Axe FX II - A New Era Begins

[nojyeloot]

Originally Posted by VILARIKA

Received mine not too long ago. It had a problem functioning, so I had to send it back to Fractal and hopefully I will get it back soon.

Originally Posted by Az_Spirit_Crusher

What kind of problem it had? what was wrong?

This.

[Sepultorture]

Man a mackie hd1531, an Axe FX 2 and an MFC-101, that's my ....ing dream rig right there

sad to hear about the issue though mate

[VILARIKA]

Originally Posted by Az_Spirit_Crusher

What kind of problem it had? what was wrong?

The entire front panel wouldn't function. Only the scrolling knob would work from time to time, but that even had inconsistent scrolling issues. I emailed Fractal support and they said it should get back to them soon, so I won't be too long without it

Also, support from Fractal is awesome. They respond back to emails quickly and efficiently!

[HighGain510]

Yeah I noticed a lot of guys saying that their unit was having trouble powering up and Cliff said there was an issue with the DSP but it wasn't something he could change? I dunno, I won't dig at Cliff because I think his work with the Axe-Fx is phenomenal, but to me that seems like a rather lame excuse that could lead to leaving you with a $2200 brick if it never starts back up again! Most guys said it would start back up after a few restarts, a few others were not having as much luck. I really want an Axe-Fx II but I find it odd that it's having that many DSP issues when the first gen chips were not doing that at all?

[OzoneJunkie]

Originally Posted by HighGain510

Yeah I noticed a lot of guys saying that their unit was having trouble powering up and Cliff said there was an issue with the DSP but it wasn't something he could change? I dunno, I won't dig at Cliff because I think his work with the Axe-Fx is phenomenal, but to me that seems like a rather lame excuse that could lead to leaving you with a $2200 brick if it never starts back up again! Most guys said it would start back up after a few restarts, a few others were not having as much luck. I really want an Axe-Fx II but I find it odd that it's having that many DSP issues when the first gen chips were not doing that at all?

Hardware can have issues/bugs just like software. Sometimes a firmware can fix, other times hardware needs to be replaced.

Fractal is an amazing company, and I'm quite certain no one will be left with a $2200 brick. They'll do what's right. They always do. I trust FAS and Cliff.

[VILARIKA]

Originally Posted by HighGain510

Yeah I noticed a lot of guys saying that their unit was having trouble powering up and Cliff said there was an issue with the DSP but it wasn't something he could change? I dunno, I won't dig at Cliff because I think his work with the Axe-Fx is phenomenal, but to me that seems like a rather lame excuse that could lead to leaving you with a $2200 brick if it never starts back up again! Most guys said it would start back up after a few restarts, a few others were not having as much luck. I really want an Axe-Fx II but I find it odd that it's having that many DSP issues when the first gen chips were not doing that at all?

Yeah, the amount of issues that people have had with it can vary, as I have read. Unfortunately, I think I had one of the worst cases. I was sent a replacement ribbon cable for the front panel, but even that couldn't help solve the issue. It's a problem that's been brought up by multiple users, so I am sure they are getting down to fixing it.

I'm not surprised at this too much though, majority of hardware products have issues throughout their first run of release. I just hope it's not something that will linger with the II for long.

[HighGain510]

Originally Posted by OzoneJunkie

Hardware can have issues/bugs just like software. Sometimes a firmware can fix, other times hardware needs to be replaced.

Fractal is an amazing company, and I'm quite certain no one will be left with a $2200 brick. They'll do what's right. They always do. I trust FAS and Cliff.

Nowhere did I say they wouldn't try to fix the issue. I was, however, surprised at how nonchalant he was about giving the answer of "yeah we know about that issue, it's the DSP." instead of "we're doing ______ to fix it." Again I'm the last one to hop on the hatewagon, I love Fractal's stuff and I hope Cliff is feeling better, just one of those "should have popped up during beta testing so it wouldn't make it to production run" issues IMO.

Originally Posted by VILARIKA

Yeah, the amount of issues that people have had with it can vary, as I have read. Unfortunately, I think I had one of the worst cases. I was sent a replacement ribbon cable for the front panel, but even that couldn't help solve the issue. It's a problem that's been brought up by multiple users, so I am sure they are getting down to fixing it.

I'm not surprised at this too much though, majority of hardware products have issues throughout their first run of release. I just hope it's not something that will linger with the II for long.

Agreed, but typically the majority of major issues (and I'd call failure to boot major ) are found and resolved before the first units ship. It's possible that they had no idea before they started shipping the units but considering some guys were reporting the issue the first week (or more specifically within days of receiving their units) of ownership I wouldn't think that was the case.

