Your video transitions are aids. Did you think we wouldn't be able to spot the tone/playing changes without your lame video cut effects? You take away from a nice product demo and playing.
That''s what I am worried about. Currently pedalboard is easy to get my key tones allows me to focus on learning guitar. I think I want an Axe FX but worried about falling into the vortex of tweakville. Are they easy to quickly get some killer sounds, lock in and go?
I haven’t had the pleasure of spending time with the Axe3 but i can’t say enough good things about my Axe2. It’s so versatile and I can’t imagine not owning one. Fractal makes incredible products
i just lost all of my equipment in a house flood 2 weeks ago and was thinking of replacing with the 3. how much better is it that the 2? seems like the processor is a pretty big deal.
Seriously. He was kind of ripping on the 2 I'm like really?. I've been drooling over an axe fx for ten years. So even the first gen was amazing. Finally got the 3 and all I can say is it's overwhelming. After I ordered it I was like wtf was I thinking? When am I gonna gave time to learn how to use it? I love the guitar rig 5. Sounds amazing for a fraction of the price, but nothing beats the Axe. Top bands are using it now. But I think unless you're a pro, the guitar rig 5 is probably best for most.
I have an XL II+ ...I’m glad I don’t have to bother buying amps and cabs or using microphones or twiddling knobs on a drive pedal only to realise I want the gain on 7 when I do this other tone. It’s pretty special. Expensive absolutely, worth it definately
Nothing against Premier Guitar, but I think part of the reason why some of the comments are whining about it "sounding digital" is because input 1 is clipping. First you can see on the level in the video. Second, you can hear it. I don't know why fractal sends these out with inputs cranked, but it's a simple fix. Simply go to setup, then I/O, then under the input tab, turn input 1 down to 0%. Even then, I still get minor clipping, but then you have to accommodate on your preset. I love my AXFX 3 so far. My only gripe is that the modulation effects aren't as wild or as easily modified as Line 6, but in a vast majority of cases, I won't be using guitar synths or step-sequencing tremelos. Again, I will verify that this unit is not a plug-and-play piece of kit. You have to dig in a little to make it usable.
The argument of the modern capacity of meddling versus the “irreplaceable feeling of standing in front of a tube amp in a room” has always been fun to watch for me. I’ve moved along with the axe fx since the start. Ultra, 2, and now this beautiful machine. I’ve had a myriad of tube amps as well. I understand where the naysayers come from- I have a couple little 5W boutique amps right now that are an absolute blast to dime and just play on for hours. I understand that. But that isn’t always the most convenient way to write a riff. I plug into this unit, and granted, it takes a LONG time to dial in a tone just right... but I can copy the tone of those two little tubes EXACTLY, no contest. Again, as was said before, if you could A/B those two tones with a “professional” guitarist, they would never know unless they could physically see the process of switching between the two units. I guess the options are scary to old timers. Being able to almost rebuild your amplifier in an analog setting- change tubes, change bias, affect the electricity parameter coming from “the wall”... absolutely unbelievable that anyone who is interested in having more than a handful of tones would still prefer a tube amp. I have run all my axe’s through tube power amps, and front of house. If it can’t do everything you want, then by all means, buy a bigger house and buy all the tube amps you need. It’s like the preference of an old 180HP 454 in a classic versus a brand new stock 350 pushing 360+ horsepower from the factory. Hurr durr it’s too complicated. Okay, enjoy things your way. Not my problem! I’ll be on my side playing every amp I’ve ever wanted since I was a kid, with a full custom shop, and a handful of houses with every cab and speaker combination I’ve ever wanted.. for $2500. I’m alright with that even if you aren’t.
You need to turn down "Instrument Level" on Input 1. You can see the A/D converter on Input 1 is clipping. It should only occasionally "tickle the red" when you play the absolute hardest on your hottest pickup. This entire demo, the red is pegged, except on single notes. Hence the fizzy sound.
The beauty of so many options is that if you have decades of experience with favorite gear/sounds, it’s likely in there. And, so is access to your Eric Johnson-esque Fender/Dumble/Marshall dream rigs without tubes and caps to maintain... Fractal keeps refining and adding models, but the great thing is that exactly what you want has likely made it in there already. My two cents.
Glad to see John and Perry doing the review .. I love John's reviews but he keeps it to the country, rock, blues realm (which is great) but a lot of us out wanna hear it CRUNCH! ... great job guys.
The factory presets available in the Axe-FX are pretty great. You can create and tweak to your heart's desire, but they give you some great starting foundations. The front-panel editing feature in the III is far, far superior to the II XL and the processing power is INSANE in comparison.
Opinions please. I'm a moderately decent player but never had the time or money for a bunch of tube amps. Plus I'm only a bedroom player and dont need or can handle the volume. Do you think this is a good option for great sound?
I have the 2XL. Brilliant. Turn up the volume and its a real amp in the room, no bother. Stereo AC30s at the edge of breakup, with a 2290. Bliss. And I've learned so much about guitar amps because it models them in so much detail.
