Has anyone tried out the new Digidesign Eleven Rack?

[Metaltyme]

I've been eyeing this little piece of gear since it came out. I've heard sound clips on the official website and such, and they seem to sound pretty solid, but what I'm mainly interested in is "feel" along with the tonage of this niftly-looking rack unit.

I'm not a fan of ProTools in the least, so the Eleven Rack's ability to be a ProTools audio interface is useless to me. I gotta say, though, that I like that it is also a stand-alone re-amping solution. That's something that I'd like to utilize in the near future. Mainly, I would use it as a stand-alone effects processor.

Down the road, I'm hell-bent on scoring an Axe-Fx Ultra. For anyone that's used the Eleven Rack and other MFX/Amp Modelers, how does the Eleven Rack sit in the food chain?

Based on price alone, I'd expect it to sound a little better than the BOSS/LINE6 Equivalents, but may be somewhat inferior to the sound and feel of the Axe-FX. That's pure speculation though.

Discuss...please.

[String7th]

Originally Posted by Metaltyme

Based on price alone, I'd expect it to sound a little better than the BOSS/LINE6 Equivalents

WHAT??
Dude, Digidesign overcharges on everything they make. Because they and Protools have made themselves the "industry standard", they can charge whatever the hell they want for whatever they make and consumers with cash will bend over and take it.

Seriously, they can't even price a 1-output only interface any lower than $250?

[Metaltyme]

Yeah, you're absolutely right ...but, what I was implying was that I still expected the Eleven Rack to sound and "feel" better than the dated GT-10/Pro and Pod X3 series, as that technology has been around for awhile and MUST be presumably cheaper to replicate by today's standards. I understand, though, that the fallacy of "more expensive is always better" fully exists out there...particularly with Digidesign/ProTools shite. I guess you could say it was a bit of optimism on my part to think that the Eleven Rack is superior to Line6/Boss stuff. Depending on any responses here, I might just as well keep setting my sites on the Axe FX and be done with it. Hmmm...but the G.A.S. is overwhelming at the moment. I"M READY TO FART ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!11

[Gold Sputtered]

The Eleven Rack seriously reeks of being overpriced. I think Digidesign was just looking for another way to sell Pro Tools.

[String7th]

I guess I see other choices for $1000 guitar effect/preamp. I don't any studio use for this, because it says it's using the same Protools software for amp models. A decent DI and re-amp box can do what this can. I don;t think there was any new technology discovered in 1 year since the PodX3.

So as a live rack unit, it would still need a clean power amp in the $500-$1000 range, and a cab. A guitarist knows what gear you can get for $2k in amp and effects.

I think Digidesign is testing thier power by seeing if they can overprice products for other target consumers.

[Metaltyme]

Yeah...I've researched this a little more, and what I've come across so far supports what you're saying. 'F' it...I'm just gonna save a little while longer and get my Axe-FX. Hell with it all.

[Gold Sputtered]

Originally Posted by String7th

Seriously, they can't even price a 1-output only interface any lower than $250?

Seriously, the interface is free. Pro Tools is $250!

[Audio~Geek]

I'm not a fan of ProTools in the least, so the Eleven Rack's ability to be a ProTools audio interface is useless to me

DON'T get it then, there are a lot of PT specific reasons to choose it over the others. Things like embedded rig settings in the wave file metadata. Software GUI for a hardware processor. Works with LE, M-Powered and HD too.

They say Eleven Rack feels like playing a real amp.

I hear the AxeFX is not user-friendly, lots of menus, not many knobs. But it can load impulses.

There's none available in Canada yet, I'll see one on November 7 when Digi does a demo at my store.

[Metaltyme]

Earlier when I stated I wasn't a fan of ProTools, it wasn't meant to say that I thought ProTools sucks. I just meant that anything that's not what I'm used to (Sonar) is something I'm not particularly a fan of. That could always change though...I just don't want it too yet.

DON'T get it then

I probably won't...at least that's my intention, at the moment. My interest is definitely there though on the "new" stuff that hits the market. I would have gladly picked the Eleven Rack up for the amp-modeling alone if it's truly the shit. I have yet to find out though from anyone that's played it or owned it and that swears by it. Even if anyone does swear by it, I'd probably request real-world sound clips that aren't Digidesign-endorsed. For now though, I'm just trying to avoid the marketing "hype."

I think I'm basically bent on breaking down and buying the AxeFX. I'm just hoping that the AxeFX has or will have some real competition that might be a little more wallet-friendly. I know it's supposed to be quite complex as far as GUI goes, but I'm sure I can handle that with the determination I plan on having in order to get the most use out of it, if or when I get one.

I'll see one on November 7 when Digi does a demo at my store.

Well, I'd love to hear your first impression when you do get the chance to witness its demonstration...just for the sake of knowledge and all (and still possibly for the potential purchasing of it). Who knows, I might decide to dabble in ProTools to be able to take advantage of all its features if the gizmo is worth it. I'm just avoiding the fish-out-of-water thing as much as I can.