Artists
Artists Using the Axe-Fx and Other Products from Fractal Audio
Artists using our products 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.
Artist Relations
Whether you're using Fractal on a major tour or album, or just making big impressions we'd love to hear more.
Contact ar@fractalaudio.com
Alex Lifeson
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.
Read the rest of what Alex had to say here.
http://www.rush.com/
Steve Vai
Solo & Collaborative Artist
The new Axe-FX II has all the functionality and tonal quality of the Axe-FX I, and then some. The introduction of the Axe-FX 1 unit into the pantheons of guitar FX processors was akin to the invention of the wheel. The Axe-FX two is like having 4 wheels and racing into the abyss.
John Petrucci
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.
Dweezil Zappa
Zappa Plays Zappa
The new Axe-Fx II made my head spin. Amazing amp feel & endless tone. This is a quantum leap... a major milestone in guitar technology.
Steve Stevens
Billy Idol, Atomic Playboys
To say that my AxeFX is a guitar FX unit is laughable…
It's become a sonic religion to me.
Guthrie Govan
The Aristocrats
Finally, a digital panacea for guitar tone which actually works: I never thought the day would come, but the sound and feel of this magic black box are so "real" that witchcraft would appear to be the only logical explanation... Most pleasing!
Neal Schon
Journey, Santana, Solo Artist
I've tried every modelling unit available on this planet and the Fractal is by far miles ahead in every area. It's also proven to be flawlessly dependable in the studio and live performances. So no matter who tries to get what out of me.... you're not getting my Fractal... ;)
Deftones
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!
Misha Mansoor
Periphery
The Ultra was a game changer for us both live and in the studio. The Axefx II takes the unit to an unprecedented level of realism and control. This is beyond modeling or effects processing, this is the new standard for guitarists.
Jake Bowen
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.
Mark Holcomb
Periphery
IThe 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.
Devin Townsend
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.
Richard Fortus
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.
DJ Ashba
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
Tosin Abasi
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.
Dean Parks
Studio Musician, Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, +many more
The Axe-Fx has the amp sounds, the effects collection, and the controls and routing to let you make this virtual guitar rig the one you want. Soulful and smart, that's a good combination.
Béla Fleck
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones
The Axe-Fx is a really great sounding box. It has improved my electric banjo sound considerably.
Adrian Belew
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.
Larry Mitchell
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!
Chris Traynor
Bush, Gavin Rossdale, Helmet, Orange 9mm
When it comes to tone, I will not compromise. The Axe-Fx is my big rig in a small box. Seriously powerful.
Brian Nutter
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.
Phil Collen
Def Leppard
I have lost track of how many times I have looked at my Guitar Tech and said "this sounds f#$%ing amazing!!
Jeff Schroeder
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.
Dave Mustaine
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.
Chris Broderick
Megadeth
We have all heard manufacturers advertise being able to reproduce any tone, but Fractal is the first to actually live up to that statement. From the dynamic response to how the gain clips, it responds to my playing instead of altering it. The all-in-one must have unit.
Peter Thorn
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!
Monte Pittman
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.
George Pajon
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!
Billy Howerdel
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.
Richard Williams
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.
Tim & Jon Foreman
Switchfoot
The Axe-FX eliminates the barriers that stand between what I imagine and what is possible. It is an amazing tool on the road and in the studio.
Dean Herrera
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.
Jeff Loomis
Nevermore
I am able to create the exact guitar sound and touch dynamics I want from the ground up with my Axe-Fx. Need I say more?
Marty Friedman
Megadeth, Cacaphony
The Axe-Fx is unreal... amazing, unique, and most importantly, totally usable tone in every situation
Dustie Waring
Between the Buried and Me
Everything that I've always wanted to be able to accomplish with tone, effects and convenience is now possible. The Axe-Fx changed everything for me and has made the live experience so much smoother. Mind blowing technology.
Paul Waggoner
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.
Mark Tremonti
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.
Andy Wood
Down from Up, 2007 Guitarmageddon Winner
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!
Dave Weiner
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.
Wes Hauch
The Faceless
The sound and feel are undeniable... I feel tube heads are going to become as relevant as VHS tapes. There’s no stopping this train.
Rusty Cooley
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.
