Help to choice: GT-10 and Roadster or Axe-fx and Stereo2

[Search Sound]

Hi, Guys, everything well?

I am in doubt and I would like to know if you may help me please.

I have a GT-10 and I use it with a power Stereo2: Fifty. Though, the sound is not very good, the GT-10 preamp is reasonable (especially the clean ones), but it is necessary tweak (a lot) the parameters, the equalizer and the tone modify effect to reach acceptable Mesa sounds, but, nevertheless, not close to the emblems Mark and rectifier.

Which the best choice, please:

a) to maintain the gt-10 (for effects) and to acquire a Roadster; or

b) to use Axe-fx (for preamps and effects) with the Stereo2: fifty or another power?

I almost forgot. I like delays very much, especially stereo, and also high gain sounds (Mark style) with great sustain.

Thank you very much for the attention!

Everything of good for you!

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[sbalderrama]

The AxeFX has outstanding Mark tones and effects that rival any other high end unit. I play My AxeFx in mono through the poweramp of my Boogie into boogie cabs, and it sound fantastic.

 

[sbalderrama]

The AxeFX has outstanding Mark tones and effects that rival any other high end unit. I play My AxeFx in mono through the poweramp of my Boogie into boogie cabs, and it sound fantastic. Im no expert on Recto tones, but I like the Recto and other high gain head emulations in the Axe.

 

[Silverwulf]

I can give you an opinion of the Axe-Fx Ultra soon. I'm about to plug mine into a power amp for the first time tonight and run it through my Boogie cab. Of course, I don't know how far I'll get. I haven't had a chance to mess with it yet and don't know much more than how to turn it on at the moment...

 

[Search Sound]

Hi guys! Thank you very much for the answers!

I am highly interested in obtaining a killer preamp and high quality effects.
An excellent preamp would already solve, therefore I would use the GT-10 effects, they are not excellent, but they aid.

But I am really still in doubt if Axe-fx could supply the Roadster or another great amp high gains...

Silverwulf, I hope you post its comments soon on Axe-Fx...

Great hug, and thank you again!

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[jdurso]

hey man hopefully i can offer you a solid view coming from both an axe-fx and roadster owner

it all comes down to what you want and how willing you are to get there. First off ease of use goes to the roadster buts thats an unfair comparison. the axe-fx is the absolute best modeller on the market and its effects compete with that of eventide and TC. If you ideally would like the mark iv tone with killer delays and verbs, i'd say your best bet is either the axe-fx with either your stereo mesa power amp or a pair of qsc hpr122i's. The reason i'm bringing up a pair of powered monitors is because the axe really shines in the modelling dept when you pair it with very flat response speakers and very clean/clear power. Basically the clearer and cleaner the replication of the modelling the better. That is because your letting the modeller do what its built to do... model. Now i know you have your doubts but it really is that good... especially the mark, fender and vox amp sims.

Now if your not into that much tweaking i'd say go for the roadster and get something like the TC Gmajor as your effects unit. I'm not a big fan of the boss multi-fx floorboards. Also another great fx unit would be the Line6 M13.

Either way your looking at a HUGE improvement in tone.... there is no bad choice. to be honest with you, if your into FX get the axe-fx because right now they're not loosing any value especially if you find one used like me. and for the most part the used ones are less then 6 months old because a lot of guys are moving to the Ultra.

BTW... nice to see some more Axe users on the BB forum... cheers boys!

 

[Silverwulf]

So far, so good with the Axe-Fx. I've spent about a week tweaking it and messing around with it, and it's a damn nice unit. I'll start by saying the effects alone truly are worth the price of admission. They are top tier, very nice sounding, and easily on par with TC Electronics, Eventide, etc. I would put them in the class of those guys $1500 - $2000+ units honestly. If I was looking for a top tier effects unit alone, I couldn't imagine spending the money on something Eventide or TC when the AFX basically does all of those sounds just as good, with converters that are as good or better, and does so much more with all the amp models too.

