Tone Match block

Manual

>>> TEMPLATE OF PAR. 5.31 AND MINI MANUAL TO BE ADDED <<<

User contributions

General info

• Added in firmware 6. Tone Matching matches the sound of the Axe-Fx II to the sound of another amp, recording or device. It does this by analyzing the difference between a “reference signal” and the sound of a starting point preset (the “local” signal). It is explained in detail in this separate Mini Manual.
• The term "Tone Match" is used to describe the process of matching a recorded tone (CD-track, mp3, Youtube etc.). The term "Amp Match" is used to describe the process of matching the tone of a real amp.
• Firmware 6.01: "Added filter on reference input of Tone Match block so as to minimize high- frequency errors during matching."
• Firmware 7.00: "Added REF SOLO parameter to Tone Matching block. When set to “ON” the reference source is sent directly to the block output. This allows easily switching between the reference source and the matched signal for comparison. It is recommended to connect an external controller (i.e. footswitch) to this for ease in switching between the signal sources. NOTE: when Ref Solo is active the Layout menu will flash a message so that you know when you are listening to the reference source."
• Firmware 8.00: "Added RESOLUTION parameter to Tone Matching block. In HIGH mode the resolution of the processing is doubled. Note that this doubles the CPU usage of the block. Presets created with earlier firmware are unaffected since the data has always been stored at high resolution. Improved high-frequency matching performance in Tone Matching block."
• Firmware 9: "TMA block Resolution mode set to High by default. Also set Reference Source to Input 2 by default."
• Firmware 10:
  • "Improved Tone Match block accuracy, especially for low frequencies."
  • " Added “Start Both” to Tone Match block. Pushing the UP button starts both channels of the acquisition engine simultaneously. This is useful when matching real-time sources like amps or other modelers since starting both acquisitions at the exact same time enhances accuracy. Note that both should be stopped at the same time as well by using the Enter button."
• Firmware 10.02: "Added Mode parameter to Tone Match block. When set to “Offline” the algorithm is optimized for non-real-time matching, i.e. matching a recording. When set to “Live” the algorithm is optimized for matching a live source such as an amp. Note that the Live mode can also be used for matching recordings and, in some cases, may achieve better results than Offline mode."

Tone Matching explained

• Tone Match Mini Manual
• PowerPoint presentation by Cliff
• Video tutorial by Cliff
• Tutorial video made by SoloAWeek (Ccroyalsenders on Fractal User Forum)
• Tutorial and amp matching template by Morphosis
• Tone Match forum

HiRes mode

• Cliff: "Hi-Res mode: much more accurate bass response." Source

Tone Matching and IRs

• The sampled data in the Tone Match block can be converted into an user cabinet IR for sharing.
• You can integrate an IR in a preset by replacing the Cab block with a Tone Match block, after having captured the tone of the Cab block. Here's how.

About Amp Matching

• Cliff (about matching the amp models in firmware 6): "The speaker was not part of the equation. The benefit to this technique is that the cabinet is completely separated. "Profiling" lumps the speaker IR with the amplifier output IR since linear functions are not separable. That's why those products don't work well when you try to run into a power amp and conventional guitar cab. You don't really want to use a load box though, if you can help it. A real speaker is a much more realistic load. All you need is a DI box that can handle speaker level signals. You don't even really need a DI box. All you need is a resistive divider to knock the voltage down to line level. I have a simple little box that just has some resistors and a pot to reduce the level which I then send to Input 2." Source
• Cliff: "There is NO substitute for shooting an IR of the cab. IMO, this is the single most important thing you can do. Everything else is attempting to learn the cab IR through an indirect method and then you have inseparability. If you shoot the IR then do a Tone Match you can change the cab after or do another IR with a different mic or mic position and your matching data is still valid." Source

How to perform Amp Matching by Fractal

• Here is a brief step-by-step guide to matching an amp, created by Fractal. Source This assumes assumes you have obtained an impulse response of the cabinet being used.
  1. Connect guitar to input of Axe-Fx.
  2. Connect Output 2 Left to input of amplifier being matched.
  3. Connect output of amp to speaker.
  4. Connect mic to preamp. Connect preamp output to Input 2 Left.
  5. In the I/O->AUDIO menu set the following:
     • MAIN INPUT SOURCE: ANALOG IN (1)
     • INPUT 1 LEFT SELECT: LEFT
     • INPUT 1 MODE: LEFT ONLY
     • INPUT 2 MODE: LEFT ONLY
  6. Download and install the Amp Matching Template preset.
  7. Select the IR of the cabinet that you captured in the cabinet block. The preset uses User 1. If your captured IR is not in User 1, then select the appropriate user slot.
  8. Connect a latching or momentary footswitch to the Pedal jack. In the I/O->Pedal menu set the pedal type accordingly. In the I/O->CTRL menu set EXT CTRL 1 to "PEDAL". The pedal now selects between the amp and the Axe-Fx amp block.
  9. Tap the footswitch until the Amp block is bypassed. This sends the signal at Input 2 through the Mixer block and to the main outputs. I have a Reverb block in there because I can't stand totally dry guitar sounds.
  10. Turn the Output 2 Level knob on the front panel all the way up. Play something and adjust the output of the mic preamp to get a good signal level into Input 2 using the Input 2 LEDs as a reference. Adjust the Input 2 trim in the I/O->INPUT menu if necessary. Make sure the mic preamp is not clipping too.
  11. Make note of the general amount of distortion as you are playing. Now tap the footswitch to select the Amp block. Select an amp that is close to the amp being matched. In this example it quickly became evident that the real amp has much more gain so I increased the Input Trim in the Amp block to get more gain. The real amp is a bit darker as well so I decreased the Hi Cut Freq and Triode Plate Freqs a bit as well. Now switch back and forth between the amp and the model and adjust the gain and level until they match. Roll off the guitar volume to verify that the gain is correct. With the volume rolled off you can hear the start of break-up and adjust the gain accordingly. It is not necessary to get an exact match. Just roughly the same.
  12. Tap the footswitch to select the Amp block. Now go to the Tone Matching block and press X and then press Y. Play some chords up and down the neck to get a good frequency density into the analysis engine. Do this for about ten seconds and then press Enter. Congratulations, you now have an amp match.
• When using a power soak (source):
  1. Instead of running the mic pre into Input 2, run the line out of the power soak into Input 2. Bypass the cab block in the grid. Now, instead of playing, turn on the Synth block and use the pink noise to obtain the match. Be sure to capture the reference and local simultaneously, i.e. press X and then Y, then wait 10 seconds or so and press Enter. Pink noise will typically give a better match than playing but not always. When you play the interaction of the guitar with the speakers is captured as well which can sometimes give a better result.