Axe-Fx II FAQ

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This page contains questions/answers regarding the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II. Sources are Fractal Audio, forum administrators/moderators, experienced users etc.

Content from the How-Tos for Standard/Ultra will be added in time.

Alexander van Engelen (Yek)

ABOUT THE AXE-FX II

What are the differences with Standard/Ultra

• See the AFXII Product Brief.
• LCD is 160x80 (vs 128x64 on the Standard/Ultra)

What are the specifications of the AFXII

• See the AFXII Product Brief.

Where are the units manufactured

• All units are made in USA. Source
• The units are identical for all global regions and support 100-240V.

Is it the same size as the Ultra

• It's an inch or two deeper. Source

What poweramp and speakers were used to compare the amp models to the real amps

• Cliff: "A Mesa 4x12 with my Carvin F1200 power amp. The patches were dry because I do A/B comparisons using an A/B box. I run the cab stereo and put the amp being modeled into one side and the Axe-Fx II into the other side. I run my guitar to the A/B box. One output to the amp and one to the Axe-Fx. Then I can quickly switch back and forth to verify the model is working properly." Source

Are the rack ears removable

• Yes. Source

CONNECTING TO A COMPUTER

Is a MIDI interface required to connect to a computer

• No, an USB connection suffices (MIDI-over-USB). The AFXII itself is an USB-to-MIDI adapter. MIDI connections can still be used and editing over MIDI is still possible.

Can the digital input be used with analog inputs and outputs

• You can use the digital input with analog Output 1 (and simultaneously digital out). You can use Input 2 and Output 2 while using the digital input. Source

Is the sample rate for the digital output fixed

• Yes, at 48kHz. Resampling is handled in software. Source1 Source2 Source3 Source4

How is USB supported

• The latency of the "built-in" interface is limited only by the host computer. The USB is Audio Class 2.0 compliant. On a Mac you don't need to install any drivers but you do need to install the firmware loader for the USB chip (it is a "soft" processor and downloads its code from the host on start-up). On a PC you also have to install the Audio Class 2.0 drivers. The driver supports ASIO, SRC, etc. etc. You can use the USB just for remote control via Axe-Edit if you want. You don't have to use the audio features. Source
• In the I/O > MIDI menu set "USB ADAPTER MODE" to ON and it functions as a USB-to-MIDI adapter. Source
• You can edit and simultaneously record through USB. Source
• It cannot connect to a USB stick. Source
• The Axe-Fx will respond to MIDI events sent over USB. Source

How does the unit show up in DAW software

• As a 3-In, 2-Out device. Source

Can it be used for reamping

• The third channel on the USB output (to the computer) is the raw data from the Instrument Input. You record this. You then play this track back into the AFXII and set Input Source to USB. Then tweak until you get the sound you want. When you are happy, record the first two channels which are the processed audio. You can save the raw track if you want to go back later and reamp the track again. Source
• The dry signal level is fixed, and for good reason. When you send that signal back in it is the same as the original signal sent to the grid. This means you don't have to adjust anything when reamping. You simply send the signal back. Source

SYSTEM, FIRMWARE

Which programming language is used to code the firmware

• C and assembly. Source

CONNECTING INSTRUMENTS AND AMPS

Why are there no input level knobs at the front

• There are soft Input knobs in the I/O menu. The input levels are controlled via digitally-controlled potentiometer. Source

Does using the front input disable the rear inputs

• No, this is different on the AFXII. Use the menu to select either the front or the rear for Input 1. You can leave everything plugged in. Source

Does the guitar go into the front or rear input

• Always use the front input for guitar, whether wired or wireless. Source

How does it obtain unity gain

• The AFXII has digitally controlled potentiometers before and after the A/D and D/A converters. Therefore it knows what the input and output gains are. It compensates for these gains in the digital path. This allows "unity gain processing". If you set the Output Level knob to maximum you will get out what you put in (assuming the blocks have no gain). So if you were to make a preset with shunts from input to output and you put a 1V signal into the unit you would get 1V out. Source

How do the HumBuster outputs work=

• The 1/4" outputs have a "remote ground sense" feature. You take a TRS cable and on one end you put a TRS plug and on the other end you put a regular TS plug. On the TS end you tie the ring conductor to ground. Plug the TRS end into the Axe-Fx II. The ground noise of the attached equipment is sensed and added to the output signal thereby cancelling the common-mode noise (hum). This is especially useful when doing the 4CM since that's when you usually get the worst ground loops. Source

How are levels set in a 4CM setup

• See the topic about unity gain. Turn both Output knobs at the front fully up. Source

Can it play streamed music

• Yes, connect the player through USB. The signal will be mixed into the output of the AFXII. Adjust the volume on the player. Source

Should a wireless receiver connect to the front or rear input

• Front, to take advantage of the front input's "special sauce" for noise reduction. The rear inputs (both 1 and 2) operate on line level, the front input operates on instrument level.

