As soon as I saw that Power Station 100 sitting behind you, it answered the question within 2 seconds. I have several of the Fryette power amps. they are perfect at what they do. built like tanks, and perform flawlessly whether using traditional tube amps into them or modelers, or preamps. they're the best for both going into Cabs and DI recording. amazing units
I’m really glad that you shared this information I was on the fence regarding the OX box but the fact that UA will not be offering future updates is a dealbreaker for me especially considering Fender has already updated the ToneMaster Pro several times since it’s initial release.
I recently got an ox box and really like it. Have owned the ox stomp before and that was great for Kingsley style pre amps but the ox box is like that for real amps. I have tried two notes products before and find the ox box to be vastly superior. I agree the speaker volume being 5 clicks sucks but other than that it just makes it extremely easy to play my amp out loud or silent and direct for headphones or recording by just turning a knob. Like an iphone its easier and gets great results but options are limited. The two notes captor has to be physically unplugged and is just more janky and less elegant. I waited and hoped UA would release a v2 but bought one used and so far it solved all my needs.
4:15 On axis is with the microphone capsule parallel with the speaker cloth. Off axis would be as some degree of off angle from the speaker cloth. On axis means all frequencies got the mic diaphragm at the same time. Off axis creates various degrees of tonal filtering due to one end of the diaphragm getting frequencies sooner and the other end getting them slightly later. This causes comb or phase filtering. While the tonal shaping using off axis might be useful, the phase issues can be problematic. So typically I don't recommend EQing with Mic Axis. On Axis almost always. But this is just my 2 cents. Regardless, thanks for making this video. I recently got a Capture X and was wondering if I made a mistake not just spending the extra money and getting the Ox Box. This definitely convinced me I made the right choice. Thanks 🙌🏻
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I’ve been using the OX for my amateur original projects since 2019 and think it’s great for my purposes despite the limitations you mention. Simplicity is key for me because I like to focus on the creative process and not get bogged down in technical stuff with a thousand options, not to mention the additional expense. That said, I’m always looking to up sound quality, so who knows.
Just saw them on a great Black Friday sale and came across this video doing some last minute researching. Hearing that they don't regular put out updates and will now no longer support it, is enough to talk me out of the purchase.
So you are going to amp to load box than from the load box to 1/4 inch front of the axe fx? Than using the cab/effects in axe? I have the ox feel exactly same…limited with the cabs and not be able to load ir…will you please explain the exact cable routing…awesome video…also where did you get that white dvh4? Thankyou
I've been close to buying one of these powerstations for quite a while. I think the "load down and reamp" approach really makes a lot more sense than standard attenuation and the fryette units seem to really be the best example for that kind of approach.
@@EJH-jn6mo It really is. I'm going to make another video on what a great piece of kit it is. It's so useful in so many scenarios, and not just for attenuating your amp live.
I had a similar setup using my Marshall Jubilee into my Axe FM9; it was the most powerful "real amp meets digital" rig I've ever had. Not easy to setup though unless you're a digital guitar rig guy. I agree with all your sentiments.
Interesting take. I've got the OX box and stomp as well as the captor x, boss TAE and a powerstation and I still greatly prefer the ox box. To my ears, nothing comes close to sounding "right" the way the ox box and stomp do. For me personally, it's the best product on the market because of how well it works on stage and for me, that's the most important aspect of any product. The TAE has more flexibility on stage and midi controllable effects/amp channel switching is neat but being limited to a single IR doesn't deliver the sound I want and the effects aren't really very good. With the box, I run one output to the PA that comes into my IEM's and run the headphone output into an FRFR behind me on stage for some stage sound and this way, I can control the volume of that FRFR with the headphone output and not mess with the signal volume going to the PA. The Boss TAE can do this also which is nice. The reverb from the box is always on for me and I use a 2 button switch to toggle delay on/off and the other switch to toggle compressor that doesn't do any actual compression but just boosts the output level for solos. It's a pain to drag to shows though because I have a pelican case for it and it's one more thing to drag out. I can't tell much of a difference between the Box and my power station in terms of feel with the reactive load but I think one amazing trick the boss TAE has is the variable reactive load controls. They make a huge difference and I've got several videos where I run different devices into both the TAE and the power station to compare and contrast the sound between the two when using my Splawn 4x12. This week though, I got a Mark VII and have been messing around with different ways of running that DI since it has the built in reactive load and plan on doing a video showing it with the ox stomp, the built in cab clone and, what I'm most excited about, just running the raw DI output from the amp into my quad cortex which does effects and IR loading similar to how you're using the Axe FX III. To not only have the great sound of a tube amp on stage but also not having to drag another big case of gear from the car is really nice and that was one of the big selling points for me of the Mark VII. I agree on many other points with the OX box though. More effects would have been nice, midi would have been nice, Combo connectors on the back to use 1/4" or XLR should have been an easy no brainer, giving us the really great sounding chorus/modulation effects should have been broken out to it's own section like the reverb and delay and let us use a 3 button switch to facilitate switching chorus on/off, more cab options would be nice but I think the V30 marshall cab is perfect so not a huge deal, a line in for modelers would have been nice (yeah I know there's technically an RCA line in on the inside of the unit you can rig up to work but at this price point, I shouldn't have to), loading your own UA effects would have been incredible... I agree strongly there... One other observation I've noticed is that even if you have the speaker volume knob all the way up on the box, it's still attenuating the sound a little bit.
Thanks for the comment! I have never used the OX live, so I can't really comment on that but if it's working for you then I think that's great. I feel like it was always intended more as a studio tool, though. I think my big takeaway is that while the OX is good, it could have been great. There was so much more that could have been done with it but it never really happened.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 Yeah they left a lot of potential on the table and I think maybe they just don't have a big enough team to develop/implement the things they probably want to. Hell, they don't have a PC app for the UAFX pedals and I think that's much needed. I love the lion and ox stomp and I've demoed several other of the UAFX pedals but I HAAATE using my phone screen to control them. they already have the capability to connect to the firmware update app and now they have the plugin versions of these pedals but you can't just control the physical pedal from the computer? Lame. At the end of the day though, for me, it delivers the best sound.. the most authentic sound and that's the elephant in the room that I can't overlook and the main reason why I still own mine. I've gotten great results from blending some ownhammer IR's in my QC but it still has sound characteristics that my brain immediately identifies as IR where as the OX stomp/box have my brain fooled.
