presets as a great plug and play. Especially very helpful when plugging in on the fly to random setups. Bank A has some...
  11. Casper

    Fender Ultra Strats - HSS vs SSS for Axe FX III?

    The Axe-Fx III sounds good with all variety of guitars. So, it is more about what you want out of the guitar. If you want it more for classic Strat tone and quack, then check out the SSS. Especially if you are a finger-picker, the single coils help with clarity. I love a Fender SSS Strat...
  12. Casper

    Amps with great dynamics for live use?

    check out the AC20
  13. Casper

    Do major firmware updates make commercial preset packs obsolete?

    Whether using commercial presets or home-grown, I do not see how you get around this. Speaking from the experience of my own presets, I find they need to be reworked from the ground up periodically. Complex presets are most at risk. Major FW changes can make previous presets unusable, in my...
  14. Casper

    Need Advice: Cab Selection

    Blind your eyes, and open your ears when auditioning. Try not to get stuck on thinking 4x12, 2x12, 1x12, etc., the name, or brand. A good start is to scroll through the IRs in the Axe Fx, just listen, and mark the ones that sound good for your application.
  15. Casper

    Forgot How Loud Tube Amps Are

    I'm good with loud amps. Makes me use my guitar volume and tone knobs. Also helps me develop a lighter touch. I think Cygnus is giving us more the feel of a loud amp without being so loud, at least it seems that way to me. The Cygnus AC 20 model reacts a lot like my Blankenship Fatboy Jr...
  16. Casper

    Ares vs Cygnus - if it was perfect - how can it be better now?

    Back in the 80s I bought my first multi-fx, a Roland GP-8. I remember it sounded glorious into an amp. Then came TC, Line 6, Digitech, all of which sounded state of the art at the time (...except the Line 6 always had a mosquito sound I could not remove). None of these, even added together...
  17. Casper

    From the Quad Cortex waiting list to a Fractal FX 3 owner

    Welcome to the club!
  18. Casper

    Just bought an Axe-Fx III mk2

    While true that the factory presets may not be where you end up, in my opinion they are a good place to start. Every guitar will sound different through any preset. That is how you know the Axe-Fx is a good instrument. The first 10 factory presets, or so, represent basic Fender, Vox and...
  19. Casper

    What advice would you give me as I will get my Axe-Fx III in a few days?

    You can cover a lot of ground with the first 10 factory presets (assorted basic Fender, Vox, Marshall). I think they sound good, and they are a good place to start when learning how the Axe Fx works. When you create your own, I would suggest starting simply with an amp and cab block, and...
  20. Casper

    Is arrived the time for Axe-Fx III to profile an amp?

    The manual says that the LED is part of a noise reduction system to reduce hum and hiss. I have the 16 ohm version that stays connected to a 16 ohm cab. The light glows, and the fan spins, seemingly in proportional intensity to the amp output.
  21. Casper

    My tone is too perfect?

    There is something to be said about having a crappy tone. I remember once feeling really disgusted with my tone and playing. This guy comes up to me after and was like "wow man, so rock and roll!" I think we all want good tone... but after that and similar experiences, I worry less about the...
  22. Casper

    Dialing in the 1959SLP for a Les Paul, easy.

    I was inspired to check out the 1959SLP model after dusting off some Thin Lizzy tunes. Now it is one of my favorite amp models in the Axe-Fx III. I'm hesitant to post a patch because you really have to dial it in by ear and no LP sounds the same, so rather want to simply share some tips on...
  23. Casper

    Low end response and the Two Notes Torpedo Studio

    Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have filters in the circuit, the cutoff frequency is typically defined as the -3db point. The actual attenuation, roll-off begins before that.
  24. Casper

    Huge difference between FR/FR and PA

    This
  25. Casper

    What amp did the Axe-Fx III make you discover and fall in love with?

    I'm still mostly into Marshall and Mesa tones, but AxeFx had some nice Fender amp tones that I was playing around with. A few years ago, an old friend of mine gave me his Fender American Strat to keep. It had vintage everything. I was never much of a vintage player. I first ran it into the...
  26. Casper

    Very interesting Rig Rundown with heavy III content

    Really great!
  27. Casper

    Would you dislike a 4U Axe-Fx 4?