The amp models are great, whether you're going direct or patching it into the power amp. Using it with the VHT 2/50/2, it's pretty scary close to some of the stuff it emulates. I'm just scratching the surface of what it can do on the amp models so far.

The presets are bleh at best...haha. Make your own patches for sure. I scrolled through the first 300 presets or so and didn't find a single heavy rhythm to use that didn't have 2-3 EQ's and 2-3 effects stuck on it. So, you'll definitely want to make your own patches. A few of the ones are cool, the "Eruption" and "Limelight" patches were pretty damn close, I just prefer tweaking it to my own liking.

 

[Search Sound]

Hi dudes!

Thank you very, very much for help!

I am really thrilled with Axe. The praises to that unit are impressive.

It is very good to know that Axe has excellent preamps, especially the Mesa. That would end up solving my problems, still more because that the Fender and Vox emulations are great too.

Besides, I like effects a lot and Axe in that land it is killer. The G-major is a great unit, but I need analog delays, that it doesn't have. a pity.

I don't care if I have to tweak, I don't only want to pass my days programming instead of playing.

Excuse to inconvenience again guys, but may you could please answer me other subject?

- how are the sustain of high gains on Axe? Is it possible to obtain that long sustain, like Vai and Gary Moore?

- does the high gain amps sound great without equalizer?

- did you already use the Axe with a solid state power amp? I adore Stereo 2, but for playing at home I am a little inconvenienced with the fan... Then, is the Axe sound through a power solid state as good how much through a Power Mesa?

- Jdurso, how is the axe rectifier sounds side by side with the Roadster?

Dudes, thank you very much again!!! Forgive for the new questions.

Everything of good to you!!!

Cheers,

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[jdurso]

- how are the sustain of high gains on Axe? Is it possible to obtain that long sustain, like Vai and Gary Moore?

Well to start i find sustain more in your guitar and pickups but an amp that translates a guitar that has lots of sustain is also crucial. I found the Mark IV and Marshall models to be chock full of sustain but at that point we're talking the stock simulation. The true beauty (at least to me) of the Axe's simulations is that you can add sustain to amps that traditional lacked it (ie Recto). That is because you can actually tweak the power amp part of the simulation and your not at the will of the amp like you are with the "real thing". Also the compression and feedback effects are very good at coaxing more sustain than you could get with any normal "real" amp. I guess thats the beauty of great digital modelling.... even if the real thing wasnt able to do it, you can now add that into the simulation. Actually i found the david gilmore "Time" patch has a ridiculous amount of sustain and it sounds absolutely gorgeous.

- does the high gain amps sound great without equalizer?

I think they do. The comment about the stock patches being terrible isnt completely accurate because it depends on how your using it. The stock patches are built around a FRFR setup with powered monitors like the QSC HPR122i's so part of getting the feel and dynamics is using eqs... when used correctly the eqs are a must because they're modelling the response your cab naturally does. What I suggest is using the stock patches but if your using a tube power amp and regular cabs, turn off the cab sims and lower the power amp sag to 0. Also, remove the stock fx and add them one by one to your liking. IMO, i think the stock patches are light years above any other fx unit i've tried/owned.

So to answer your original question, yes the high gain amp models sound good without eq'ing.

- did you already use the Axe with a solid state power amp? I adore Stereo 2, but for playing at home I am a little inconvenienced with the fan... Then, is the Axe sound through a power solid state as good how much through a Power Mesa?

I've used it straight into the FX Return of the Roadster which is essentially just using the power amp section. I've also used it in the 4CM using just the fx in the axe-fx and if i want to use the amp sims, i just surpass the fx loop in the axefx which basically just surpasses the roadster's preamp. I will be however checking out the axe-fx using a pair of qsc's in the enar future and will post that in my review in the effects part of the forum

- Jdurso, how is the axe rectifier sounds side by side with the Roadster?