Hearing other vids as well as this one I find there is a digital edge that is more apparent on cleaner tones. They seem to have the heavy distortion down ok but the nuances you hear in tube amps with pick attack, dynamics etc just aren't there for me so I will stick with my amp and pedals for now. But who knows? Twenty years ago modelling with Sans Amp, Line 6 and others was convenient but not accurate but they are getting closer. My big issue with rackmounts in general even though they sound better than ever is all the tweaking. Some people are good at it. I perhaps am but I do not have the patience.
@@michaelholmes5150 I just doubt that you can hear that in a recording. The feel will be different unless you plug it into a power amp and guitar cab but I think Axe III is getting very close even in that aspect. I can see the tweaking problem but it's typically a matter of finding something great and sticking to it. Back when I was touring (with Sans Amp) and finally got the tones I wanted I didn't touch them for years.
Different modeling approach vs the Kemper (circuit component modeling versus convolution), highly comprehensive amp and cabinet choice with very responsive amps. Tweakibility is mind blowing (bias, negative feedback, amp compression, bright switching, pre boost, you make it you have it here). I have both systems and adore/use both.
Jorge Leonel i was just wondering if it would be worth selling my kemper and big pedal board and get this, i don’t have a local store that carries awesome gear like this
@@TheMetalhead0283 you can get the Fx3 directly from Fractal (not sure it's possible to get it from a regular retailer). you will be very well served with either the KPA (which can give you fantastic results depending on the profiles you use) or the Fx3. pedals will always be fun but ultimately modelers provide significant convenience, portability, programmability and above all consistency.
Disappointed. So much wanted to see Bohlinger djent. Oh well, Perry did a great job covering the heavy load of the video. After checking one of these out at my favourite local dealer, I've decided to upgrade from the 2. The simple changes to the UI make it worthwhile in ease of use. For a dyed in the wool tube amp aficionado, even I can see the great benefits of this newfangled technology.
It sounds pretty cool, but I still prefer my amps and stomp boxes. For touring this could make sense. I think that's where most of these will be used for.
Didn't like the fact that in tuner mode the thing didn't go into bypass or at least kill the effects. Maybe just human error on this one? Other than that really enjoy the PM Guitar videos!.
The metal demo while cool was overkill. I wanted to hear samples of some rock tones. Yes Jimi was repped but Zep, VH, Blue Oyster Cult, U2, GNR, Black Keys. Between Quayle over talking/shredding in the other demo, I still haven't heard many rock tones although am supremely positive they exist.
I love metal. But the first part of the video was so much better showcasing all the cool reverbs and delays and modulation effects. The second half was just crunch, crunch, crunch... really a great look into the one dimensional limitations of modern metal, BORING.
I think they tried to showcase the raw sound of the amp/cab blocks. Most stock presets in the Axe usually aren't that much fun though, most of the time because of the IR's used.
And it have Authentic control knobs and ideal control knobs in Axe edit 3, where only the knobs on the real amplifier is at the authentic page. I think it's a user friendly feature..
I have an Axe-FX II and, after all the gear I've bought, sold and traded over the years, this is it. I have arrived. Might get another Two Notes Torpedo (as I LOVED that thing...SUPER cool piece of gear...) but I don't have any plan to get rid of my II, even to go from the II to the III. If you're wanting to get into the Fractal world, check out the II. It's come WAY down in price on the used market with the release of the III. I paid 1500, shipped (which was a pretty good deal, at the time) for my II (used) a year or so ago...now you can get a II XL for that much. A regular II like mine is only 1200-ish now. That's a STEAL!!! There are even II XL+s on Reverb right now for what I paid for my II. That's pretty nuts...
@@marksystemed4678 USD. The II seems to be hanging around 1500 at the moment, but these things fluctuate. You also find gems like this XL+ sometimes... reverb.com/item/18424228-fractal-audio-axe-fx-ii-xl-preamp-effects-processor
Totally agree. I have an Axe-FX II XL+ and it sounds absolutely outstanding. My roommate has a tube Amp and we compare them all the time. Honestly hard to tell any difference when using a similar setting.
Not knocking it. This is a superb state of the art piece of equipment. Many claim it sounds digital, why? because it is. It’s geared towards the pro musician, the one making a living recording and performing . They can make a return on their investment, because these components are not cheap. For us bedroom room so so players these components quickly depreciate and gradually find their place next to the old discarded and dusty DVD players and old stereo equipment section of our closets or attic.
Axe Fx 2's are still selling for well over a grand on Ebay, and the original unit is over 7 years old now.... Not sure what you mean by depreciating......
@@barano9729 Well if it's in decent shape, yeah, I would definitely sell it if you don't plan on using it. You couldn't pry mine from my cold dead hands.........
What power amp to power 1 or 2.......4/12cabs Celestion has flat response speakers coming out..what happens when I run 1 of there speaker sims into a vintage 30.....so I could run stereo cabs with a stereo amp
Ken Creten I’m selling mine. Not sure if to get a Mesa Amp with a torpedo or just the Axe III with some foot controller. I really hope that it’s easy to assemble a small set of Presets to put on one Pedalboard easily and go up down in banks. I don’t wanna manually configure every stupid button on my controller...
