Blue Cat's Axiom V2 Released! (Now 2.05)

[DoktorTenma]

I can confirm that the latest preview fixes this on Sonoma 14.1.1 on MacBook Pro M1 Max.

[Blue Cat Audio]

I can confirm that the latest preview fixes this on Sonoma 14.1.1 on MacBook Pro M1 Max.

Thanks for checking!

[zaratoothbrush]

Yep. Fixed.

Thanks very much.

Back to enjoying Axiom...

[Blue Cat Audio]

Yep. Fixed.

Thanks very much.

Back to enjoying Axiom...

Great, thanks for reporting back!

[Tappistry]

Hey Blue Cat! This has been an interesting bit of information that's circling the guitar world lately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpCz7LE7CGU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXKZqJtjLkg

For our reference, can you share what the expected/tested input level is for Axiom? Thanks!

[Blue Cat Audio]

Thanks for teh heads up. I have indeed noticed these videos.

Because we do not try to replicate the exact behavior of actual amps, we do not replicate the issues that amps (and levels) may cause in the real world either: Axiom and Destructor are simply built to deliver optimal results like most level-dependent plug-ins for the studio (compressors, limiters, distortion etc.): right below 0 dBFS is usually optimal.

However, peak level in one thing, actual loudness is another: most single coils will typically sound weaker than most humbuckers with the same peak level. So this means that you may want to adjust the input level to your taste, with your ears, to match the tone you are looking for with your particular instrument. If you feel it sounds too compressed or distorted, you may want to reduce the input gain (or the drive). If it sounds too weak, increase the input level.

There is just one absolute rule: do not clip the input of your audio interface. Once the signal is inside the computer, you can go beyond 0 dBFS without any problem, as all audio software is now working with floating point numbers. If you overshoot the input of Destructor, it won't produce digital clipping, it will just push the compression distortion stages more. It may have a different effect compared to pushing the drive parameter, so it's good to try it out too!

Again, trust your ears, and feel free to experiment with the tools .

[Tappistry]

Thanks for teh heads up. I have indeed noticed these videos.

Because we do not try to replicate the exact behavior of actual amps, we do not replicate the issues that amps (and levels) may cause in the real world either: Axiom and Destructor are simply built to deliver optimal results like most level-dependent plug-ins for the studio (compressors, limiters, distortion etc.): right below 0 dBFS is usually optimal.

However, peak level in one thing, actual loudness is another: most single coils will typically sound weaker than most humbuckers with the same peak level. So this means that you may want to adjust the input level to your taste, with your ears, to match the tone you are looking for with your particular instrument. If you feel it sounds too compressed or distorted, you may want to reduce the input gain (or the drive). If it sounds too weak, increase the input level.

There is just one absolute rule: do not clip the input of your audio interface. Once the signal is inside the computer, you can go beyond 0 dBFS without any problem, as all audio software is now working with floating point numbers. If you overshoot the input of Destructor, it won't produce digital clipping, it will just push the compression distortion stages more. It may have a different effect compared to pushing the drive parameter, so it's good to try it out too!

Again, trust your ears, and feel free to experiment with the tools .

"Right below 0 dbFS," so something more like -1 or -2 dbFS?

And just to be clear, 1Vp = 0dBFS in this case?

I'm asking for a more specific number because I want to contact Ed who made the original video so he can add Axiom to his input level table for a reference.

[Blue Cat Audio]

"Right below 0 dbFS," so something more like -1 or -2 dbFS?

Well, when you play it is hard to tell: the signal varies a lot. The idea idea is that you do no clip the input, which mean the signal will be between -3 and 0 dB while hitting hard the strings.

And just to be clear, 1Vp = 0dBFS in this case?

What do you mean? What is 1 Vp in this context?

[Tappistry]

"Right below 0 dbFS," so something more like -1 or -2 dbFS?

Well, when you play it is hard to tell: the signal varies a lot. The idea idea is that you do no clip the input, which mean the signal will be between -3 and 0 dB while hitting hard the strings.

And just to be clear, 1Vp = 0dBFS in this case?

What do you mean? What is 1 Vp in this context?

1 Volt Peak

[Blue Cat Audio]

Once the signal has been sampled, this does not mean much, unless you want to simulate the exact behavior of an actual amplifier (which is anyway not possible since it depends on the characteristics of the audio interface, which may vary - and it's not just the reference levels, but also the impedance and many other factors). Some people even use a DI box or a preamp before plugging into the audio interface, so all references to electric levels at the input of the audio interface has no meaning anymore. Also, when you use pedals you can (and do) overshoot the input of an amp, but you cannot on an audio interface.

Plus if you work in a DAW who knows what may happen to your signal before it reaches your plug-in. IMHO calibrating a plug-in on electric levels at the input of an audio interface is just not a good idea.

So that was not our approach, and we only refer to digital levels. Analog signal references have no meaning in this context and the signal is calibrated easily without having to look at the specs of your audio interface in details.

To make it short: with our software, just plug your guitar, adjust the input level to get close to 0dB without clipping and voilà! Much simpler .