Axe-fx vs Other Layer preamps.

[jimmyjames77]

I have a Fractal Audio Axe-fx pre in my sutdio, which my guitarist uses, and I have been messing with it as a pre for my bass rig. Axe fx - Peavey Classic 400 power section - Fender P.
I really like being able to layer a clean sound with a Dirty-ish sound and the tweaking that the unit affords me, plus the unit sounds great. I really don't want to drop over a grand on it though right now. Can anyone tell me what unit can do the layering of two seperate sounds thing as a preamp. I've heard that the Line 6 Bass Pod Pro XT can do it but I'm not sure that's true. Can I get a few opinions? I need a unit that sounds natural and not artificial.

[jimmyjames77]

Even just thoughts on the Pod Xt for layering and Sound quality would be helpful.

[jzucker]

I love the axefx for a bass pre

[jimmyjames77]

I do too! Is there something that comes close to it but doesn't cost over a grand?

[jzucker]

Originally Posted by jimmyjames77

I do too! Is there something that comes close to it but doesn't cost over a grand?

Not with that versatility. None of the other modelers come close.

[JGR]

Axe-FX is in a league all it's own - well worth the price when you factor in all the great effects, amps, cabs, etc. Works great for guitar and bass, as well as studio processing. I wish it had more bass sims as it does work great in this app.

[jimmyjames77]

I agree about it being in it's own league. That aside though is there a bass pre that can do the layering thing very well as the afx can? That's kind of my main concern now. The cab sims and affects are secondary as I will have my guitarists afx when the next track I have to lay down. For live use I'm looking to be able to put a marhshally sound with a nicer thick clean sound.

[JGR]

Originally Posted by jimmyjames77

I agree about it being in it's own league. That aside though is there a bass pre that can do the layering thing very well as the afx can? That's kind of my main concern now. The cab sims and affects are secondary as I will have my guitarists afx when the next track I have to lay down. For live use I'm looking to be able to put a marhshally sound with a nicer thick clean sound.

Gotcha.

I've had great luck with a couple of different approaches. The first is using your favorite dirt pedal with a Radial Big Shot mix which allows you to mix in just the right amount of dirt with your clean signal and account for phase if need be.

I also have a lot of success with the Sansamp RPM run in parallel with either another RPM set for dirt or the rackmount AGRO. The RPM's connectivity is such that you can take a clean signal from its unaffected out into another preamp then return that signal into the effects return with the 50/50 engaged. Works like a charm.

Also demo'ed the EH Bass muff which has a switch that mixes a preset clean and dirt tone together. While less flexible, it sounded great.

JR

[jimmyjames77]

Hmmm... Very good info. I will remember that.
As far as units go though I was leaning more towards layering two different "types" of tones, such as a Marshally type with a full thick sound. I feel that has an even more different feel and sound than simply a paralell signal but with more dirt.
That said does anyone know how good the Bass Pod Pro xt, or the guitar POD pro xt with the bass patch added, sounds. I feel it's the closest thing to an axefx as far as being able to pick out different tones and layering them.

Originally Posted by JGR

Gotcha.

I've had great luck with a couple of different approaches. The first is using your favorite dirt pedal with a Radial Big Shot mix which allows you to mix in just the right amount of dirt with your clean signal and account for phase if need be.

I also have a lot of success with the Sansamp RPM run in parallel with either another RPM set for dirt or the rackmount AGRO. The RPM's connectivity is such that you can take a clean signal from its unaffected out into another preamp then return that signal into the effects return with the 50/50 engaged. Works like a charm.

Also demo'ed the EH Bass muff which has a switch that mixes a preset clean and dirt tone together. While less flexible, it sounded great.

JR

[jimmyjames77]

I was trying to get info on layering at line 6's site and couldn't even find info that the bass pod xt CAN layer. Can it?

[stflbn]

Line6 X3 Live or Boss GT10b

Both an do dual tone setups.

Basic Pod Pro or XT models cannot do the dual tone... that was the big addition in the X3. I had an X3 and really liked the ability. Contemplating getting another.

[jimmyjames77]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Line6 X3 Live or Boss GT10b

Both an do dual tone setups.

Basic Pod Pro or XT models cannot do the dual tone... that was the big addition in the X3. I had an X3 and really liked the ability. Contemplating getting another.

Thanks! Any opinions on the Boss GT10b? I'd be using it as a pre into my amps power section.

[gumtownbassman]

Originally Posted by jimmyjames77

Thanks! Any opinions on the Boss GT10b? I'd be using it as a pre into my amps power section.

The GT-10B is VERY GOOD, but it can be highly complex with all the options available. You can run up to 12 effects at the same time, it has many delays, EQ's, pretty much at least 2 or 3 of everything.
It has dual path channel, and all effects are movable anywhere in the chain, including the external Send/Return loop.
The most powerful feature are the 'Assigns' where a pedal can have any effect parameter attached to it, up to 8 things at one time. Very configurable.
Even your picking intensity can be assigned to changing effect parameters too.
It is also built solid, you could use it for a wheel chock on your car without damaging it.

[UncleFluffy]

Bass pod pro CAN do simultaneous wet + dry outputs - that's how I have mine set up. I don't know if it can mix them for you, mine goes into an external interface so I get a wet and dry copy of every track.

[jzucker]

neither the boss nor the pod can come anywhere close to the axefx.

[jimmyjames77]

I've been messing with my guitarists afx with my bass rig and it is unreal. I can not even comprehend what the next generation of software will sound like in the future.

[gumtownbassman]

Originally Posted by jzucker

neither the boss nor the pod can come anywhere close to the axefx.

Yes this is true, the AxeFX is way ahead of anything else.
It will be 'how far do you go/spend'.

[jimmyjames77]

went with the AFX.

[DavidLopezJr]

I wonder if a big enough community sparks here if Axe-Fx will add more bass sims. I'll definitely get one if a huge bass update comes.

[jimmyjames77]

The ONLY thing the afx lacks, as it stands, is a tuner that can track the low E. The guitar sims are MORE than enough to get what ever tones you want. They are just so tweakable you can't go wrong.