AXE FX Modeling is Cool, But Did You Consider This?

Are you looking to buy a Fractal Audio Axe FX product? Well you won't have any problem finding an Axe FX review or an Axe FX demo online. Almost every one of those will cover or compare how the Axe FX does when modeling your favorite amps. But the Axe FX is an amp unto itself. Actually the AXE FX 3 is 17 amps unto itself.

If all you ever did was use the Axe FX 3 for it's own FAS amps, it might well be worth the price. Today, I'll examine a few of those Axe FX 3 amps both in a mix and solo.

Gear used in video:
Axe FX 3
PRS 512
Paoletti Telecaster
Mayones Hydra Elite
Skervesen Sawn
Dave

The Music With Marky channel is dedicated to giving guitar students the guitar lessons they need to make good music. Each guitar lesson teaches guitar players how to play guitar in the most musical way possible. Shred guitar and guitar tricks are important, but great music is what makes all the guitar practice worth it!

[MOAB-UT]

Where the Axe-FX really shines is not just in the amazing tone and world-class effects. It's in the feel and how it responds to touch.

[MagicJonesMusic]

So while watching this, I had no idea it was over a year old. Any of those tunes played could be parts of new UTD songs. Wow, I wish I could guitar like you guitar, my man. Onward and upward!

[Lightinator]

My Axe FX sits on top of my 4x12 at home perpetually plugged into the return of my SS head, and usb to my DAW/studio monitors.

I no longer want for any amp. It just sounds so legit. No other modeler I tried sounded so authentic even through guitar speakers.”!

[danrao]

If I had to summarize the Axe FX iii in one word it would “Inspirational”. I plug in and start scrolling though presets and do some minor tweaking or just create my own. It doesn’t take long to find some unique killer tones and suddenly 5 or more hours have gone by. By far the best piece of gear I’ve ever owned in 35 years of playing. Thanks for the video Mark. Keep them coming.

[Fallingoverbackwards]

Great video, other things no one talks about; 1) Axe Fx is a multi instrument, pro level fx processor without amp modeling considered that alone is amazing. 2) the axe fx as an audio computer interface has pro level converters and 4 in plus DI. Remarkable audio interface

[valezanoanjheti]

Very cool dude! I just bought the axe fx lll a few months ago and still in programming/ learn mode.

[aliengtr]

i dont know, i kind of like that tube amp feel from a tube amp, the ax fx 3 effects are stellar sounding

[tappistrt]

Nice video!

A similar point can be made for the original Helix amps. The Badonk is so easy to dial in a great modern metal tone.

[SixStringHarmonies]

The Axe FX3 (all Gen3 FAS hardware/software) is so good at what it does, that it actually models the negative aspects of the preprogrammed models. Whether a circuit goof or an impedance mismatch, transformer issue, etc. If it effects the tone - it's in there.

While the FAS models are built based on idealized versions of amp circuits. So they contain no underlying limitations or setbacks. (Like the tone turning to mush if you push the bass too high when the mids are dialed past 7 o'clock on the knob. That kind of thing.)

The FAS models are hugely overlooked.

[thewandererguitar]

I've had the AxeFX3 for over 1 year now and I consistently only use 2-3 FAS models - they are by far the best and most versatile models.

[sacredxgeometry]

Hi. Axe FX user here, but I have the 2XL+. I use the FAS 6160, FAS modern (mess), and Brit Pre (which is the one clean pushed tone that is repro here) more than any other tones in my entire studio. It just freaking works. I gotta say in general though, messing around with the global settings (direct vs physical cab vs power modeling [solid state] or no) I have an insane variance of tones too even just with these 3 tones themselves. It has made me a better played probably threefold since playing and I barely even mess around with the EQ. It’s right out of the box incredible.

[doriangrey]

Cliff from Fractal just won the game. He really understands what he and Fractal are doing. I find myself gravitating towards the FAS amps only since they are oftentimes versions of existing amps without their physical flaws. I totally feel you here. BTW: great and entertaining video.

[Spidouz]

Nice 513… love it! Unpopular opinion: I know the Fractal can do so much, but I actually seeking to use one for effects only with my tube amps… and eventually from time to time to explore to use the Fractal as preamp in the tube amp to test different amp models.

[ElectroIllusion]

Great video! I love my AXE FX 3 !!! 🔥🔥🔥

[hornbenjamin]

This was a great video! I just purchased an Axe FX III and had no idea that there were Fractal-Designed amps inside it.

[Spidouz]

I get your point and you’re right that we should explore more tones that aren’t just reproduction of existing gear. However, one of the strong strengths of digital FOR ME, is mainly to be able to reproduce existing gear and not have to use them because they could be fragile, unreliable, or even rare and super duper expensive. The main thing I like from digital is being consistent, easily transportable and bring a large variety of gear all in a ready to use box.... so it does include to reproduce existing amp and pedals.

I’m gonna buy an Axe FX3, but it’s mainly to use it for its effects with my real tube amp (Two-Rock), so I don’t have to build a large pedalboard, I can only keep some analog pedal for drive and fuzz, while everything else could be digital with total recall all the time, and perfect tones. I like IR Cabs, because it’s easy to try something else, or just recall one setup, and not have to spend half an hour just to place again mics like they were before, etc... Digital for me, mainly means “make my life easier”. Having a faster way to lay down some music. Sometimes by the time we’re ready to record something in the “full analog world”, you already forget the idea you had. But I also like analog gear, real tube amps, and that’s why I’m using both analog and digital and try to get the best of both world. One good thing in music, we don’t have to be exclusive...

[CreepyCat.]

Still feels funky for me. Been toiling with it for 3 years now.

[BrettKingman]

Great stuff, Mark. Thank you. I'll be checking out that preset directly. Rock!

[TocoaPuffs]

Luckily I walked in without a bias of wanting to match an amp since this is the first high end amp that I owned. I didn't own any pedals and I live in an apartment, so the FM3 was a great solution to my problem. I'd still look at it if it didn't have all of the other modelers, but another product would have probably won out for versatility alone. Their models aren't bad as you showed, but it's always good for the consumer when the product needs to be better to be competitive. Including all of those amp models unequivocally makes it better than it would be without them. I normally run Hot Kitty or Super Verb presets but I use the FAS boost for clean boost. They make stuff to their style and sometimes it fits what I like, sometimes not.

[Scott__C]

For all the modelers, most folks aren't using 150 amps, they're generally using a clean, a little gain, maybe some distortion and a lead. By that token, a Boss GT-1000 Core or HX stomp or FM-3 would work for most. For some reason, people can't wrap their head around a device just being its own thing. I guess that's why there are millions of Marshall clones, Vox clones etc.