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Posted by: Dave Sterling May 19 2011, 07:28 AM

I'm considering getting the new AXE-FX II that is to be released this month, I had ordered the new POD HD500 Bean, but canceled the order to wait on the FX II, I'm wondering what people here at GMC think of the devices.

I'm wondering if its worth spending the extra for the AXE-FX II as compared to the POD HD500, the price for the AXE II is more then 4 times that of the POD HD500 Bean?

I've only been playing for a few months and I'm not anywhere near a professional, but I used to have the POD X3 and I enjoyed messing around with all the settings and decided to sell it knowing that the POD HD500 Bean is coming out in a couple of days. I've seen a lot of good comments online about the AXE-FX and I'm seriously considering getting one.

All comments are welcome.

Thank you,
DSterling

Posted by: maharzan May 19 2011, 08:06 AM

AXE FX II ALL THE WAY!!!! No digital processors can really compete in front of it. I am planning to get one too in August. I have been waiting for it so long. Its expensive but well worth the investment. I have been fed up of digital sounds since last 1.5 years and don't use one but this thing is all I need now. Too much cables on my tubey setup right now.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 19 2011, 10:43 AM

Many believe that AxeFX is revolutionary device. It turned lots of pros towards digital modelling.

AxeFX II is simply upgraded device from AxeFX, it has USB option, it's more suitable for home and studio, convolution samples are twice the size on the cabinets, and it has double processing power. Doubling the processing power means device will behave more quickly. There are some new parameters integrated on some of the effects too. However, I don't think the difference between AxeFX II Ultra and AxeFX Ultra are that great, so any of these would do the job for you.

Be aware that you will need MIDI foot controller if you want to use it live. For home use, you can get rack only. If you have a budget, I would definitely suggest AxeFX II Ultra, or even AxeFX Ultra.

If you have the money for the AxeFX II device, then get it. There is no point in getting HD500, when AxeFX is available for you. If you are concerned about the money spent, there are lots of low cost options that will do fine work for you in the next year or so.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic May 19 2011, 11:22 AM

I would say - if you can afford it : DO IT!

AxeFX II and even original one are amazing devices! They just can't compare to any other similar device especially ones from Line6.
I always thought that it doesn't matter if you are beginner or pro in terms of getting the quality and expensive gear. Quality gear can only make your sound better and it will be much more satisfying to practice the instrument.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe May 20 2011, 03:23 PM

I was actually going to post the same question. It seems the Axe FX is quite good. I hope I can get my hands on one soon.

Posted by: jstcrsn May 20 2011, 06:01 PM

first of all , I want the axe fx, but i've been playing a long time, as the others who have expressed their desire as well.
That being said, I think you should wait till you know that you will be continuing with the guitar.
unless you just have money to burn , in which case, you can just send me the Axe Fx

Posted by: Dave Sterling May 22 2011, 01:09 AM

QUOTE (jstcrsn @ May 20 2011, 06:01 PM)

first of all , I want the axe fx, but i've been playing a long time, as the others who have expressed their desire as well.
That being said, I think you should wait till you know that you will be continuing with the guitar.
unless you just have money to burn , in which case, you can just send me the Axe Fx

I canceled my order for the POD HD Bean, I think I would like it, but I would wish that I have waited for the AXE-FX II, so that is what I'm going to do. I don't have money to burn, but I do OK and even though I haven't been playing long, I love to play. Taking lessons here at GMC, every lesson is like learning a video game, I have a great time and with the AXE-FX II I'll enjoy all the settings.

Still not 100% sure about the AXE-FX II, but almost. If I heard more good things about the POD HD in comparison with the AXE-FX I may change my mind, but even when I listen to the youtube examples the AXE-FX sounds better.

Posted by: maharzan May 22 2011, 02:33 AM

hehe.. Axe Fx is much much better. Even tubers have left the tube world for axe fx. PODs can't really be compared.

Posted by: JamesT May 22 2011, 03:29 AM

Check out this thread from the Petrucci forum...

http://www.petrucciforum.com/forums/showthread.php?70832-Fuel-for-the-fire-POD-HD500-vs.-Axe-FX-Metal-Tones..

