Fractal Audio Wiki - User contributions [en]

Editing

2008-04-17T04:13:54Z

Cemmusic: /* Saving Presets */

==Editing==

Eventually you’ll probably want to build your own presets. With the Axe-Fx this is easy and
straightforward. There are three basic steps: placement, routing and effect editing.

===Placing Effects===
Press the '''LAYOUT''' button. Use the PAGE buttons to get to the '''EDIT''' page. This page shows you a
portion of the routing grid. The complete grid is 4 rows by 12 columns. Effects can be placed at any
position in the grid. Move the cursor using the navigation buttons until the desired block is
highlighted.

To change the effect at this grid position use the value dial. As you turn the dial the effect type is
displayed in an overlay box. When you reach the desired effect press '''ENTER''' to place the effect.
For this example let's place a compressor. Turn the value dial until '''COMPRESSOR 1''' is displayed.
Then press '''ENTER''' to place the effect. The block should now display '''CMP''' indicating that a
compressor is in this position.

You may be asking what those blocks with the lines through them are. These are called shunts and
allow routing through grid positions. Additionally, shunts sum up to four inputs allowing hybrid
serial/parallel routings. When no effect (or shunt) is present the grid block is represented by a dotted
outline with an empty interior.

Let's place another effect in the block to the right of the compressor. Move to that position using the
navigation buttons and the using the dial wheel select '''CHORUS 1'''. Press '''ENTER''' to place the effect.

===Routing===
The lines between blocks are routing indicators. Any effect in a column can be connected to any
other effect in the adjacent columns. To create or delete a route, highlight the source effect using
the navigation buttons and then press '''ENTER'''. The adjacent block in the next column will blink.

Move the blinking cursor to the desired destination block and press enter. If no route was present a
route will be added. If a route was present then it will be deleted. Movement is only allowed
vertically in routing mode. To cancel routing press '''EXIT'''. Note that effects in the first column are
automatically connected to the input and effects in the last column are automatically connected to
the output. An effect can have multiple inputs and outputs. Inputs are summed prior to processing.
An empty block can not be routed from/to. Removing an effect and replacing it with an empty block
will delete all routes to that block.

===Auto Routing===
Instead of having to manually set empty blocks to shunts to complete an effects chain the Axe-Fx
contains an auto routing feature. By pressing and holding '''ENTER''' the Axe-Fx will automatically
change an empty block to a shunt and place a route. Simply hold '''ENTER''' down until the chain
completes routing to the output.

===Moving Effects===
Effects can be moved once placed. To do this select the MOVE page using the '''PAGE''' buttons.
Highlight the desired block (or row or column) to be moved and then select the appropriate move
function using the value dial. You do not need to create a space for the block you are moving, simply press '''ENTER''' until the block is in the desired location--the other block(s) will automatically be moved down the row. Return to the main LAYOUT page to make sure the block is where you want it. When moving a block in a
complex routing the routing to that block may be destroyed. In this case you will need to restore the
routing. Simply use the '''ENTER''' button as usual to reroute the block.

===Editing Effects===
To edit the effect press the '''EDIT''' button. This brings up the edit display for that effect. If more than
one effect is present in a preset successive presses of the '''EDIT''' button will bring up the next effect's
edit display. Try it.

Bring up the Chorus edit display. There are three pages in this display. The first page is the '''BASIC'''
page. Most effects have a basic editing page allowing quick access to the most frequently used
parameters. Use the navigation buttons to move around in the page. Change the parameter values
using the value dial. To access the other pages in the display use the '''PAGE''' buttons. The chorus
also has an '''ADV''' (advanced) page. This offers in-depth editing of all the parameters available in the
chorus effect.

''NOTE: To reset an effect to its default parameters double-click the BYPASS button.''

===Effect Mixer===
Each effect has an output mixer. Its controls are usually on the '''MIX''' page. Use the '''PAGE''' buttons
to access the '''MIX''' page. Most effects have a '''MIX''' page like this. The '''MIX''' page allows you to control
the mix, level, panning and bypass mode of the effect. On some effects these controls may be
duplicated on other pages as they are frequently used. Not all effects have a '''MIX''' or '''GLBL MIX'''
control. These are effects that don’t mix wet and dry but just output processed (100% wet) signals.
Examples are the equalizers and the Amp Simulator.