I'm probably preaching to the choir that I have found the Fryette Powerstation to be the greatest tube amp accessory. I just attenuate my guitar volume and put a mic on the cab which seems to work fine. I have wondered about the Fryette PL-IR or some sort of IR solution to go with it, but honestly I dont spend a ton of time recording so it it works. I also wonder about the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. That seems like an insanely powerful piece of gear, but the rumors about the load being unsafe made me nervous.
Totally agree about the Power Station. I want to do a video on it. Incredibly useful piece of gear that extends far beyond it's price tag (just like the AxeFX, IMO). I owned a TAE but didn't care for it. The variety of reactive loads was powerful but I was always left wondering whether I was using the "right" settings or if the reamp was "true" to my amp. The power amp was also only 100w solid state, and not very loud for stage volume. Finally, the effects were not nearly as good as the OX or AxeFX.
I've used the tae for a few years with no issues. I actually use it very little because all my Marshalls have master volumes even the plexi. The only thing I use it for now is a twin. I barely scratch the surface of what it's capable of. I feel like I should sell it but it's so nice.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 Regarding the TAE reactive load configs, I wonder if that's a "damned if they do, damned if they don't" kind of situation. In the video you comment that you wish that the Ox box had different impedance curves to represent different cab configurations, but that is exactly what the TAE offers. And one of the things that made the TAE more appealing to me over the Ox box. But when you had the TAE, you say you were always left wondering if you were using the "right" settings. Make no mistake, I'm not faulting you. Human psychology definitely plays into our decision making in interesting ways. I had the TAE for some time before I actually got around to using it and by the time I did, I was basically scared off from using it based on all of the negative forum comments it received regarding its configurable impedance curves. I wound up buying a Fryette PS-100 instead. I still have the TAE, but I don't know if I want to do anything with it.
I would def caution against the boss waza. It colors the sound way too much. The OX is a much much better tool for DI. And the PS100 is by far the best attenuator IMHO.
@@evitative462 Haha, good call. You're right! That's exactly what I said. I guess my Power Station also has the "Deep" and "Edge" switches if I wanted to modify the reactive load but I never do. I always use Flat. Psychology is weird.
I chose the Suhr Reactive Load IR. It's super simple, (no WiFi or apps) and switching cabs is just a dial turn away which makes it very fast. Most importantly, it sounds really good and I've never felt the need to import any IRs but you can if you want to.
@@jerrymckenzie1858 I actually almost bought one but the AxeFx is basically the same thing as long as you have a reactive load handy, and I did (the PS) so I never ended up getting one.
I think any decent guitarist can get a good sound out of almost any guitar gear. I can’t see how you can be truly creative whilst you are thinking about your signal chain to the enth degree. On axis or off axis. ?? (Who gives a dam! Is it going to affect your playing that much.? Is such a nuance going to be noticed in a mixed track.? Is somebody listening to your track really going to be able to tell if you are on or off axis? Anybody would think there are ground breaking guitar albums being made left right and centre with all the emphasis on guitar gear . Just get on with it and play. ( I’m speaking in general of course and not being personal to you and your channel) As for the ox box I have recently got one and it’s all in one solution and presets are more than enough to inspire me to play more and be creative. Horses for courses ! Don’t let that next bit of kit you want stop you playing now!! Rant over… sorry ,
I run my amp through suhr ir box into my interface and load irs in DAW , put ssl 4000 and delay plugin there too , sounds fantastic , just like the PROs
I read Freyette does not need to be turned on , without any cab connected, as a reactive load. Right? Do you connect a Cab and turn on PS2 to use rhe reactive load? Thanks
@ and do you turn it on and put on bypass? I think you dont even need to turn it on. Everything should work without the power chord attached at all, and no cab connected either. Is there a reason you turn it on and put it in bypass? Thans!
I am in a similar position as you so this video is timely for me. Ive had the Ox for a few years now and struggle with all the things you pointed out. Whilst I havent had the clicking, I do get a lot of artifacts and I've also found that some of my amps pushed just really dont sound great through it. I have a Quad Cortex and was definitely considering getting the Fryette PS2a for better attenuation for my cabs and then to run the line out to the QC for IRS and recording. Just need to bite the bullet!
The OX Box is too limiting for professionals? Hmmm, I think all the professionals who use it on a daily basis would disagree. Honestly, it seems like you’re a little too caught up in concepts like a “walled garden” instead of focusing on results. The OX Box is still the benchmark for these kinds of products because it gets great sounding results quickly. That’s what most professionals value above everything else. Hopefully UA will release a V2 eventually. My OX Box has been rock solid with zero connectivity issues and I don’t really want more options to waste time. I especially don’t want to go down the IR rabbit hole. But I’m sure the reactive load could be improved, the I/O could be expanded and a new version of the software could no doubt bring some useful features.
Who cares what they mean by on or off axis? Just use your ears! One mans limitations is another mans breath of fresh air! Before these things were invented, we recorded with the gear we had and we were happy 🤷♂️
In the video the guy inadvertently explains why you should care about what on and off axis mean: those are universally accepted terms for positioning a microphone a certain way, and those ways are important to know. The fact that he doesn’t know what those terms mean limits his ability to get the sound he wants. Your comment is similar to saying “Why should I care what left and right mean? I know I want my car to go over there, so I’ll just use my eyes.” While yeah - you can just use your eyes, but since everyone else knows what left and right mean, wouldn’t learning to drive be easier if you know what left and right mean as well? It’s actually a very simple concept.
