Artists Using the Axe-Fx and Other Products from Fractal Audio
Artists using Fractal Audio can be found across genres, generations, and geographies. From jazz to junk, pop to punk, folk to funk, metal to monk… from secret studios to stadium stages, our diverse endorsers have at least one thing in common: they tell us that the sound of Fractal Audio helps them make great music. You can read their words below.
Solo Artist, Chickenfoot
The Axe-Fx ll is a tone generating powerhouse. I’ve been using it for writing, recording and live performance. It always delivers the goods. Mike Keneally and I both have them integrated into our live rigs. They’re rock solid, and sound great every night. The shows wouldn’t be as fun and exciting without them.
www.satriani.com
Nashville session and touring dude
Fractal didn't change my love of great amps and stomp box tones; it INCREASED it by letting me have it ALL with me in a compact, dependable footprint. My crew digs me again because I reduced the mountain of gear to haul! Fractal is my new musical DNA.
www.instagram.com/bjameslowryofficial/
Stephen Carpenter & Sergio Vega
We recently purchased Axe-Fx units and as you know, it is a transcendental experience... especially for those who love developing tones with movement and textures to use for composition as we do. We feel as though we found a life partner in this system!
http://www.deftones.com/
U2
The Edge is known for his signature sound—a combination of musical elegance, exquisite core tone, and innovative effects—especially echo. For him to trust this illustrious sonic asset to the Axe-Fx II expresses that it meets his exacting needs, but also demonstrates that this guitarist is a veritable force at the forefront of both music and technology. We're proud that he chose to be listed here.
www.u2.com
Ghost
The Axe-Fx II provides consistently great tone, no matter where or when our ritual takes place.
Ghost Site
The Eagles, Solo Artist
The Fractal system is like having over 100 guitar setups in one...Different amps, speakers, and effects in every combination you could imagine. It is so helpful in the studio to recreate or redo a guitar part... No setting up, no microphones or tweaking to match sounds. It’s just right there where you left it. I’m loving this unit and having a blast exploring all of it’s possibilities.
www.donfelder.com
Mastodon
Welcome to the future, people! The Axe-Fx is the answer to so many limitations I've faced with amps and pedals. The future is now and its name is Axe-Fx!
Visit Mastodon's Web Site
Blues Traveler
Fractal Audio Systems creates an entirely new dimension of possibilities for me.
Blues Traveler Web Site
Digital Tape Machine, Solo Artist
Since switching to Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II, I love the ease of achieving any tones I need with lightweight compatibility on the road or in the studio. I get my electronic dance/rock-style sounds that I would need racks-upon-racks to achieve otherwise with a set up time of seven minutes or less.
Facebook
Raxus Prime, Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx and MFC-101 have been the cornerstone of my recording and live-playing rig since 2008. I was hooked in about 15 minutes and I haven't looked back since. I have become a much more creative player and well-rounded artist because of this amazing device.
www.xanderdemos.com
Xander on Facebook
Session Guitarist, Avril Lavigne, David Cook
The quality of amp modeling and effects in the Axe FX 2 are insane! I find it to be perfect for tracking and inspiring for just sitting and writing.
www.devinbronson.com
We struggled with tube amp inconsistency for years, especially with in-ears. The Axe-Fx eliminates this problem completely for us…it sounds consistently great every time and you cannot beat the support from the Fractal team!
Volbeat Web Site
Youtube's thibderob, Feedback, Solo Artist
Getting a terrific tone has never been so easy, and I've never sounded so good live or in the studio. From dry amp tones to complex sophisticated effects, the Axe Fx has it all.
http://www.facebook.com/fremen.mu
http://www.youtube.com/thibderob
Solo Artist, Outworld
What can I say? I am blown away by the Axe Fx. It does everything and more. What really amazes me is that the amps do not sound 'digital' at all.
www.rustycooley.com
Engineer, Producer
The Axe-Fx II performs beautifully! Many of the guitarists I produce are amp-tone purists. They can be reluctant to try a unit like this but in no time at all they love working with it! I always get in there and work with microphone, amplifier and pedal combinations, and the Axe-Fx puts it all at your fingertips. The tones are easy to fit into the mix and the FX processing opens doors for artist creativity. I love it!
