Episode 7 - Fractal Audio - How I create Failure studio and stage tones with the Axe-FxIII

[@RickBeato]

Sounds killer Ken!

[@KenAndrewsMusic]

Thanks Rick!

[@mattbrick1246]

why doesnt rick have a check mark next to his name?

[@drack1997]

i want to see what makes this song great with the multi tracks from another of the failure song!!

[@robbohannan1893]

@@KenAndrewsMusic Ken, I'm not sure you will ever see this message, but I wanted to ask a question and right here is the only way I know how... Regarding the Wild Type Droid tour, I noticed right away you were playing a new Squire Bass VI, actually the same exact model I now have. My question is... did you have any modifications added to that guitar, like pickups or something custom? I do enjoy mine, but it seems it can sound much better with just a little more love. Would appreciate your comments on this, thanks.

[@MedalionDS9]

Thank you Rick for introducing this band and album to me!

[@TheBlueKidBuu]

God is it a good time to be a failure fan

[@gregalmonte8]

honestly

[@blahuhm6782]

Failure was one of my favorites in highschool... now I'm late to the party, just discovering all this failure stuff... such a nice treat for an otherwise crummy year

[@shelveDEMO]

...and just keeps getting better lol. Wild Type Droid rules, and the most recent tour was the best I've ever seen them.

[@insert_clever_name_here]

Yer' goddamn right! The best.

[@MykeLewisMusic]

The glasses being included in the gear list was gold 🤣

[@louderthangod]

Myke Lewis Clearly Ray Bans Wayfarer have the best tone.

[@truckasaurus]

I feel so much better about "only" needing 1.25s now... :)

[@CMeier213]

Where is this? I'm missing it

[@nedim_guitar]

@@CMeier213 During the song at the start of the video, text comes up about mic, guitar, glasses...

[@OniEvie]

you still sound incredible regardless if it's been 10 months or not!

[@GetzGoth]

Yep, it could about pass for the original recording.

[@awhile]

i thought it sounded better than the original tbh

[@ConfusionXIII]

I was born in 1994. Just found this Band 7 days ago. Can't Stop to REAPEAT. "Fantastic Planet" Dig deep till I found THIS. THIS IS DIAMOND.

[@LeonTodd]

Some of the most gigantic tones I've ever heard!

[@StephenAntKneeBk5]

I don't have your gear, set-ups or chops, but I almost always come away from your videos with at least one good idea and just feeling good about making music with what I have. Thanks. :-)

[@KenAndrewsMusic]

That’s exactly what it’s all about Stephen!

[@jeremyburke6630]

FP is one of the thickest sounding albums I've heard to this day. A.M Amnesia is my favorite track from the last two albums. Bout time I trade the pedalboard in for a fractal. Thanks for making these videos!

[@nachshonrorick]

Jerome Hughley Agreed! When A.M. Amensia blasts off, it feels like a jump scare in the best way - like we’re breaking through the atmosphere 🚀

[@iwillnevergetone5]

100% true. i was very late to the Failure party and swore FP was from the modern era when i first heard. it sounds ridiculously huge and current. however they got those sonics is beyond me

[@NicholasGreenwood]

I've seen Failure 4 times between 2014-2019 (every single time the tour came through Seattle), and I've been blown away by the quality of the sound every single time. Having heard your incredible guitar tones live so many times, I've been seeking out ways to have a more creative and streamlined approach to guitar sounds. Axe-Fx III is out of my price range, but lately I've been leaning toward getting a pedal switcher with MIDI capability. Boss ES-8, with the Boss 500 series, along with other pedals on my board, in the effects loop of my Fryette Pittbull 100CL. Flexibility, programmability, preset saving, and great sounds. Thank you for the inspiration, Ken.

[@christanmartinez1238]

Great performance of Saturday Savior in the intro! 😭 So sick! These videos are a treat to watch!

[@SelflessFitness]

These Ken Andrew’s videos are the best thing on the internet right now. We want more! We want more! We want more! .......please!

[@Y-o-u-Topia]

Why this channel isn't in the milion subs range? it's filled to the brim with quality content

[@probotdrummer]

Thank you , Ken as always, that Fantastic Planet Zeitgeist is still alive and well :)

[@EmptyDomoKanti99]

anytime i hear Saturday Saviour, i’m immediately happy.

[@deconimus2393]

What a time to be alive to have this kind of video from you, haha. The intro also reminds me that I need to see you guys live... keeping my fingers crossed that one day you'll tour Europe once again!

