How long will this take to get a live tone???

R

Rivertownrocker

Member
Hi All, I’m new to forum and forums in general.

I have a Axe fx 2, firm ware 16 running stereo into a Peavey mixer straight out to two powered monitors QSC k 12 and a beherenger euro live 15.

I came into the game with line 6 Axesys 212 then to Vetta to Hd500 then to Eleven Rack now to Axe fx 2.

I still love the Vetta after (I changed its speakers) and it served me well for 10 years playing out in local bars as you can see I have been modeling for awhile but i'm 50 its heavy and new band is spoiled and not into lugging gear. LOL


I have downloaded Scott Peterson's and Pete thorn's presets and find I'm very bass heavy so I have applied the proper low and high pass filters to every preset now.

Recently checked out Pete Thorn's playing clean and mid gain presets he made on Youtube and I can get close but really I am not satisfied I am playing back YouTube from a mixer through two Event 20/20 bias monitors and he sounds awesome I plug the axe fx into same board and monitors and I just can’t get there in an hour to his 10 mins. I did realize his vids were from firmware 11 but still?

I have invested 4 weeks at loud volumes, I have never been a tube amp guy and just want to play out live with this thing (which I have) through my monitors and be inspired at least as good as the Vetta made me feel. I play alot of classic rock covers from Beatles to Nirvana to tool, but really just need one clean, one crunch, one hi gain and a lead (am I asking for too much?).

I recently found my Gate was set on all my presets to -83 after turning that off completely and hoping that was the issue I'm getting worried this is just not going to work for me.

I need a try this or turn that off Eureka moment fast.......


....As I write I'm getting ready to hook up Ipad with AmpKit to board because it sounds so good through headset and want two see if its work at loud volumes in monitors. There is something so wrong with an Axe Fx 2 stareing right at me!

I have noticed others (some mentioned) into monitor switching going from QSC then to Atomic clr's Etc... I need two stop at QSC12's and may just have to say I can not be happy with the AXE FX 2 and chop the Vetta head from the cab and go that way.

Thanks, from really want this to work!
 
I'm afraid looking to other peoples presets don't work for most , at least not for me , never has. What you monitor through is a huge factor ! Also getting use to an FR monitor as opposed to power amp and cab ( your Vetta is going through a cab) I had a Vetta several years back , going back to it would be like having to play a stick with a string on it for me ,compared to the AX FX , I would say Start from scratch and think simple , amp and cab , go through the amp and cab (default) selections till something makes you want to sit and play your guitar . then work on settings ,then add effects, Whatever tone you are after ,It's in there ! once you find it you'll never plug in the other gear again ! Or at least not for long!!
maybe do a little Googling to find what amps were used on songs you are looking to find the tone for, and start with that amp model and a complimentary Cab.
Hope this helps at least a little !
 
Agreed. Try making your own presets from scratch. I'm more often than not disappointed with other people's presets especially if they are from older firmware versions. Even the factory presets are often hit and miss and haven't been updated since FW 15. Too many variables at play for them to sound the same for everyone. The Axe is very sensitive to guitar and pickup changes. Start with just an amp and cab block at first and dial them in exactly like you would a real amp. Just use the drive, master, and tone controls, and don't worry about all the advanced parameters at first. Also, the cab IR you choose has a huge impact on the final tone. Experiment a lot with different cab IRs. The tone, feel, and flexibility of the Axe leaves every other modeler in the dust, so don't give up on it. It takes some work and there is a somewhat steep learning curve, but it is so worth it.
 
things have changed quite a bit from previous fw releases, and yes it can have a lot of impact on tones. i haven't tried the pete thorn presets recently as they probably won't sound as intended. Lot's of users don't really find satisfaction in other's presets considering all the variables (guitar, pickups, playback system etc).

start off simple. pick an amp and cab block with nothing else i.e fender twin with 2x12 black or 100w plexi with a 4x12 g12m. don't worry about advanced parameters, just adjust the basic controls (gain bass mid treble master volume etc). and don't use your eyes where you "think" something should be, use your ears. I think you'll find a lot of tones to like.
 
