live performance with modern modellers... Helix, Axe FX, Kemper...

John_A

Sporky said:

I think Roland has the AxeFX, Si has the AX8, John_A is dithering over buying a Helix and the rest of us have a Helix.

The main reason I'm dithering Is the other guitarist in the band is most likely going to stick with a traditional valve amp set-up, my last experience with modellers (Line 6 Flextone III) was that it sounded great on its own but just wouldn't cut through with a second guitarist.  We do sometimes encroach on each others sonic space anyway. 

Current;y we don't mic up, just use our backline, the PA has enough spare to allow us to mic or go direct, but that would certainly mean a change in mindset to reduce stage (floor)  volume

Amnd the other reason is I'm a ditherer

Catthan

I got a kemper and I quite like it and switching is quite fast using the kemper remote unit.

johnonguitar

John_A said:

Sporky said:

I think Roland has the AxeFX, Si has the AX8, John_A is dithering over buying a Helix and the rest of us have a Helix.

The main reason I'm dithering Is the other guitarist in the band is most likely going to stick with a traditional valve amp set-up, my last experience with modellers (Line 6 Flextone III) was that it sounded great on its own but just wouldn't cut through with a second guitarist.  We do sometimes encroach on each others sonic space anyway. 

Current;y we don't mic up, just use our backline, the PA has enough spare to allow us to mic or go direct, but that would certainly mean a change in mindset to reduce stage (floor)  volume

Amnd the other reason is I'm a ditherer

Id never go direct if the other guitarist had an amp. Just not fair!

monquixote

I'm using an Amplifire for live. 

If you don't need loads of bells and whistles the core sounds are brilliant.

johnonguitar

But id still get a helix if i were you and run it through your amp in 4cm

bloodandtears

monquixote said:

I'm using an Amplifire for live. 

If you don't need loads of bells and whistles the core sounds are brilliant.

I'd like something with built in tuner, controllable wah ideally to avoid extra pedals...

monquixote

It has a tuner which is alright. 

It can do wah with an expression pedal, but I have a wah already so I use that.

Roland

Sporky said:

I think Roland has the AxeFX, Si has the AX8, John_A is dithering over buying a Helix and the rest of us have a Helix.

At the time I had replace my GT-8 the AxeFX was the only contender. If I were making that decision now then it would need more thought, because there's Helix, Ax8, or secondhand AxeFX to consider. Ultimately I'd end up with an AxeFX for the reasons given above:

- Price is not a differentiator.

- I'm happy to invest time learning how to use it.

- I value the flexibility.

Your criteria might be different.

Eventually the Market sales battle will be between Helix and Ax8. Helix should be the winner in that battle because it has a larger marketing budget and will get the sales volume. However it would only take a management decision to cancel further development on grounds of profitability or strategic direction and the battle would be wide open.

Sporky

My brief experience with the AxeFX certainly left me wanting to find the money for one - but I am very happy with the Helix. I think they're probably all good options.

bloodandtears

is there much between the various fractal offerings??

Roland

bloodandtears said:

is there much between the various fractal offerings??

Fx8 is effects only.

Ax8 is effects plus one amp simulation.

AxeFX Standard and Ultra have many more effects, with a lot of controllability, and can run two amp simulations at the same time. Software development is now frozen.

AxeFX II has continued software development, which means ever better amp modelling. There have also been some improvements in effects, particularly reverb.

The latest AxeFX has a few hardware changes. An optical rotary selector replaces the old mechanical one, which means it shouldn't wear out in the next 20 years. It can also store more patches and speaker IRs, but since I'm nowhere near exhausting the 384 slots on the II this is irrelevant.

Si_

Looks like us poor Ax8 users are outnumbered 10:1

Sporky

I think a fair bit of that is that you can go to any major guitar shop now and buy one.

I had a look at the AxeFX stuff and it gave the impression that you had to know the secret handshake to be allowed to apply to buy one! A UK dealer - even just one - would surely help.

Si_

Agreed there.. I was lucky any got my Ax8 for a great 2nd hand price. But like you said 99.9% of buyers an't get their hands on one locally. 

Wazmeister

Fractal stuff now shipping much much quicker from G66 (Germany) - superb service by the way