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March 2024: all pages have been checked and are up-to-date

Reset system parameters

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Resetting the system parameters

When things do not sound like they should or do not work as expected, and you can't find a cause, execute the Reset menu command in the Utility menu.

Reset resets all Setup parameters in the Global, I/O (including MIDI) and Tuner menus to the factory default values.

Resetting the system parameters does NOT change or delete presets, nor user cabs, nor Global Blocks data.

"Doing a system reset and having that "fix" things does not surprise me at all. There are a variety of parameters that affect the overall sound that could be set incorrectly either by accident or by a bug in previous firmware. A system reset gives you a clean slate and ensures that the unit sounds as intended. The only drawback is that any changes you've made to I/O and MIDI control assignments will be lost. source

Some owners always perform a system reset after updating the firmware, to ensure a clean start.

WARNING: before resetting, take a note of every non-factory setting that's required to operate your rig.

Reset a device

Axe-Fx III and FM3

Use the commands in the Utility menu to reset all system parameters (Global, I/O, MIDI, Tuner), and/or the FC controllers settings, and/or clear all presets.

If a problematic system parameter prevents the Axe-Fx III or FM3 from booting, hold EDIT on startup to bypass non-default system settings. Then reset the Setup parameters.

EDIT and HOME can also be pressed both at startup to bypass the system settings AND load a clean preset.

Axe-Fx II

Follow these instructions to "clean" the hardware and restore its initial state.

Axe-Fx II Mark I/II

  1. Delete all presets by sending an "empty bank" SysEx file. Launch Fractal-Bot, load the file and send it. The Bot will ask to which bank it should send the file. Just select one bank and repeat it for the other ones.
  2. The system data area of the Axe-Fx II contains all user cabs, configuration information and Global Blocks data. Cleaning it will delete it all. This is accomplished by downloading the clean System data file (see below). Launch Fractal-Bot, load the file and send it. The Bot will display a warning. Confirm, wait and it's done. Now restart the Axe-Fx II. After powering up all parameters in I/O, Global etc. will be reset to their default values, user cabs 1-50 will be empty and global blocks data is gone. Note that this method does not clear user cab slots 51-100.
  3. Download a clean System data file for firmware 11 and later.
  4. Uploading the clean System file to the Axe-Fx does not clear user cabs 51-100. This has to be done separately. Download the file listed below. Launch Fractal-Bot, load the file and send it. The Bot will ask to which slot it should send the empty IR. Type "51" (or Current if you have selected the cab slot on the unit itself) and send it. You have to repeat it for every slot. Note that when you select an user cab slot on the Axe-Fx after sending the empty IR to it, the Axe-Fx will still display the user cab name afterwards. You have to restart the Axe-Fx II to make the names disappear.
  5. Download an "empty cab" SysEx file.
  6. Then load the factory presets again.

Axe-Fx II XL/XL+

  1. Use the commands in the Utility menu to clear all presets and all user cabs.
  2. Execute the Reset System Params command in the Utility menu to restore alle parameters in Global, I/O and Tuner to factory defaults.
  3. The only left-overs will the Global Blocks data. If you really need to get rid of that too, contact Fractal Audio Support.
  4. Then load the factory presets again.

AX8

Follow these instructions to "clean" the hardware and restore its initial state.

  1. Perform a reset: Utility > Reset. This will restore all parameters in Global, I/O and Tuner to factory defaults. This does not impact presets or user cabs.
  2. Use the Utility menu to clear all presets and user cabs. Then load the factory presets again.

Note that turning off the power too fast after adjusting entries in the global settings, may interrupt the AX8's autosave process. In that case the AX8 automatically performs a system reset the next time it's powered.

FX8

Follow these instructions to "clean" the hardware and restore its initial state.

  1. Perform a reset: Utility > Reset. This will restore all parameters in Global, I/O and Tuner to factory defaults. This does not impact presets.
  2. Use the Utility menu to clear all presets. Then load the factory presets again.

FC controller

The Utility menu lets you reset an FC controller to its defaults settings.

MFC-101

Read this: MFC-101

Backing up and restoring system settings with Fractal-Bot

Use Fractal-Bot to backup and restore all system settings: I/O, Global, MIDI (Axe-Fx III: MIDI/Remote), Tuner, Global blocks (Axe-Fx only), FC controllers (Axe-Fx III only).