Rivertownrocker said:
I have a Axe fx 2, firm ware 16 running stereo into a Peavey mixer straight out to two powered monitors QSC k 12 and a beherenger euro live 15.
I came into the game with line 6 Axesys 212 then to Vetta to Hd500 then to Eleven Rack now to Axe fx 2.
I still love the Vetta after (I changed its speakers) and it served me well for 10 years playing out in local bars as you can see I have been modeling for awhile but i'm 50 its heavy and new band is spoiled and not into lugging gear. LOL
Click to expand...

A little background on my previous rig: Setup 1: Vox AD60VT Valvetronix Amp - still have it still love it for small stuff | Setup 2: Mesa Boogie F-50 with about 8 pedals in front of it (Boss/Strymon)

It takes some finesse to get live sound perfect as the AFX is such an accurate representation of a mic'd amplifier/cab, you have to adjust with that in mind.

The first recommendation I would make is take the Peavey mixer out of the line. Try plugging in 2 XLR's out of the rear of the AFX and DIRECTLY in to your K12's. The QSC line is flat and will give you an semi-accurate representation of what a preset should sound like in a live space. If you prefer to use your mixer, make sure the EQ is completely noon and flat. The bassy response could be from that mixer potentially.

I don't understand the gate that you have set on all of your presets though, are you referencing the Output signal global parameter? Or are you actually adding a Gate block to your presets?

Keep on going man, when I first got the Axe it sounded amazing through a couple of amps until I realized that's NOT how it is suppose to sound. I got a flatter system now that more accurately reflects what the presets should sound like.

Hope that helps.
 
brianv4 said:
start off simple. pick an amp and cab block with nothing else i.e fender twin with 2x12 black or 100w plexi with a 4x12 g12m. don't worry about advanced parameters, just adjust the basic controls (gain bass mid treble master volume etc). and don't use your eyes where you "think" something should be, use your ears. I think you'll find a lot of tones to like.
Click to expand...

Great insight here
 
The QSCs have a little switch on the back. Make sure it is set to flat.

Remember that you hear through the QSCs what your audience hears. They don't hear the back line sound you are used to but a mic'ed guitar cab. If you want the back line sound you have to fall back on power amp + guitar cab and ditch the QSCs.
 
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Wow thanks for quick responce went for a shoulder MRI just got back an hr after post,

Not one to give up and have not yet. The gate was in axe edit where it says input and gate. I have come full circle of diving in deep into amp block and seeking user cabs.

I agree i have given up on downloading others presets and now am taking the simple approach of amp block cab and reverb and only tweaking basic settings before anything else.

I am trying to just mimic Pete's sound on the you tube titled clean and mid gain sounds and trying to model what I here from what is coming out of my event 20/20 studio monitors

I like what I'm hearing him play and using my tele to try and recreate the Shiva clean preset he's made in 10 mins. There are no presets that go with the video but he gave a few settings so I felt I had a good starting point and it just was not happening.

Yesterday I almost likedthe euro live better than the QSC 12 because it felt like the 15 had a little more head room and sizzle so I then changed qsc from flat to vocal and kind of liked that better so I'm into monitor settings too. My Peavey board as always been set to neutral and no gain added never needed it.

You read my mind I was just about to bypass board all together because it always bothered me that I was dialing back bass even with eleven rack.

I am also going to play the Pete's Video from my computer direct through QSC if I like sound then I'm going to put a 57 up to the QSC and do a tone match.

Tweaks I liked in the past were lowering bass from global EQ, changing amp blocks tone tab to change tone stack and and going from neutral to modern or vintage, and changing speaker size in cab block.

None of which I want to do anymore I want to just get a amp, cab and reverb block sounding decent, In the past I have just dialed in the "Double Reverb" and even though its the most plug and play preset for me, not having the amp I would go to youtube and hear other guys showing off there Twins and feel the preset still needed a lot of tweaking it was missing that sizzle. Maybe this is why there is a atomic clr and people are making specific monitors to the axe fx? I've always heard good thing about the axe fx and QSC combo and then of course after buying saw that others yet again were moving on to other brands.

Lastly I want add reading back my post it might sound like I like sterile you tube videos as a tone but my events really make them sound good with beef and I know I need to get some boom back into what ever I model for live tones so my goals are realistic.
 