I have a Torpedo Captor X. I load IRs from all over. It is ok. I have a Marshall Power Break I have used for years. I liked it ok. I like playing through a cabinet even when recording. It helps me perform better and leads to better takes. I don't play live anymore. I miss that. I don't miss lugging heavy cabinets everywhere. I am thinking about building an isolation cabinet.
Hey Mike, great explanation of your reasoning, which is similar for why I stayed away from the Ox box and will probably move away from the Ox Stomp at some point (that I currently pair with my PS-2A) to an IR loader unit. What could be really interesting is if UA released their cab simulation as a plugin for their interfaces and maintained that offering with updates etc which would play well with their real-time monitoring with DSP approach but looks unlikely. Just another thing. I am not sure if your usage of "Bypass Mode" is accurate. Bypass switch when at bypass should connect the amp directly to the cab without the load, ie bypassing the PS completely. I think you mean a state when the device is "off" but in "operation mode" where you won't get any sound out of cabs (because the amp side is off) but the unit is in operation where the reactive load gets the amp signal down to line level, and into your Axe Fx.
I think maybe we're saying the same thing? What I do is turn the Power Station on (so the big green button is lit) and then I do not connect it to a cabinet or anything. I just turn my amp on and the PS soaks the load. (I think this is called "Silent Mode?") Then I use the Unbalanced Line Out into the AxeFX.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 Ah I see what you mean with "Bypass mode" now. Yeah, two ways to go about it silently. 1) With AC off(green button), you get 100W attenuation (due to fan being off) but can use the switches at the front to shape the reactive load tone. 2) With the AC on, you get the full 200W attenuation (due to fan being on) but then Fryette recommends to put the device into Bypass where you lose the switches at the front, which as you mentioned has the the most neutral attenuation. I've been using the first option but will try the second one as it indeed is safer and you can further toneshape later in DAW if needed. Cheers.
I've had the same experience with the OX Box and the WAZA Tube Amp Expander. For me the PS-100 was far superior sounding and sounds the closest to the actual amps without coloring them. The others reamp the tube amps through solid state power amps unlike the Fryette Power Station.
I’d be willing to bet money that the reason UA has stopped further development of the Oxbox is that it just isn’t selling in the numbers they want to see. This may be because of the price. The only box costs twice what a captor X does, and that may be turning a lot of people off. Is one better than the other? I couldn’t tell you from first hand experience but the gist I’m getting is that the sonic difference isn’t big enough to merit the considerable cost difference.
The clicks is the superior way forward if you think long term. You are connecting your valuable tube amp to the Ox relying on it that the load is properly working. A potentiometer will fail over time and might cause weird effects and possible damage to your amp. A potentiometer also has a non linear behavior in regard to attenuation. Hence 80%, no 90% of its range will have literally no effect. The remaining 10% is where you will be fiddling around to set your volume. The Ox is a good compromise here.
It was a great idea, bad execution. I returned mine the first month. Sounds great when it works. I went back to micing up cabs. That random crash was so frustrating.
All gear has limitations, but fighting with it can just kill insperation, not worth the effort. You go from making music to engineering. If im not happy with a piece of gear, its time to let it go.
Agree with everything. Lack of backups, lack of shareable presets, limited speaker / cabs in the high gain space. I've had it since release and I've ended up disappointed. Wasted opportunity.
I've had those random clicks / ticks and pops as well. I found that it was a clocking issue. Once I changed the internal clock of my interface to SPDIF, they went away. No need to reset the unit. The biggest gripe I have is that you can only use it digitally at 44.1. I'm surprised that was never addressed.....
@@JoeAugello Yeah that’s what the internet told me too but the clocks were all set correctly. That’s why UA ended up telling me to do a factory reset. But as you can see in the comments a lot of people had this issue.
Very much dislike UA as a company, and so much about the OX (as you said it's an unfinished abandoned product with glaring omissions, artificial limitations, no android support, bad wifi, etc). Unfortunately there still isn't anything similar enough on the market to replace it. It has been a great tool for me especially working on amps despite the flaws, and I have you to thank for introducing me to it / letting me try one! I like the PS100 way more for live use though (still not perfect, definitely colors the sound with some amps), but I don't send direct signal to FOH which is the main advantage of the OX.
Totally agree with your great points. I have never used the OX live so can't comment on that but the Power Station is the best tool for that, hands down. I guess I'm surprised how good the Power Station's unbalanced line out is into the Fractal with IRs. The sound on my latest videos has been great.
There is plenty in the OX to get the job done until you get booked at Ocean Way and someone else is miking your wall of amps. I use it to run a bunch of different amps into my DAW and it come out the monitors. This always me to control the volume. Otherwise, I would just mic amp. The OX works great and sounds ok. I have issues with the artificial clicks mentioned. I contacted UA, tried another brand new OX, cable, etc.
Love my Ox but it’s frustrating that they don’t add more cabs, mics etc. I much prefer what they do have to traditional IR’s. I don’t attenuate with it, just “silent” recording.
Where did you hear that they are 'stopping development for the OX box'? I've been pounding on them for a few years, now, and I have been repeatedly told that the platform was not dead. (Also, I believe the last update was November 2019... so five years ago).
I have a love hate relationship with UA because of this very reason: they don’t give a shit about their customers and providing continual support for their products. So much potential for products and they just move on. And for that reason if they went out of business tomorrow it wouldnt upset me at all. In fact, it would send a great message to all the companies out there.
Appreciate your perspective, but I disagree with what you're saying about the mic stuff. If people are really interested in moving mics around etc., they're going to actually do that, not use an impulse response or emulation. I mean the same stuff could be said about lots of equipment. You can't buy a Mesa Mark series with EL84s. To fair with the attenuation, most are that way, and you complain about it but then say you don't use it anyway. All that said, when I bought a UA audio interface (X8P), it generated a lot of heat. I was concerned it would fail over time. I brought it back for an Antelope Orion Studio which has 4 more inputs on the front, and as near as I can tell, never gets hot. That just turned me off their products altogether.
