Hi all,
Defenitely the AXE-FX exells in the simulation of pre/power amps. It captures the essential subtleties one needs to get a good pre/power amp sound. I am extremely happy with my ULTRA.
Although it is a matter of opinion, I somehow am not sonically convinced of the CAB simulations. Surely, the impuls response method to capture the subtle frequency response of a CAB, is really great and can't be much better. Nevertheless, it only captures the linear frequency and phase behavior of a CAB.
Yes, there is a parameter that allows you to simulate speaker break-up characterics, however, I am not convinced. It seems like it just another drive type distortion stage. However, I could be wrong. The simulation of non linear characteristics could therefore be better, in my opinion.
Especially, when you deploy the AXE-FX in wide band flat response monitor situations, cabinet simulation is of utmost importance, and I would argue that it is as important in determining your overall sound as is the pre/power amp itself. Especially when you really krank it up and put a virtual 150 watts in your virtual cabinet, it will (and should) sound totally different then when you put a misely 10 watts in it. These non-linear characteristics are very subtle and may prove to be very complex to simulate, I haven't got a clue about that. I am sure Cliff has some ideas about this.
Recently, I came across a unit called Torpedo from a French company Two Note. In essence, it is a high-end digital stereo cabinet simulator for studio use, designed to be fed from a real power amp or from a pre-amp. It also utilises an impuls respons technique, but also claims to capture the "true" non-linear characteristics of a cabinet. I do not exactly know how it is done, my best guess is that several impuls responses at various levels are captured, and the unit "interpolates" between these IRs.
In essence, the Torpedo is "just" a DSP with simulation software, as is the AXE-FX. So anything the Torpedo can, the AXE can do also, provided with the proper software. So, here is my suggestion for upcoming AXE software releases. I would like to have the non linear aspects of the CAB simulations to be (significantly) enhanced.
Perhaps, Cliff would like to throw in his 0,02 cnts about this topic.
Greetz
Dave
Defenitely the AXE-FX exells in the simulation of pre/power amps. It captures the essential subtleties one needs to get a good pre/power amp sound. I am extremely happy with my ULTRA.
Although it is a matter of opinion, I somehow am not sonically convinced of the CAB simulations. Surely, the impuls response method to capture the subtle frequency response of a CAB, is really great and can't be much better. Nevertheless, it only captures the linear frequency and phase behavior of a CAB.
Yes, there is a parameter that allows you to simulate speaker break-up characterics, however, I am not convinced. It seems like it just another drive type distortion stage. However, I could be wrong. The simulation of non linear characteristics could therefore be better, in my opinion.
Especially, when you deploy the AXE-FX in wide band flat response monitor situations, cabinet simulation is of utmost importance, and I would argue that it is as important in determining your overall sound as is the pre/power amp itself. Especially when you really krank it up and put a virtual 150 watts in your virtual cabinet, it will (and should) sound totally different then when you put a misely 10 watts in it. These non-linear characteristics are very subtle and may prove to be very complex to simulate, I haven't got a clue about that. I am sure Cliff has some ideas about this.
Recently, I came across a unit called Torpedo from a French company Two Note. In essence, it is a high-end digital stereo cabinet simulator for studio use, designed to be fed from a real power amp or from a pre-amp. It also utilises an impuls respons technique, but also claims to capture the "true" non-linear characteristics of a cabinet. I do not exactly know how it is done, my best guess is that several impuls responses at various levels are captured, and the unit "interpolates" between these IRs.
In essence, the Torpedo is "just" a DSP with simulation software, as is the AXE-FX. So anything the Torpedo can, the AXE can do also, provided with the proper software. So, here is my suggestion for upcoming AXE software releases. I would like to have the non linear aspects of the CAB simulations to be (significantly) enhanced.
Perhaps, Cliff would like to throw in his 0,02 cnts about this topic.
Greetz
Dave