This whole Axe FX thing

thedonal · 06-11-2012, 08:05 AM

I've seen a lot of threads listing Axe FX with recordings etc and a number of bands are listing them as major gear.

So it's led me to wonder if a lot of metal musicians are abandoning the traditional amp thing both in the studio and on the road.

I know that it makes for a lot of convenience in being able to write/record at home without studio bills or neighbour/family/police fury and I accept that they do sound amazing from all recordings I hear.

But where's the love for amps gone? Has it gone? Am I reading too much into this?

Answers on a postcard to the above address, please!*

*It's not a criticism, just a curious question.

Riffer · 06-11-2012, 08:07 AM

I'm still a amp guy. I like having a 4x12 with a head on top of it. My 5150 sounds crushing and while the Axe FX has the tones of a shit ton of amps and can emulate the 5150 basically perfectly, I still love the look of the 5150 and 4x12 on stage and the feeling of playing through warm tubes. But I do love what the Axe FX can accomplish. I'd love a modded JCM head too

Adrian-XI · 06-11-2012, 08:12 AM

The love for real amps still exists for sure, anyone denying that is being silly. They (amps and modelers) are two different beasts, each with their pros and cons.

TheFerryMan · 06-11-2012, 08:12 AM

honestly I'm all for both. Now honestly i don't own an Axe-Fx (I like eating and having a roof over my head) but i do use DI recording interfaces to record and track ideas, and at the same time i have my amp for when i have to play a show every once and a while.

EtherealEntity · 06-11-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedonal

But where's the love for amps gone? Has it gone? Am I reading too much into this?

I think you are. There seem to be two kinds of people - those who simply use what they need how they need it, and those that factor in, to any extent (not always a bad thing) things like tradition, image, fashion, the norm.

I think you'll find most people that have moved to an Axe have done so just because it works for them. Not because they have lost their love for amps, if they even had that in the first place. The guys who love to rock infront of their wall of Marshalls and deem anything else false and untrue will continue to do so

I couldn't give a damn about anything except the sound that enters my ears.

Deadnightshade · 06-11-2012, 08:26 AM

From the moment you plug the guitar in whichever amp/modeler , it's all effects and signal coloring.So in the end it all depends on the combination of budget,convenience and tone that suits you best and makes your music enjoyable.

Amps are evolving way slower than the modelers.The latter managed to reach the milestone of being able to record an album and fooling people it's a real amp,and greatly improved their sound into something enjoyable (plug in a previous modeling generation digitech 80 buck multieffect/modeler and then a pod HD,and you'll know what I'm talking about).

troyguitar · 06-11-2012, 08:47 AM

I love my amp but I see no reason not to record using DI's exclusively for now. I can always run the DI tracks through my amp later when I am ready, but in the meantime I get uber flexibility in tones without having to re-record anything.

3074326 · 06-11-2012, 08:55 AM

I love amps.. still. I've been using a POD to record for years now though. I live in an apartment and will for the foreseeable future. I'm upgrading to an Axe because they're convenient and versatile. They are nearly indistinguishable in recordings from what I've heard. I'm expecting to love it. I'll probably sell my tube amps if I like it enough.

It's just a piece of technology that is too hard for me to pass up given my situation and desires. I still and always will love tube amps.

bhakan · 06-11-2012, 09:13 AM

Look basically anywhere else and you will see the majority of people use amps and still look down on modeling. This forum is the exception, not the rule when it comes to amps vs. modelers.

Loomer · 06-11-2012, 09:20 AM

The main thing about the axeFX is that it's trendy. I'm serious here.

That said, it is the sheer convenience and the fact that it sounds pretty decent which has helped that trend catch on. Nevertheless I still think a lot of dudes lust after it simply because the cool kids have one.

ridner · 06-11-2012, 09:30 AM

I tried the POD HD and went running back to an amp

3074326 · 06-11-2012, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loomer

The main thing about the axeFX is that it's trendy. I'm serious here.

That said, it is the sheer convenience and the fact that it sounds pretty decent which has helped that trend catch on. Nevertheless I still think a lot of dudes lust after it simply because the cool kids have one.

That's a lot of money to just impress people on the internet. Can't say I agree with it being the "main thing" about the unit. For some, few even, sure. But to the rest of us, we want it because it sounds good and is unbelievably versatile and convenient.