Which knob controls the level of the headphones output

• Output1 knob. Source

Does it have a memory slot

• No.

CREATING AND EDITING PRESETS

Does it support loading Standard and Ultra presets

• No. Source1 Source2

How many presets are supported

• 384. Most are ported from the Ultra. Source1

Where are the Quick Control knobs for

• They can be configured to function as pedals. Source
• They can be assigned to any modifiable parameter per patch. Source
• They can be used quickly scroll through presets instead of using the Value Wheel. Source

How does the Input Impedance work

• It is a parameter in the layout menu that affects a hardware switch. It can be set to automatic (detects the appropriate setting based on your first effect) or you can set it manually. Source
• Its range is 70k - 1Meg. Source
• The input impedance is selectable from a dozen or so values. It is done right at the instrument input using analog switches. Source
• Changes based on the model, however amps are always 1 Meg. If the first active effect is a Drive, for example, the impedance will change based on the Drive model. Source
• It can be saved per preset. Source
• The impedance feature will only have an audible effect if you are plugging your guitar directly in. It operates by loading down the guitar's pickups. If you have anything buffering the guitar then you won't be loading the pickups. Source

How fast does it change presets

• About 20ms.

Does it have a Compare function for presets or effect blocks

• No(t) yet.

What's the DIR tab on the main preset screen for

• It lists preset names and numbers for quick recall. Source

ABOUT EFFECTS IN GENERAL

How does the X/Y function work

• You can set up certain effect blocks to switch between two sets of parameters. For example, with Amp blocks you can have 4 configured amps per preset, of which two can be active. Then use the X/Y knob on the AFXII, or an IA switch (toggle) on a MIDI foot controller, to switch between the sets. This essentially doubles the number of those blocks within a preset. X and Y can be the same type of effect, say a RAT drive, but with different parameters. There's no transition between the two. Switching occurs at block level using a MID CC, not on preset level

Source1 Source2 Source3 Source4 Source5 Source6

• Cliff: "The idea behind X/Y is that people often have multiple distortion/chorus/delay/etc. pedals on their board but they rarely have more than one on at a time. So rather than creating more instances of effects, which sucks up CPU, have each instance capable of more than one sound." Source
• X/Y switching is nearly instantaneous. Source
• X/Y doesn't support spillover. Source
• On the MFC-101 X is green, Y is Red. Source

Is there a Freeze or Hold effect

• Yes, it's built into the Delay effect. Source

Does it support spillover of delay trails and reverb between presets

• Yes, in the same way as the 1st-generation units.

Does it have a Bit Crusher effect

• No. Source

About Global EQ

• It's always on. Source
• The frequencies are: 63, 125, 250, 500, 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k. Source

AMP BLOCK

How many amp models can it hold

• Very many. Source

Can the names of the amps be edited

• No. Source

How much DSP-capacity uses an amp block

• One Amp block uses about 40%. One of the two DSPs is dedicated to Amp blocks. So you can run 2 of those. The other DSP is for other effects. Source

Where are the Warmth and Thump parameters

• These are removed from the Amp block in the AFXII. Source

Where is the 8-band EQ positioned in the Amp block

• It's fixed in position at the very output. Source

What are Global Amps

• (...)
• Supports 10 Global Amps.
• You can save Amp block settings to a Global Amp slot without being in that slot already. Source

Do amps still have negative presence

• No. However for amps with no negative feedback (damp = 0) it turns into a Hicut parameter. Source

How does the Input Trim work

• Changing the input trim doesn't affect the amount of distortion. This the whole idea. You set the trim to optimize the signal level into the converters. Internally the unit applies the inverse of the trim so that the signal into the grid is constant. In other words, if you put 1V into the input the input to the grid is 1V regardless of the trim setting.

Source

What's does the Saturation switch parameter do

• It switches in a zener diode clipping stage right before the tone stack. This is the "Arrendondo Mod". Source

Are all amp parameters assignable to MIDI controllers

• No. Cliff stated it now has the ability to do that for all parameters so maybe down the road. Source1 Source2

What amp is: Jose Marshall Mod

• (...)
• This is an AFXII-only amp sim.