[VILARIKA]

Great customer support, I just got the tracking # for the new II on it's way

Creepy though, I ordered the II at 2:12PM, and it was order #212...
The first II shipped on 7/15/11, and this new one was also shipped on 8/15/11...

[OzoneJunkie]

Originally Posted by HighGain510

Nowhere did I say they wouldn't try to fix the issue.

You're right. My bad - sorry about that.

As time goes on, we'll see any trending issues and resolutions.

[HighGain510]

Originally Posted by VILARIKA

Great customer support, I just got the tracking # for the new II on it's way

Creepy though, I ordered the II at 2:12PM, and it was order #212...
The first II shipped on 7/15/11, and this new one was also shipped on 8/15/11...

Right on, glad to see it was resolved quickly! Yet again Cliff proves he takes care of folks, eh?

Originally Posted by OzoneJunkie

You're right. My bad - sorry about that.

As time goes on, we'll see any trending issues and resolutions.

No worries man, not a problem. Like I said, I love the product and think the customer service is great, I was just troubled by the initial response Cliff gave to one of the issues that I personally consider to be more serious than others, i.e. unit won't power up sometimes.

[Andromalia]

Originally Posted by HighGain510

Agreed, but typically the majority of major issues (and I'd call failure to boot major ) are found and resolved before the first units ship. It's possible that they had no idea before they started shipping the units but considering some guys were reporting the issue the first week (or more specifically within days of receiving their units) of ownership I wouldn't think that was the case.

If it's a case of a hardware failure from the DSP, a bad batch might explain it. He likely orders them in stages and has gone through at least two different series.
I would expect the unit to be tested before shipping though, with the price tag.

[VILARIKA]

Originally Posted by Andromalia

If it's a case of a hardware failure from the DSP, a bad batch might explain it. He likely orders them in stages and has gone through at least two different series.
I would expect the unit to be tested before shipping though, with the price tag.

I believe they are all tested before they are shipped out. The problem I had with mine took several days to occur though, so there's nothing that they could do about that.

[metal_sam14]

John Petrucci just posted on his twitter that he scored one of these bad boys, figured some of you may be excited by this

[Andromalia]

I honestly don't care as long as G66 still doesn't deliver the goods. Why is it that the guys with the best product have one of the worst distribution schemes of all the industry...

[NickBen]

Just took the plunge and bought one...review, pics, and vids will be up when it gets here

[Az_Spirit_Crusher]

Originally Posted by NickBen

Just took the plunge and bought one...review, pics, and vids will be up when it gets here

Welcome on the dark digital side.

[NickBen]

Originally Posted by Az_Spirit_Crusher

Welcome on the dark digital side.

Thanks! I can't wait, I think I'm still in shock that I bought it haha

[VILARIKA]

Originally Posted by NickBen

Thanks! I can't wait, I think I'm still in shock that I bought it haha

I'm sure everyone that purchased it has had that exact same feeling

[nojyeloot]

Stumbled upon this post from Cliff, just now. Just an FYI:

Today 11:05 AM #36
FractalAudio
Administrator
Join Date
Jul 2008
Posts
1,824

I wish I could supply everyone who is waiting unfortunately our suppliers are way behind and not giving me any definite answers on when we might get parts.

There is no conspiracy and it's simply foolish to assume there is one. Why on earth would anyone want to intentionally not sell something? That's just stupid.

If I had the units to sell I would sell them. I simply can't get supplies.

[NickBen]

Just got mine on Wednesday!! Its awesome so far, full review coming once I get some more time with it! Thank God its Friday!! Off to jam...

[Larrikin666]

Originally Posted by NickBen

Just got mine on Wednesday!! Its awesome so far, full review coming once I get some more time with it! Thank God its Friday!! Off to jam...

Snap. I didn't expect anyone else in the area to have one. Congrats.

[spattergrind]

I was wondering:
I'm saving up for the AxeFx II.
If I "buy" the II, and I get the promo code, I dont have to buy it right away correct? I can still use the promo code later when I have the money?

[Skanky]

Originally Posted by spattergrind

I was wondering:
I'm saving up for the AxeFx II.
If I "buy" the II, and I get the promo code, I dont have to buy it right away correct? I can still use the promo code later when I have the money?

Pretty sure you have 30 days to use it.

BTW - LOVE my Axe-FX2!!!

[ScumTricycle]

Anyone hear back from the waitlist?

Also, I'm sure this is a dumb question but the Axe-FX Ultra still rocks. Worth trying to find a one used for $500+ cheaper?

[ROAR]

Yea anyone on the waiting list have some news?

I think I sent my e-mail July 5th.