Zen Guitar
Member
I'm going to take the long road in answering your question, if you don't mind, because I think it is a more complicated one than it might seem and this is probably a question that many looking at the Axe Fx might have...
Hopefully my answer only comes across as an effort to be thorough and also completely honest, which is my intent. Obviously, I own an Axe-Fx, and am writing here in the forum, so I very much like the product and appreciate the considerable efforts of its creator and all those that help to make it what it is. I also continue to use my real world amps for many situations, so I do not see the Axe as a total solution for all of my personal needs.
First, I'll say that I have lots of real world experience with Rectos. I currently own a modern 3 channel Dual Rec Solo head, two Recto Std 4x12's and two Recto 1x12's. I used to own a late 90's Dual Rec Trem-O-Verb head. I've played quite a number of the various Rectifier incarnations and a buddy of mine has a number of Recto heads (mostly 2 ch Dual Recto solo heads). I've done lots of A/B'ing between the various amps (all have their own particular sound... A Road King does not sound like a modern 3 ch Dual Rec Solo head which does not sound like a Roadster which does not sound like an older 2 ch solo head, etc).
Out of all the Recto type amps available, I purchased the modern 3 ch version. This particular amp has more top end fizz than older Rectos, which are a bit smoother. This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on taste and intent. I use my Recto as part of a multi-amp rig for my heaviest crunch tones, especially for my 7 string rhythm work in my prog metal band. Basically, da brootalz. :twisted:
For this purpose, the actual (real world) Recto kills. Took quite a while to properly dial, but the pay-off has been in spades. Good stuff. The older, 2ch Rectos are great here as well (as is the Single Recto). The newer ones sound a bit more aggressive, though, and the top end fizz (if dialed properly) can add clarity and definition to your sickest riffing. If you're looking for a lead tone, you will probably prefer the smoothness of the older heads. The Road King and Roadster are different, tonally. In a very quick nutshell, they are darker and rounder.
I bring up all of this because I think that there are a lot of notions of what a Dual Rectifier sounds like and not all of them are very close in sound. Most guitarists I know with a Dual Rectifier cannot get a good sound out of them. Some seem happily oblivious to this and some are hyper aware and blame the amps for this. The truth is that these amps are plenty capable of incredible sounds, BUT you really have to know how to dial them. You also have to be aware as to the differences of the various Rectifier type amps and which sound which way and the method for getting what you want out of that particular amp. Finally, it helps to understand a few different tips and tricks for getting the live tone you want as well as other tips and tricks for getting the recorded tone you want. The Boogie Board is a good place to go for info. All of this info will help you to dial in your Axe Fx Recto tones, as you'll want to approach replicating your Recto tones in the Axe in similar fashion, whether this means pushing the front end with a TS-808 or using multiband compression to your mic'd up tone to eliminate some problem spots.
So, with all that out of the way, and with the caveat that you know how to properly dial in a real world Recto for live use and for recording, then...
You can get some pretty good sounding Recto tones out of the Axe-Fx. For recording, with the right cab and mic choices and the right engineering chops, you will get some solid and very usable tones. Certain aspects are harder to dial in than others. Low end thump, mid range percussion, and top end clarity are a delicate balance to achieve, but I've been able to get about 85% there (which, in fairness, is far more than most folks with the real world amp can get on recordings without a good recording space, a lot of volume, and pro recording help). I'm sure that Cliff will continue to improve things and we'll get closer. He really doesn't seem to sleep, which is good for us.
You'll notice things in terms of feel more so than just in terms of sound. More so with lead playing than rhythm. Etc. Basically, what you might expect.
In terms of live playing, I think that so much depends in terms of sound and feel on what you use to reproduce the sound of the Axe-Fx. A pro level PA with true full range reproduction is going to be a very different experience with the Axe than a pair of powered monitors. A lot of people wouldn't be comfortable with their actual amps off of stage and only hearing them through stage monitors and echoing back from FOH, so listening to the Axe-Fx in this way is going to feel uncomfortable for these people as well. Also, a lot of the sound that we associate with good live tone or good stage experience has to do with the interactivity between speakers and pickups. This is one aspect, IMHO, that the Axe-Fx doesn't yet have down. For me personally, nothing beats a real amp live. Period. However, I'm someone who has a strong connection with my amps live, though. I play my amps as much as my guitars. I fuss over every little aspect of my set-ups, can hear the difference between things that many others can't and completely obsess over things that wouldn't matter to others. If you are not this OCD, less empathetic with your amps, or someone who tends to play in situations where you are already compromising, such as having to have your volume strictly limited, having to use some sort of isolation methods, or having to use attenuators (many church bands, for example), the Axe may feel like a no compromise solution for you. Also, if you are willing to compromise a bit of the sound and feel for convenience, portability, flexibility, etc, the Axe-Fx is a good alternative for many. If you tour on smaller levels where you have to fly or drive without your rig and use what the promoter provides rather than your own rig, this is a great alternative. Etc. Etc.
That all said, if you are asking if the Axe-Fx is the exact same in terms of sound and feel as a real Recto or any other real amp... My own personal answer is no. Absolutely not.
If you are instead asking if this is a wise purchase for direct recording of Recto (and other tones)... Absolutely.
If you are asking if this is a good alternative to a real world Recto (or other amp)... For me, no. For you, it depends on certain factors (see above).
