GM Arts
Fractal Fanatic
Ultra AxeFX - all opinions at the time of writing - Sept 09
(edited to include v8.08 changes)
This is undoubtedly the best hardware modeller available for realism, effects quality, realtime control and general functionality. It's remarkable that it has been produced by the creative genius of one individual, Cliff Chase, with a small team. I wish him every success.
TUBE AMP REALISM
Pros: For realism, the amp models deliver fantastic tones that have the feel, dynamics and note clarity of their real world counterparts. Yes, I've played a few tube amps that have some better tones (at certain fixed volume levels), but I've also played through many tube amps that don't produce any sounds as good as the AxeFX. Even better, amps can be fine-tuned in detail to taste with real-world circuit change parameters. This means that some of my favourite amps can sound even better for my playing style & preferences than the real thing! For amplification, I use an RCF-322A powered monitor which is roughly the same volume as a typical 50W tube amp. By tweaking my patches for a good tone balance through the RCF, I can confidently give FOH something they won't need to modify too much. The AxeFX allows up to 10 third party speaker cab IRs to be used, so if you prefer something else (I like the IRs from Red Wire) you're not restricted to the factory cabs. Cliff delivers regular updates, usually in bursts of activity, with real sonic improvements. It's also very evident that he listens and responds to his user community, something quite rare in current times!
Cons: Atomic amps are about to release an amplification system tailored to the AxeFX. It's been slow to market and being a tube solution will not find favour with users who moved to the AxeFX in part to get away from tube maintenance and unreliability. I'm a little curious that the ideal amplification is deemed to be a tube power amp, for the selfish reason that I hope this does not discourage efforts for even better modelled tube realism.
EFFECTS
Pros: The overall effect quality and quantity is stellar. Even the pitch effects, which are the Achilles heel of most effect processors are quite useable in the AxeFX. I'm delighted Cliff has chosen to deliver idealised effects because it allows effects dialled in as we want, without the limitations of their real-world analog equivalents. We have magnificent chorus and other time-delay effects and fantastic compressors as well as the recently improved overdrive stomps. Routing is really flexible: any effect anywhere with up to 4 parallel paths!
Cons: The only one I can think relates to the technically-correct wet/dry mix controls which maintain overall volume level. This makes good sense with effects that have no or short time delays such as overdrive, compression, phasers, flanging and chorus. However, it's disconcerting with long delay effects (such as delay and reverb) to have your dry volume reduce as you increase the effect mix. Many users overcome this problem by mixing a full wet effect in parallel with a dry signal (shunt), although this makes the global level useless.
REALTIME CONTROL
Pros: Awesome control with volume envelope, ADSRs, LFOs as well as 8 external controllers, any of which can be used in 16 modifiers per patch. I really like that the same controllers can have different modifier settings, such as start and end points and response curves within the same patch. Fractal are yet to release their own foot controller, however, many available foot controllers can be used for basic patch changes, effect bypasses and pedal control. I built my own. more >>>
Cons: None! (many thanks, Cliff for the additional flexibility to set power-up values for external controllers in v8.08)
FUNCTIONALITY
Pros: The interface is very intuitive and easy to use, whether you want to modify basic parameters or delve deeper. Like any modeller, it's not for players looking for instant plug 'n' play gratification. It helps immensely if you have experience with the real world amps and effects.
Cons: The AxeFX editor is still in beta and to date has generally lagged firmware changes. So it shows great potential but is yet to deliver.
CONNECTIVITY
Pros: Flexibile signal I/O with 2 stereo ins and outs that can be used for send/return or separate outs with different FX, etc. Also digital and MIDI I/O.
Cons: No headphone or USB. Fan is a bit noisy. Not a big deal.
OVERALL
The pros easily outweigh the cons - if you enjoy tweaking your guitar tones and want the best - get one!
(edited to include v8.08 changes)
This is undoubtedly the best hardware modeller available for realism, effects quality, realtime control and general functionality. It's remarkable that it has been produced by the creative genius of one individual, Cliff Chase, with a small team. I wish him every success.
TUBE AMP REALISM
Pros: For realism, the amp models deliver fantastic tones that have the feel, dynamics and note clarity of their real world counterparts. Yes, I've played a few tube amps that have some better tones (at certain fixed volume levels), but I've also played through many tube amps that don't produce any sounds as good as the AxeFX. Even better, amps can be fine-tuned in detail to taste with real-world circuit change parameters. This means that some of my favourite amps can sound even better for my playing style & preferences than the real thing! For amplification, I use an RCF-322A powered monitor which is roughly the same volume as a typical 50W tube amp. By tweaking my patches for a good tone balance through the RCF, I can confidently give FOH something they won't need to modify too much. The AxeFX allows up to 10 third party speaker cab IRs to be used, so if you prefer something else (I like the IRs from Red Wire) you're not restricted to the factory cabs. Cliff delivers regular updates, usually in bursts of activity, with real sonic improvements. It's also very evident that he listens and responds to his user community, something quite rare in current times!
Cons: Atomic amps are about to release an amplification system tailored to the AxeFX. It's been slow to market and being a tube solution will not find favour with users who moved to the AxeFX in part to get away from tube maintenance and unreliability. I'm a little curious that the ideal amplification is deemed to be a tube power amp, for the selfish reason that I hope this does not discourage efforts for even better modelled tube realism.
EFFECTS
Pros: The overall effect quality and quantity is stellar. Even the pitch effects, which are the Achilles heel of most effect processors are quite useable in the AxeFX. I'm delighted Cliff has chosen to deliver idealised effects because it allows effects dialled in as we want, without the limitations of their real-world analog equivalents. We have magnificent chorus and other time-delay effects and fantastic compressors as well as the recently improved overdrive stomps. Routing is really flexible: any effect anywhere with up to 4 parallel paths!
Cons: The only one I can think relates to the technically-correct wet/dry mix controls which maintain overall volume level. This makes good sense with effects that have no or short time delays such as overdrive, compression, phasers, flanging and chorus. However, it's disconcerting with long delay effects (such as delay and reverb) to have your dry volume reduce as you increase the effect mix. Many users overcome this problem by mixing a full wet effect in parallel with a dry signal (shunt), although this makes the global level useless.
REALTIME CONTROL
Pros: Awesome control with volume envelope, ADSRs, LFOs as well as 8 external controllers, any of which can be used in 16 modifiers per patch. I really like that the same controllers can have different modifier settings, such as start and end points and response curves within the same patch. Fractal are yet to release their own foot controller, however, many available foot controllers can be used for basic patch changes, effect bypasses and pedal control. I built my own. more >>>
Cons: None! (many thanks, Cliff for the additional flexibility to set power-up values for external controllers in v8.08)
FUNCTIONALITY
Pros: The interface is very intuitive and easy to use, whether you want to modify basic parameters or delve deeper. Like any modeller, it's not for players looking for instant plug 'n' play gratification. It helps immensely if you have experience with the real world amps and effects.
Cons: The AxeFX editor is still in beta and to date has generally lagged firmware changes. So it shows great potential but is yet to deliver.
CONNECTIVITY
Pros: Flexibile signal I/O with 2 stereo ins and outs that can be used for send/return or separate outs with different FX, etc. Also digital and MIDI I/O.
Cons: No headphone or USB. Fan is a bit noisy. Not a big deal.
OVERALL
The pros easily outweigh the cons - if you enjoy tweaking your guitar tones and want the best - get one!
