Fractal AX8 is now shipping...
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mayfly
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Update - I've spent a couple hours with it. Some observations:
1 - the basic amp sounds are better than the ultra
2 - I like the form factor - it encourages you to tweak it, where the ultra is not terribly friendly (you have to bend down to it, cycle trough menus, just one knob, etc)
3 - I like the scenes. I've got 4 presets programmed with 3 scenes each, and I've got half a second delay for 'knob turns". Translation for those who don't have one of these things: When you go to a different scene, you can select some knobs (say the amp gain and master volume) to 'turn' instead of jumping to a new value. This means that it smoothly goes to that big ass lead sound from your quiet clean sound rather than jumping to it. I like this; previously I'd always have to time the press to avoid an abrupt sound change from screwing up the feel of the song. With scene changes it sounds like I leaned over and fiddled with several knobs at once. It's smooth and musical. Nice.
4 - good thing that moving between scenes sounds great because moving through presets totally sucks! You get an obvious drop-out when you move to a new preset. It's annoying. the Ultra does not do this.
5 - ultimately the ultra with the MFC-101 is more flexible. But this thing sounds good, has the smooth scene thing going on, and it's small and muuuuch lighter than the ultra/MFC/Road case combo I currently lug around.
I was thinking that I might sell the Ultra after getting this, but nah - I'll keep both.
Rehearsal is tomorrow night. I'll use it and see what's what.
1 - the basic amp sounds are better than the ultra
2 - I like the form factor - it encourages you to tweak it, where the ultra is not terribly friendly (you have to bend down to it, cycle trough menus, just one knob, etc)
3 - I like the scenes. I've got 4 presets programmed with 3 scenes each, and I've got half a second delay for 'knob turns". Translation for those who don't have one of these things: When you go to a different scene, you can select some knobs (say the amp gain and master volume) to 'turn' instead of jumping to a new value. This means that it smoothly goes to that big ass lead sound from your quiet clean sound rather than jumping to it. I like this; previously I'd always have to time the press to avoid an abrupt sound change from screwing up the feel of the song. With scene changes it sounds like I leaned over and fiddled with several knobs at once. It's smooth and musical. Nice.
4 - good thing that moving between scenes sounds great because moving through presets totally sucks! You get an obvious drop-out when you move to a new preset. It's annoying. the Ultra does not do this.
5 - ultimately the ultra with the MFC-101 is more flexible. But this thing sounds good, has the smooth scene thing going on, and it's small and muuuuch lighter than the ultra/MFC/Road case combo I currently lug around.
I was thinking that I might sell the Ultra after getting this, but nah - I'll keep both.
Rehearsal is tomorrow night. I'll use it and see what's what.
Cagey
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I've never heard of the "knob turns" delay. I wonder if that's unique to the AX8 or just another thing I've neglected to learn?
Changing presets loads a whole new set of algorithms and IRs into working memory, which is time-consuming. Changing scenes just modifies whatever parameters you've programmed to change, so it's nearly instantaneous.
Mayfly said:
Changing presets loads a whole new set of algorithms and IRs into working memory, which is time-consuming. Changing scenes just modifies whatever parameters you've programmed to change, so it's nearly instantaneous.
mayfly
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Cagey said:
Forgot to say - to do this you hook up the scene controllers as your modifiers to your amp gain/volume/whatever. Then in the modifier menu for that control you add 'dampening'. I used 500ms. Slows down the change so you get a volume swell into your next scene
bagman67
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Mayfly said:
That would be tremendously kind of you, Trevor. My son is really enthusiastic about playing, and is learning like mad, and his sixteenth birthday is coming up. This would be a perfect addition to his arsenal and a great intro to sonic experimentation. Let me know what the freight is and how you want to get paid.
mayfly
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PM Sent!
BTW I'm stuck and work and can't play with the unit. So reading things like :
PREAMP COMPRESSION (“PREAMP COMP” aka “CF COMP” aka “CF THRESH”) – Sets the threshold to
determine the amount of compression in the virtual cathode follower.
PREAMP COMPRESSION TYPE (COMP TYPE) – Selects between “Authentic”, which accurately models
the compression in a tube amp, and “Ideal”, which is an idealized distorting compressor. The idealized type
is more focused and has tighter bass whereas the authentic type is bolder and looser. High gain players may
prefer the ideal type due to its tight character.
Is kinda driving me nuts because I can't try it to see what it does!!
BTW I'm stuck and work and can't play with the unit. So reading things like :
PREAMP COMPRESSION (“PREAMP COMP” aka “CF COMP” aka “CF THRESH”) – Sets the threshold to
determine the amount of compression in the virtual cathode follower.
PREAMP COMPRESSION TYPE (COMP TYPE) – Selects between “Authentic”, which accurately models
the compression in a tube amp, and “Ideal”, which is an idealized distorting compressor. The idealized type
is more focused and has tighter bass whereas the authentic type is bolder and looser. High gain players may
prefer the ideal type due to its tight character.
Is kinda driving me nuts because I can't try it to see what it does!!
S
swarfrat
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Make sure to throw up some AC-30 and JCM 800 samples. Or maybe not, I like my 11R and gots no more toy money.
TBurst Std
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Try the Morgan AC 20
My main patch runs the Morgan AC 20 and the Matchless DC 30 in parallel.
My main patch runs the Morgan AC 20 and the Matchless DC 30 in parallel.
mayfly
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Update - just used the AX8 for a gig. It was a local festival where we were playing outside in front of the local church. Executive summary:
Show went well. Had a big crowd; played well.
AX8 worked great and sounded great
AX8 was super light and small! a dream setup.
Highly recommended.
Show went well. Had a big crowd; played well.
AX8 worked great and sounded great
AX8 was super light and small! a dream setup.
Highly recommended.
Cagey
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Good to hear. I've been debating getting rid of my AxeFx II and pedalboard in favor of an AX8. Gets me smaller/lighter still while retaining all the sonic quality and functionality I currently get with the existing setup. I have powered speakers (Atomic CLRs) so I'd be down to just a smaller pedalboard and the speakers since I could get rid of the 4 space rack and stand altogether.
