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Post by ragan on Jun 11, 2024 22:02:44 GMT -6
wait didn't you guys both just have pretty much the same thing to say, you just each preferred the other device?
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Post by Dan on Jun 11, 2024 22:15:08 GMT -6
And I completely disagree with you. I’ve had the ox here for a week and thought it was spitty in every instance. So I guess everyone hears things differently. So strange, I thought there was always a digital harshness with the high end of the Fractal, which I don’t find with the Stomp…but again I’m using tube pre pedals with it. On the FM3, I did try some high cut in the Fractal EQ and 3rd party speaker IR’s that were recommended by others, to no avail..just couldn’t get it where I wanted. One mans trash and all  fractal runs at a very high sample rate, guitars don’t go that high, are usually filtered, and many amplifiers and pedals are far far nastier than any decent amp sim going back to the og simulanalog jcm 900 model. The real jcm 900 is even more ridiculous bee swarm. The 5150 has a nasty high end. The boss overdrives and tube screamer are kinda nasty. The Blues dad tones can get crunchy and piercing. The hm-2 pedal infamously used by Bilinda Butcher, Swedish death metal, and Kurt Ballou produced hardcore is incredibly nasty. Mayhem used an even nastier knockoff of it. The Behringer clone and most other clones are toned down. The current new sensor 12ax7 are pushed in the high end. DIs into cool ores with just filtering were used by the Beatles, Mike Oldfield, and Jimmy Page. You can always put an amp sim into a power amp into a real cab and put a Royer on it. What high end? Or you can use your own celestion speaker synthesizer (Softube Celestion Shaper) into your own tape synthesizer (u-He Satin)… |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 12, 2024 11:58:43 GMT -6
"One man's trash"...give me a break. I have to say - this is the first time I've ever heard anyone talk about digital harshness from the Axefx. I don't hear it. Maybe something's wrong with my hearing, IDK. But the LACK of digital harshness is why I love the thing. So, you've got one person saying one thing and another saying the direct opposite.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 12, 2024 12:10:38 GMT -6
So - I apologize, russellcreekps for coming in hot. It's like a pet peeve of mine with these amp modelers. Like I said, I personally feel like it's the best purchase I've ever made for my studio, so when someone reports something directly opposite from what has been my experience, it gets me defensive. My initial post came in hot and I didn't really mean it that way, so I can see why you came with the last line. So I apologize. No one here has to agree with anything I say... |
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Post by wiz on Jun 13, 2024 19:53:52 GMT -6
So I have had the Fractal FM3 for a couple of days...
I have worked it into my recoding setup and worked around some of the limitations it presented reamping... and now have everything running smoothly....nothing is ever easy...8)
I still have 10 days or so of my trial period... so its not a completely done deal yet... but so far so good.
It sounds really good, and the most striking thing is how it feels to play the thing...its as close to the feel of a real amp I have ever come across with modellers/plug ins....its really lovely to play.
The amp models (havent played too many yet, been getting it to talk to and from LUNA for the most part since it arrived) I have tried I have been really impressed with.
It's not a cheap purchase so I am going to really wrestle this thing to the ground and see how it goes....but so far Its a step forward for me.
cheers
Wiz
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 13, 2024 22:31:15 GMT -6
I'm gonna send you some profiles I've made...I think they can open on the FM3...
