Danny Danzi
Power User
Hi everyone,
I've been really reading a lot about the AxeFxII, controllers, scenes etc over the past few days and figured I'd just ask your advice (as well as a few questions within my comments) on what controller you'd go with if you were me. Before you give me your answer though, allow me to tell you what I need to be able to do.
1. The most important for me is to have gapless program changes with spill-over. I've been using a Digitech 2101 since 1994 and in my opinion, have created some pretty insane tones with it. I'd still be using it live but it's been harder and harder to find parts/buy old units and I'm just sick of dealing with 1994-96 technology. But one of the most incredible things about the 2101, is the gapless program changes as well as the spill-over.
Now, I know AxeFxII can do this, but it depends on scenes or something if I read correctly? (I'm supposed to get my AxeFxII on Tuesday if my tracking info is correct) One of my friends told me he can switch through patches without patch glitches and he doesn't use scenes. I thought I read or saw a video that said "you must use scenes for instant program changes" is this correct?
2. Patch use using 10 presets: I don't need anything elaborate here. What I like to do with my patches is, I create a tone with a light room verb. Once done, I duplicate the sound several times and add different things to the sound. It's probably dumb to do this (and I will be open to changing my methods, I just wanted you to know what I do) but I've been doing it this way for a long time.
An example of this would be: Create dirty rhythm patch for patch 1. The patch just has the core sound going on with light room verb, eq, compression. Duplicate/copy the patch to patch 2. On this one, the same sound is used but I may use a HAAS delay at 100% wet with two different delay times. Copy and paste the same sound to bank 3. Kill the delay, lower the highs on the eq, maybe increase mids slightly and use a bigger reverb, increase gain a bit, raise output as this is a lead sound.
Create a totally clean sound for patch 4 that is not a copy of anything I've done above.
Copy patch 3 to patch 5. Lower the verb a bit and add a ping pong delay as this will also be a lead sound.
Copy patch 1 to patch 6. This will be a rhythm sound where I add a chorus that is pretty rich. And so on....you get the idea.
So for the way I'd be using my AxeFxII, what midi pedal would you think would be good for me? I would preferably like to use a pedal that doesn't need to be plugged in to any AC power. That's another great thing about my Digitech control 1....a simple midi cord runs the pedal with no additional AC power needed. I'd really love to keep that sort of set-up and would be willing to add a midi cable to the pedal if needed, but am really NOT wanting additional power to the pedalboard if there is something out there like that.
Based on the above, what would you recommend? Also, though I'm not *totally* against the MFC, with all due respect I do think the price is pretty steep. If you have reasons to sell me on the MFC or tell me how I might be able to work my methods in while using it or another pedal, I am not too set in my ways to listen to you. I really do need your advice and will appreciate anything you may have to offer.
**A side note if I may?** One other thing...I got put in a bad position 2 weeks ago at a gig. I play really nice rooms and outdoor festivals (I play in a VH tribute band) and my rig completely died on me at a show. Thankfully we played at a casino that night that had a rig I could use. I never want this to happen again, so I've built another little back-up rig. I'd like the pedal I choose for my AxeFxII rig to be used for this also. The back-up rig will be (don't laugh, but honest this thing sounds incredibly authentic!) an old Rocktron Chameleon into a Quadraverb. I just want to be able to play and have a few cool sounds in case my rig dies. This fits perfectly in a little Gator 4 space rack. So if you have any advice on this too, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!
I've been really reading a lot about the AxeFxII, controllers, scenes etc over the past few days and figured I'd just ask your advice (as well as a few questions within my comments) on what controller you'd go with if you were me. Before you give me your answer though, allow me to tell you what I need to be able to do.
1. The most important for me is to have gapless program changes with spill-over. I've been using a Digitech 2101 since 1994 and in my opinion, have created some pretty insane tones with it. I'd still be using it live but it's been harder and harder to find parts/buy old units and I'm just sick of dealing with 1994-96 technology. But one of the most incredible things about the 2101, is the gapless program changes as well as the spill-over.
Now, I know AxeFxII can do this, but it depends on scenes or something if I read correctly? (I'm supposed to get my AxeFxII on Tuesday if my tracking info is correct) One of my friends told me he can switch through patches without patch glitches and he doesn't use scenes. I thought I read or saw a video that said "you must use scenes for instant program changes" is this correct?
2. Patch use using 10 presets: I don't need anything elaborate here. What I like to do with my patches is, I create a tone with a light room verb. Once done, I duplicate the sound several times and add different things to the sound. It's probably dumb to do this (and I will be open to changing my methods, I just wanted you to know what I do) but I've been doing it this way for a long time.
An example of this would be: Create dirty rhythm patch for patch 1. The patch just has the core sound going on with light room verb, eq, compression. Duplicate/copy the patch to patch 2. On this one, the same sound is used but I may use a HAAS delay at 100% wet with two different delay times. Copy and paste the same sound to bank 3. Kill the delay, lower the highs on the eq, maybe increase mids slightly and use a bigger reverb, increase gain a bit, raise output as this is a lead sound.
Create a totally clean sound for patch 4 that is not a copy of anything I've done above.
Copy patch 3 to patch 5. Lower the verb a bit and add a ping pong delay as this will also be a lead sound.
Copy patch 1 to patch 6. This will be a rhythm sound where I add a chorus that is pretty rich. And so on....you get the idea.
So for the way I'd be using my AxeFxII, what midi pedal would you think would be good for me? I would preferably like to use a pedal that doesn't need to be plugged in to any AC power. That's another great thing about my Digitech control 1....a simple midi cord runs the pedal with no additional AC power needed. I'd really love to keep that sort of set-up and would be willing to add a midi cable to the pedal if needed, but am really NOT wanting additional power to the pedalboard if there is something out there like that.
Based on the above, what would you recommend? Also, though I'm not *totally* against the MFC, with all due respect I do think the price is pretty steep. If you have reasons to sell me on the MFC or tell me how I might be able to work my methods in while using it or another pedal, I am not too set in my ways to listen to you. I really do need your advice and will appreciate anything you may have to offer.
**A side note if I may?** One other thing...I got put in a bad position 2 weeks ago at a gig. I play really nice rooms and outdoor festivals (I play in a VH tribute band) and my rig completely died on me at a show. Thankfully we played at a casino that night that had a rig I could use. I never want this to happen again, so I've built another little back-up rig. I'd like the pedal I choose for my AxeFxII rig to be used for this also. The back-up rig will be (don't laugh, but honest this thing sounds incredibly authentic!) an old Rocktron Chameleon into a Quadraverb. I just want to be able to play and have a few cool sounds in case my rig dies. This fits perfectly in a little Gator 4 space rack. So if you have any advice on this too, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!
