AxeTrak vs. mic'd Roadster clips

[fredster]

Hey gang,

Got got an AxeTrak the other day - here's a quick review.

If you don't know, the AxeTrak is a small box that has a speaker and a built in mic that you use in place of a speaker cab for direct recording.

First of all, I have to say I was impressed with the packaging and build quality. This is a sturdy little box, and seems to be quality stuff. I didn't get the impression I was getting something built in some one's garage, everything was very professional. And the box was much smaller than I expected.

So there's not a whole lot to this - here's how it went. First I recorded a clip with the Roadster mic'd.

Amp settings like so:

Signal chain like thus:
Les Paul Studio VM -> Roadster -> Roadster 2x12 -> SM57(on-axis, off center) -> Digi002R.

No eq on the guitars.
Mic'd clippy.

For the Axetrak, the signal chain was:
Les Paul Studio VM -> Roadster -> AxeTrak (high freq roll of was engaged to simulate off center micing) -> Digi002R.

No eq on the guitars here either.
AxeTrak clippy

As you can hear, it's very different from a live mic. A bit boxy, a little boomy. I don't know if the Axetrak sounds more like a 4x12 than a 2x12. Maybe someone with a 4x12 can chime in on that.

Here it is eq'd a little to clean it up.
AxeTrak EQ'd

It's not bad, but it is very different than what I'm looking for. It you didn't have a preconception of what it "should" sound like it could be pretty good. I also tried it with my Valve Jr. head, and it sounded very good because I don't have a reference for what that amp should sound like. Listen to the eq'd version a couple of times and it starts to sound pretty good. And it was very, very quiet. If I were gigging this would be an unbeatable way to get to the board.

Bottom line - the box works like it's supposed to. It a matter of personal taste if you like the results and think it's worth the $400. Personally, I think I'm going to try something different.

 

[JamesD]

Thanks for the clips and review. I don't like it, i think it is way too boxy sounding.

 

[disassembled]

If you're honestly looking for a good sounding way to record quietly why not invest in a Palmer pd03? Pros have been using them live and in the studio for years. For what you paid for the Axetrak you should be able to justify buying the palmer.

 

[fredster]

If you're honestly looking for a good sounding way to record quietly why not invest in a Palmer pd03? Pros have been using them live and in the studio for years. For what you paid for the Axetrak you should be able to justify buying the palmer.

I had a Palmer PGA 04, I wasn't too thrilled with that either. I read the PGA04 sounds like the PDI 03, so I haven't tried one. I do have Guitar Rig if I want to go simulated. I've also looked at the Seqis Motherload but I've only heard the clips on the web site. Those are much more expensive!

I think I may just build a soundproof box and stick a 1x12 in it. Similar to the Roland iso box, but a little bit bigger.

 

[Mr_You]

Mind doing a recording from the slave out just for comparison?

I also wonder how the H&K RedBox Pro sounds.

Thanks for the clips the combo sounds nice.

 

[scolli]

Fredster,

I Liked the Mic'd clippy the best! Man, I Always love to hear your clips. Are you now using a Roadster 2x12 rather than the Recto 2x12? I'm currently running my roadster head through a Recto 4x12 std...can't say i'm totally satisfied though.

 

[disassembled]

If you're honestly looking for a good sounding way to record quietly why not invest in a Palmer pd03? Pros have been using them live and in the studio for years. For what you paid for the Axetrak you should be able to justify buying the palmer.

I had a Palmer PGA 04, I wasn't too thrilled with that either. I read the PGA04 sounds like the PDI 03, so I haven't tried one. I do have Guitar Rig if I want to go simulated. I've also looked at the Seqis Motherload but I've only heard the clips on the web site. Those are much more expensive!

I think I may just build a soundproof box and stick a 1x12 in it. Similar to the Roland iso box, but a little bit bigger.

I've read the exact opposite about the PDI 03 in that it was the better of the two. I think you're digging a hole that is getting deeper and deeper by thinking there's a good way to avoid using a cranked amp in an open room.

If you have the fab skills go for it. I always admire anyone that can produce something with great results. Maybe instead of going off of what you've heard from random users you should call a studio and ask what they do. If they're a reputable place there shouldn't be any problem with it.