Trivium
I've always believed that the least amount of gear between a guitarist's fingers the ears of the listener. That's been difficult to say the least... up until the Axe-Fx. My rig today is guitar, power conditioner, wireless, Fractal. That's it -- and my tone sounds better than ever. Minimal. Modern.
Trivium official web site
Living Legend; Guitar Tech to the Stars (Frank AND Dweezil. S. Vai, S. Lukather, Y. Malmsteen, W. Cuccurullo, etc. etc.)
Beyond beyond. Really wonderful performance, total world class. No wonder they're sold before they're even made! Really amazed by ... everything!
Styx
There is a world of possibilities in that little box and I am enjoying getting to know it.
www.tommyshaw.com
Cowboy Mouth
My Fractal Axe-Fx II is a godsend. The tones I am able to recreate and also create are endless. Having all of it at my disposal on the road is priceless.
Cowboy Mouth Web Site
Emmure
The Axe-Fx II has completely reshaped not only our sound, but also the way we're able to take it with us. Countless pieces of gear have been replaced, our tones are better than ever, and it fits right in the overhead compartment on flights. Can't beat it!
www.facebook.com/emmure
Rush
The quality of all the effects is superb. There is great depth and transparency, and excellent imaging that makes listening with in-ear monitoring a wonderful aural experience.The choices are limitless and it's fully loaded with all the options you'd ever need. Take it for a test drive, you won't be disappointed.
http://www.rush.com/
Film Score Composer, Solo Artist
It's just that simple, when it comes to recording for my CDs, laying tracks for the TV shows I am scoring, or making electric guitar (or acoustic guitar with a pickup) sound design for my various projects the Axe-Fx II is my first call device. It is by far the best piece of guitar gear I have ever owned.
http://scoredog.tv/
Danny Danzi Band, Van Halen Nation, Skeleton Crew
The Axe-Fx is the most powerful processors I have ever used, and is the only thing I am using these days. I don’t even miss my amp rack! They not only make the best, most realistic processors in the world - they support what they sell! Fractal Audio for life!
Danny's Site
Facebook
Chris Cornell, Melissa Etheridge, LA Session Player
The Axe-Fx is just an amazing tool in your arsenal and it's getting more and more amazing all the time. It's fantastic. I can basically get the sound of my studio now -- both with the impulse response capture and the tone match feature -- ...and take it with me!
www.peterthorn.com
Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx II has completely revolutionized my world. I finally found my tone, which I researched for many years. The quality of the sound and the feeling you have is amazing. All with a simple interface that makes things even easier and faster. The Axe-Fx II has no limits, no boundaries.
Andrea's YouTube channel
Keith Urban
The Axe-FX II is absolutely the most useful and flexible tone tool you could ever have. It is custom made for everyone.
Mikael Åkerfeldt, Fredrik Åkesson
Fredrik - "Simply the best guitar effects processor out there."
Mikael - "I've used the full spectrum of the Axe-Fx, from the Ultra to the XL, and it is just splendid."
Opeth Web Site
Solo Artist, Axis, Two Roads East
When I'm recording for EFX or projects 2 ROADS EAST and AXIS, I'm always looking for organic sounds—greasy, soulful rhythm-and-blues gut-bucket real-vibe. I want to hear the air around the notes. Fractal Audio delivers exactly that and then some. The amp models are reactive and alive. The reverbs lush, deep and complex. It's essential for killer guitar sounds quickly and easily.
www.electricfactoryX.com
www.jonbutcher.com
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio, Fender Signature Artist, Composer/Music Director
The AxeFx takes guitar into uncharted areas. It achieves the single most important thing and that is realness—be it the sound or the feel. Every serious player should get one whether for recording or live use.
www.shankarehsaanloy.com
Composer, Arranger, Orchestrator, Conductor, Guitarist
As a go-to box, it's insane. In my world, it paid for itself in a couple sessions. The pitch is: it doesn't need a pitch. Play it. Listen to it. Like it? Buy it.