[@DannePlaysBass]

This is amazing content as usual Ken! Could you please do one for how you approach bass as well? The bass tone on Heliotropic and Frogs are two of my absolute all time favorite bass sounds recorded.

[@asmokingumbrella]

I literally was just thinking about your channel just now. Thanks for sharing your insight as usual!

[@JohnLZ7W]

I don't think I realized how excited I was for the shows this summer until I watched this video

[@nickst-a2351]

Hey Ken, we wear the same glasses! 🤘 I'm quite impressed with what Fractal brought to your live performance videos. I always found that guitars seemed to be temperamental in live mixes (for video). Fractal seems to translate your rig into a stable and consistent approximation to the recorded versions of your mixes. I dig it. Thanks for playing through Saturday Saviour. Sounded great! Regards, -Nick

[@vonapathy]

Me: about to do some work Ken: uploads new vid Me: lol who needs a job 🤷

[@markm668]

Outstanding insight, not only to the axe but the way your brain works. Enjoyed that, I appreciate the upload.

[@Stardrowner]

I really appreciate you uploading this. I've been a Failure fan and a fan of yours in general since 2013. I saw the video for "Stuck On You" in 2006 or 2007 on VH1 classic late at night and wrote down your bands name and the name of the song because I loved it. Forgot about it for a long time though until in 2013 I found that list on a CD. I put on Fantastic Planet and felt like I'd found something I'd been searching for and since then I've been obsessed with your guitar tones and chords and trying to understand how you go about setting your tones and rigs. I'm a aspiring musician myself using a Helix LT and lately have had more of a Space Rock approach to songwriting but I'm a Metalhead too and I've been doing so with my Metal tones and it doesn't quite do what I need it to do so seeing this video really helps. Also obsessed with Billy Howerdel too. Both of you are huge inspirations. Thank you for what you've done and continue to do!

[@julienvauxion4037]

Ken, thanks for the tips. The Counterfeit Sky trick, I couldn't get my head arround that one... Failure's music turned on my interest for pitch effects

[@Espresso101]

Ok, now I need follow up videos of a track by track breakdown of Fantastic Planet. This was wildly entertaining.

[@zucchinisurprise6347]

Dude, you're a hero. I've always really admired Fantastic Planet and tried to emulate that standard of quality to some degree but it's hard to figure this stuff out just groping in the dark with a beat-up guitar setup, Pro Tools, and a bunch of cheap VSTs starting from scratch. It's not specific to this particular episode, but this channel has really helped me to feel more confident with my work at home and has pointed me in the right direction to start doing some home recordings I'm actually proud of. Thanks so much!

[@BrandonWhalen]

You beautiful, fantastic human. Thank you for sharing this knowledge.

[@jeremiahscherer8126]

Can you do a quick episode about your bass sounds? Best bass recorded bass tones I've heard.

[@junglemast3r]

3:27 after trying very hard to recreat this tone and buying every piece of gear you mentioned I found this to be the most important part

[@DeadPerspective]

Another great video. Thanks for making these and love the subtle humor!

[@Unleashed2k]

I can't wait for the Axe-FX IIII Ken Andrews Special Edition with 4 CPUs

[@muzishian]

Partner up w/ UA....they're great at adding new models of their gear w/ additional chips :)

[@mredzadventure]

Soothing to the soul Ken

[@ricardonikolac8524]

Ken you are a genius Great guitar tone with the Axe-fxIII and amazing vocals!!!

[@shoseinen]

Love this videos. Always wondered how failure get those sounds. Thanks You so much

[@thomasniehof6333]

Hi Ken, I'm not sure if you're a member of the Fractal Audio Forum, but adding an extra Amp Block has been an idea that has been much requested. However, adding just a third, let alone a fourth Amp Block would mean the oversampling of these blocks has to be cut in half. This has a significant impact on the sound. Adding more power to a unit that's already €2700,- would make it so expensive that hardly anyone will buy it. If you're dead set on running rigs like that, you could consider running two Axe-FX IIIs simultaneously and controlling both units with a single MIDI controller. Then you can run a four amp setup for a single guitar. Thank you for making this video, by the way. Some of the ideas you've explained here had been stuck in my head for a while, but I had never come to trying them out. I'll definitely try some more crazy setups in the future. I have one request for a future video: Please make a similar video about the bass tones, since they're such an important part of the signature sound of Failure. Perhaps you can shine some light in how you deal with having two bass players and how this influences the patches you make? Thanks! :)

[@KenAndrewsMusic]

4 amps would probably require a full CPU upgrade yes, but it’s not like these chips don’t exist. Using two fractals together is a massive bag of hurt and defeats the purpose of keeping everything small and flyable for my band.

