Hey Rockers,

Been far to busy and not having any fun time on my axe, hope to change that!

I've got a sweet as Axe FX 2 XL on the way, hardly used and mint condition by the sounds.
Just have a few questions about it's setup?

This would be my first rack mounted equipment, so I'm guessing I'll need a rack case?
Perhaps the Gator 4 Unit Shallow (can it fit in that) or similar?

For some extra cash, the guy could throw in a Matrix GT1000 power amp as well... but do I need it?
I was considering using Atomic CLR Active Wedge to go with it instead (mostly bedroom playing). Cab or Wedge?

Also, would it be worth getting a power conditioner to protect it? Something like the 'Furman PL-8CE' or similar, but they appear quite expensive here?

Finally, cabling - is it best for a four cable setup?
To connect to the PC can I just use any Midi to USB cable?

Cheers.

A rack case adds protection and makes it more portable (at least, without scratching it up) but mine is currently just sitting on top of my desk. For me, that's good enough for the moment. I will put it in some type of rack in the future after I decide how portable I really want it.

You need some type of amp unless you are happy listening to it through your headphones or through your computer monitors. I got by for a while with my monitors. You can find people all over the web telling you how good (or bad) the Matrix amp is and how the Atomic is really bad (or really good). The two groups of people seem to be happy arguing with each other and calling the other group stupid. I guess it's something to do while you are not playing guitar. I suspect both are good solutions. For simplicity's sake (and because I found one at a really good price) I went with the Atomic CLR. People seem to think that the wedges sound as good as the cabs so I went with the wedge. It allows more options for placing it in my practice area (sort of a combination of hallway and closet). I am happy with it (and 400 watts RMS should be loud enough for this space) but honestly, I don't have much to compare it with. I suspect most of the reviewers don't either.

On power conditioners, I think it depends a bit on how good your power is (and if you are using it for playing out at dodgy locations). My power is pretty good here so I am currently not using one. From what I have seen of a lot of the power conditioners, they really don't add much protection. They mostly block transients. The more expensive ones will regulate voltage. That is really what you want in a power conditioner (in my opinion).

You can interface the FX2-XL to your computer with a USB cable. I tend to use the balanced audio outputs from the -XL and run it into my interface box. If you run it into the USB connection it has the advantage of providing a wet and dry output so if you want to reamp, you can use the dry signal.
The advantage to using the audio output (rather then the USB) is that it reduces processor usage (in the Axe) which can be important sometimes. I am also happy with my DI box and would rather leave my monitors hooked to it.

The four-cable method is to allow you to run the Axe through your existing amp using it mostly as an effects box. If your are happy with your existing amp and cab, then that is a good way to go. If you want to take advantage of the amp and cab simulations in the Axe then you really need to look for a Full Range Flat Response (FRFR) amp/speaker solution. Like the Atomic CLR (or several other good solutions). No shortage on opinions on the web on this issue either. I have no shortage of amps and cabs to try but the amp and cab simulations in the Axe are stellar. They are (in my opinion) every bit as good as (or better then) the other high-end solutions.
Sorry for the long post.

I'm soooo Jealous, I'm still using the Ultra (which I love) but part of me still wants to upgrade, no way I can afford to.

You're going to have so much fun with the Axe 2 and there are some great and talented people out there creating awesome patches if you find that you aren't much into the tweaking side of things.

Thanks for the replies...

Getting my head around costs and setup.

I'll probably be getting the Atomic Wedge at a later stage, but for now either the PC and/or Line 6 DT50 AMP.

I was also considering if I need the MFC 101 pedal board or can survive running without one for now.

With the standard USB to PC, that can update and edit, but doesn't carry the audio to the PC speakers? Or are there settings to chance audio directions, etc? So is that why need a 2x Midi to USB cable instead? Stick that on the Midi In and Midi Out <-> USB, setting the USB Adaptive to ON? I have both (standard) cables, which I hopefully be able to use either if I fully understand.

I'm also not sure if I even need a power conditioner, the Axe FX 2 XL if I'm not mistaken has something like that built-in to protect from some power audio noise?

Anyone got good patches or know where I can find them? Should I just grab them from:
http://axechange.fractalaudio.com/

Also, are those extra Cab Packs (downloads) worth buying?
http://www.fractalaudio.com/cab-lab-packs.php

I started out using my Behringer FCB 1010 MIDI controller with the Eureka chip. It did surprisingly well after I got over the learning curve. I upgraded to the MFC 101 Mark III to get it's added capability and so that I was using something that I could get lots of advice on how it use. You can get by without anything although if one was playing live then it would be nice to have something to control the effects without having to turn knobs on the front of the unit.

The USB will provide audio to your computer. It sends out the signal with all effects (wet) and also the guitar without any effects (dry) so you can hear it the way you have it set up or reamp it if you don't like how it sounds. It uses a bit more of the Axe's microprocessor then using the audio out into your existing DAW but a lot of people use it that way.

The Axe is pretty well filtered to protect it from noise. The main reason for a power conditioner is to protect the unit from brown outs and transits. If your house power is pretty stable then I wouldn't bother with a power conditioner. Other people would probably disagree with me.

The Axe exchange is a good place for patches. Also, if you check out the Axe forum, you can find a lot of patches that people share.

Cab packs are good and give a lot of variety. However, the unit comes with enough cabs to keep one busy for a while. I would try what is in it for a while before buying more cabs. There are also some free IRs (cabs) that you can download.

The Fractal Cabs should be good, I'm using IR's from Ownhammer which are spot on.

I haven't used an expensive power conditioner with my Axe Fx, I don't tend to play in places with really dirty electrics, I do have a 4 socket extension in my rack that has surge protection and EMF suppression to help suppress the noisy interference from stage lighting.

One of the main reasons for getting the XL would be for the improved connection to the MFC, but depending what your needs are, something cheaper might suit you better. I use the Voodoo Labs Ground Control Pro.

As for patches, you'll soon learn who makes awesome patches. Mark Day (who has just moved from working with Dave Friedman, to working with Fractal) a poster called Yek makes really good ones too. There will be others but I use these guys patches everyday with the minimum of tweaking for taste and my rig.