The Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL is a rack-mountable preamp and effects processor: a single 2U-style rack unit that replaces a guitar or bass rig's amp, cabinet and pedalboard with digital modeling. It is part of the Axe-Fx II line from Fractal Audio, and Fractal describes it as having the same DSP and amp modeling capabilities as the Axe-Fx II Mark II, with expanded memory and connectivity1.
Where a traditional preamp pedal only shapes one stage of the sound, the Axe-Fx II XL models the whole chain: amp, effects and cabinet in one signal path, all editable and storable as presets. MusicRadar's reviewer called the Axe-Fx II "an object of desire for many guitarists, but it's not cheap"2.
What it is and what it does
The Axe-Fx II XL is an amp and effects modeling processor. Premier Guitar's reviewer described the Axe-Fx II as "a rack mountable preamp and effects processor" in which "each of the 384 editable presets represents a complete signal path of amp, effect, and cab"3. The XL raises that preset count: its 128 Mb of non-volatile Super-FLASH memory allows for storage of up to 512 presets and 512 user cabinets, with copious reserves for future expansion1.
MusicRadar's review of the Axe-Fx II counted "more than 70 high-quality emulations to play with," covering amps and effects in one box4. For a player, that means one rack unit can stand in for an amp stack plus a board of overdrive, delay, reverb and other effects, switching between complete rigs from a preset.
Controls and connections
The XL's front panel centers on a VALUE encoder: primary VALUE entry is via an optical encoder with a lifespan of 1,000,000+ rotations1. Real-time control comes from two onboard PEDAL jacks, versus one on the Axe-Fx II Mark II, so two expression or volume pedals can be connected at once1.
On the MIDI side, the XL has dedicated MIDI IN, OUT and THRU jacks, where the Mark II shared a single OUT/THRU jack1. That dedicated THRU makes it easier to pass MIDI along to other rack gear in a larger setup. The Axe-Fx II family also responds to MIDI continuous controller messages; the factory default CC map for the Axe-Fx II, XL and XL+ assigns AMP2 X/Y to CC 1015.
XL versus the Axe-Fx II and XL+
Fractal's own product page lays out how the line evolved6:
| Version | Key points |
|---|---|
| Axe-Fx II (original) | Dual TigerSHARC, 384 presets, 100 User Cab Slots, RJ45 MFC-101 port, mechanical main encoder, MIDI IN and OUT/THRU jacks, single "Pedal" jack, 60mm fan6 |
| Axe-Fx II XL | Same DSP and amp modeling as the Mark II; 512 presets and 512 user cabinets; two PEDAL jacks; dedicated MIDI IN, OUT and THRU1 |
| Axe-Fx II XL+ | Preamp/FX Processor; rear analog inputs are balanced, for cleaner signal over greater distances6 |
The XL+ is the later version in the same line, and its balanced rear analog inputs are the practical difference for players running long cable runs to a front-of-house console6. The original Axe-Fx II, for its part, was itself an update of the first Axe-Fx: MusicRadar notes "the updated Axe-Fx thankfully includes the USB port that was missing from the original"4.
Where it came from
Fractal Audio Systems announced the Axe-Fx II XL as available for sale in March 2014, and it began shipping that March, offered in the online store alongside the Axe-Fx II Mark II16. The Axe-Fx II line it joined offered more than 70 high-quality emulations, and the XL carried over the same primary VALUE entry via an optical encoder rated for a lifespan of 1,000,000+ rotations1.
What reviewers said
Reviews of the Axe-Fx II line were positive about the modeling but blunt about the price. Premier Guitar put the Axe-Fx II's street price at $2199 and concluded43:
"At almost $2,200, the Axe-Fx II is obviously still a significant investment, but the price of just one of the complete virtual rigs it affords would most likely cost much more."
MusicRadar's verdict on the Axe-Fx II was similar:
"It's not for the faint of wallet, but the Axe-Fx II delivers supreme modelling power in a hardy piece of kit."
Both reviews frame the XL's family the same way: a large upfront cost measured against the cost of the physical amps and effects it models34.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Axe-Fx II XL and the Axe-Fx II XL+?
The XL has the same DSP and amp modeling capabilities as the Axe-Fx II Mark II, and stores up to 512 presets and 512 user cabinets in 128 Mb of Super-FLASH memory. The XL+ is a later Preamp/FX Processor in the same line whose rear analog inputs are balanced, for a cleaner signal over greater distances.
How many presets does the Axe-Fx II XL store?
The XL's 128 Mb of non-volatile Super-FLASH memory allows for storage of up to 512 presets and 512 user cabinets, with copious reserves for future expansion. The earlier Axe-Fx II carried 384 editable presets, each a complete signal path of amp, effect and cab.
Does the Axe-Fx II XL have MIDI THRU?
Yes. The XL has dedicated MIDI IN, OUT and THRU jacks, where the Axe-Fx II Mark II shared a single OUT/THRU jack. The XL also responds to MIDI continuous controller messages, with factory defaults such as AMP2 X/Y on CC 101.
How many pedal jacks does the Axe-Fx II XL have?
Two onboard PEDAL jacks, versus one on the Axe-Fx II Mark II. That lets a player connect two expression or volume pedals at once for real-time control of parameters such as wah and volume.
How much did the Axe-Fx II XL cost at launch?
The Axe-Fx II XL began shipping in March 2014 at a direct price of $2499.95, with a list price of $2999.95. The standard Axe-Fx II carried a street price of $2199 at the time Premier Guitar reviewed it.
Sources (6)
- Announcing the Axe-Fx II XL, Fractal Audio Systems, 2017-10-02
- Fractal AX8 review, MusicRadar, 2016-03-21
- Fractal Axe-FX II Preamp FX Processor Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-07-09
- Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II review, MusicRadar, 2011-10-12
- Voes | MIDI-CC, Voes (voes.be), 2024
- Axe-Fx II XL+, Fractal Audio Systems, 2020-09-08
