Guitar Interactive – Issue 66 2019

(^88) Guitar Interactive Issue 66
Fractal Axe FX III
With more than 260 amps, 2,200 cabinets and 220 effects, the Axe-FX III from Fractal Audio can provide the exact sound of almost any rig you can
imagine or come very close to it. Could this be the most powerful amp and effects modelling product available today? Tom Quayle has the answers.
REVIEWS_AUIDO REVIEW THE REVIEWS FRACTAL AXE FX III
get the spoilers out of
the way first – Fractal
Audio’s Axe FX III is without doubt, the
most powerful guitar processor ever created.
Harnessing two 1.0GHz ‘Keystone’ DSPs,
this latest flagship modeller provides more
than twice the power of the Axe FX II whilst
upgrading almost every possible hardware
and software element that made the original
so revolutionary upon its release.
The design of the Axe FX III has
undergone some significant changes from
its predecessor. It now sports a large, high
resolution, colour screen, powered by a
dedicated graphics processor to ensure that
none of your precious CPU power is taken
from your tonal creations. Utilising the tiny,
monochrome screen of the original was
somewhat problematic for many users and
this high contrast, easy to read from any
angle screen, is a massive upgrade that makes
editing the plethora of menus and options
on board a much easier, more intuitive and
informative process. Of course, Axe Edit is
still available and is superb for easily making
amazing tones, but now you absolutely can
cope without it and feel like everything
you need is easily at your fingertips. Five
push-encoders make for easy, amp like
adjustments, whilst the front panel has been
de-cluttered and simplified for more intuitive
operation with less key presses required to
achieve fast results. The display also now
includes a fantastic metering page showing
not only all your analogue I/O, but all USB
audio connections too. Even individual
effects blocks can now display their own
LET’S