jamongrande
Inspired
tl;dr = The learning process for the unit has required a pretty major paradigm shift for me: the Ax8 has ultimately meant a shift in how I control effects, limiting options per preset (partially due to preset-level and bank-level structures), focusing my attention on the Amp/Cab combinations more than anything else, and rethinking how the rest of a band hears me.
A little background for context - I bought an Ax8 late Dec, coming off of a complex channel switching/midi rack setup: Bogner Shiva, dirt and other analog effects in a midi controlled looper, Whammy V, Strymon Mobius and Timeline; all controlled by a Liquid Foot Controoler and a self-designed ipad-Lemur interface. I was able to switch individual effects on and off, and select individual presets in the various midi devices without changing my global preset. Modeling wise, i mainly used a Roland VG-8 system in the early 2000s. I primarily play in event bands, but am heavily invested in free-jazz/free-improv and "jammy" genres.
I've given up quite a bit of flexibility in regards to my old rig. Part of this is due to the amount of time I spent building the previous rig, and part is due to the CPU and control limitations of a preset. I'm able to get a decent amount of effects within a CPU limit, though I can't have everything I want in all of my presets (I've given up on having a pitch shifter in my patches and use the Whammy instead). I'm also running up against the limits of modifiers pretty quickly as well.
At this point, I'm using one template structure (modifiers, order of effects and routing) with variations in amp and cabs. I'm still using a customized Lemur interface, but the modifier limits constrain that as well. It's quite easy to have so much controller and effect variation between presets that it becomes a little tricky to remember what preset has what effects and controls. My preset naming convention helps to an extent (amp/modulation type/other unique features). I have to simplify at this point to get a sense of consistency within constraints. For event band music, this is generally not a problem. For any sort of improvisatory effect use, I would need to add devices (whether midi controller or effects pedals) to achieve what I had before. While an upgrade to an XL+ would certainly help, I know I would still hit limits based on the overall architecture.
Most of my major patch edits deal with amp/cab combinations. This seems to be just a matter of time spent with each block and model/IR. I've barely gotten to know the variations on effects, but again, that variation makes it tricky to remember what preset does what.
The other major shift has been in how the rest of the band hears me. I monitor through my own IEM, while the bands I work with mostly rely on stage volume for monitoring. As I usually run sound, I would be glad to give everyone my guitar through their monitors, but a lot of musicians prefer me to come from my own source that cuts across the stage. They're not quite ready to change their performance process to accommodate what I do, given that the majority of other guitarists they work with still crank an amp on stage.
Soundwise, I've compared to the Shiva handful of times and don't necessarily miss it. In fact, other band members like the way it seems more "even" frequency response-wise and leaves more sonic space on stage for other instruments.
Just some random musings at this stage. Sorry for the length. Thoughts, suggestions, and opinions welcome.
-joe
A little background for context - I bought an Ax8 late Dec, coming off of a complex channel switching/midi rack setup: Bogner Shiva, dirt and other analog effects in a midi controlled looper, Whammy V, Strymon Mobius and Timeline; all controlled by a Liquid Foot Controoler and a self-designed ipad-Lemur interface. I was able to switch individual effects on and off, and select individual presets in the various midi devices without changing my global preset. Modeling wise, i mainly used a Roland VG-8 system in the early 2000s. I primarily play in event bands, but am heavily invested in free-jazz/free-improv and "jammy" genres.
I've given up quite a bit of flexibility in regards to my old rig. Part of this is due to the amount of time I spent building the previous rig, and part is due to the CPU and control limitations of a preset. I'm able to get a decent amount of effects within a CPU limit, though I can't have everything I want in all of my presets (I've given up on having a pitch shifter in my patches and use the Whammy instead). I'm also running up against the limits of modifiers pretty quickly as well.
At this point, I'm using one template structure (modifiers, order of effects and routing) with variations in amp and cabs. I'm still using a customized Lemur interface, but the modifier limits constrain that as well. It's quite easy to have so much controller and effect variation between presets that it becomes a little tricky to remember what preset has what effects and controls. My preset naming convention helps to an extent (amp/modulation type/other unique features). I have to simplify at this point to get a sense of consistency within constraints. For event band music, this is generally not a problem. For any sort of improvisatory effect use, I would need to add devices (whether midi controller or effects pedals) to achieve what I had before. While an upgrade to an XL+ would certainly help, I know I would still hit limits based on the overall architecture.
Most of my major patch edits deal with amp/cab combinations. This seems to be just a matter of time spent with each block and model/IR. I've barely gotten to know the variations on effects, but again, that variation makes it tricky to remember what preset does what.
The other major shift has been in how the rest of the band hears me. I monitor through my own IEM, while the bands I work with mostly rely on stage volume for monitoring. As I usually run sound, I would be glad to give everyone my guitar through their monitors, but a lot of musicians prefer me to come from my own source that cuts across the stage. They're not quite ready to change their performance process to accommodate what I do, given that the majority of other guitarists they work with still crank an amp on stage.
Soundwise, I've compared to the Shiva handful of times and don't necessarily miss it. In fact, other band members like the way it seems more "even" frequency response-wise and leaves more sonic space on stage for other instruments.
Just some random musings at this stage. Sorry for the length. Thoughts, suggestions, and opinions welcome.
-joe
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