|
|
Post by dmo on Feb 15, 2021 17:42:48 GMT -6
I think some amp designers (Komet) call this characteristic "fast" but who knows, amp terminology is so subjective these days. Matt - I have a Komet Concorde that was/is my favorite live lead tone (2004-2011ish) - but damn it was one loud amp, and cutting more than 3-6 dB with attenuator started to affect the tone (to my ear). A little too much for smaller rooms or playing at home. When I first got into fractal in 2011 I recognized the axe2 wasn't up to that level but the versatility made it a reasonable trade off. The gap has felt much smaller ever since I went to the Axe3 - I'm usually pretty content with the sounds I can get now and it is so much more convenient. But very anxious to hear what Cliff's done with this update. |
|
|
|
Post by matt on Feb 16, 2021 10:49:52 GMT -6
I think some amp designers (Komet) call this characteristic "fast" Matt - I have a Komet Concorde that was/is my favorite live lead tone (2004-2011ish) - but damn it was one loud amp I took a serious look at the Komet 60 a while back but never bought one. From what I've heard, Komet amps capture the elusive tone that I'm talking about. I have a pile of heads that don't quite do it for me including some esoteric models (Cameron CCV, 1995 SLO 100, pre-mass produced Friedman Marsha, Jimmy Wigle Purplexi 100, etc etc) so I'm reluctant to pop for anything new for a change. I am really digging the Morris XSIII right now for that aggressive heavy tone that I think the AF3 could improve on. Heavy but with an underlying clarity, its not easy to achieve. And all his amps clean up nicely at the guitar. But I digress- I hope FW16 adds more of this Marshallesque mojo to the relevant models. I'd much rather use the AF3 in the studio! |
|
|
|
Post by dmo on Feb 16, 2021 13:34:50 GMT -6
Matt, I get what you're saying - to me the Komet has a certain harmonic richness while retaining enough clarity to cut through that the axe doesn't quite get yet. But it has certainly gotten closer and anxious to see what the new firmware brings. Example posted below - dialed in for more classic southern rock style - to my ears it just sounded "right" - YMMV
Low quality cell phone video from last show 2007 before I deployed back to the sandbox (Fallujah) - not a great show as our other guitar player was in a minor car accident and no showed so the drummer's cousin sat in cold and I was already mentally disengaging from home/family in preparation to leaving in about 10 days. My 87 PRS straight into Komet/Marshall 4x12, no effects. Self indulgent solo starting around 5:30, can hear it transition from clean to full as I roll up the guitar volume.
|
|
|
|
Post by matt on Feb 17, 2021 17:08:52 GMT -6
Matt, I get what you're saying - to me the Komet has a certain harmonic richness while retaining enough clarity to cut through that the axe doesn't quite get yet.
(you) can hear it transition from clean to full as I roll up the guitar volume.
Sounds very good! Allman Bros, one of my favorites. |
|
|
|
Axe FX III
Feb 19, 2021 17:46:52 GMT -6
via mobile
dmo likes this
Post by Johnkenn on Feb 19, 2021 17:46:52 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Feb 20, 2021 9:42:12 GMT -6
Hey matt - download Cygnus and see what you think. |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Feb 20, 2021 15:05:05 GMT -6
Check out the last 2-3 minutes of this.
|
|
|
|
Post by dmo on Feb 20, 2021 15:46:44 GMT -6
Haven't had a chance to download yet - but the last minute or so with the Komet 60 sounds to me like it's responding just like my Concorde - which is a very good thing IMO. I'll have to load the beta when I get home
|
|
|
|
Post by slowhammond on Feb 21, 2021 21:10:16 GMT -6
Check out the last 2-3 minutes of this. Wow. When I was 18, I saved every cent for a good while to get one of those ART 2U racks, with the purple swirl graphics on the faceplate I spent weeks trying to find the “Old Love” tone from the 24 Nights album. Something that seared at full volume and then got pretty and sustain-y at 2-3 on the volume knob. Obviously, it never happened. It’s effortless with the Axe III. How they get beautiful and detailed sustain from a volume knob turned almost off ... amazes me. It’s one of the few purchases that re-validates itself every time I play it. And quickly. Like my EC vibro champ. Or Raisin Bran Crunch. |
|
|
|
Axe FX III
Feb 21, 2021 23:26:07 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Johnkenn on Feb 21, 2021 23:26:07 GMT -6
I’m pretty amazed by the Tweed Deluxe in this new firmware.
|
|
|
|
Post by askomiko on Feb 23, 2021 2:40:35 GMT -6
Loved the note on the beta frmware post: "READ THIS - DON'T IGNORE - LISTEN UP KNUCKLEHEADS".  |
|
|
|
Post by matt on Feb 23, 2021 17:47:09 GMT -6
Hey matt - download Cygnus and see what you think. I like it so far. I'm going to shoot out the Deluxe model with the real thing later this week. I'm coming around to the conclusion that the AF3 does Fender-type amps better than old Marshall (which is where I live). It's a matter to degree though- good vs great. The metal amps are pretty great too, but not my style. |
|
|
|
Axe FX III
Feb 23, 2021 19:21:45 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Johnkenn on Feb 23, 2021 19:21:45 GMT -6
Hey matt - download Cygnus and see what you think. I like it so far. I'm going to shoot out the Deluxe model with the real thing later this week. I'm coming around to the conclusion that the AF3 does Fender-type amps better than old Marshall (which is where I live). It's a matter to degree though- good vs great. The metal amps are pretty great too, but not my style. Interesting |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Feb 24, 2021 14:45:37 GMT -6
Hey matt - download Cygnus and see what you think. I like it so far. I'm going to shoot out the Deluxe model with the real thing later this week. I'm coming around to the conclusion that the AF3 does Fender-type amps better than old Marshall (which is where I live). It's a matter to degree though- good vs great. The metal amps are pretty great too, but not my style. Yeah - playing around with the UAD Dirty Shirley and I can get really great tones out of it that match if not exceed the Axe. Feel is probably a little better on the axe...but whew...that Vibro Verb...damn. |
|
|
|
Post by donr on Feb 26, 2021 21:57:58 GMT -6
Any other experience with firmware 16?