    I really like Clockwork Creep's idea of having an option to use an iPhone or iPad (or android) w/ Axe-Edit, maybe via bluetooth. That way you could have a 1U, or small floor module with basic knobs, then use your phone as a visual editor, if needed. Sounds like an elegant solution! Worst...
  28. Casper

    Would you dislike a 4U Axe-Fx 4?

    I would prefer a 1U rack solution that is easy to use live, or simple studio. Give me an Axe with the 1U simplicity of say the GSP 1101, with the basic adjustments and knobs for pre, master, and tone. Save the deep editing for Axe-Edit. If you have to, add a mode to switch the unit into...
  29. Casper

    The 25 Greatest Riffs of the 2010s Decade!

    Nice joke at the end! Great to hear how you started from factory presets for the tones. I think a lot of people write them off, but there are some really good base presets in the factory set.
  30. Casper

    Merry Christmas

    Merry Christmas all!
  31. Casper

    Commercial preset packs, factory presets, and user presets

    Pickup and guitar type will get you part way there. Despite the make and pickup being the same, and played with same fingers, every guitar still sounds unique. I have half a dozen LPs and they all sound different. Presets you get from someone else will not sound the same on your guitar, and...
  32. Casper

    I had a Sobering Experience Last Night

    This has happened to me. I think it is dependent on the PA or venue and may not have time to fiddle with it. The usual fix has been loading up more of a plain amp sound and using volume to get the punch back. Next time this happens, try initializing the amp block, or load up a preset with...
  33. Casper

    Axe-Fx Firmware Version 8.00

    cool
  34. Casper

    Stereo vs. Mono at gigs. What are you using?

    I would just try it out and see how you like it. In my opinion stereo is really great for small to medium sized venues, especially if you are a 3 piece.
  35. Casper

    Non-Minimum Phase IRs

    How can I readily tell if an IR is MPT or not? Is it flagged in the name?
  36. Casper

    How to properly start and shut down the Axe-Fx 3?

    I just turn mine on via the switch on the front. Though I do wait a few moments for the tubes to warm up before I play.
  37. Casper

    Axe-Fx III Firmware 2.00 Public Beta

    I'm not color blind, but think it is great that you are considering those that are! Really great!
  38. Casper

    Def Leppard Makes the Switch to the Axe-Fx III

    Wow, what a nice review!
  39. Casper

    Boston / Tom Scholz Presets for III?

    Not sure if the ADA EQ is different, but that is the factory ADA MQ-1 "Boston Curve" preset. Maybe meant to tame an MP-1.
  40. Casper

    Boston / Tom Scholz Presets for III?

    Couple EQ references that might be interesting to experiment with... ADA MPQ-1 "-Boston- Curve" Preset: Gain:2dB, 40Hz:0dB, 63Hz:3, 100Hz:4, 160Hz:5, 250Hz:6, 400Hz:0, 630Hz:-3, 1KHz:-3, 1.6KHz:-3, 2.5KH:0, 4KHz:3, 6.3KHz:4, 10KHz:6, 16KHz:6 Pic of Scholz's eq settings
  41. Casper

    IR Capture Tutorial- DI/Mic Method & Free IR's

    Thanks for sharing Leon!
  42. Casper

    Ultra/Standard software

    The legacy Standard/Ultra Axe Edit works just fine on my relatively recent Mac mini. The only thing is you can't install that and the Axe Edit III(For the AxeFx II) on the same computer. At least, I haven't been able too. I can however install the Axe III Axe Edit beta and the legacy Axe...
  43. Casper

    MILO Presets

    I think they really sound great, using a 20’ monster cable,which I don’t think has too much tone loss. Very musical. Will your website host the revised patches for 10’ cable? Thanks so much for sharing these awesome sounding patches!
  44. Casper

    Amp in the Room?

