My initial thoughts on the Fractal Axe FX II

Hi all, I promised I would post my thoughts on this when I had a chance to use it. It's a piece of hardware, but since there are crickets there and most of my friends are here, I thought this would be OK. It does have a software interface! :)
 
So, I have been enjoying Amplitube a lot, but it's still not quite "there" for me. Also, dealing with even small latency when playing just kills the vibe for me. Danny was pushing (gently, I might add! lol) the Fractal Axe FX II as the next level in modelling. After listening to some sound clips and watching videos on youtube, I had to check it out.
 
I had an opportunity to try a Kemper once I decided on the Axe FX II, but I found it a bit unwieldy, and it did not have the depth of effects that I craved. I have built many versions of pedal boards, and I've owned all sorts of vintage and new gear. I even had a rack system with 3 GCX switchers and an Axxess ground system (with expander) to run the entire rig. I had soldered every single cable, and it was all midi aware. I LOVE effects. :) The Axe Edit software is like having the ability to build a pedal board or rack in real-time. Truly, this software is as amazing as the Axe itself, and I'm not sure I would keep the Axe without it. It just simplified everything, and is a real joy to use.
 
I picked up the XL unit just to help future-proof my purchase a bit. There was already a firmware upgrade available and I applied it with no problem. The unit looks very professional and polished, but other than plugging things in I haven't used it much at all - I use the Axe Edit software for everything.
 
The sounds that come from this thing are stunning - absolutely stunning. The most realistic modelling I have ever heard (or thought I might hear). There are so many tones in this, it is mind blowing. Not only are there something like 150+ modeled amps (and at least as many cabs), you can tweak them as though you were an amp tech. You can adjust paramters (if you want to) that you could only do in real life by cracking up the chassis and changing out caps, resisters, etc. You can move tone stacks around and tweak EQ curves - you can basically build your own amps if you want to. You then have a crazy number of cabs, and about a dozen mics to choose from. There are also a dizzying array of effects to choose from, and again, beyond the basic controls for these effects you can "get inside them" and tweak like you were changing the hardware. Wow.
 
The routing functionality is also a work of art. You literally create virtual wiring and can create incredibly complex effects configurations if you want to (and I want to). You can run two amps and two cabs per preset, and each amp and each effect slot has an X and a Y configuration for each switching with the floorboard if you have it. 
 
I played for hours with it this weekend, and it is a keeper for me. To be able to get that recorded amp sound, without warming up tubes or cracking things to 11 is a huge workflow improvement for me. I am software guy and a gear nut, so I find this pretty intuitive (as much as it can be) but some might find it a challenge. I've played with a few custom configurations, but mostly just clicking through presets and adjusting parameters. It's amazing how you just magically hear sounds from albums you know as you do this.
 
It's a very pricey unit and the honeymoon period could wear out, and I'll be honest about that if it does. However, the Axe FX II XL feels like the holy grail I've searched for for many years. I personally thank Danny for turning me on to this - it's rekindled a fire for playing that I haven't had in awhile. And if you play, you know how cool it is to find a piece of gear that actually inspires you to play.
 
I'll try and post more as I get more time with it...

Although it is pricey...go price a sax, upright bass, great keyboard, etc.  As guitar players, we got spoiled with Mexi Strats and half decent Korean values.  I'll stop at the Chinese junk.
For the price a a good Les Paul or two and/or a pair of Am Strats, you're in the same ballpark.
I LOVE reading good news reports.  I'm gonna have to figure out a way to thin the herd and apply it towards one of these.  My Boss GT-100, although nice...is just nice.  Same with the HD500.  Infact my J-station has a preset I almost prefer best.
The AxeFX is appearing to be the preference over the Kemper, from what I"ve read.

Grem...I've still got my 1st generation POD.  Why ditch it for $35 when it can collect dust instead?  I did sell my 1st gen ProCo Rat for $300+ this spring though ;-(     naw....  ;-)  !!

So my wife was OK with me ordering the Axe FX II XL when I had half the funds. I'm just about done raising the other half and when I have half the foot pedal I'll order that next. :)
 
This caused a big shed of gear, and I'm OK with that (I'm sort of enjoying the simplification):
 
I sold:

• 1979 Marshall JMP Head
• Bass Pod Pro XT
• Waves CLA Signature Native
• Mojo vibe
• Pitchfactor
• Boss SE70 and EQ (used to create shimmer effects)

 I am selling:

• Mid 80's Roland JC120 with cover
• Waves HLS
• Waves REDD
• Waves Vitamin
• Boss RC-50 Loopstation
• Skreddy Pink Flesh
• Fender 1979 Strat

It's all about keeping the gear fund rolling! 
 

clintmartin
Here's a great budget solution...I sold my HD500 and DT50 and bought a Zoom G5, Zoom MS-70CDR, Two Alto TS112A's and finally a Logidy Epsi with Ownhammer Studio Mix (Modern) IRs.  I paid $922 total and I couldn't be happier with the tones. I was really wanting a Axefx or Kemper, but just didn't want to invest that much cash at the moment.

The G5 is the BOMB....that thing has some awesome sounds....

James,
That's a great review!  Why not post us some sound files?

I bought the original Axe-fx when it came out. The idea was to not buy anything else and all these years later I haven't bought any extra pedals. I bought the old Yamaha MFC10 midi foot controller to operate it in a simplistic fashion.

The Axe-fx is the best I've used. The ultra, II and II XL are a massive step up. Most of the old criticism was by people who never played it and were never going to pay the high price for it anyway. Tedious.

Try it, buy it, like it or not.

Does the bedroom player need it and is it X amount better than the ones aimed at the hobbyist? Well, you can still get great sounds out of any of them but this is a step up. I'd be happy to use a cheaper one (I have done) but I'm glad I have it.

Although it shouldn't matter if johnny famous player uses it, there was definitely a shift when x,y and z started using it, mainly for the effects, which are fantastic.

I'd buy the new version in a heartbeat if anyone could lend me a few grand.

I use the OH stuff and Redwirez.

strikinglyhandsome1
The Axe-fx is the best I've used. The ultra, II and II XL are a massive step up. Most of the old criticism was by people who never played it and were never going to pay the high price for it anyway. Tedious.

Agree 100%. There are still critics who have never played an Axe-FX and plenty of people who will suggest that solution X or Y is just as good at a fraction of the cost.  While you can get decent results with other tools, the Axe-FX II is really ahead of the class.  Haven't tried the Kemper, but I've heard very good things about that as well.
 
Gotta love the Axe-FX II with the latest Ownhammer offerings. Great amp tones through great IRs.
 
Great first review from the OP! Hope the honeymoon phase lasts as long for you as it has for me.