Fractal AX8 On Bass

A demonstration of how I typically use my Fractal AX8 as a bass player when I'm on the road. A bit of amp simulation, a bit of EQ and you've got a tone monster that your sound person will love.

[@lukasobi]

Very much appreciated, I struggled with crafting a bass tone on my AX8 for a while, but this sounds amazing!

[@whytunes]

Thanks Lukas!

[@DomingoVoiceOver]

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@whytunes]

Thank you!

[@bazZzment]

Thanks for the ring mod-tip for the OC-2 setting! That sounds much fatter and closer to the original than the pitch algorithm.

[@phatdopebomb]

Hey W. Thanks for sharing the ways you use the AX8. Most of the bass-specific AX8 info I've found has been distorted metal tones. This is way more usable info. Keep it up!

[@whytunes]

Thanks Michael! I've found myself in the same bind when looking stuff up, glad there are people out there who share an appreciation for more mild-mannered tones :D

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Very Very Cool! I would add a nice Chorus block as well. Thanks 💯😊

[@Bflatest]

this I will try! I am laying some bass tracks down and I usually play lead guitar. I have a Yamaha TBRX 500 and an AX8 so

[@vibincovers9773]

Very very simple and useful video thank you so much

[@whytunes]

Thank you!

[@boogie3718]

Interestingly enough Les Claypool of Primus seemed to have swapped his Korg AX300B (which he used for the weird wah, and ring mod stuff) for the AX8

[@p.c.1019]

Great stuff man! Mahalo

[@whytunes]

Thank you!

[@ravinaidu5873]

Hi W, would be better to use Logic plugins for the bass or use an AX8 for recording purposes. For guitar AZ8 has better amp modeling. I like the low end bass sounds. Any suggestions ? If you suggest logic then which of the plugins would be suggested to use? I have a Focusrite 4i4 interface and and AX8. thanks!

[@whytunes]

I often opt for using plugins when recording, just because it's quicker and also easier to recall a session if you need to make changes to a bass part. I mostly use bass amp sounds as a flavor in addition to the direct sound (maybe 70% direct, 30% amp). I like Plugin Alliance bass amps (SVT, B-15) for classic tube sounds. NeuralDSP is great for heavier modern grind tones.

[@Bflatest]

I also want to try that dual signal idea where one signal is all bass with lots of compression and the other signal is all high end with a good distortion on it. then you mix together in different ways. How would YOU do that?

[@whytunes]

That's a recipe for a great brutal bass tone! I don't use compression very much but I know lots of people do, especially in a scenario like this. You can just have the two signal paths on two separate lanes in the AX8. Put an EQ or high pass filter at the end of the distorted path and you're good to go. I'd use an amp/cab block on that path as well, for realistic amp distortion. The Darkglass emulation on the AX8 doesn't sound great to my ears.

[@shovasubba6437]

thank you

[@tbass1000]

Hi, Whynot! Which interface did you use? Hugs from Brazil

[@whytunes]

Hey Thiago! At that time, I was using a Focusrite 6i6. I got it especially for use with the AX8 since it has a s/pdif input, which means I can connect the AX8 to my interface digitally. Just to avoid having to convert to digital, then to analog, then back to digital. Having said that, I doubt I could tell the difference if you did have to connect through the regular inputs :)

[@tbass1000]

@@whytunes Very good! I agree, Whynot, it sounds great! I will continue to be aware of your generous video contributions! Thank you very much for your reply!

[@bradybills134]

Can you share the preset? I'm a guitar player and have a gig coming up subbing on bass. Need help haha

[@bradybills134]

Ok. I went through and copied your settings haha

[@whytunes]

@@bradybills134 Sorry for the late reply!

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Do you mind sharing this preset? Thanks :)

[@whytunes]

I posted it on the Fractal forums: forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/using-the-ax8-on-bass-video.157661/#post-1880222

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

@@whytunes Thanks!

[@bradybills134]

@@whytunes Dang it! just saw this after I copied your settings by hand haha

[@kierandougall]

@@bradybills134 Me too lol You're not alone!

[@Bflatest]

OK this was very helpful! To be honest it only sounds slightly different on it's own BUT this has helped my bass sound much thicker in the mix. I am digging it. I need to tweak my distortion portion of it because it (mine) sounds way more dirty that your example even with same settings. I am sure its my pickups. I have my AX8 main out plugged into my interface as a summed signal is that the best way for tracking?

[@whytunes]

Yeah, I'd say chances are your pickups are just hotter, and therefore hitting the amp harder. In my experience, a little gain goes a long way. That particular bass I used has a fair amount of fret buzz, but just the right kind in my opinion. Even a little bit of overdrive on top of that and you're rocking, while still sitting solidly in the mix.

[@MsSpicynipples]

I know this is an old comment but you can also adjust the input pad on the ax8 to make sure your bass isn’t hitting the unit too hard. You adjust it until the meter on the unit just tickles the red when playing hard.

[@71ojn]

Can you share the patch?

[@whytunes]

Hey Jon, don't know if you are on the Fractal user forums, but the patch can be found here: forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/using-the-ax8-on-bass-video.157660/

[@kengagnon6192]

Too much money for little use of the effects it comes with , better off getting a bass specific sound processor , and save alot of money

[@whytunes]

If this were all I used it for, I'd totally agree. Since I also use it for tracking guitars (and sometimes keys), as well as more esoteric FX uses on bass, it was worth every penny. This was more intended as an example of a baseline bass sound, and then to explore from there. Point well taken though.