Jemwiz00
Member
I had what I will refer to as an existential crisis today. It all started innocently enough. I wanted to do an A B C test with my Mesa/Boogie Mark 2C+, my Mark 5 in C+ mode, and the AX8 with the C+ Model all queued up. I had just purchased ML's Cab Pack 7 the day before, and was rocking out to some pretty authentic tones. I have a real Recto cab handy as well, so I thought what better time to do the comparison test! Fast forward about about 6 hours and you would find me questioning my choices as well as my sanity. While the AX8 tones are still fantabulous, they pale in comparison to the real amps. My questions came to the forefront when I finally realized my goals may have been misplaced over the past 2 years or so of having the AX8. I think I have been literally trying to achieve the tone of my real Mark series Mesa into a real recto cab. The question would be why? I think I found "my tone" the day I first played a Mark. I guess my foray into the Fractal world was all about replicating that tone. Strange. I already own those amps. If I had to describe the Fractal and Mesa comparison In one word I would say "similar". The basic tone is spot on, but there is some intangible artificiality to the Fractal model. A few digital artifacts in the ultra highs? I could dial that out with EQ I suppose, but then it would lose some of the sparkle of the real thing. I'm guessing the Fractal might sit in the mix a little better. Anyway, now I am questioning if I should seek out an FX8 and try to expand on that basic Mark tone with the great effects that I already know are possible. I will probably never come to the edge of this quest. It can get quite expensive. However, I still do think the AX8 might be the perfect solution to get that Mark tone in a small portable package. If I only use Fractal for recording alone, it IS worth it...