Digidesign Eleven Rack Guitar Recording and Effects Audio Interface
True-Z auto-impedance matching input. Supports up to 8 channels of recording up to 24-bit/96 kHz. Includes ProTools LE. Tons of hyper-realistic models.
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Sound:
The sound is fantastic. I was a long time user of Line 6 products, from the Pod to the Vetta (I gigged with that amp for 5 years) to the X3 Pro. I have also used Guitar Rig, Digitech GSP-1101 and Logic's modeling. Basically everything except the AxeFX. The sound on the Eleven is fantastic, the modeling is great. Plugged into an Power Amp, it "feels" like an amp, and not a modeler. Feedback reacts like it should. The Z circuit is designed around adding impedance to the chain, and believe it or not, it actually does add the correct amount of color. The Eleven takes pedals well, so rest assured those boutique pedals will not go to waste. Although there aren't a ton of models and effects, what is there is very robust and sounds great (Quality of Quantity). That said, it would be nice to have a stereo delay as well.
Feature:
If you are using this with Protools, the integration is a 10, if you are using it with another DAW, not so much. I am using Logic 9, Ableton 8 and Reaper. The sound functions great in each of those scenarios with inputs 1-2 being raw (for re-amping), 3-4 being the processed signals. If you are looking to manage the features of the Eleven (such as adding patches or tweaking), you need to load up Protools. Digidesign NEEDS to add an AU, or VST control module for this device. This is 2010, it is an open sound world, this is just plain lazy on their part and really stops this device from being a 10. It is also unfortunate that the XLR input on the front is not discrete, but appears to be tied to the primary input, which means as dedicated audio interface, you can't have a mic plugged in and record that the same time as your 1/4" input jack (I could be wrong on this, but I can't seem to isolate the port in Logic). So in summary, Protools only, it's a 10 (or perhaps an 11). If you use any other DAW, it's a 3-6.
Ease of Use:
It has knobs, they are a tad sensitive but it works for tweaking but works in a pinch. The fact that you need to load up Protools to tweak is the biggest downfall. Digidesign FIX this and this is a 10.
Quality:
Feels very well made, the device feels gig and road worthy in addition to stable studio use. It looks nice and is very well machined. LCD is very clear and readable from a variety of angles.
Value:
Value wise, as a standalone device, you are hard pressed to find a modeler that sounds and feels as good as this for the price. The closest competitor is the AxeFX and it is double the price. If the AxeFX was closer in price, I would have bought that, as it stands I bought the device because the price and sound. I'm not unhappy with the purchase.
Manufacturer Support:
Have not used them yet, however, based on the number of people who want this device to be supported in other DAWs, they are not jumping for their customers. They are simply towing the line of "Protools only". Even and external editor for simply loading patches would be a step in the right direction.
The Wow Factor:
It's pretty damn sexy. It looks great sounds great and is pretty functional.
Overall:
Overall a nice device. I love playing it, I love recording with it (even with the hoops), it would be damn near perfect with a host editor (VST or AU) or even an external editor (standalone). In summary, a fantastic sounding device that is very capable. The device sounds and feels amazing, but falls short of an admitted lofty goal of appealing to all things. If Digidesign were to fix the host editing issues, I would be hard pressed to see anyone operating at a semi to pro level buying anything else. For guitarists who need a recording interface, you would be hard pressed to find another single device that equals this in terms of functionality and quality of sound. If you are an avid Protools user, this is your device, stop looking elsewhere. If you have existing recording interfaces or are looking for tight DAW integration, you are probably better off looking an NI interface Guitar Rig Kontrol Edition or using your existing interface and picking up Komplete 7, this would net you more bang for the buck.
6 of 6 people
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Sound:
The way this unit sounds is by far the best reason to choose it. This is music your making! When using pro tools it is simply astounding. It loads the tweaks you've made right into the recorded track, you simply right click on it and BAM you have your sound back. LOVE IT.
Feature:
This is where I get finicky. If I were not so enthusiastic about it's sound I would score it lower, but the biggest hit they have here is NOT having a stand alone interface that doesn't require you to have pro tools loaded. Hey man, sometimes I just want to tweak!!