Metal_Webb · 06-11-2012, 09:49 AM

If I had the money (always comes down to that, doesn't it?

) I'd be on one in an instant.

Being a bedroom warrior, a 100watt marshal/5150 head and a quad stack is a bit too much

I prefer the way with digital modellers how you just dial in the numbers and every time you plug in and use the patch you get the exact same sound out.

As has been said, it comes down to the job at hand.

Interloper · 06-11-2012, 09:50 AM

I love my GSP1101 but will probably always own at least one tube amp and I would bet that most if not all of these artists still have a good tube amp around. Regardless of looks, convenience whatever, tube amps are just fun to play through.

Modelers require tweeking, and more tweeking, and even more tweeking and every time you think you've nailed it, you end up tweeking more just because you can. If I was in a band or did enough recording to warrant it, I would love to own an Axe. But for every person who uses an Axe, there are 100's who still use tubes.

TemjinStrife · 06-11-2012, 09:55 AM

The Axe-FX sounds great. So do my amps. My amps are simpler, cheaper, and easier to make sound good. And they all have a master volume control, so I don't have to crank the shit out of them.

Therefore, I'm pretty happy with my amps.

ItWillDo · 06-11-2012, 10:11 AM

There is one main reason I prefer my Ultra above other amps:

Pav · 06-11-2012, 10:12 AM

For the price of that one digital box, I'm able to build myself a huge tube-powered stack that not only sounds exactly how I want it to, but is easy to tweak and navigate. Not to mention I love the sound and feel of having a formidable rig in front of me versus that little digital box and some speakers. I'm also into electrical engineering and have a real passion for analog audio, so to me it's just an incredibly expensive way of bypassing so many of the things I love about playing guitar in the first place.

thedonal · 06-11-2012, 10:13 AM

Them's all fair comments. Cheers.

I'm an amp lover at heart, but I would quite like a hardware modeller for running ideas (and not eating precious CPU time). I'm still not 100% convinced by modelled sounds over real amps (something about the dynamics, response and 'air' of it), but they really have come a long, long way in a short time.

I suppose they save on a degree of tinnitus too (a growing problem for me), but you also lose the amp/guitar interaction without some volume (even from studio speakers). I do like to 'feel' the noise though..

I guess the other thing with home recording too is that it avoids the whole mic'ing thing and sorting out the room (though you could probably sort out a few decent home made gobos for that at a fraction of the Fractal cost!

leftyguitarjoe · 06-11-2012, 10:24 AM

I play exclusively on the Axe-Fx now. I really cant find a reason to go back.

Riffer · 06-11-2012, 11:01 AM

To me theres just something about plugging into a tube head and a cabinet and going to town. No effects or loops or anything. Just a gutiar>cable>amp>cab. I'd love to mess with an Axe FX but it just seems too complicated for my taste. The tones people get it ungodly though. I'm always impressed by them.

Deliverowned · 06-11-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItWillDo

There is one main reason I prefer my Ultra above other amps:

The Ultra is sooo 2011...

Ill get an axe fx when It will be priced for what you get. There is more technology involved in a microwave.

Aevolve · 06-11-2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deliverowned

The Ultra is sooo 2011...

Ill get an axe fx when It will be priced for what you get. There is more technology involved in a microwave.

70+ amps not enough for you?
I don't understand your comment, as an Axe-Fx is essentially a high-powered computer. There's quite a bit of technology involved.

HeHasTheJazzHands · 06-11-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deliverowned

Ill get an axe fx when It will be priced for what you get. There is more technology involved in a microwave.

Not sure if trolling...

ROAR · 06-11-2012, 12:43 PM

Of course people still love amps.
Why else would there still be a market for them?
You're over thinking this problem

Blake1970 · 06-11-2012, 12:50 PM

Amp head and cabs are just cool period. Just turn the shit on and play.