I'm using the two note revolt bass and the two note cab M+ to record my bass. It sounds very good. Sounds as good as my Ampeg Bass amp. But it has a lot more sounds.
If players are not using speakers with amps, why not just use modelers and skip the amp altogether? Not trying to start any trouble.... just seriously curious
Great question! A couple of reasons off the top of my head: 1. There isn't a model of the amp you want to use (e.g., Friedman Naked, Bogner Snorkler, Carstens Grace, specific years of VH4s, etc.) 2. You like the feel and response of a real tube amp. Reactive loads are so good nowadays they can replicate the feel of a speaker completely. 3. You want to saturate the power section of your amp without blowing your face off with 120db of volume. Modelers still struggle to completely replicate power amp saturation (although its very close these days).
Another benefit of modellers, specific to folks who live off-grid, a modeler drains your home batteries much less than many cranked tube amps into a reactive load.
I was almost convinced to abandon the idea of the Ox and move to your new setup… antil I looked up the cost of an Axe Effects 3. Yeah no way. :) I bet you get amazing sounds tho!
I know what you mean! It's not cheap 😅 That said, the AxeFX is honestly $1500 very well spent. It's been an invaluable tool for me when jamming at home, recording, or using it for effects or routing. It's just so useful in so many ways and punches far above its price point.
El dorado guitars? Why do I think of these pickups I seen on willcut guitars in Lexington called rio grand pickups or something. I always wanted to use these weird early, boutique pickups and pedals for pure obsession and fun. Idk of there’s any relation, but I belive they also had a “mud” pickup or something to do with mud. Idk
A bit of advice. If you really want to make professional recordings, then educate yourself about this stuff. On and off axis are not concepts that UAD came up with. They are standard microphone practice across the entire recording industry, and something anyone professing to being beyond beginner level, should absolutely know about, and what they do for your tone.
I'm now glad I never bought one and I just use a Mooer Gold 012 Pre amp pedal as my attenuator in my effects loops and actually make the amp sound better as well as controlling the volume levels to take a 100 watt Marshall DSL head down to iPhone level playing if you want. $80.00. Its also has Mid, Bass, Treble, and Gain control.
Can’t you just use it as a load box by bypassing the cabs and mics and going line out direct into the Fractal? I agree with you about UA not supporting this thing. I’m pretty satisfied with the sounds I’ve been getting out of my Ox, but was thinking about just using it as a load into my AxeFx III to hear what that sounds like. I think you can also run one line out with a cab sim for monitoring and the other line out direct for recording a raw track, then use cab sim plugins in a DAW. Lots of ways to experiment. If using it as a load adds too much color though, that’s a different story.
@@shankflanker Thanks for the thoughtful response. The Fryette is totally flat in bypass mode with no coloring (the OX does have some), and the reactive load in the Fryette feels better to me since it’s not based on a 1x12”.
You can learn more about the coloring of each unit in these awesome videos: 1. OX - th-cam.com/video/TyYzJXH3D2M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=4FnPJUr5ot0P8AP3&t=341 2. th-cam.com/video/ncNcHbGGL6s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=BVdo8_2ucrJV89B9&t=479
@@eldoradoguitars6456 So you realized you didn't use the OX as much because it changes the tone too much and the Fryette is much more transparent? I don't have to watch your video to know this is your conclusion. I guess if you had done a good a/b compare years ago, you would have figured that out quickly.
The connection issue is a deal breaker. It took me months to get it to work and to make it work I had to change internet providers. UA was worthless and rude when I was in need of help. Email after email after email of nonsense. A friend IT person came over and told me to move to another internet provider, and it worked ... sometimes. That cost me 100 dollars because my friend works for money not friendship... no shade to them. Be aware of this critical roadblock it will get frustrating. I will be selling mine.
would have jumped on it as a second , yes beautiful for beginners but used on plenty of A list albums by pros and the speaker emulations are the why i use .. with amps heads i started touring with in early 90s but ya ... hmm but ya no arguing its frustrating they have not updated for ever but i guess its because their pedals and now plug ins kill as well
I noticed you have several different Amps and probably several instruments. It’s a tool in the arsenal not the be all. But if you’re done with it, then you’re done.
If you dont need sound in the room, there is a better and cheaper solution than Fryette Powerstation - Fractal Audio X-Load (279.- Sale)! And you have two impedance curves. Here is a comparison of several load boxes: th-cam.com/video/AR_q297ll5U/w-d-xo.html
I love my OX. Keeping mine. What’s this BS about beginners stuff. This is for everybody….the real reason your selling your ox is because your going digital….
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As soon as I saw that Power Station 100 sitting behind you, it answered the question within 2 seconds. I have several of the Fryette power amps. they are perfect at what they do. built like tanks, and perform flawlessly whether using traditional tube amps into them or modelers, or preamps. they're the best for both going into Cabs and DI recording. amazing units
I’m really glad that you shared this information I was on the fence regarding the OX box but the fact that UA will not be offering future updates is a dealbreaker for me especially considering Fender has already updated the ToneMaster Pro several times since it’s initial release.
Real support MATTERS. This is why i avoid Line6....and why I LOVE Tech21ny.
I recently got an ox box and really like it. Have owned the ox stomp before and that was great for Kingsley style pre amps but the ox box is like that for real amps. I have tried two notes products before and find the ox box to be vastly superior. I agree the speaker volume being 5 clicks sucks but other than that it just makes it extremely easy to play my amp out loud or silent and direct for headphones or recording by just turning a knob. Like an iphone its easier and gets great results but options are limited. The two notes captor has to be physically unplugged and is just more janky and less elegant.
I waited and hoped UA would release a v2 but bought one used and so far it solved all my needs.
It’s great for DI but as an attenuator the PS100 blows it (and everything else) away.