The '''MIX''' control controls the ratio of wet and dry signals. With the control fully clockwise the output
signal of the effect is 100% wet meaning that only the effected signal is present. For effects like
chorus, reverb, delay etc. adjust the '''MIX''' control to achieve the desired effect amount. When routing
effects in parallel you'll often want to set the mix to 100% and use the LEVEL control to control the
mix of that effect.

The '''LEVEL''' control controls the output level of the block. The mixed signal is increased or decreased
according to this control. The proper way to set the level is to bypass the effect using the '''EFF BYP'''
button and compare the levels. Adjust the level until the volume is the same with the effect active.
You may desire some boost with a particular effect active (distortion for example) so you can also
increase the level to achieve this.

The '''PAN''' control controls the output panning of the mixed signal. Every effect in the Axe-Fx has
stereo outputs. With the control at 12:00 the signal is equal in both the left and right channels.
Turning the control left or right pans the signal accordingly. The PAN control can be used to achieve
complex stereo routings with different effects on the left and right.

The '''BYPASS''' mode controls the operation of the effect when the block is bypassed. There are three
modes of operation for most effects:
* '''MIX''' = 0% : In this mode the '''MIX''' control is effectively turned to 0 and the '''LEVE'''L
control to 0 dB. The block is effectively the same as a shunt in this case.
* '''MUTE FX OUT''' : In this mode the wet signal is muted and the dry signal is
preserved at the level set by the '''MIX''' and '''LEVEL''' controls.
* '''MUTE OUT''' : In this mode the output of the block is shut off (both wet and dry
muted).
* '''MUTE FX IN''' : In this mode the effects input of the block is muted and the dry
signal is preserved at the level set by the '''MIX''' and '''LEVEL''' controls. Only the
Reverb, Delay and Pitch blocks have this mode. This allows the effect to
continue after the effect has been bypassed. This mode can be used, for
example, to allow a delay to continue after the block is bypassed without
abruptly cutting off.
* '''MUTE IN''' : This mode mutes all data into the block when the block is bypassed

For effects like Chorus, Flanger, etc. '''MIX''' = 0% is the most effective mode when used in a series
configuration. Use the Level control to balance the effect volume between normal and bypassed
states.

For effects like Delay and Reverb, the '''MUTE EFF''' or '''MUTE IN''' modes are usually the most effective
as the dry level is unaltered allowing the effect to be turned on or off without changing the direct
signal level.

For non-mixable effects such as equalization (Graphic EQ, Wah), distortion (Amplifier) and
Cabinet Emulation the bypass mode is one of two states:
* '''THRU''' : In this mode bypassing the effect effectively turns the effect into a shunt.
* '''MUTE''' : Mutes the output of the effect.

To bypass an effect press the '''EFF BYP''' button. Press it again to activate the effect. Effects can also
be bypassed remotely using external controllers (i.e. MIDI continuous controllers). If an effect
doesn't seem to be doing anything make sure it hasn't been bypassed accidentally. A bypassed effect
will have a dotted outline in the layout EDIT page and in the effect page the effect name will alternate
with the word “'''BYPASSED'''”.

The rightmost switch on the '''MIX''' page is labeled '''GLBL MIX'''. This is the global mix control enable for
the block. When on, the mix for this block will be altered by the Global Mix control. This is used
to allow overall mixing of effects to compensate for venue differences. For example, you've
tweaked your patch "MY MONSTER SOUND" in your rehearsal studio and everyone thinks it
sounds great. You then get out to the gig and the effects are too prominent because the room has
hard floors and tin ceilings. What do you do? One solution is to frantically edit the patch going
through each block and adjusting the mixes. OR… since you previously turned on '''GLBL MIX''' on the
desired effects blocks you have a "master" effects control at your disposal. We'll talk more about
the Global Parameters later.

===Output Mixer===
The main output has a four channel mixer for fine-tuning a preset’s mix. It is accessed from the
'''LAYOUT''' menu on the '''MIX''' page. Each row in the layout has it’s own individual level and pan
control. The overall level of the preset can be controlled using the '''MAIN''' slider.

===Attaching Controllers===
To attach a controller select the knob that you would like to control and press '''ENTER'''. If that
parameter is capable of being controlled (indicated by the -[ ]- icon below the knob) you will be
taken to the '''MODIFIER''' menu to select the control parameters. See the Controllers and Modifiers
chapter for more details.