I laugh every time I hear someone say "Hey man the Kemper is just as good" or "Hey man the Helix is just as good" Helix = VW Kemper=prius AXEFX= Corvette. Sold my Helix after 3 months of total frustration and no dynamics with that well documented L6 fizzy shit going on. Just look at all the big name pros using AXEFX that should tell you all you need to know. I can count on 4 fingers who's using Helix/Kemper. Oh and there is all the product awards too. The AXE 3 is MUCH easier to use now.
There are a shitload of pros using the Helix and the Kemper. I freaking love my Helix through my QSC K10.2! The dynamics are incredible; have a dirty amp? No prob! Roll back the volume knob and you have cleans. All that said, I am considering an Axe 3
Everything is excellent in this demo except for one thing : why always detuned guitars with more than trashy sounds ? I'm from the 80's and I'd like to hear a standard tuning with great crunch sounds for instance. Simply : not only heavy shit stuff ! Great guitar player I must say and seems to be a great guy too !
3k is not a lot of money but I wouldn't buy this... processing power in my terms simply means more effects at the same time, nobody needs 5 delays and 33 distortions lol
Im considering an Axe 3, but currently I'm extremely happy with my Helix. I get literally all the tones I want out of that thing. From stark cleans of a JC120, to edge of breakup on a twin reverb, to soaring distortion on an Uberschall. It's pretty sweet.
I get where your coming from. It's like Smart phones, you find what you need and never look at the rest regardless of all the 'cool' extra things it might do, blah blah blah
IMHO, editing these things on the actual hardware is very time consuming and unpleasant. I don't know if editing the III is that much bettter than the II, but I much prefer using Axe Edit on my II XL+ than using the physical knobs.
@@andrew6978 I need to try one out for myself and use with high end monitors to do my assessment. Was not that impressed with Kemper so hope this is better.
The anemic /sterile cleans are the deal breaker for me. I am still researching/ looking for better clean amp sounds on the AXE FX III that will change my mind. The Overdrive sounds are killer, I just wish it had cleans that were just as good .
Have you tried the AFX 3? I finally bought one and I'm also a clean snob. It's impossible to compliment the cleans of the AFX3 because frankly, how do you compliment something that can sound like literally anything. If, for whatever reason, you can't find the cleans you like from the presets, dial away. Nothing is untweakable.
This thing looks like it suffers from option bloat, and it doesn't seem to have the display prowess to make using those options appealing to maintaining the musical mood. I have a Helix and it's display is superior to this one, on the unit itself and especially the computer editor. And for $1000 less it also includes the footswitches. And the Helix may have less "gigacycles" and turbochargers, but it sounds great and is very easy to use. It's been a trusty warrior at every show I've done for the last 2 years. Also, having a gazillion different cabinet choices doesn't mean its got badass processing power, it just means it's got a lot of storage.
That would be useless on stage if you had to change anything, first problem, too many options and menus, second, everything is way too small to even read what your doing, need a magnifying glass to read all the options, might be ok in a studio but even that would be frustrating, at least with the Headrush you can see everything on screen at a glance, change settings quickly and easily and it’s a fraction of the price!
Ever been in the middle of your set and thought to yourself "Damn, if only the low pass on the left delay bus on preset #364 was 5750 Hz instead on 5740 Hz I would sound KILLER! Better get on that RIGHT NOW."? Of course not, that's not how any sane person uses a multieffect; you set up The Toanz in the studio / rehearsal / bedroom / barn, not on stage. Stage is for performance, not tone chasing.
It's good for metal and heavy stuff, but can it do Fender Amp clean without sounding digital? I think not. Fishman pickups + metal, this would be great. Round bluesy amp stuff, with a touch of distortion? Rather buy a Strat, a tube amp and a tubescreamer.
I just did a video on this very thing. I wanted to match that warm fender tele semi distorted tone. Like Aaron said, you really have to try one. If you are interested check it out
Barano Eh, sorta? I suppose you technically need less load-in/out labor, but most of that is still going to be going the PA. I mean how many bands hire dedicated tube changers? You’ll still need a guitar tech; they’ll just have a bit more time to get the tuning perfect, and will be slightly less tired.
It still has that weird chewy midrange thing with gain that modelers can’t seem to dial out (even though this demo has more gain being used than I’d ever consider, but I guess that’s the audience).
It's actually mostly about the configuration of presets and scenes. Watch Leon Todd's videos of (detailed) demos of the rock amps on the Fx3 (with many examples of how to tweak) and I'm sure you will be impressed.
Lol this thing....look at the screen and the ridiculous amount of options that pop up with everything you touch. You are basically sitting there operating a mini laptop just trying to find a tone for your guitar. This is almost more of having fun playing with a video game system or something as opposed to playing an instrument.
@@TheThinker39 I had the same issue with my Kemper. Absolutely great device but I spent too much time tweaking settings. These devices are great but they arent for everyone.
