There is no doubt that Fractal has done outstanding with there updates and have pushed the entire industry to follow their high standards! I give them props for that all the time (and I’m a Line 6 fanboy.)
Where they fall short for me is product launches, distribution, and at times customer interaction on this forum.
I know I’m a early adopter. I always am from just about every music device I have ever purchased. I like being in the bleeding edge where you can help shape a product. So I knew that going into the Axe Fx III.
So I’m not surprised that the launched the III with the Editor or Footswitch. And they have the editor out now which actually is damn fast. And this is nothing strange for this industry. The Line 6 Helix didn’t have a editor for months. But I don’t like programming complicated gear from the in unit UI. That includes the Helix with their amazing UI and the Axe FX III with its much improved system.
What I am surprised at is they launched without scificent units to cover the initial rush ready to go. This waitlist system is painful and with a couple of months more time would have been better for all involved.
I know they are a small company but I’d love to see this improved with the next product launch (I’m looking at you Footswitch.)
It’s also painful only being able to buy direct with no financing and paying additional shipping. That is strange in this industry to me but obviously not a deal breaker.
As far as on this forum I knew when I came back here it was a minefield. Hey it’s Fractals forum and they can run it any way they want. The people here are, passionate for sure. It’s not the way I run my groups but it obviously works for them. This time back I haven’t personally been the target of any animosity (well until everyone reads this, lol) but I have seen some of the mods and admins be a bit harsh to a few new users. Stuff like “read the manual” which was completely warranted where I saw it used, is not really what I do for new coustomers. I think sometimes those of us who have used this gear for years forget just how much of a learning curve that this wonderious box can be. And we get frustrated. But I don’t think that showing that frustration is the best way to help. But I totally get it. I have been troubleshooting and supporting computers and music gear for 30+ years. There are times when it seem the best fix would be a slap, lol.
Why did I say all this? Hopefully to help a great company become even better. You see the guitar modeling market is small. If Fractal does well we all benefit no matter if you are a fanboy of a particular company. The Axe Fx III is a work of art and as I have said before Cliff and his crew are the mad scientists of tone. With a few minor tweaks to how things are done they could be even better. I hope they take this message in that tone.
If not you might not be hearing from me on this forum because I’ve been banned, lol.
As I said above I would have preferred the Editor to roll out with the Axe Fx III but they did get it out quickly. The Footswitch is kinda necessary for someone who isn’t a computer geek like me. What I’m really worried about is the price and I’ll be disappointed if I have to pay additional shipping to get it.
Good point! This is a business. But the amount of work that thus small company puts in should be noted. They are dam fast with the updates.
On a final note there is a Facebook group for the Axe Fx III that seems helpful and fun too.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/549598248743645
