Fractal Audio Axe-FX II User's Club

I called up a couple of the members of the band I was in prior to that and sorted a jam as I was going a bit crazy from lack of rocking out! This was my first outing with my new Matrix gear (GT1500FXBD and a pair of CFRs), it was also my first time out since about version 7 of the Axe firmware. I knocked up 10 presets at home the night before and hoped for the best

I shouldn't have worried, firstly v9.02 firmware is just amazing, I literally thorough the patches together in about half an hour and they ranged from fender/marshall cleans, AC30, Plexi, JCM800, Rectifier, Dirty Shirley, Div13, Camaron & a 6160. I used an IR that I shot that day using a cab from PC based guitar sim. I had also read some interesting info on IR truncation and it's affect on tone and took this into account with a quick EQ but that was it, everything else was just standard amp controls. V9 not only sounds superb the feel is where I noticed the improvements most. I felt more connected, more part of the tone and thus more inspired to play than ever before, it was a great rehearsal indeed!

I ran the Axe2 into the Matrix GT1500FXBD and then in mono (forgot my second long speaker lead!) to my first CFR, I then daisy-chained into the second speaker using a short lead. The tones from this rig were nothing short of outrageous! It's the first time that I had been able to tweak patches at home and have them translate perfectly to rehearsal levels, I put this down to the Matrix amp which delivers great, consistent tones no matter what the volume. Next the CFRs, they really help get the real cab vibe going on, they have a mojo that I found lacking in the majority of FRFR speakers that I have played and owned (QSC, FBT, RCF, LD Systems etc..) They are compact and lightweight but really pack a punch, especially when using two together. The other guitarist was using a Marshall into a 4x12 and my rig sounded more punchy, clearer, just better all round really. It's worth noting that the CFRs also sound great at low volumes, I put this sound to them not sounding as stiff or as sterile as some other FRFR options.

I really can't say enough good things about this rig, it's a real winner with tone and feel for days, I'm stoked and for the first time in a long time I am truly happy with my setup, the same for both home and live, I would recommend that anyone who gets chance should check out the Matrix gear stat, I've have and do own some of their earlier generation gear and it just seems to go from strength to strength!