Fractal Audio AxeFX and Guild guitars

[fearless]

I know a few of us have embraced the digital age and use an AxeFX as a combination amp modeller/pre-amp and effects rack.

GAD made an excellent write-up on getting Brian Setzer's tone here http://www.gad.net/Blog/2011/06/07/how- ... zers-tone/
Zelja in Sydney has one also.
I've had my Ultra for about 18 months. Mostly I've used it in a stage rig with my SG. I am yet to tweak it for my new S-100 and other Guilds.

As far as I can tell AxeFX is the first digital modeller with the performance to start really winning over analogue diehards.
The Standard model has been around for a number of years gaining a small but dedicated following. A couple of years ago the Ultra was released with extra processing power and a few more effects. AxeII was recently announced. Judging by the expansion of their forum, general online presence and number of top artists using them, they are now going gangbusters.

Support is excellent, with regular and free firmware upgrades adding small improvements all the time. It is hugely flexible and can be used with a traditional power amp and cabinet (as I do) or with a Full Range Flat Response (FRFR) amp/speaker system (as it seems the majority do)

I've started this thread for anyone who would like to share their experience - likes, dislikes, recommendations etc.
Particularly any comments on amp models or patches that especially suit Guild electrics or acoustics.

 

[Zelja]

I am not using to it's full extent as yet, though I have had it for quite a while (3 years). My primary use is for playing along with CDs/MP3s etc & for practice, transcribing songs etc. For this it can't be beat. Fantatstic recording tool as well.

I am a bit hampered by the fact that I haven't got a foot controller & haven't got a great power amp to use it with my guitar cabs nor do I have a good FRFR system with lots of power (when it come to electric guitar I admit that I like some volume). Playing it through Adam A7 monitors, which does sound good.

The great thing about the unit (apart from all the support & updates mentioned above) is that you can learn a lot about sound shaping, effects etc with it. It is so powerful (& I've only got the bottom rung Standard for now).

I think one mistake I made early on was having the level in the box set too high - cranking it just before the clip light came on. I found that when I dropped the level in the patches & upped the output volume to compensate, the clean sounds expecially seemed better. I think that may be because some transients don't actually set of the clip led but can in fact be digitally clipped. I think a lot of people on recording forums also recommend that you don't record with too hot a signal & it may be for similiar reasons.

Looking forward to using the Axe more with the acoustics as well. The II sounds great, especially all the reports about improved feel & the ease in getting great tones.