4:15 On axis is with the microphone capsule parallel with the speaker cloth. Off axis would be as some degree of off angle from the speaker cloth. On axis means all frequencies got the mic diaphragm at the same time. Off axis creates various degrees of tonal filtering due to one end of the diaphragm getting frequencies sooner and the other end getting them slightly later. This causes comb or phase filtering. While the tonal shaping using off axis might be useful, the phase issues can be problematic. So typically I don't recommend EQing with Mic Axis. On Axis almost always. But this is just my 2 cents. Regardless, thanks for making this video. I recently got a Capture X and was wondering if I made a mistake not just spending the extra money and getting the Ox Box. This definitely convinced me I made the right choice. Thanks 🙌🏻
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I’ve been using the OX for my amateur original projects since 2019 and think it’s great for my purposes despite the limitations you mention. Simplicity is key for me because I like to focus on the creative process and not get bogged down in technical stuff with a thousand options, not to mention the additional expense. That said, I’m always looking to up sound quality, so who knows.
Ox sucks. Get a better load box an ir/cab simulator software
@@gffg387 It sings when I use it. Play better.
@@gffg387 The Ox sings when I use it. Play better.
@@SaviorMoney-777 Bad load box. Ok software. But you do you, keep sucking, I don't care.
@@gffg387 I do quite well with or without the ox. You keep blaming the tools, though. It's TOTALLY the ox's fault. 😉
I bring my Ox Box every time I play silent stages. I set it and forget it so the walled garden isn't an issue but I could see the frustration.
Just saw them on a great Black Friday sale and came across this video doing some last minute researching. Hearing that they don't regular put out updates and will now no longer support it, is enough to talk me out of the purchase.
The walled garden is also why I have avoided all UA products including the Apollo interface. Also not being able to load IRs is a deal breaker.
So you are going to amp to load box than from the load box to 1/4 inch front of the axe fx? Than using the cab/effects in axe? I have the ox feel exactly same…limited with the cabs and not be able to load ir…will you please explain the exact cable routing…awesome video…also where did you get that white dvh4? Thankyou
I've been close to buying one of these powerstations for quite a while. I think the "load down and reamp" approach really makes a lot more sense than standard attenuation and the fryette units seem to really be the best example for that kind of approach.
Buy it. It will be your great accomplishment ever. No seriously, it’s a great investment.
@@EJH-jn6mo It really is. I'm going to make another video on what a great piece of kit it is. It's so useful in so many scenarios, and not just for attenuating your amp live.
I had a similar setup using my Marshall Jubilee into my Axe FM9; it was the most powerful "real amp meets digital" rig I've ever had. Not easy to setup though unless you're a digital guitar rig guy. I agree with all your sentiments.
Interesting take. I've got the OX box and stomp as well as the captor x, boss TAE and a powerstation and I still greatly prefer the ox box. To my ears, nothing comes close to sounding "right" the way the ox box and stomp do.
For me personally, it's the best product on the market because of how well it works on stage and for me, that's the most important aspect of any product. The TAE has more flexibility on stage and midi controllable effects/amp channel switching is neat but being limited to a single IR doesn't deliver the sound I want and the effects aren't really very good.
With the box, I run one output to the PA that comes into my IEM's and run the headphone output into an FRFR behind me on stage for some stage sound and this way, I can control the volume of that FRFR with the headphone output and not mess with the signal volume going to the PA. The Boss TAE can do this also which is nice.
The reverb from the box is always on for me and I use a 2 button switch to toggle delay on/off and the other switch to toggle compressor that doesn't do any actual compression but just boosts the output level for solos.
It's a pain to drag to shows though because I have a pelican case for it and it's one more thing to drag out.
I can't tell much of a difference between the Box and my power station in terms of feel with the reactive load but I think one amazing trick the boss TAE has is the variable reactive load controls. They make a huge difference and I've got several videos where I run different devices into both the TAE and the power station to compare and contrast the sound between the two when using my Splawn 4x12.
This week though, I got a Mark VII and have been messing around with different ways of running that DI since it has the built in reactive load and plan on doing a video showing it with the ox stomp, the built in cab clone and, what I'm most excited about, just running the raw DI output from the amp into my quad cortex which does effects and IR loading similar to how you're using the Axe FX III.
To not only have the great sound of a tube amp on stage but also not having to drag another big case of gear from the car is really nice and that was one of the big selling points for me of the Mark VII.
I agree on many other points with the OX box though. More effects would have been nice, midi would have been nice, Combo connectors on the back to use 1/4" or XLR should have been an easy no brainer, giving us the really great sounding chorus/modulation effects should have been broken out to it's own section like the reverb and delay and let us use a 3 button switch to facilitate switching chorus on/off, more cab options would be nice but I think the V30 marshall cab is perfect so not a huge deal, a line in for modelers would have been nice (yeah I know there's technically an RCA line in on the inside of the unit you can rig up to work but at this price point, I shouldn't have to), loading your own UA effects would have been incredible... I agree strongly there...
One other observation I've noticed is that even if you have the speaker volume knob all the way up on the box, it's still attenuating the sound a little bit.
Thanks for the comment! I have never used the OX live, so I can't really comment on that but if it's working for you then I think that's great. I feel like it was always intended more as a studio tool, though. I think my big takeaway is that while the OX is good, it could have been great. There was so much more that could have been done with it but it never really happened.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 Yeah they left a lot of potential on the table and I think maybe they just don't have a big enough team to develop/implement the things they probably want to. Hell, they don't have a PC app for the UAFX pedals and I think that's much needed. I love the lion and ox stomp and I've demoed several other of the UAFX pedals but I HAAATE using my phone screen to control them. they already have the capability to connect to the firmware update app and now they have the plugin versions of these pedals but you can't just control the physical pedal from the computer? Lame.
At the end of the day though, for me, it delivers the best sound.. the most authentic sound and that's the elephant in the room that I can't overlook and the main reason why I still own mine. I've gotten great results from blending some ownhammer IR's in my QC but it still has sound characteristics that my brain immediately identifies as IR where as the OX stomp/box have my brain fooled.
