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

guitarfishbay

The tables have turned! Damn Christmas getting in the way of my Axe FX firmware upgrades!

MatthewShreddery

Can't wait to get my AxeFX2XL!!!

Handsome_Chris

@MatthewShreddery, I bet you're wet with anticipation?

MatthewShreddery

@Handsome_Chris - indeed I am. Also apprehensive as it was a blind purchase having never played one before or heard one in real life.

Got the full rig coming - matrix power amp, mfc board and the 212 cab...

Handsome_Chris

Oh mate. You are in for a treat. Those Matrix amps are great too. I love mine. Which 212 are you getting, you can't go wrong with either.

MatthewShreddery

Good stuff!

I've ordered the Matrix FR212.

paulmapp8306

You "should" love it.  Just remember though, that going FRFVR wont be quite like a real amp/cab.  It can take a little more work as you have the cab block to play with (which you dont use into a real/traditional cab) - and even then its more like you hear from a recording, or from the PA on a large stage, rather than what you hear/feel standing in fron tof an amp.

Some like it, some dont initially but get used to it, some never get used to it.  Personally I cant so use a real 2x12 95% of the time - only going FRFR when recording or silent playing.  

Matrix are a top company though - so if you didnt get on with the FRFR thing Im sure they would either swop it for their traditional non FR cab - or refund so you can get one of your choice.

Out of interest - where are you located, and when are your toys due to arrive.

MatthewShreddery

Thanks for that.

I live in Hampshire. They should arrive in January.

If you live nearby and want a go on the rig give me a shout on here.

Handsome_Chris

Ha ha, @Clarky. 17.04 beta. I am back in the Fw arms race. :P

Release notes:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

17.04

This version adds a new method of capturing User IRs: “Mic + DI” method. The

method used to capture IRs is set in the Global menu. Mic Only is the

traditional method and uses a single input into Input 2 Left as the response

from which the IR is derived. Mic + DI uses both Input 2 Left and Input 2

Right. The mic response (i.e. preamp output) is input into Input 2 Left as

usual while the output of a DI box (or DI output on an amp) is input into Input

2 Right. Both responses are captured and the response from the Right input is

used to correct the response from the Left input. This accomplishes the same

thing as using Reference Compensation in Cab-Lab but is done at capture time

rather than during post-processing.

The advantage to the Mic + DI technique is that it allows almost any amp to be

used. A flat, solid-state amplifier is not required. Any amp, whether solidstate

or tube, with or without integrated preamp can be used. For example a

tube guitar head can be used as the “power amp”. You can even plug right into

the front of the head (as opposed to using the power amp input or effects

return), even if the head is set to heavy distortion. The unique capture

technique of the Axe-Fx removes any distortion from the measurement and

completely separates the amp response from the speaker response yielding a pure

and accurate IR.

To use the Mic/Line + DI method do the following:

1. Connect the line output of your mic preamp to Input 2 Left.

2. Connect a DI box between the amplifier output and speaker input. Be sure

to use a DI box that is specifically designed to work with speaker level

signals and one that does not have any on-board cabinet emulation.

3. Connect the output of the DI box to Input 2 Right.

4. Connect Output 2 Left of the Axe-Fx to the input of the amp.

5. Set the IR Capture Method in the Global menu to Mic + DI.

6. Set the Input 2 Mode in the I/O->Audio menu to Stereo.

7. Capture the IR as usual either using the front panel or Cab-Lab.

Suitable DI boxes include:

Suhr ISO Line Out Box

Pro Co DB1

Whirlwind Director

Whirlwind Direct2

ART ZDirect

Behringer Ultra-DI DI100

Behringer Ultra-G GI100 (with cab emulator off)

Behringer Ultra-DI DI600P

Clarky

haa… there's nothing in there for me…

cos I use big speakers in big boxes… not that fem range / fem response stuff

Handsome_Chris

It's the just like the MFC update all over again.

Clarky

time to spit out the dummy gain then?? lmao

Handsome_Chris

I've heard of a dummy load, but not dummy gain. Is that the measurement of how annoyed something makes you?

Eg "Furious?! I was 12dB annoyment of dummy gain! :x "

Clarky

I thought the degree of annoyance / frustration was directly proportional to the distance the dummy was spat..

as in... when the new MFC feature turned out to be only for the mkIII I got a parcel from Peru a few weeks later with a note saying

dear Clarky, here's your dummy back amigo.. all the best, Alfie Gomez

Handsome_Chris

And it's out.  Fw 17.04.

Improved power amp modeling. This results in better touch sensitivity, more explosive dynamics and improved low note clarity when the virtual power amp is driven hard. 

Improved power amp cathode squish accuracy by accounting for dependency on bias point. 

guitarfishbay

Have you tried it yet?

guitarfishbay

Seems to be a couple of comments regarding better low end.

I guess I have nothing to lose, I've changed my pickups anyway and we haven't rehearsed since I did that.  I was going to need to re-dial in anyway.  Will at least leave it a short while just in case there are bugs.  17.03 has been stable for me.

guitarfishbay

From Cliff:

"It's not a huge change but everything is a little punchier and bolder."

bingefeller

Speaking of Axe FX does PaulMapp post here?

guitarfishbay

bingefeller said:

Speaking of Axe FX does PaulMapp post here?

He has an account here, I'll @ tag him for you.

@paulmapp8306