It's got a youtube link with an apples comparison between the two. You might be surprised.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 22 2011, 09:36 AM

Don't worry Dave, if you have the money, get AxeFX, it's the best device you can get. POD HD won't match, specially for overdriven tones and reverbs.

It's true that experienced player can get the most out of any piece of gear, and in the end it's about what you play and how you play it, not so much through what you play it.

However, most experienced players would choose AxeFX over POD HD

Posted by: Dave Sterling May 31 2011, 04:32 AM

I'm almost 85% certain about getting the AXE-FX II, but it seems there is another delay in shipping and it may be another 2 months or more till they ship (maybe earlier) so for now I'm going with the POD HD Bean (desktop) which is expected to be delivered tomorrow. I will likely get rid of it when the AXE-FX II starts shipping, but if I find I really like the POD HD then I'll keep it.

Posted by: Fran May 31 2011, 02:54 PM

Let us know how you like the pod bean

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 31 2011, 10:11 PM

Let us know how the POD sounds and behaves!

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jun 2 2011, 06:15 AM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ May 31 2011, 10:11 PM)

Let us know how the POD sounds and behaves!

Just received the POD HD Desktop yesterday and I'm checking it out to see if I'll keep it. Preorders for the AXE-FX II are being taken now, but I'll hold off until I get better with the POD. I also found out about another device called a Kemper Profiling Amplifier, I googled it and it may compete with the AXE-FX II, its a different type of modeling device. The Kemper is supposed to be released the middle of this year.

Posted by: tonymiro Jun 2 2011, 09:41 AM

Also maybe the H&K ZenTera http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php5?mode=prod&id=6 not easy to find but worth a look if you can Dave.

If I remember rightly Allan Holdsworth has/had one and used it quite a bit a while back - given how much he´s in to tone any use by him seems like a major endorsement.

That´s all assuming you want some sort of amp modelling/emulation. If it´s digital effects etc rather than modelling then the pro end rack effects from Eventide, Lexicon and Yamaha are also worth looking at.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 2 2011, 08:30 PM

QUOTE (Dave Sterling @ Jun 2 2011, 07:15 AM)

Just received the POD HD Desktop yesterday and I'm checking it out to see if I'll keep it. Preorders for the AXE-FX II are being taken now, but I'll hold off until I get better with the POD. I also found out about another device called a Kemper Profiling Amplifier, I googled it and it may compete with the AXE-FX II, its a different type of modeling device. The Kemper is supposed to be released the middle of this year.

Kemper Profiling Amp is one of the new cool concepts, but I wouldn't invest in it, it's still a concept. Axe-FX is being used by pros already, and it's certified. Kemper one is a bit complicated, interface is not friendly, there is lag, there are no save/load options for profiles etc..

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jun 22 2011, 08:47 AM

Thanks for all the comments, they were very helpful and appreciated. GMC is by far my favorite place for all things guitar.

I returned the POD HD, its a nice device and I can see why so many people like it and to each their own opinion. I thought (with my limited trained ear) that it sounded somewhat digital and just not there for me, if that makes sense.

Great news! I was able to order a AXE-FX II today and can't wait till it arrives, hopefully late this week. It's expensive so I plan to sell my motorcycle to pay for it, I didn't use it much anyway. I'll miss it, but guitar is more fun.

Posted by: MickeM Jun 22 2011, 11:17 AM

Wow, you played for a few months and already aim at pro grear.
The sounds I've dialed in on my POD X3 doesn't sound digital. Not full out tube, sure, but digital?

Have you considered that you need professional headphones and professional sound monitors to make the AxeFx2 justice? Even a high quality guitar cord so you won't ruin the signal to get the most out of it. I guess the motorbike will cover for it. Chosing between a MC and guitar gear is a no brainer, though amps can kill a person one has to admit MC's are way more deadly.

All the luck with the AxeFx2

P.S can't recall his nick but some guy on youtube made some serious recordings with the Axe

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 22 2011, 02:58 PM

Yes, Micke is right my friend, you should invest in decent monitors (if you haven't already) to do AxeFX justice, my recommendation as well.

