Why you SHOULD NOT buy an Axe-FX

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Many of you already know I'm an Axe-FX and Fractal guy, but I DON'T believe that it's the proper solution for everyone. I believe that most gear can be good gear when used in the appropriate application and all gear has its limitations and compromises. If you are on the fence with whether or not to buy an Axe-FX here are some reasons to NOT buy one...

#MathewDale #Fractal #AxeFX3 #FM9 #FM3 #Guitar #Tone

THE SOCIALS...
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STUDIO GEAR

[masterreif]

I'm not a beginner, but I always played at home with Combo-Amp.
Now I bought a fm9 because I had the money and my main reason was
that I did not understand the chain and I wanted to understand it a little bit more.

I'm really satisfied, because I know now about using fm9 with my own amp and an own speaker.
I know the difference to use it with a frfr speaker.
I have now a better understandig of what is possible and what is happening if you perform on stage.

And I love it to experiment with the effects and what it does to the sound if I change the values of the different devices.

[Kraatzman]

While I agree with most of your thoughts as to why not to own a fractal especially for a beginner. I tend to look at gear buying a bit differently as well. You know everyone has their own opinion. Lol
I had bought a bunch of Synergy modules to get “that tone” and realized how much I was spending without the additional investment in effects, amps to drive the module and cabinets/speakers.
When working out the cost the fractal was a bargain coming in at $2400 used for axe fx3 / fc12 /Ev1 peddle.
This rig is so advanced in tone /effects, etc. that the investment up front is more than I can use in a lifetime. As well as a good portion of the devices included I would never be able to budget for.
Just my 2 cents.
Please keep the videos coming.

[saltyassassin]

I absolutely LOVE my Axe Fx 3!!! It is unfreakingbelievable!!

[caleshtcincredibles]

I have a budget, I am casual gig dude, I have a Mooer GE300 and honestly it does everything I need and sounds great, in my case more money does not mean better tone .

[Scott__C]

I'd argue if you have a modeler, that doesn't mean you have to learn everything about it immediately. To me, all those elements are just in one box instead of a bunch of them. Start with just an amp/cab in the preset.
Even tube amps have their own rabbit holes you can get caught in. Which tube amp, what kind of tone, you have to learn about the maintenance of that and how to identify when tubes go bad (not always obvious), and brand/quality of tubes, what speaker are you pairing with it and how many (1x10, 1x12, 2x12, 4x12 etc)? Can you actually play it very loud (where it'll sound its best) wherever you live and will gig?

[alejandroaguilar]

I've had an AX8 for almost 5 years, and just a couple of days ago I started to try and edit manually (without AX8-Edit), I figured if I could tame my GT-6 many moons ago, I could handle the AX8; doing this prompted me to handle things differently and start with an amp sim and a cab and trying to make them sound good first as you do with "real" gear, adding effects little by little, trying to recreate some of my past setups has been fun, also the X and Y states are a really cool tool to integrate into Scenes to get the most out of just one patch. That said, I think having so many options CAN and will be distracting from time to time, which is why I have a wandering eye for things like the amp academy and other preamps/amps in a box that now offer IR integration that offer simplicity and the possibility of using individual pedals again, but then I find ways to recreate what I'm looking for in the AX8 and the GAS goes dormant, for a while.

[MOAB-UT]

For a good beginner/intermediate player, some Neural PI's are all they really need. The FM3 would be the next logical step up. A FM3 used can be had for under $1k and it will sound great and eliminate the need to keep buying more gear. Both will allow them to play via headphones which everyone else in the home will really appreciate. A decent set of Yamaha studio monitors can be had for <$200.

Personally, I went the other way. I bought amps but realized, to play nice, low volumes a modeler is where it's at. My FM9 Turbo finally arrived yesterday after being on the wait list about 1 year! Nothing really comes close to touching the Fractal gear IMHO. No one amp can even match it's versatility and effects. Also, the ability to recreate the tone at very low volumes is a huge selling point to me.

[the]

The Axe Fx FM-3 is the best money I’ve ever spent.

[willykakka]

"don't buy axe fx if you can't use it"... smart

[MarvinNicholson]

Question more about using the FM3 for gigging, possibly another discussion, accessories? I have a FM3 and a volume pedal. I seem to be able to do a lot with the FM3 - 3 buttons and a single volume pedal. Do you use many other accessories with your FM3? More pedals like MIDI or Fractal FC6?

[BurntMcgurnt]

Well thats what I did man I played nothing but tube amps for many years but once I got an Axe Fx I literally haven't touched my amps since

[peterargiros]

Great advice. I’m far more of a botique gear snob than an incredible player but I wanted to ask…. The digital world of quad cortex or axe fx is extremely foreign and over whelming to me. Is there a simpler design layout system out there that sounds awesome and very close to the authentic side of the real thing provided you have high end powered monitors. I don’t need all the bells and whistles. Picking from 40-50 amps, 20-30 different cab setups and say 20 pedals is all I need. Does such a thing exist? Thanks!

[matthewblake]

i have so much noise with my interface, looking at an axe fx 2, should fix that up

[PondoSinatra]

If you are a new player and you live with other people, I would recommend getting something with the ability to practice silently with headphones.

[ivorycybernetics]

hey i've onwed an axe fx2 for the longest time...and have been using it extensively for recording. i did try and take it out on the road (i'd looove to go digital)...but ive never been able to find anything usable on an actual stage, with real live drums kicking, even considering IEM's and good stage monitoring. Would jumping to the axe fx 3 solve my problem??

[_mysilentblue]

"Why you SHOULD NOT buy an Axe-FX" ok this is going to be a short video...
AexFX 3 maybe, but the FM3 I can't think of any NOT's really, with the exception of true beginer beginners.

[scottpeters]

I would also add, if you are the kind of player that plugs into a drive pedal, and a delay and an amp, and never deviates from that, the AxeFXIII may not be for you….I own an AxeFXIII, and I think it’s great, but I also own tube amps and pedals…While the AxeFXIII is an awesome device, it’s not perfect….Most of these things are geared for convenience, meaning, you give up something for that convenience…it’s kinda like the iPod of the guitar world.You can cram 1000’s of songs in it, and take it wherever you go, but it’s not the same as sitting in your room listening to your vinyl collection….For gigging, no question about it, I ain’t lugging around amps and cabs and pedal boards….but for bedroom studio use, nothing beats the real amps, cabs and pedals for me….it’s all about use case scenario’s….Don’t get me wrong, I think the AxeFXIII is an amazing piece of gear….I just don’t think it’s the be all end all piece of gear…..Just my perspective after using the Fractal stuff for awhile…

[MoXyiD]

I agree and disagree at the same time. A true tinkerer would LOVE it as a beginner, but then someone who's not would prolly pull all their hair out ;P.

[TheOuterDrive]

Lol..i just picked up an Axe fx ultra for $200.00
Best purchase ive made in years...