[[Image:Controllable_Parameter.jpg|center|175px]]

===Saving Presets===
All editing in the Axe-Fx modifies data in what’s known as the “edit buffer”. Upon saving, the
contents of the edit buffer are written to a memory location. If a new preset is recalled prior to saving
all the edits are lost. Recalling a preset loads the data from that preset into the edit buffer.
To save a preset press the '''STORE''' button. This brings up the '''STORE''' menu. The '''LOCATION''' box
contains the preset location at which the edit buffer will be stored. Next to that is the name of the
preset currently at that location (if any). If the preset is empty the name will say “EMPTY”. To save
at a different location turn the value daily to modify the location number. To save your changes
press the '''ENTER''' button.

The '''NAME''' box contains the name of the preset as stored in the edit buffer. To change the name
select the character you wish to change with the navigation buttons and turn the value dial to alter
the character. For convenience, the '''PAGE''' buttons have been set to "jump" through the character selection, reducing the amount of scrolling necessary with the dial.

===Recalling Presets===
Recalling a preset on the Axe-Fx is done simply by pressing the '''RECALL''' button and turning the
dial until the desired preset is selected.

The Axe-Fx features and “Effects Recall” function. This allows the parameters of an effect in a
preset to copied into the edit buffer. To use this feature simply navigate to the '''EFFECT''' tab under the
'''RECALL''' menu. Select the preset that you wish to load from and the effect in that preset that you wish
to load, and then press '''ENTER'''. The parameters of that effect will be loaded into the same effect
in the edit buffer.

This is useful when you have an effect set up just the way you like it and only want to copy that
effect into a preset you are building. Also note that any modifiers that are connected to the effect
will be copied as well greatly simplifying preset construction.
button. This brings up the edit display for that effect. If more than
one effect is present in a preset successive presses of the EDIT button will bring up the next effect's
edit display. Try it.

Bring up the Chorus edit display. There are three pages in this display. The first page is the '''BASIC'''
page. Most effects have a basic editing page allowing quick access to the most frequently used
parameters. Use the navigation buttons to move around in the page. Change the parameter values
using the value dial. To access the other pages in the display use the '''PAGE''' buttons. The chorus
also has an '''ADV''' (advanced) page. This offers in-depth editing of all the parameters available in the
chorus effect.

Editing

2008-04-17T03:59:46Z

Cemmusic: /* Moving Effects */

==Editing==

Eventually you’ll probably want to build your own presets. With the Axe-Fx this is easy and
straightforward. There are three basic steps: placement, routing and effect editing.

===Placing Effects===
Press the '''LAYOUT''' button. Use the PAGE buttons to get to the '''EDIT''' page. This page shows you a
portion of the routing grid. The complete grid is 4 rows by 12 columns. Effects can be placed at any
position in the grid. Move the cursor using the navigation buttons until the desired block is
highlighted.

To change the effect at this grid position use the value dial. As you turn the dial the effect type is
displayed in an overlay box. When you reach the desired effect press '''ENTER''' to place the effect.
For this example let's place a compressor. Turn the value dial until '''COMPRESSOR 1''' is displayed.
Then press '''ENTER''' to place the effect. The block should now display '''CMP''' indicating that a
compressor is in this position.

You may be asking what those blocks with the lines through them are. These are called shunts and
allow routing through grid positions. Additionally, shunts sum up to four inputs allowing hybrid
serial/parallel routings. When no effect (or shunt) is present the grid block is represented by a dotted
outline with an empty interior.

Let's place another effect in the block to the right of the compressor. Move to that position using the
navigation buttons and the using the dial wheel select '''CHORUS 1'''. Press '''ENTER''' to place the effect.

===Routing===
The lines between blocks are routing indicators. Any effect in a column can be connected to any
other effect in the adjacent columns. To create or delete a route, highlight the source effect using
the navigation buttons and then press '''ENTER'''. The adjacent block in the next column will blink.

Move the blinking cursor to the desired destination block and press enter. If no route was present a
route will be added. If a route was present then it will be deleted. Movement is only allowed
vertically in routing mode. To cancel routing press '''EXIT'''. Note that effects in the first column are
automatically connected to the input and effects in the last column are automatically connected to
the output. An effect can have multiple inputs and outputs. Inputs are summed prior to processing.
An empty block can not be routed from/to. Removing an effect and replacing it with an empty block
will delete all routes to that block.