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Post by wiz on Jun 14, 2024 1:36:44 GMT -6
I'm gonna send you some profiles I've made...I think they can open on the FM3... cool.....thanks Wiz |
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Post by russellcreekps on Jun 14, 2024 20:58:30 GMT -6
So - I apologize, russellcreekps for coming in hot. It's like a pet peeve of mine with these amp modelers. Like I said, I personally feel like it's the best purchase I've ever made for my studio, so when someone reports something directly opposite from what has been my experience, it gets me defensive. My initial post came in hot and I didn't really mean it that way, so I can see why you came with the last line. So I apologize. No one here has to agree with anything I say... All good my man! Didn’t mean the FM3 is trash…meant the Ox was ‘trash’ for you, and the FM3 is a ‘treasure’ for you…it wasn’t trash on my end, just couldn’t get it where I wanted it. Perhaps I should have said ‘different strokes for different folks’ hehe. Anyway, no offence taken. Cheers! |
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Post by russellcreekps on Jun 14, 2024 21:21:19 GMT -6
Also, when I had it I scoured the Fractal forums for help…asking about harsh high end, and there were some people who responded in agreement and suggested some of the York IR’s, which I purchased and it was better but still didn’t quite get me where I wanted it. It wasn’t terrible by any means, like if I ran it through OB gear, I could tame what didn’t work for me…just trying to get the sound as absolutely close to where I want it when tracking these days (PITA hehe, but as suggested by many producers I admire). I produce primarily in americana/folk/alt country and I just didn’t feel it was organic enough for my liking, but I’m sure it kills anything else in many other genre’s! What can I say, for my ears (which could be shite!) I found the Ox Stomp, with some of my pre pedals (or small amp heads) gave me a more organic sound than the FM3.
(Not the Ox Box btw, although they’re probably the same now if the Ox Box has been updated with their latest speaker modelling tech…or whatever they call it)
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 15, 2024 22:49:42 GMT -6
I just got lost for two hours playing this Vibroverb and learning the right way to play Riviera Paradise. I mean - I gotta tell you…I don’t care what any other person in the world thinks…that sounds fucking amazing.
https%3A//soundcloud.com/user-761067382/riv-par-vibroverb%3Fsi%3Dace12e278137481a913de6ced3bba92a%26utm_source%3Dclipboard%26utm_medium%3Dtext%26utm_campaign%3Dsocial_sharing
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Post by kcatthedog on Jun 16, 2024 4:33:57 GMT -6
Is link working for others ?
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Post by thehightenor on Jun 16, 2024 7:08:16 GMT -6
It’s tricky for me to choose.
The gold standard is my Tone King Imperial mk2 head into a Tone King cab - miced with an AEA R92, SM57 - great pre-amps, great conveyers - near stadium volume.
The sound it absolutely glorious.
Same with my Princeton 68.
And the feel of the guitar is fantastic, especially edge of breakup.
But my days of that are currently over due to a studio move.
I’ve dismissed the OX Box …. It’s too artificial sounding for my personal taste.
I like the Suhr RL.
I prefer the WAZA TAE.
Final options AXE III
or an ISO BOX
I’ve not tried the AXE III so it would be a blind purchase and just go on it’s fairly solid reputation.
That or the TAE and keep using my tube amps.
Mmmh.
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Post by russellcreekps on Jun 16, 2024 9:03:49 GMT -6
It’s tricky for me to choose. The gold standard is my Tone King Imperial mk2 head into a Tone King cab - miced with an AEA R92, SM57 - great pre-amps, great conveyers - near stadium volume. The sound it absolutely glorious. Same with my Princeton 68. And the feel of the guitar is fantastic, especially edge of breakup. But my days of that are currently over due to a studio move. I’ve dismissed the OX Box …. It’s too artificial sounding for my personal taste. I like the Suhr RL. I prefer the WAZA TAE. Final options AXE III or an ISO BOX I’ve not tried the AXE III so it would be a blind purchase and just go on it’s fairly solid reputation. That or the TAE and keep using my tube amps. Mmmh. Yes, that is a gold standard alright! Had the TAE myself, but got tired of keeping/swapping...also wanted more effects/options without buying more pedals, that's when I went to the FM3. Now with the Ox Stomp I'm back to buying pedals (a good selection of tube preamps anyway) lol. I'm sure some new tech will come out that will blow me out of the water and I'll make yet another change soon enough.... I also chose the TAE over the Ox Box...preferred the sound. But the Ox Stomp (and now updated Ox Box) has this new dynamic speaker emulation tech that came out last year it sounds fantastic! The dynamic emulation is NOT the original Ox Box tech.