Well they sounds similar but not exact but also consider putting a regular DR next to the Roadster and you'll find the same results. To me the Recto patches for a non-Recto user would sound exactly what they would expect the recto to sound like. I'm not saying it sounds bad but just sounds different.... actually it sounds more like what a lot of us here try to achieve with eqs in the loop and drive in front, so in that case its probably a good thing. Also the fizz isnt really there and has more mids than a Recto. The best part is you dont have to crank it like you do a Recto to get that "sweet spot" tone... actually that goes for every heavy model.

I would highly recommend checking out the Fractal Audio forum. The creator of the Axe-fx (Cliff) has worked with Atomic to develop a new Tube powered speaker... yeah thats right, not solid state, but tube. apparently they found a tube driven FRFR cabinet sounded the best. That may be the best solution for you as it would be a very small, compact setup with just about any tone you'd want. I myself, am considering getting two of those atomics to use along with my roadster and roadster cab in a W/D/W setup.

 

[Search Sound]

Hi dude!!!

Thank you very much for the answers!!! You were great!

All the Axe clean and effects sounds that I heard I found incredible, but I was in doubt with relationship to the high gains. Very good to know that it has great heavy preamps.

I have not been noticing so much definition in the GT-10 effects. The Axe will be the next increment in my setup...

Again, thank you very much for the help Jdurso!

Health for you and everything of good!

Search Sound

 

[jdurso]

Hi dude!!!

Thank you very much for the answers!!! You were great!

All the Axe clean and effects sounds that I heard I found incredible, but I was in doubt with relationship to the high gains. Very good to know that it has great heavy preamps.

I have not been noticing so much definition in the GT-10 effects. The Axe will be the next increment in my setup...

Again, thank you very much for the help Jdurso!

Health for you and everything of good!

Search Sound

No problem thats what forums like this are for. Just remember if you use the Axe through a tube power amp and traditional cabinets make sure you try turning off the power amp part of the amp sim and turn off the cab sims. In some instance i've found them better on and sometimes better off depending on the amp sim. Also make sure you downlaod and use the Axe editor because it makes editing a breeze.

 

[Silverwulf]

When I first got the AFX, I hadn't read the manual and just "winged it." I tried to edit some patches on the fly and made about as much progress as I did in my 8 AM M-W-F class my first semester, Freshman year of college...not very much. But after a quick read of the manual, it was smooth sailing after 10 minutes.

After spending more time the the Axe, I'm really impressed with the Triaxis modes. for starts, the Triaxis Yellow Rhythm (Clean) is spot on. It always had this unique quality to it in the Triaxis, this certain "twang" that the Mark amps themselves didn't have. Not better or worse, just something that made it stand apart as different. Well, the AFX nails that tone dead on. I don't think I could pick them apart.

It also has the Lead 2 Yellow (IIC+) and Lead 1 Red (Recto, no Phat Mod) modes in it along with Lead 1 Green (which I never used anyway). And although it technically doesn't have the Lead 2 Green, after talking with Cliff at AFX and discussing how the Triaxis engages L2 Green, all you have to do in the AFX is turn off the "Bright" switch on the L2 Yellow sim and you basically have the Triaxis L2 Green mode. Pretty cool. So, the AFX actually has the only 4 modes I used in the Triaxis anyway - Yellow Rhythm, Lead 1 Red w/no Phat Mod, Lead 2 Yellow, and Lead 2 Green...along with one or two I never used.

That being said - as I mentioned - the Yellow Rhythm is spot on. Not only does it sound like it, but the "feel" of playing on it is there too. I'm impressed with the way it tracks and reacts. I'm still working with the L2 Yellow/Green and Lead 1 Red settings, but tons of potential so far.

And I've discovered why it sounds the same, but different to me. With the amps, you have this raw "straight from the amp" type of sound. With the AFX, you have this sound that's almost unnaturally tight (not like that's a bad thing), but has this more "refined" quality to it. It's almost like you're putting on an album and listening to produced, mixed, and mastered guitar sounds where as with the amps you're playing with the raw sounds. One way isn't better than another, but it may take some peoples ears a few to adjust. I know it did mine.