===Auto Routing===
Instead of having to manually set empty blocks to shunts to complete an effects chain the Axe-Fx
contains an auto routing feature. By pressing and holding '''ENTER''' the Axe-Fx will automatically
change an empty block to a shunt and place a route. Simply hold '''ENTER''' down until the chain
completes routing to the output.

===Moving Effects===
Effects can be moved once placed. To do this select the MOVE page using the '''PAGE''' buttons.
Highlight the desired block (or row or column) to be moved and then select the appropriate move
function using the value dial. You do not need to create a space for the block you are moving, simply press '''ENTER''' until the block is in the desired location--the other block(s) will automatically be moved down the row. Return to the main LAYOUT page to make sure the block is where you want it. When moving a block in a
complex routing the routing to that block may be destroyed. In this case you will need to restore the
routing. Simply use the '''ENTER''' button as usual to reroute the block.

===Editing Effects===
To edit the effect press the '''EDIT''' button. This brings up the edit display for that effect. If more than
one effect is present in a preset successive presses of the '''EDIT''' button will bring up the next effect's
edit display. Try it.

Bring up the Chorus edit display. There are three pages in this display. The first page is the '''BASIC'''
page. Most effects have a basic editing page allowing quick access to the most frequently used
parameters. Use the navigation buttons to move around in the page. Change the parameter values
using the value dial. To access the other pages in the display use the '''PAGE''' buttons. The chorus
also has an '''ADV''' (advanced) page. This offers in-depth editing of all the parameters available in the
chorus effect.

''NOTE: To reset an effect to its default parameters double-click the BYPASS button.''

===Effect Mixer===
Each effect has an output mixer. Its controls are usually on the '''MIX''' page. Use the '''PAGE''' buttons
to access the '''MIX''' page. Most effects have a '''MIX''' page like this. The '''MIX''' page allows you to control
the mix, level, panning and bypass mode of the effect. On some effects these controls may be
duplicated on other pages as they are frequently used. Not all effects have a '''MIX''' or '''GLBL MIX'''
control. These are effects that don’t mix wet and dry but just output processed (100% wet) signals.
Examples are the equalizers and the Amp Simulator.

The '''MIX''' control controls the ratio of wet and dry signals. With the control fully clockwise the output
signal of the effect is 100% wet meaning that only the effected signal is present. For effects like
chorus, reverb, delay etc. adjust the '''MIX''' control to achieve the desired effect amount. When routing
effects in parallel you'll often want to set the mix to 100% and use the LEVEL control to control the
mix of that effect.

The '''LEVEL''' control controls the output level of the block. The mixed signal is increased or decreased
according to this control. The proper way to set the level is to bypass the effect using the '''EFF BYP'''
button and compare the levels. Adjust the level until the volume is the same with the effect active.
You may desire some boost with a particular effect active (distortion for example) so you can also
increase the level to achieve this.

The '''PAN''' control controls the output panning of the mixed signal. Every effect in the Axe-Fx has
stereo outputs. With the control at 12:00 the signal is equal in both the left and right channels.
Turning the control left or right pans the signal accordingly. The PAN control can be used to achieve
complex stereo routings with different effects on the left and right.

The '''BYPASS''' mode controls the operation of the effect when the block is bypassed. There are three
modes of operation for most effects:
* '''MIX''' = 0% : In this mode the '''MIX''' control is effectively turned to 0 and the '''LEVE'''L
control to 0 dB. The block is effectively the same as a shunt in this case.
* '''MUTE FX OUT''' : In this mode the wet signal is muted and the dry signal is
preserved at the level set by the '''MIX''' and '''LEVEL''' controls.
* '''MUTE OUT''' : In this mode the output of the block is shut off (both wet and dry
muted).
* '''MUTE FX IN''' : In this mode the effects input of the block is muted and the dry
signal is preserved at the level set by the '''MIX''' and '''LEVEL''' controls. Only the
Reverb, Delay and Pitch blocks have this mode. This allows the effect to
continue after the effect has been bypassed. This mode can be used, for
example, to allow a delay to continue after the block is bypassed without
abruptly cutting off.
* '''MUTE IN''' : This mode mutes all data into the block when the block is bypassed

For effects like Chorus, Flanger, etc. '''MIX''' = 0% is the most effective mode when used in a series
configuration. Use the Level control to balance the effect volume between normal and bypassed
states.

