Axe Fx 3: Tips for Beginners

[@kylehowdy]

at 12:42, when you had the reverb in parallel you actually want that mix to be 100%. Since it was less than 100, you're introducing more non-reverb track to the entire signal path. :)

[@GregSummersMusic]

Yes you are correct. I have since realized this when working with it more. I always ran them in series and had recently changed to parallel due to some presets i had been working with. Thanks for comment!

[@otiskylo1038]

I know Im kinda randomly asking but does anybody know a good place to stream new movies online?

[@edenronald8991]

@Otis Kylo flixportal

[@otiskylo1038]

@Eden Ronald Thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service =) I appreciate it !!

[@edenronald8991]

@Otis Kylo Happy to help =)

[@tel5690]

Purchasing next month. So I am watching all fractal videos and learn as much as I can. Good video

[@GregSummersMusic]

Thank you. It’s such a versatile unit. Never gets old playing.

[@jimmygrant3151]

great video. What's the USB in for?

[@pskemster]

Very nice@thanks

[@j.carlosmurrr]

Thanks for the tips. I am considering getting this beast, but honestly that much of knobs, sliders and parameters make it a bit intimidating. I wouldn't expect for instance that a cab block had "Preamp" settings (the low cut tweak you set make a big difference). If it's a cab then it is passive, isn't it? So how does a preamp fit there? I guess it will take a time to get along with the beast and its tongue. But by all means, based on what I see and hear this is a kia** mighty machine. Cheers.

[@GregSummersMusic]

I'm assuming their wording of preamp is more there because they have given you some basic EQ settings that would exist in a preamp scenario, but I can't answer for certain. It is definitely a different world. Honestly, the axe fx for me at least is one that you can make as simple or as complicated as you want. You can grab an amp and cab block and get a useable tone fairly quickly, depending on the amp you choose. Other modelers I have messed with require more tweaking to get where I am happy. That's not to say EVERY amp is great out of the box, but with all the presets shared in the community, you can generally find something you are happy with and learn how to tweak it to your liking more. KZbin is full of so many useful videos as well. Good luck!

[@Eventual420]

At these stages of the mix process, a full signal records well. You’ll hear more detail and the feeling of being energized and electrified will help the guitar feel like it’s got some power behind it. But platforms may reject it. They’ll want to reduce the gain 8db, more or less. I’ve learned to play by their rules, using Loudness Penalty website. A drag and drop audio scan will reveal where they want you to be, typically much different than the levels you’ve got set for live use. Why? Because if there are EQ balances adjusted and a tone determined, 8db of squash changes the entire feeling. If the next step of the process is going to reject your levels then we account for that. Each stage, as signal passes along, will need a quick analysis to keep them tame. So reductions are employed, taking care to not sacrifice the tone. Eventually it becomes prudent to research in advance. Do a test export, drag and drop at Loudness Penalty. Outboard gear all have their sweet spots too, many will go above instrument level but not hold line level before they crackle. TC Electronic chorus, Sound Sculpture mixers... this is why users must familiarize themselves with their interface, +4/-11 on the various channels. It certainly matters. As well as what platforms want to see. Try that site with some test mixes. Was in Yeehaw junction headed South on Saturday... thought of you.

[@GregSummersMusic]

Good info here. I wanted to stick to some basics but certainly your tips will add value. There was more I wanted to cover but this is a good start to some of the most asked and often overlooked things for beginners both to the axe Fx as well as any modeler. I tend to talk about things that I’ve learned (lots of them not long ago) and if I come across something that may help others I’m not afraid to tell them I just learned it lol. Most of my life was spent with traditional gear and I didn’t have to worry too much about leveling presets to any kind of meter. It was basically just making sure they were consistent across each preset in my rack. Thanks for adding to the conversation. I appreciate it! Yeehaw is a little ways from me (about an hour or so).

[@scottpeters4401]

The Friedman C45 is awesome....in my just over a week with my FM3,I use that one a lot...still lots to learn,but this really helps...I haven’t even turned the editor on yet...trying to learn how to navigate from the unit first....

[@GregSummersMusic]

Awesome Scott. I just finished a video yesterday on creating a preset from the front panel...also creating a parallel effect path and a couple other tips. It’s great you are seeing the value and getting to know the unit on its own. So important for being able to tweak as needed when playing live.

[@scottpeters4401]

Greg Summers yeah,the editor is nice..but like you said,sometimes you need to be able to make quick changes on the unit itself....I do have one question...say I want to put my Big Sky in the loop,is the FX Loop stereo??on the Helix you use 2 loops if you want stereo...or is it a TRS thing?

[@GregSummersMusic]

Scott Peters yes it is stereo. You will just use output 2. You will see it on the back labeled send/return. I can send you a preset on how I set mine up if you want. Hit me up on messenger.

[@scottpeters4401]

Greg Summers that would be great!!

[@RickBonanno]

Hey Greg, great job as usual. I finally made it here and subscribed. Be well.

[@GregSummersMusic]

Great to have you here! Thanks for the sub. I appreciate it!

[@nuke1upgames]

Are these things as close as u can get to a tube amp? I have been using tube amps for about 4 years now. I've owned a 6505+ and now I own a 5150 III I love it. Before that, I liked modeling amps I owned a spider IV and a fender Mustang III V2 I thought the Fender III V2 was better than the Spider IV. my 5150 III way better then both but something like this sounds amazing though.