    This is great. Reminds me of when I used to run my Triaxis record outs direct to the PA. You can get some killer tones this way, and the edgier sound is particularly suitable for outdoors playing and when you are using delay. I think old PA systems were kind of like having a cab anyway.
  45. Casper

    Long time Fractal guy here. Is "III" miles beyond the "II"?

    I have the new Axe III and it gets most of my time, but still play the Axe II Mark I, and even the Ultra sometimes (as FX unit mostly). The III is not as big a leap from the II, as the II is from the Ultra, from just a amp tone/feel standpoint. With the Axe II on FW10.1, it is pretty close...
  46. Casper

    Shout out to Milo (camilovelandiamusic)

    Awesome musician! Milo put out some superb presets. Thanks Milo! I keep going back to the Dumble mid boost scenes.
  47. Casper

    First show With the III.....

    It would be nice if Fractal could share what the causes are of this White Screen of Death. Is it something that, worst case, we could fix on our own, like a loose connector?
  48. Casper

    Selling the amps?

    I go back and forth. Spent last night with Axe III, and spending tonight with my Triaxis (Ultra in the fx loop). I like the variety. Maybe if I was overflowing with $200k in amps I’d sell some, but I don’t have that worry!
  49. Casper

    New to Cabinet blocks, advice needed

    For reference I run the same Delta Pros, in EV ported Thiele cabs, with a VHT 2502. I sometimes run an Ultra as the preamp and fwiw I leave the power amp sim on. IMO it is too harsh otherwise and I would imagine it would be more so with a 2:90 or SS amp. You can tune the impedance by ear.
  50. Casper

    What are you using for sustain?

    First thing to do I imagine is keep your finger on the fret. Has anyone tried crafting a preset with an artificially heavy sub bass freq to add energy? Use this for sustain while recording. Then in the final mix cut the lows back out.
  51. Casper

    Axe-Fx III hardware failure rate?

    I imagine they keep data, including infant and runtime component failures. Fwiw, having accumulated 3 over last 10 years (Ultra, AxeII Mk1, and now AxeIII), with the Ultra seeing the most roadtime....the only issues I had was an eprom firmware update issue with the Ultra back in 2008 or so where...
  52. Casper

    What's your favorite factory preset?

    +1 for the plexi 100w Covers a lot Just got it last week so still have some exploring to do
  53. Casper

    Axe-Fx III wait list: Let us know when you get notified...

    I bet it is not linear. It was a work day, so there could be humps of activity in the morning and evening. Not sure how many of us log in during the middle of the day on a weekday. Understanding there are time zone differences too.
  54. Casper

    Wish Crossfading Channel Changes in a Block

    I second Dr. Dipwad’s suggestion. To me, a smooth transition of amp channels, like you can do with a mixer, would be huge value even if it means sacrificing the number of channels or taking more CPU. Would be a Pro sounding feature! Alternatively, I wonder if you could implement a cross fade...
  55. Casper

    Axe-Fx II vs Axe-Fx III (video comparison)

    Makes sense that the Axe3 sounds naturally fuller. It is a bigger box. No firmware is going to fix that for the Axe2, anymore than you can make a parlor guitar sound like a dreadnought.
  56. Casper

    Axe FXII PLUS Axe FXIII

    Lol. I still have my Ultra. I use it mostly now for giving lessons. Might shift the Axe fx II over as well or integrate it with my tube amps. Not sure yet.
  57. Casper

    My ADA MP-1 with MW settings modeled

    Uploaded to Axe-change: http://axechange.fractalaudio.com/detail.php?preset=6037 This was inspired by Leon's preset where he modeled his ADA-MP1. by ear, for the Ax8 last year. I wanted to model my own ADA v2.01 (currently has Mesa SPAX7 tubes loaded) with the Michael Wagener settings used...
  58. Casper

    Third bar on “Axe-FX III” blue light logo dimmer?

    I’ve given this much thought, and I’m not too concerned. It makes sense now. The third bar is dim currently. This is because we are transitioning from the II to the III.
  59. Casper

    Third bar on “Axe-FX III” blue light logo dimmer?

