I just watched you sussing the Ultra out on your video "Axe FX Ultra in 2020"... always great stuff on your channel and glad I subscribed to it. Been thinking of jumping from my Pod FX floor live to the Hotone Ampero...and still thinking I oughta just Fractal. Found the Ultra at a doable price...so, that's me... not quite sorted!
Near 8:10, it's said that the AX8 has only 1 input. That's wrong. Look at the back : it has TWO inputs. 2nd input is the (stereo) FX return plugs. You can perfectly make 2 different signal chains for 2 different instruments.
great information Lucas...!! just want to add that the FX8 does not work properly with amps mounting parallel loops, as the FX8 unit doesn't have kill dry or analog dry through. The FX8 will work well only with series loops amps.
Great video. Thanks. What about sounds? If I take simple Marshall sound. Is there a huge difference between axe fx and axe fx2? I am wondering to get axe fx in 2022. Is it worth it? Just to mention I just need simple but solid sounds. I am not into many effects, running parallel amps at the same stuff etc….
I’ve been eyeballing Fractal units for a while now. I’m currently using a Line 6 POD HD Pro X into a Focusrite Scarlett Solo, to my studio monitors. I found an Axe FX Ultra for about $650. Very heavily considering it. Thoughts?
$650 for an ultra isnt that bad, but I would just save up a litlte more and get an axe fx II. The extra money will be will worth it for the II. Or you could get the AX8 or FM3 too. Just depends on what you want.
I'm thinking of the AxeFx 8 pedal board. I only use about 4 to 6 tones total. I need something wjth a clean, seni dirty or just at break up, a dirty rhythm and a lead which is the same as the rhythm except it will have reverb and delay maybe and I want a rhythm dirty with a pitch shifting like the Evintide harmonizer effect of having like o cents higher and 9 cents lower pitch. Etc.
So the best bang for buck is probably the XL or XL plus? The AXE FX 3 is still kinda expensive and I figure I’ve heard the II and thought it sounded amazing so I don’t think I’m losing out too much.
Need some help here fellow rockers: I have been eyeing an axe fx standard at my local music store for $550. I currently own a Boss katana Artist amp (which is awesome) but want to go smaller-ish. Question is, would it be foolish of me to trade in my katana artist for the standard axe fx as the standard is old technology? Very torn here as I've always wanted to own a fractal unit...
Great video. I was wondering. I have a fender hot rod deluxe amp. My lead guitar player has FXIII. During gigs we run in ears and have no amps or monitors on stage. So for me I guess I need to get a FX8 amp modeler correct? For me to run my own at our gigs and rehearsals.
Perefect on this one video I got the complete understanding of the Fractal .. So My personal interest is on AX 8 cos I need a pedal board and Amps and Cabs for Gigs.. But this is perfect for gigs .. I have a Wah & Volume which I can loop also a Mesa Head .. so your view on it ??
That would work great! You could run your ax8 in the return part of the fx loop thus just using the power section for stage volume and could run the ax8 to the front of house. Running the wah and volume in front the ax8 wouldnt be an issue either.
@@fredy_antony The axe fx II and III are a little easier to work with in that studio than the ax8. II and the III can use their USB port along with the built in interface to record and track DIs. You can still do that with the ax8 but for the DIs you have to use a DI box like you would a real amp. Recording direct with the ax8 and using it's IRs is no problem though.
Hey there, this was the perfect comparison video for fractal gear I hadn't even heard of and actually makes for easier choices for me when shopping for used gear. Thanks so much. Did you do a video on their humbuster cords and are they ultimately worth it? Thanks again, Paul Sanders
Good to know I’m not missing much having just bought a II that I don’t believe is a Mark II. Ooh - doesn’t appear to be losing sound quality to an XL either. Nice.
You could, but it would work even better if you plug it into the return jack of the effects loop, that way you are only using the power amp and bypass the amps preamp.
I consider to buy some “floor” version of Fractal, but... the FX8 vs. AX8 the main essential difference is only missing amp modelling in FM8 ? Is it correct ? Or the new FM3 is a better choice when I need the amp modelling ? Thanks
axe fx std vs axe ultra is such a small difference. you get all the sounds in the std, ultra offers you more exotic effects (if you play extreme prog music)
Lucas LeCompte thank you!! Also wanted to ask, is there any disadvantage to starting with an Axe Fxii at this point with the recent announcement there will be no more updates to the firmware/no longer being supported? The unit won’t stop working over time correct? And you should still be able to continue downloading and sharing patches, etc. right?
@@B2Rockin The Axe Fx II Units will be fine and you can still download/share patches on axe change. If you find an axe fx II for a nice deal then def get it! It is worth it!
Now if Fractal provided customer support and did not make us wait forever on new product launches like the infinite delay in getting an FM3 that would be nice.
