funny_polymath
Fractal Fanatic
Hello all. Just dropped in to say goodbye. After a long time with the Axe-FX (and my Liquid Foot Pro+), I've come to the conclusion that I was spending more time messing with menus and patch editors/librarians than I was playing. I started out with effects in 1978 or so, with a couple of boxes on the floor. Since then, I really was a technophile/techno-lunatic at times, with some cutting edge setups over the years - truly extreme and outrageous for a guy in a local band. I had what I think was the first effects switching unit on the market, which was either a Roland or a Boss, I forget. I had lots of stuff on the floor. Then I had several racks with custom-wired quick-connectors, and a Sound Sculpture Switchblade controlling the show, and almost nothing on the floor. Then I got the Axe-FX Ultra and loved how warm and analog it sounded! Then I upgraded to the II. My last setup was a small rack with the Axe-FX II, a PCM-70, and a Lane mixer/mic preamp (I was running voice, viola, and guitar through my sound system). On the floor I had a Cry-baby volume-wah, the LF Pro+, and an Atomic CLR. It worked.
But I realize that I miss just twiddling physical knobs to get the sound I want - I miss the immediacy, the physicality, and the dedicated controls. I miss the ease of 1 pedalboard, 1 Atomic CLR wedge, 2 power cords, and two audio cords - one from the guitar to this board, the other from the board to the CLR..
So I built this monster and it sounds great, and it's inspiring me all over again to just... play! Like a kid! And, truth be told, there are just some things that sound better with this rig. I never could get the AXE-FX to sound as huge and creamy as the Warm Audio Foxy Tone Box does - or as friggin' rude and crazy as Cray baby wah-Angel Wing chorus-Deja Vibe-Golden Boy-Foxy does. It might be my programming chops, or it might be a limitation in the Axe-FX. Really, for me, that's a distinction without a difference - because I just don't want to spend all that time trying, and now I can get these sounds, in an instant, at the push of a button or three. Sound's not perfect today? Reach down and twiddle a knob or two. Immediate, and tactile, and, yes, I LOVE dedicated controls - it just makes it easier on my brain.
So, I've sold the Axe. I'm selling the LF Pro+ on Reverb. And I'm saying goodbye.
Most of you have been incredibly helpful.
In the bad old days, when we discussed politics here, some cowards contacted me anonymously on my website and told me they were going to kill me, cursed me with anti-Semitic and racist remarks, etc. It was quite a shock, both because I tend to think music only brings people together (clearly not the case!), and also because I am a patriot, who believes that, at it's core, America is about the freedom to say and believe what you want, without fear of violence or retribution. Those gutless cowards shocked me, and sullied America. I will not miss their threats and abuse.
But to the rest of you: you're a great community! So helpful and supportive and knowledgeable and kind! I wish you all the best!
- Samuel
But I realize that I miss just twiddling physical knobs to get the sound I want - I miss the immediacy, the physicality, and the dedicated controls. I miss the ease of 1 pedalboard, 1 Atomic CLR wedge, 2 power cords, and two audio cords - one from the guitar to this board, the other from the board to the CLR..
So I built this monster and it sounds great, and it's inspiring me all over again to just... play! Like a kid! And, truth be told, there are just some things that sound better with this rig. I never could get the AXE-FX to sound as huge and creamy as the Warm Audio Foxy Tone Box does - or as friggin' rude and crazy as Cray baby wah-Angel Wing chorus-Deja Vibe-Golden Boy-Foxy does. It might be my programming chops, or it might be a limitation in the Axe-FX. Really, for me, that's a distinction without a difference - because I just don't want to spend all that time trying, and now I can get these sounds, in an instant, at the push of a button or three. Sound's not perfect today? Reach down and twiddle a knob or two. Immediate, and tactile, and, yes, I LOVE dedicated controls - it just makes it easier on my brain.
So, I've sold the Axe. I'm selling the LF Pro+ on Reverb. And I'm saying goodbye.
Most of you have been incredibly helpful.
In the bad old days, when we discussed politics here, some cowards contacted me anonymously on my website and told me they were going to kill me, cursed me with anti-Semitic and racist remarks, etc. It was quite a shock, both because I tend to think music only brings people together (clearly not the case!), and also because I am a patriot, who believes that, at it's core, America is about the freedom to say and believe what you want, without fear of violence or retribution. Those gutless cowards shocked me, and sullied America. I will not miss their threats and abuse.
But to the rest of you: you're a great community! So helpful and supportive and knowledgeable and kind! I wish you all the best!
- Samuel
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