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06-11-2012, 08:05 AM	#1
thedonal SS.org Regular Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: At The Four Winds Bar Posts: 534 Thanked: 4 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	This whole Axe FX thing I've seen a lot of threads listing Axe FX with recordings etc and a number of bands are listing them as major gear. So it's led me to wonder if a lot of metal musicians are abandoning the traditional amp thing both in the studio and on the road. I know that it makes for a lot of convenience in being able to write/record at home without studio bills or neighbour/family/police fury and I accept that they do sound amazing from all recordings I hear. But where's the love for amps gone? Has it gone? Am I reading too much into this? Answers on a postcard to the above address, please!* *It's not a criticism, just a curious question. Drunk by the name of "World Without End" https://soundcloud.com/#atomsun

06-11-2012, 08:07 AM	#2
Riffer PRS SE Inspector Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,443 Thanked: 75 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I'm still a amp guy. I like having a 4x12 with a head on top of it. My 5150 sounds crushing and while the Axe FX has the tones of a shit ton of amps and can emulate the 5150 basically perfectly, I still love the look of the 5150 and 4x12 on stage and the feeling of playing through warm tubes. But I do love what the Axe FX can accomplish. I'd love a modded JCM head too *"It's a long way, to the top, if you wanna rock n' roll" - Bon Scott* *BE A MAN AND SIGN THE NEG REP YOU GIVE ME, PLEASE.*

06-11-2012, 08:12 AM	#4
TheFerryMan Skyeater Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 549 Thanked: 14 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	honestly I'm all for both. Now honestly i don't own an Axe-Fx (I like eating and having a roof over my head) but i do use DI recording interfaces to record and track ideas, and at the same time i have my amp for when i have to play a show every once and a while. Francis978 likes this. "TERATOPHOBIA" is an unusual fear of giving birth to a monster. twitter.com/hailthered follow me on twitter, i say stuff. I'm not trying to push my album of on anybody, but i am. it's Free(unless you want to donate) ! get at it http://hailthered.bandcamp.com/

06-11-2012, 08:26 AM	#6
Deadnightshade I'm sayin' Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Athens Posts: 1,194 Thanked: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	From the moment you plug the guitar in whichever amp/modeler , it's all effects and signal coloring.So in the end it all depends on the combination of budget,convenience and tone that suits you best and makes your music enjoyable. Amps are evolving way slower than the modelers.The latter managed to reach the milestone of being able to record an album and fooling people it's a real amp,and greatly improved their sound into something enjoyable (plug in a previous modeling generation digitech 80 buck multieffect/modeler and then a pod HD,and you'll know what I'm talking about). otisct20 likes this. Die.Get cremated.Laugh your ash off..

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06-11-2012, 08:12 AM	#3
Adrian-XI SS.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 650 Thanked: 4 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	The love for real amps still exists for sure, anyone denying that is being silly. They (amps and modelers) are two different beasts, each with their pros and cons.

06-11-2012, 08:47 AM	#7
troyguitar SS.org Regular Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bloomsburg, PA Posts: 7,375 Thanked: 63 $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 10 reviews	I love my amp but I see no reason not to record using DI's exclusively for now. I can always run the DI tracks through my amp later when I am ready, but in the meantime I get uber flexibility in tones without having to re-record anything. Konfyouzd likes this. American Metal with real singing!

06-11-2012, 08:55 AM	#8
3074326 JPX Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 574 Thanked: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I love amps.. still. I've been using a POD to record for years now though. I live in an apartment and will for the foreseeable future. I'm upgrading to an Axe because they're convenient and versatile. They are nearly indistinguishable in recordings from what I've heard. I'm expecting to love it. I'll probably sell my tube amps if I like it enough. It's just a piece of technology that is too hard for me to pass up given my situation and desires. I still and always will love tube amps.

06-11-2012, 09:13 AM	#9
bhakan SS.org Regular Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 707 Thanked: 10 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Look basically anywhere else and you will see the majority of people use amps and still look down on modeling. This forum is the exception, not the rule when it comes to amps vs. modelers.

06-11-2012, 09:20 AM	#10
Loomer Comfortably Dumb Join Date: May 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,798 Thanked: 40 $Loomer is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Loomer is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Loomer is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Loomer is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Loomer is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Loomer is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Loomer is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 1 reviews	The main thing about the axeFX is that it's trendy. I'm serious here. That said, it is the sheer convenience and the fact that it sounds pretty decent which has helped that trend catch on. Nevertheless I still think a lot of dudes lust after it simply because the cool kids have one. TemjinStrife, EtherealEntity, SirMyghin and 5 others like this.

06-11-2012, 09:30 AM	#11
ridner Bastard of Thousands Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: MN Posts: 1,912 Thanked: 112 Feedback Score: 21 reviews	I tried the POD HD and went running back to an amp asilayamazing likes this.

