Fractal Audio AX8 - Metal tone tutorial

[@svartsjokolade]

I don't own this but I always watch your videos because you're an entertaining person. Keep it up, Ola

[@dinomedanhodzic]

Cool! 80% of a great guitar tone is in the cab. A lot of people focus too much on amps. In reality most amps / ampsims out there these days work great, as long as you get a good cab to match. Many "bad" ampsims are considered bad mainly because of bad cab-simulations.

[@OlaEnglund]

Agreed!

[@burningempire666]

this can be very true. I was playing through a cheap lower quality Marshall 4x12 for years. Finally upgraded to a custom Vader 4x12, the difference is incredible! it is clearer, handles the bass end flawlessly, and I can crank the volume with no physical distortion

[@bobbythomas1549]

I love your tone so much! I can't get my AX8 to sound half as good for the life of me no matter who I follow on the internet.

[@matenorth]

pickups, external ir's

[@jojoagustines639]

I still using fractal ax8 on live gigs and recording any time anywhere.. very powerful & portable fx

[@flowryan5829]

I‘m looking for one, right now. It‘s not outdated in any measurable way. Yes, the FM3 is out but it isn‘t worth the extra money for me right now. This thing can do anything I want and need.

[@MikaTarkela]

I have the Axe FX 2 and this video is still very informative for me. I really appreciate your effort on these tutorials man :)

[@w0mbatina]

I was having issues dialing in the "Ola" tone on the Helix, but this tutorial was easily transferable to the other unit!

[@kendrickbyron9116]

you prolly dont care at all but does anybody know a way to get back into an instagram account? I stupidly lost my password. I would love any assistance you can offer me

[@cristianjohan2124]

@Kendrick Byron instablaster :)

[@kendrickbyron9116]

@Cristian Johan I really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and im in the hacking process now. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@kendrickbyron9116]

@Cristian Johan it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thanks so much, you saved my ass!

[@cristianjohan2124]

@Kendrick Byron no problem :D

[@julianmetallica161]

I don't have an ax8 but a watched all the video xD

[@MrStephenlederle]

XXVorteXX I'm the same way. I watch all the Ax8, helix, Amplifire, and kemper. But I'm no where close to having enough money to even begin to afford any of them.

[@stepitupandgo67]

start saving for the ax8...it's amazing....

[@Michaelfromfremont]

I had to get one! So, I ended up not just getting the AX8, but the Helix too, as I couldn't figure which one I wanted more... They both have their strengths. Helix has better clean amps. AX8 is no slouch, it has TONS of amps and some stellar effects. The BONUS is most IR's can work in BOTH units, saving $$$ in the long run. I had to save my $$$ to make it all happen, but it was worth it. They're both a lot of fun and are great additions to my Home Studio. Just added Helix Native too, as it was only a $100 if you where a previous Helix buyer... Another BONUS‼️ Long story short, if you want one, save your cash and make it happen. They're well worth it. I was a die-hard tube snob and I even succumbed to the idea of having to realize that modeling has come a long darn way in terms of quality. I've quite a few amps and cabs that I've collected over the years, I still use them too, but for the studio, the modelers are no-brainers and take so much work out of the equation as far as mic'ing, positioning, etc. and they sound completely realistic when mixed correctly in my DAW (Cubase). You could NOT tell they were not real mic'd amps. Enjoy

[@cameronnealey8768]

Dude get one right now

[@AbrahamBarberi]

Me too

[@woolgum]

I have an old Marshall from -81 and an ENGL Invader and I think I’m good for everything. But this looks like a lot of fun!

[@RyanK...111]

nice choice to have your voice on the left channel and the product demonstration on the right channel. Keep doing that.

[@izoetonko]

旧製品ながらギタリストにとっては世界最高峰のサウンド・システム！サウンドが素晴らしい！

[@bastaudio]

If I had an AX8 I'd take your preset and just put it on the 4x12 Recti 4047 E Cab instead. Personal taste ;)

[@OlaEnglund]

that's what awesome about being an individual! We all like different things! Bro-fist!

[@bastaudio]

Ola Englund Hah. You reply to my Facebook messages AND my KZbin comments. Brola Englund hears me. *sniffle*

[@chris666boss]

Cant wait!!!! Gonna recieve my AX8 tomorrow :)

[@savatomic2]

This is just the best fucking thing ever made

[@aries_9130]

Did you record the intro / outro music with this preset? It sounds freaking badass. You produce some of the meanest and most aggressive metal sounds I ever heard. Love it!

