Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier - Axe FX 3 vs Real Amp Shootout

MESA BOOGIE DUAL RECTIFIER DIGITAL VS TUBE AMP SHOOTOUT!

(Please note will require Mesa Oversized IR's, to get close use anything Recto Cab related for your IRs)
The decision was made to test the integrity of the Axe FX 3 and its emulation capabilities vs the real deal being a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. I threw a quick clip together.

Signal chain on the Axe FX 3 is exactly the same as what was setup in the studio.

Gibson Les Paul Standard 2008 - Axe FX 3 (Signal Chain consisted of Maxoff 808 OD - Recto2 Orange Vintage AMP - ML MEGA Oversized 57 and 908 combination (These are the 4x12 Mesa Oversized cabinet IRs from ML Sound Lab).

Signal chain on the Dual Rectifier consisted of Gibson Les Paul Standard 2008 - Maxon OD808 - Orange Channel on Modern Mode - Two Notes Captor X - the same two IR's as above.

No post effects or tweaking - just raw amplifier.

Which is real and which is digital?

Thanks for watching!

[eyezik]

The first one to me sounded a bit better. Had more bite and clarity, an overall meaner sound... So I'm guessing it's the Fractal and B is the real amp. I don't know how they did it but Fractal models consistently sound even better to me than real amps do :P. Great video comparison btw!

[dustinlathen]

Thanks for the profile. Got this running through an ISP stealth into a Mesa OS and it sounds killer.

[jayaneyon]

I definitely prefer b which I think is the real one. I find that real tube amps have more distortion on the low end and cleaner highs than most modeling amps which is perfect to me.

[Lexxo]

Both great, i'll say B is the Fractal.. I could be wrong, i just bought an AXE FX III today and man it's a beast!

[bradleywilliams]

B is the Mesa I think. They both sound great.

[martyshwaartz]

A was slightly preferred for me but I think that's down to settings. Would happily record with either of those sounds.

[OBZ]

A stands for Axe FX

B stands for Boogie

;)

[joerectifier]

I’m trying not to read other comments…the last part of B at the end sounded very crispy on the top end and little bit thin. “A” was a bit more full with less of the HF hash, but having stood in front of rectos and been “rectified” many times, I know the real deal can have hash on the top end with V30s….I used a 4x12 with 2 greenbacks and 2 v30s…..both A and B sound excellent so I really don’t know which is which…I could easily use both sounds as other have mentioned, but a I would use the real deal…..I’ve always been able to setup my Recto for something I like 😅

[OfficialSNMvids]

I preferred the tone of amp A, but both sounded really good! \m/

[slayerbear]

Great video. Straight to the point and a very well done shoot out!

[_billion_suns]

A has a lot more high frequency clarity (to use colloquial terms, it sounds more "open"), while B sounds smaller and boxier. I prefer the sound of A, but I won't make any guesses as to which is real and which is the Axe FX.

[None.]

I have no idea they both sounded exactly the same

[theVasica]

I think, A is real amp. But that is the first test with Dual Rectifier and Axe Fx in which I can't choose assuredly. I used to determine blindly correctly. I hope I guessed right again.
So, A is real amp?

[renosaltiel]

you can only feel the real quality of a tube amp in person, its not about how it sounds recorded, its about the organic feel, the PUNCH that feels someone is beating your chest with a hammer

[amotsfriedman]

I understood that B is a real amplifier because you hear the distortion less.
I have Both a simulator and an amplifier. The amplifier always has less accompanying noise.

[vincelupone]

These are very close but there's something a little warmer and crunchier abour B. I assum that's the real amp, though the Fractal gets really close.

[eloygperez]

@thetonezone2676 Both sounds great to be honest. Being A the Fractal it could be even closer with some tweaking so great result!
Do you mind sharing the preset? I would like give it a try.

[jacksonX]

I have the FM3, can you send me a screenshot? I think I’ll have to manually build the preset.

[eds]

pretty close! B sounds a bit more saturated and with more low end.

[milijanb]

B is more natural sounding, its the real deal