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CLR for the win. It may not solve ALL of your problems, but it's nice when you know you don't have to fight the sonic quirks of a speaker system, and use something that is designed ultimately for accuracy of reproduction. Most pro-sumer PA speakers are designed to (subjectively, generically) sound "good", typically for vocal reproduction first and foremost. JMHO.
 
brianv4 said:
start off simple. pick an amp and cab block with nothing else
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Simple is the trick, I went too deep into settings but when I backed up and simplified everything, treating the Amp and Effect Blocks in a traditional way it got so much better, the IR is for sure the key..
 
build your own. start simple. it's easy. i can have gig ready tones in no time at all, even with amps i'm not familiar with. fight the urge to go down the rabbit hole and you'll make it a lot easier on yourself.
 
Hey River,

I'm pretty new to the Axe Fx. I have an XL and only been using it since Halloween of this year. I was able to dial in really good tone pretty fast. The trick and others have mentioned this already but just start with a amp and cab block. Don't even consider messing with the advanced stuff until you have the basic tone. Everyone on this forum has there favorite amps I'll give you what I'm using my band plays in casinos so we cover every thing from rock country to pop to classic rock.

My clean amp is the Suhr badger 18. my low gain for that light rock stuff like CCR has been the matchbox 20 amp cliff made my ear. I'm using the Marshall AFD for the bulk of my medium gain stuff. Main lead is the 5150 3 red that is a monster amp. And for the high gain stuff that new Fractal modern III with the new Clark Kent IR the 57 is a monster.

I don't do anything special with my presets although I have found that sticking a passive 5 band eq after the cab block gives me a nice sound but other wise I don't play around in the advanced section at all I haven't found a need to. As was mentioned above be sure your monitors are set to flat. And really the IR's are such a huge part of your tone. Just go through them it may take you a few days to to find a combo that sounds good to you but the tone you want is in this box you just have to dig it out.
 
While it sounds like you have a firm grasp on the sound you are seeking I completely agree with the advice regarding building your own presets, this was a game changer for me (and I was already blown away). The catalyst for me to grow my own was Cooper Carter's video series, you might want to check this out. FWIW I downloaded Cooper's presets from the tutorials and even though I watched him build them and liked them fine in the video, they were drastically different on my Axe with me playing. You will get there
 
Hi Yes I went through all of Cooper Carter's stuff loved it and downloaded his presets which again sounded awsome from youtube and computer through event 20/20's. The actual presets through my chain just was not there.

I just spent an hour going straight to QSC fom axe and going from axe to peavy board to QSC very slight difference board is pretty neutral.

If you go to google and put in Axe FX 2 "Clean to mid-gain amp clips" if you here the first note Pete plays on tele for shiver clean (his E is tuned down) there is a new string tone almost player piano clean but transparent grit to the note I can not replicate.

It sucks for me because I'm hearing what I want all over the place and cant get it on the axe. Maybe this thing is just not suppose to be A/b'ed that closely. Which yes if I just plug it in tomorrow after ear fatige is gone and don't A/B it to any thing else then I should be just fine but feel I wont be inspired to just smile when playing live.

lastly I'm sure (could be wrong) none of the big name acts using this are going straight to a Qsc 12 and nothing in between if anyone out there is and has made some thing they just love It would be awesome to see at least some EQ settings.

Thanks Again to everyone for the help!
 
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well yes actually pretty much anyone that runs into a good FRFR monitor (especially CLR's) don't have anything in between. what is to be gained from having a mixer in the signal chain?
 
Rivertownrocker said:
then changed qsc from flat to vocal and kind of liked that better
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I do this too. It seems flatter on "vocal". It is also boomy in the low end - esp if it is on the floor. Low cut in Cab block or switch the QSC to ext sub (100Hz hi pass) to dial out some low end.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
you also have to remember that it's very dependent on what pups you are using, the type of guitar, etc. That was also, (like others mentioned) quite a few firmwares ago....but the Axe has just gotten better so it shouldn't be a problem to get the tone, just means that the settings may just be different.
 
what's the difference in an XLR cable running from a mixer to the monitor and the AxeFx to a monitor? still a cable.
 
Thanks are you a QSC 12 or 10 user I have a low cut filter and Hi cut filter in all my presets and did not know the EXT sub switch on QSC is a hi pass good to know thanks!
 
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