[@OlaEnglund]

Yes! The song preset is downloadable as well, it's basically the same preset, I just adjusted the graphic EQ in the amp block to fit the song since I sculpted the preset with no to reference music.

[@aries_9130]

Ola Englund Guess the only thing left to do now is to safe up for one of these puppies :D

[@jgabilanes4515]

Can you post the whole song you recorded with the AX8? The short samples at the start and end of the video sound amazing and it would be cool to hear the entire song!

[@ChaziChaz89]

Dude those effects were so sweet!

[@followfornothing]

1:36 reminds me of Divine Heresy. This blows my Line 6 POD Pro out of the water. Thanks again Matt Damon lol.

[@TheHokkaidogaijin]

It's also about a $2,500 or more device.

[@followfornothing]

+TheHokkaidogaijin Good point.

[@andreaparussini7843]

nope, it's 1400$

[@danaparsons854]

sorry for my ignorance. How did you feed the the clean guitar recording into the ax8 so you could listen while editing? thanks

[@rumbachumba330]

Hi Dana, Late reply but you record a direct signal into your DAW pro-tools, logic, ableton whatever you use, depending on your interface you might need to use a DI box if your signal is too loud for your pre-amp, this unit can record direct signals, So, to reamp you send the DAW DI track from the interface Line Out into the IN 2 FX Return (line in) to reamp. In basic words that's how you do it.

[@DeadRoman]

Ola, you a smart guy. Is this a valid replacement for amps?

[@alanlotra8148]

Great video Ola, keen to buy one of this. Did you already tried the Helix?

[@AlexGrammann]

Har du möjligvis dina Cab IRs i .wav format så man kan använda dem i andra pluggar också? Hade varit häftigt att testa, försöker nämnligen uppgradera mig lite från EZMix ljuden :)

[@FredneckMusic]

Could you do a rhythm tone video for the Fractal stuff with an 8 string like the Ibanez M80M? This was super helpful since you are brief and very visual, plus you use the editor. I have the AxeFx2 XL and the AX8, so thanks again.

[@brpadington]

I am trying to decide if I want to get a Kemper/AxeFX/AX8/ or a Helix. So far it appears to me that the Helix doesn't sound as good as the others but has a great UI and routing options. The AX8 seems to do almost everything I need. Is the dual amp something you even need on the Axe? I know on the Pod HD500 you need the dual amp to compensate for the horrible cabinets but it appears that I wouldn't need that on the AX8.

[@mattgrill3311]

Hey Ola! I'm coming from an EVH5153 and having trouble with the AX8 on mid-high gain palm mutes...sound is boomy and fizzy. Any tips aside from drive block?

[@Mario-ot4wf]

Hi Ola, do you use the cabinet for live? or send ax x8 direct to console ???

[@azhaz578]

Hey Ola, I've been trying to reamp through my ax8 as you've done in this video. Any tips would be super helpful! Thanks!

[@OkaToka]

Is there any reason to buy FX2 and not AX8 besides the form factor? AX8 is much cheaper.

[@dancurtis461]

I was told that the pros are using the fractal most of the time due to sound quality, but I really like the headrush and I know Ola has both. I love the ease of use the Headrush offers, especially the drag and drop the footswitches around and the labels move too. Obviously Ax8 is more difficult to dial in. Head to head I think the Ax8 has an edge in the sound department, but I"m concerned about being overwhelmed with choices. Headrush makes things simpler, but are they giving up too many choices? For me rectifier, double and triple recto, and few soldano models are critical to have on hand. If my information is correct, the HR does not have recto or soldano. *Is* that true? I did not see any harmonizer on HR info either. Looks to me like AX8 has everything and more besides. So, does AX8 have set lists like HR? That is the other thing that is valuable to me, being able to change patches with no delay, and have preset groups of patches so I can run through a set list. And what about note decay when switching patches? I know HR does this, what about AX8?

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

AX8 has spillover but not as smooth as the Headrush. I am about to make videos showing what I mean.

[@kevinstewart8120]

Ola, do you need to do anything to the FX loop parameters to run it through the cab? Or is it basically just good to go from the start? also, if you have any effects post cab, will they still run through the FX loop? or only through the FOH signal?

[@megasajt007]

How should I connect an AX8 with an audio interface? Are there any tricks to do it, or just plug in and play like i do with my guitar?

[@alexgl]

Ola is there a chance to run my tube preamp in AX8’s emulated poweramp section? Or can i only use a dist pedal in front of emulated amp?

