Here's my take on v.10 just briefly.
I view things from this perspective: what has changed with V.10 is that you do not have to be a power user to dial in killer amp tones fast and easy; and for all the (deserved) focus on the improved amp modeling; the focus IMHO is more about
accuracy with the amp modeling and less about "
better". The biggest advance overall in terms of the results people can dial up is the new mixed IR's. But I'll get to that in a second.
IMHO, the key is this: there is a lot more 'detail' in the amp modeling for sure. Nonlinear aspects to how amps work; and the MIMIC process that essentially maps the modeling at *many* points of the circuit, instead of just comparing it as a single simple macro system. MIMIC allows the Axe-FX II in v.10 to accurately model an amp at the micro-level and takes into account the nonlinear and parasitic aspects - and the power supply modeling (AC) is a big component of that (*Pro tip: if you want a slicker idealized tone, change the power supply modeling to DC). These are parts of the 'added' bonus; but it didn't change the 'nature' of the amp modeling. The biggest difference overall was that MIMIC made the amp models *extremely* accurate to the actual physical amps modeled. That has a lot of implications; no longer are amp models 'idealized' versions; these are more dimensional and that leads, IMHO, to the real meat of the matter in V.10 that takes advantage of this enhanced and raw accuracy to the source amps: especially for the direct-to-FOH/FRFR guys.
The key with the Fractal in the direct-to-FOH/FRFR world
was, is and will continue to be the
cab IR. The mix IR's are the biggest - and this
cannot be overstated - leap forward. The Axe-FX Standard, Ultra and II by design requires knowledge to dial it based on the
amp; but now every control (including the Drive and Master Volume) match the range and taper of the original amps. Hugely important. What people in the past were fighting - and most power users were exploiting - were the ability to add your own IR's and mixing/Tone Matching them.
Enter v.10. The new mixed IR's from Fractal, and from the Own Hammer V2 IR's, are the big equalizer; it removes the actual 'issue' people had with getting professional amp tones fast and easy. Power users have mixed IR's and used Tone Match and advanced EQ for years; but a lot of people don't want to do that or don't understand it enough to harness it. Now? Drop in the new IR's from the Factory offerings and... done. It is that simple. The Mix'd IR's are done in professional rooms, professional mic techniques, professional preamps all done by professional engineers and professional producers. That's the
key. Always was. Now there are 35 pre-mixed, drop in and go IR's. Own Hammer is working on building their library - again, same basic concept behind those too. Professional room, professional engineer, professional mic techniques, proper pre-amps and EQ - all out of the box.
Even the Ultra and Standard - with a properly mixed *or* Tone Matched IR - can sound remarkable even with it's amp modeling engines if you use proper cab IR's.
Now, some tips. I'll be doing videos (including a "Rig Rundown" exploring how I set up my presets and WHY I do it) but these are some tips based on my experience.
If you have watched or read about my systematic approach to dialing up a direct-to-FOH/FRFR tone, that hasn't really changed. There's a video of it on YouTube and the link to that is in my signature. Here are some tips/thoughts/advice:
- I am extremely partial to mixing IR's by making cab blocks stereo and panning both IR's to center because I run mono. If you run stereo, the default panning is fine. I love to take complimentary cab IR's and drop them in together - ie. the 412 Basketweave TV Mix and the 412 Basketweave AX Mix are Marshall heaven.
- The new Mix IR's should be used with the Mic modeling set to "None" (they already have the mic's (and preamps/EQ) 'baked in'. There's no need to add a mic when using them.
- The new Mix IR's play well with the other IR's in the factory choices *and* with major third party sources (Red Wire and Own Hammer). I am *exceptionally* fond of what Own Hammer V2 IR's are doing with and mixed with the new Mix IR's from Fractal.
- There are now 100 user IR slots for your use: this is an incredibly powerful and practical capability
- In the Amp block: the "Dynamic Presence" is IMHO the most useful, powerful and simple thing to use in order to make your "good" tones into "GREAT" tones in the direct-to-FOH/FRFR world. I am finding that with a LOT of my presets, just adding +1.0 to that control makes everything "POP" in an organic and dynamic manner.
- If you are primarily a smaller near-field studio monitor or headphone player, do not overlook the "Thunk" parameters on the Dynamics tab in the amp block. Just a little (+0.50) is incredibly satisfying. You don't need much here; be careful. But just enough is a wonderful thing in that circumstance.
- Transformer Match continues to be - and will most likely always be - of major importance to change the overall RESPONSE of an amp in an organic way, without altering your timbre. Lowering it 'opens up' a lot of amps; raising it for tighter gain is popular. Just try it.
- The Character and Character Frequency in the Advanced tab are phenomenal ways to 'morph' or 'voice' your amp; it allows you a relatively simple way to be a 'mad amp designer' and create your own personal amp concoctions that you can just do by ear. It works both ways - cut it or boost it and then move the frequency parameter around where you want; then adjust the boost/cut to your personal taste. This is so mesmerizing; you can essentially do - on the fly in real time - something that would take an amp designer hours and hours of trial and error on the bench.
- I prefer the more raw, unpolished aspects of v.10; but for a 'slicker' more polished amp tone, change the Power Supply Type from AC to DC.
Try some of those things and you'll find that you can dramatically tailor amps in ways only dreamed of in the past.
There are a LOT more things to play with for sure; but these are the things that really have made me smile a lot.
Have fun!
