lscottk
Experienced
I think the key to not getting overwhelmed when you first get the Axe is to ignore the deeper stuff and to start simple. Get familiar with the Grid. At least initially use AxeEdit as much as possible, rather than the front panel. As many will tell you it is very helpful (even important?) to get familiar with the front panel eventually. If you don't know how to use the front panel it will be anxiety producing to attempt to make a change when you don't have a computer - say at a gig.
When you open AxeEdit start with the basics. Familiarize yourself with how the signal chain works. If you start slow I think you will find that there was a lot of thought put into the interface and, as a result, once you get clear on signal path you won't have a problem building your first patches.
Become familiar with the terminology. For instance, I found the term "block" to be confusing at first. My aha moment came when I realized that a block is just one of the squares on the grid visible in the AxeEdit grid. A block is the "square" shown in the grid. Note that the signal flows from left to right. Right clicking on a block brings up a context menu. The context menu shows what components you can put into your signal path - whether it's an amp, a cab, or one of the many effects types available on the Axe.
After you select a component to put into your signal path you have to connect cables (virtual cables, of course) so that your signal path is complete. A complete signal path is made by ensuring that you have either a shunt or block connecting the far left side of the grid (labeled input) connected to the far right side of the grid (labeled output). In the axe grid a virtual cable is called a "shunt". You can add a shunt to your signal flow either by using your mouse or by right clicking over a block and then selecting "shunt" from the context menu. If you want to use your mouse you can try left clicking. You'll see connection points that you can add shunts to by dragging the mouse while pressing the left mouse button.
If you want to adjust parameters in a block - let's say an amp, for example - you would click once on the block where you have placed your amp. Double clicking on a block will bypass the block so make sure you single click if you want to keep the block active in your signal path. Clicking once one the block will bring up a context menu where you can modify parameters of the amp block. This would include selecting the amp that you want to use as well drive, Bass, Mid, Treble, presence, and so on. Most of the parameters on the first page of the amp block are self explanatory. Ignore the parameters that you aren't familiar with. At least initially don't worry about the other pages with advanced parameters that you can edit on the amp block. You don't need to use them to get great tones. As you get more familiar with the environment you can start digging in to the advanced stuff, either by reading the manual or by researching comments or suggestions that have been made on the Fractal forum. But you don't need to go advanced at the beginning. Many people never do and are extremely happy with the results. Go slow and it won't be intimidating or frustrating.
If you follow this same process for all of the blocks you will be able to start getting familiar with how to get around in the interface. Once you become familiar with the interface then it becomes much easier to start figuring out the deeper stuff as you decide that you want to.
I hope this helps. Don't give up. I don't think it is hard to get great sounds out of the AxeFx2. You just have to have a bit of patience and go slowly. In a day or two, once you have gotten more familiar with navigating the grid, you'll be amazed at what you hear. At least that was my experience. YMMV, of course.
Best regards,
Scott
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