Burgs
Power User
Quite often I'm asked, mainly by middle-aged blokes, what my 'take' on Fractal Audio is. Do I like it? How does it compare to 'real' amps, etc? Sometimes it's almost like I have to defend myself for daring to use such technology. Traditionalists are affronted, afraid... but curious as well. Last night, following the upload of my resurrected Strat video and accompanying preset link to my Instagram page, I was again asked. This is my reply:
- I'm nearly 60, Adam. I've been playing since 1972 and haven't really stopped for any length of time. I grew up with tube amps and pedals and used them through my early touring years in the late 80s and 90s. I got tired of dodgy tubes, bad cables, weight, hassle and confidence issues with hired backline when touring. Being a tech nerd, I was always interested in alternatives to the traditional amp. It doesn't worry me what the medium is as long as I can reliably get the sound in my head to the people. Fractal Audio was making waves. I wanted to try it. Around 2011 I got on the waiting list (there is still a waiting list) and finally had my first Axe-FX II around 2012/13. It was brilliant. I was hooked. I'm still hooked. Every day it inspires me to try something different. I tour with an FM9 and use an Axe-FX III for all things Youtube/video/demo. I will never look back. Trying one might be a challenge if you're in Australia - I don't know where you live. Stock is short because of a semi-conductor shortage. Your best bet is to hook up with someone who owns one and knows their way around it. There are brand alternatives, of course - Line 6, Kemper, Roland, Neural, HeadRush - they all have their charms. Fractal Audio is not built to a price point, however; it's built to be good. Their artist roster should attest for that. Go to their site, explore and work out where you might try and/or buy one. If you have to wait a bit, I can almost guarantee that wait will be worth it. There will be a learning curve and a period of familiarisation, but they will be worth it too. At least, they were to me. Still are. Cheers.
11h
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adammstevensonn
@brettkingman brilliant. Thanks mate. Am in Brissy. I Will try and link up with someone who has one. Your sound is always good (I remember buying an MI Audio crunch box years ago because of a review you did) but every you do with that fractal thing is beyond brilliant. Thanks so much for the background info.
- I'm nearly 60, Adam. I've been playing since 1972 and haven't really stopped for any length of time. I grew up with tube amps and pedals and used them through my early touring years in the late 80s and 90s. I got tired of dodgy tubes, bad cables, weight, hassle and confidence issues with hired backline when touring. Being a tech nerd, I was always interested in alternatives to the traditional amp. It doesn't worry me what the medium is as long as I can reliably get the sound in my head to the people. Fractal Audio was making waves. I wanted to try it. Around 2011 I got on the waiting list (there is still a waiting list) and finally had my first Axe-FX II around 2012/13. It was brilliant. I was hooked. I'm still hooked. Every day it inspires me to try something different. I tour with an FM9 and use an Axe-FX III for all things Youtube/video/demo. I will never look back. Trying one might be a challenge if you're in Australia - I don't know where you live. Stock is short because of a semi-conductor shortage. Your best bet is to hook up with someone who owns one and knows their way around it. There are brand alternatives, of course - Line 6, Kemper, Roland, Neural, HeadRush - they all have their charms. Fractal Audio is not built to a price point, however; it's built to be good. Their artist roster should attest for that. Go to their site, explore and work out where you might try and/or buy one. If you have to wait a bit, I can almost guarantee that wait will be worth it. There will be a learning curve and a period of familiarisation, but they will be worth it too. At least, they were to me. Still are. Cheers.