[@jacobthunell9231]

Is there an advantage to place the Noise Gate in front of the OD rather than placing it in between the OD and the amp or even in the FX loop? Ville skriva frågan på engelska ifall fler undrar. Bra jobbat som alltid Ola! 👍🤘

[@chrispygingerpie]

If I am right in thinking you put the gate first normally in sims to have a cleaner signal going in and make less noise? (as the screamer will distort the signal). Where as for real pedals they compress it the signal? ( making that tight feeling). In realy pedals you can do the four cable method that goes before the amp and in the effects loop.

[@jacobthunell9231]

+ChrispyGingerPie I thought that OD would generate a fair bit of noise in conjunction with a high gain amp. I guess it makes sense but I'll have to look it up. It indeed is modelling so it might work differently than a real amp though even with real amps there seems to be a lot of people who use the Noise Gate as the first part of the chain after the guitar. I'm very curious about this so I'll try to do some research on Sevenstring.org or something. Would you want me to post the results if I find something interesting?

[@chrispygingerpie]

+Jacob Bengtsson Thunell yeah that would be great thanks, I am still using a boss me 50 that has a gate on it and compression. I plug my guitar into that first and then use the stereo outs to the rest of my ods and then amps. So I don't know if the gate is before or after the compression.

[@esrevernititup]

Thanks for posting your preset!

[@kareemb0]

Hey Ola, when you hook up your AX8 to the FX return of an amp, do you turn off the power amp simulation (by setting Supply Sag to 0)? I'm setting up my new Axe FX for live and I need to know.. I currently don't have an amp to test it on.

[@redbeard4046]

Late reply but I have the same question. How did you do since ?

[@zaimedia8132]

Thanks Ola! I was wondering, how is your studio setup routed through the ax8? What sound card are you using to run the signal through your pedal then through the speakers? Thanks

[@farout6671]

ZaiMedia

[@insertanynameyouwant5311]

Nice tone! I still think of grabbing Axe FX2, because they say AX8 loses not only processing power and 1 ampsim block, but also lacks in some effects, which simply are not represented, and since I like experimenting with sound, I think of installing Axe FX2 directly into pedalboard, beacause I don`t have any other rack units, but I do have some pedals. I saw one fellow who installed into his pedalboard 2-units Engl preamp. Maybe I`ll do the same. However I also think about Kemper rack...

[@rhitosparsha]

Did you actually make the AxeFX II into a pedal?

[@GP-mk5tj]

I got a question how do you get a backing track into the ax8 edit so I don't have to sit there and try to get an interface and play my real guitar into the computer?

[@Ludus4H1]

Damn... it looks like a "hide &seek" game with regular computer amp simulator but with much higher cost! I'm not sure do I need to buy this thing... but thanks for video!

[@jmar482]

Ola, have you had a chance to compare the ax8 to the line 6 Helix? If not would love to see you do one.

[@OlaEnglund]

I have not, someone at line6 needs to send me one for a comparison

[@mattman1127]

There are plenty of clips online of the AX8 absolutely demolishing the helix

[@danyeo]

+MyPenguinsFly And the other way as well. I don't own either unit.

[@mattman1127]

Dan D ...nooo not really haha. All of the Helix sims sound like software amps to me in every comparison. Bad AX8 clips just sound like people dialing in bad tones.

[@crummockiphail9720]

Half the reason the Helix sounds bad is because it has some really poor stock cabs. Like it's almost offensive that's what they let ship with their flagship product out of the box. Luckily you can import your own third party IRs, but it's still dumb in principle that you have to go out of your way to "fix" the sound of something you just spent $1500 on.

[@MB-yw3pv]

YOU'VE DONE DEMO'S ON THINGS LIKE THE ROCKTRON UTOPIA AND OTHER SIMILAR STUFF BEFORE, I'D BE CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THE NEWER ZOOM G3N AND/OR G5N, THEY SOUND PRETTY DAMN GOOD ESPECIALLY FOR THE PRICE

[@nashlongkumer]

When using both amp and direct can the effects you have set for a patch also be used with the amp or will the effects only go to the direct out ?

[@joaopedro273]

one of the more badass rhythm sounds i´ve heard... lml

[@4ndresravest]

amazing video! i have a question: can u use two amps in parallel simultaneously?