(Promised to myself to end this but... can't resist. One last time 😂:) Differences between the Kempers the last nine years: Nothing. Nada. Rien. Τίποτα. Niente. Best possible quality tube amp tone machine right from the start until the dusk of humanity. Thank you Christoph.
@@LucasLeCompteMusic Hi, Thanks for the video. I am having trouble finding this out, but can the AX8 be plugged directly into powered studio monitors like the Axe FX II can so you can use it without an amp? Because the FX8 could not I don't think.
I could listen to Lucas, all day, every day. He can read me the news and tell me bedtime stories. He should receive a salary or commission from fractal as he sold me on the FXIII! Not because it's the best of the best, but it is the product of over a decade's worth of research. Not a crowded market place, but musicians are a fussy bunch. Lucas makes the complex clear. Give that man a medal...PEACE!
Great breakdown. I still haven't tapped in to the ax ultra that I got in 2009/2010. Ive gone on several "side missions" with other older gear (GSP 2101) Of course the same could be said for my PS3, which is also the newest game system Ive owned so far. Its almost like Im stuck in a time warp!
Thanks for all the knowledge. I'm new to that brand and You provide us with lots of info. The only thing to Your video.. Try to treat Your room acoustically, cause the reverb in Your voice makes it very unpleasant to listen especially together with this crazy music in the background.. Best regards
@@rogerbrown5016 I haven't tried that yet. I actually just play at home. I am a fulltime caregiver so I don't even own an amp due to space and noise concerns.
So? A new version being out isnt going to make either of those units sound worse. If it sounds good now, itll sound good in 20 years. Just bite the bullet and get one if you really want one. They are similarly powered and offer very similar options. It comes down to which brand name you prefer having on your gear.
Ditch the background music. Super distracting. We're musicians, remember. So, for us, hearing that while you're talking is like hearing two people talk at the same time.
I've had an Axe-FX II for 6 years now and have no real desire to "upgrade"...sounds great and does everything I need and WAY more!!
That Quad Chorus in the Ultra was beastly!
I just watched you sussing the Ultra out on your video "Axe FX Ultra in 2020"... always great stuff on your channel and glad I subscribed to it. Been thinking of jumping from my Pod FX floor live to the Hotone Ampero...and still thinking I oughta just Fractal. Found the Ultra at a doable price...so, that's me... not quite sorted!
Remember when it first came out? People wanted that so bad for live performances.
Fun video!
And then we realized album matched tones dont work live
Near 8:10, it's said that the AX8 has only 1 input. That's wrong.
Look at the back : it has TWO inputs. 2nd input is the (stereo) FX return plugs. You can perfectly make 2 different signal chains for 2 different instruments.
Thank you for the summary of the Fractal Audio product line. Can you please make a detailed comparison of the Axe FX III vs. FM3? 🙏🏼
Nice video Lucas, I have the AX8 and it keeps me wanting to play everyday for hours 👍🏻
great information Lucas...!! just want to add that the FX8 does not work properly with amps mounting parallel loops, as the FX8 unit doesn't have kill dry or analog dry through. The FX8 will work well only with series loops amps.
Great video. Thanks. What about sounds? If I take simple Marshall sound. Is there a huge difference between axe fx and axe fx2? I am wondering to get axe fx in 2022. Is it worth it? Just to mention I just need simple but solid sounds. I am not into many effects, running parallel amps at the same stuff etc….
3 is still better and gets better every firmware upgrade
Cool video Lucas! Very interesting! 💪
I’ve been eyeballing Fractal units for a while now. I’m currently using a Line 6 POD HD Pro X into a Focusrite Scarlett Solo, to my studio monitors. I found an Axe FX Ultra for about $650. Very heavily considering it. Thoughts?
$650 for an ultra isnt that bad, but I would just save up a litlte more and get an axe fx II. The extra money will be will worth it for the II. Or you could get the AX8 or FM3 too. Just depends on what you want.
At 1:05 you spoke about the difference between the ultra and the ultra what? (Sorry, i understood "ultra badge"...)
Standard and the ultra. There one only one ultra. Ultra is basically a axe fx I mark II
@@LucasLeCompteMusic okay thanks
Outstanding work thank you!!! This video has been very helpful for purchasing Fractal gear.
I'm thinking of the AxeFx 8 pedal board. I only use about 4 to 6 tones total. I need something wjth a clean, seni dirty or just at break up, a dirty rhythm and a lead which is the same as the rhythm except it will have reverb and delay maybe and I want a rhythm dirty with a pitch shifting like the Evintide harmonizer effect of having like o cents higher and 9 cents lower pitch. Etc.
So the best bang for buck is probably the XL or XL plus? The AXE FX 3 is still kinda expensive and I figure I’ve heard the II and thought it sounded amazing so I don’t think I’m losing out too much.