Clint Norwood the Kemper I have no problem with. It is set up like an amp with all the basic controls right on the front. Especially if you use regular analog pedals with it. But this is intense. This really reminds me of using s software amp sim plugin where you build the whole chain and each box In the chain had 100 settings to tweak . It's just in a sleek hardware package. This is definitely catering to the tweaker who loves infinite routing capabilities
I think I'm actually losing it...didn't fractal audio make a helix hx stomp type small modeling pedal?....I swear I saw it on here...didn't find it on the fractal website,..and now can't find on youtube...is it a conspiracy?...do I need a psychiatrist?...a tin foil space helmet?...
No brainer huh.... and I just love how it sounds without effects hiding the tones. Turn the effects off and smile - not. It's one reason that tube amps don't have effects typically built in... they don't need to hide the tone of a real tube amp. Thank god I learned not to buy this from the first escapade. But what I would really like to see, is that they give one to Santa for Christmas, lord knows they gave everyone else one for free... ;-)
By your logic, a Deluxe Reverb has "something to hide" with its built-in trem and reverb, but a Peavey Bandit or Marshall MS-2 or Smokey Amp do not. Yes, we know these electronical computing gadgets will "never sound like the REAL THING", that's the reason today's music sucks and we're all going to hell. Congrats, you figured it out!
Read the review: bit.ly/FractalAxe-FxIII
Your video transitions are aids. Did you think we wouldn't be able to spot the tone/playing changes without your lame video cut effects? You take away from a nice product demo and playing.
I realize Im kinda off topic but does anybody know a good place to stream newly released tv shows online?
@Milan Lee try FlixZone. You can find it on google =)
@Milan Lee Lately I have been using FlixZone. You can find it by googling :)
Don't buy this before you are a great guitar player otherwise you will never have the time to become one.
alienlovesecrets LMAO
What you mean?? Great comment btw!
Well said !
yes! this toy can make you dive away from reality .. the reality of your playing
... without makeup
That''s what I am worried about. Currently pedalboard is easy to get my key tones allows me to focus on learning guitar. I think I want an Axe FX but worried about falling into the vortex of tweakville. Are they easy to quickly get some killer sounds, lock in and go?
I haven’t had the pleasure of spending time with the Axe3 but i can’t say enough good things about my Axe2. It’s so versatile and I can’t imagine not owning one. Fractal makes incredible products
Does axe 3 worth?.
i just lost all of my equipment in a house flood 2 weeks ago and was thinking of replacing with the 3. how much better is it that the 2? seems like the processor is a pretty big deal.
Seriously. He was kind of ripping on the 2 I'm like really?. I've been drooling over an axe fx for ten years. So even the first gen was amazing.
Finally got the 3 and all I can say is it's overwhelming. After I ordered it I was like wtf was I thinking? When am I gonna gave time to learn how to use it?
I love the guitar rig 5. Sounds amazing for a fraction of the price, but nothing beats the Axe. Top bands are using it now.
But I think unless you're a pro, the guitar rig 5 is probably best for most.
+Sean Tenney do Axe FX's come with all the cabs and IRs, or do you have to buy them?
@@anthonysclafani3963 The III comes with more than 2000 factory IRs including quite a few from OH, ML, YA and so on.
Perry can riff pretty hard, would be great to see him reviewing some gear perhaps less suited to John's style.
I sold my big sky and timeline for the AX8 and regret absolutely nothing; sound quality is absolutely mind blowing; recording as well.
better value more options so I would agree. Instead of a few boutique pedals this would be a great studio workhorse.
Lol....its THE studio workhorse.
I have an XL II+ ...I’m glad I don’t have to bother buying amps and cabs or using microphones or twiddling knobs on a drive pedal only to realise I want the gain on 7 when I do this other tone. It’s pretty special. Expensive absolutely, worth it definately
Nothing against Premier Guitar, but I think part of the reason why some of the comments are whining about it "sounding digital" is because input 1 is clipping. First you can see on the level in the video. Second, you can hear it. I don't know why fractal sends these out with inputs cranked, but it's a simple fix.
Simply go to setup, then I/O, then under the input tab, turn input 1 down to 0%. Even then, I still get minor clipping, but then you have to accommodate on your preset. I love my AXFX 3 so far. My only gripe is that the modulation effects aren't as wild or as easily modified as Line 6, but in a vast majority of cases, I won't be using guitar synths or step-sequencing tremelos.
Again, I will verify that this unit is not a plug-and-play piece of kit. You have to dig in a little to make it usable.
Input has soft clipping and you're supposed to "tickle the red" on the axe.
Here for the "but maaah to0bz" comments. Sweet demo PG; I love John but Perry needs to be in more vids!
What is better: Too0z or B00bz??
@@LucasLeCompteMusic B00bt00Bz
The argument of the modern capacity of meddling versus the “irreplaceable feeling of standing in front of a tube amp in a room” has always been fun to watch for me. I’ve moved along with the axe fx since the start. Ultra, 2, and now this beautiful machine. I’ve had a myriad of tube amps as well. I understand where the naysayers come from- I have a couple little 5W boutique amps right now that are an absolute blast to dime and just play on for hours. I understand that. But that isn’t always the most convenient way to write a riff. I plug into this unit, and granted, it takes a LONG time to dial in a tone just right... but I can copy the tone of those two little tubes EXACTLY, no contest. Again, as was said before, if you could A/B those two tones with a “professional” guitarist, they would never know unless they could physically see the process of switching between the two units.
