I have been a II user for a few years now. I have ordered the III this morning. The recent updates (reverbs, drives) have convinced me that it is worth upgrading. I installed the Ares beta firmware on the II and it blew me away, so the idea of everything evolving further excites me.
Any tips for first plugging in? Is the sonic upgrade negligible at this point?
Thanks.
I would suggest Leon Todd YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/kingcrimsonscourt
He does all kinds of presets and instruction on his channel. Just go there and select videos at the top of the page and it is all free. He post everyday, knowledgeable, and free presets. Not all is Axe fx, but most is and it is free. He is really a great guy. Also, you can go to the Axe exchange
https://axechange.fractalaudio.com to get free presets also. Leon's user name on there is 2112.
Camilo Velandia also has some great presets and knowledge.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLunyxFq4dtCUGriIk0yJ8Q
He is also on the axe exchange.
You also have people that charge for their services if you want to go that route. Cooper Carter is a good choice there I am told.
Another thing to do is go the recordings here and see who can actually play and who actually knows something. Subscribe to their YouTube Channel and you will have a ton of resources. There are a lot wanting to sell presets and knowledge. Search the free first.
I would suggest looking at Leon and Camilo's YouTube Channels and download their presets off Axe exchange, and watch their tutorials on how to do things, and if you need more, Cooper would be my next move.
The thing I like about Leon. He plays every style. Camilo is more of a jazz rock guy. Both great players. Between the two guys, you can cover any style out there with their presets. Leon is a real in depth guy that go from page to page showing what he does. I am one of these guys that likes to do things on my own, but I have found that the things that are deep in the axe can be helpful. You can make amps that have never been made before. You can change every aspect of any amp at any point. I really respect Cliff. He never stops trying to make fractal better. The closer the competitions gets, he comes back with something else that blows our mind.