John Tisdale
Experienced
Haven't used a cab since I first got my Axe2, and I only used an FRFR on stage once. I get plenty of interaction from the front of house, in smaller clubs.
I have had a much better experience using real cabs with the Axe III. I'm not sure what changed to make the character of the amp model come through so much better when using guitar cabs.Bought a stereo 2x12 cab for test purposes. Tonight I hooked up my 50W Plexi to one side and the III through a Matrix GT800 to the other side. Sound identical. Way too loud. WAY too loud. My ears are ringing after five minutes.
The punch is great though. Definitely don't get that punch in the gut thing with monitors. Probably just due to the shear volume though.
Be careful with that "one ear" thing... Very easy to damage your hearing. The amount of volume compensation to make up for having one side out is quite large.It is kind of a wash...on regular cab or FRFR (monitor set up), The key for my ears was the driver in the cab and a certain level of volume. You surely have more control over on-stage volume with the powered cab or passive FRFR/power amp set up. Either FRFR works equally well .imo.
With the FRFR set up you just need to make sure you have some air moving - if you are used to conventional amp/set up.
Right now all I use is powered monitors and FOH - if the venue is big enough for that option.
I don't miss having a amp head/cab set up as long as I have powered speaker (passive with a power amp would be the same here) on stage.
When I just went FOH and had sound run my guitar to the house on stage monitor, I felt I lost some the "true guitar experience." Even at times I have to use in-ears, still use a powered cab off to the side and put one of the ear monitors in my pocket.
When I ran with a power amp and conventional cab and turned off cabs in the AXE, its was good but more inconsistent - but still a good sound.
To me, the real sell or power of owning an AXE and using it is the complete model set up. It's all well thought out...and IT's all in there!
for sure...i usually just dial in a bit to hear the mix...Be careful with that "one ear" thing... Very easy to damage your hearing. The amount of volume compensation to make up for having one side out is quite large.
Be careful with that "one ear" thing... Very easy to damage your hearing. The amount of volume compensation to make up for having one side out is quite large.
I agree. I have gone FRFR for two years now. It works fine but is it a pair of 4x12’s? Hell no and it never will be.
I agree. I have gone FRFR for two years now. It works fine but is it a pair of 4x12’s? Hell no and it never will be.
All due respect, saying "it never will be..." with respect to tech, and specifically the Axe-FX is always dangerous...
It never will be? Good. I got real tired of carrying 300lbs of Mesa Cabs to my shows. Save me some energy and space in my truck. Really enjoying going direct with IEM's with a consistent controllable sound night after night.
I do need to fire up my old rig one more time for old times sake though...
I have no real use for the Xitones as I don't gig...
Nah...I'm sure you would get good results...If... IF... I ever felt like I prefer FRFR to real guitar speaker cabs, I'd try to make sure my excuses for justifying it don't make me sound like I'm old, weak, lazy and jaded...
Yup that works well too!I still enjoy my 2X12 behind me on stage and at low bedroom levels at home... the beauty of the axe fx is that you can have the best of both worlds - which I do - one output goes to the cab, the other goes to the board... both sound great !