I hope this helps!
Cheers,
-Matt
Hopefully my answer only comes across as an effort to be thorough and also completely honest, which is my intent. Obviously, I own an Axe-Fx, and am writing here in the forum, so I very much like the product and appreciate the considerable efforts of its creator and all those that help to make it what it is. I also continue to use my real world amps for many situations, so I do not see the Axe as a total solution for all of my personal needs.
First, I'll say that I have lots of real world experience with Rectos. I currently own a modern 3 channel Dual Rec Solo head, two Recto Std 4x12's and two Recto 1x12's. I used to own a late 90's Dual Rec Trem-O-Verb head. I've played quite a number of the various Rectifier incarnations and a buddy of mine has a number of Recto heads (mostly 2 ch Dual Recto solo heads). I've done lots of A/B'ing between the various amps (all have their own particular sound... A Road King does not sound like a modern 3 ch Dual Rec Solo head which does not sound like a Roadster which does not sound like an older 2 ch solo head, etc).
Out of all the Recto type amps available, I purchased the modern 3 ch version. This particular amp has more top end fizz than older Rectos, which are a bit smoother. This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on taste and intent. I use my Recto as part of a multi-amp rig for my heaviest crunch tones, especially for my 7 string rhythm work in my prog metal band. Basically, da brootalz. :twisted:
For this purpose, the actual (real world) Recto kills. Took quite a while to properly dial, but the pay-off has been in spades. Good stuff. The older, 2ch Rectos are great here as well (as is the Single Recto). The newer ones sound a bit more aggressive, though, and the top end fizz (if dialed properly) can add clarity and definition to your sickest riffing. If you're looking for a lead tone, you will probably prefer the smoothness of the older heads. The Road King and Roadster are different, tonally. In a very quick nutshell, they are darker and rounder.
I bring up all of this because I think that there are a lot of notions of what a Dual Rectifier sounds like and not all of them are very close in sound. Most guitarists I know with a Dual Rectifier cannot get a good sound out of them. Some seem happily oblivious to this and some are hyper aware and blame the amps for this. The truth is that these amps are plenty capable of incredible sounds, BUT you really have to know how to dial them. You also have to be aware as to the differences of the various Rectifier type amps and which sound which way and the method for getting what you want out of that particular amp. Finally, it helps to understand a few different tips and tricks for getting the live tone you want as well as other tips and tricks for getting the recorded tone you want. The Boogie Board is a good place to go for info. All of this info will help you to dial in your Axe Fx Recto tones, as you'll want to approach replicating your Recto tones in the Axe in similar fashion, whether this means pushing the front end with a TS-808 or using multiband compression to your mic'd up tone to eliminate some problem spots.
So, with all that out of the way, and with the caveat that you know how to properly dial in a real world Recto for live use and for recording, then...
You can get some pretty good sounding Recto tones out of the Axe-Fx. For recording, with the right cab and mic choices and the right engineering chops, you will get some solid and very usable tones. Certain aspects are harder to dial in than others. Low end thump, mid range percussion, and top end clarity are a delicate balance to achieve, but I've been able to get about 85% there (which, in fairness, is far more than most folks with the real world amp can get on recordings without a good recording space, a lot of volume, and pro recording help). I'm sure that Cliff will continue to improve things and we'll get closer. He really doesn't seem to sleep, which is good for us.
You'll notice things in terms of feel more so than just in terms of sound. More so with lead playing than rhythm. Etc. Basically, what you might expect.In terms of live playing, I think that so much depends in terms of sound and feel on what you use to reproduce the sound of the Axe-Fx. A pro level PA with true full range reproduction is going to be a very different experience with the Axe than a pair of powered monitors. A lot of people wouldn't be comfortable with their actual amps off of stage and only hearing them through stage monitors and echoing back from FOH, so listening to the Axe-Fx in this way is going to feel uncomfortable for these people as well. Also, a lot of the sound that we associate with good live tone or good stage experience has to do with the interactivity between speakers and pickups. This is one aspect, IMHO, that the Axe-Fx doesn't yet have down. For me personally, nothing beats a real amp live. Period. However, I'm someone who has a strong connection with my amps live, though. I play my amps as much as my guitars. I fuss over every little aspect of my set-ups, can hear the difference between things that many others can't and completely obsess over things that wouldn't matter to others. If you are not this OCD, less empathetic with your amps, or someone who tends to play in situations where you are already compromising, such as having to have your volume strictly limited, having to use some sort of isolation methods, or having to use attenuators (many church bands, for example), the Axe may feel like a no compromise solution for you. Also, if you are willing to compromise a bit of the sound and feel for convenience, portability, flexibility, etc, the Axe-Fx is a good alternative for many. If you tour on smaller levels where you have to fly or drive without your rig and use what the promoter provides rather than your own rig, this is a great alternative. Etc. Etc.
That all said, if you are asking if the Axe-Fx is the exact same in terms of sound and feel as a real Recto or any other real amp... My own personal answer is no. Absolutely not.
If you are instead asking if this is a wise purchase for direct recording of Recto (and other tones)... Absolutely.
If you are asking if this is a good alternative to a real world Recto (or other amp)... For me, no. For you, it depends on certain factors (see above).
I hope this helps!
Cheers,
-Matt