I'm not saying one is better than the other in general, since everything is so subjective. I'm just saying that it's worth a look, if you're willing to also invest in some tube preamps. Multiple tubesteaders and the Blackbird are my choices atm...easier to swap a pedal already hooked up in a chain than an amp |
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Post by thehightenor on Jun 16, 2024 9:11:45 GMT -6
It’s tricky for me to choose. The gold standard is my Tone King Imperial mk2 head into a Tone King cab - miced with an AEA R92, SM57 - great pre-amps, great conveyers - near stadium volume. The sound it absolutely glorious. Same with my Princeton 68. And the feel of the guitar is fantastic, especially edge of breakup. But my days of that are currently over due to a studio move. I’ve dismissed the OX Box …. It’s too artificial sounding for my personal taste. I like the Suhr RL. I prefer the WAZA TAE. Final options AXE III or an ISO BOX I’ve not tried the AXE III so it would be a blind purchase and just go on it’s fairly solid reputation. That or the TAE and keep using my tube amps. Mmmh. Had the TAE myself, but got tired of keeping amps that were rarely being used...also wanted more effects without buying pedals, that's when I went to the FM3. Now with the Ox Stomp I'm back to buying pedals (a good selection tube preamps anyway) lol. I'm sure some new tech will come out that will blow me out of the water and I'll make yet another change soon enough.... I also chose the TAE over the Ox Box...preferred the sound. But the Ox Stomp (and now updated Ox Box) has this new dynamic speaker emulation tech that came out last year it sounds fantastic! I have a very large pedal board full of expensive boutique analog pedals that I've been using with my tube amps (Tone King Imperial mk2 and Princeton 68) so I think that's why the TAE is currently the front runner. I'm sure the AXE III is fantastic but I have no need of any of the FX so I'm not sure it's worth the extra money. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 16, 2024 10:00:31 GMT -6
Is link working for others ? Fixed |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 16, 2024 10:02:03 GMT -6
Ok. Glad everyone is happy with their amps. Now back to the Axe FX.
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Post by the other mark williams on Jun 16, 2024 10:47:28 GMT -6
Had the TAE myself, but got tired of keeping amps that were rarely being used...also wanted more effects without buying pedals, that's when I went to the FM3. Now with the Ox Stomp I'm back to buying pedals (a good selection tube preamps anyway) lol. I'm sure some new tech will come out that will blow me out of the water and I'll make yet another change soon enough.... I also chose the TAE over the Ox Box...preferred the sound. But the Ox Stomp (and now updated Ox Box) has this new dynamic speaker emulation tech that came out last year it sounds fantastic! I have a very large pedal board full of expensive boutique analog pedals that I've been using with my tube amps (Tone King Imperial mk2 and Princeton 68) so I think that's why the TAE is currently the front runner. I'm sure the AXE III is fantastic but I have no need of any of the FX so I'm not sure it's worth the extra money. the only way you’re ever going to know, Mr. Tenor, is to try an AxeFX of some variety with current firmware. If you somehow end up loving the amp sound, the inclusion of added effects won’t matter to you. Just use your pedalboard as a front end. |
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Post by thehightenor on Jun 16, 2024 12:25:54 GMT -6
I have a very large pedal board full of expensive boutique analog pedals that I've been using with my tube amps (Tone King Imperial mk2 and Princeton 68) so I think that's why the TAE is currently the front runner. I'm sure the AXE III is fantastic but I have no need of any of the FX so I'm not sure it's worth the extra money. the only way you’re ever going to know, Mr. Tenor, is to try an AxeFX of some variety with current firmware. If you somehow end up loving the amp sound, the inclusion of added effects won’t matter to you. Just use your pedalboard as a front end. I have no idea where I can get a demo of one - it's not a retail item in my part of the world. Perhaps it's a second hand purchase - suck and see job and it's as simple as that. |
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Post by russellcreekps on Jun 16, 2024 12:41:30 GMT -6
Ok. Glad everyone is happy with their amps. Now back to the Axe FX. Lol, we’re representing the ‘vs’ category, haha. And one thing I forgot to say in my previous post, that like the Ox Stomp/Box updates, Fractal has likely addressed the issues I noticed…it was two years ago that I owned it, which is like two decades in tech these days! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 16, 2024 13:21:25 GMT -6