[@joeyvpoisonfree]

Oscar Andrés with the AX8, you cannot

[@4ndresravest]

Joey Virrueta oh, thanx! So.. what happen if i use the effect loop with a preamp inside? Can use fxloop in paralel? :) thnx for u answers :)

[@rmg222]

Frkn awesome Ola!

[@bjoernkmusic]

How does it compare to the big brother, sonically? I guess it's limited in terms of selection, but does the tried and true standard stuff sound as good?

[@OlaEnglund]

Sounds the same, except you don't have as much processing power + you can just have one amp and cab block

[@bjoernkmusic]

That's a good thing, thanks for answering. Sounds like a super viable live option.

[@obestertomas]

Is the processing power the only difference ?

[@emotionlessmusic]

nice and simple tutorial! Did you route/connect the DI from you computer via the guitar input on the AX8? (since it doesn't do audio over USB..)

[@OlaEnglund]

Yes!

[@emotionlessmusic]

okey..tried it.Turned out really noisy and aweful. Did you use some reamp DI box for this? If not, what soundcard?

[@azhaz578]

Would love an answer on this if you can Ola, how are you reamping through the ax8? Thanks!

[@emotionlessmusic]

To sum up what gave ME the best results (using a scarlett 6i6 interface): A good DI box going LINE IN using the XLR input on my interface (thats right, going straight to instrument input added some noise. DI box worked better), then going from one of the scarlett LINE OUTs to a REAMP BOX to the input of the AX8. Then from the SPDIF on the AX8 to the SPDIF input on the scarlett. I tried and failed a bunch to arrive at this. Although other solutions worked, the sound wasn't as good as a direct recording. With this I am happy with the sound, but too bad I had to spend 300$ on those additional boxes.

[@azhaz578]

Thanks. Yeah, that sounds pretty straightforward. Unfortunately I have an apollo twin, so only one optical, no spdif. I'm going xlr out to xlr on my apollo, then line out from there to AX8. There's just a ton of feed back.

[@bigdbrew]

I hope that Ola makes some good dough. What an awesome guitar person we're lucky to have.

[@flips220]

Have they been able to ramp up production with this thing yet, or is the waitlist still months long?

[@emotionlessmusic]

last i heard, it was in stock in the US.

[@flips220]

emotionlessmusic Oh shit, you're right. Just checked and it's in stock; I had no idea. Welp. Guess my wallet's going to take a $1400 hit sometime soon.

[@emotionlessmusic]

you won't regret it ;-) Paired with a good FRFR/monitor its easily the best and most flexible piece of gear I have ever owned.

[@crummockiphail9720]

Yeah its in stock. Word needs to get out about that though. There are still people trying to sell them used for like $2000. I checked on Reverb to see if I could save a little cash and all the listings are from people who still think they can profit on the ax8 being hard to get. Messaged a guy and asked if he was willing to come down on his _USED_ price now that Fractal has them in stock new for $1399 and he told me to "buzz off". Lol, k sure thing man. I'll just get it from Fractal then.

[@Shredkast]

Great video . Cheers

[@nathanholt3821]

Do you think this is good value for the money?

[@angelsanchezams7528]

Hi stupid sexy Ola! Do you think that the ax8 is pretty decent to play live, connected direct to the DAW?

[@kappachino2569]

I'm not stupid sexy Ola, but yes! It works well live, too

[@jimmygrant3151]

Awesome.

[@megasajt007]

how do you do reamping with the ax8?

[@aleatoriac7356]

How long are we all going to pretend that that DI he's using isn't FUCKING AWESOME?

[@paulkielt9301]

It's ideal to tweak your computer instead of really playing guitar with a tube amp. To me it's just virtual, nothing to envy to a real equipment you can touch and see, when you guitar is between your hands!

[@paulreuter3284]

Sounds very good, but for the price I can get a Kemper in germany (even 100€ less). So I better get a complete unit than one with deductions...

[@Heavymetalinigo10]

does the ax8 have amp match features?

[@stepitupandgo67]

dude, you da man....

[@zeeceefourovksk2837]

is ax8 still relevant in 2022?

[@wlsxp]

I love you

[@pipespeeps5349]

Worth?

[@marcoredeekmann]

What is the Song from begin???

[@smaragdboa]

So... you can´t run the ax8 through an audio interface into a daw? :/

[@stephenopolis3294]

You can? What makes you think you can't?

[@cherokeewarlords]

OLA!!! you tha man!!!... ;)

[@CosmicDiamond999]

Is AX8 can also used as audio interface via usb?