Joel Hoekstra
Rock of Ages, Night Ranger, Trans-Siberian Orchestra
"The Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II is a go-to piece of gear. Killer tones! Pristine effects! ...puts the "Rock" in Rock of Ages"
Steven Bradley
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
Ty Tabor
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!
dUg Pinnick
King's X, Supershine, Solo Artist
The Fractal is awesome. Wow! Everyone is talking about it. The sound is actually cleaner and clearer than with all the patching I had to do before. Rock on
Sharon Aguilar
Cee Lo Green, 2NE1
The Axe FX II is simply unreal. It has a ton of capabilities that I never imagined could be found in a single unit. It totally rocks!
Greg Howe
Solo Recording Artist, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson
The Axe-Fx is arguably the most impressive guitar related item I've ever owned.
Tommy Shaw
Styx
There is a world of possibilities in that little box and I am enjoying getting to know it.
Ricky Phillips
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!
Tommy Kessler
Blondie, Blue Man Group. Rock of Ages
Fractal Audio is the real deal...Real tone, real portable, real easy. The possibilities of this unit would require an endless amount of amps, pedals and rack gear to achieve.
Vernon Reid
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!
Vinai Trinateepakdee
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!
Thomas Nordegg
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!
Chris Buono
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.
Derryl Gabel
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!
David Walliman
Public Alchemy, YouTube Sensation
The Axe FX II is everything I ever wished for. It inspires me to play more while making me sound better. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about tone.
Tymon Kruidenier
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!
Andee Blacksugar
Black Sugar Transmission, Acey Slade, 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.
Ed DeGenaro
Solo Artist
My Axe-Fx has not only replaced all my rack gear and channel switching amps, but for the first time I have a consistent tone night after night regardless of venue.
Devin Bronson
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.
Corey Beaulieu
Trivium
You will hear and read a lot of things about the Axe-Fx, but nothing will prepare you for the sounds that come from this unit! The sonic possibilities are mind-blowing... Worth every #@{!\! penny!
Matt Heafy
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.
Marco Sfogli
Solo Artist
The possibilities the Axe FX offer are endless. From pristine cleans to high gain searing leads and everything in between, I can control every single detail of my tone with an almost embarassing ease. And the effects are awesome as well. Simply unbelievable
Nguyên Lê
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.
Dan Spitz
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.
Hadley Hockensmith
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!
Craig Sharmat
Solo Artist/Session Player
The Axe-Fx has changed the way I work and sound. Its convenience is second to none -- I can track a piece in 1 day and visit it 3 months later and it's like I never left the session ...Great for a TV show piece or my own projects. The best piece of guitar gear I have purchased.
Mark Day
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!
Ehsaan Noorani
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio, Fender Signature Artist, Composer/Music Director
The Axe=Fx 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.
Julia Pierce
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!!!
Nick Sterling
Sebastian Bach, Solo Artist
The Axe-Fx… Prepare yourself to be totally consumed! This unit is the future and beyond. Amazing!
Paul Masvidal
Cynic
The Axe-Fx does everything well, but most importantly it articulates the science of great tone with an organic sensibility and utter precision!
Charlie Bellmore
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.
Stephen Chesney
Waking Jonah, Solo Artist
I used my AXE-FX Standard direct through FOH from House of Blues to Festivals. Now with my Axe-FX 2 I not only use it live, but direct in the studio for everything I do. As a musician, the Axe-FX 2 is as important to me as is my guitar itself.
David Shankle
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 I I the pitch harmonizing is excellent.
http://www.davidshankle.com/
http://www.facebook.com/dave.shankle
Ben Butler
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!."
Leroy Miller
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!
Mark Karan
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."
Austin Woodward
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!
Carl Roa
Magic Elf, Carl Roa Band
The Axe-FX II is magic in a box! An incredible array of tones from the small 2 rack space unit. Just about every amp known to man, with a seemingly endless choice of mics, cabs and effects. This amazing technology easily competes with the sonic arsenals found at most top end studios. Simply awesome!
Eric Wollman
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!
Felix Martin
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!
Jacek Polak
Mr. Pollack
I had been strugling on stage with tube amps for ages before my Axe II arrived.No headaches anymore! I recorded my most recent album "Seven Sources" with the Axe II as my main amp and it's the best sound of my career. Thank you Fractal Audio that you exist!
John Czajkowski
Hectic Watermelon, Marco Minneman's Normalizer
The AxeFX is a transformational tool. It is the first single unit I have ever witnessed that has not only the stunning sonic quality, but also the flexible routing and control capabilities of a professional multi-amp rack rig. It is truly a game-changer.
Will Schut
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!