[@iamarocketship]

Today on the train to once again, I saw a regular commuter who's Ken's doppelganger, and who always brings his cat in a carrier. This evening a new video. Coincidence? A sign? But seriously, this was really interesting: as a Fractal user (albeit AX8) it's good to see how others use these boxes of magic.

[@ebbeeriksson2243]

Thank you Ken!!! I could watch hours of this.

[@usedguitargearmodsmusic5628]

Amazing live recording

[@drack1997]

Awesome, need more videos!!

[@richdome220]

I love Failure!!! This info is awesome! I would love to get some insight about Year Of The Rabbit. I still listen to that record almost daily. Thanks!!

[@gardenbabe09]

Hahaha I died with the CVS 2.0x reader glasses. I love Saturday savior. What a joy to listen and to see you play. Thanks a million for the music 💜it's been the best part of 2021 for me.

[@Floped00]

This is just incredible.

[@dhekke]

Gear list! Guitar: '67 Jazzmaster Effects processor: Fractal Axe-FX III Switcher: RJM GT16 Wireless System: Line 6 G90 Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-M50x Microphone: Shure SM7B Preamp: Universal Audio 6176 channel strip Specs: CSV 2.0x

[@SixStringHarmonies]

Awesome to see the level of detail and care put into these builds. They sound outstanding. I do agree having the ability to drop more amps into a single scene would be great. As well as with the fact that the sheer number of cab presets could definitely use some refinement. It is nice to have the Legacy cabs there, and do well for most of my applications. Though the Factory banks are a lot of free 3rd party IR's, so it is nice they were included. Options paralysis is an easy road to go down with the Axe-Fx III. Of course the other side of that is nearly limitless possibilities, as you suggested. I think the typical user really obsesses about nailing a real-world analog amp tone, and that has it's place. Yet the beauty of the tech, as the builder suggests, is really the NEW sounds and routing possibilities that come from such a piece of gear. You are proving that here.

[@LuxElliott]

Ken - I've been wanting to share this funny/odd coincidence that occurred last year. I was getting to know my new boss here in California and we began to share artists we are fans of. Your name came up and we were both thinking how cool it was that we were introduced to your music via the ON album. We both sing a line or two from Soluble Words. Not a few hours later I received a text from my oldest son in another city. He had recently gotten a record player and decided to stop by a record store on a whim. The text was a picture of a promo single/album he found deep in the crates of the store of Soluble Words followed by a message along the lines of, "Hey, don't you like this band?". What are the odds? Haha.

[@krisreilly1969]

When he first breaks into that arpeggio from undone, just...wow. Beautiful.

[@HooliganClassRapidOffenseUnit]

I can't believe how much time goes into all the tones, but it makes sense. Because every time I hear a Failure guitar sound, something happens to me that no other band can even come close to. As always, can't wait for the next installment!!!!!

[@estebancandiaburgos]

hi ken, years trying to mimic your sound on undone with several pedals, routes and stuff, and now see it so close and clear, its just amazing. I remember myself searching the closet flanger sound that you use on this track, even looking for pedals out of my country cause here in Chile i couldn't find an MIJ BF-2 for moths, so once i stay in japan for a couple of weeks, i looking for it, but i didn't found it!! so crazy. anyway, thank you! n i hope see you soon livee.

[@adamwasthefirstman]

I love this stuff!

[@shatteredsquare]

7:56 so that fret buzz, it's literally adding an entire additional layer of overdrive. That's not amp or pedal, it's mechanical...

[@KenAndrewsMusic]

I love all those mechanical artifacts! Unique to every instrument and player!

[@creativeheadroom]

Yeah, I don't mind a little bit of buzz on certain phrases. It can add a certain lazy/loose character to a song. I love it in this specific case.

[@michaelbasica9930]

I've thoroughly enjoyed all 7 videos you've posted. Please keep them coming.

[@megirez]

I know M50x is major monitor headphones but you’re the reason why I bought it. I used to use ATH-AD500X with moderate satisfaction but I've been enjoying my new headphones perfectly for a month! Thank you for performing Saturday Savior and explain its guitar tones deeply. Made my day!!

[@michaelbartholomew8155]

Thank you Ken! These videos are so inspiring and helpful. Please come to Louisville or Nashville soon!

[@GetzGoth]

Nashville would work for me! I'm in Bristol.

[@dontthroworanges]

I'll probably be the only one ever asking about Year of the Rabbit, but could you please cover how Jeff got the lead tones? Ive never been able to achieve the same warbly octave sound.

[@Mizzelphug]

No, I would too. He had solid work on there as well as with ON.

