I use a TC Electronic G Major 2 for FX but I'm thinking of selling it and getting an Axe FX Ultra. I don't think I would use it for much more than just that -- FX. I guess I'm not really sure of the capabilities of it. Anyway, if that's the only thing I really need it for then I don't really see it necessary to spend twice as much on the Axe FX II. What do you guys think? What kind of circumstances would deem it necessary to have the II instead of the Ultra?
I think if you are going to get an axefx you should consider using it as your amp at gigs and going straight into the board. If you are just using it live, esp. If its just for fx then the ultra should do just fine.
Ultra seems good. Ive used neither, but i have heard the ultra live and it just kills! So much cleaner sounding than going through a cab. I dont remember anything off the top if my head about the ii that is going to make a huge difference in that application. I has more processing power, and usb compatibility for recording, so unless you need either, whats the difference? The only thing i can think of is to buy a ii now if you think you will record w it in the future.
If you can get a decent priced used Ultra or even standard and you have the intentions of using it for effects only, then I'd say 100% go for it, but honestly, if you want the full package - get the Axe FX II. Played on a couple a few weeks ago and the thing is so good. I'm seriously considering getting one within the next half year
USB drivers kick ass.. better sound quality all around. Better reamping possibilities. I'd recommend just selling your amp along with the Gmajor2 and getting an AxeII, but my bias is well known
Justin, have you tried using the axe ii as an fx unit for recorded tracks via usb? Ie sending the dry recorded signal via usb, applying fx, and returning also via usb? I have been wondering about that, and if the extra stage of dac and adc has any effect. If i did buy one i would sometimes want to record my combo and use the axe ii just to apply fx after the fact.
You mean just using like an outboard processor, like for adding delay to vocals or such? It would probably work, but I have enough plugins that I'm happy enough with that I don't bother...
Yeah, I'm basically selling all of my stuff except for my cab. The only reason I'm not selling my cab is because I put a lot of work into the cab, and I'm building a road case for it, so it would be harder to let go. Also, in the event that I want some stage sound, I'll get myself a power amp to do that. I signed up for the waiting list thinking it CAN'T last more than a month! lol. I looked up what people are usually waiting and it's more like 3-4 months. Can't wait that long considering we're about to release a new album and we want to be able to play shows in support of that album. So it's looking like I'm gonna have to dish out $400 more...
Not for vox... For recording my combo amp without any fx and then adding them later with the axe ii. Their effects might be a lot better sounding for guitars than most plugins. The thingis that it might be more clean to use the plugin... It depends on how everything works.
I subscribed to the NZ waiting list for the Axe FX II and they emailed me today saying they were in stock. At finally seeing the price of them in NZ ($3749) I became hesitant at what I thought would be an easy decision. The thing is I've never owned a guitar amp, and I really never use any FX or anything, just clean and then a rock style distortion. I think the sound I want is like a Marshall JCM sort of thing, but to get just an amp head like that over here costs at least $3000 anyway, so I'm wondering if I should just shell out the extra for the Axe FX, and then I'll have the potential to utilize it for other things if my playing ever heads that way. I also love recording demos and stuff, so it would be a big step up from the Eleven software plugin I currently use. I need to get a gig-ready setup quite soonish as my new band is coming together quickly. Anyone have any thoughts? You will all have way more experience than me so anything will valuable.
Fuck that man. I saw a used Ultra on ebay.com.au for like, $1500. Give it a year and I'm sure you'll be able to get the 2 for a similar price, used. The thing with this kind of technology is that it's only expensive until the next model comes out, in 5 years time it probably wont even fetch $500.
I'm really happy with my Axe FX II. But I agree with Lashie. If you can wait it out, do it. Or, if you don't really need that much horsepower, get the Ultra. And even better yet, when the next one comes out, the Ultra will be even cheaper.
it sounds pretty incredible though. i've never played one myself but there was a peep playing one here in a cafe that i stumbled across and it sounded sweet. and the tones Misha gets off it on his soundcloud are pretty awesome too. if you can wait it out i'd definitely go it.
In places where it's hard to come by new amps the best thing to do is be really resourceful and try to find somebody getting rid of their own. If you are lucky maybe you will find a nice tube combo for a few hundred. It is a different experience playing an actual tube amp and I think that a person's playing develops a new element as they get accustomed to it.
