Axe_FX II Rigs, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Digital Modelling.

AndyJP

I'm still on 15.6. Proper old school vintage tones.

Handsome_Chris

AndyJP said:

I'm still on 15.6. Proper old school vintage tones.

@AndyJP, that's why I use an AF2 Mk1.  The modelling is more vintage: You don't get that with the Mk2 and don't even think about an XL.

AndyJP

Handsome_Chris said:

AndyJP said:

I'm still on 15.6. Proper old school vintage tones.

@AndyJP, that's why I use an AF2 Mk1.  The modelling is more vintage: You don't get that with the Mk2 and don't even think about an XL.

These chumps eh? I heard they used a lot of NOS components in the Mk 1.

 I'm thinking of going back to FW1. This modern shite just ain't the same.

AndyJP

Recorded a new track. It's more of a low gain affair tho, it sounded shite with the Diezel.

What do you guys think of the tones? I recorded with delay which I'm now regretting. Considering reamping it... 

guitarfishbay

Sounds fine to me Andy, some catchy licks in there too.

Some more info on the coming FW - from this thread http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-wish-list/92953-level-matching-algorithm.html

" The upcoming firmware has ITU-R loudness meters in the Utility menu that can be used to help set patch volumes. For convenience the Amp block level control is in that page so you can adjust the preset volume without leaving the page."

AndyJP

Cheers, thanks for the compliment. 

 I've been using the Blues Junior model which doesn't seem to get much press. Bloody love it. 

Gonna upgrade to the latest firmware this week. Especially after hearing the new reverbs detailed in this vid. I might try them as send effects in Reaper.

 

That new volume setting will be useful when it's out. Thanks for the heads up.

guitarfishbay

(Cliff posted this, link not yet available) Here are the release notes to whet your Pavlovian appetites:

************************************************** *****************************

17.00

Added preamp simulation to Cabinet block. The simulations recreate the sound of overdriven channel strips, preamps, tapes, etc. The Drive parameter controls the gain of the simulation. The Sat parameter controls the ratio of even/odd harmonics. The Preamp Mode parameter (on Page 2) allows selecting between Economy and High Quality modes. In High Quality mode oversampling is employed to prevent aliasing but this results in higher CPU usage.

Added “3 Band Console” types to Graphic EQ and Amp blocks.

Added “Fast RMS” detector type to Multiband Compressor.

Added “SDD Preamp”, “FET Preamp” and “Ruckus” types to Drive block.

Changed Cabinet Type parameter behavior so that the value wraps around at limits.

The Flanger block has been completely rewritten. The new algorithms now model the behavior of classic bucket-brigade device (BBD) units (except they are true stereo). Any existing presets will need to be auditioned and possibly edited. The Depth parameter works somewhat differently now and sets the maximum delay time (up to 20 ms). When Auto Depth is not off the maximum delay is reduced as the rate is increased. There are now three Auto Depth values: Low, Medium and High. Turning Auto Depth to Off allows complete control over the delay time. The minimum time is set by the Delay parameter and the maximum time is set by the Depth. Several new Flanger types have been added which demonstrate the new algorithms.

The Chorus block has a new algorithm based on the BBD algorithm developed for the Flanger block. All the “Analog” chorus types now use this algorithm. Several new types have been added which demonstrate the new algorithms.

The EQ page of the Amp block now supports changing the EQ Type using the Up/Down Nav buttons. The type of EQ will be briefly displayed after it has been changed. The type is also briefly displayed when first switching to that page.

Added “DYN EQ” GUI page to Amp block. This page now holds the Dynamic Depth, Dynamic Presence, Character Amount (Char Amt, previously named “Character”)
and Character Freq parameters as well as two new parameters: Character Type and Character Q. Character Type selects between a shelving behavior or a peaking behavior. The previous behavior was always shelving. Character Q controls the bandwidth of the response when the peaking behavior is chosen. The Character parameters now control a powerful dynamic equalizer that can be used to achieve tones and feel impossible with a real amplifier. Negative values of the Character Amount along with a peaking behavior result in midrange scoop where the scoop increases as you play harder. Positive values result in a midrange boost as you play harder. Experiment with the frequency, Q and amount to achieve interesting dynamic response.

Added VU meters to Utility menu. The meters show the relative loudness of the channels. These readouts can be used to help set preset levels to the same apparent volume. For convenience the level of the Amp blocks can be set from this page. Also, the value of the Output Level knobs is displayed in this page for reference (note that this is only for reference and does not affect the VU meters as the measurement is prior to the Output Level potentiometers).

Added “1959SLP Jump” amp model.

Added “FAS Modern III” amp model. Similar to a Recto but with tighter bass and a cathode-biased power amp.

Added shortcut to Ref Solo in first page of Tone Match block. Pressing the Down button will toggle the Ref Solo value allowing one to switch between the reference sound and the local (user) sound with the press of a button.

The level of the USB input signal when NOT routed to the input (when Main Input Source is NOT set to USB) has been reduced by 6 dB to prevent clipping when playing along with tracks that have been mastered at very high levels (near 0 dBFS).

Improved Amp block power supply modeling by accounting for DC sag due to quiescent bias currents.