I guess the options are scary to old timers. Being able to almost rebuild your amplifier in an analog setting- change tubes, change bias, affect the electricity parameter coming from “the wall”... absolutely unbelievable that anyone who is interested in having more than a handful of tones would still prefer a tube amp. I have run all my axe’s through tube power amps, and front of house. If it can’t do everything you want, then by all means, buy a bigger house and buy all the tube amps you need.
It’s like the preference of an old 180HP 454 in a classic versus a brand new stock 350 pushing 360+ horsepower from the factory. Hurr durr it’s too complicated.
Okay, enjoy things your way. Not my problem! I’ll be on my side playing every amp I’ve ever wanted since I was a kid, with a full custom shop, and a handful of houses with every cab and speaker combination I’ve ever wanted.. for $2500. I’m alright with that even if you aren’t.
Exactly. In a mix, no one would EVER able to tell the difference between a modern modeller and a "real" amp. Never.
You need to turn down "Instrument Level" on Input 1. You can see the A/D converter on Input 1 is clipping. It should only occasionally "tickle the red" when you play the absolute hardest on your hottest pickup. This entire demo, the red is pegged, except on single notes. Hence the fizzy sound.
Yeah the high gain stuff sounds like me and my Line6 Spider II in 2006.
The beauty of so many options is that if you have decades of experience with favorite gear/sounds, it’s likely in there. And, so is access to your Eric Johnson-esque Fender/Dumble/Marshall dream rigs without tubes and caps to maintain... Fractal keeps refining and adding models, but the great thing is that exactly what you want has likely made it in there already. My two cents.
that tele is absolutely incredible
Glad to see John and Perry doing the review .. I love John's reviews but he keeps it to the country, rock, blues realm (which is great) but a lot of us out wanna hear it CRUNCH! ... great job guys.
Perry thrashin the In Flames - Zombie Inc. solo on that viper!
That was dope.
The factory presets available in the Axe-FX are pretty great. You can create and tweak to your heart's desire, but they give you some great starting foundations. The front-panel editing feature in the III is far, far superior to the II XL and the processing power is INSANE in comparison.
Thanks Rod Stewart!
Your Reviews Are Awesome! Thanks!
“These guys tweak heavily..” hahaha
yup hahahaha!
14:17
Confident boost 10000000%
That made my day !
Opinions please. I'm a moderately decent player but never had the time or money for a bunch of tube amps. Plus I'm only a bedroom player and dont need or can handle the volume. Do you think this is a good option for great sound?
Great to watch Perry riffing hard ! 🤘🏼👏🏼 and John of course ;)
Axe fx 3 looks like the coolest game system ever
yeah, it's just a toy, not an amp..
Enjoyed that little bit of "Zombie Inc." towards the end there
G Fresh that made me smile
Maybe it's the sound but, all the distortion tones sound the same.. But, great review. Crazy how far modeling has come..
I have the 2XL. Brilliant. Turn up the volume and its a real amp in the room, no bother. Stereo AC30s at the edge of breakup, with a 2290. Bliss.
And I've learned so much about guitar amps because it models them in so much detail.
Fair to say John prefers amp and pedals ;)
It’s not so complicated and the soft editor is very useful and easy to learn
Can you copy or do what the Kemper Profile amp does? Also do you need a separate power supply? The Kemper has a powered and a non powered version.
Hearing other vids as well as this one I find there is a digital edge that is more apparent on cleaner tones. They seem to have the heavy distortion down ok but the nuances you hear in tube amps with pick attack, dynamics etc just aren't there for me so I will stick with my amp and pedals for now. But who knows? Twenty years ago modelling with Sans Amp, Line 6 and others was convenient but not accurate but they are getting closer. My big issue with rackmounts in general even though they sound better than ever is all the tweaking. Some people are good at it. I perhaps am but I do not have the patience.
And you can pick that difference in the blind?
@@poulwinther I have a Line 6 Helix. Like other Line 6 gear, I find I spend more time tweaking than playing. Its still no match for tube amp warmth.
@@michaelholmes5150 I just doubt that you can hear that in a recording. The feel will be different unless you plug it into a power amp and guitar cab but I think Axe III is getting very close even in that aspect. I can see the tweaking problem but it's typically a matter of finding something great and sticking to it. Back when I was touring (with Sans Amp) and finally got the tones I wanted I didn't touch them for years.
That pinch harmonic in the intro ROTFLMAO
Does the FX III allow you to input your own amplifiers like a Kemper?
what is the signal path in this video? is the axe fx 3 straight into a daw or is it powered into a speaker?
into yamaha ns10 speakers
I’m curious how the amp sims compare to the kemper, I’ll wait for that demo
Different modeling approach vs the Kemper (circuit component modeling versus convolution), highly comprehensive amp and cabinet choice with very responsive amps. Tweakibility is mind blowing (bias, negative feedback, amp compression, bright switching, pre boost, you make it you have it here). I have both systems and adore/use both.
