5 Things I Know About My Fractal Audio AX8

I just bought a Fractual Audio AX8 a few days ago and made this video with my initial thoughts...

[JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Thanks for highlighting the clean tones.. Very nice.

[misticformula]

Sounds great! Refreshing to see a fractal demo like this one that isn’t all out metal even though I like metal too.

[bondsongmusic]

For those griping about missing cables. I don't think a vendor should be required to supply cables for every output and input on the unit. In the case of the AX8 that would be a guitar cable, USB, SPDIF, 2 XLRs, 4 TS cables, 6 TRS cables, 2 MIDI cables and a power cable. If they did include them, people would start complaining about the length of the cables supplied.

I love my AXE FX. Buying cables is part of being a musician. No need to whine about it. You need extras anyway.

[littlequacka]

Probably the best case I've heard for taking these devices seriously. Nice one Matt.

[tonykennedy]

I got my AX8 a year ago and its the best single piece of non-string gear I 've owned in 27 years of playing.

Fracpad is worth looking at to use with a tablet or smartphone

Also, AustinBuddy's Naked Amp preset pack is exceptional

[LeonTodd]

Great video production, fantastic perspective on the unit. Love your work man!

[Truthasvictim]

Regarding selling off pedalsMatt, exactly what I decided to do yesterday and my AX8 is already ordered. Even though I have many great pedals, many boutique and high end, I just cannot justify hanging on to practically any of them. I am sure that the AX8 can emulate any of them, and then some, plus love its convenience regarding chords, power supplies, etcetera. Have not seen one YT video that doesn't reinforce my thoughts either.

[JeffHesterDesigns]

Great video. I am an Axe Fx 2 XL user, and I agree with everything you said. The industry is going to have to come to realize, at some point, these units are serious solutions. I see interviewers and artists struggle when they do a "Rig Rundown" video. It looks like a great opportunity to change their methods, maybe show screens etc.

[JJ]

I love my Ax8 and is fairly simple to tweak with the AX8 Edit. Enjoy !!!

[Oryphic]

Just picked up one of these myself. Very honest review I have to say!

[belladosemusic]

After chatting wit Brett Kingman and now watching this video, I'm officially moving to the other side. I will keep one tube amp and move forward with the AX8 as all FX (with amp) and modelling direct.
Matt, Thank you for a sincerely honest review, this was what i needed.
Cheers mate.
Lennie

[JRPmusic]

I plan to use the AX8 where I have very limited time for setup. I plan to use amps as often as I can. I run with reactive load send out dry to stereo fx chain. Few pedals infront. 4 cable noise gate set up. I simply just use the AX8 as a substitute for the amp. Run non cab to a small board with 2 external reverbs and finally to stereo pair of Two Notes Torpedo Cab M plus IR boxes xlr to pa/non cab split to stereo power amp and speakers. I can run quiet, silent, or whatever volume I want behind me in reason.

[IAmTheWoodmeister]

Excellent demo of the clean sounds. Great information for someone looking into investing in one of these units. I have the Kemper Powerhead and recently received the Amplifirebox as a Christmas gift. It can be pretty decent if you can drive the studio monitors but the Kemper sounds great at a very low volume. It sound awesome cranked. Assuming you have great profiles. I dumped most of the stock profiles and bought two Michael Britt profile packs. You can’t go wrong with that. That being said, I want an Axe Fx 2 XL plus or an axe8 also. Compare side by side on my own. I’m fairly sure I will like the fractal stuff just as much as the Kemper. But it is hard to beat. Cheers!

[davidkieltyka]

Sounds like a practical way to go. I've played through one of the rackmount Fractal gizmos and was very impressed. For my own purposes I enjoy my old amps & my pedal collection, but then I have no need to be practical. ;)

[PhilWilliams]

Great video. I love my AX8 and cant see me ever parting with it despite recently buying an AXE-FX 3 MK 11. AX8 will be used live (when gigs return!) and AXE-FX111 for studio.

[retalt]

Nice demo Matt. It would be cool to hear a comparison between your favorite amps recorded live (mic'd up) and the presets from the AX8. I'm one of them snobby tube amp nuts lol.

Rich

[jnparesa]

Great video, I purchase an Axe-FX II + and thinking of the AX8 because I don't feel very good about getting rid of my tube amps.

[BrettKingman]

Great stuff, Matt. Welcome to the club, mate. :)

[landon.cunningham]

Your recording of the AX8 here sounds great - many don't even though they are using the AX8. Could you elaborate on your signal flow and what software and devices you used to record it?

[aaronshortmusic]

Nice video. Are you still enjoying it? Would you go direct to PA for a gig or would you still take your amp?