My AX8 vs Helix LT Journey

Jonathanthomas83

@Freebird as helpful as ever, thank you mate, that really helped me get something really nice sounding!!  Tomorrow, I'll try it with my Jimi tones!

peteri

@Jonathanthomas83 yes I did.

To be honest I use the trem only a tiny bit, but certainly found it pretty quick to set something that worked well, and in some ways better - there's a slight throb I like!

Happy to share settings, moved flat on Friday and still have about 80 boxes unopened (we've downsized which hasn't helped) - once I find the AX8, I'll let you know!

More than relieved that I got my guitars - you can imagine my language when I found the removal van, back open, unattended and about 20k of guitars handily propped up by the door.

All in the middle of Soho!

It was like a lucky dip invitation 

Freebird

Jonathanthomas83 said:

@Freebird as helpful as ever, thank you mate, that really helped me get something really nice sounding!!  Tomorrow, I'll try it with my Jimi tones!

You may also want to check out the Drive models guide from the same fella

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fractal-audio-drive-models-yeks-pdf-guide-august-2017.125250/

FarleyUK

First practice with one of my bands with my AX8 tomorrow - got a couple fo awesome patches all ready to go. Can’t wait to hear how it sounds in the mix!

Loving the JCM800 34 and the Friedman HBEv2.

Roland

Be ready to turn up the mid range if the it's not cutting through.

DavusPG

Roland said:

Be ready to turn up the mid range if the it's not cutting through.

Ditto...I've had limited experience playing with my band and the AX8, but that was the one minor frustration: The sound from the other guitarist's tube amp seemed to be so much more "muscular" for want of a better word. Not better by any means, just thicker in the mix. That was playing with IEMs though.

Never got to play cranked as the band's disintegrating, but I'm sure it's easily fixed with EQ.

Hope it goes well

FarleyUK

....well, that confirms it. The AX8 pretty much blew my Helix out the water last night in rehearsal!

Sounded so much more 'full' and the attack of the pick etc. translated so much better into the sound and dynamics. Very pleased with it! The JCM 800 #34 I had dialed in was a bit thin, but I switched it out with the HBE v2 I had on the X/Y switch and sounded immense.

Just one issue though - when I used tap tempo, there was a buzzing very audible in time with pressing the tap tempo button, and expression pedal 1 (a Moog EP-3) was very 'crackly' when I used it.

Anyone have any ideas what could cause these issues?

DavusPG

Glad it went well. 

That's the beauty of so many options in the box!

What route did you go for amplification?

Would be interested to know

guitarfishbay

No idea what caused your noise issues - have you emailed support?

RE: the dynamics yes that's my experience comparing Native to my Axe FX 2.  That's the biggest difference IMO, that and the the low end response of the higher gain amps.

FarleyUK

DavusPG said:

Glad it went well. 

That's the beauty of so many options in the box!

What route did you go for amplification?

Would be interested to know

With this band, we all connect to a JamHub thing. The Helix sounded pretty pants through it.

Am rehearsing with my other band tomorrow night, so will be going through 2 DXR10's behind me. Fingers crossed that sounds great as well!

FarleyUK

guitarfishbay said:

No idea what caused your noise issues - have you emailed support?

RE: the dynamics yes that's my experience comparing Native to my Axe FX 2.  That's the biggest difference IMO, that and the the low end response of the higher gain amps.

Think the noise from the expression pedal was a  crappy cable; just changed it and seems better now.

peteri

Found my headphones last night - so was able to try the Ax8 on headphone again.

Wow, definitely making me consider going FRFR instead of the front end of valve amp, although I'd be tempted by stereo which is mad.

Any recommendations for a small FRFR for home use?

And you're right, it's the most enjoyable headphone playing I've ever had, and that's the bottom end and dynamics, They just respond to the pick in a very natural way.

Tried the Recto models and liked them, SLO100 is great too (and more my taste, I'm basically an old school Marshall guy).

Also - Tiny Terror, gunned is great for the AC/DC type sound

Clarky

in the studio I play my Axe through a pair of studio monitors
live I use a Matrix GT1000FX power amp driving a pair of Marshall 4x12 cabs

peteri

Grief! I bet the 4x12 sounds immense!

Jonathanthomas83

@peteri ; I use a pair of Genelec 8020's which just sound superb.  I use 2x DXR10s when I want to hurt the neighbours (but really they go down really low volume too).

DavusPG

Clarky said:

in the studio I play my Axe through a pair of studio monitors
live I use a Matrix GT1000FX power amp driving a pair of Marshall 4x12 cabs

Presumably no feed to FOH from your AX8 then?

Depends on what venues you're playing I guess.

I'd written off using mine with my regular 2x12 cab but should give it a go. 

Freebird

Jonathanthomas83 said: 

@peteri ; I use a pair of Genelec 8020's which just sound superb.

Did you try the 8030's?

Jonathanthomas83

@Freebird ;Yeah, they were too big and massively loud for my room. The 8020s get really loud!

Freebird

Jonathanthomas83 said:

@Freebird ;Yeah, they were too big and massively loud for my room. The 8020s get really loud!

How's the low end on he 8020's? I play bass too 

Jonathanthomas83

Freebird said:

Jonathanthomas83 said:

@Freebird ;Yeah, they were too big and massively loud for my room. The 8020s get really loud!

How's the low end on he 8020's? I play bass too 

Seems good to me, but I’m guessing it’d be better on the 8030s. I played my bass through them the other day and they didn’t striggle at all. But must admit, bass and those frequencies aren’t my strong point being a beginner at recording/mixing etc, just working on guitar mostly.