    The third bar is an indicator of how well you are playing, and how much you rate the AxeIII capabilities. The third bar lights up accordingly. If you are continuing to only get two bars, the AxeIII is saying maybe you are a better fit for the AxeII.
  60. Casper

    New FC price point please

    Sounds like a reasonable price.
  61. Casper

    Help me! Floor vs. Rack

    Possible solution. Get the III, and if an Axe 8-II comes out, get that and then sell the III?
  62. Casper

    Frapple?

    New flexibilities. Admittedly, like some of us, been using an old controller, All-Access throughout since Ultra and Axe II. Works perfect, like a tank, never failed. I suspect our old midi controllers like this will work great with the Axe III as well. Simple, old way of doing things, but...
  63. Casper

    Frapple?

    New platform, new capabilities. What you are buying into is to be onboard. Fractal/Cliff has earned a reputation as a competent skipper, growing the product for existing users and taking things to the next level. It is a fun experience.
  64. Casper

    Post Axe-Fx III Launch ... Amp Model Requests

    ADA MP-1
  65. Casper

    Anyone find they don’t “need” drive blocks in most cases since getting the AxeII?

    In AxeFx the drive pedals can be good to shape and add some hair on top of the amp overdrive, even for hard rock or metal. For a fine example of this, check out Leon Todd’s application of drive in his C++ gig patch for his band Ragdoll. Superb. On the Ax8 forum. For real amps, drive...
  66. Casper

    Back As A Fractal Owner, XL+ or AX8 Dilemma

    If it were me I would enjoy the AX8, and see if something comes down the road from fractal. It might be awhile but after all we are getting close to FW11, where most amps only go to 10:) That said, having used a variety of both floor solutions and rack solutions, I’ve come to appreciate the...
  67. Casper

    Merry Christmas to all of you !

    Merry Christmas!
  68. Casper

    Anyone go from XL to AX8 ?

    I think some people forget about this aspect... the cable running.
  69. Casper

    Axe-Fx II "Quantum" Rev 9.00 Beta

    Nice job on this one Cliff.
  70. Casper

    Recently got my first AxeFX-XL, any reason why most presets are "dark" sounding? Is this normal?

    Would be interesting to see if resetting everything worked. Frankly, I find the factory presets very usable, especially the first ten, with little to no tweaking needed. Pretty happy with the latest FW. Cuts just fine. Works for me for stock Gibson Les Paul or stock Fender straight to PA...
  71. Casper

    this axefx II can be upgrade it?

    Haha. This is me. One of the unforeseen adaptations to AXe Fx ownership.
  72. Casper

    Another trick...High Pass / Low Pass

    "But there was a time, in the 70's for me, where the back line was used to carry the guitar, bass, keys at live shows. The audience was hearing the amps vs. today's over the top FOH rigs. So I did get to see many of my guitar heroes and hear their rigs, their real back line live rigs, in...
  73. Casper

    Axe-Fx II "Quantum" 2.00 Public Beta Deux

    Is there still some natural fractal algorithm spice somehow applied to these firm wares, or has that been eclipsed by the modeling advances?
  74. Casper

    Axe-Fx II "Quantum" Rev 1.00 Public Beta

    I don't post often, but this update is pretty good. Notes punch through the mix better.
  75. Casper

    FW19 Good Sounding Metal Zone ?!

    I still have mine. It can be good for some heavy stuff thru a clean tube amp as others have said.
  76. Casper

    Well that was somehwat underwhelming...

    ^^^^ This is very true. Worst thing is that you may not realize it until you are all done.
  77. Casper

    Clark Kent's Axe-Fx Amp Tweak Tutorial

    Nice job Clark!
  78. Casper

    What do you use to listen to new firmware updates

    I just audition into the PA because that is where it goes anyway.
  79. Casper

    Modified Bank A for FW18 Public Beta - Balanced Volume and Rotary OFF

    Thanks man - really appreciate your sharing
  80. Casper

    Axe-Fx II Firmware 18.00 Public Beta

    Ok I tried it. Basically the gain is more dynamic. The amps are more savory at lower gain settings. This is a good thing, for me anyway. Fractal needs to fix the rotary speaker and wah though. The former seems enabled by default and the latter doesn't seem to want to turn off once turned...
  81. Casper

    Axe Fx 2 Fan Noise

    going to fw14 caused a slight increase in fan noise... I suspect the fans are reacting to running the tubes hotter in the axe with the new FW
  82. Casper

    FW 14 coming out tonight or not?