For effects like Delay and Reverb, the '''MUTE EFF''' or '''MUTE IN''' modes are usually the most effective
as the dry level is unaltered allowing the effect to be turned on or off without changing the direct
signal level.

For non-mixable effects such as equalization (Graphic EQ, Wah), distortion (Amplifier) and
Cabinet Emulation the bypass mode is one of two states:
* '''THRU''' : In this mode bypassing the effect effectively turns the effect into a shunt.
* '''MUTE''' : Mutes the output of the effect.

To bypass an effect press the '''EFF BYP''' button. Press it again to activate the effect. Effects can also
be bypassed remotely using external controllers (i.e. MIDI continuous controllers). If an effect
doesn't seem to be doing anything make sure it hasn't been bypassed accidentally. A bypassed effect
will have a dotted outline in the layout EDIT page and in the effect page the effect name will alternate
with the word “'''BYPASSED'''”.

The rightmost switch on the '''MIX''' page is labeled '''GLBL MIX'''. This is the global mix control enable for
the block. When on, the mix for this block will be altered by the Global Mix control. This is used
to allow overall mixing of effects to compensate for venue differences. For example, you've
tweaked your patch "MY MONSTER SOUND" in your rehearsal studio and everyone thinks it
sounds great. You then get out to the gig and the effects are too prominent because the room has
hard floors and tin ceilings. What do you do? One solution is to frantically edit the patch going
through each block and adjusting the mixes. OR… since you previously turned on '''GLBL MIX''' on the
desired effects blocks you have a "master" effects control at your disposal. We'll talk more about
the Global Parameters later.

===Output Mixer===
The main output has a four channel mixer for fine-tuning a preset’s mix. It is accessed from the
'''LAYOUT''' menu on the '''MIX''' page. Each row in the layout has it’s own individual level and pan
control. The overall level of the preset can be controlled using the '''MAIN''' slider.

===Attaching Controllers===
To attach a controller select the knob that you would like to control and press '''ENTER'''. If that
parameter is capable of being controlled (indicated by the -[ ]- icon below the knob) you will be
taken to the '''MODIFIER''' menu to select the control parameters. See the Controllers and Modifiers
chapter for more details.

[[Image:Controllable_Parameter.jpg|center|175px]]

===Saving Presets===
All editing in the Axe-Fx modifies data in what’s known as the “edit buffer”. Upon saving, the
contents of the edit buffer are written to a memory location. If a new preset is recalled prior to saving
all the edits are lost. Recalling a preset loads the data from that preset into the edit buffer.
To save a preset press the '''STORE''' button. This brings up the '''STORE''' menu. The '''LOCATION''' box
contains the preset location at which the edit buffer will be stored. Next to that is the name of the
preset currently at that location (if any). If the preset is empty the name will say “EMPTY”. To save
at a different location turn the value daily to modify the location number. To save your changes
press the '''ENTER''' button.

The '''NAME''' box contains the name of the preset as stored in the edit buffer. To change the name
select the character you wish to change with the navigation buttons and turn the value dial to alter
the character.

===Recalling Presets===
Recalling a preset on the Axe-Fx is done simply by pressing the '''RECALL''' button and turning the
dial until the desired preset is selected.

The Axe-Fx features and “Effects Recall” function. This allows the parameters of an effect in a
preset to copied into the edit buffer. To use this feature simply navigate to the '''EFFECT''' tab under the
'''RECALL''' menu. Select the preset that you wish to load from and the effect in that preset that you wish
to load, and then press '''ENTER'''. The parameters of that effect will be loaded into the same effect
in the edit buffer.

This is useful when you have an effect set up just the way you like it and only want to copy that
effect into a preset you are building. Also note that any modifiers that are connected to the effect
will be copied as well greatly simplifying preset construction.
button. This brings up the edit display for that effect. If more than
one effect is present in a preset successive presses of the EDIT button will bring up the next effect's
edit display. Try it.

Bring up the Chorus edit display. There are three pages in this display. The first page is the '''BASIC'''
page. Most effects have a basic editing page allowing quick access to the most frequently used
parameters. Use the navigation buttons to move around in the page. Change the parameter values
using the value dial. To access the other pages in the display use the '''PAGE''' buttons. The chorus
also has an '''ADV''' (advanced) page. This offers in-depth editing of all the parameters available in the
chorus effect.