Axe Fx vs. 3 Channel Recto - Video

[pokerrules47]

I've seen the samhill band play live many times. I live about an hour away from his hometown and he brings his various rigs down to the rockbar in my town from time to time. I've seen him use all kinds of different amps, and most recently his Axe-FX Ultra rig. I've seen him with mesa, CAE / Suhr, and egnater. So he's not some guy that picked up an axe-fx and learned a couple neat tricks with it. He's the most serious tone freak/gear head I've ever met.

When I heard his axe FX / Atomic Reactor Wedge setup, and the only thing I could say is... HOLY **** BATMAN. Please excuse my language. His sound was simply the largest sound I've ever heard in a bar... no exceptions. They did No More Tears, and the sound just filled the venue without being obnoxious! No guitar player in there would have disagreed that his sound was great.

I found myself on the verge of gas for the axe, but at the same time, I know that he spends a lot of time tweaking.

Here's a video he posted from the last show I was at. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN8cPTilNLQ

It does NOT give you the real picture of what that unit sounded like. He was using the wedges for stage volume and pumping the axe to the foh. I think the video is catching mostly the stage sound. The foh sound was heart pounding.

I'd also be inclined to believe that many guitar players (even tone snobs) would have thought it was a tube amp of some kind. I am not saying that it exactly reproduced the sound of a tube amp. I am saying that it was arguably better than many tube amp rigs I have heard, including my roadster. And since most tone snobs (including myself) believe that good sound has to come from a tube amp, ... well you get the idea. We always say that digital stuff is missing that "tube dynamics" or it "just doesn't have the feel". I am personally stumped on this one guys.

That being said, it will be a long time before I decide to go the modelling route for live shows. I have been noticing a lot of talented guys going the modelling route, because they believe it's more reliable, predictable and flexible.

 

[screamingdaisy]

One miked and one direct. How about Axe FX into the effects return of the MESA? No cab simulation required, and a better preamp comparison. The best way to do any comparison is to eliminate as many variables as possible.

I believe the best comparison is as they will actually be used.

If someone is intending on using an Axe FX direct instead of a mic'd tube amp, then comparing the Axe FX's sound through a power amp/cab is not a good comparison.

 

[Anonymous]

One miked and one direct. How about Axe FX into the effects return of the MESA? No cab simulation required, and a better preamp comparison. The best way to do any comparison is to eliminate as many variables as possible.

I believe the best comparison is as they will actually be used.

If someone is intending on using an Axe FX direct instead of a mic'd tube amp, then comparing the Axe FX's sound through a power amp/cab is not a good comparison.

Agreed!

 

[JOEY B.]

One miked and one direct. How about Axe FX into the effects return of the MESA? No cab simulation required, and a better preamp comparison. The best way to do any comparison is to eliminate as many variables as possible.

I believe the best comparison is as they will actually be used.

If someone is intending on using an Axe FX direct instead of a mic'd tube amp, then comparing the Axe FX's sound through a power amp/cab is not a good comparison.

Well, then use the slave out on the Rectifier, direct into a cab simulator. For comparison, if you intend to run direct signal. Apples to apples, you know.

 

[screamingdaisy]

One miked and one direct. How about Axe FX into the effects return of the MESA? No cab simulation required, and a better preamp comparison. The best way to do any comparison is to eliminate as many variables as possible.

I believe the best comparison is as they will actually be used.

If someone is intending on using an Axe FX direct instead of a mic'd tube amp, then comparing the Axe FX's sound through a power amp/cab is not a good comparison.

Well, then use the slave out on the Rectifier, direct into a cab simulator. For comparison, if you intend to run direct signal. Apples to apples, you know.

Kind of defeats the purpose of doing the test in the first place.

 

[b0nkersx]

One miked and one direct. How about Axe FX into the effects return of the MESA? No cab simulation required, and a better preamp comparison. The best way to do any comparison is to eliminate as many variables as possible.

I believe the best comparison is as they will actually be used.

If someone is intending on using an Axe FX direct instead of a mic'd tube amp, then comparing the Axe FX's sound through a power amp/cab is not a good comparison.

Well, then use the slave out on the Rectifier, direct into a cab simulator. For comparison, if you intend to run direct signal. Apples to apples, you know.

I don't think the video author gives a **** about a fair comparison. He just wants to hear his tones side by side as he uses them, which is the way it should be IMO.

It's not a contest. There is no winner.

 

[fluff191]

I don't think the video author gives a f%&# about a fair comparison. He just wants to hear his tones side by side as he uses them, which is the way it should be IMO.

It's not a contest. There is no winner.

+1 8)