5 Killer Tones - Mesa/Boogie Triaxis

[@nickkellie]

Finally someone with single coils demoing this. Sounds killer!!

[@FedericoMK]

I do agree with the other youtubers down here, You really have have have have to sell the 50/50 and buy a 2:90! you need to hear the triaxis with deep and modern engaged!! so crushing!

[@davidr.flores2043]

I have a Mesa/Boogie Triaxis, but haven't really used that much; however, you inspired me to put it to work, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Excellent video by the way!!

[@DarioGrillo]

Amazing guitar preamp....the best sound there is for a hard rock and metal guitarist ! Triaxis + Eventide it's the best ! Leon how do you connect the triaxis to eventside h9? Do you make a serial or parallel connection? guitar in input triaxis and output triaxis in input eventide?

[@Recursive.Dreams]

It’s so nice to see that our Russian preamps are on the racks of guitarists of other countries, I feel pride

[@fredriksvard2603]

You got AMT electronics too, good stuff

[@HHFan420]

There can be no questions, this is one of the best preamps ever.

[@ИгорьВолков-с2л]

I feel pride too.

[@johnroberts838]

Hi Leon, Excellent Demo, Loved the Yellow mode with the PRS, your Strat sounded Amazing with the Chorus and Delay.👍👍👍. Take care.

[@LeonTodd]

If digital modelling wasn't an option that yellow mode would be all I'd use for gigs.

[@jmar482]

Really enjoy your vids Leon. Your playing is fantastic.

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks so much James, that means a lot.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

For something that’s not a marshal, that marshal tone is pretty marshally

[@01left]

Awesome Tones!! How have you done the Effects starting at 07:55 ? Are they coming from the axe fx? thx

[@RandyDoddMusic]

the clean sound at the end is great , you said direct to pro tools , using record out ? just wondering about the signal path ? fx loop with axe or triaxis to fractal then pro tools ?? I have a triaxis and a JP2C and find myself using the triaxis more than the JP2C , using presets is hard to beat

[@LeonTodd]

Triaxis main output - Axe-Fx - Pro Tools. Interesting to hear that about the Tri vs JP2C - anytime I get GAS for a Mark series amp I plug the Tri in and it fades away.

[@RandyDoddMusic]

@@LeonTodd yep I feel ya , one ring to rule them all . plus it's only ten lbs.

[@davidgalaviz2004]

"Dogman" at 4:08! Love me some King's X!

[@rickfeith6372]

Its a classic for a reason...except for them damn membrane switches!!

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

I have the Triaxis and Simul Class 2:90 power amp in a shop right now up for sale but I am going to go and bring it back home. It's just to nice an amp to let go. I bought it 4 yrs ago from Ebay all racked up in a 6U rack with a Power Surge protector (Can't remember the name of) and all out of the box condition with my fav FX unit the TC Gmaj. I only paid £1500 for the lot and the guy I bought it from paid over £6000 as he also had the Jim Dunlop rack Wah-wah filling up the 6Unit rack. I just looked on ebay and there is a tatty Triaxis on there for £1250 for just the preamp. I think these preamps will just always hold their value because they were the very best along side Soldano's for tone and versatility. I can't part with it and after listening to it again I would cry if it got sold.

[@Eventual420]

Rackmounted preamp direct thru a boatload of effects? Have you lost your mind? ;) You never cease to amaze me. I spent years in that realm, took me ages to afford an escape route. Gorgeous chordage.

[@TheVanhelen]

Leon, good morning. I just checked out the ReAxis review. The real amplifier has a good sound. TRIAXIS is certainly great. Have a wonderful Friday and a nice weekend.

[@chrisnaishguitar]

Intentional Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon reference at 2:12?

[@LeonTodd]

very ;)

[@Endstation93]

I love the triaxis. I run mine through a Mesa 2:90 into an Engl 4x12. It is the best sound i have ever had. Have you ever thought about using the triaxis with some kind of impulse loader like the mooer radar live direct front house? I am considering this atm. Should be working just fine.

