This one’s for Admin M@.
As a lifelong keyboardist working on developing guitar skills, I don’t have the experience that many of your users have with amps, cabs, pedals, etc. – so the factory presets have always been important to me, as examples of what the Axe-FX can do when configured by someone who knows what they’re up to.
I’ve followed the Ultra/Axe-FX II/ Axe-FX III progression that’s typical for Fractal users, and from the very beginning I enjoyed the Limelight patch, and used it (and my modded variations) as one of my standards for recording and practice.
Now, with Cygnus and your continued creativity, the latest incarnation just knocks me out. It’s just so … alive.
I’m searching for a metaphor … it’s like watching Lara Croft evolve from a pixelated mannequin, to Angelina Jolie in the flesh. (Yeah – not the best metaphor, but what the hell.)
As an admin, you’ve seen all the standard quibbles/complaints/ingratitude. “If it was so perfect, why do you keep updating?” “I liked v15 better …” “I don’t hear the difference …” “I just finished dialing in my presets … now I have to start all over!”
Checking out the new banks, I was amazed all the way through … but in the back of my mind, I was waiting for Limelight to come up. And when it did, I just kind of froze for a moment; I experienced a sort of flashback to the Ultra, and the twelve-or-so-year journey to this point.
What you, and Cliff, and all the Fractal folks have done is real – an incredible achievement, or series of achievements. It’s not imaginary, or hype, or a marketing ploy, or an audiophile-only imperceptible level of refinement. It brings me joy. The sounds coming out of this box are fantastic – and truly inspiring.
I appreciate all your work so much, and I know that zillions of other Fractal users feel the same way. Thanks to all of you.