|
|
|
|
Post by dmo on Feb 26, 2021 23:34:15 GMT -6
Don, I've downloaded but haven't had much free time yet - mostly playing my recently acquired Suhr strat into clean/cleanish amps - (fenders, JTM45 and ODS-1- Ford 2 preset) so 2 variables at play but sounds/feels pretty "real" to me. Response feels very similar to my tube amps as far as guitar volume/tone roll off reacts. Still need to try humbuckers and Marshall type tones. As always, individual preferences vary but hard to imagine not finding usable tones with this updates. No major glitches so far.
Bill
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on May 27, 2021 0:51:07 GMT -6
16.2 is bonkers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on May 27, 2021 0:52:13 GMT -6
Btw - sorry I’m posting so much about Axefx. I swear I have no affiliation...it’s just a lot of fun to me.
|
|
|
|
Axe FX III
May 27, 2021 11:58:50 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by askomiko on May 27, 2021 11:58:50 GMT -6
I like to record guitars through a splitter box: amp and Axe. Amp is there only for skull splitting volume, feedback and anarchy. I might not even bother to record it at all and go 100% Axe, but with added anarchy. Zero volume direct recording is too flat for some things. Well, leads, if searching for the ultimate results.
The DI guitar signal becomes a lot more middy and compressed when there's 120db amp right next to it, that's a funny phenomenon. 90db won't do it.
|
|
|
|
Post by indiehouse on Nov 4, 2021 8:39:28 GMT -6
I picked up a used Axe III to try out. Sounded great flipping through the presets. Never did get it hooked up to the Mac. I know this will sound weird, but I didn’t feel inspired. And it was always daunting to try and learn it. Looking at my amps and the Suhr RL/IR always brings about a desire to play. Not so much the computer in a box. And I was reminded at just how quickly the Axe III will become outdated now that there are new HW versions released as well as features that my Axe III can’t utilize.
I moved it. Now I know.
|
|
|
|
Post by notneeson on Nov 4, 2021 15:37:39 GMT -6
I picked up a used Axe III to try out. Sounded great flipping through the presets. Never did get it hooked up to the Mac. I know this will sound weird, but I didn’t feel inspired. And it was always daunting to try and learn it. Looking at my amps and the Suhr RL/IR always brings about a desire to play. Not so much the computer in a box. And I was reminded at just how quickly the Axe III will become outdated now that there are new HW versions released as well as features that my Axe III can’t utilize. I moved it. Now I know. I think this is getting to be THE most valid reason to use or lose any piece of gear. If it makes you make music, it's gold. Anything else gets superfluous in a hurry. |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Nov 9, 2021 9:57:35 GMT -6
I picked up a used Axe III to try out. Sounded great flipping through the presets. Never did get it hooked up to the Mac. I know this will sound weird, but I didn’t feel inspired. And it was always daunting to try and learn it. Looking at my amps and the Suhr RL/IR always brings about a desire to play. Not so much the computer in a box. And I was reminded at just how quickly the Axe III will become outdated now that there are new HW versions released as well as features that my Axe III can’t utilize. I moved it. Now I know. After all the talk and smoke blowing I did, I bought an Iridium and some pedals and - like you said - just was a little more inspiring. The Axe is great - in fact, I'll probably pick one up again in the future...but there's definitely something that makes you want to play when you have the tactile thing in front of you. |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Nov 9, 2021 9:59:37 GMT -6
You know - I see people dogging digital stuff and it really makes me roll my eyes. Blind, no one could tell the difference anymore. Feel-wise is still where the difference is. But man - the ability to flip a switch and get "that" sound is just amazing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ward on Nov 16, 2021 13:16:56 GMT -6
You know - I see people dogging digital stuff and it really makes me roll my eyes. Blind, no one could tell the difference anymore. Feel-wise is still where the difference is. But man - the ability to flip a switch and get "that" sound is just amazing. The Ax FX 3 is the best yet. Remarkable how rea.istic it is. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2021 8:18:07 GMT -6
You know - I see people dogging digital stuff and it really makes me roll my eyes. Blind, no one could tell the difference anymore. Feel-wise is still where the difference is. But man - the ability to flip a switch and get "that" sound is just amazing. I dunno, an amp sounds like an amp.. Wart's n' all and nothing sounds exactly like them to me, whether that's a good thing or not is the question. Even just a nudge over half a decade ago I wasn't all that impressed with digital but recently.. Hmm. Mixing is all smoke and mirrors where we try to extend clarity, atmosphere and surrealism. Today you can roughly mimic tones that appeal without "transmission" loss which in a mix has that hyperrealistic "je ne sais quoi".. It's often what I try to do with real amps but never quite succeed. I'll take subjectively a bit different for a better overall presentation and it's easier as well. I'll mic if the track needs that "classic" feel but most of the time I use a Suhr reactive with an IR nowadays. |
|