06-11-2012, 09:49 AM	#13
Metal_Webb Needs more strings Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 1,129 Thanked: 19 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If I had the money (always comes down to that, doesn't it? ) I'd be on one in an instant. Being a bedroom warrior, a 100watt marshal/5150 head and a quad stack is a bit too much I prefer the way with digital modellers how you just dial in the numbers and every time you plug in and use the patch you get the exact same sound out. As has been said, it comes down to the job at hand. "By the way, melted binding looks like marshmallow. But it really doesn't taste like it." - MapleLeaf97

06-11-2012, 09:50 AM	#14
Interloper SS.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Peters, MO Posts: 181 Thanked: 10 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I love my GSP1101 but will probably always own at least one tube amp and I would bet that most if not all of these artists still have a good tube amp around. Regardless of looks, convenience whatever, tube amps are just fun to play through. Modelers require tweeking, and more tweeking, and even more tweeking and every time you think you've nailed it, you end up tweeking more just because you can. If I was in a band or did enough recording to warrant it, I would love to own an Axe. But for every person who uses an Axe, there are 100's who still use tubes.

06-11-2012, 09:55 AM	#15
TemjinStrife Power Metal Cellist Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Manhattan, NY Posts: 4,015 Thanked: 27 Feedback Score: 6 reviews	The Axe-FX sounds great. So do my amps. My amps are simpler, cheaper, and easier to make sound good. And they all have a master volume control, so I don't have to crank the shit out of them. Therefore, I'm pretty happy with my amps.

06-11-2012, 10:11 AM	#16
ItWillDo SS.org Regular Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 264 Thanked: 8 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	There is one main reason I prefer my Ultra above other amps:

06-11-2012, 10:12 AM	#17
Pav ??? Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 819 Thanked: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	For the price of that one digital box, I'm able to build myself a huge tube-powered stack that not only sounds exactly how I want it to, but is easy to tweak and navigate. Not to mention I love the sound and feel of having a formidable rig in front of me versus that little digital box and some speakers. I'm also into electrical engineering and have a real passion for analog audio, so to me it's just an incredibly expensive way of bypassing so many of the things I love about playing guitar in the first place. jsl2h90 and asilayamazing like this.

06-11-2012, 10:13 AM	#18
thedonal SS.org Regular Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: At The Four Winds Bar Posts: 534 Thanked: 4 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Them's all fair comments. Cheers. I'm an amp lover at heart, but I would quite like a hardware modeller for running ideas (and not eating precious CPU time). I'm still not 100% convinced by modelled sounds over real amps (something about the dynamics, response and 'air' of it), but they really have come a long, long way in a short time. I suppose they save on a degree of tinnitus too (a growing problem for me), but you also lose the amp/guitar interaction without some volume (even from studio speakers). I do like to 'feel' the noise though.. I guess the other thing with home recording too is that it avoids the whole mic'ing thing and sorting out the room (though you could probably sort out a few decent home made gobos for that at a fraction of the Fractal cost! Drunk by the name of "World Without End" https://soundcloud.com/#atomsun

06-11-2012, 10:24 AM	#19
leftyguitarjoe Correct-handed Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 2,225 Thanked: 183 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I play exclusively on the Axe-Fx now. I really cant find a reason to go back. Thaeon and ToreFagerheim like this. "Yeah, sometimes when you're cool, you spontaneously combust into a fireball of awesomeness" - RenegadeDave

06-11-2012, 11:01 AM	#20
Riffer PRS SE Inspector Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,443 Thanked: 75 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	To me theres just something about plugging into a tube head and a cabinet and going to town. No effects or loops or anything. Just a gutiar>cable>amp>cab. I'd love to mess with an Axe FX but it just seems too complicated for my taste. The tones people get it ungodly though. I'm always impressed by them. *"It's a long way, to the top, if you wanna rock n' roll" - Bon Scott* *BE A MAN AND SIGN THE NEG REP YOU GIVE ME, PLEASE.*

06-11-2012, 12:43 PM	#24
ROAR Oaf Tobar Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,805 Thanked: 15 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Of course people still love amps. Why else would there still be a market for them? You're over thinking this problem Thaeon likes this.

06-11-2012, 12:50 PM	#25
Blake1970 SS.org Regular Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Humble, TX Posts: 1,767 Thanked: 59 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Amp head and cabs are just cool period. Just turn the shit on and play. Pav likes this. “Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk Christian.” -Herman Melville, Moby Dick

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