Axe-Fx Firmware Update 13.0 Adds Power Tube Selection

If you’re a lazy tone seeker like me, and don’t have $500,000 to spend on all the gear you really want, you may have purchased a a Fractal Audio Axe-Fx modeling amp at some point, and now regret it because now you can’t seem to find time for human interaction. Well, be further saddened for your social life and personal hygiene because the new firmware has been released, and it adds a whole new level of tweakage you never knew you wanted: selectable tube type. Available are EL34, EL84, 6L6, 6V6, KT66, KT88, 6550, 6973, 6AQ5 and 300B (triode) tubes for each amp, so now math that times the amount of possibilities you’ve already got, and it’s factorial something something infinity.

I’m not sure if this was at all in response to the Bias amp sim app we told you about back in November, that had not just tube selection but also a pretty glowing graphic interface for your eyeballs. I wouldn’t be surprised, but it did seem like an obvious oversight for such an in-depth modeler to be lacking the ability to swap imaginary tubes.

In addition, they’ve added some new amp models including an Orange AD200B bass amp clone, and support for something called UltraRes cabs. According to the website, “UltraRes is a proprietary technique that enhances the spectral resolution of an IR without adding CPU burden or storage requirements.” Better sounding cabs without loading down the processor? I’m game.

Get the new firmware on Fractal’s page here.