Changed name of “ODS-100 Lead” and “ODS-100 Lead Mid” to “ODS-100 HRM” and “ODS-100 HRM Mid” respectively to indicate that they are based on the “HRM” version of the ODS circuit. The names of the “ODS-100 Lead 2” and “ODS-100 Lead 3” models have been changed to “ODS-100 Ford 1” and “ODS-100 Ford 2” respectively to indicate that they are based on the “non-HRM” version of the ODS circuit.

Fixed minor math error in Amp block transformer matching calculations.

Fixed wrong CF Comp value in Solo 100 amp models.

All the ODS-100 models have been redone and re-MIMIC’d based on errors found in the models (wrong negative feedback values).

Added “ODS-100 Ford MD” model which is the same as ODS-100 Ford 1 but with the Mid switch engaged.

Added “Rumble HRM” tone stack type which is based on a plate-driven Plexi-style tone stack found in a Dumble “Hot Rubber Monkey” amplifier.

An exact solution has been implemented for the power amp feedback network in the “USA” amp models. As such all these amp models have been redone accordingly with the exception of the “USA Pre” amp models which use a more conventional power amp model. Any presets using these amp models should be reset either by deselecting then reselecting the amp model or by using the “Update Amps Default” in the Utility->Preset menu. Note: due to the unique topology of the feedback network in these amps the Depth control is non-functional.

A “Presence Shift” switch has been added to “USA” amp models. This switch is found under the Presence control and replicates the behavior when the Presence knob is pulled out on these amps. Note that the behavior of this switch is authentic and may result in volume reduction when active since the negative feedback is increased which lowers the loop gain.

Replaced the two 4x12 “Kalthallen” cabs with two UltraRes samples from Cab Pack 7.

Fixed several wrong values in Fox ODS amp models.

Fixed wrong value on input plate network in PVH 6160 II model.

AndyJP

Looks like a big one eh? Personally looking forward to the preamp sims.

guitarfishbay

Yeah a lot of new things.

DYN EQ page is a good idea.  I think the advanced page was getting quite long.

Seems they're updating effects recently which bodes well for people looking at the FX8.  Apparently the ruckus is based on a Suhr Riot, might be fun to toy around with.

guitarfishbay

Well, it is out now.

Anyone tried it yet?  I'm going to stick with 16 for a little while longer I think, not in a rush with it though it does look cool.

Clarky

I'm still on 15 and have to remain there...

aaahhhhhh this is doing my fkn head in... lmao

guitarfishbay

Yeah I bet your tones smell funny now they're so old.   )

Cacofonix

Difficult to justify that kind of money for a reverb unit:-

AndyJP

@cacafonix yeah they've recently upgraded the reverb algorithms. Also added some new ones. They used to sound alright, nowt special tho. Now sounding much better. Yeah a lot of cash to splash just for some reverb

I put fw 17 on last night. Had a quick play. First impressions were really good.

Had a play with switching preamps in the cab block. The various tape settings sounded decent. Their is switch for low/high quality, with high using more processing power.

I had to upgrade Axe edit to the latest as version 3.0 didn't work.

guitarfishbay

So are you finding any differences in amps when not using the preamp sims or are they largely the same (except for those specifically worked on eg USA models)?

AndyJP

@guitarfishbay I was using a new partscaster tele I've just bought so difficult to tell. Soz, that was zero help.

Will try it with other guitars over the weekend tho.

guitarfishbay

No worries.

Let me know how you get on!

I'm just keeping things the same until I have a decent amount of time to play around with the new gear, I've got too much other stuff to focus on right now and I'm already liking the results I'm getting.

guitarfishbay

17.02 includes some more amps

17.02
Low Cut and High Cut have been extended to the Quad-Tap and Quad Tape types in the Multidelay block. These parameters control highpass and lowpass filters which filter the feedback from all the delay lines in contrast to the individual bandpass filters on each delay line. This allows quick and easy creation of bandlimited delays.

Added Drive parameter to Quad-Tap and Quad Tape types in Multidelay block.

The behavior of the Feedback parameters in the Quad-Tap and Quad Tape types in the Multidelay block has been improved. The feedback is no longer constrained to sum to 100%. Instead the total feedback is calculated and then normalized to 100% if the total exceeds 100%. This allows easier control of the feedback values.

Fixed VU Meter in Cab block not working when two instances of the Cab block are present.

Fixed excessive CPU use if modifier connected to certain parameters in Chorus and Flanger blocks.

Fixed Edited LED not lighting if Amp block Level changed from Utility menu’s VU page.

Fixed wrong Hi Cut (Brilliance) pot value in Hot Kitty amp model.

Fixed wrong Low Cut frequency in Fox ODS II model. The two Fox models have been renamed “Fox ODS” and “Fox ODS Deep” respectively with the latter indicating that the Deep switch is activated. It should be noted that both models are modeled with the Preamp Bypass (PAB) active.

Fixed FAS Brootalz model using wrong feedback network.

Fixed using Air controls in Cab block along with Preamp models causes phase issues.

Fixed USB audio output level fluctuating during preset changes.

Fixed remote IR capture (Cab-Lab) brings up wrong page in Utility menu.

Added “Mr Z Hwy 66” amp model.

Added “Super 6G4” amp model.

Added “Concert 6G12” amp model.

Clarky

200 amps in the Axe now...

try sticking all them in the back of ya Fiesta.. lmao

Clarky

ahh.. yeah... and I'm still on fw15.. not for much longer though... yayyyy...!!!