Axe-Fx III MKII Preamp/FX Processor

Going back to 1990, I've had almost every effect setup one could imagine. Within the last 24 months, I've also purchased or regularly put to the test just about every amp modeler, effects unit, profiler that is on the market. There are so many awesome companies creating so many amazing things, it can be hard to separate one from the other when it comes to similar guitar tone setups. Regardless of how close many came, the Axe-FX III MKII was the one. It was what I had been searching for all this time. It was the one unit that several others had gotten so close to but just didn't quite hit what I was looking for when it came to needs for FX processing and that professional, studio-quality sound. My content creation requirements for one of my projects, Session Solos, require tones of the highest quality (studio-level) and the versatility to get those dialed in for video demos of solos, riffs, and parts by legendary session players over the last 40+ years. I had come so close with a few different options in my studio, but it was AXE-FX III and Fractal that got me to the place I was trying to get to in my guitar tone journey for the better part of the last three decades. Get me the t-shirt and the stickers, and throw in the tattoo - I'm a Fractal fan for life.

Thank you very much for letting me return the Axe FX. The ambient and clean settings were amazing. I don't know if technology allows this, but the distortion settings should sound more like a real amp or better yet, the way that a produced albums distortion by a band like Periphery or Veil of Maya sounds. I returned it because I bought it mainly for the purpose of distortion. I did extensive research before and after I bought it and could not configure it to sound like the videos of the Axe FX on YouTube. Thank you again.

I have a room full of guitar pedals and own both a Line6 Helix Rack and BOSS GT-1000. It's been a fun journey trying all these different guitar effects. I love this Axe-FX III! It really sounds great, and Axe Edit is a great tool for working with it. Great built-in presets and the effects are immediately usable when adding them to the effects chain. Wish I would have purchased this years ago. Could have saved money in the long run.

Amazing sounds pro my main guitar studio tool.

Incredible function, incredible value. Hundreds of amps and effects that are used by some of the most respected professionals. Modeling is the future, and having access to this many features for this price is remarkable. Check it out.

I started out really skeptical that I was going to like this thing. I had played through a friends AXEFX2 and was not super impressed. So I put aside time and made a plan on exactly what I wanted test to make sure I could send it back in time for a refund if it did not work out. Before getting this I had never used a modeling amp (for anything I would currently use one of my tube amps for) so my point of reference has been always playing tube amps (68 Plexi 50w, 5150, 5153 100S). My goal was to downsize, simplify, and lighten my rig. I was assuming that I was going to have to weigh the compromises in sound of not using my amp heads and see if it was worth the trade off. That did not turn out to be the case at all. To get a base point I was used to playing through, I set up my current 5153 100s head (blue channel) through an EVH 2x12 cab. I also set up the 5153 100w (blue channel) model in the AxeFX going into a Matrix1000gt into a second EVH 2x12 cab (I wanted to see how close I could get to the same tone through the same cabs). I was really surprised at how fast I was able to get the model to sound very close to the head. I was assuming I would not be able to get the same tight low end thump in the room I was getting from the amp head but was completely wrong. I did the same for my other two amp heads with the same results. With what I learned figuring out how to get my main sounds dialed in it was really easy to start building new tones (using the PC app). I was able to get ALL of the tones I was currently using (with all 3 amp heads) in one preset (8 scenes) that I can easily switch between at shows. Tips: 1) I initially went with FC-6 as it smaller and I was thinking more portable. I ended up sending that back and getting the FC-12 instead. I set up the FC-6 to do so everything I wanted but the first show that I did with it was a little challenging. I had to remember how I set everything up (I had to use both the tap and the hold features of most of the buttons to do everything I needed too). The FC-12 just did exactly what I needed out of the box without having to think about it while playing. I think for recording or just home jamming I would have no doubt kept the FC-6 but for shows the extra money the FC-12 costs is totally worth it for me. (just something to keep in mind). 2) Remember that an amp AND it's knob settings = 1 channel (A,B,C,D) in a preset. I am not sure why I did not get this initially and spent a lot of time chasing down levels. Set your amp level where you want it and fine tune it with the output level sliders. 3) I am used to being able to adjust my amp knobs and knobs on my pedalboard quickly while playing depending on the room we are in. I wrote down what knobs I regularly adjust on the amp and the pedal board and set up a performance controls preset. It works much better than trying to see my amp/pedal knobs in the dark. 4) I was on the wait list for getting the FM9. I ended up going with AXEFX3 instead. After thinking about the cabling of how each of these units would work with what I currently have the rack mount ended up being the obvious way to go. My wireless (Guitar and In Ears) is in the rack along with the Matrix power amp. Everything stays wired in the rack so setup and tear down takes no time at all. To sum up: After using this for around 3 weeks (at home, at practice, and 2 shows so far) there is no way I would go back to dragging my amp heads, load boxes, large pedal board, etc... around. I have not found any of the disadvantages with this unit so far that I thought would be there. It is super nice to be able to practice on my full rig with headphones. I would absolutely recommend trying one of these out.

From careful packaging and QA inspection to marvelous sounds and seemless software installation, this unit does not fail its promises. Highly recommended!

I have owned and used the Axe-Fx III Mk 1 exclusively for the pat 3.5 years, both live and at home. I waited to review because my experience with modelers had long periods of happiness with the tone that faded to contentment and eventually tolerance. At that point I would go back to amps and pedals, a trend that went on for several years. I eventually got to the point that I swore I would never use another modeler. While I could get some good tones out of them, they never felt the same as an amp. I ended up needing a modeler for fly dates and wound up with the AX8, another story for another time but that experience led me to the Axe-Fx III. Bottom line, the tonal consistency and quality of the sounds from the AX8 was something that, quite frankly, surprised me and something I couldn’t deny. After a couple of years, I was in a position to put together a “professional” rig and decided the Axe III was the best option. While the AX8 was great, when the Axe III was released, there were some reverb algorithms and blocks added that made it easy to justify ‘upgrading’. One of the biggest updates was to the Cab block, adding the ability to blend up to 4 IRs, which is something I used to do with Cab Lab but the Axe III has made it so much easier. I have owned some great amps and pedals, and am fully committed to using whatever gear provides the best tones possible regardless of size, weight or convenience. After 3.5 years, the Axe-Fx III continues to provide everything I want or need without compromising any part of my tone. I can’t say enough about the quality of the amp tones and effect sounds this unit is capable of but what’s continually blowing me away is the feel and response. The dynamics of a ‘real’ amp are definitely there! It does not feel like I’m playing through a digital device, I simply to not miss playing through a physical amp and cab. The last thing I want to mention is the relentless support and commitment FAS has to making the Axe III the best modeler on the market and ensuring a great experience for their customers. The innovations and features they develop, and offer in free updates, is mind blowing as is their prompt response to any issues a customer experiences.

I recently purchased the AXE FX-III. Its definitely the best modeler on the market as of current, the presets it comes with sound very good right out of the box. Theres an appetite for destruction preset (guns n roses), available on the forum that sounds identical to the album. I have a marshall 2555x and the fractal sounds closer to the album tone than my Marshall does. I was needless to say very surprised. The software is pretty easy to use for it. Theres a lot of instructional videos on YouTube to help learn the system. The only suggestion I can come up with is on the computer program side. It would help if there's a UI that is a bit more visual. I have a two notes captor and there's an actual image of a speaker cab with the mics on the computer user interface. Its helpful for setting up the mic positioning. A more visual UI would be a great addition to the current fractal interface. Also a roland SRV 2000 effect would be a great addition as well to the effects section. I would most certainly recommend the product to others.