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What’s New
Years of R&D at Fractal Audio Systems have yielded our next-generation product, the Axe-Fx II. With twice the
power of our former flagship the Ultra, the Axe-Fx II unveils new state-of-the-art algorithms and an innovative
array of great hardware and software features and improvements. This all-in-one preamp/effects processor
recreates complete signal chains—stompboxes, amps, cabs, mics, studio effects, and more—with unprecedented
power, flexibility, and control. The Axe-Fx II takes "real amp tone and feel" to the next level, offering the latest
word on restoring digital to its rightful place as the superior solution for guitar processing.
Twice the Processing Power
Our philosophy is never to cut corners on processing power. Our state-of-the-art algorithms require a powerful
platform on which to operate, so the Axe-Fx II features two 600 MHz dual-core Analog Devices TigerSHARC™
Digital Signal Processors working in tandem. One is devoted solely to amp modeling while the other handles
effects and system tasks. Mated to the processors is double the RAM of previous Axe-Fx products. The Axe-Fx II is
by far the most powerful instrument processor ever created, with more raw, real-time audio processing
horsepower than anything available at any price. Yet, unlike power-hungry PCs, it consumes less than 40W.
Quantum™ Amp Modeling™ with Virtual Vacuum Tube™ Technology and MIMIC™
All this power would be useless without superior algorithms to take advantage of it. Years of research have yielded
Quantum Amp Modeling Technology
, comprising major breakthroughs in both preamp and power amp modeling.
Quantum is the pinnacle of our multi-generational amp modeling and a complete departure from the static
waveshaping technology used by other products. It entails digital replicas of vacuum tubes, complete with time,
frequency, and level dependencies. This creates a level of dynamic realism in a class of its own. Like our “G3”
modeling before it,
Quantum™
also models the entire power amp, including the phase inverter, power tubes,
output transformer, power transformer, choke, filter caps, and more. The results are amazing: tight bass, powerful
midrange, silky highs, plus highly expressive touch sensitivity.
Our amp models are the result of thousands of hours of incredibly detailed analysis of the actual amps that
inspired them. We spent a small fortune searching out and purchasing vintage and modern amplifiers to add to our
reference collection.
Quantum™
is a significant advancement in amplifier simulation unmatched by any other
product at any price point.
Improved Speaker Simulation, On-board IR Capture and UltraRes™
The Axe-Fx II cabinet simulator supports our patent-pending UltraRes™ Impulse Response format, with 170+*
factory IRs including creations by Fractal Audio Systems, ML Sound Lab, OwnHammer, RedWirez, Jay Mitchell,
James Santiago, TheAmpFactory, and John Petrucci of Dream Theater — plus 1024* "USER CAB" memory locations
and built-in tools to capture your own IRs from a real speaker cab. UltraRes™ is a proprietary technique that
enhances the spectral resolution of an IR without adding CPU burden or storage requirements.
Tone Matching™ to “Clone” any Tone
The Axe-Fx II features a Tone Matching block with the capability to match the sound of a real or recorded amp. It
does this by analyzing the difference between the sound of your preset (the “local” signal) and a “reference”
(usually the signal from one or more mics/preamps on a real amp, or a high quality recording.) Tone matching
eliminates guesswork to create exact “clones” of your favorite tone. A separate Tone Match Mini-manual is
provided.
*The Axe-Fx II Mark 2 has only 130+ factory IRs and 100 user IR slots.