Ease of Use:
This unit is so simple to use your grandmother could rock it hard with Sach in minutes flat!!
Quality:
The only area I have a MINOR gripe is the nice large dials on the front don't feel solid in their pots...they feel sorta loose but I have never had an issue with it :)
Value:
You can't get a better unit for the price hands down. Your money buys you quite a bit. If you don't have any guitar solutions and need one there should be nothing holding you back from this - it does it in the studio and live and sounds amazing. Rolling volume back results in the amps responding for the most part exactly as you would think they should. High gain amps have a bit of a digital sound to them but with some tweaking you can easily get rid of it to the point where no body but a nerd would know the difference.
Manufacturer Support:
Aside from NOT having an 800 number for support (COME ON AVID!) they are prompt and know their stuff.
The Wow Factor:
She looks good and sounds good and is always ready to go a moments notice. Love it.
Overall:
I am so happy with this purchase. You can easily check out on you tube and other sources the quality and the tone by searching for tracks with samples and full recordings done with it. That alone, done by people who are dominating the business, should be enough to persuade you into at least taking it for a test drive.
5 of 5 people
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Overall:
I was playing a Rig with 13 Tubes in it.
I was using a Rocktron Voodu Valve into a Peavey Classic 50/50
13 Tubes in all... My Rocktron replaced my previous JMP-1 and Mesaboogie Tri-Axis Into a GSP used only for Effects so I could have Marshall Tones and Mesa Tones... Lots of Tubes... Tons of Weight...
I tried Line6s, PODs, etc.. back in the 90s and thought they sounded terrible.
While in New Orleans on Business I heard several Bands using Line6 Amps, and a couple of other Modelers... After Much Research and Listening to Clips and YouTube stuff through good Headphones, I decided on the Eleven Rack over the AxeFX. I think the AxeFX 2 sounds better, but not $1500 better...
So with the Sweetwater 30 Day Guarantee and Artists Presets, I decided to take the Plunge.
I am no longer a Tube Snob. In Fact I just ordered some QSC K8 Powered Monitors so I can Run "Stereo FRFR"
FRFR= Flat Response Full Range.
This is because I turned off my Peavey 50/50 and Marshall 2x12 and the P.A. alone was knocking my Socks off.
After more research I settled on QSC K8s which I got a good deal on used.
I am never looking Back. Many of the Presets need tweaking here and there, but the Knobs work like amp Knobs for the Most part.
I have a Tone that is a Dead Ringer for Angus Young.
I have a Tone that is a Dead Ringer for Pantera.
I have a Tone that is a Dead Ringer for the Clean in Pull Me Under by Dream Theater.
I have Mesa, Marshall, Vox, Bogner, Fender. They all sound awesome.
I did find some of my Favorite Presets with Youtube Research, Forum Research and Downloads from ElevenRackPresets website which is great since you can Load Patch after Patch Easily with a Laptop and the Included ProTools 10
Some Helpful Hints:
PC Install you need
DriverSetup.exe
iLokClientHelperSetup.exe
LicenseSupportSetup.exe with your XXXXXX-XXXXXXXXX-XXXXXXX License Code
Pro_Tools_10_Installer (Setup.exe)
Eleven Rack Expansion Pack.exe
Saving Presets
Right click the name of the preset and there are Options to Save 1 Preset or ALL.
Loading Presets
Right click the name of the preset and choose "load from computer". next find the preset file you just saved from this site and click on it.
SW1 will cycle through 4 Display Modes.
Default - has Name and Some Amp Controls
Simple - Name Really BIG
Detalis - All Included Effects Amps and Enabled Status
Outputs - VERY Helpful for Balancing from Preset to Preset
Outputs Mode "To Amp 1" "To Amp 2" Rear and Front Amp Out, Rig Vol is XLR outs which are usually to the PA, AMP OUT is the Volume of "To Amp" and "Rig Out(PA)" - This will allow balancing from 1 Preset to another so Your different Patches can be equal in the Mix.
So the First thing I did was Balance my Patches for PA and Onstage Amplifier Volume. Then I balanced while Jamming with the Band for Volume in the Mix. Always best to Finalize this with your Band, because a Patch with a Middle Bite will cut through the Mix more and will not Balance the Same when playing on your own, this is true of any Multi-Channel or Preset Amp of course.
