Ben Randolph
Power User
Yep, something sounds amiss. Years ago you needed to tweak, but now you should be able to throw an amp sim and cab and get a great tone. Are you using cab and power amp sims?
I recently purchased an Axe Fx II XL+ to use live and in the studio (...) I feel like an absolute idiot that has to have a Ph.d to figure this thing out. I am beyond frustrated and regretting my purchase. I am not a stupid man but this thing makes me feel like it. Any specific help and direction would be greatly appreciated.
I did the same a few months ago. I feel exactly the same. The firmware changes all the time as if the Axe was some kind of beta project.
The user guides are not ergonomic at all. One must fight to understand and master this unit. You have to test things, read posts and posts on this forum. Even the older users don't master the unit...
As you, I'm really disappointed.
The best thing Fractal could and should do would be to make an effort to create good tutorials (videos) as other companies do.
Cheers
I did the same a few months ago. I feel exactly the same. That's a valid opinion. You're frustrated.
The firmware changes all the time as if the Axe was some kind of beta project. This shouldn't really be a source of frustration. If you're happy with the unit and your tone, you don't need to change anything, but you can if there are changes you want.
The user guides are not ergonomic at all. I somewhat agree, but the unit is a complex thing. The manual is bound to be at least a bit complex as well. The user guides are far from the only resources available though.
One must fight to understand and master this unit. You have to test things, read posts and posts on this forum. If by "fight" you mean "work," then I agree. There's a steeper learning curve than on less capable units.
Even the older users don't master the unit... I guess I agree, but you could say the same thing about pretty much anything in life.
As you, I'm really disappointed That too is a valid opinion. The question is whether or not you want to put in the work to become a very competent user...or at least competent enough to dial up some tones you like. That's up to you, but isn't a problem with the unit or Fractal. Not every product is for everyone. The Axe FX is no different.
The best thing Fractal could and should do would be to make an effort to create good tutorials (videos) as other companies do. What examples do you have of good tutorial from other companies? Chances are there are resources out there on the Axe that are at least as good. While more official tutorials wouldn't be bad , there are plenty of resources out there already and FAS does regularly post helpful stuff on this forum.
Cheers
I guess the Fractal stuff mainly concentrate on improving the axe-FX (which is a good point of course). But, maybe, they don't have time to concentrate on explaining deeply (but with simple examples) how to deal with the complex functions and potentialities of the unit...
I just miss that. I guess Jimmytwotimes's right : Axe-FX is not for everyone
Cheers
PS : by the way, I'm not writing here to complain. It's only some kind of suggestion for the Fractal Stuff.
If you can't find sounds you like by just flipping through the factory presets, then there's something wrong with your setup.I wasn't expecting to get good sounds within a few seconds with the Axe-FX...
There is no way to deeply master all of the potential of the Axe-Fx just by watching tutorials. Likewise, there is no way to deeply master all the potential of guitar playing by watching tutorials. You have to study both disciplines piece-by-piece, building on your knowledge and experience—and you have to practice each bit of knowledge to truly make it your own.Actually, what I miss is a good tutorial system for intermediate people like me who have minimum sound and technical basis but not enough to master deeply all the axe fx potential.
If all you found in the wiki was a feature list, you didn't dig very deep.The wiki is not complete and it's not very ergonomic (it's some kind of Features list).