[@LeonTodd]

The Mooer has power amp sims IIRC so that would work a treat.

[@adamdagosto570]

Can you demo a clean-ish crunch rhythm type tone for 70's funk. Can you find that in that box?

[@KidNato]

Man I love your channel. Its like the who's who of what was cool in amps from my youth.

[@Lordiesel]

man, your shredding is legit.

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

Dam Leon you have some beautiful guitars. The Strat sounded gorgeous and looked beautiful also the PRS single cutaway in black looked stunning also!!

[@TehCatzMeow]

That Dogman riff sounded great through this thing. Cheaper than a Dual Rec but still pretty expensive. Great demo as always!

[@almostliterally593]

Here’s a great trick i figured out: use a Sansamp GT2 and run a Klon Centaur/Klone into it. Set the Klon to unity volume, with treble boosted really high and gain at 10ish... Sansamp GT2 in classic/hotwired/california. Gain a tad lower than max... this gets you a ridiculously good metal tone. Sounds like 80s session player rack gear when you get it tweaked where you like it... i want to add some stereo chorus and phaser to complete the effect.

[@justinmaelzer6362]

Are there many Triaxis users here using the continuous control feature? This is absolutely one of the best things about this amp. For example, in LD1 green I’ll start with the drive and gain quite low so that it is a pretty clean sound and have the drive linked to an expression pedal via midi. This means I can add the distortion on the fly until the tone is very hot. I love finding the sweet spot where the tone just breaks up and becomes very sensitive to playing. This is especially useful when adding or removing effects from the chain as you can compensate as you play, or adjust the drive in response to guitar volume adjustments. It really opens up so many more nuanced tones. I love it.

[@LeonTodd]

I've never tried this but I've been meaning too. What midi CC's do you use?

[@justinmaelzer6362]

@@LeonTodd Hi Leon. I can't remember if I had to do anything top set it up, as I've had my Triaxis for 15 years and have been using this feature right from the start. I have the Triaxis on Midi Channel 1, sending a CC number 1, with the pedal sweeping from value 0 -> 127. And this works on any preset that I have applied the continuous change to. I used to use a Behringer FCB1010 for this, but recently got a Helix, and didn't need to make any adjustments on the Triaxis - both work superbly.

[@stevenmgyori3826]

Well done Leon! That Pre is a Great addition to your rack! Certainly more versatile than I imagined! Thanks for sharing brother! Be Well!

[@LeonTodd]

Cheers mate! Legendary piece of gear.

[@tomh4244]

Hey Leon, could you make a video on how to pilot/program the Triaxis? Thanks man!

[@vanguard4065]

The Tri Axis is an incredible sounding preamp. played one 20 years ago.

[@lostwoods]

I'm digging all these videos of vintage gear like the Triaxis, ADA Mp-1, Rockmaster, etc. Have you ever played the Mesa Quad?

[@LeonTodd]

No but it's something I would love to get my hands on

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

@@LeonTodd You need to demo the Carvin Belair combo...I own one and the cleans are the best out there. It is the most authentic blues/rock combo ever built so underrated like its a little secret. They are hard to find these days.

[@DangerNoodle-yw8yt]

I've managed to get mine to sound the same as a high gain setting on my JMP-1. It needed a lot of treble and mid boost though.

[@shawcunningham]

Killer content, as usual, from brother Leon... I'm starting to think I need one of these rack beasts. Did you ever run it into your AxeFX using the Axe for Power Amp modeling and Cab IR? How did that sound?

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah that works pretty well!

[@metalloid3417]

Don't think I've been this early before haha. The TriAxis is my dream preamp. For now I have to use Mercuriall's ReAxis. Any chance of a comparison between the two?

[@LeonTodd]

The Tri is awesome, so is Reaxis. I'll have to compare the LD2 modes when I get the chance.

[@metalloid3417]

@@LeonTodd Awesome, thank you! Hope you get the chance soon haha.

[@deasnutz4ever]

Have you played with the USA Pre version on the Axe 3? I had fun with the Ld2 Red but don’t know how it stacks with a real Triaxis.

