AX8 - Power Amp and Cab Tips and Tricks

My music
★open.spotify.com/artist/32XEB...
★ www.ragdollrock.bandcamp.com
Follow me online
★ leontoddmusic
★ leon_ragdoll
★ leon_ragdoll
Gear I use
► Deviser Guitars
www.deviser.co.jp
► Fractal Audio AX8 & X-Load
www.fractalaudio.com
► Anarchy Audio Stompboxes www.anarchyaudioaustralia.com
► Universal Audio Apollo Twin
www.uaudio.com/audio-interfac...
► Monitors - Adam A7X
www.adam-audio.com/en/ax-seri...
► Camera - Canon EOS 5D
www.canon.com.au/cameras/eos-...

[@billybell1300]

Dam man your tones are awesome. Ian so glad we found each other thanks man.

[@xxxxenoxxx]

Good to see fractal featuring you on their facebook posts mate! Nicely done :)

[@khalilhabib9607]

Very helpful as always. Sounds great. Thanks for sharing Leon

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks so much for tuning in, as always!

[@jch5150]

Yes! Excellent video, thanks Leon this is really helpful!!

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

I just found you on KZbin, im subscribed for sure! Great accent, great point of view, great thinking, KILLER player, super job!!

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks for the sub and I'm so glad you like the vids. Let me know if there's any topics you'd like to see me tackle.

[@sudeephembrom325]

what a badass tone man ....bravo

[@marcopenol4875]

Hey Leon! Thank you for this insightful Tutorial, I hope you have a Revamp tutorial video for this. I'm currently having trouble on my fm3 doing this set up. The sounds Im getting thru this set up (FM3 + Power amp + Cab Set) sounds like a broken tweeter without any IR enabled.

[@MikaTarkela]

Thanks for the video, I'm gonna try these tomorrow when I get the Ax8 :)

[@KelsterVonShredster]

This is fanastic, excellent tips, thanks so much!

[@nahuelarguiz]

Leon Todd is THE ax8 guy...your videos are gold. Cliff should maKe you FAS CEO !

[@LeonTodd]

How lucky are we to have Cliff and FAS putting out gear like this?

[@dapunkof1975]

Hello Leon I have a question. I have the same exact cabinet mesa 2x12 compact and I have a matrix gt1000fx. I know it's a lot of wattage but sometimes when I'm in a practice space or live setting, if I want more stage volume sometimes I feel I have to go to 12 o clock or a little past that. But when I do I see the signal light respond was I'm playing. What exactly does that mean and is that dangerous for the speakers ie. blowing them out? Hope to hear from you!

[@Hitthispipe]

Hey Todd...love ur videos. Asking for a friend.....does this work the same way for the Axe lll ?? Thanks

[@teamskdm1]

Heres what i did, 2x12 combo amp and replace the speakers with the flattest coaxial FRFR PA speakers you can find, I chose celestion. that way your amp should be pretty identical of an actual PA system so the tone you dial into the amp should translate perfectly over a venues PA. plug your fractal audio into the fx return of the amp to only use the power section and skip the preamp. guitar > ax8 > 2x12 combo with frfr speaker mod. plug ax8 into Pa for live and use 2x12 as backup monitor.

[@gatgod77]

I was at Cherry bar the other week,thought you looked familiar,didn't realize that was you until I got home the next day and watched one of your vids and thought to myself "Hey that was Leon!" lol Thanks for the handy info dude,keep up the good work \m/

[@LeonTodd]

Small world hey!

[@marcoilsecco]

Hello Leon, that was super useful. I'll try the low res freq trick asap. I'm using the Seymour Duncan power stage 170 with my cab and i think it makes my AX8 really shine, at least until i upgaded to firmware 10.0. Since then, i think my patches sound a bit worse and i was wondering if you have any advices on how to tweak my patch for use with power amp + cab after upgrading from firmware 9 to 10... can you help? thank you in advance!

[@oz.faemine]

Setting the Low Frequency Resonance on the amp block also affects the sound that goes direct to FOH right?

[@guilhordas]

leon, i did the experiment here but the resonance never goes down like your video, i have a cab 2x12 v30 and gt75, what should i do? It must be too high the volume? how do i know the exact point that determines the right frequency?