Boat loads of potential in this thing, but I'm already very impressed with it.

 

[jdurso]

And I've discovered why it sounds the same, but different to me. With the amps, you have this raw "straight from the amp" type of sound. With the AFX, you have this sound that's almost unnaturally tight (not like that's a bad thing), but has this more "refined" quality to it. It's almost like you're putting on an album and listening to produced, mixed, and mastered guitar sounds where as with the amps you're playing with the raw sounds. One way isn't better than another, but it may take some peoples ears a few to adjust. I know it did mine.

Refined is such a great was to put it. The amp sims really do sound like the guitar tones you hear on well produced records. Some love that (as i do) and others want that "amp in a room" type raw sound which if you make the righ adjustments it can do just as well. Truly wonderful unit... IMO one of the biggest jumps in guitar based equipment in a long time.

 

[Search Sound]

Hi Siverwulf! Thank you for the help!

Hi Jdurso, how are you?

Please, excuse me guys but I had some inconveniences and I could not post during the week.

It is very good to know that Axe really has great Mesa preamps. So soon possible I will acquire my unit and to hear those great sounds.

Thank you very much, and everything of good for you! You helped me a lot!

Search Sound

 

[jdurso]

Hey Search

Not only are the Mesa sims good but the Fender, Marshall and HiWatt sims are damn good as well. I have never played a HiWatt but every Hiwatt patch gives me a great David Gilmour tone which in my eyes one of the best tones ever, especially for leads. Now i dont know how accurate it is to playing one because I never have but its a damn good sim for my leads.

 

[mik]

And I've discovered why it sounds the same, but different to me. With the amps, you have this raw "straight from the amp" type of sound. With the AFX, you have this sound that's almost unnaturally tight (not like that's a bad thing), but has this more "refined" quality to it. It's almost like you're putting on an album and listening to produced, mixed, and mastered guitar sounds where as with the amps you're playing with the raw sounds. One way isn't better than another, but it may take some peoples ears a few to adjust. I know it did mine.

Refined is such a great was to put it. The amp sims really do sound like the guitar tones you hear on well produced records. Some love that (as i do) and others want that "amp in a room" type raw sound which if you make the righ adjustments it can do just as well. Truly wonderful unit... IMO one of the biggest jumps in guitar based equipment in a long time.

+1

I have my Axe-FX ultra for over a year and used in many different scenarios - direct to the board, to the tube poweramp/mesa 4x12, 4cm with my F100 head, efx return and it shined every single time...

Best piece of gear I have ever bought,

Mik.

 

[Silverwulf]

Final verdict...

After spending quite a bit of time with the AFX and doing side-by-side comparisons with the "real thing" of some amps that it emulates, I've decided the AFX is not for me. It's a great piece of gear, but here's my dig with it...

It does the clean stuff surprisingly well. As noted before, it literally nails the Rhythm Yellow of the Triaxis spot on. I couldn't pick the two apart. The JC-120 test fared pretty good, but not as good as the rhythm Yellow test. When it came to the high gain stuff, that's where I had my issue.

The sounds of the high gain sims are awesome in their own right, but I wanted to get pretty close to tones I was familiar with. You can dial it in pretty close, and you can definitely get the "feel" in there unlike other products like the POD. However, it always seemed to lack a certain "soul" or quality to it that you get when playing through the real deal. Like I mentioned before, the AFX sounds like a refined, mixed and mastered guitar sound. for some that may be great. For me, I want it to be more "raw" so I can choose to process it how I want. It was nearly impossible to get that "polish" off the high gain sims to my ears.

All of the effects are stellar, top notch studio quality effects. I would buy the AFX for the effects in it alone. But, I don't need that much. So I'll stick with my "real" amps for now. For anyone that plays primarily covers and needs a lot of sounds, or anyone that does rock in the vein of stuff like U2, Inxs, or anything along those lines, I can't imagine you'd find a better unit though.