(apologies for the sidebar/hijack)
Ed- there is a clip of Chris Poland playing a Flexi that, though quite short, demonstrated how beautiful that amp can sound. Not sure if I phrased that well.. it is one of my "regret" amps; I always wanted to try one, but never had the extra cash to do so. Plenty of other good clips out there as well, but I am a huge Chris Poland fan
I thought this might be relevant since this thread has evolved into a guide to emulation of JP's scooped Mesa rhythm sound....
You can find the "stems" for On The Backs of Angels available for download here (if you have purchased A Dramatic Turn of Events): Dream Theater - Get Stems For Dream Theater's "On The Backs Of Angels"!
I don't think these are the "raw" mic'd amp sounds. The stem sounds like all the guitar tracks combined and probably with any post-processing already added. However, it's still a good tool for hearing how they mixed JP's guitar sound independent of the other instruments.
just listened to the drum "stem" on youtube. what a naff reverb on the snare! no wonder the drums sound a bit weak on the album.
Thanks for the continuing thoughts, tips and guidance, folks.
I wasn't able to load the last patch -- I'm probably doing something wrong but are Ultra patches able to load into Axe Edit for the II?
At any rate, here is what I'm working with presently. I think it's pretty close to the tone, could maybe be a touch more warm. Clarity is almost there.
View attachment 8612
I think some other factors may have as much to do with this....
Thanks for the continuing thoughts, tips and guidance, folks.
I wasn't able to load the last patch -- I'm probably doing something wrong but are Ultra patches able to load into Axe Edit for the II?
At any rate, here is what I'm working with presently. I think it's pretty close to the tone, could maybe be a touch more warm. Clarity is almost there.
View attachment 8612
Try turning down power tube and triode hardness for a touch more warmth.Thanks for the continuing thoughts, tips and guidance, folks.
I wasn't able to load the last patch -- I'm probably doing something wrong but are Ultra patches able to load into Axe Edit for the II?
At any rate, here is what I'm working with presently. I think it's pretty close to the tone, could maybe be a touch more warm. Clarity is almost there.
View attachment 8612
Was it Wish'd already? Could swear I replied on it *demanding* a Tube Substitution feature to be added along with. Might have been in one of the mass amp wish threads...Piling on to the sidebar/hijack... I would love to see the THD Univalve and Flexi 50 modeled in the AxeII. They have a really unique organic quality I've heard nowhere else. Happy to send my Uni to Cliff for a while if he needs one.
Karma
Okay, getting still closer. The clarity still isn't quite where it could be but if I really try to emphasize the A string in my picking it almost gets where it needs to be. Meanwhile the tone is getting close. There is an "X Factor" to use that overused term that still quite isn't there but it's spitting distance now, I think.
Pull Me Overture at 6 O'clock. Forgive the sloppiness.
Thanks to all for your help!
I figured I'd post a link to non-compressed wav files in order to pre-empt the obligatory "youtube compression sucks!" argument whenever a clip is posted .
Here it is anyway:
Great posts going now... And thank you for your answers.
With regard to the Triaxis and translation; this is based upon my personal use, so others' usage may/will vary, of course. Translating the Triaxis to ANY physical head will require (significant) changes; use of the Dynamic Voice section complicates things, as it is not a directly translatable function. IOW, it is not a simple application of a preset GEQ from any particular Mesa head. Further, the Gain "pre-stage" provides an.. eclectic?.. bit of control that is also not (necessarily) directly translatable; except under certain conditions. For instance, if one were to translate a Lead 1 Red (Dual Rec; "color" depends upon power amp, and if a 2:Ninety is used, "Modern" state might solely dictate this), a Gain setting of "7.0" *replicates* the stock input gain of the Dual Rec; varying this equals.. sort of.. an alteration to this aspect of the Dual Rec. AFAIK, Petrucci did not stray from this (his recorded "Rhy 3" patches, for instance).
With that Lead mode, btw, it is a different circuit board (in the Triaxis) being utilized. I would suppose this is due to the tonestack variance, with that being the only one with a post-preamp location; the Mark series runs pre-preamp. Further, the Triaxis is notorious.. probably more accurately, infamous.. for the extreme interactivity and interdependence of each and every control (save the Lead 1 and Lead 2 drives with one another, or when absent), more so than with the emulated heads/amps. Since this is an exaggeration of Mark (and Rec) series amps, and since the Triaxis is not modeled (currently) in the Axe, translational accuracy will be a task . If Petrucci-esque is what one is after, then I would first select an era/album/tour, and consider the equipment used. Also of extreme importance is realizing that recorded tone is FAR different from actual "playing the amp in the same room" tone.
I could go on about the Triaxis; it is a pet favorite of mine, and could I afford one plus the Axe II, I most certainly would. I have tried different versions, played with far too many tube combinations.. even considered a few of the mods that are out there. It is unique IMO, and I found it quite difficult/impossible (for me) to replicate some tones accurately enough with the amps it emulates, or with a Quad (or Studio; never got to try a Rec Pre). For older Petrucci-esque tight, Rec rhythm, I would start with what Adam has put out there (settings). Although Petrucci used his 2:Ninety with Deep and Modern engaged for his Lead 1 Red (Rec) patch, I would begin with the Orange mode Dual Rec in the Axe as a starting point. All else, USA Lead might be best.
Just my 3 cents, and in no way meant as a "put down" or other negative reflection upon your, or others', postings. Just my opinion
Okay, getting still closer. The clarity still isn't quite where it could be but if I really try to emphasize the A string in my picking it almost gets where it needs to be. Meanwhile the tone is getting close. There is an "X Factor" to use that overused term that still quite isn't there but it's spitting distance now, I think.
Pull Me Overture at 6 O'clock. Forgive the sloppiness.
Thanks to all for your help!