[Christopher]

Not to rub this in to the poor bastards awaiting their Axe Fx's but I just had share this. The exact moment that I realized I'd made the most important gear purchase in years occurred today.

I sat down with the monumental task of getting my patches together so that I could safely sell my Vetta and move on. I knew that the clean tone would be easy because there's a patch I believe called USA Clean or something that was very close as is. It reminded me of my beloved Triaxis / 2:90 rig where my favorite clean tone of all time lived. I took Cliff's factory preset, gave it a couple of quick tweaks to taste and the clean tone was done.

I still have some minor tweaking to be done with different effects set ups per patch but for the most part, the clean tone is down.

Next came my main rhythm tone. My favorite all time was the Red channel of my first Dual Recto in modern mode. There was just something magic about it and I loved it. It had that super heavy mid scooped vibe that put Rectos on the map but it was still warm and chewy. This one took a little longer and I'm not 100% there yet but it's getting very close. I think a few more tweaks on the power amp section and it will be there.

And finally came my lead tone. I'm a huge Petrucci fan and I was so hoping I could find my favorite lead tone ever care of a Mesa Mark IV I had. This was the big one for me. I have struggled and struggled with my Vetta to find this tone and never got anywhere near. I tried all sorts of Line 6 models, fx settings, and stomps but just couldn't get that creamy, smooth yet biting zing I used to get out of my Mark IV with the Vetta.

Yep, you guessed it. After months of struggling with the Vetta I was able to get about 90% there THIS AFTERNOON with the Axe Fx.

I know myself enough to know that after taking a break I'll go back and decide I need to do more tweaking but for now, after only a few hours logged with the Axe Fx, I'm already whole lot closer to my tone nirvana then I was with the Vetta.

I haven't even messed with any models besides the Mesa and the unit is already well worth what I paid for it. Add to that the fx, which I've only scratched the surface of and I've got a smile that's would take some pretty bad news to wipe from my face.

I'm getting a lot of questions about the quality of the tone direct and I'm doing much better through my Classic 50/50 and cab then I am direct. I think it may just be me and personal preference. I've never heard or used a direct tone that I liked. Then again, I didn't buy the Axe Fx for that and so if I never get any closer I'll be quite happy.

[jaredowty]

Sounds awesome, makes me want one pretty bad. How are the quality of the sounds compared to the Triaxis?

[Christopher]

The funny thing is, it's actually more dynamic and reactive than my Triaxis was. Not too shabby for a modeler.

[ohio_eric]

Very cool information.

Keep us updated.

[jacksonplayer]

Cool, thanks for the update. Since all I do is direct recording, when I get mine (whenever the hell that is...) I'll post a review of that aspect of it. Direct recording is never going to sound exactly the same as miking a speaker, but the clips I've heard of the Axe-FX are surprisingly close.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by jacksonplayer

Cool, thanks for the update. Since all I do is direct recording, when I get mine (whenever the hell that is...) I'll post a review of that aspect of it. Direct recording is never going to sound exactly the same as miking a speaker, but the clips I've heard of the Axe-FX are surprisingly close.

That's the one thing that I haven't been able to dial in to satisfaction yet. The tones I'm getting out of the cab are so good it surprised me, and I was pretty hyped up.

Cliff has been beyond helpful too. He posts regularly at the forum and give us tips and insights in to the design.

As a matter of fact I mentioned how cool it would be to have an expression controller control the wah model by just moving it (ala the Bad Horsie) and he's already added that to the software. As soon as the new firmware is tested the new feature will be in there. He is also adding an Engl Powerball model. He's already done like 3 or so updates in the time I've known about the Axe Fx (since last October).

[darren]

What is this Axe FX? I've never heard of it.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by darren

What is this Axe FX? I've never heard of it.

It's a high end preamp/modeler/fx processor. It to put lightly fuckin' rocks.

It has all the tones and versatility of a Line 6 modeler but it feel like a tube amp. It reacts very much lifelike to picking dynamics, changes in volume and tone knob, and it has that tubey sag when you dig in.

The fx are on par quality wise with a TC Electronic G Force or an Eventide Eclipse. For the modeling part it absolutely STOMPS on my Vetta.

I'm running it into a Peavey Classic 50/50 and into my Recto 4x12 cab and honestly it feel more like the tube amps I've owned than my Triaxis / 2:90 rig did.

It also has intelligent harmonizer and delay spillover.

It's built by a very small company and there aren't a lot of units out really. I was on the waiting list since last October or November and just got it on Friday.

Here's a link:

http://www.fractalaudio.com/

[nitelightboy]

Damn dude....Just when I thought my amp GAS had gone away....

So it really slays the Vetta? How easy is it to edit? Looking at it, there aren't many knobs or quick ways to adjust.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by nitelightboy

Damn dude....Just when I thought my amp GAS had gone away....

So it really slays the Vetta? How easy is it to edit? Looking at it, there aren't many knobs or quick ways to adjust.

It took a little while to learn the interface but not because it's hard, it was just new to me. The Vetta will go up for sale in the next week or so.

Editing it is pretty easy. Not having the amp knobs up front doesn't bother me much but then again I never did much work on the fly with the Vetta. A midi java editor is in the works too!