[@nunyabiznazz2883]

Hi what is the deal with the les paul on the wall with 2 knobs removed on it??

[@Bluesplayer789]

Brilliant video. Well explained.

[@yonikup2865]

Sorry if you have answer this before, but if I intend to play at home how would you recommend me to set up? Guitar-ax8-frfr / guitar - ax8 - studio monitors / guitar- ax8 - power amp - cab ? Is getting a power amp and a cabinet a bit overkill for home use? Or does it make the sound so much better that it's worth it? Thanks in advance!

[@darrylportelli]

Cheers .... i was running the ax8 with my jcm800 and a laney cab (cub with rocket 50's) and it was sounding WAAYYYY to harsh with all the amps .... i put a peq with 8k cut off and it sounded perfect .... i thought it was maybe the cab but now since i found your vid i know it's not just me !!!!!

[@wolfgang2007aaaaaaaa]

Great helpful info there. Is your guitar a Heritage-H150?

[@JavyonVISION]

Thanks for the tips! I really should spend the time learning to use the controls and menus rather than being handicapped by having to use the computer to edit settings.

[@clamdigr]

Leon, do you have any FRFR cabs? I'm wondering how the resonance trick with the synth block translates or if its necessary with FRFR (?), I use a Friedman ASM-12. with the AX8. After watching this I'm going to have to dig out my SLA2 power amp and Recto 212 from the old AxeFX Ultra rig and play around. The ending made my day, laughed so hard!! Glad I'm not the only one who does that now and again. And again, thanks for all the helpful vids!!!!!

[@mikelafontaine2998]

Where is that low freq respond in the menu can you guide me to it thanks

[@serenitybroken]

Leon you're the God of AX8. So glad you're always there taking care all the major aspects of this beautiful machine. Your help is tremendous! Is there any chance to share this patch so that i can analyze it further? All the best bro!

[@LeonTodd]

Glad it's helpful :) Try this preset axechange.fractalaudio.com/detail.php?preset=6044

[@l3ertuz362]

the ending clip is epic!

[@beetle5000]

Thank you so much for freq res it helped a lot

[@sgcustom76]

When I connect my fm3 to power amp, power amp just clicks, I think it overloads it, power amp must be to weak, whats the best piwer amo to buy? I'm gonna run it through my guitar cabinet, thanks in advance

[@MichaelWilson-ri9pn]

Thank you. Very interesting. Right now I am using a JBL eon612 wedge. I assume this would be helpful on that kind of setup as well? Love your videos and owe you a lot!

[@LeonTodd]

It's great with frfr to fine tune the low end

[@buffordevans6942]

Wouldn’t need to do this with FRFR powered monitors correct ?

[@aterix]

Leon, have your recommended tips and gear changed in the past 4 years for running Axe FX through an Amp/Cab live?

[@PsyckadeliTV]

Great video. I will have to save this one and try it out with my gear...

[@LeonTodd]

Let me know how it works for you!

[@TheRocknrolla12]

Awesome, it does sound more pronounced with my Sennheiser HD headphone, I can hear the difference...

[@janezmihevc5190]

I Love to buy fractal and connected too evh 2x12 would be ok ?

[@RetroDoneRight]

Very much appreciate the tips 👍

[@jd21177]

"You just wanna touch em together" brilliant! ;-)

[@Hitthispipe]

OMG...that freakout ur bass player had about it not working is hilarious....so true to life

[@MrStephenlederle]

I wonder if this can be done with a helix

[@edumaloco]

can you do this on de Helix?

[@joehernandez5600]

Leon, is there any similar trick when using an FRFR rig such as a Mission Gemini II?

[@NamelessMan666]

Yes, the low resonance works even with FRFR. I'm using two Laney IRT112 cabs with Celestion F12-X200 and this makes such a big difference in the low end. I have the cab set up 120Hz-8kHz and I'm also using the de-phase to make it sound like a real cab. I have the speaker compression on about 3-4, since this are FR speakers and do not compress like a guitar speaker.