[@HINRG14]

Absent Stars is an amazing song!

[@tkdirtybird]

Yes. Do this.

[@fr8kar]

I'll pile on.... loved YOTR!

[@PeeWeeHermitGames]

try to run a compressor to an octave into a wah and then a volume pedal

[@therudeawakening51]

Hey Ken, hearing you talk about the original "stems" reminds me... I would love to see the occasional video where you break down some of the recording studio jargon for those of us that don't have that much equipment or are beginners. Like, what is a "stem"? How is it different from a "track"? Or what is a master clock used for? Is that something we apartment artists need to look into?

[@josephbrown9693]

Ken, your videos make me so excited. I’m such a nerd for this stuff! Keep it coming!

[@MT-sw7bh]

Would love to hear tips on drum mic-ing and processing, you guys have killer drum sounds

[@TravelerofThailand]

love this channel Ken . thanks for sharing. Do you have the Fractal Presets available for download?

[@philippgrunert8776]

These Videos are really fun. I can so relate to this... This is me sitting in my Home Studio with a bias head behind me tinkering. This content means a Lot to me as a supporter and hobbyist recordist and Most likely does so for the entire fanbase and Recording Community. Thanks Ken

[@TheHighWaySuperstoned]

Thank you so much Ken! Im a big fan of all of your projects!

[@DFSrlz]

That was an awesome treat in the beginning, thank you!!

[@bucketletsgo6543]

Hey Ken this is Jason kells nephew in Sweden! I’m totally digging this series! I’m excited about the new gong I’m curious how it will contribute to the sound! Billies the man with the kale chips and kind vibes. We linked up out her in Stockholm when perfect circle came over with Greg a few years ago. Hearing how it was all done is a dream come true!! I hope you keep them coming. I realize the tour will make it tricky!

[@rosscogiordano1796]

If it's not possible to satisfy Ken's creative urges with a firmware update for number 3, than they'll have to include him in their development for the AXE FX 4 Which is curious. I haven't played the AXE FX II OR 3, but literally everyone is blown away and doesn't even have a single criticism to level. Enter Andrews, a modern day tone genius and visual painter of audible sound... he comes with A MESSAGE, "I have ideas!!!" That message should be listened to, because it has the capacity to take an already absolutely great product to ever more ungodly levels.

[@SM57]

Great song,great video👍✌👏

[@saltyassassin]

As soon as I saw the “CVS 2.0X Reader Glasses”…. I knew…. I HAD to hit subscribe!😁

[@rdmarc]

Great performance! Love that song

[@asifasgar6871]

Thank you..thank you and thank you.. had been waiting for this

[@calebknott8021]

This video is a gold mine.

[@JustinP.]

I Watch all of your rig rundowns and started to listen to your music because of it. I actually upgraded to the axe fx 3 after seeing your videos. I love these axe fx preset breakdowns. PLEASE do more of them! I would be interested in buying your presets if you ever sold them as well. Been a fractal user for years but these ideas helped me develop new layout ideas via scenes/channels. Keep it up!

[@GFreeze11720]

Thanks for the explanation on counterfeit sky, that explains why i couldn't come close with the replicating those sounds, i was using delay reverb and a whammy pedal switching between bypass and 1 octave up. love these videos ken we all appreciate all the time you put into making them!!! cant wait for the next one!

[@JohnMSD]

Have you ever heard the band Basement? They have a song called "Covet" that gives me the same vibes as your song in the beginning. Obviously Failure wrote this so many years prior but I love the vibe! I was never into this sound until I heard Basement years ago and now hearing this song makes me want to start digging into Failure's discography for the first time! You really nailed it, hearing the 1996 version and now this recording is mind-blowing to see how relevant that song still is today. I wouldn't have guessed it was an older song!

[@lostsync]

thanks ken; this is the lens we wanted.

[@denverrandy7143]

Always loved the low droning sound of fantastic planet.always thought it was bass with synth bass overdub.but, the guitar sound really does add more umph than i thought👍

[@DaMo-Studios]

Unpopular thought! Your solo track “What Is Real”. Great song! I think you should bring it up at some point.

[@mitchrebello6263]

Hey Ken- I noticed that the back wall of your mix room doesn't have much treatment, and you mentioned somewhere previously that you do a lot of work in that space. I'd love to hear your take on a mythbusters style video on what's worth it for things people tend to sink money into (acoustic treatment, outboard gear, esoteric plugins, etc). Thanks for doing these great videos.