Good luck.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Well, with the Axetrak, it seemed to remove some of the fizz that was in the miced clip, but yes, it sounds very very boxy....don't like it too much either.

 

[JamesD]

Yeah i agree, it did take some fizz out and it sounded clear. It just has that box sound that takes the feeling away to me.

 

[hal9000]

I liked the miced clip, but I didn't really care too much for the AxeTrak.

I just posted a thread about silent recording with my F-100 that may be of interest to you. If you have a moment, check out it out: http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=6527

 

[fredster]

Mind doing a recording from the slave out just for comparison?

Do you mean the slave out not processed or run through Guitar Rig or something? The plain slave out would be evil. Here's a Dual Rec through Guitar Rig. Same basic clip (it's my test riff)

 

[fredster]

Fredster,

I Liked the Mic'd clippy the best! Man, I Always love to hear your clips. Are you now using a Roadster 2x12 rather than the Recto 2x12? I'm currently running my roadster head through a Recto 4x12 std...can't say i'm totally satisfied though.

Thanks man! Yep, I wasn't 100% happy with the Recto 2x12 so I tried out the Roadster 2x12. It's awesome! Just like everyone says, it's just a little bit smaller in every dimension and just a little bit lighter on the bass. It's exactly the same size as the builtin cab of the Roadster combo, so I would imagine the exact same sound. This was a major improvement!

 

[JamesD]

I think the clip using guitar rig sounds 10x better than the AxeTrak but that is just me.

 

[fredster]

I've read the exact opposite about the PDI 03 in that it was the better of the two. I think you're digging a hole that is getting deeper and deeper by thinking there's a good way to avoid using a cranked amp in an open room.

I'm already in a hole... :lol: I think there are some decent sounds to be had via speaker sims - I do think a real speaker sounds best though. Towards that end, I think I will try to build a speaker iso box. And I did talk to Fletcher at Mercenary, he suggested the Palmer PGA 04.

 

[fredster]

I think the clip using guitar rig sounds 10x better than the AxeTrak but that is just me.

I think so to - the AxeTrak went back today. Jeff was very gracious on the phone, and was happy to RMA the unit. I still think it's a well built product from a great company. And like I said - I'd use it for gigging in a second.

 

[fredster]

Well, with the Axetrak, it seemed to remove some of the fizz that was in the miced clip, but yes, it sounds very very boxy....don't like it too much either.

I definately agree. I will post the result of my iso box once I get it built...

 

[Mr_You]

Along with the Palmer, I hear often the Digital Music CabTone and Hughes & Kettner RedBox Pro mentioned as prefered direct boxes. Couldn't find any clips here. I'm curious how they sound.

 

[fredster]

I looked high and low for a CabTone clip too. CabTone only exists in a VoodooLab preamp these days, there's a clip on their site.

 

[scolli]

Fredster,

I Liked the Mic'd clippy the best! Man, I Always love to hear your clips. Are you now using a Roadster 2x12 rather than the Recto 2x12? I'm currently running my roadster head through a Recto 4x12 std...can't say i'm totally satisfied though.

Thanks man! Yep, I wasn't 100% happy with the Recto 2x12 so I tried out the Roadster 2x12. It's awesome! Just like everyone says, it's just a little bit smaller in every dimension and just a little bit lighter on the bass. It's exactly the same size as the builtin cab of the Roadster combo, so I would imagine the exact same sound. This was a major improvement!

Yeah, I think I would like a cab with less bass. I've gone from a recto 2x12 to a 4x12 Recto Std; the mids/highs seem more pronounced with the 4x12, but still not quiet right. I was thinking about trying a Stilletto (recto traditional) 2x12 (or 4x12) or the Roadster 2x12 cab or even an Avatar cab. I've been trying to tighten up the bass on this thing without much luck :? . does anyone know the diffs between the Stilleto 2x12 and Roadster 2x12?

 

[MesaENGR412]

Hey Fredster!! I really dig that Dual Recto Track, but the best IMO is the mic'd clip. That sounded awesome! My guitarist still loves his Stilleto, great stuff my friend. It really completes the sound, but that's another story. Take care and keep the tunes comin' they're great!

-AJH