[@vejichan]

Cant find it in wave format

[@schlagdog]

Hey thanks for the Low Res trick with the cab and sync block. Is the low res right at the second the cab starts to really get loud. My Mesa 4x12 goes nuts right at 160 and doesn’t drop off till 190 or so.

[@LeonTodd]

You'll find anywhere in that range will really help with the thump, and IMO the lower the better so you could probably safely stick to 160.

[@loremipsum4193]

How to plug in FM3 to a cab?

[@yokytolakaca7485]

Hey man, nice video, very useful. I have a question: is the signal coming out from AX8 at instrument level or line level? What kind of signal is going in to the power amp? Is it necessary to reamp the signal? Thank you man.

[@LeonTodd]

You shouldn't have to reamp it, you can select between instrument/line AFAIK. Line level in this demo here.

Hi. Very nice video. I really love to watching your tutorials. On stage I'm using my ax8 effects loop output with poweramp section of real tube amp and main output of ax8 is connected to the PA. Question is: How to split the virtual power section in the AX8? I wanna send a clear signal from preamp of AX8 to the real amp (via loop effects) and send a complete signal with modeling power section to the PA. In the global menu U can off the power section which is good for sound with real tube poweramp. But then its missing on the PA. Cheers!!!

[@LeonTodd]

Unfortunately it can't be done :(

Leon Todd Thank you for clear answer. All the best!

[@metalhead6659]

nice tips and tricks......

[@babtanian]

I recently grabbed a FM3 and have been enjoying your videos! I also just got a GT800FX and am wondering if you know what the difference between Matrix and Matrix "Elements" is. I've seen both in numerous photos & videos, and it appears that you have the "Elements" version in this video. Thanks!

[@LeonTodd]

I have no idea. Companies like to rebrand like that

[@babtanian]

Thanks @@LeonTodd. I couldn’t find anything online about it. I know they have US & UK divisions and thought that might have something to do with it but couldn’t confirm 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@adrs2]

When playing just for pleasure at home with ax8 (no gigs, little recording) would You prefer frfr or a real cabinet 2x12 with flat poweramp? Thank You

[@LeonTodd]

I play direct through two Adam A7X studio monitors

[@teddis0143]

Hi Leon, Thank you for doing these very helpful video's. I am trying to get the resonant Freq of my guitar cabinet per the video so I can add to my patches. My rig is OUT 1 to FOH stereo XLR, OUT 2 , via FXLOOP block to power amp in (fx loop return) , 1/4 inch in on Hughes and Kettner GM36. I have the Presence and Resonance controls on the front panel of the GM36 at Zero. When I do the synth block sweep, I get most volume, resonance at 155Hz. This seems high ? The guitar cabinet is a Mesa 1 X 12. with an EVM12L. Thank you for any insight. Ted

[@teddis0143]

Sorry, adding , closed back Mesa Cabinet.

[@LeonTodd]

That does seem high; how does it sound though?

[@teddis0143]

Leon Todd Hi, sounded okay. I did another sweep. Also seems to be a peak at 110.....so maybe I have a few res frequencies.....maybe the higher value was the room(bedroom) I have set all cabs to 110 for now and will check that out. Thank you for replying.

[@guilhordas]

my rig is ax8, 2x12 cab (vintage 30 / gt75) crate powerblock (just for power/ the poweerblock preamp is bypass). I already got a great tone straight to foh. Now I've been trying the great tone by out2 through the cab and power. no success at all. very harsh. trebly.even annoying. What am I missing ?? thank you

[@LeonTodd]

Use the global eq on out 2 to tame some highs

Ola Leon! Unfortunately the difference of my language did not allow me to understand this post ....I using a power stage 170 Seymour and I would like to know how to apply this tip to have the best sound on the stage ... I have to level the This tip of using Synth would be along with a distorted preset? Can I use ampli modulation?

[@LeonTodd]

Basically adjust the low res frequency on your preset until it sounds best ;)

Leon Todd thank's for atencion

[@eljam8138]

Does this apply to an Atomic CLR also? matching the frequency i mean

[@LeonTodd]

I wouldn't worry about it with FRFR

[@benoitguenette988]

Hi! Great video! I was looking for a power amp and now I know what to buy! Now.. I want to know if I should go with the GT800 or GT1000? Any big difference?