[@LeonTodd]

yeah i'll do a video with it soon, there's a few tricks to it ;)

[@JarrettLowry]

06:05 this tone was so good I designed a triaxis shirt on my redbubble and used those settings 🤘

[@LeonTodd]

Hahaha nice!

[@fioriddu]

Hi Tommaso from Italy here, I'm looking for advice from Triaxis users, If I'm in lead 1 yellow mode on my unit with dynamic voice at 0.0, and then I switch to red mode I hear a significant drop in volume. I'm not sure but I seem to remember it wasn't doing that only a couple of months ago. Anyone has the same experience? Could be some tube related issue? Thanks, Leon your demos are the best

[@BinanceParaTodos]

Hi Leon, I just received my Triaxis yesterday and i wanted to try some new staff by pairing it with a Hiwatt custom 100 head. So should I use onle the left or right chanell? Should I change some parameter on the triaxis? I'm too excited to try the triaxis direct to the DAW, THOSE WHERE REALLY PRISTINE CLEANS!!

[@Sickindian5]

I was wondering one thing since you have done post video showing axe fx 3 can match Triaxis settings and the thing lead me to question “has Leon kept his Triaxis?”

[@LeonTodd]

I sold it last year.

[@frankardos4211]

Hey Leon. I am curious as to how much noise that rig has? Does the MB power amp have a fan? I have always sought out quiet rigs for studio use. Thank you so much dude.

[@ag_ped]

Hi leon Im From Argentina!!!! I always see your videos. Fantastic reviews and incredible player. I Have a question for you. How can i connect my triaxis to axe fx II xl+ as a effect processor. I have also an engl poweramp how to connect them. Thanks keep rockin' Man

[@LeonTodd]

Do you want to run any effects before the tri?

[@ag_ped]

Yes.. or do u think what is the best form. Engl power amp 840/50 Triaxis v2 Axe fx xl+

[@aramiscruz4771]

Great video!!!! The world needs more triaxis 🤘🤘

[@LeonTodd]

Yes it does!

[@Golem29]

I don't know what version this is but my Triaxis has the "recto" lead 1 red. It'll be different depending on the serial number. The lead 1 red here sounds noticeably different. The newer ones have "fat" mode.

[@metfx81]

That king x riff 😍

[@LeonTodd]

6:31 - SDATURATED?!?!

[@PFDarkside]

What serial number/version is yours? Of course the gain sounds and crystal clean sounds great, the Rhythm Green with a Strat is unexpected awesome though!

[@אביסמרה-ז8ו]

you post ae very detailed ..pls can u comapre to mercurial reaxis iknow u know how to tweak both of them good plsssssssssssss it will be most intresting cuz i can efford buy triaxis

[@marcusmeyer256]

Great video as always. Love your videos!

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks so much!

[@Burkhimself]

I’ve owned one twice, but went back to my Soldano pre amp both times....I guess we get a certain sound in our heads and can’t get away from it ?

[@vejichan]

Can you share all these presets

[@robinrongy1483]

Amazing tones ! But, I don't understand the use of X-load. If I run my Axe through a 100w powerhead do I have to use X-load ?

[@LeonTodd]

The X-Load is there so I could get some power amp flavour from the 2:Fifty and load it down before running into an IR on the Axe, rather than having to mic a cab.

[@robinrongy1483]

@@LeonTodd ok man thank you ! So it's not an obligation for me to use X Load if I want to record and play live w/ my Blackstar Series One 100w head through the axe? :) thanks again for your help

[@LeonTodd]

@@robinrongy1483 just connect it in the fx loop

[@robinrongy1483]

@@LeonTodd Okay I get it, I dont even need an X load if I only use my Blackstar because there is a DI built it at the back of the head ! Thank you, your videos helps a lot, greetings from France !🙏🔥

[@benjaminlinus2792]

Best review so far on tube. Killer tones and damn what a great riff on 4:58. I'm gonna bore you right now, but it's all your fault, like Joker said :"Where does he get those wonderfull toys?" Anyways you got fire and ice in your arsenal my friend, and I think we deserve an a/b video. Ada mp1 with marshall power amp and some marshall cab Irs like G12T75s in one corner and triaxsis with your simul power amp and mesa Irs V30s in another. What do you say?