Jorge Leonel i was just wondering if it would be worth selling my kemper and big pedal board and get this, i don’t have a local store that carries awesome gear like this
@@TheMetalhead0283 you can get the Fx3 directly from Fractal (not sure it's possible to get it from a regular retailer). you will be very well served with either the KPA (which can give you fantastic results depending on the profiles you use) or the Fx3. pedals will always be fun but ultimately modelers provide significant convenience, portability, programmability and above all consistency.
What are those pickups in John's tele?
That smokey jazz first preset wasn’t really a jazz guitar preset to me because the amp wasn’t dark enough it was too bright
Probably the guitar, single coils aren't too common in Jazz
Disappointed. So much wanted to see Bohlinger djent. Oh well, Perry did a great job covering the heavy load of the video.
After checking one of these out at my favourite local dealer, I've decided to upgrade from the 2. The simple changes to the UI make it worthwhile in ease of use. For a dyed in the wool tube amp aficionado, even I can see the great benefits of this newfangled technology.
Awesome 👏 guys thank u so much
"All Options do you want to have!" "Pretty close" .... preset sounds. But I want my TUBES for live!
Is that the same ESP chino Moreno uses
Flynn Hanbury Tenison definitely a viper
It sounds pretty cool, but I still prefer my amps and stomp boxes. For touring this could make sense. I think that's where most of these will be used for.
Didn't like the fact that in tuner mode the thing didn't go into bypass or at least kill the effects. Maybe just human error on this one? Other than that really enjoy the PM Guitar videos!.
Probably a setting for it they haven’t enabled. I find it hard to believe in this settings machine there isn’t one!
How can i control this with my foot? It comes with a footswitch included?
The metal demo while cool was overkill. I wanted to hear samples of some rock tones. Yes Jimi was repped but Zep, VH, Blue Oyster Cult, U2, GNR, Black Keys. Between Quayle over talking/shredding in the other demo, I still haven't heard many rock tones although am supremely positive they exist.
Song at 19:45?
dvlORangl not sure about the specific song but it sounds like the band as i lay dying
I love metal. But the first part of the video was so much better showcasing all the cool reverbs and delays and modulation effects. The second half was just crunch, crunch, crunch... really a great look into the one dimensional limitations of modern metal, BORING.
I think they tried to showcase the raw sound of the amp/cab blocks. Most stock presets in the Axe usually aren't that much fun though, most of the time because of the IR's used.
And it have Authentic control knobs and ideal control knobs in Axe edit 3, where only the knobs on the real amplifier is at the authentic page. I think it's a user friendly feature..
what is that noise at the beginning?
I have an Axe-FX II and, after all the gear I've bought, sold and traded over the years, this is it. I have arrived. Might get another Two Notes Torpedo (as I LOVED that thing...SUPER cool piece of gear...) but I don't have any plan to get rid of my II, even to go from the II to the III. If you're wanting to get into the Fractal world, check out the II. It's come WAY down in price on the used market with the release of the III. I paid 1500, shipped (which was a pretty good deal, at the time) for my II (used) a year or so ago...now you can get a II XL for that much. A regular II like mine is only 1200-ish now. That's a STEAL!!! There are even II XL+s on Reverb right now for what I paid for my II. That's pretty nuts...
Are you talking £,€ or $? The cheapest Axe FX II I've seen second hand is going for 1600€.
@@marksystemed4678 USD. The II seems to be hanging around 1500 at the moment, but these things fluctuate. You also find gems like this XL+ sometimes...
reverb.com/item/18424228-fractal-audio-axe-fx-ii-xl-preamp-effects-processor
@@rmp5s Thanks a lot for the info and advice, I'll have a look.
@@marksystemed4678 Any time.
Totally agree. I have an Axe-FX II XL+ and it sounds absolutely outstanding. My roommate has a tube Amp and we compare them all the time. Honestly hard to tell any difference when using a similar setting.
Not knocking it. This is a superb state of the art piece of equipment. Many claim it sounds digital, why? because it is. It’s geared towards the pro musician, the one making a living recording and performing . They can make a return on their investment, because these components are not cheap. For us bedroom room so so players these components quickly depreciate and gradually find their place next to the old discarded and dusty DVD players and old stereo equipment section of our closets or attic.
Axe Fx 2's are still selling for well over a grand on Ebay, and the original unit is over 7 years old now.... Not sure what you mean by depreciating......
Brian Jones dang bro mines been sitting in a heap of old stereos and others electronics since 2013 now. Could be worth some$$.
@@barano9729 Well if it's in decent shape, yeah, I would definitely sell it if you don't plan on using it. You couldn't pry mine from my cold dead hands.........
Brian Jones 😆😂
what kind of pickups are on that tele? with the offset pole pieces
Good question
What power amp to power 1 or 2.......4/12cabs Celestion has flat response speakers coming out..what happens when I run 1 of there speaker sims into a vintage 30.....so I could run stereo cabs with a stereo amp
you could just use this as a replacement for a head right?
Yes essentially that's what I do
i dig the Quicksilver hair ... and that Tele!