[@GregSummersMusic]

Yea I’d say this is one of the closest you all get right now in the modeling realm. I don’t put kemper in the same category as that is profiling. If you connect axe to a power amp and guitar cab there is really not much difference at all. If you are using some sort of full range speaker with cabinet modeling it still sounds good but you have to remember that all modelers used in this way (pa speakers, computer monitors/speakers), are modeling a mic on a cabinet so it will be different. Feel is always subjective so there is that but the axe fx is great. You just have to understand that’s it’s another tool. Some people just love their tube amps and that they can walk up and twist knobs and go. The axe will take time and you can tweak for days (or not) but it’s extremely versatile and portable. Like I was saying in the beginning of you connect it to a power amp and your own guitar cabinet that you are used to it’s going to feel and sound virtually identical after some basic tweaking is the model in the axe fx.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Hey Greg! How loud is the fan in the AX3? Do you hear it when it’s turned on?

[@GregSummersMusic]

Yes I do hear it. I can probably record it for you and send it via messenger if you want. Let me know. For me personally it’s not loud enough to be distracting but everyone has a different environmental threshold

[@xiaoxia5]

if i wanted to buy the Axe Fx III just to use for the effects alone, is it worth it? any experience with the Eventide stuff?

[@GregSummersMusic]

Lots of players do that (Steve vai, satriani, petrucci) but will be more cost effective for something like an HX effects, but I’m partial to fractal effects. The axe fx is pretty pricey just to use for the FX for us mortals but the models are always there if you need them and they are fantastic. One other option is a used FX8 if you want the fractal effects but I’m not sure about long term support since it’s discontinued. As far as the eventide I’ve only ever played on a friends eventide delay (i think that’s what it was).

[@kendevries3212]

Is there a source of information as to how the amp names in the Axe FX relate to the real amps are intended to impersonate? I know they can't use the original names for the amps, but it would help to have this information.

[@GregSummersMusic]

I reference this quite often. There’s also one out there called Yek’s guide to fractal amp models that goes into greater detail but this one is a good first to look over. wiki.fractalaudio.com/axefx2/index.php?title=Amplifier_models_list

[@reecenamina]

Mine is out for delivery, I’m a little nervous.

[@GregSummersMusic]

You should be excited!!

[@reecenamina]

Greg Summers Oh, I am. I’m sure I’ll be a little overwhelmed at first though.

[@andy_182]

This is all I need to know to know that the AXE FX 3 is for me: Metallica uses it live. Therefore it’s good enough for me

[@GregSummersMusic]

Yes that’s a good testimony for sure!

[@michaelenochs4033]

I just want to tell the new owners to buy a nice guitar cable. You already spent thousands of dollars for this top of the line piece of equipment, it deserves a better cable. I say this because I'm coming back from pretty much a two year vacation from using my Axefx 3 due to a shitty set of guitar cables and I didn't even know it. I wasn't using my Axefx to its potential and it literally made me depressed and demotivated because when you get your axefx, you will learn real quick how easy it is to make a shitty ass guitar tone. You will. And in time, you will train your ear to hear all the frequencies that you would've otherwise missed. In my case, the cheap cables I was using "worked" but it did not give me a good enough signal going in and I blamed it on the axefx. If you've got a weaker signal going into the axefx, you will never get a clean and clear tone no matter what you do. Finally decided to try again and got myself a new higher end cable and what would you know, modern metal tones have never sounded more sweeter!!! I will never forget how important a new higher end cable could possibly make.

[@GregSummersMusic]

Very good advice here. I’ve always bought really nice cables so I can’t say I’ve had the experience you did…and for so long. Sorry to hear that but I guess in the end you had something to compare. ;-)

[@ced4589]

All of these instructional videos are fine and dandy but hardly anyone says what they are playing through speaker wise! FRFR cab? Normal guitar cab? Studio monitor speakers? I play my fx III through a Line 6 Powercab and it sounds like garbage compared to most of these YT videos...

[@GregSummersMusic]

Ced for this video everything is recorded direct. In fact most videos you hear on KZbin, will be recorded direct. Personally I go direct to FOH and monitor through in ears. At home I’m running through studio monitors. You want something that is as flat as possible for EQ. I do have a Friedman FRFR but don’t use it anymore since I have in ears. Bottom line is we don’t mention it because there are many ways to monitor and the best for is wouldn’t be the best for you. I will say that I haven’t heard too many people using the power cab with the axe fx but I haven’t tried one personally so I can’t tell you why it’s not sounding good. I know people search for that amp in the room sound but I always say if you want that, grab a solid state power amp and a real cabinet and use that with the axe Fx.

[@ced4589]

@@GregSummersMusic Thanks Greg. I appreciate the quick and informative response!

[@GregSummersMusic]

Ced very welcome! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment ;-)

[@jhprivate5101]

@@GregSummersMusic What kind of shape is your Friedman FRFR in? If you don't use it and would like to move it, I would be interested.

[@GregSummersMusic]

It’s the wedge shape. I usually turn it on it’s side and behind me. I don’t really use it but I’m not wanting to deal with shipping it either. It’s 50 lbs of odd weight.