[@LeonTodd]

Funny you mention that riff and the ADA, because I recorded this song with the ADA and my old Recto - riff happens just before the solo kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJObaoduhsh9sLc

[@alexsharp3481]

What about the Triaxis direct with high gain like the lead 2 and red mode?

[@esposoman]

Great video as usual. I like your playing a lot

[@LeonTodd]

Much appreciated. Some pieces of gear really get me inspired and this is one of them.

[@meekeecrisci]

Leon i want to buy one, buy it is a triaxis v2 and i heard everywhere it has a phat mod that is impossibile to handle, very far from your sound...can you HELP me and explain? Thank u so much

[@artemivasyuk1699]

Hey Leon! First of all thanks for a great demo for a really good preamp. I have one too for a few years already and I have questions for you :) Did you try to record it without power amp in the chain? I'm recording it straight to the sound card from "Output" channel. Then have some power amp emulation and IR on top. While I like the overall sound it has quite a lot of low which I have to remove later with eq. I ended up with 0 on dynamic voicing for lead 2 channel just to have more "flat" sound and better control. Did you try to record a full mix with it with double track, etc.? I'm using PRS CE24 for a record so it's not an issue with a cheap guitar. Still have to cut lows quite a lot. Using OwnHammer IRs which are considered good.

[@0ldfashi0ned]

Can I run the Triaxis directly into an interface and then through an IR in a DAW?

[@marcmnemosyne6771]

Of course!

[@LeonTodd]

Yep. Running some power amp simulation, for example in Wall of sounds or reaxis, really helps

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Great tones... thanks for starting out with a fender/Mark 1 distortion. So many preamps struggle with that part. Everyone concentrates on clean but they leave out the Neil young/rolling stones type distortion. Not interested in high gain... that kind of thing is a dime a dozen it seems. Show me something all the other preamps can't do...

[@LeonTodd]

Agreed. Everyone knows the Triaxis can do incredible pristine cleans and crushing high gain but it's the in-between stuff that separates the big boys from the rest.

[@gregboboski9904]

Did you say whether the direct sound was through the triaxis cab out or main direct out ?

[@LeonTodd]

I didn't it - it's the Triaxis main out

[@vejichan]

How close does the mercurial reaxis to a real triaxis?

[@jonathanhammer6437]

Hey man, this video outlines a test between them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3WnlmWEpJmSrdU The Reaxis sounds great for a digital plugin but when it's compared to the real Triaxis, I find it lacking. Don't get me wrong, I'd use it if I wanted the tone and couldn't find the real thing, but you can hear the low end isn't the same (but this is true for all digital modeling that I've heard). I would recommend if you get the Reaxis, run your DI Signal through a Tube Preamp and use a Tube Screamer either as a boost or with minimal gain to give it that extra "warmth" that adds to the depth. It's true for all digital distortion/amp modeling plugins, but I'm certain it'd give a helpful boost here too. That said, I think Mercuriall makes amazing products and I'd recommend purchasing if you want a tone like this. In a mix with other elements going on, I would assume it can hold up.

[@YOUTUBE_HELDER]

Hey Leon. I really dig your triaxis tones. Thanks so much for sharing them with us! Question.. Do you have any issues with hum on your Lead channels? It doesn't sound like you do. I love my Lead Channel triaxis tones, but it is almost unusable, as it hums uncontrollably. Just curious if yours does when your only running it straight through to the Stero-Two-fifty out to speakers.. or if your x-Load is allowing some extra control, that I do not know about. If you have any insight on this and can make a video , I'm sure you would be helping a bunch of Triaxis users like myself! Also what version do you have? My lead 1 red channel doesn't sound anything like yours :( Is there any way to PM you for future questions? Thanks for your time, and awesome playing! Best, H.

