Jackson,
Getting info from the net can be a good thing, but you really have to take the answers with a grain of salt, unless you really know that the person you are getting your info perceives tone exactly the same as you do.
With that said, I am on the list to try an Axe, I am skeptical a bit, but too many well qualified players are propping this unit for me to dismiss it.
Here is a clip of a post from an actual Axe user. Hopefully he doesn't mind me ripping it from another site.
This is from M. Gilbert of Severed Saviour, there is a link to a clip at the bottom, but I don't know if it is still good?
"The Axe-FX can definitely do it. It's "modeling" abilities are leaps and bounds above anything else you can buy, period. Also, the effects section is world class. Eventide's are known as the industry standard for top of the line effects processors. And the Axe-FX is as powerful, if not more so than Eventide units.
But we're talking about the preamp aspects here. So, let's get back to that.
The Axe-FX not only sounds like a real amp, but it also FEELS like a real amp. Which is where other modelers fail miserably. It also cuts through well in a band situation. Another area where most modelers fall short. There is a large variety of high quality amp models to choose from. Not only are there clean models, crunch/low gain, and high gain. But there are several of each. All have unique characteristics/tone and feel.
This unit is extremely programmable/tweakable. If you want it to be simple, it is. But if you want to get into some serious tweaking. You can do anything you want. In the amp sims alone, you can adjust things such as plate voltages, tonestack frequencies, tonestack location, transformer low frequencies/high frequencies, and the list goes on. Not only does it do amp simulation, but there is power amp simulation, drive pedal simulation, cabinet simulation, and mic simulation (many of each catagory you can choose from, or blend multiple different types).
For example, you can blend 2 different amp models, 2 different types of speaker cabinets, 2 different types of mics per cabinet sim, etc. You can pan any of them any way you want, even adding a controller which is pick attack activated that will pan across between 2 different amp/cab/mic combinations depending on how hard you hit the strings, or have it activated by a number of other factors. As you can see, this is getting ridiculous. But like I said, you can do anything you want with this box.
Bottom line is, this unit was designed by a fucking GENIUS who is a guitar player, that wanted to have a unit that tailors specifically to guitar players needs, whatever they may be. Also, he is constantly updating the software which is available for download. The updates include new features like amp models, effects parameters, fixes, etc. and he does these based on feedback from the community of Axe-FX owners. He has actually fixed a thing or two based on my feedback personally. So as you can tell, I'm extremely happy with the unit and the continued service I will receive for it.
I should also point out that the Axe-FX SHOULD cost about $3000.
But thankfully, this is a very small company that has no desire to sell out to big businesses. He makes very little money per unit, and spends zero on advertising. Which means the $1400 price tag of a standard unit is a steal.
Yeah, the waiting list sucks. I had to wait 6 months for mine. But it is worth it.
Anyways, having said all that. I still use my Engl e570 preamp and Engl 850/100 poweramp live, with the Axe-FX just for effects. If the Axe-FX had an Engl SE model (which is what my preamp is) I would consider switching to the Axe-FX as a preamp. But for now, I do prefer the Engl preamp just slightly more than the Axe-FX when playing live.
But the Axe-FX is more than capable of doing it all, and doing it extremely well. And the VHT 2/90/2 (which I previously owned) would be an excellent match for it. KT88 tubes are very sterile as far as power tubes go, and they reproduce faithfully what you put into them with little coloring.
I hope that all made sense. If you have any other questions about it, just let me know. In the meantime, I suggest you download the manual so you get a better feel for what the unit is capable of. Because I only discussed the tip of the iceberg.
Also, on my bands next cd we are currently recording, I only used the Axe-FX for all guitars. Recorded direct to pc, and the outcome is quite good.
Here is a sample....
http://www.zshare.net/audio/4539205ad52098/"
The good thing about Fractal is the 30 day policy....don't like it ..send it back.