[@LeonTodd]

The GT1000 is 200 better, right?!

[@benoitguenette988]

@@LeonTodd Yes! and it suppose to have a more looser and open sound. But I wonder if It has an impact on the AX8 and replication of an amp.

[@marcoilsecco]

Hi Leon, i tried the low res freq trick wit the synth block but i was not able to make it work. I understand that the synth block is supposed to generate a frequency but i heard nothing when connecting the power amp and cab. Any ideas of what i'm doing wrong? thank you!

[@LeonTodd]

Make sure you have synth tracking set to off

[@marcoilsecco]

Thank you Leon :-) I'm pretty sure the synth tracking is set to off but i'll check and try again

[@kevinstewart8120]

will this setup work with the seymour duncan powerstage 170?

[@LeonTodd]

Should do!

[@vanalhalen]

Excellent tricks !!! I use my AX8 with a Seymour Duncan Powerstage 700 to adjust EQ without changing preset parameters but the low end res freq is a really good trick and I will try with no speaker comp too to see ^^ But with all this changes, does it still sounds awesome FOH (same time than the real cab I mean : Fx send to power amp/cab, out 1 to FOH, with the cab block at the very last and fx loop block in parallel than the cab block) ??? Thanks a lot for your expert advice

[@LeonTodd]

FOH usually slices out around 100/120 with a high pass so it doesn't make a huge difference there.

[@vanalhalen]

Leon Todd Oh yeah of course ! Why I forgot this "little" thing 😂 Important to leave the kick and bass zone free 👍

[@eddiem4868]

@Vito B doesn't using the FRFR give you options of cabs that you can use?

[@rockstaradventures1]

so first off this was confusing, are you running cab block out to your cab? why? if not are you sticking a PEQ in front of the output to the cab? This would of been better if we seen this on the AX8 Edit software and not the little window.

[@danielakerman8241]

What's the model name/number of your power amp unit? I couldn't find it on my own.

[@LeonTodd]

Matrix GT800FX

[@patricklongshanks378]

I've been playing my mini rectifier through a pair of reapers... Ohhh my, it is awesome

[@LeonTodd]

They complement dark amps really well, that must sound massive.

[@patricklongshanks378]

You know it brotha! Keep up the righteous work.

[@kornelious1]

Is there a way I can plug the AX8 into my 2x12 combo amplifier and get those great tones?

[@mattsbo]

kornelious1 bypass the preamp section by going straight into the fx return so you’re just utilising the ax8 with the power amp section into the cab

[@kornelious1]

@@mattsbo Thank you!!!

[@Bobby_Uterus]

The look on his face when you ask him if he’s gone wireless. 😂

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

The real question is: when is the First Order Star Destroyer build log coming?

[@LeonTodd]

Oh boy that's going to be fun!

[@nolifeonearth9046]

I am no expert, but the room you do the low-resonance in test may fool you. Since the room is also a "cabinet" with its own resonance frequency and its octaves. How do you tackle that?

[@LeonTodd]

That's a good point. You can use this to tune your cab for any room.

[@vejichan]

Can you make an ir with that cab and please send it to me

[@LeonTodd]

If your search my user name (2112) on axechange.fractalaudio.com you can find them already.

[@Smittefar1]

Hey Leon, I have had this in my Watch Later list for a while, so I am late to the party. I am going to a rehearsal tonight (and gig on friday) where I will have to use my real cab (and EHX Magnum .44), and I just pulled up your video. Thanks for a lot of great advice. The synth block is a great idea (in the forums, it is often adviced to palm mute to get the right response, but the synth seems like a better choice), and also it probably wouldn't have occured to me to use the global EQ, since I never really use it. But it is obviously the perfect choice - thanks.