I hear a lot of As i lay dying riffs there 👍
This the perfect tool for someone like me, who is completely mediocre at guitar but loves toys.
Why not use one of the digital outputs for recording? Is your tech a guitarist?
Models are for runways! I WANNA RAWK!!
John is starting to look like Marvel comic's Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff)..lol
Premier (not about) guitar demo (not an advertisement) for a (not a) amp.
It's great. I'll keep my Kemper.
Ken Creten I’m selling mine. Not sure if to get a Mesa Amp with a torpedo or just the Axe III with some foot controller.
I really hope that it’s easy to assemble a small set of Presets to put on one Pedalboard easily and go up down in banks. I don’t wanna manually configure every stupid button on my controller...
I laugh every time I hear someone say "Hey man the Kemper is just as good" or "Hey man the Helix is just as good" Helix = VW Kemper=prius AXEFX= Corvette. Sold my Helix after 3 months of total frustration and no dynamics with that well documented L6 fizzy shit going on. Just look at all the big name pros using AXEFX that should tell you all you need to know. I can count on 4 fingers who's using Helix/Kemper. Oh and there is all the product awards too. The AXE 3 is MUCH easier to use now.
Agreed. The helix sounds nasally AF with distortion. Great cleans. Really wanted to like it but I a absolutely can't stand whiny nasally tone.
There are a shitload of pros using the Helix and the Kemper. I freaking love my Helix through my QSC K10.2! The dynamics are incredible; have a dirty amp? No prob! Roll back the volume knob and you have cleans.
All that said, I am considering an Axe 3
this is sick
Everything is excellent in this demo except for one thing : why always detuned guitars with more than trashy sounds ? I'm from the 80's and I'd like to hear a standard tuning with great crunch sounds for instance. Simply : not only heavy shit stuff !
Great guitar player I must say and seems to be a great guy too !
Damn John, very nice strap.
Where can I see a musician demo this product?
I think Tom Quayle does a few vids on Fractal gear.
Every serious guitarist should own an axe fx or a kemper. Both are pro level. Worth every penny.
say that to someone like jack pearson. anyone can be great and serious on anything.
yes you're right ,and then after getting one they should sell of their good gear below the market value price !*_*! to finance it all
3k is not a lot of money but I wouldn't buy this... processing power in my terms simply means more effects at the same time, nobody needs 5 delays and 33 distortions lol
@@Leo-jt3tc 3k is a lot of money. it's cheaper and likely better sounding to get a boutique 5 watt amp and run the mic through a DAW.
Im considering an Axe 3, but currently I'm extremely happy with my Helix. I get literally all the tones I want out of that thing. From stark cleans of a JC120, to edge of breakup on a twin reverb, to soaring distortion on an Uberschall. It's pretty sweet.
I get where your coming from. It's like Smart phones, you find what you need and never look at the rest regardless of all the 'cool' extra things it might do, blah blah blah
That things Bad Ass!
IMHO, editing these things on the actual hardware is very time consuming and unpleasant. I don't know if editing the III is that much bettter than the II, but I much prefer using Axe Edit on my II XL+ than using the physical knobs.
This is cool but too similar to a very cheap Line 6 modeling amp and not close enough to a real tube amp from what my ears tell me.
Your ears are 100% wrong.
@@andrew6978 I need to try one out for myself and use with high end monitors to do my assessment. Was not that impressed with Kemper so hope this is better.
...then you plug in to your friends amp and you forgot how you actually sound in real life. So cool though. Isnt this kinda cheating in a way? Lol.
The anemic /sterile cleans are the deal breaker for me. I am still researching/ looking for better clean amp sounds on the AXE FX III that will change my mind. The Overdrive sounds are killer, I just wish it had cleans that were just as good .
Have you tried the AFX 3? I finally bought one and I'm also a clean snob. It's impossible to compliment the cleans of the AFX3 because frankly, how do you compliment something that can sound like literally anything. If, for whatever reason, you can't find the cleans you like from the presets, dial away. Nothing is untweakable.
This thing looks like it suffers from option bloat, and it doesn't seem to have the display prowess to make using those options appealing to maintaining the musical mood. I have a Helix and it's display is superior to this one, on the unit itself and especially the computer editor. And for $1000 less it also includes the footswitches. And the Helix may have less "gigacycles" and turbochargers, but it sounds great and is very easy to use. It's been a trusty warrior at every show I've done for the last 2 years. Also, having a gazillion different cabinet choices doesn't mean its got badass processing power, it just means it's got a lot of storage.
Eventide H9000 has better effects though.
"That sounds br00tal, let's try that." Said Perry, blissfully.
That would be useless on stage if you had to change anything, first problem, too many options and menus, second, everything is way too small to even read what your doing, need a magnifying glass to read all the options, might be ok in a studio but even that would be frustrating, at least with the Headrush you can see everything on screen at a glance, change settings quickly and easily and it’s a fraction of the price!
You use a laptop and the editing software. Very easy. The screen is too small to do detailed stuff. Not that you would be tweaking on stage....