Nice video man, exactly what I was after
Need some help here fellow rockers: I have been eyeing an axe fx standard at my local music store for $550. I currently own a Boss katana Artist amp (which is awesome) but want to go smaller-ish.
Question is, would it be foolish of me to trade in my katana artist for the standard axe fx as the standard is old technology?
Very torn here as I've always wanted to own a fractal unit...
Skip the standard. An ax8 uses for a few more hundred would be better. The standards have decent effects but the amp modeling isn't that great.
@@LucasLeCompteMusic hi sir.. how about the ultra?
Great video. I was wondering. I have a fender hot rod deluxe amp. My lead guitar player has FXIII. During gigs we run in ears and have no amps or monitors on stage. So for me I guess I need to get a FX8 amp modeler correct? For me to run my own at our gigs and rehearsals.
Yes, if you want just effects only, the FX8 will work great with your Hot Rod Deluxe!
IYHO when do you think Fractal will come out with an Axe-Fx IV???
Maybe 3 years? There haven't been a jump in dsp power and cliff built the 3 with a lot of memory. They are still adding and redoing stuff for the 3.
Perefect on this one video I got the complete understanding of the Fractal ..
So My personal interest is on AX 8 cos I need a pedal board and Amps and Cabs for Gigs.. But this is perfect for gigs .. I have a Wah & Volume which I can loop also a Mesa Head .. so your view on it ??
That would work great! You could run your ax8 in the return part of the fx loop thus just using the power section for stage volume and could run the ax8 to the front of house. Running the wah and volume in front the ax8 wouldnt be an issue either.
Lucas LeCompte How do you feel while recoding in a studio .. am kinda a sound guy like to capture trough mic and direct .. kinda quad tracking ..
@@fredy_antony The axe fx II and III are a little easier to work with in that studio than the ax8. II and the III can use their USB port along with the built in interface to record and track DIs. You can still do that with the ax8 but for the DIs you have to use a DI box like you would a real amp. Recording direct with the ax8 and using it's IRs is no problem though.
Lucas LeCompte Got it Brother very informative Thank you
So you can’t change guitar tones like highs, mids or lows on the FX8??
FX8 is effects only, no amp or cab/IR sounds.
Hey there, this was the perfect comparison video for fractal gear I hadn't even heard of and actually makes for easier choices for me when shopping for used gear. Thanks so much. Did you do a video on their humbuster cords and are they ultimately worth it?
Thanks again,
Paul Sanders
I didn't do a video on those. I think it's worth it if you have issues with old wiring where you use your axe at.
@@LucasLeCompteMusic thank you brother
Wow thanks Bucas, very cool
Thanks Bucas, very cool!
Thanks for your coverage from me from Ukraine!
Excellent video man! Thank you so much!
Good to know I’m not missing much having just bought a II that I don’t believe is a Mark II. Ooh - doesn’t appear to be losing sound quality to an XL either. Nice.
Hi any thoughts if I run Ax8 direct in front of the amp?
You could, but it would work even better if you plug it into the return jack of the effects loop, that way you are only using the power amp and bypass the amps preamp.
I consider to buy some “floor” version of Fractal, but... the FX8 vs. AX8 the main essential difference is only missing amp modelling in FM8 ? Is it correct ? Or the new FM3 is a better choice when I need the amp modelling ? Thanks
Can the FX8 be used as a Audio Interface to record tracks in Logic Pro X?
FX8 no it cant used as an interface.
if I buy the Ultra? How about you sir?
Awesome video Lucas. You and Leon todd are the dudes. Well done 👍
Exactly the video I need! Thanks a lot for all this info :)
So is the consensus that the AX8 is sort of the best all-rounder because it's better than the 1st gen stuff but not as expensive as the 3rd gen stuff?
For a floorboard unit yes. If you dont need anything the two does, the ax8 is great
Just bought an Axe Fx 2 for 900 in 2021 did I make a bad decision?
No! That is an awesome deal!
axe fx std vs axe ultra is such a small difference. you get all the sounds in the std, ultra offers you more exotic effects (if you play extreme prog music)
The overall processing power is greater in the ultra as well, but you really cant tell that from listening to it.
Can you do this with the helix
That is a great idea! I will start working on it!
Do the Axe FXII's and FXIII all use the same software/UI for building presets/scenes etc. on the computer?
Axe Edit is used on both the Axe fx II and III, though axe edit III is made for the III. Both softwares are free and look and feel about the same.
Lucas LeCompte thank you!! Also wanted to ask, is there any disadvantage to starting with an Axe Fxii at this point with the recent announcement there will be no more updates to the firmware/no longer being supported?
The unit won’t stop working over time correct? And you should still be able to continue downloading and sharing patches, etc. right?
