Two year review of my Axe-FX XL+

[PumpkinKing86]

I wrote an outline, since otherwise this would be a billion pages long.

INTRO

• My guitar tone heroes: James Hetfield, Eddie Van Halen, John Petrucci, Gary Moore, David Gilmour
  • More-or-less the kinds of tones I try to achieve
• Why I wanted an Axe-FX:
  • Reputation for frequent updates and quality
  • Great sounds at all volume levels
  • Multiple use situations (home, band practice, recording, etc.)
  • Get to try equipment I would never get a chance to play in real life
  • Is cost efficient compared to owning just a few things featured in the box (the Dumble alone!)
  • Famous artists use it (Metallica was the tipping point -- if it's good enough for them...)

FEATURES/FAVORITES

• Amp models
  • It's always fun to try different things, but here are a few favorite models:
    • Clean: USA Pre Clean, Brit JM45, Double Verb VIB, Shiver Clean
    • Mid Gain: Dirty Shirley 2, Friedman SM Box, Brit Brown, USA Rhythm
    • High Gain: USA IIC++, USA Lead, Angle Severe 2, Friedman BE V1/V2, Recto1 Red Modern
  • Many ways to customize the amp models, create your own tone
• Sound/feel
  • Improved with firmware (Quantum!)
  • Authentic enough for me... I can't tell the difference
  • No perceptible latency (Guitar Rig drove me nuts!)
  • Responds perfectly to my touch
  • Cranked amp sounds at reasonable volume levels
• Silent practice
• Impulse Responses/Cab Packs
  • Just as important as choice of guitar and amp
  • Favorites packs are from OwnHammer (Core Tones, Player's Packs) and ML Sound Lab (Zilla)
  • Cab Lab: easy to import/convert, audition, mix IRs
• Recording/Reamping
  • Easy to hookup to PC, good quality results
• Sound card/other uses
  • Great sound quality for all applications
  • I use my Axe-FX all the time to watch movies or listen to music late at night without disturbing housemates/neighbors and it sounds fantastic
  • Perfect for apartment living
• Free firmware updates
• Amount of options for dialing in sounds
  • Able to tweak so things are "just so"
  • Plenty of advanced options without the risk of damaging equipment
  • Can be a turnoff for some, but at least you're never stuck wanting for choice
• Connection options
  • Headphones, USB, FRFR, power amp + cab, PA
• Axe-Edit
  • Very easy to use (although front panel makes sense too once you spend time with it)
• Fractal Bot
  • Makes firmware updates and backups easy
• Support/forum
  • Great advice, help, tips, ideas
  • Cooper Carter video series helped me when I was first starting out
  • Yek and the Wiki are fantastic resources
  • AlGrenadine has made some very clever stuff like FracPad and FracTool
• No worries about replacing tubes

DISLIKES

• Default warranty is only 1 year
• I've had to send my unit back twice to get fixed (name timeout issues, unit refused to power on)
• Dialing in FX
  • Unlike amps and cabs, I don't know where to start
  • I don't understand many advanced options (not as straightforward as bass/mid/treble)
  • Thankfully, plenty of factory and user presets to borrow from
• Running out of CPU
• Cost for "complete" system is still pretty high (footswitch, power amp, FRFR/traditional cab)
• MFC footswitch is expensive and underwhelming (see wishlist)
• Tone Matching isn't a magic bullet, often doesn't translate to different equipment
  • Similarly, don't expect other user's presets to work for you
• Takes some time and effort to get a workflow going
  • Although I think this is actually a fun learning experience

WISHLIST

• More CPU
• Built-in poweramp
• Quick tone controls on front panel (like AX8) -- wouldn't mind if unit was 3U
• Shallow rack form factor
• Footcontroller with scribble strips (like Line 6 Helix or Mastermind GT), three LED system (like AX8), easier to use interface via computer/phone/tablet
• Would be nice if Axe-Edit came with FX block libraries filled with examples
• More bass amp models, cabs, FX
• Randall & Mike Fortin amp models
• Better ways to make acoustics sound good other than tone matches
  • Acoustic block?
• Automated preset volume leveling
• VU meters in Axe-Edit
• Better synth block (too sensitive, poor polyphony)
• Better pitch block (could be faster, better polyphony for down/up tuning)
• Wireless built-in for Axe-Edit on tablets and phones
• FAS guitar pickups

CONCLUSION

• Great investment, great sounds, great support, inspires me to play every day
• Best piece of gear I've ever bought
• Has killed my GAS for amps
• Highly recommended