I'm probably preaching to the choir that I have found the Fryette Powerstation to be the greatest tube amp accessory. I just attenuate my guitar volume and put a mic on the cab which seems to work fine. I have wondered about the Fryette PL-IR or some sort of IR solution to go with it, but honestly I dont spend a ton of time recording so it it works. I also wonder about the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. That seems like an insanely powerful piece of gear, but the rumors about the load being unsafe made me nervous.
Totally agree about the Power Station. I want to do a video on it. Incredibly useful piece of gear that extends far beyond it's price tag (just like the AxeFX, IMO). I owned a TAE but didn't care for it. The variety of reactive loads was powerful but I was always left wondering whether I was using the "right" settings or if the reamp was "true" to my amp. The power amp was also only 100w solid state, and not very loud for stage volume. Finally, the effects were not nearly as good as the OX or AxeFX.
I've used the tae for a few years with no issues. I actually use it very little because all my Marshalls have master volumes even the plexi. The only thing I use it for now is a twin. I barely scratch the surface of what it's capable of. I feel like I should sell it but it's so nice.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 Regarding the TAE reactive load configs, I wonder if that's a "damned if they do, damned if they don't" kind of situation. In the video you comment that you wish that the Ox box had different impedance curves to represent different cab configurations, but that is exactly what the TAE offers. And one of the things that made the TAE more appealing to me over the Ox box. But when you had the TAE, you say you were always left wondering if you were using the "right" settings. Make no mistake, I'm not faulting you. Human psychology definitely plays into our decision making in interesting ways. I had the TAE for some time before I actually got around to using it and by the time I did, I was basically scared off from using it based on all of the negative forum comments it received regarding its configurable impedance curves. I wound up buying a Fryette PS-100 instead. I still have the TAE, but I don't know if I want to do anything with it.
I would def caution against the boss waza. It colors the sound way too much. The OX is a much much better tool for DI. And the PS100 is by far the best attenuator IMHO.
@@evitative462 Haha, good call. You're right! That's exactly what I said. I guess my Power Station also has the "Deep" and "Edge" switches if I wanted to modify the reactive load but I never do. I always use Flat. Psychology is weird.
I chose the Suhr Reactive Load IR. It's super simple, (no WiFi or apps) and switching cabs is just a dial turn away which makes it very fast. Most importantly, it sounds really good and I've never felt the need to import any IRs but you can if you want to.
@@jerrymckenzie1858 I actually almost bought one but the AxeFx is basically the same thing as long as you have a reactive load handy, and I did (the PS) so I never ended up getting one.
I think any decent guitarist can get a good sound out of almost any guitar gear. I can’t see how you can be truly creative whilst you are thinking about your signal chain to the enth degree. On axis or off axis. ?? (Who gives a dam! Is it going to affect your playing that much.?
Is such a nuance going to be noticed in a mixed track.? Is somebody listening to your track really going to be able to tell if you are on or off axis?
Anybody would think there are ground breaking guitar albums being made left right and centre with all the emphasis on guitar gear . Just get on with it and play. ( I’m speaking in general of course and not being personal to you and your channel)
As for the ox box I have recently got one and it’s all in one solution and presets are more than enough to inspire me to play more and be creative. Horses for courses ! Don’t let that next bit of kit you want stop you playing now!! Rant over… sorry ,
I run my amp through suhr ir box into my interface and load irs in DAW , put ssl 4000 and delay plugin there too , sounds fantastic , just like the PROs
I read Freyette does not need to be turned on , without any cab connected, as a reactive load. Right? Do you connect a Cab and turn on PS2 to use rhe reactive load? Thanks
@@seek4truth Correct. I do not attach a cab. Just amp right into the PS on bypass then the unbalanced line out to the Fractal.
@ and do you turn it on and put on bypass? I think you dont even need to turn it on. Everything should work without the power chord attached at all, and no cab connected either. Is there a reason you turn it on and put it in bypass? Thans!
I am in a similar position as you so this video is timely for me. Ive had the Ox for a few years now and struggle with all the things you pointed out. Whilst I havent had the clicking, I do get a lot of artifacts and I've also found that some of my amps pushed just really dont sound great through it.
I have a Quad Cortex and was definitely considering getting the Fryette PS2a for better attenuation for my cabs and then to run the line out to the QC for IRS and recording.
Just need to bite the bullet!
@@sleepingatsea3420 Your described setup would basically be exactly what mine is but with QC instead of Fractal. It’s a great setup.
You can run your amp thru it and use the direct/bypass spkr option into a DAW spkr emulation however.
I'm running a simialr set up at home - but using the suhr reactive load and out to an axe-fx 3 - sounds great.
The OX Box is too limiting for professionals? Hmmm, I think all the professionals who use it on a daily basis would disagree.
Honestly, it seems like you’re a little too caught up in concepts like a “walled garden” instead of focusing on results. The OX Box is still the benchmark for these kinds of products because it gets great sounding results quickly. That’s what most professionals value above everything else.
Hopefully UA will release a V2 eventually. My OX Box has been rock solid with zero connectivity issues and I don’t really want more options to waste time. I especially don’t want to go down the IR rabbit hole. But I’m sure the reactive load could be improved, the I/O could be expanded and a new version of the software could no doubt bring some useful features.
Great video, thanks
I wish I never sold my Rivera rock crusher recording
Gonna try and find one next year
Who cares what they mean by on or off axis? Just use your ears! One mans limitations is another mans breath of fresh air! Before these things were invented, we recorded with the gear we had and we were happy 🤷♂️
In the video the guy inadvertently explains why you should care about what on and off axis mean: those are universally accepted terms for positioning a microphone a certain way, and those ways are important to know. The fact that he doesn’t know what those terms mean limits his ability to get the sound he wants. Your comment is similar to saying “Why should I care what left and right mean? I know I want my car to go over there, so I’ll just use my eyes.” While yeah - you can just use your eyes, but since everyone else knows what left and right mean, wouldn’t learning to drive be easier if you know what left and right mean as well? It’s actually a very simple concept.
I use York Audio with my ToneX pedal and can verify. They're great!