[@LeonTodd]

TX-4 circuit which would explain the difference in Lead 1 if you have a TX-5. The X-Load is just a reactive load so it's not adding or taking anything away hum wise. That sounds like a good video to do!

[@anthonycalmel5406]

Thanks for the video and very nice playing! This preamp sounds killer, problem is one day or another it ends up bugging like crazy, or at least that was my experience with two old units, bought one after the other. It uses optocouplers that only last for so long and are a nightmare to replace...if you ever find the right ones.

[@martinbrunnberg6539]

Anthony Calmel: so you couldn’t replace yours? Mesa isn’t helpful at all? And what the h is an octoplers?

[@anthonycalmel5406]

@@martinbrunnberg6539 They were bought used years after production stopped, they don't offer help with this preamp as it's not available anymore. I meant Optocoupler, a small electronical part

[@martinbrunnberg6539]

Anthony Calmel: Thanks for reply. So there are no substitution parts for it? Hmm. Sounds worrying.

[@anthonycalmel5406]

@@martinbrunnberg6539 Sorry for the very late reply : optocouplers are available but you have to look for them and they're a bit expensive, then I seem to remember you have to recalibrate the whole thing. The triaxis is a very complicated machine, an engineer friend confirmed it to me after taking a look inside, he was confused lol Nonetheless I think that's the best preamp ever made. If only we could have a new modern equivalent/replica available..like a reaxis in a rack that would be cool. All That said I would strictly avoid buying one online, you have to check it first.

[@martinbrunnberg6539]

A C I agree. A fantastic and versatile preamp. I just love mine!

[@NunoGuitarsSilva]

Great reviews man! I saw both Triaxis video from you and I’ll buy one for sure. It’s so different from JMP-1... I’ll share some presets as soon I buy one for a good price! :-) cheers and awesome playing

[@actionchris540]

Hi Leon. What version triaxis is this?

[@tomcohen3472]

Hey dude! I tried some settings of yours and they sounded absolutley great , but for some reason my triaxis sounds like there much less gain then yours. Which version you've got? Also you are boosting it with something? Great video!

[@kimseniorb]

change the tubes

[@endtimeguitarist]

I liked the clean sound at the end the best! It reminds me of the tone heard on the Starcraft brood wars terran theme. The mark 2c+ sounds cool but I don’t know that tone well enough to truly compare. The other tones just sounded like tones you can get out of decent distortion pedals like the bogner series. I enjoyed the review. Thanks!

[@LeonTodd]

Well now i have the perfect excuse to check out the Starcraft soundtrack, cheers!

[@jimbobunn5195]

Glad to hear the Dogman in there

[@LeonTodd]

Love King's X

[@posarelli]

King's X on 4:08. Love it

[@LeonTodd]

Love that band

[@posarelli]

@@LeonTodd me too... :D

[@scottlangdon2937]

To be the Dogman!!!

[@davidmarshall385]

hey leon great shredding my freind i have played for 33 years plus i may sound stupid im a simple plug in and crank the amp on type of man heres whats weird i have no clue what a preamp is scince i own a original carvin v 3 a original marshall jcm 800 and a 4 12 intage 30s cab no issues with either amp if a tube fries i replace it simple do i need a 2000 dollar computer to do whatevver you do on it this goes to this that goes to that no clue

[@LeonTodd]

Every amp head is a combination of a preamplifier section (generally speaking EQ and gain controls) and a power amp (to drive the speakers). One nice thing about standalone preamps is you can pair them with different power amps for different flavours, which some people love and which some people have no interest in. Use whatever gets you there!

