Yeah man. We've all been there. If you look back through my posts there's something like "HELP I THINK I MADE A MISTAKE BUYING THIS OH GOD SHOOT ME NOW" - or something to that effect. The best thing you can do at this point, is really, really slow down and work one parameter at a time. I'll give you the advice I first received:
1. Start with just an amp and a cab. Just and amp. And a cab. If, after a while, the stock cabs don't do it for you (they really haven't done it for me, personally), go and download the Ownhammer V31 betas. Available here:
OwnHammer.com - Public Beta Redux
- you can load these using a program called sysex librarian. Instructions are here:
Cab (block) - Axe-Fx II Wiki
2. Look up what the MV should relatively be set at for the amp/sound type you are playing with and adjust from there. For example, I wouldn't set a metal amp MV at like... 9 and try to add drive. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I might not do it right from the get go, you dig?
3. Set up your low and hi cuts to eliminate boom and hiss/fizz. I personally pull up the amp low cut to somewhere around 200 if I'm going for overdriven sounds. Just pull it up until the boom goes away. Realize that if you're in an untreated room you probably aren't getting a realistic depiction of your low end. That's just how it is. I generally cut highs in my DAW, and with my particular pickups and the IRs I use, I like to set my high cut somewhere from 7,000-8,000 Hz. It may seem like it's overkill, but since I bumped it down from 10,000 my guitars fit into my mix so much better it's amazing.
4. Once you start finding a sound that works for you, then add a drive pedal in front of the amp. This will alter the way your amp sounds, but try working with the drive instead of changing things in the amp until you get a sound you "like".
All in all, this takes some patience and discipline to stick it out, but you will be rewarded. And realize what you think sounds great today will change as you begin to understand how making guitar tones functions with this piece of gear. You will consistently look back and say "My God... how did I think
that sounded good?" - or maybe you're not like me and right from the get-go you'll be flying high once you get this thing working for you. Just remember to only tweak at first, for about 10-20 minutes and then take a break. It's extremely tasking and on a long enough time frame, everything sounds terrible. Good luck, and keep it up!