I have a Torpedo Captor X. I load IRs from all over. It is ok. I have a Marshall Power Break I have used for years. I liked it ok. I like playing through a cabinet even when recording. It helps me perform better and leads to better takes. I don't play live anymore. I miss that. I don't miss lugging heavy cabinets everywhere. I am thinking about building an isolation cabinet.
Hey Mike, great explanation of your reasoning, which is similar for why I stayed away from the Ox box and will probably move away from the Ox Stomp at some point (that I currently pair with my PS-2A) to an IR loader unit. What could be really interesting is if UA released their cab simulation as a plugin for their interfaces and maintained that offering with updates etc which would play well with their real-time monitoring with DSP approach but looks unlikely.
Just another thing. I am not sure if your usage of "Bypass Mode" is accurate. Bypass switch when at bypass should connect the amp directly to the cab without the load, ie bypassing the PS completely. I think you mean a state when the device is "off" but in "operation mode" where you won't get any sound out of cabs (because the amp side is off) but the unit is in operation where the reactive load gets the amp signal down to line level, and into your Axe Fx.
I think maybe we're saying the same thing? What I do is turn the Power Station on (so the big green button is lit) and then I do not connect it to a cabinet or anything. I just turn my amp on and the PS soaks the load. (I think this is called "Silent Mode?") Then I use the Unbalanced Line Out into the AxeFX.
@darkscarf - Here's the explanation from the video about Bypass Mode: th-cam.com/video/ncNcHbGGL6s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=BVdo8_2ucrJV89B9&t=479
@@eldoradoguitars6456 Ah I see what you mean with "Bypass mode" now. Yeah, two ways to go about it silently.
1) With AC off(green button), you get 100W attenuation (due to fan being off) but can use the switches at the front to shape the reactive load tone.
2) With the AC on, you get the full 200W attenuation (due to fan being on) but then Fryette recommends to put the device into Bypass where you lose the switches at the front, which as you mentioned has the the most neutral attenuation.
I've been using the first option but will try the second one as it indeed is safer and you can further toneshape later in DAW if needed. Cheers.
I've had the same experience with the OX Box and the WAZA Tube Amp Expander. For me the PS-100 was far superior sounding and sounds the closest to the actual amps without coloring them. The others reamp the tube amps through solid state power amps unlike the Fryette Power Station.
I’d be willing to bet money that the reason UA has stopped further development of the Oxbox is that it just isn’t selling in the numbers they want to see. This may be because of the price. The only box costs twice what a captor X does, and that may be turning a lot of people off. Is one better than the other? I couldn’t tell you from first hand experience but the gist I’m getting is that the sonic difference isn’t big enough to merit the considerable cost difference.
The clicks is the superior way forward if you think long term. You are connecting your valuable tube amp to the Ox relying on it that the load is properly working. A potentiometer will fail over time and might cause weird effects and possible damage to your amp. A potentiometer also has a non linear behavior in regard to attenuation. Hence 80%, no 90% of its range will have literally no effect. The remaining 10% is where you will be fiddling around to set your volume. The Ox is a good compromise here.
It was a great idea, bad execution. I returned mine the first month. Sounds great when it works. I went back to micing up cabs. That random crash was so frustrating.
All gear has limitations, but fighting with it can just kill insperation, not worth the effort. You go from making music to engineering. If im not happy with a piece of gear, its time to let it go.
Agree with everything. Lack of backups, lack of shareable presets, limited speaker / cabs in the high gain space. I've had it since release and I've ended up disappointed. Wasted opportunity.
I've had those random clicks / ticks and pops as well. I found that it was a clocking issue. Once I changed the internal clock of my interface to SPDIF, they went away. No need to reset the unit. The biggest gripe I have is that you can only use it digitally at 44.1. I'm surprised that was never addressed.....
@@JoeAugello Yeah that’s what the internet told me too but the clocks were all set correctly. That’s why UA ended up telling me to do a factory reset. But as you can see in the comments a lot of people had this issue.
Very much dislike UA as a company, and so much about the OX (as you said it's an unfinished abandoned product with glaring omissions, artificial limitations, no android support, bad wifi, etc). Unfortunately there still isn't anything similar enough on the market to replace it. It has been a great tool for me especially working on amps despite the flaws, and I have you to thank for introducing me to it / letting me try one! I like the PS100 way more for live use though (still not perfect, definitely colors the sound with some amps), but I don't send direct signal to FOH which is the main advantage of the OX.
Totally agree with your great points. I have never used the OX live so can't comment on that but the Power Station is the best tool for that, hands down. I guess I'm surprised how good the Power Station's unbalanced line out is into the Fractal with IRs. The sound on my latest videos has been great.
Why the hate bro? The UA pedal amps are awesome!
Driftwood Reactive Loadbox is the unsung sleeper hero 😎🤘
There is plenty in the OX to get the job done until you get booked at Ocean Way and someone else is miking your wall of amps.
I use it to run a bunch of different amps into my DAW and it come out the monitors. This always me to control the volume. Otherwise, I would just mic amp. The OX works great and sounds ok. I have issues with the artificial clicks mentioned. I contacted UA, tried another brand new OX, cable, etc.
Love my Ox but it’s frustrating that they don’t add more cabs, mics etc. I much prefer what they do have to traditional IR’s. I don’t attenuate with it, just “silent” recording.
Connecting to the app is frustrating… I have had issue with random clicks… it needs an update! Hope UA has something up there sleeve for the ox box…
Where did you hear that they are 'stopping development for the OX box'? I've been pounding on them for a few years, now, and I have been repeatedly told that the platform was not dead. (Also, I believe the last update was November 2019... so five years ago).
I have a love hate relationship with UA because of this very reason: they don’t give a shit about their customers and providing continual support for their products. So much potential for products and they just move on. And for that reason if they went out of business tomorrow it wouldnt upset me at all. In fact, it would send a great message to all the companies out there.
Using it for about a year. What a great change from using guitar DAW plug ins ..kind of clunky in its design and application..
