I assume such an official, full differential listing is not too far off? Ben From what we know so far, the AX8 has less powerful chips in it, so you can run 1-amp block, 1-cab block, and many of the effects only have one block. I haven't heard if two drive blocks are available, but I would assume such. Not many people use two tremolos, phasers, flangers, etc. The storage is much less than the Axe II, but that's not to say it's lacking. The Axe FX XL+ has a ton of storage. Far more than I would expect the vast majority of players to need. We also know that not all of the effect blocks are available in the AX8, but do not know which ones are not available. Add to that, the lack of knowledge about available amp and cab models, and you have the most desired answers about a unit coming to market at that price point today. Base on timeframe from the first videos about the FX8 to its release, I'm willing to bet we don't have a long wait to go for these answers. I just hope it is the same for the actual unit to be in my possession. Cliff says it has all the same effects except some of the more esoteric ones. No dual amps or dual cabs in a preset. I would have easily assumed it would have audio over USB. So I guess if I want to bring my AX8 and my laptop somewhere with me I would also need to bring along a separate audio interface. I'm ready for the Fractal lovers to come to the rescue against my comments, but no matter how you look at it, not having audio over USB is a pretty illogical oversight. The AX8 is a floor based solution--I know a ton of folks are seeing it as a cheap way to get into the Fractal family but it isn't replacing the AXE. I plan on having both so it isn't an issue but for those looking to use the AX8 as an all in one solution look to employ some workarounds that other boxes won't make you do. Ben No audio via USB? I would have easily assumed it would have audio over USB. So I guess if I want to bring my AX8 and my laptop somewhere with me I would also need to bring along a separate audio interface. I'm ready for the Fractal lovers to come to the rescue against my comments, but no matter how you look at it, not having audio over USB is a pretty illogical oversight. I agree -- the re-amping is the part I find most disappointing about the lack of USB audio. I know some compromises had to be made to get the price down, but I think those are big omissions that don't seem like they would have added much to the cost. Those extra steps not only make the process a little more complicated, but they tend to degrade the sound at least a little and sometimes a lot. So, for me, the lack of USB audio AND the lack of spdif input is a disappointing combination. The Kemper doesn't do USB audio. But, it does have spdif input and output. So, you can send the dry and wet signal to the DAW via spdif output, and at some later point you can send it back to the KPA via spdif input to reamp. When you do that, the signal that is getting reamp is identical assuming you don't process it at all in the DAW and you have your levels set correctly to the signal that the KPA is working from in the first place when simply plugging in directly to the input. In my opinion, the AX8 should have that capability as well, whether via USB or spdif. Here's what I don't understand.... Cliff might be a great guy, but he's not stupid, and he's not going to cannibalize his sales. AX8 seems to me to be a great solution for someone who wants a gigable unit in an all-in-one floor box. It seems like the non-gigging stuff reamping, audio over USB has been stripped out in the name of cost-savings and, as a smart business decision, not cutting into high-end sales. If the Helix wasn't coming out, I'd be all over this as a gigging solution. For those who are using it as a studio tool, there's still the flagship. I don't intend for this to be mean, or derogatory, but I don't understand how some folks can't see past their own face and understand the basics of running a successful business. In what way is that statement not meant to be derogatory? All of this gets back to the major theme of this post, which is folks wanting to see a list of exactly what is and is not going to be in the AX8. From there, we can each decide if it has the features we want and need for our own purposes.