Posted by: Fingerspasm Jun 22 2011, 03:51 PM

I have the Eleven Rack. I run it through a JBL 400 watt P.A. and also through a set of M-Audio Desk Monitors. I have had many tube amps and I like the Eleven Rack just as much especially with the new presets they just came out with and the Speaker break up function. The thing that really makes the Eleven Rack nice is the built in Pro Tools that is designed for a guitar player. You can loop a section of a track and then record your solo and every time it loops back again it records a whole new track. So you can sit and play over your rhythm track 20 times creating a new track every time it loops without ever having to stop and hit record again. So when you are done you have 20 tracks to choose from. Also the eleven rack has true Z at the input. So it is like a real amp when you turn down the volume on your guitar the sound will clean up like a real amp does. Anyway thats just a couple of the great things about the Eleven Rack. The Axe FX is a great rig and is probably better in some ways but for $850.00 plus pro tools and all the great features designed into it for a guitar player I had to go with the Eleven Rack.

Oh ya I did not even mention the incredible re amp feature. It will always record a dry track for you and then you can re amp it in pro tools with the touch of a button. So you can go back through every preset. Amp Cabinet, Mic setup whatever and just keep re playing it and without re recording. The list goes on and on. Anyway you might want to check it out.

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jun 22 2011, 04:39 PM

QUOTE (Fingerspasm @ Jun 22 2011, 03:51 PM)

I have the Eleven Rack. I run it through a JBL 400 watt P.A. and also through a set of M-Audio Desk Monitors. I have had many tube amps and I like the Eleven Rack just as much especially with the new presets they just came out with and the Speaker break up function. The thing that really makes the Eleven Rack nice is the built in Pro Tools that is designed for a guitar player. You can loop a section of a track and then record your solo and every time it loops back again it records a whole new track. So you can sit and play over your rhythm track 20 times creating a new track every time it loops without ever having to stop and hit record again. So when you are done you have 20 tracks to choose from. Also the eleven rack has true Z at the input. So it is like a real amp when you turn down the volume on your guitar the sound will clean up like a real amp does. Anyway thats just a couple of the great things about the Eleven Rack. The Axe FX is a great rig and is probably better in some ways but for $850.00 plus pro tools and all the great features designed into it for a guitar player I had to go with the Eleven Rack.

Oh ya I did not even mention the incredible re amp feature. It will always record a dry track for you and then you can re amp it in pro tools with the touch of a button. So you can go back through every preset. Amp Cabinet, Mic setup whatever and just keep re playing it and without re recording. The list goes on and on. Anyway you might want to check it out.

Wish you had said something earlier about the Eleven Rack, I may of ordered one and reconsidered the AXE-II. I got caught up in the AXE-FX II fever following others on their forum that is full of people with great expectations for the II. People their are crazy about the FX, I've never seen anything like the frenzy that goes on with people their waiting for a chance at getting a FX-II.

I'm considering a set of JBLs for my desktop, since I spend most of my time at my computer I was thinking of getting speakers like the JBL LSR2325P, I don't need anything that will go loud. The FX will also connect to the computer via USB and be used as the audio source so I was also considering the Bose Companion 5 USB monitor (I like the size), but I'm leaning towards the JBLs. I have a decent set of Sennheiser head phones that I use often.

Any recommendations/comments please?

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 22 2011, 04:51 PM

JBLs you mentioned certainly seem like a good monitors pair to start with IMO. All the smaller monitor models don't have too deep low end response, to the size does matter in the case of studio monitors. However, 43Hz seems like a good tradeoff between size and usability.

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jun 24 2011, 12:06 AM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ Jun 22 2011, 04:51 PM)

JBLs you mentioned certainly seem like a good monitors pair to start with IMO. All the smaller monitor models don't have too deep low end response, to the size does matter in the case of studio monitors. However, 43Hz seems like a good tradeoff between size and usability.

Thanks Ivan, I ordered the JBLs yesterday.