1 of 1 people
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Sound:
Plexi. That is all you need. But after you get over the initial excitement you realize that EVERY amp is modeled with such pristine results that several side by side the real thing tests yield little to no discernible difference. A real winner in the sound department.
Feature:
The interface is wonderfully designed, the best thought through interface of any product like it. I think for the price it should come with an expression pedal and cables for sound.
Ease of Use:
Very easy to use, with or without pro tools installed. You can control every aspect of every feature with the editing window on the front. VERY easy to use.
Quality:
It is made very well, I would like to see the knobs on the front feel a little more stable or sturdy, they feel a little delicate, but road worthy for sure.
Value:
For the price, you get quite a nice unit. Bundled with pro tools you get the best way to record with it, though you certainly can use any DAW you prefer.
Manufacturer Support:
Never needed it. Yet ;)
The Wow Factor:
Once I was in the market for something like this, it hit my radar and never fell off. Fractal sounds GREAT, has more SOUNDS, but fractal doesn't do them as well as this. AND you pro tools.
Overall:
I will use this for years to come. With the announced expansion pack adding some superior features, including a bass amp model, you can't go wrong.
1 of 1 people
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Sound:
This is much more realistic than ANY line six product I've used, and I have tried them all. By "realistic", I mean the amp models actually "feel" and respond like the amps they emulate. I have owned, or still own most of the amps in here. As a studio musician, I have played EVERY amp in this list, so I speak from experience.
So why only a 7 ? Because the dynamic range is not the same. Digidesign / Avid is firmly rooted in digital recording, which means they absolutely MUST compress dynamic range in order to process it. They do a fairly good job of de-compressing so you get some of that range back, but not quite all.
Another problem: Digidesign touts their "True Z" feature as a good thing. The idea is that all amps and pedals interact with the guitar's pickups, the cable and pedals to change input impedance. They model those antiquated artifacts along with the good parts of the real amps.
The result is supposed to be more realistic. Well, it is. in a sense... It retains the garbage that we DO NOT want in pedals, cables and impedance variables. If a "purist" wants those features for some kind of mythical magic voodoo BS, fine, but we should be able to defeat that ridiculous function to get BETTER sounds than the originals, NOT some digital recreation of cheap crap.
SO my tip for making it sound better? Digidesign should allow users to choose NO COMPRESSION and NO IMPEDANCE changes. That way we could easily tweak out the obsolete garbage and utilize the full potential of this technology.
Feature:
For live use, you really need a midi-foot-controller. They recommend the Voodoo Lab, which is expensive, heavy and LARGE. The whole point of using an all-in-one box like this is to get maximum flexibility in the smallest most-portable package. Spending an EXTRA $400 defeats any economy, and using the largest, bulkiest most cumbersome foot-controller puts the kibosh on convenience.
Can you use a different controller? Yes. But be prepared to bury your face in a manual for HOURS... maybe days. If you still have hair, this process may make you lose it.
Another missing feature: phantom power for midi foot-controllers. I settled on the Rolls midi-buddy to operate this thing. The advantage of that midi pedal (and the Tech 21 models) is that you can power it through the midi cable itself, thereby reducing stage clutter and extra power cabling. As it is, I bought another Rolls product that supplies phantom power through the midi cable. It's a nuisance to set-up, but once it's wired into your rig, it saves a lot of grief.
Pros: I like the fact that they included real knobs that function like old-school amp knobs. They're quiet, dependable and work like they're supposed to. Great. Now give us simple ON / OFF buttons for the effects too.
Effects: Yes this has a good number of effects, but the choices are very limited. For instance, you can get twice as many choices for "Chorus" in digitech's pedals ( which cost half as much) and three times as many choices in ZOOM pedals, which are 1/3rd this cost. I object to the "blue-box" boss chorus simply because it SUCKS. The TC analog chorus or Carl Martin pedals would have been MUCH better choices to model.
You will see that digidesign chose the MOST POPULAR pedals to model, NOT the BEST.