[@LeonTodd]

Keep me posted with how it works out for you. I figured Cliff had a few synth block features in there to keep audio nerds satisfied in applications like this :D

[@Smittefar1]

Hey, it went very well. I had done the synth thing at home, at it worked fine (I am wondering how the cab resonance blends with my room resonance though). The Global EQ thing was just perfect. To begin with, I though it sounded a bit thin, so I used the global EQ to cut the low lows, give it some 125 and 250 and a little 2k - I also removed the super highs. Sounded just great. I also got reminded, how I don't miss the whole amp in the room thing - at all :D I had to walk across the room to hear how my guitar actually sounded. I suppose, I could have gotten my 1x12 off the floor, but still. It sounded great though :)

[@fullmetalsal]

If you want the most natural and least plastic digital tone this is the ultimate set up - Modeler>poweramp/tubeamp power section>passive speaker cab. Period.

[@Ibanezguy2007]

Or just bring an actual tube amp. 😅 Sounds way better

[@GrandPapa16]

The GT800 is powerful enough for bass?

[@LeonTodd]

We've run one side of the GT for guitar and one for bass on dozens of gigs, does the job nicely.

[@GrandPapa16]

@@LeonTodd thanks Leon, I was looking forward to these amp and when asking them (through email) , they told me all bass players were using the GT1600... I thought that a 1000 would be more than enough. So I guess even the 800 would be OK. Thanks for the answer on a 1 year old video!

[@LeonTodd]

@@GrandPapa16 it all depends on how much air you need to move. The 1600 would be amazing but I've had no issue with the 800.

[@GrandPapa16]

@@LeonTodd Thanks Leon, I'm really confused on how to choose these. Do you have a video on this? Isn't there a risk of breaking my Trace Elliot Cabinets if I overlod them with a 800W amp? Why should I need a 1600W thing when my 350W Trace Elliot head is more than enough?

[@LeonTodd]

@@GrandPapa16 I'd contact Matrix directly about that stuff

[@steadyeddie3251]

Maaaaaaaannnnn I love the lego Star Wars

[@LeonTodd]

Me too - straight back to childhood!

[@GOTRAVlogs]

I want to buy an Ax8 and a proper cab to mic it live. Could you please explain what Matrix GT does? Is it necessary for my plan? Thanks! Discovered your channel today. Fell in love (no homo) 🌋

[@LeonTodd]

It's a power amp that works great with modellers and would fit your needs perfectly

[@GOTRAVlogs]

Leon Todd is it an absolute necessity though? Can't I just plug the AX8 straight into the cab? Thanks P.S. Sorry if it's a stupid question 😅 Edit: Just figured cabs are passive so I guess it is necessary to have some power amplifier. Correct me if I'm wrong

[@LeonTodd]

The AX8 isn't powered so you either need a power amp and a passive cab or a powered cab like the Mission Gemini or Atomic CLR.

[@GOTRAVlogs]

Leon Todd will the x load do the job? My goal is to have an AX8 into some 2X12 or 4X12 cab. Thanks for taking time to answer my dumb questions 😅

[@LeonTodd]

@@GOTRAVlogs the x-load isn't a power amp. Matrix, Seymour Duncan, Quilter and qsc all make Power amps that will do the job.

[@jimmygrant3151]

great, ill just go out and spend a million on gear. thanks pro.

[@LeonTodd]

Up your game and spend a billion

[@Avatar7x7]

@Leon Todd - Thought your tips and tricks would apply to more than just one genre (patch) - you've got fractal users playing all kinds of styles other than death metal.. very limited application for a box that can do amazing things...smh

[@LeonTodd]

What would you like to see covered from a non rock/metal perspective?

[@Avatar7x7]

If you could nail an Allan Holdsworth tone, some nice clean tones of a fender super reverb and smooth overdrive tones like the "Redplate Blackline" played by Allen Hinds.. just more versatility..I hear a million demos using the drop "D" heavy metal patches and tone and to be honest it's so one dimensional... I'd like to hear if the thing can get Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson tones...that would be way more impressive.. thanks!

[@joathescientist]

8:12 omg! that's what I call a satanic harmonic. Who doesn't like that?!

[@andrewmagana8093]

Man Leon's pants are tighter than his guitar tone

[@peterschaefer1665]

Or....just get a couple of Headrush cabs

[@luukderuijter1332]

Bass players being stupid is a harmful stereotype Bass player: it's not working!?!? *isn't plugged in