Leeoo
New Member
Hi guys,
I want to get into AMP Modeling. I was never a big knob-turner so this will be a jump in cold water for me.
I've been researching for around a week and having problems deciding between the AX8 and the Helix.
On paper the helix seems to be more like what I want:
- VST-Support so that I can tweak my sound from home with my pedalboard in the band-room and record demos without constantly reamping
- Headphone output
- Build in Expression pedal
- It can be used as an Audiointerface
- Userfriendly UI
- It's 300€ cheaper
HOWEVER from what I've heard and read the Helix struggles when it get's to high gain and sounds a bit digital.
Since I play in a deathmetal band, high gain is what I will be using most of the time.
And in general most people seem to agree that Fractal has the better sound. It's just not as convenient and getting into the UI seems like more work. Especially for somebody that has been using bias fx presets for the last couple of years and never really got into shaping his own sound. On the other hand I want to change that and getting into Helix or the AX8 will both mean a lot of work, so this should not be a selection criteria anyway.
I should probably stop brabbling about my insecurities and get to my questions:
1. When was the last AX8-SoftwareUpdate? Is it still updated regularly or "declining" because of the focus on the Axe FX III? I know that there is a different team working on the AX8, so it should not bother it too much, right?
2. How many different outputs can you get? It should be 4 right? Output L & R and Fx Chain L & R.
Can I realize these simultaneous outputs with the Ax8?
1. Output to the PA with a Cab-Sim
2. Output to my PowerAmp+Cab without Cab-Sim for band-practice or selfmade monitoring on a gig
3. Output to my Headphones with a Cab-Sim when practicing late at night
4. DI-Output for reamping when recording
That way I could create all my presets with these outputs and would be prepared for all my AX8 usecase-case combinations
- Recording Demos (Output 1 + 3)
- Reamping (Output 4)
- Practicing with Headphones (Output 3)
- Playing on a Gig/Bandroom using the PA (Output 1)
- Playing on a Gig/Bandroom using a real Cab (Output 2)
- All of them combined at the same time!!
I know that is probably a crazy setup...
Thanks for taking the time reading this
Have a great day,
Leo
I want to get into AMP Modeling. I was never a big knob-turner so this will be a jump in cold water for me.
I've been researching for around a week and having problems deciding between the AX8 and the Helix.
On paper the helix seems to be more like what I want:
- VST-Support so that I can tweak my sound from home with my pedalboard in the band-room and record demos without constantly reamping
- Headphone output
- Build in Expression pedal
- It can be used as an Audiointerface
- Userfriendly UI
- It's 300€ cheaper
HOWEVER from what I've heard and read the Helix struggles when it get's to high gain and sounds a bit digital.
Since I play in a deathmetal band, high gain is what I will be using most of the time.
And in general most people seem to agree that Fractal has the better sound. It's just not as convenient and getting into the UI seems like more work. Especially for somebody that has been using bias fx presets for the last couple of years and never really got into shaping his own sound. On the other hand I want to change that and getting into Helix or the AX8 will both mean a lot of work, so this should not be a selection criteria anyway.
I should probably stop brabbling about my insecurities and get to my questions:
1. When was the last AX8-SoftwareUpdate? Is it still updated regularly or "declining" because of the focus on the Axe FX III? I know that there is a different team working on the AX8, so it should not bother it too much, right?
2. How many different outputs can you get? It should be 4 right? Output L & R and Fx Chain L & R.
Can I realize these simultaneous outputs with the Ax8?
1. Output to the PA with a Cab-Sim
2. Output to my PowerAmp+Cab without Cab-Sim for band-practice or selfmade monitoring on a gig
3. Output to my Headphones with a Cab-Sim when practicing late at night
4. DI-Output for reamping when recording
That way I could create all my presets with these outputs and would be prepared for all my AX8 usecase-case combinations
- Recording Demos (Output 1 + 3)
- Reamping (Output 4)
- Practicing with Headphones (Output 3)
- Playing on a Gig/Bandroom using the PA (Output 1)
- Playing on a Gig/Bandroom using a real Cab (Output 2)
- All of them combined at the same time!!
I know that is probably a crazy setup...
Thanks for taking the time reading this
Have a great day,
Leo