Ease of Use:
It is easy to use, especially if you can tolerate the presets. Unlike Pods or other Kid's-Krap, this has mostly musical professional sounds... or at least famous sounds that many wanna-be guitar heros lust after. So, if you want to IMITATE other famous sounds, this box works great with NO tweaking.
To CREATE a sound based on experience and taste, is another matter entirely. So I deduct one point for that.
I have to also deduct one point in this category because of the aforementioned midi-pedal problem. Other than that, it's pretty intuitive
Quality:
Here is where Digidesign's engineering experience shines. The unit is as noise-free as any I have found. THAT is THE key feature to look (or listen) for when judging the quality of ANY guitar amp or pedal. They use good components, converters and a high sampling rate, so as far as current technology goes, this is one of the best. Curiously, it is no quieter than the Sansamp PSA1 or the now-discontinued Roland GP100.
Value:
Despite my gripes with Digidesign, I have to give this product an "almost there" rating of 9 for value. Why?
Well, it DOES do what it is advertised to do, and it does it as well or better than 90% of the units out there.
The reverbs are GREAT. The sound is fairly Authentic and the KNOBS make it intuitive to operate.
However, like all software-driven profit schemes, Digidesign has a trick up there sleeve. They are promoting this product at an aggressive price-point to snare you into buying more of their pro-tools stuff. If you are smart enough to NOT fall into that money pit, and have the experience to find and set-up the right midi-pedal then you have a bargain. If you fall into their trap, and buy that leviathon voodoo-lab monster, install other pro-tools software stuff, then you are going to spend AT LEAST DOUBLE the street price. Digidesign is selling these cheap now, but they plan to bilk you for every new software add-on. That's a dirty trick, and we know it. They make good stuff, but like ALL software scams, AVID makes me LIVID.
Manufacturer Support:
Digidesign has two levels of support, "totally sucks" and "none."
You CAN NOT Get SUPPORT until you buy and register their products, so if you need a question answered before you buy, tough. For instance, I wanted to know about the phantom power issue and which foot-controllers would easily work with this BEFORE I bought it.
Telephone help was also non-existent.
AFTER I bought it AND registered it ( don't do that on a weekend, you will wait till the following tuesday to get ANY response) then I got copy-and-pasted responses that often were not even related to my questions. Obviously, the support staff is trained to ACT like they are responding so customers don't kvetch so much in user forums. All they do is refer you to FAQs or user-forums.
The user forums are not much help either. There are a few sophisticated professional users out there, but they are tough to find because REAL PLAYERS ARE USUALLY BUSY PLAYING, NOT chatting with amateur guitar geeks about tweaky-toys.
The Wow Factor:
A fair rating in this category depends on what you want to do with it and what your expectations are. If you NEED an all-in-one tone box that imitates famous amps and popular pedals, this is one of the top three digital systems. I like it because I can carry it to sessions, light gigs or fly-dates with minimum hassle. I suppose that guitarists in cover bands would find it appealing.
I HATE it because it requires a separate foot-controller for full-functionality and the choices of effects is so limited. I DESPISE they fact that it is incomplete and in beta form. That means they are going to rape us for the upgrades and add-ons later.
Still, it provides a good range of amps and great reverbs, plus the re-amping feature is unique, so I have to give it at least a 7.
Overall:
I will be satisfied so long as it doesn't break. Software driven devices are universally notorious for crashing.
I will be pissed when they offer the "new improved effects selection" as an expensive upgrade. I will be even more PO'd when they send me software updates that "fix-bugs" and install new crap that doesn't work or crashes the system so that I am FORCED to get service or another unit. That's how ALL these software companies work nowadays. They entice you with the latest greatest thing, then intentional "obsolete' it so you are screwed in the future when they impose their techno-tax. This LOOKS like a piece of HARDWARE, but DO NOT BE FOOLED... it is a hook, a a trap, a money pit.
So long as it works, it's worth the dough. Get an extended warranty with ANY digital device. All insurance is a rip-off, but for this kind of product, insurance beats buying a new one when it inevitably goes South. Just figure on "renting" this thing. No one will ever truly "OWN" any software driven machine.
35 of 44 people
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