@@B2Rockin The Axe Fx II Units will be fine and you can still download/share patches on axe change. If you find an axe fx II for a nice deal then def get it! It is worth it!
Lucas LeCompte many thanks man! Definitely considering it! You’ve been a huge help! Cheers!!
Cool vid my dude. Also nice shirt 🤘periphery is my jams
Thanks!
Thanks for the video. Well done!
Great overview - thumbs up.
Thanks for the information.
wait, I can't use my ultra to record in my DAW?
You can. Why do you think you cant?
Now if Fractal provided customer support and did not make us wait forever on new product launches like the infinite delay in getting an FM3 that would be nice.
hi how is the spec on the axe fx 3? is it a i9 4 core or something like that
The axe FX uses a texas Instrument DSP chip. It isn't like a normal computer CPU. The power in the axe 3 is plenty tbh.
@@LucasLeCompteMusic and the ram is so low?
@@LucasLeCompteMusic so there is zero lag at all when switching patches and navigate and adjust parameters cause i cant stand lag
Ram is fine on the axe 3.
@@LucasLeCompteMusic how about cpu
(Promised to myself to end this but... can't resist. One last time 😂:)
Differences between the Kempers the last nine years:
Nothing. Nada. Rien. Τίποτα. Niente.
Best possible quality tube amp tone machine right from the start until the dusk of humanity. Thank you Christoph.
Am I still updated if buy an AX8 in 2020?
The ax8 is still a great floorboard option. I don't exactly know how many more updates it will get being that the FM3 is due to come out soon.
@@LucasLeCompteMusic Hi, Thanks for the video. I am having trouble finding this out, but can the AX8 be plugged directly into powered studio monitors like the Axe FX II can so you can use it without an amp? Because the FX8 could not I don't think.
@@alangil40 yeah the AX8 can plug into speakers or monitors as long as they are powered.
@@LucasLeCompteMusic Thanks!
Great video and info! Thank you!
Excellent job!
I could listen to Lucas, all day, every day. He can read me the news and tell me bedtime stories. He should receive a salary or commission from fractal as he sold me on the FXIII! Not because it's the best of the best, but it is the product of over a decade's worth of research. Not a crowded market place, but musicians are a fussy bunch. Lucas makes the complex clear. Give that man a medal...PEACE!
The standard didn’t have a headphones input.
I'll wait for the Axe FX IV
Great breakdown. I still haven't tapped in to the ax ultra that I got in 2009/2010. Ive gone on several "side missions" with other older gear (GSP 2101) Of course the same could be said for my PS3, which is also the newest game system Ive owned so far. Its almost like Im stuck in a time warp!
Thx Lucas!
Thanks for this!
Thouse Axe Fx 2, are the same thing talking about what we really need, the difference is maybe the numbers of the price !!
I'ma Fractal Lover but hafta say it !!
Good video, thanks :)
Hey I remember you from the WG group
Thanks for all the knowledge. I'm new to that brand and You provide us with lots of info. The only thing to Your video.. Try to treat Your room acoustically, cause the reverb in Your voice makes it very unpleasant to listen especially together with this crazy music in the background.. Best regards
Just bought my Ultra this year. A few tweaks on a few presets and it's all I need. Sounds great
the Ultra still has a great sound? in 2020?
@@BagusWibisono why wouldn't it?
@@BagusWibisono yeah, its weird, its almost like a newer unit coming out doesnt affect the older units sounds at all.
Would you recommend using the ultra in the effects loop of tube amp or not! Thanks! Really appreciate it!!
@@rogerbrown5016 I haven't tried that yet. I actually just play at home. I am a fulltime caregiver so I don't even own an amp due to space and noise concerns.
Loved this video
I'm just happy that Fractal did away with the 1995 era interface.
thanks mang
I'd love to get either the Helix or Axe-Fx III Mk.2, but I'm concerned that as soon as I do they will come out with the next version.
So? A new version being out isnt going to make either of those units sound worse. If it sounds good now, itll sound good in 20 years. Just bite the bullet and get one if you really want one. They are similarly powered and offer very similar options. It comes down to which brand name you prefer having on your gear.
Better go Axe fx 2 then helix.
Thanks.
Ditch the background music. Super distracting. We're musicians, remember. So, for us, hearing that while you're talking is like hearing two people talk at the same time.
Thanks for the tip! I havent used background music pretty much since I made this video.
Can't afford anything but ultra 600.00 , gonna run it to effects loop on tube amp any comments would be a big help! Thanks
Look up the 4 cable method for connecting it to an amp. That is the best way to do it.
I hate jump cuts on videos.
So many cuts
Great video! Only 1 critique- it’s always dB, never dB’s.
Porn music throughout the whole video is just crazy.
Constant editing of the video is very annoying
I'm loving the Ultra ..