View source for Using Axe-FX with Line 6 Vetta II

''(orignal article by GM Arts)''

For Vetta owners, you can use your Axe-FX with the Vetta as a power amp and also use the FBV floor controller to control your Axe-FX. Also the Vetta global Volume, Bass and Treble still work.

Here's how:

'''Vetta settings''' <br>
- Output Setup, page 4, FORMAT = 48/20, SOURCE = Loop<br>
- System Setup, page 2, Digital = SPDIF L+R (note: Vetta reverses L & R !)<br>
- System Setup, page 3, MIDI CHAN = same as Axe-FX<br>
- Foot Control, page 6, FX LOOP = Loop<br>

Then set up a patch as follows:<br>
- All effects off, except loop (if Loop is flashing, check settings above)<br>
- Edit the loop settings: Mix to about 9 o'clock and gain to 0dB<br>
- Use only amp 1, and set model to "none" with the volume fully off<br>
- Place the Loop last in the post-FX<br>
- Copy this patch to all the patches you intend to use (eg, if you intend to use Axe-FX patches 0 to 7, copy this Vetta patch to the lowest 8 locations: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D)<br>

'''Connections'''<br>
- Connect digital out from Axe-FX to digital in on Vetta using a good quality digital coax cable<br>
- Connect MIDI out from Vetta to MIDI in on Axe-FX<br>
- Plug your guitar into the Axe-FX<br>

You should now hear your Axe-FX through the Vetta, and patch changes should work. Next step is to set up your Axe-FX to use the Vetta MIDI controllers. For the FBV shortboard, these are:
<br>
1 Pedal 1 (when enabled)<br>
7 Volume (when enabled)<br>
25 Stomp 1 Enable<br>
28 Delay Enable<br>
36 Reverb Enable<br>
43 Pedal 1 Enable (usually to toggle the wah)<br>
50 Mod Enable<br>
64 Tap Tempo<br>
105 Volume Enable *<br>
107 FX Loop<br>
<br>
If you have a FBV longboard, I'd expect these CCs as well:<br>
2 Pedal 2<br>
109 Stomp 2 Enable<br>
110 Stomp 3 Enable<br>
111 Amp 1<br>
112 Amp 2<br>
113 Tremolo<br>

* FBV shortboard pedal switch sets CC43 high and CC105 low together, or vice-versa

'''Patch selection'''
- User mode selects patches 0 to 63 from Vetta patches 1A to 16D
- Factory mode selects patches 64 to 127 from Vetta patches 1A to 16D
- note: switching between user & factory also sends a patch change!

'''Notes'''
- The Vetta sends no MIDI message for the tuner
- If you have the Foot Control, page 6, FX LOOP = Boost, there's no message either, although the boost probably works in the Vetta
- I didn't check it, but I suspect the headphones also work.
- Using the digital IN, there's no need to put a dummy plug in the input to un-mute the Vetta


'''Compromises'''<br>
This method uses the digital IN on the Vetta, which I did because my analog loop in is unusable due to excessive hiss. This means we're using the Vetta D/A which is probably not up to the standard of the Axe-FX D/A, so you may wish to experiment with the analog loop return. You'll need a Y-lead adapter for the FX return, and I think you'll also need a dummy plug on the Vetta input. The digital IN is not without problems either: When the guitar volume is off, there's some digital "whining" related to the effects in the Axe-FX, which I don't get with other digital interfaces. Recommend using the Volume pedal to mute instead.

The Vetta spreakers are not FRFR but are probably flatter than many guitar cabs with signature tones. I haven't had the Axe-FX long enough yet to dial in my tones and give an opinion on how good this really sounds.