Ever been in the middle of your set and thought to yourself "Damn, if only the low pass on the left delay bus on preset #364 was 5750 Hz instead on 5740 Hz I would sound KILLER! Better get on that RIGHT NOW."? Of course not, that's not how any sane person uses a multieffect; you set up The Toanz in the studio / rehearsal / bedroom / barn, not on stage. Stage is for performance, not tone chasing.
Ah, so that's why Metallica uses them on stage every gig?
You look exactly like the bio engineer ‘Josiah zehner’
Anyone using this with a bass?
It looks to be a good studio amp. But that’s about all.
whoa stay away from that hendrix sound haha and not just in the axe-fx lll
i'll take it! you guys got $1500 I could have?
Max Miller try adding another thousand
It's good for metal and heavy stuff, but can it do Fender Amp clean without sounding digital? I think not. Fishman pickups + metal, this would be great. Round bluesy amp stuff, with a touch of distortion? Rather buy a Strat, a tube amp and a tubescreamer.
Ever tried one? Because you've probably haven't how can you honestly say that it's sounds digital? What does digital sound like?
I just did a video on this very thing. I wanted to match that warm fender tele semi distorted tone. Like Aaron said, you really have to try one. If you are interested check it out
what does "digital" sound like
These arguments are pointless, and I guarantee this guy wouldn't know the difference in a blind test to save his life.......smh
Perry has sick beard
paying for the hardware where only the software matters, incase using it live...
Would be cool if they really learned how to use it before posting a review.
Patrick Russell yeah, like making sure the input stage isn’t clipping too high. You can hear the clipping at times & you can see it on the unit!
How have innovations such as this affected jobs in the industry? You don’t need as many roadies anymore.
Barano Eh, sorta? I suppose you technically need less load-in/out labor, but most of that is still going to be going the PA. I mean how many bands hire dedicated tube changers? You’ll still need a guitar tech; they’ll just have a bit more time to get the tuning perfect, and will be slightly less tired.
i don't know why i find this review demo boring to watch.
if modelers are so great an accurate why do they need software upgrades and multiple versions? BTW it sounds like scheisse
15:19 Speed
i have a kemper but this looks very interesting!
It still has that weird chewy midrange thing with gain that modelers can’t seem to dial out (even though this demo has more gain being used than I’d ever consider, but I guess that’s the audience).
It's actually mostly about the configuration of presets and scenes. Watch Leon Todd's videos of (detailed) demos of the rock amps on the Fx3 (with many examples of how to tweak) and I'm sure you will be impressed.
Might be great and full of features, but this isn’t for me. Don’t like the Kemper as well - perhaps I’m just too old ;-)
Lol this thing....look at the screen and the ridiculous amount of options that pop up with everything you touch. You are basically sitting there operating a mini laptop just trying to find a tone for your guitar. This is almost more of having fun playing with a video game system or something as opposed to playing an instrument.
Me too. The millions of choices on this would drive me crazy. I would always be wondering if I had the best combination of settings.
@@TheThinker39 that's on YOU, not on the equipment.
@@trixdropd You are correct. It's my reaction to the equipment. That was the point of my comment.
@@TheThinker39 I had the same issue with my Kemper. Absolutely great device but I spent too much time tweaking settings. These devices are great but they arent for everyone.
Clint Norwood the Kemper I have no problem with. It is set up like an amp with all the basic controls right on the front. Especially if you use regular analog pedals with it. But this is intense. This really reminds me of using s software amp sim plugin where you build the whole chain and each box In the chain had 100 settings to tweak . It's just in a sleek hardware package. This is definitely catering to the tweaker who loves infinite routing capabilities
The LTD has too many highs... I'm 40 and losing the top end, but this is too much....
I think I'm actually losing it...didn't fractal audio make a helix hx stomp type small modeling pedal?....I swear I saw it on here...didn't find it on the fractal website,..and now can't find on youtube...is it a conspiracy?...do I need a psychiatrist?...a tin foil space helmet?...
"A cow dun' licked muh hair".
Great a $2,5000 metronome!
Great equipment. A lot of hideously ugly banging away interrupting actual good sounds.
Fuck this...just too many sounds..great to have the choice..but personally..a few good pedals, amp and axe..that will do me!
but MUH TOOBZ!
yes a rackmount processor for tweakers so they should sell them at Walmart😈
No brainer huh.... and I just love how it sounds without effects hiding the tones. Turn the effects off and smile - not. It's one reason that tube amps don't have effects typically built in... they don't need to hide the tone of a real tube amp. Thank god I learned not to buy this from the first escapade. But what I would really like to see, is that they give one to Santa for Christmas, lord knows they gave everyone else one for free... ;-)
Tube amps didn't have effects built in because they weren't invented yet. Don't you remember the day the transistor was invented?
What an idiot.
By your logic, a Deluxe Reverb has "something to hide" with its built-in trem and reverb, but a Peavey Bandit or Marshall MS-2 or Smokey Amp do not.
Yes, we know these electronical computing gadgets will "never sound like the REAL THING", that's the reason today's music sucks and we're all going to hell. Congrats, you figured it out!
Oh its you again. Careful with that humour... its not funny.