Re: Fractal Units
I had an Axe Fx II for almost a decade.
I loved it but eventually sold it as I was really not using it as much as I had been for recording and such. Back to tube amp and pedals.
The first thing to understand is that any of the high end modelling units require time and patience to get your sound. Although they are very much like an amp in tweaking each amp, and then putting a cab to it, the options are dizzying. There are literally millions of potential ways to use the unit for amp/cab/effect combinations. Be prepared to spend some time finding your sound and learning to use the unit itself.
For the gear itself, there are a couple of options. As Mincer said, the AX8 is a great on-floor pedal unit that can plug into just about any PA/FOH type unit and get amazing sounds. The two downsides to the AX8 are that first, if you want to record your stuff into a DAW, you need an interface to do that, and although there is plenty of processing power within the AX8, there are nowhere near the number of preset slots available like on the full blown Axe Fx III.
If you are looking more towards the larger units, you don't absolutely need the Axe Fx III. It has better processing power, more preset slots, and can do a few more things with effects, but any of the Axe Fx II units are plenty for a home hobbyist or someone just gigging for fun. The Axe Fx II and III are also recording interfaces, so basically, plug the USB into your computer and you can record into a DAW.
The issue with the II and III are size and other stuff needed. The III is kinda big, and with either one, you really should protect it and have it in rack system of some kind. Those are bulky. Much bigger than some of the new lunchbox amp heads. If you are a guitar cab die hard, then you will need a Power Amp and a Guitar Cab, BUT then you won't be using the amazing IRs within the units. I didn't like that sound option, as the IRs are truly spectacular, so the other option is an FRFR speaker system. If you get unpowered ones, you will also need a power amp. I played through a XiTone 1x12 powered Wedge and not only was it LOUD, but it was crystal clear and really let the unit with the cab sims engaged shine. You also need to invest in some kind of floor pedal unit to control the Axe Fx II or III which is a disadvantage compared to the AX8, which is a self contained floor unit.
One of the pros is that you can recreate virtually any guitar sound you've ever heard on any record ever. The con is the same thing, funny enough. You can chase tone forever on those things. And it can be a very frustrating endeavor. That being said, there are the Fractal Forums with amazing people to help you, there are oodles of YouTube videos on tweaking them, and there is a site called AxeChange, which has presets uploaded by the community for you to download to your unit and try.
When I got the unit itself, one of the HUGE pros was the ability to record with it seemlessly. No mics to fiddle with, no speakers to move around, no room reverb issues, and can be done 100% silently. And what you hear is what is recorded. It's incredible. No cons to that.
All of this gloriousness comes at a price. When I purchased the Axe Fx II it was $2100, I believe. Then $700 for the floor unit and another $900 for the XiTone Wedge. That may seem like a lot, but that is basically the price of one high end amp, and a couple of pedals. Then you need all kinds of other things if you are interested in recording.
Do I recommend one? 100% FOR SURE. They are incredible pieces of hardware and if you are realistic about your needs and spend just a little bit of time getting to know the unit, it will rock your world.