the only way you’re ever going to know, Mr. Tenor, is to try an AxeFX of some variety with current firmware. If you somehow end up loving the amp sound, the inclusion of added effects won’t matter to you. Just use your pedalboard as a front end. I have no idea where I can get a demo of one - it's not a retail item in my part of the world. Perhaps it's a second hand purchase - suck and see job and it's as simple as that. Why would you even want one? I mean - if you love amps...great. They're the real thing. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 16, 2024 13:30:33 GMT -6
Ok. Glad everyone is happy with their amps. Now back to the Axe FX. Lol, we’re representing the ‘vs’ category, haha. And one thing I forgot to say in my previous post, that like the Ox Stomp/Box updates, Fractal has likely addressed the issues I noticed…it was two years ago that I owned it, which is like two decades in tech these days! Maybe the thread title is misleading, but I didn't see anywhere where Wiz was asking "should I buy the AxeFX or something else?" It was: tell me about how you're using the AxeFX etc. It's just curious to me that people come into a thread about something they don't own or feel isn't up to their standards. I mean, if we were talking about a new mic that was popular but sucked - that's one thing. But the Axe doesn't suck. I firmly believe it's objectively best in class...so when you say it has a digital tone to it, it's not something that comports with reality to me. ...You guys may totally be right and this thing isn't for you. Great. I just wanted to come into a thread titled AxeFX FM3 and answer some questions without feeling like I have to clear up misperceptions. |
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Post by FM77 on Jun 16, 2024 13:49:27 GMT -6
Ok. Glad everyone is happy with their amps. Now back to the Axe FX. And one thing I forgot to say in my previous post, that like the Ox Stomp/Box updates, Fractal has likely addressed the issues I noticed…it was two years ago that I owned it, which is like two decades in tech these days! I personally have never experienced the issues you noticed even a decade ago with the II MK2 vers.10.0 and every subsequent update from Quantum to Ares 2.00. Digital harshness? Not here unless I went looking for it. It is easy find if you do. I doubt Cliff thought there was any digital harshness to address. IME, you shouldn't approach an AXE-FX strictly as a plug n play device. It may be in theory, and there are some great presets, but it benefits much more from a relationship with the rest of the chain. It can be dramatically sensitive to pickup choice and potentiometer load. Less forgiving than an amp in the room, but ultimately much more progressive and flexible. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 16, 2024 14:02:58 GMT -6
And one thing I forgot to say in my previous post, that like the Ox Stomp/Box updates, Fractal has likely addressed the issues I noticed…it was two years ago that I owned it, which is like two decades in tech these days! I personally have never experienced the issues you noticed even a decade ago with the II MK2 vers.10.0 and every subsequent update from Quantum to Ares 2.00. Digital harshness? Not here unless I went looking for it. It is easy find if you do. I doubt Cliff thought there was any digital harshness to address. IME, you shouldn't approach an AXE-FX strictly as a plug n play device. It may be in theory, and there are some great presets, but it benefits much more from a relationship with the rest of the chain. It can be dramatically sensitive to pickup choice and potentiometer load. Less forgiving than an amp in the room, but ultimately much more progressive and flexible. You guys know I'm Type A adjacent...ahem...so that's why I'm a bit defensive about it. Especially when someone mentions "harsh" with the Axe FX. (BTW - ever been in the room with a vintage AC30?) The new FW 26 is just stunning. He made some code changes or whatever that improved accuracy in the flux capacitator or some such BS, and bottom is tighter and top can be brighter...but I've adjusted. I've played more in the last two days than I have in years. It was stunning before this firmware too. I don't remember when I got my first one - maybe 2018/19? But I think it was like FW 15. Just about every single FW I think - how the hell do you improve from that? But dude DOES IT. Harshness is just so opposite my experience... |
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Post by kcatthedog on Jun 16, 2024 14:15:31 GMT -6
I think this thread underscores, how personal sound is, like talking monitors, all that really matters is what works for you: sonics and workflow. Other then that, live/record and let let live/record !  |
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 16, 2024 14:16:25 GMT -6
I’m a die hard real amp guy. But I live my Axe Fx jut as much as my real amps. If I were to find a “fault” with the af3 it would be that’s it’s almost too good, or too smooth…the opposite of harsh.
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