    I have exhausted all the possibilities in FW 13, so it's time to move on to the next one.
  83. Casper

    Going to try FRFR again at a gig, but why is everything sounding so harsh?

    I suspect your issue is the Q12, which can be shrill, imo. Try out an EV elx112p - cheaper and sounds better. The first dozen or so default presets are practically plug and play thru a PA, with just the basic adjustments needed, so you can use those as a reference.
  84. Casper

    What do you run between your guitar and the AxeFx?

    a guitar cord
  85. Casper

    1:1 - Let`s talk A/B testing actual Amps to their Axe-Fx II Counterparts

    Exploring this next boundary is where the money is for Cliff, since he has come so far already. There has always been a desirability factor and increase in feel going from rack preamp-poweramp-cab setup, then to head-cab, and then to combo amp... with the combo amp often having the best...
  86. Casper

    1:1 - Let`s talk A/B testing actual Amps to their Axe-Fx II Counterparts

    This is not a new argument. This reminds me of the same issue 20+ and more years ago. Only then, the comparison was rack to power vs head/combo. There was always something lost with a tube rack preamp to tube power amp combo vs a single head, or even better a combo amp. There was never an...
  87. Casper

    Mama's back: The Mother-of-all-pedal-and-effect-emulations-thread for Axe-Fx II

    Buckley RIP - great musician - he did an awesome acoustic live number, Last Goodbye, for a WHFS charity CD, Just Passin Thru, before he died - still listen to it.
  88. Casper

    kostein's Axe FX II Firmware 12 High Gain Showcase (28 amp models) & Metal presets

    Really Great!
  89. Casper

    Ice Pick Tone!

    Talk to your band mates and reserve some dedicated time during your next practice session with the band to dial in your eqs. Do it at normal gig volume with you normal songs. Even better if you have a wireless and can go out into the room. Remember that adding people/bodies into the room...
  90. Casper

    Your top 5 tweak tips to get that killer sound out of the Axe Fx 2

    Every now and then I fire up my favorite reference amps - dsl w/4x12, and triaxis, and jmp-1 thru a VHT2502- where I have established tones that I know sound great live. This is mainly to check things are in the ballpark. Why use Axe-fx if I already have established tones with the old gear...
  91. Casper

    Gigged with axe fx 2 for first time... Not what I expected... :(

    Did your sound checks on cleans and dirty come out ok? It may take some experimenting to get all the bands EQs and levels right, especially if this is the first time in the venue.
  92. Casper

    Mesa Boogie Mark IV / IIC+ tones

    Don't forget he probably has post-eq shaping whatever is fed to the board.
  93. Casper

    Delay 101 question

    I have both Ultra and AxeII as well to do fx loop if that is what works best... haven't tried that before.
  94. Casper

    Delay 101 question

    Hi Claxor - do you have a WHitesnake - Sykes patch, using this technique, you could share? I got my Sykes patch from the axe-exchange and it sounds good, but just uses reverb and no delay.
  95. Casper

    Studio Report

    I'm holding out for version 11. The Original Axe went to 11.
  96. Casper

    Help - lead tones and hi gain/break up

    good stuff
  97. Casper

    Wire gauge for power cable

    Go with heavy gauge wire. The tubes in the Axe-fx sound better when they have room to breath.
  98. Casper

    Reverb for live rig

    Unless you are looking for a special effect, I'd consider just turning it off and starting there.
  99. Casper

    Another Tube vs Axe2 thread

    Don't underestimate the PRS influence. I have a Cu-22 artist and it stands on its own, in its own good way, compared to my other guitars. I keep a number of tube amps still that I enjoy periodically, but I would say that the Axe-II gets 90% of my playing time.
  100. Casper

    First Big Gig Axe II: Tips From FOH Guy

    I think it is more of a mosquito sound than a wasp btw.... this for the low end units that is.
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