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Difference between revisions of "Beginners"

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==Virtual preamp==
 
==Virtual preamp==
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It's very important to realize that when you're using FRFR with cabinet simulation, you'll be listening to the sound of a ''mic'd speaker'', as opposed to an amp-in-the-room. A cab model always represents the tone of a speaker that as captured using one or more microphones, mostly positioned very close to the speaker. That's totally different from listening to a guitar speaker at some distance. FRFR has more lows, more highs and has the coloring of the used microphone baked in. It takes a while to get accustomed to FRFR tone, but it's the tone the audience hears too through the FOH system and when listening to recorded music.
 
It's very important to realize that when you're using FRFR with cabinet simulation, you'll be listening to the sound of a ''mic'd speaker'', as opposed to an amp-in-the-room. A cab model always represents the tone of a speaker that as captured using one or more microphones, mostly positioned very close to the speaker. That's totally different from listening to a guitar speaker at some distance. FRFR has more lows, more highs and has the coloring of the used microphone baked in. It takes a while to get accustomed to FRFR tone, but it's the tone the audience hears too through the FOH system and when listening to recorded music.
  
=Fletcher-Munson curve / Being heard in the mix==
+
==Fletcher-Munson curve / Being heard in the mix==
 
Important in general but especially with digital modeling: the Fletcher-Munson curve. This is the scientific name for the fact that human ears perceive sound at low volume levels different than at higher levels. At low volume level people often turn up treble and bass. The Loudness switch on older home stereo systems does just that. When turning up the volume those controls need to be turned down again. Tones dialed in at low volume levels are likely to have too much low and high frequency content. Then, when used in a live environment, these tones are prone to get lost in the mix. In the high frequency area the guitar competes with stuff like cymbals, and in the low frequency area with the bass. The guitar is mainly a "mid frequency" instrument. Turning up the volume level often doesn't help. So the advice here is to dial in live guitar tones at gig level (such as 90 dB), to deal with the Fletcher-Munson curve.
 
Important in general but especially with digital modeling: the Fletcher-Munson curve. This is the scientific name for the fact that human ears perceive sound at low volume levels different than at higher levels. At low volume level people often turn up treble and bass. The Loudness switch on older home stereo systems does just that. When turning up the volume those controls need to be turned down again. Tones dialed in at low volume levels are likely to have too much low and high frequency content. Then, when used in a live environment, these tones are prone to get lost in the mix. In the high frequency area the guitar competes with stuff like cymbals, and in the low frequency area with the bass. The guitar is mainly a "mid frequency" instrument. Turning up the volume level often doesn't help. So the advice here is to dial in live guitar tones at gig level (such as 90 dB), to deal with the Fletcher-Munson curve.
  

Revision as of 19:33, 1 April 2014

Virtual preamp

The Axe-Fx II (and XL) is a guitar preamp. It models more than hundred real amps such as heads, combos and racked preamps. You can also use its many other effects, use it to reamp a dry signal, create tone matches of real amps and recordings, use it for mastering, etc.

Virtual power amp

The Axe-Fx has built-in power amp simulation, which means that you can listen to the sounds of the modeled amps through headphones and neutral amplifiers, and connect the Axe-Fx to a mixer or record it without needing a separate power amp.

Using a real power amp

To amplify the Axe-Fx through a real speaker, you need a real power amp. Either a standalone tube power amp designed for guitar, a head or combo (through its effects loop), or a so-called neutral power amp.
You can also use studio monitors and monitor wedges with built-in amplifiers ("active", "powered").

Playing through a guitar speaker

You can use the Axe-Fx with a traditional guitar speaker, in combination with a power amp. This will give you the familiar "amp-in-the-room" tone. It does limit the possibilities of the Axe-Fx, because any sound you will create will go through that speaker and therefore will be colored by it.

Playing through FRFR amplification

You can opt for FRFR (full-range flat response) sound reproduction. This requires a FRFR speaker and an external or built-in neutral (power) amp. Studio monitors are FRFR, as well as some wedges / cabs.
A FRFR setup requires power amp simulation and cabinet simulation to be engaged. Cabinet simulation means that the sound of a virtual speaker cabinet is added to the tone of the modeled amp. The Axe-Fx comes with many built-in cabinet models and allows loading external cab models, known as IRs or user cabs (Impulse Responses).

Listening to FRFR amplification

It's very important to realize that when you're using FRFR with cabinet simulation, you'll be listening to the sound of a mic'd speaker, as opposed to an amp-in-the-room. A cab model always represents the tone of a speaker that as captured using one or more microphones, mostly positioned very close to the speaker. That's totally different from listening to a guitar speaker at some distance. FRFR has more lows, more highs and has the coloring of the used microphone baked in. It takes a while to get accustomed to FRFR tone, but it's the tone the audience hears too through the FOH system and when listening to recorded music.

Fletcher-Munson curve / Being heard in the mix

Important in general but especially with digital modeling: the Fletcher-Munson curve. This is the scientific name for the fact that human ears perceive sound at low volume levels different than at higher levels. At low volume level people often turn up treble and bass. The Loudness switch on older home stereo systems does just that. When turning up the volume those controls need to be turned down again. Tones dialed in at low volume levels are likely to have too much low and high frequency content. Then, when used in a live environment, these tones are prone to get lost in the mix. In the high frequency area the guitar competes with stuff like cymbals, and in the low frequency area with the bass. The guitar is mainly a "mid frequency" instrument. Turning up the volume level often doesn't help. So the advice here is to dial in live guitar tones at gig level (such as 90 dB), to deal with the Fletcher-Munson curve.

About clipping

Be aware that input clipping is something totally different than output clipping.
It's okay for the input LED to "tickle" the red. If it happens all the time, decrease Input Level the I/O menu. Be aware in this is not a real input level control, the control controls the signal-to-noise ratio only and does NOT affect signal level or gain.
The output clipping LED light indicates that the signal level in the effects chain is too hot. Adjusting Input Level does NOT solve this. Decrease the level somewhere in the chain.

Editing

Read the Owner's Manual for editing instructions. It includes a 60-Second Edit Guide and an overview of shortcuts.

Software

Axe-Edit — load and save presets from/to disk, edit sounds, rearrange presets and user cabs.
Fractal-Bot — backup or restore your Axe-Fx, load/save presets and user cabs, upgrade the firmware.
Cab-Lab — mix IRs and send them to the Axe-Fx, convert IRs, create an IR of your guitar cabinet (IR Capture).

Questions,troubles?

Consult the Owner's Manual, delve into this wiki, read the Troubleshooting FAQ and visit the forum.

Have fun!