XL+ Preamp/FX Processor

The XL+ is the ultimate Axe-Fx II all-in-one preamp/effects processor. It contains a vast virtual inventory of hundreds of vintage and modern guitar amps, speaker cabinets, guitar stompbox and studio effects, and more. It accurately recreates the sound and feel of tube amps and can “tone match” the sound of your live amp or a recording. It is ideal for both stage and studio use, with heavy-duty construction and a high-quality, low-noise design. The Axe-Fx II has superb sound with great power and flexibility, offering many improvements over traditional guitar amps and effects, including extremely light weight, precise sound control, computer integration, very simple rig design possibilities, and more. Despite its advanced technology, it is remarkably easy to use.

Easy-to-Use Front Panel Features

The Axe-Fx II XL+ can be completely controlled from the front panel via knobs, buttons, and a large backlit LCD display. The large VALUE knob is used for most setting changes, while four smaller QUICK CONTROL knobs give you hands-on access to extra parameters including SCENES. Scenes allow each of the 768 presets to contain 8 different combinations of effects on/off, amp XY “channel” selection, and more.

The Power for Extreme Amp Modeling

The equation is quite simple: more power equals the capability for better sound, with greater depth, detail, and dimensionality. The Axe-Fx II is a great improvement on previous products, with two state-of-the-art Analog Devices TigerSHARC DSPs offering many times the raw power of competitor products. One is dedicated solely to amp modeling while the other handles effects and other processing. We put this power to good use, individually modeling both preamp and power amp sections. Preamps are painstakingly modeled, typically with all the same controls as the original amps. We also model the entire power section including tubes, transformers, choke, filter caps and more. The results are amazing: big, yet tight bass, powerful mids, silky highs, and all of the feel that makes playing a great amp so enjoyable. There are 180+ different amp models onboard. They range from industry standards to boutique treasures, from the very best of vintage, to the leading edge of modern tones.

Superb Speaker Simulation

The Axe-Fx II features a high resolution speaker simulator with 150+ “Factory” models and room for 512 “User” cabs. locations. The Cab Block is the key to “direct” tone — able to reproduce the sound of a cranked, properly mic’d amp at any volume without the variables that normally plague such setups in a live or studio setting (inconsistent sound, mic leakage, insane volume requirements, etc.). Factory cabs include selections from our own collection of professionally produced Cab-Packs, plus selections by today’s top artists, engineers, and 3rd party IR designers like RedWirez and OwnHammer. You’ll find a superb variety of cab and speaker sizes representing the greatest brands from history and the present day. You can even create your own User Cabs, with built-in tools to capture the sound of any speaker. In addition, we offer Cab-Lab, an IR mixer and tools application for Mac and Windows, designed specifically for those who want to create their own custom IR blends (like a producer or engineer might do with different mics on the same speaker).

Tone Matching extends this with the impressive ability to “clone” another device such as an amp, rig or recording. You can save the result in a single preset, or export it to a “User Cab” for use throughout your Axe-Fx II.

Exquisite Effects

In addition to industry leading amp modeling, the Axe-Fx II is an incredibly powerful and flexible multi-effects processor, with ultra-realistic recreations of classic stomp boxes and rack processor effects. Effect models can be dialed in with a single knob to make all required settings for great sound in seconds, or tweaked at the deepest level with a completely modular approach. Like our amps, effects sound and feel great, with very musical response to enhance and inspire.

29+ Drive Pedal models

Dozens of Delays

19 Reverb types

Totally customizable Wah

Highly customizable Whammy

Fixed and Intelligent Harmony

Shimmer, Crystals, etc.

Phaser & Uni-Vibe

Flanger, Chorus

Panner/Tremolo

Rotary Speaker

Tone Match

7 powerful Filter types

Graphic & Parametric EQs

Many Compressor types including pedal, studio, and optical

Limiter/Gate

Front-end Noise Gate

Mono Guitar Synth

Built in Looper

New “true” Tape Echo

Vocoder

And more…

The Axe-Fx II also offers impressively flexible effects routing, with the ability to build accurate recreations of an entire rig of pedals and processors, plus designs never possible before now. In addition, it offers powerful realtime automation and control, with outstanding MIDI support and a great range of other control options (sweepy LFOs, dynamic Envelopes, a sequencer, two onboard pedal jacks, and more.)

USB Computer Integration

The Axe-Fx II offers a host of USB connectivity features. Connected to your Mac or PC, it becomes a 2×4 Audio Interface with 1×1 high speed MIDI. This allows you to record the main processed outputs and simultaneously capture a “dry” track for re-amping later. You can also monitor or process computer audio tracks with the Axe-Fx II. 1×1 high speed MIDI-over-USB eliminates the need for a separate MIDI interface and makes editing with Axe-Edit easier than ever before.

Great I/O Capabilities and Ultra Low Noise

The Axe-Fx II XL+ offers a range of essential input and outputs. Alongside balanced XLR outs, the ¼” unbalanced outputs feature our new Humbuster™ technology, which helps reduce the problems of ground loop noise without dangerous “cheater plugs” or expensive isolation transformers. Rear analog inputs are also balanced, for cleaner signal over greater distances. Special analog processing keeps the noise floor even lower on output 2, designed to be connected to the front of an amplifier. New “Secret Sauce III” offers the best signal-to-noise performance of any Axe-Fx ever. The front panel also now features a high quality headphone jack.

Update History

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 fan.

Axe-Fx II Mark II – EtherCON port for connecting MFC-101. 60 or 80mm fan

Axe-Fx II XL – As above, but upgraded as noted: memory Increase to 768 presets, 500 User Cab Slots, EtherCON and FASLINK connectors, optical main encoder, dedicated MIDI THRU, lower noise floor, 80mm fan. “Secret Sauce III” input circuitry, flash ROM preset storage, built-in recovery firmware, dual onboard Expression Pedal jacks, “XL only” firmware features (such as XY on a greater number of blocks.)

Axe-Fx II XL Plus – All of the above, plus a brighter sharper display, and an even lower noise floor.

The Axe-Fx II enjoys frequent free upgrades and updates in the tradition that established our commitment to product evolution.