[@KeistasZmogelis]

nop

[@CosmicDiamond999]

Paulius Mscichauskas That's heartbreaking.

[@AmbitBand]

you can just run the S/PDIF into your audio interface. Problem solved.

[@KeistasZmogelis]

CarnivorousRoach I don't see what that is a necessity. It's cool, but not essential.

[@CosmicDiamond999]

Paulius Mscichauskas It matters if you are broke :)

[@wongsanggar]

Everything in comment section! LOL

[@MrStevendrums]

Can I get a reply from my favorite Scandinavian guitar player?

[@OlaEnglund]

I hope Yngwie replies...

[@jay-jb6397]

I'm not Scandinavian, and i'm not your favourite. But i am a guitar player! So Have a reply!

[@MrStevendrums]

Sure that works.

[@MrStevendrums]

Oh happy days!

[@cirith100]

It looks like my line 6 hd 500 , I'm sure it sounds better , can it do the 4 cable thing like a line 6 ?

[@jkdsteve]

Nice! \m/

[@194Hj]

wooooooo!!!

[@BoyaShacka]

Skål!

[@MB-yw3pv]

BEEN THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE OF THESE TYPES ON UNITS BUT THE AX8 IS WAYYY TOO DEEP FOR SOMEONE BASIC LIKE ME

[@eventide55]

MB215 Thats what I thought at first but the editor makes it so easy....

[@cheneycap93]

Oractala Audio Englund AX8

[@MetalHeadHippie]

Ola needs a tissue.

[@JoshuaCarterliberty]

I thought the FX8 was meant for tube amps, and AX8 was meant more for direct and full range pa's....

[@aksdal11]

The FX8 has no Amp/cab sims in it, just effects. Hence the lower price point.

[@ericvalverderosado2046]

its for people that cant afford the Axe FX II rack

[@stupidmusicianskiller511]

amp sims = waste of money, aspecially when it's 1400$ for it. "i like to use both" is a lie, ola does only use real amps/cabs in the end product. Save your money, buy a real tube amp, you'll thank me.

[@3AwesomeLetsPlayers]

having save your money and buy a tube amp on an axe fx vid is beyond retarded. Especially for studio work. Buying a good cab, a good tube amp, tube screamer, fx pedals, and a mic + stand will cost you more than an Axe Fx which does all of those things. Also getting a really good clean tone out of a tube amp can be dramatic compared to the Axe fx. A lot of people also don't want to carry all that shit around everywhere. If you're on a budget and have neighbours, the axe fx is fucking great, and with the AX8 you can even get it for cheaper.

[@sebastianmejia605]

Other good options is the Bias Amp and Bias FX, awesome amp simulations for a good price.

[@3AwesomeLetsPlayers]

+stupid musicians killer Periphery and Tesseract sound pretty good, in fact they sound amazing. The difference isn't even night and day to some. Only really picky and nerdy people can MAYBE tell the difference. And I was more taking the perspective of a home studio, not a full fledged studio with outboard gear and shit. And I'm right when I say that buying the AX8 will save you more money than buying the things mentioned earlier, period. It's also better for live, so its also good value in that regard

[@scottturek4655]

For guys like me who live in an apartment, amp sims are life savers. Not every person can crank up a tube amp.

[@stupidmusicianskiller511]

Physis Zero some people can tell the difference, but it's also about having a signature sound which you obviously don't have with a axe fx. 2 same setups: same amps, same cabs, same mic, same preamp will not sound the same in 2 different places unlike the axe fx lol. Oh, wasn't it obvious? you waited for me to figure that out? Also, in case you haven't notice, yes periphery/Tesseract records with the axe FX, but they also work for compagnies, it means they will record with specific gear even if they don't want to, considering that, Knowledge is a better guidance then authority. The same way magazines doesn't say anything bad on gear, but does it mean it doesn't suck? you're just one other weakling that believes in marketing. BIAS does the purpose of the axe FX BETTER, DEAL WITH IT. It's 200$ which is FAR LESS expensive then the axe fx. Just like the axe fx, you can record silent with it, you can choose the tones you want, and just like the axe fx, it sucks on a production level because the quality isn't the same and you don't have any signature... i thought music was supposed to be special, but apparently not :) because you have a home studio doesn't mean you're not allowed to record real amps in a situation where neibors don't give a fuck. Enjoy your patches idiot.

[@darrylportelli]

can you put regular cab IR's that I already purchased for my DAW into the AX8 , or do they have to be in a specific format for the AX8? cheers