[@gr8guitarplayer]

What Leon said I think is a weak reason to use a setup like this. I went to a rack pre amp and a separate power amp decades ago, switching from essentially the same thing you have, for 2 very different reasons: 1) You can take full advantage of a stereo sound, since the power amp you'll use has 2 channels. The only way to do that, aside from using rack gear, is to buy another amp. Yes, you'll need a second cabinet (or a stereo cabinet, but having 2 cabs means you can move them apart from each other to truly hear the stereo image.) Put a stereo effects processor either in the effects loop of the pre amp or between the pre and power amp, and you'll have a stereo sound that will blow your mind. The 2nd reason for using the Tri Axis, is you can set up all sorts of different sounding presets, them call them up via a midi foot controller. You can set up your effects presets to switch at the same time as your pre-amp presets, using the foot controller, by stepping on only 1 button. Without an effects looping switcher (and lots of cables), you can't do that with a traditional setup. Plus, with an amp like a JCM 800, the only way to get different sounds is to rotate knobs. How do you do that while in the middle of a song? I just recently aquired my Tri Axis and a 2:90 (my old rig was an ADA MP-1 thru a Mesa Stereo 50/50, also a great sounding rig!), so I'm still dialing it in. But those 2 reasons I stated above, I feel are the real reasons to go this route. Hope that helps ya!

[@gunjabeans]

No offense but this demo doesn't convey the awesomeness of the Triaxis. My friend Andrew Amicarelli who is a phenomenal lefty guitarist and producer ran his guitar into a DBX Comp> TriAxis> Lexicon PCM 81> MESA Stereo 2:90 Power Amp> MESA 4X12... WOW Blow your mind tone. All his presets come up at the press of a button on his foot switch via midi too. Truly mouth wateringly good tone. The first time I heard it circa 2001, I went home and sold my Marshall DSL.

[@LateNightYinzer]

At first, that whole "card board" sounding (per your words) unamplified sound was lame, but the more I heard it, the better it sounded. I don't think it sounds bad at all actually, but it sort of fills a different sound space than what guitar usually fills. Could be really cool to add different texture to a song.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah it's not the sort of sound you dial in for a blues jam, but it would sit well with synths and other ambient tones.

[@manifestgtr]

Dude! Dogman! You NEVER hear guys play that...✌️✌️

[@LeonTodd]

Best album ever

[@SM57]

Great!

[@GiletteRazorsharp]

How would it sound to run the output directly into an interface, and then running a cab impulse response in a DAW? I've been looking at used triaxis preamps online, but buying a poweramp and a reactive load seems like a massive waste of money if it's not necessary.

[@LeonTodd]

I've been planning a video about this-should be out in the next month!

[@GiletteRazorsharp]

@@LeonTodd I'm looking forward to it!

[@rockstarjazzcat]

triaxis/2:90 tamed by torpedo captors into a pair of 2x12 rectifier cabs... just sayin’. \m/

[@rockstarjazzcat]

did you figure out which rev you are running? also, curious about using axefx to sub for 2:90... cheers mate, daniel

[@StuartKReilly]

Am I the only one that hears this fake farty sound in the breakup whenever some one uses IR's or amp sims?

[@MrSneakyPants]

It's the IR, not amp sims, but no. I hear it too. There are some EQ tricks to remove it though. The 'fizzy' sound in the distortion is around 4k usually. A nice sharp Q EQ, removing a tight section of the spectrum around the 4k, should help a lot. Also, some of it is the IR quality. I find that the Ownhammer IRs don't give me any of that funky noise.

[@koolbreeze8698]

To Bad some of the Parts to keep the Triaxis going can not be had anymore

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah that sucks

[@rodrigomartins9692]

Hi, what parts did you mean actually? I'm looking for this to buy and would like to know more about the piece. Thanks!

[@koolbreeze8698]

@@rodrigomartins9692 The membrane which is the rubber part that you push on change settings and they do wear out.and also the A-B Volume knob and there may also be other parts

[@rodrigomartins9692]

@@koolbreeze8698 Thanks !

[@koolbreeze8698]

@@rodrigomartins9692 But if you find a nice clean one it should last for years

[@nikokaliterna]

fuck man you can shred

[@LeonTodd]

I can't spell though, check out the caption at 6:31 !

[@deanbibb3680]

Dogman!!!!

[@kimseniorb]

smokes the axe fx. whatever you guys want to believe lol