View Carl's IMDB credits
Producer, Engineer, Living Legend
I am loving the Fractal. It's a 'must have'.
Producer, Engineer: Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Motley Crüe, Metallica, The Cult, Bush, The Offspring, Black Veil Brides
Solo Artist, Bryan Ferry
The Axe-Fx II XL continues to blow my mind as I get more and more familiar with it. It is supremely versatile and delivers tones that make it difficult to ever put the guitar down. This beautiful beast has unlocked a whole new level of awesome!
Quist Web Site
Dream Theater
The Ultra completely and forever changed the way I look at guitar processing. The Axe-Fx II takes everything I love about the Ultra to the next level. All of the FX sound richer and the new interface makes it even easier to use. My rig has a new openness and clarity and sounds so much better as a result.
www.johnpetrucci.com
Periphery
The AxeFx achieves literally every tone I want for our music, and then some. From all the tones on the new record, to everything we use live - it's all AxeFX. I've never played through such a diverse, dynamic, yet straightforward unit. It re-shaped the way I think about guitar tone and I honestly can't see myself ever going back.
www.myspace.com/periphery
Brit Floyd
I’ve never been happy with the transparency and the quality of multi-effect until now! I need a wide variety of tones at my disposal with no tap-dancing. Using a pick or my fingers on passive or active basses, with or without frets, or even Chapman Stick, it sounds great and delivers a consistently clean signal.
Ian's Web Site
Brit Floyd Web Site
Solo Artist
The Fractal is a killer sounding, all-in-one unit for stage and studio. It's brilliantly designed and is a compact alternative to hauling my amps, pedals and effects to the gig.
Sonny Landreth Web Site
Online Instructor, Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx has totally changed the way I work and my perception of great tone! The ability to have so many incredible tones and effects at your fingertips for both live and studio work seems too good to be true, but with the Axe-Fx you really can have it all.
www.tomquayle.co.uk
Kingdom of Sorrow, Jasta, Kings and Liars
Ok, I've got a major complaint with you Fractal people....WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL THIS GEAR NOW?!!?!? I've got a pile of distortion pedals, fuzz boxes, delays, amps and cabs just collecting dust! Where do you get off making SUCH an awesome product? Takes a lot of nerve to make the best piece of gear I ever owned.
harliebellmore.tumblr.com
Cynic
The Axe-Fx does everything well, but most importantly it articulates the science of great tone with an organic sensibility and utter precision!
www.cyniconline.com
State Line Empire
I am constantly blown away by the feel and tone.The Axe-Fx provides the tools to inspire you to explore, and to find your true musical voice.
www.statelineempire.com
Sam Hill Band, YouTube Sensation
Finally something that sounds and FEELS real!! The breathtaking effects are the icing on the cake!! I am blown away!
Mark Day's Channel on YouTube
The Naked and Famous
I used the Fractal for our entire tour. It's been a very roadworthy piece of equipment and I intend to continue using it on our next album. Fantastic piece of gear!
The Naked and Famous site
Quantum Mechanics, Solo Artist
The Axe-FX is the most musically inspiring piece of equipment I have ever plugged into. The tone has a clarity that allows me a greater level of expression. It is a true extension of my playing. It is simply amazing!
http://ericwollman.com
Solo Artist, Tom Kurlander & Pale Blue Sound, Morph Kings
I've fallen in love with the Axe-Fx II. The tonal power is amazing - so many different amps and effects, and everything is updatable. I can program all of my signal chains just the way I want them, and be able to recall those sounds at any time. I don't have to worry ever again about recreating my studio tones for live performance.
The Police, Solo Artist
Much as I’ve enjoyed stepping on my pedal collection, this box gets straight to the point without the Fred Astaire. Every guitarist that comes into my studio these days immediately wants one.