Well, I have been saving a lot of cash and just found out that i don't have to spend nearly as much as I originally thought, which means i can get myself an Axe FX!
Yeah a dude i talk to in Italy did a clip demonstrating it, i didn't read much about it or how it works though.
Checked it just before you posted, damn that's pretty cool. Does it match the effects also, though? would be sweet if it got the delay at the right speed, etc
No, just the tone. Notice in the video where he adds all the effects. But that's the easy part so it's no big deal.
They keep getting closer and closer, but they still have a ways to go. People's "it's 99% the same as the real thing!" usually sounds more like maybe 75% to me. And a couple years from now they'll have an Axe FX III or whatever, which will be even closer, yet still not quite there, but will make older technology obsolete. But a good tube amp is still going to sound great decades from now.
Yeah, it doesn't feel like a tube amp at all, but the sound is closer than digital has ever been. But I'm willing to compromise that for a few reasons.
I think AxeFX is really great for the touring metal musician. It is like a godsend in terms of how it transforms muddy chaotic sound into something totally crystal clear and amazing sounding. I think the only metal bands I've seen get really good sound of normal amps live were DT and Maiden, and everyone else ranged from ok to total mud. OTOH all the metal bands I've seen using axefx sounded amazing, and sound much better than they used to with regular amps. Plus it keeps getting better. I was not impressed with the sound of the AxeFX in ZPZ after Dweezil switched to it, and as far as studio stuff goes, I haven't heard enough.
I did not even know there was an Australian Ebay. That could be a good bet, because New Zealand is like a third world country when it comes to technology/instrument stuff. It's only very recently that you can even order an Axe FX here. I'm pretty sure our national trading site has never had one listed, and most regular Ebay sales won't ship out of America. Maybe I should buy a cheapish tube amp in the mean time . One worry about it I have is that the well-known artists who use it all use really extreme, high gain style sounds. I just want something that can do this sort of sound: Is a combo enough for gigs? I always see people with stacks. (Again, I'm really new to guitar stuff so I have no idea)
unless you're playing massive venues a combo should be enough. some amps are super loud despite being quite small eg. i'm told the Vox AC30 is loud even though it's only 30 watts.
ya dude... Almost any venue worth playing is going to mic your amp, and even if they arent...something like an Ac30 or a fender hot rod deville can drown out a drummer relatively easily. You don't really need more than 10-15 watts with a tube amp to get as loud if not louder than a drummer.
To be fair, lots of players in a lot of genres use the Axe Fx. I know arguing with you about it is a lost cause, but I'm just saying.
Although I know it can do a lot of different styles, the only artists I ever hear of using them are metal guys, or really extreme effects stuff.
Other than Dweezil Zappa, who uses Fractal a lot and isnt a metal player? Don't say DT... they made use of AxeFX but they didnt actually record or play live with it as the main amp. JP used it for the demo stage of ADTOE and JM uses it live as an fx processor. I actually dont know how or how much Vai uses it, so maybe him? The right combo will get you very far in gigs. What is tricky is that watts are not all equal. If you stick to tube amps 20w should be enough and 50w will be plenty.
I've been playing through the same 50-watt tube combo for 6 years. I play quite a lot of gigs but I have never ever had to crank it more than halfway up, even when playing with the loudest drummers I have met. I sometimes wish I had bought the 30-watt version instead, I usually have to keep the volume on mine really low. I think you should go with a nice 30-or-something-watt tube combo, you can probably find something real nice for a quarter of the price of the Axe-FX, that way if you ever want to add any effect pedals you'll still have some money left to get the ones you need.
AC30's are ridiculously loud. You could take out your hearing with one of those cunts no problem. Not the most reliable creatures though.
Yeah, a lot of them. I know personally from my bandmates that a lot of jazz players that they see use them as well, though they're not on that list, but I don't know their names because I'm not classy enough for jazz.
Artist pages can be misleading. I see quotes from a lot of artists but that doesn't mean they make much use of AxeFX.
I don't know why they'd bother, since unless they're fusion faggots they're just going to be playing clean with no fx on a solid state amp with a bunch of headroom.
Combos are good for a lot of genres, but I don't like how they sound for metal. You really need the air that a good 4x12 or even 2x12 cab moves to produce the right tone and oomph for chunky rhythm.