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jun 29 2011, 06:26 AM

Got the AXE-FX II today and can't get enough of it, I'm sure this will inspire and motivate me even more, this thing has some beautiful sounds, and many, many presets, now I have to improve my playing to do it justice. I expect to be happy with this for a long time to come. Can't wait to get more familiar with it. Life is good!

Posted by: maharzan Jun 29 2011, 06:32 AM

Hey, post some reviews videos... I am on the list but won't be getting it until late August even if it starts shipping. Eagerly waiting for you clips, if you can. :-) And Congratulations!! I am sure the II is the beast!!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jun 29 2011, 09:25 AM

QUOTE (Dave Sterling @ Jun 29 2011, 07:26 AM)

Got the AXE-FX II today and can't get enough of it, I'm sure this will inspire and motivate me even more, this thing has some beautiful sounds, and many, many presets, now I have to improve my playing to do it justice. I expect to be happy with this for a long time to come. Can't wait to get more familiar with it. Life is good!

Wow man congratulations! That is one mean sounding device

I'm sure you'll be happy with it for a long time.
As Maharzan mentioned, maybe you could post some videos?

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jun 30 2011, 12:28 AM

I don't think you want to here my playing, since I still have difficulity with level 3 and 4 lessons here at GMC, but I hope to move up to level 5 and 6 in a few months (hopefully, maybe a year?).

Here is a good clip that I think is really cool. It uses a preset the II has at the beginning that sounds like it's playing from a warn record on a record player. I'm old enough to remember the days, I used to have one.

http://soundcloud.com/theastralobservatory/axefx-ii-test-clip

Here is a informative video clip that was recently made from someone that recently received a AXE-FX II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lUw9G2NkIg&feature=player_embedded

Enjoy,
Dave

Posted by: maharzan Jun 30 2011, 04:35 AM

Anything will do Dave.. I want to hear the tone basically. Pick a level 1 or level 2 lesson or try level 3 on slower tempo if you are so uncomfortable with it. I know there are tonnes but a video from a GMC member is different. Thanks for posting those links too.

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jun 30 2011, 04:40 AM

QUOTE (maharzan @ Jun 30 2011, 04:35 AM)

Anything will do Dave.. I want to hear the tone basically. Pick a level 1 or level 2 lesson or try level 3 on slower tempo if you are so uncomfortable with it. I know there are tonnes but a video from a GMC member is different.

Thanks for posting those links too.

Sure, I'm working on a level 4 lesson (Solo in D) at this time and I also want to do some recording to see how the II records. I'll try to have something soon, and comments and advice is always welcome.

Dave

Posted by: maharzan Jun 30 2011, 07:56 AM

Thanks Dave. I am pretty excited. :-)

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 30 2011, 03:16 PM

Wow, the vinyl tone is awesome Congratulations man, that is truly a remarkable piece of engineering, it should be on Discovery or something

Man, this device is top notch, I hope I will buy it soon, it's too pricey and not available for now, but I hope it will be better in couple of years. Until then, I need to get used to my new toy hheeh

Posted by: Azzaboi Jun 30 2011, 07:38 PM

I got the Line 6 - PodHD500, sounds pretty sweet, but just the other day got to link it up to the Line 6 -DT50 Amp Head and Cab!

When into the Rockshop and the guys let me crank that thing up and shake up the entire store. It's a beast! Play everything from clean, american crush, britsh rock, and high gain with ease of flicking a switch. I would say it's got 8 quality sounding amps in ones, then thousands of effects to place on top. It's a automatic match making system, I truely love, half digital / half tube, sounds like a tube on full blast even on lower volumes. It's out of this world!

Haven't had the opp to test drive the AxeFX, let alone see the new one. So I can't personally compare. Price tag is getting insane... would love to know how they compare.

Looking to save up and get the DT50 combo (if it sounds as good as the head/cab I tested), wondering between the 1x12 vs 2x12?

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jul 1 2011, 06:01 AM

Yes, I've seen a video on youtube showing the JTV-69, POD HD-500 and the DT50 and it was awesome, the guitar player can change the settings on all 3 through the HD-500, I really like the concept and think its an example of the future of guitar playing.

Posted by: Dave Sterling Jul 1 2011, 07:00 AM