Comparing the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8

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General

• Axe-Fx II XL+: the flagship Fractal Audio product. It provides effects in a 4x12 grid, including amp/cab modeling, and extensive routing options in a 19" rack device, for the gigging musician who doesn't use a traditional amplifier. It features multiple outputs, an effects loop and various digital I/O. The MFC-101 foot controller is connected through FASLINK. All Fractal Audio effect algorithms. The Axe-Fx II also support Tone Matching and IR Capture.
• AX8: the little brother of the Axe-Fx II, floor-based. It provides most of the Axe-Fx II effects, including amp/cab modeling, in a 4x12 grid, for the gigging musician who doesn't use a traditional amplifier. It offers less "instances" of effects (i.e. single amp, single cab). It has multiple outputs, S/PDIF out and an effects loop.

Housing

• Axe-Fx II: 19" rack device.
• AX8: floor device.

Foot control

• Axe-Fx II: for remote switching you need a separate controller such as the MFC-101.
• AX8: comes with 8 numbered assignable switches and 3 assignable F-switches.

Amp model controls

• Axe-Fx II: amp settings are controlled in the menus.
• AX8: physical controls with LEDs.

Effects

• Axe-Fx II: offers the full set of all effect algorithms. Compared to the AX8 (and FX8) there are a few differences in X/Y switching.
• AX8: offers a selection of the effect algorithms. For example, no Megatap Delay, Vocoder, Crossover, Mixer. Compared to the AX8 (and FX8) there are a few differences in X/Y switching.
• The AX8 doesn't support Global Blocks.
• The AX* has more Looper time.

Expression peals and external switches

• Axe-Fx II XL+: two PEDAL jacks.
• AX8: four PEDAL jacks.

Digital I/O

• Axe-Fx II: USB Audio, AES and S/PDIF I/O.
• AX8: S/PDIF Out.

Sharing presets

• The Axe-Fx II and AX8 cannot share presets. You can transfer individual block settings from one product to another using the software editors.

Fractal Audio quotes

• "When I designed the AX-8 I designed a product based on my 25 years playing as a pro and what I used 99% of the time during a gig. Even with the Axe-Fx II 99% of the time I dial up an amp, a cab and a few effects. What I care about most is a great tone. The Axe-Fx amp modeling algorithms are the best in the world. I wanted to design something portable and affordable enough to get those algorithms into the hands of a lot more players." source
• "They are very cool. They're not an Axe-Fx but they're close. Same amp and cab modeling. Stripped down effects section. Two 450 MHz DSPs; one for amp modeling the other for effects/housekeeping. Uses the same silent switch technology as the MFC-101 Mark III and FX-8. Switches are assignable per patch via our new "Switch Assign Matrix" feature." source
• "It's pretty much "Axe-Fx Lite" source
• "I'll just say a few things: source
  • It is not an Axe-Fx. It won't be able to do two amps or two cabs. It won't have things like the Vocoder and other esoteric blocks. It's a stripped down floor version at an aggressive price.
  • It will have G3 modeling and user IR slots. It has two dual-core DSPs, one for amp modeling the other for effects. These DSPs are slower than the ones in the Axe-Fx so it won't be able to do two instance of amps.
  • There will be block compatibility between the Axe-Fx and the AX-8 meaning you can copy blocks from your Axe-Fx presets into the AX-8.
• "There will be no pay-to-play stuff. All amp models from the Axe-Fx II will be included as well as all the Drives, etc." source
• "The DSPs used in the Axe-Fx are far too costly and require exotic cooling that is not suitable for a floor application. The AX-8 covers the needs of 99% of performing guitar players." source
• "The Axe-Fx II can run multiple instances of amps, cabs and most effects. The AX-8 cannot. The processors used in the AX-8 are not nearly as powerful as the processors used in the Axe-Fx II. They are also significantly less expensive." source
• "AX-8 and Axe-Fx II share the same code base so any updates to the Axe-Fx II apply to the AX-8." http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/103735-axe-fx-ii-quantum-rev-1-00-public-beta-13.html#post1241527 source]
• "Same grid as Axe-Fx II. 512 user cab slots, 512 preset slots. Same factory amps and cabs as Axe-Fx II. Same high-quality, low-noise design as Axe-Fx II XL+. True differential I/O to the converters, not the single-ended stuff used in consumer-grade gear. Silent Switch technology from the MFC-101 Mark III. Humbuster I/Os. Most importantly it has Quantum and the "Fractal Sound". source
• "Layout grid which is just like the Axe-Fx II." source
• "The AX-8 was built to a price point with quality of sound the primary consideration. It's primary use is as a live performance product. A color LCD and USB audio were not deemed pertinent for the intended application. Had those been included the price would be much higher than $1399." source
• "The AX8 uses the same converters as the Axe-Fx II. We put the money where people can't see it but where they can hear it." source
• "The AX-8 and FX-8 uses the same converters (CS4272-CZZ) and op-amps. The circuit design in the FX-8 is necessarily much more complex to support true-bypass switching (without pops and clicks) and to optimize the outputs for use in 4CM. The AX-8 removes the dedicated true bypass switching circuitry and simplifies the output design to save money. The cost savings is used towards an extra DSP." source
• (Can the Ax8 run a stereo UR cab and the AxII HD reverb?) "Yes, with ease." source
• "It does not have the vocoder and several of the other more esoteric effects. It does have the looper, synth and all the bread-and-butter effects. And it has the beautiful high-quality reverb from the Axe-Fx and FX-8 (because I'm a reverb junkie). Most importantly, though, it sounds like an Axe-Fx." source