[@robertreynolds2350]

Everything he does is direct. Acoustic treatment matters less. When he does drums or vocals he usually tracks them in a studio. Unless he's using drum programming which is what he usually does.. as far as mixing... I'm sure he knows his gear so much and the fact he's trying to reach a sound that's good in most listening spaces actually makes his mixes better.

[@JLE999]

Awesome. Would love to hear how you created the tones on the original albums too with the rigs you were using then.

[@rn4hls]

Wow, just found this channel. Been following everything you do Ken since the old days and you never fail to impress - Failure, Year of the Rabbit, On, producing - your talent is very inspiring and these videos are great. Was just looking at pulling the trigger on buying the new FM3 by Fractal to give my creativity a bit of a boost and had to get your opinion. Mahalo Nui Loa from Kauai!

[@Caligula3576]

Ken -can you cover the effects and tone that you used for Year of the Rabbit? I've been really curious how you made those tones up and how they are constructed.

[@JadeWestTristan]

yes thank you i miss your voice so much

[@zoetrope1768]

Jade West me too😭💕

[@EMPERORTITSWORTH]

No kidding... I looked at my rig this morning and said I really need a Fractal. This popped up on my feed. I was going to go with the cheaper, older model. I guess I'm upgrading. Thanks Ken. I'll blame you when my Mrs. looks at the bank account.

[@jaybee4694]

The face he makes at 02:47 when he miss frets that chord is my life right now.

[@Firegardenmusic]

Awesome thanks for sharing cool stuff

[@CMOYoung]

Finally I can get those insane Failure guitar/bass tones!

[@Eggbertman2001]

would love to see more of the work done on magnified and comfort since those were done on tape and are probably harder or maybe easier to remaster i dont know please tell us maybe threw a episode. cant wait to see you again in chicago thank you so much

[@MT-sw7bh]

Vocals and guitar sound sound great

[@aiRxShop]

Omg, you just sold me on an AxeFX. Being able to stereo multi-amp rig in one application is amazing. Always wanted a piezo in a third amp, layered in to a stereo L/R multi-amp For my dirty and clean channels. Could do all that with just the AxeFX. Always loved Ken Andrew guitar tones and style of recording layered guitars. I overproduce all of my guitars so badly lol.

[@scottmac6269]

Hey Ken, dont forget about us drummers! Would love to hear more of your drum recording and mixing techniques. Maybe Kellii can do a cameo!

[@pollinatorsband]

I love this clip - just showed a friend today

[@vetra-miga]

while you're at it showing axefx screens.... maybe the bass patch from the final 30 seconds of Snow Angel? (pretty please?)

[@shatteredsquare]

Stereo amps sound way better than any room or small space reverb I've ever heard. Wait that's the 20ms delay. Sounds amazing

[@drummerjeroensimons]

Great job man!!!!!

[@NickRangerMusic]

Hey Ken, would you ever consider live streaming content, either mixing or content similar to this on KZbin or Twitch. Taking live questions in chat would be SO rad. Thanks!

[@turellius]

I just found out about your channel Ken. I love this because I realize now I've been playing this song wrong for so long. I always played it in standard tuning using Ab6sus4, but I see thst the guitar is playing just 1 and 6, no 4. Also, it looks like you are in drop C#. Thanks for the tutorial and the Axe FX. walkthrough.

[@TheGonzeaux]

Thank you! I’ve been thinking about going the digital route myself, with either a Fractal or a Kemper. The Fractal seems much more flexible though. Best video yet!

[@robbohannan1893]

I love playing Failure tunes on my Baritone, and it sounds sweet, but through Ken's rig it would sound phenomenal.

[@thomasniehof6333]

Ohh I can imagine using a baritone guitar for these guitar riffs is amazing! :O

[@sagebrown8852]

please tease us with new material this summer!

[@shatteredsquare]

What's the likelihood of the box set being released as a "producer edition", all stems. Lamb of God did that with Sacrament and it's so much fun to dig through and play with the stems

[@MBloke]

Hell yeah I second this. I'd absolutely love to be able to play along on guitar to all the other instruments in Failure songs.

[@clintmay]

Killer tones! I’ve been a kemper guy for a while now but the AX3 is VERY tempting...

[@adamtrabish9709]

Ken I only have a Walgreens by me... will those readers work?

[@beyondthegong]

Adam Trabish Those just don’t nail the tone...

[@mikereseigh]

I so need this version

[@FrankGarciaHejl]

Me: "I don't understand any of this but I'm watching all 18 + minutes of it!"

[@ledheavy26]

Is there perhaps going to be a video of those crushing bass tones?

[@michaelbasica9930]

This! Failure bass tones are killer.