Stewart's Web Site
Creed, Alter Bridge
The tone of the Axe-Fx II is simply amazing, and that is coming from a self-admitted amp junkie. This thing delivers amps, cabs, effects, and total control. I am seriously impressed, and hooked.
http://www.marktremonti.net/
Steve Vai band, Solo Artist, Visible At Night
The Axe Fx is the most exciting thing in the guitar world today. I use the plethora of amps for direct recording in the studio and it's also integral part of my live rig. Plus the people at Fractal have set the new standard for customer service and constantly pushing the technology forward.
www.daveweiner.com/
Megadeth, Cacophony
The Axe-Fx is unreal... amazing, unique, and most importantly, totally usable tone in every situation.
www.martyfriedman.com
Solo Artist, Guitarist, Producer, Engineer
I have tried many systems looking for the elusive dream tone. Once I found the Axe-FX II, I knew I was done searching. The unbelievable flexibility, deep, rich tones and limitless combinations of sounds and FX make the Axe-FX II XL a true game changer.
Visit Christopher on Facebook
Breaking Benjamin
A "must own" for any guitar player! Whether you're a pro or just jamming for fun, this beast does it all! It's all over our new record. Live I use amp, cabs and effects in the box, straight to FOH and wedges. It just sounds GREAT.
Breaking Benjamin website
Styx, The Babys
I've always felt the quest for creating and finding the perfect sound was forever and ongoing. Fractal Audio has closed the gap...with multiple choices!
www.rickyphillips.com
Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx II is at the very pinnacle of tone for the cutting-edge musician. It not only offers any sound imaginable, but also gives depth to a visceral level of aural spectrums. A truly inspiring creation.
Visit Zac on YouTube
Independent Artist
Fractal Audio Systems gives me all the best amplifiers and effects I ever wanted in a single unit! Under my feet, on stage!
www.marcofanton.it
George Michael, Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, Paula Cole, Suzanne Vega, East Village Opera Company, etc.
Thanks to Fractal Audio, digital modeling has finally become a tool you can use in the studio and live without compromising tone and feel. This is hands down the best sounding and most powerful guitar processor available!."
www.benbutlermusic.com
Solo Artist
For the stage, you can sell all the gear you have! The AX8 gives you what you want and beyond…with top-notch tone.
Kenny's Facebook Page
Failure, Producer/Mixer (Paramore, Beck)
The Axe-Fx II has changed everything for me in terms of electric guitar. The amazing fidelity and stability that we get to hear in our IEMs every night is really a dream come true for live guitar and bass.
www.kenandrews.com
Solo Artist
My Axe-Fx II and MFC-101 are a guitar player's dream. I have access to limitless, amazing tones and effects with superb quality. Live setup is a breeze too... no more over-sized pedal boards! My rig survived 2012 Warped Tour last summer without any glitches whatsoever, and still going strong. Fractal Rocks!!!
Solo Artist, Berklee College of Music professor
The Axe-Fx II is the center piece of my guitar setup. With the Axe-Fx, my tone has improved and my rig is greatly simplified. I can now run amp, cabs, studio-quality effects and multiple input sources simultaneously with full-range sound. Incredible!
www.timmillermusic.com
The Smashing Pumpkins, The Lassie Foundation
The Axe-Fx not only models the best sounds of the past, it will also create the future. I find this unit truly inspiring.
www.smashingpumpkins.com
Solo Artist, Justin Hayward (Moody Blues)
The AX8 is everything and more for my electric guitar setup. I honestly can’t see any reason for players not to use this on stage and in the studio. It is superbly practical with a minimal learning curve and the amp models are just unbelievable, not to mention the ridiculous amount of high quality effects that you can tweak for days. I’ve barely scratched the surface with this thing but I can’t wait to dive deeper.
Mike's Web Site
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones
The Axe-Fx is a really great sounding box. It has improved my electric banjo sound considerably.
www.belafleck.com
Smash Mouth, Rob Cavallo, Jack Joseph Puig, John Mayer
I'm now living in Nashville TN and I've been blowing people away with my Axe-Fx. I love this thing!
www.leroymillermusic.com
Scale The Summit
The Axe-Fx II allows you to bring any sound out there in any genre to your studio or live environment. Anyone who tells me they can't get a good sound out of the Axe-Fx just simply hasn't tried.
www.chrisletchford.com
Solo Artist
The quintessential preamp for every guitarist, no matter the genre or gig.
See Angel on Facebook
Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx II is everything I’ve been looking for and more. It is a completely limitless unit that has the ability to make what you hear in your head into a reality. The Axe-Fx II is the now and the future!
Cole's YouTube Channel
Guns N' Roses
The Axe-FX II has been a total game-changer for me. Hard for me to admit to, after all the money I've spent collecting vintage amps! I've redone my entire live rig around it and it's now less than 1/2 the size it used to be. It's become an essential part of my studio rig as well. It's the first modeling technology I've heard that actually works for me.
richardfortus.com
Solo Artist, Instructor
The Axe II is without a doubt the best all in one amp modeler and FX processor in the world. It has replaced all my previous amps and FX racks. To top it all off, when they improve their technology you just go to their website and download a free firmware update. Simply put, Fractal Audio and the Axe FX dominate!
http://derrylgabel.com/
The Other Ones, Rat Dog with Bob Weir, Jemimah Puddleduck, Solo Artist
A "dyed-in-the-wool" tube freak, I didn't even WANT to believe the Axe/Fx could be a realistic option for me... boy was i wrong. It delivers on all-important FEEL and VIBE. and can effectively take the place of my entire multi-amp touring rig."
www.walkthroughthefire.com/
Katy Perry
With the Axe-Fx, I don't ever have to say 'no'. We can select whatever gear we want to use on-stage with Katy, but we have to be able to achieve the sounds she and the musical director are looking for. The Axe-Fx II met our needs for the show and sounds incredible.
Follow Casey on Twitter
L.A. Studio Guitarist, Neil Diamond Band
I love my Axe-FX… So much fidelity, amp goodness & processing power under one roof. The ‘sonic bar’ has been totally recalibrated by Fractal Audio!
Solo Artist
The Axe Fx II is the perfect solution for that guitar tone I've always had in my head. It has revolutionized my recording and production. Don't know what I would do without it!
http://www.myspace.com/austinwoodward
Yes, ARW, Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx II is just ridiculous. The modeling is just great, and it was really the only product of its kind that I could bond with. On tour, it’s been trouble-free and has replaced my entire rig: big stereo amps, pedals, effects, a switching rig. It’s just great…really great!
trevorrabin.net
Solo Artist, Studio Musician, Professional Sideman
The Fractal is an absolute dream machine. They've stuffed every effect, head, cabinet, and more into a 2-space rack, and now floor unit! I've been using Fractal products for every gig, lesson, rehearsal, and recording session since 2009 and I couldn't be happier with the results.
Nick's Facebook Page
Madonna, Prong, Solo Artist
Adding the Fractal Axe-FX2 in my rig is one of the wisest things I've ever done. It's completely changed my playing, ideas, and career for the better. I use it with my Jarrell MPS guitar and Orange heads for the best variety of the highest quality guitar sounds I've ever heard.
www.montepittman.com/
Solo Artist, Red Rider
In the studio we prepared two vintage amp rigs with tried-and-true configurations and then I dialed in similar settings on the Axe-Fx II in minutes and recorded them all. I could not believe that when I A/B'ed all three in the mix the Axe-Fx was simply better!
www.tomcochrane.com
Zappa Plays Zappa
The new Axe-Fx II made my head spin. Amazing amp feel and endless tone. It truly is a quantum leap... a major milestone in guitar technology.
www.dweezilzappaworld.com
Periphery
I've seen the Axe FX turn the most hardened tone snob into a believer in a matter of minutes. There are no substitutes, no equals... I've completed my tone journey and the destination is most definitely the Axe FX.
www.myspace.com/periphery
Mors Principium Est, Solo Artist, Producer, Composer
Every sound and effect I could ever need in the studio or live fits into a unit small enough to sit under my monitor, or to be carried onto a flight to my next gig. The Axe-FX II is the silver bullet to the tube-amp purist’s argument against digital amps.
Andy's Facebook Page
I Built the Sky
Fractal Audio has been an absolute game changer to the industry, especially for independent artists such as myself. While versatility and portability alone are enough, the tonal authenticity is second to none. The ability to take my incredible studio tones with me on the road and knowing that I never have to worry about inconsistencies with mics, rooms, cabs and engineers makes playing live nothing but a pleasurable experience.
ibuiltthesky.bandcamp.com
Solo Artist
I can safely say this is the unit I've been waiting for for the last 25 years. It's a tonechaser's dream come true!
www.willschut.com
Almanak, Solo Artist
As an all-time tube user, I never thought that I could be SO INTO this kind of equipement. This magic box can bring any tone I want, in any situation I need with REAL FEEL... Fractal, thanks for bringing to us the next step of technology for live and studio players.
Almanak Site
Every Hour Kills
The Axe-Fx finally fulfilled the promise of the multi-Fx amp modeler. Live or in the studio, every tone you can imagine in stunning quality, without sacrificing usability. I replaced entire fridge racks and pedalboards and haven't mic'd up a cab in months. Fractal brings my audio chaos to life.
Web Site
A Perfect Circle, Ashes Divide
I went from 16U of beloved gear to an Axe-Fx II and a Marshall head with no compromises! (...and I'm a very picky motherf**k'r) It's an impressive piece that lets me reproduce old favorite sounds but more importantly, inspires new ideas. I've finally found a single FX unit that bypasses distracting limitations and lets me get straight to the creative process.
www.aperfectcircle.com
Linkin Park
The Fractal is insanely ingenious. Captures all the magic in one reliable place. If I could live in the Fractal I just might.
www.linkinpark.com
JOTNAR
The Axe-Fx is by far the best invention in the guitar world of this century. Not only has it allowed me to reduce my live rig to the minimum (no more huge racks) but also offered me the possibility to get the best sounds in every situation. I can get the same exact sound of the studio in live situations. I’m sorry for amp & FX manufacturers but this is ALL I’ve ever dreamt!
JOTNAR Web Site
Solo Artist, King Crimson, Frank Zappa, many more...
Powerful, pristine, flexible, deep, monstrous and dead quiet... The Axe-Fx is world-class processing at its best. It is literally everything I need.
www.adrianbelew.net
King's X, Xenuphobe, The Jelly Jam
At first I used is strictly as effects. Tremendous! It's insane how powerful it is. Now, I am also using the amp modelling as well. The entire sound of my rig is the Axe-Fx. Amazing!
ww.tytabor.com
Silversun Pickups
Fractal Audio has given me the ability to shatter the creative ceiling I've been living under for years. I feel free.
silversunpickups.com
Animals As Leaders
Upon getting the Axe-FX I promptly got rid of all of my other amps and pedals. Now, the Axe Fx II inspires me to create sounds that transcend the conventional guitar amp. I consider it another instrument, and indispensable.
www.myspace.com/animalsasleaders
Saigon Kick, Owl Stretching, Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx II has changed everything for me! The previous amp emulators just never had that percussiveness or the responsiveness like a real tube amp until the Axe-Fx - it lets me get to the creative part quicker... it's like cheating. Plus, successful and attractive women have begun stalking me coyly asking about my "huge" tone.
www.jasonbieler.com
Solo Artist, Composer, Author
The Axe-Fx is the best piece of equipment I've ever had. I’ve always dreamed of having a guitar device that had all the sounds possibilities and features I wanted. With the Axe-Fx, my dream came true. Thanks for making my life on stage and at studio easier!
Web Site
Intervals
The Axe Fx II is one of the most essential guitar-related tools I've ever experienced. Both in, and out of the studio, the Axe Fx II consistently surprises and inspires me. The benchmark for digital guitar processing. Period.
Intervals Facebook site
Firehouse, Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx II is the greatest thing that's happened to the electric guitar since the pickup.
www.leverty.com
Pink, Solo Artist
The Fractal is one of the coolest pieces of gear I've come across in years. The presets are awesome! Super fun and inspiring. Totally convenient and bottom line sounds and feels great.
Justin's Facebook Page
Solo Artist
The Axe FX II is the perfect device for any multi-output instrument such as the Chapman Stick, Warr Guitar, 14-string guitar, regular guitars with piezo, doubleneck 6/12 string, etc. I'm basically using different effects for each one of the 4 outputs of my guitar, having the greatest sound quality. Amazing, and ready to go!
www.felixmartin.net