Tone King Ironman II 100W. Best gear purchase I ever made.
Appreciate your perspective, but I disagree with what you're saying about the mic stuff. If people are really interested in moving mics around etc., they're going to actually do that, not use an impulse response or emulation.
I mean the same stuff could be said about lots of equipment. You can't buy a Mesa Mark series with EL84s. To fair with the attenuation, most are that way, and you complain about it but then say you don't use it anyway.
All that said, when I bought a UA audio interface (X8P), it generated a lot of heat. I was concerned it would fail over time. I brought it back for an Antelope Orion Studio which has 4 more inputs on the front, and as near as I can tell, never gets hot. That just turned me off their products altogether.
I'm using the two note revolt bass and the two note cab M+ to record my bass. It sounds very good. Sounds as good as my Ampeg Bass amp. But it has a lot more sounds.
If players are not using speakers with amps, why not just use modelers and skip the amp altogether? Not trying to start any trouble.... just seriously curious
Great question! A couple of reasons off the top of my head:
1. There isn't a model of the amp you want to use (e.g., Friedman Naked, Bogner Snorkler, Carstens Grace, specific years of VH4s, etc.)
2. You like the feel and response of a real tube amp. Reactive loads are so good nowadays they can replicate the feel of a speaker completely.
3. You want to saturate the power section of your amp without blowing your face off with 120db of volume. Modelers still struggle to completely replicate power amp saturation (although its very close these days).
@eldoradoguitars6456 I get #1
For the other 2... are players listening through studio monitors or through a real cabinet?
Also many players already have amps that they really like, so adding a Loader/IR box makes using said amps very practical.
Another benefit of modellers, specific to folks who live off-grid, a modeler drains your home batteries much less than many cranked tube amps into a reactive load.
I was almost convinced to abandon the idea of the Ox and move to your new setup… antil I looked up the cost of an Axe Effects 3. Yeah no way. :) I bet you get amazing sounds tho!
I know what you mean! It's not cheap 😅 That said, the AxeFX is honestly $1500 very well spent. It's been an invaluable tool for me when jamming at home, recording, or using it for effects or routing. It's just so useful in so many ways and punches far above its price point.
El dorado guitars? Why do I think of these pickups I seen on willcut guitars in Lexington called rio grand pickups or something. I always wanted to use these weird early, boutique pickups and pedals for pure obsession and fun. Idk of there’s any relation, but I belive they also had a “mud” pickup or something to do with mud. Idk
A bit of advice. If you really want to make professional recordings, then educate yourself about this stuff. On and off axis are not concepts that UAD came up with. They are standard microphone practice across the entire recording industry, and something anyone professing to being beyond beginner level, should absolutely know about, and what they do for your tone.
UA Rube Goldberg Box.
BTW, video starts at 11:19, lol.
I'm now glad I never bought one and I just use a Mooer Gold 012 Pre amp pedal as my attenuator in my effects loops and actually make the amp sound better as well as controlling the volume levels to take a 100 watt Marshall DSL head down to iPhone level playing if you want. $80.00. Its also has Mid, Bass, Treble, and Gain control.
Can’t you just use it as a load box by bypassing the cabs and mics and going line out direct into the Fractal? I agree with you about UA not supporting this thing. I’m pretty satisfied with the sounds I’ve been getting out of my Ox, but was thinking about just using it as a load into my AxeFx III to hear what that sounds like. I think you can also run one line out with a cab sim for monitoring and the other line out direct for recording a raw track, then use cab sim plugins in a DAW. Lots of ways to experiment. If using it as a load adds too much color though, that’s a different story.
@@shankflanker Thanks for the thoughtful response. The Fryette is totally flat in bypass mode with no coloring (the OX does have some), and the reactive load in the Fryette feels better to me since it’s not based on a 1x12”.
You can learn more about the coloring of each unit in these awesome videos:
1. OX - th-cam.com/video/TyYzJXH3D2M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=4FnPJUr5ot0P8AP3&t=341
2. th-cam.com/video/ncNcHbGGL6s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=BVdo8_2ucrJV89B9&t=479
@@eldoradoguitars6456 Fascinating series. Thanks for the tip!
... because you finally tried the Fryette Power Station... end of video.
I've owned both for years.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 So you realized you didn't use the OX as much because it changes the tone too much and the Fryette is much more transparent? I don't have to watch your video to know this is your conclusion. I guess if you had done a good a/b compare years ago, you would have figured that out quickly.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 just skipped to the end of your video and found out I was right.
The connection issue is a deal breaker. It took me months to get it to work and to make it work I had to change internet providers. UA was worthless and rude when I was in need of help. Email after email after email of nonsense. A friend IT person came over and told me to move to another internet provider, and it worked ... sometimes. That cost me 100 dollars because my friend works for money not friendship... no shade to them. Be aware of this critical roadblock it will get frustrating. I will be selling mine.
If manufacturer can't provide a decent Internet connection today their product should not be on the market.
would have jumped on it as a second , yes beautiful for beginners but used on plenty of A list albums by pros and the speaker emulations are the why i use .. with amps heads i started touring with in early 90s but ya ... hmm but ya no arguing its frustrating they have not updated for ever but i guess its because their pedals and now plug ins kill as well
I noticed you have several different Amps and probably several instruments. It’s a tool in the arsenal not the be all. But if you’re done with it, then you’re done.
This thing is ridiculously expensive!
Sounds like UA kind of did a rug pull on it's customers
The total abandonment of the OX by UA is infuriating!
Such a wasted opportunity.
I think this is the worst thing.
If you dont need sound in the room, there is a better and cheaper solution than Fryette Powerstation - Fractal Audio X-Load (279.- Sale)! And you have two impedance curves. Here is a comparison of several load boxes: th-cam.com/video/AR_q297ll5U/w-d-xo.html
I love my OX. Keeping mine. What’s this BS about beginners stuff. This is for everybody….the real reason your selling your ox is because your going digital….
The fryette ps100 is far superior anyway