Not at all, Ken.
If you're who I think you are (Sax player? Apologies if I'm mistaken.) I hope you'll indulge me as I express my thoughts on just how "non-ideal" a trade show is for "discovery" presentations. First, a word of thanks to you, the other visitors, and my co-workers who make these things possible. All in all, shows tend to be net-positive, with the unending string of handshakes, smiles, and compliments being what we choose to take away. I save my "presenter" badges with pride. I get to listen to AMAZING players, meet great people, and enjoy a generally fun-filled atmosphere. That's what the shows are BEST for: having a good time. I suppose the flip side of this is that with so many gushing fans, I personally get caught up in "Fractal fever" it becomes hard to remember that some are still some very critical, cynical individuals out there. I do try to "check this head" as often as possible, but in the same breath, I'd ask the customer who is more interested in "knowledge transfer" to meet me halfway.
First, it is LOUD. My hearing goes by mid-morning. When I listen to presets and recordings the next day I can often hear corrections required. This also does something to one's nerves after awhile. There are simple lifestyle factors as well. One does these "gigs" after heavy travel/setup... sleep-deprived, hungry, and bearing the stress of knowing that every small slip up is likely to show up on YouTube or some forum the next day. These are minor factors.
There are other pressures. A half-dozen people are waiting. Many expect you to read their minds: some won't ask but desperately to be handed a guitar; some want only demo 'X' but begrudgingly sit through demo 'Y'. Most seem to hide negative ideas instead of airing them on the spot.
There is also a contrast of expectations, combined with the fact that a presenter must serve the disparate wishes between visitors in sequence, or in a diverse group. The person playing, the person waiting, and the person watching might each expect vastly different things (not to mention the one who wants to film you, the owner with a deep question, and the one who wants to sell you something). At past shows, I've seen contrasting reports like, "Borrrring! Thins thing can't keep up with the zany sounds of box X" vs. "UGH! So many FX you could hardly hear the amps." We try to keep balanced in terms of time and individual wishes but it nearly impossible.
With a product as wildly diverse as the Axe-Fx (and as new as the Axe-Fx II), it is also difficult to bring true preparedness across the desires of diverse visitors. People often ask for very specific things -- like a certain song, or a preset from another unit, or maybe synth sounds -- that aren't handy, or don't mesh well with "the tradeshow state of mind". We try to be nimble in this regard, but again, the ultimate presentation (like the ones I make to a new artist or in personal appointment) is well-defined and prepared for in advance. Ironically, you were in the room at the same time as someone who inquired through Twitter, came to my studio, bought an Axe-Fx, and loves it! This challenge is a bigger factor. Even just accommodating the different GUITARS that come through the door can be huge.
Ken, If I were to design "the 'ultimate' setting for a presentation," its opposite would be the NY Amp show.
I encourage you to consider that you may have made a misjudgement. I would recommend that you consider experiencing the true "ultimate" presentation: purchase an Axe-Fx II, explore it in the comfort of your home for 2 weeks, and decide for yourself, reckoning meanwhile that thousands of naive and highly-educated listeners, ranging from complete unknowns to Grammy-award-winning players/producers/engineers -- disagree fundamentally with your assessment.
-Matt
Last edited:
