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.
Within the Ruins
The Axe-Fx II is an amazing unit. It has completely changed our entire live rig for the better. It has become one of the most important pieces of gear in my touring and home studio setup. Possibilities are endless - nothing can match the quality or tone that the Axe-Fx produces.
Within the Ruins site
The Dillinger Escape Plan, Producer, Engineer
I've been backing these units from their inception and have been using them in the studio and live for years. The ability to craft your tone from such a large palette of amps and FX is essential to my playing and producing style. Being limited to just one or two tones for a song would be like looking at a Rembrandt in black and white. When you factor in how reliable and recall-able the sounds are, you really can't beat it.
Dillinger Escape Plan 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
I Wrestled A Bear Once
Not only is the AXE FX II the best tool on Earth for shaping your dream tones and fx, but you get to bring them with you everywhere you go in only 2 rack spaces! I ditched giant flight cases and a huge pedal board in favor of one easy-to-carry rack and an MFC-101, and I couldn't be happier.
www.iwrestledabearonce.com
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!
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/
Nine Inch Nails
I've reprogrammed the whole NIN show using the Fractal. I have never sounded better and I’m psyched with each preset for every song. Really love the thing!
www.robinfinck.com
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/
Ultraje, Pad
First time I saw and heard an AX8 I thought...Take me to your leader! The second thing was to get one at home. I do not get tired of being stunned by this wonderful equipment!
Marcos' Web Site
A.N.I.M.A.L., De La Tierra
My Fractal gear sounds amazing! Pure, real and versatile. It's a fundamental part of my rig, both live and in the studio. Fractal Audio frees me to create all the tones I can imagine.
Animal Web Site
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.
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
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
Blues Traveler
Fractal Audio Systems creates an entirely new dimension of possibilities for me.
Blues Traveler Web Site
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
Dirty Loops
The Axe-Fx II is the most powerful unit out there with the least limitations. I talked to a lot of people and tried other products. The Axe-Fx II was the best sound processor I found and it was a very easy decision to go with the Fractal.
www.dirty-loops.com
Karsh Kale, TrueFire Artist, Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx changed everything for me, a guy whose life had revolved around the good, the bad and the ugly world of pedals! From to-die-for amp and fx processing, to unlimited control, to never having to compromise anything my demented mind comes up with—I'm forever floored.
www.ChrisBuono.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!
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
Weird Al Yankovic, Solo Artist
I've been an early adopter of guitar amp modeling technology and have used everything out there, both virtual software and hardware units. My Fractal Axe-Fx II reigns supreme for its sheer realism and myriad of options. If you can't get a killer sound with this unit then you better get your day job back!
www.jimkimowest.com
Chris Isaak Band, Solo Artist
Fractal Audio has matched and even beaten the old school effects, tubes, speakers and microphones approach with digital technology. Not only have they created a device which captures the nuance, mojo and fidelity of the real thing, but it's like having hundreds of real things, stock and custom, in two rack spaces. It is soulful, rich and alive. To me the Axe-Fx II is the new real thing.
www.hershelyatovitz.com
Polyphia
The Axe-Fx has changed the way I look at digital amplification. It takes no time at all to dial in astounding tones, and gives an endless amount of tweaking options. I have everything I need and more all in one unit.
facebook.com/Polyphia
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
Styx
There is a world of possibilities in that little box and I am enjoying getting to know it.
www.tommyshaw.com
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
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
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
Alustrium / Galactic Empire
The Axe-Fx is the pinnacle of tonal technology. In its many forms it has been the centerpiece of my rig, both live and in the studio for a number of years and I expect it to remain so for years to come. Nothing comes close.
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
Megadeth, Cacophony
The Axe-Fx is unreal... amazing, unique, and most importantly, totally usable tone in every situation.
www.martyfriedman.com
Def Leggend
"I've been a "tube head" guy until now. The first time I heard the AX8, I knew it was time to put the past (amps) behind me, and make Fractal my primary live weapon." - Mike Hamill
"I run straight to P.A. with my AX8, and 240 dates a year I'm reminded why I don't need a traditional amp/rig and guess what? So are the sound men." - John Inman
See Def Leggend on Facebook
The Devin Townsend Band, Strapping Young Lad
You've heard rumors about this new alien black box… Believe them! My two most recent records and live sound are direct Axe-Fx. Future now. It allows the culmination of all I've learned about amps and effects to happen in two rackspaces with uncompromised, unbelievable quality and accuracy. Words fail me... and that's rare.
www.hevydevy.com
Guns N' Roses, SixxAM
The Axe-Fx II is hands-down the most amazing guitar rig I have ever had the opportunity to plug into. In the studio or playing live it delivers nothing but quality tones and effects for days. I am simply blown away by this unit. It is every monster guitar rig all-in-one thanks guys!
djashba.com
See also DJs Rig Rundown
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!
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/
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
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
John Farnham, T. J. Helmerich, Nelson, Derek Sherinian
The Axe Fx-II is everything I need in one package. The possibilities are quite literally endless.
Brett's Web Site
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
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
Between the Buried and Me
For years we accumulated a multitude of amps and Fx with hopes of achieving the perfect tone. The end result was just a muddy, convoluted mess. Now, in one rack unit, the Axe-FX delivers the highest quality tones and effects while maintaining the authentic 'feel' of a tube amp and is quickly becoming the standard for even the most dogmatic of tone junkies.
www.betweentheburiedandme.com
Guitarist/Producer
I nevered expected that an all-in-one digital unit could replace my real amp rig, but the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II did. It's a dream come true!
www.youtube.com/user/guitarholy
TOTO, Kenny Loggins, Don Felder
The Fractal is such an empowering music-making tool. We used to dream of gear capable of this. Now it's a reality and all right here in our hands!
www.shemworks.com
Twitter: @shemvonschroeck
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
Solo artist, Session Player, Sideman
Fractal Audio opens an infinite universe of musical possibilities. I've never felt so comfortable with a unit on stage and in the studio.
Sus's Web Site
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
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
The Axe-Fx doesn't only sound like my favourite amps, it "feels" like them too. All the pros of the real thing without any of the cons. In fact, what am I talking about? It IS the real thing.
Nik Kershaw
The Human Abstract
Axe-fx changed the spectrum of sound for myself and many other modern metal players - i was sold the second i started toying around with one, and now im hooked! I use it in the studio and on tour.
The Human Abstract on Facebook
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
Living Colour
I have heard the future and it ROCKS! The Axe-Fx gives you outstanding tone and almost limitless programming possibilities. Plug in and freak out!
Vernon Reid on MySpace
Solo Artist
I'm using the Axe-Fx II relentlessly in the studio and have easily replicated all of my favourite tube amps into simple-to-use presets, ready for recording anytime and anywhere. From the most authentic vintage correct details to modern metal tones of the future and beyond, it can do it all.
Facebook
Bandcamp
YouTube
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.
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
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
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
Megadeth
With the Fractal Axe-Fx II, you can literally do anything. For me that means recreateing an intense history of crushing metal tones spanning three definitive decades, so that is saying a lot -- and beyond -- this is the new state-of-the-art.
www.megadeth.com
Alustrium
The Axe-Fx II is nothing short of a miracle in a rack unit. The endless precision that the unit offers when shaping your tone opens the door to limitless pathways to achieve any sound that your mind can conceive. There's a reason why Fractal Audio leads their industry by a wide margin...Once you plug into an Axe-FX for yourself, you'll immediately understand why.
Alustrium Facebook Page
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
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
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
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
Rammstein
Paul uses the Axe-Fx II in Rammstein. "Hi Paul. Do you want to tell us anything about your setup?" Paul: "No."
Rammstein Web Site
Ghost
The Axe-Fx II provides consistently great tone, no matter where or when our ritual takes place.
Ghost Site
Solo Artist
Keith Urban's masterful guitar playing and magnetic energy are accompanied by a true dedication to great tone. It's an honor that he is preparing to use our amp modeling in his live rig, and that he chose to be listed here. We previously worked with Keith's personal Twin to produce a cab pack and an amp model now featured in the Axe-Fx II and AX8.
OZZ
The Axe-Fx and AX8 are hands down the best pieces of gear I've ever owned. My amps now collect dust. I've been able to completely recreate my stereo tube amp setup with my Fractal gear and have it sound even better. Gig after gig my tone is always there and never fails me.
OZZ Web Site
OZZ Facebook Page
Solo artist, The Rockoutz
Versatility, quality and tone! These three words come to mind when I describe the Axe FX II XL+. I use it for all my live gigs and studio work, with the feeling of playing through a real tube amp with super high quallity effects. Fractal Audio has changed the way I approach my guitar tone, and I feel more inspired than ever. Thank you guys!
Web Site
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
PLINI
Thanks to Fractal, I get the amazingly surreal experience of being able to carry hundreds of high-end amps, cabs and pedals, all in a small suitcase, around the world, to play music I wrote in my bedroom with people I met on the Internet. If that's not a sign of living in the future, I don't know what is.
PLINI Web Site
Billy Idol, Atomic Playboys
To say that my AxeFX is a guitar FX unit is laughable… It's become a sonic religion to me.
www.stevestevens.net
Jimmy Kimmel House Guitarist, Producer
I've used my Fractal gear for both live and studio work. It's just beyond great...with punchy amp sounds and awesome effects. Very versatile and super cool... handy on the road too!
Gary Cain Band
Being a blues player I need that authentic cranked-amp tone, and the Axe-Fx II nails it! Being able to get that tone without having to turn up loud enough to weld is invaluable for both gigging and practicing. It's stunning how good it sounds and feels.
Gary Cain Band Site
Exivious
I've always loved the concept of having your entire rig in one unit and with the Axe-FX I can have that without compromising in tone or versatility. The kind of music I play requires a lot of completely different sounds and approaches, the Axe-FX pulls this off with great ease!
www.exivious.net
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
SoloAWeek, Hannah Thomas, The Swear, Solo Artist
Live or in the studio, the Axe-Fx II is the most potent artistic tool a guitarist can own. I've never captured such beautiful, full guitar sounds so easily, whether I'm dialing in a famous tone for an episode of SoloAWeek or my own dream tone I've always heard in my head. The Axe-Fx II inspires me to create every day.
www.CooperCarter.com
Pray for Sound
The Axe-Fx II completely changed how I feel about digital guitar processors. Having hundreds of amps and routing options that actually sound and feel real in such a small package is a game changer for both live and studio settings. With the Axe-Fx, there's no digital harshness. All the tube character is there. I can finally focus my time on creating music, rather than building the ultimate do-all rig.
Pray for Sound Site
Anthrax, Red Lamb
I had many dreams of a mad scientist inputting vintage amp blueprints into computer chips, and giving me the ability to somehow mod the circuits without a soldering gun. I'm alive and it's here. How the $#&% did they do it? We've just turned the corner big time.
www.redlambofficial.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
The Black Eyed Peas
I freakin' love this thing! I haven't used an amp in the studio for months, and now I've built a live rig around it too. The tone is second to none!
www.blackeyedpeas.com
Wovenwar, As I Lay Dying
The Axe-Fx II is limitless, leaving me constantly in awe of it's wonderful potential.
Wovenwar web site
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
Kansas
After playing through the Axe-Fx II for a while I went back to my rig to compare, and it just felt like it was fighting me. You guys have really closed the gap here on both the amps and the effects. This is just incredible technology.
www.kansasband.com/
Solo Artist, Session Guitarist
After 40 years as a musician/guitarist I´ve had lots of experiences with awesome gear. The Axe-Fx is pure inspiration to me. The sound is just stellar and it´s so easy to use. To me the Axe-Fx II is “THE REAL THING”.
Frank's Web Site
Grammy-Winning Producer & Guitarist
One my best purchases ever. With my Axe-Fx I can now tour the world with my ultimate tone rig – and it's a carry-on!
www.larrymitchell.com
Blizzard of Ozzy
Fractal Audio has inspired me to take the audience's listening experience to a new level. Whether recreating a specific tone or creating tones that set me apart from fellow artists, the Axe-Fx can do it. Getting an Axe-Fx was the best decision I've ever made.
Blizzard of Ozzy page
The Deadstation
In an industry that almost ubiquitously embraces inferior technology the Axe-Fx forges ahead to stand in a league of its own. Unparalleled sound, feel, and flexibility - all in one box. It truly is the ultimate rig.
http://thedeadstation.com/
Rascal Flatts, Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx is hands down, the most powerful and best sounding guitar unit to date. The effects in it are beautiful, the amp models retain the feel of a real amp, and the ability to create your own IRs is fantastic! This unit really has no limitations!
Andywoodmusic.com
Manowar, David Shankle Group
The Axe Fx II is a guitar player's dream. It is the most versatile and real sounding unit on the market. My tone is killer, and the pitch harmonizing is excellent.
http://www.davidshankle.com/
http://www.facebook.com/dave.shankle
Peter Murphy, Black Sugar Transmission, Sheer Velocity, p0p*stAr*kiDs
The AxeFX changed everything. I haven't set a mic in front of an amp since I got it. It makes dialing up tones ridiculously quick and easy. It's a wonderful creative tool, The fidelity, flexibility and facility of this unit make it a godsend for guitarists.
Andee on MySpace
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
King Crimson, Studio Musician
[Robert Fripp does not conduct interviews. He is using the Axe-Fx II in his rig, utilizing amp modelling, scenes, and effects processor capabilities.]
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
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
Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, Producer, Sound Magic
I used the Ultra on "Sounds of Freedom" to create the best guitar sounds I have ever recorded (after 14 solo albums!) The Axe-Fx II is even more fantastic... with even more body, complexity and presence... even more purity, width and warmth. This is virtuosity in technology.
www.nguyen-le.com
Guru Ganesha Band
I've been on a 45-year quest for the perfect electric guitar sounds and had almost given up hope when I recently was turned onto the Axe-Fx II. Now I've been able to dial in sounds that I couldn't even conjure up in my dreams. You've proven to me that there must be a God!
www.guruganesha.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!!!