CAB BLOCK

Which parameters were added to the cab block

• Room Level, Room Size, Mic Spacing, Low Cut and High Cut. Source

What are the advantages of 2048-point IRs

• Cliff: "Depends on the cab. Certain cabs benefit more than others. I started out with 8192 but didn't hear any difference so couldn't justify wasting all that space and CPU. You can hear it with room mics but the room simulation sounds nearly identical. There are a couple reasons for 2048. Probably most important is that it allows 1024 in stereo mode. To be able to do stereo 1024 requires a 2048 convolution engine. Secondly, some IRs benefit from longer IRs. Better to have the ability and not need it than the converse." Source1 Source2
• A stereo cab (LoRes) now uses two 1024 IRs (instead of 512 on Standard/Ultra). Source
• Jay Mitchell's comments on 512-, 1024- and 2048-point IRs: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4.

Where is the Drive parameter in the cab block

• This parameter has been removed from the Cab block in the AFXII. Instead, the Amp block has a Speaker Drive parameter.

Source

Does it contain a cab type for acoustic guitar

• No.
• There's a thread on the forum that contains Fishman Aurex IRs (1024-point).
• There's an IR available of an acoustic body that has been converted to 2048 points.

How are the user slots managed

• User cab slots is another name for external cab blocks, or impulse responses (IRs). (...)
• The AFXII uses the name of the IR-file (contained in the sysx data) to show on its display with a maximum of 32 characters. Source1 Source2

Does it do "amp-in-the-room" tones

• Use the room simulation controls in the Cab block. These can be used with any IR. It's a special reverb algoritm.

OTHER EFFECTS

About Delay

• Instances: 2.
• The AFXII adds improvements to the Delay block: a two-band parametric EQ for the wet signal with low-cut and high-cut with adjustable slopes for the cut filters. The EQ stuff is on a separate GUI page with a graphical display. Source
• Delay blocks now have a master feedback that goes to 200% for oscillating delay effects. Source
• Delay types: digital mono, digital stereo, analog mono, analog stereo, mono tape, stereo tape, ping-pong, dual, reverse, sweep, ducking, vintage digital, 2290 w/ mod, ambient stereo
• Supports the X/Y function.

About Drive

• Instances: 2. No hopes for more Drive blocks. Source
• Supports the X/Y function.

About Chorus

• Instances: 2.
• Chorus types: digital mono, digital stereo, analog mono, analog stereo, japan ce-2, warm stereo, 80s style, triangle, 8-voice stereo
• The Chorus block of the AFXII models bucket-brigade delay lines (BBD). Source

About Feedback Send/Return

• Instances: 1. Source
• This block can be used to route the signal. A common use is to extend the possible number of effects (have more than 12 blocks) by routing the signal from row to row.

About Flanger

• Instances: 2.
• The Flanger block of the AFXII models bucket-brigade delay lines (BBD). Source
• Flanger types: digital mono, digital stereo, analog mono, analog stereo, thru zero, stereo jet

About Graphic EQ

• Instances: ...
• It's a 10-band EQ. Frequencies: 31, 63, 125, 250, 500, 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k. Source

About Looper

• Instances: 1.
• It can stack / overdub. Source

About Phaser

• Instances: 2.
• Phaser types: digital mono, digital stereo, script 45, script 90, block 90, classic vibe, stereo 8 stage - plus vibe mode

About Pitch

• Instances: 2.
• The Pitch block has a Learn function. Turn it on, play a note, hold it. The AFXII now sets the key according to the note you played. Source1 Source2

About Reverb

• Instances: 2.
• The AFXII adds improvements to the Reverb block: there are improvements in the tail decay plus a two-band parametric EQ for the wet signal with low-cut and high-cut. The EQ stuff is on a separate GUI page with a graphical display. Source

About Wah

• Instances: 2.
• Supports the X/Y function.
• The Wah block of the AFXII models the Fasel Inductor. Source

CONTROLLERS, MODIFIERS

How many external controllers are supported

• 12.

How many steps does the Sequencer have

• 16.

Can a modifier be set to min and max values

• In the AFXII there are MIN and MAX values. These are the actual parameter values. For example, if you want to change the delay time from 500 ms to 700 ms, you simply set MIN to 500 ms and MAX to 700 ms. So 0% corresponds to 500 ms and 100% corresponds to 700 ms. Source

PEDALS, SWITCHES, FOOT CONTROLLERS

Can the Quick Control knobs be used as pedals

• Yes. Source

What's the purpose of the Rj45 port

• Use this to connect the MFC-101, instead of using a MIDI cable. It uses a regular CAT-5 network cable and a propietary protocol. This supports bidirectional communication and phantom power. Source
• When using the CAT-5 cable a 9V adapter is no longer needed to provide phantom power. Source1 [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii/35997-axe-fx-ii-technical-questions-thread-49.html#post492332 Source2
• When switching off the AFXII, the MFC-101 also switches off. Source

How many pedals can be connected directly

One.

Is phantom power over 7-pin MIDI still supported

Yes. Source

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Index of How-Tos for Axe-Fx I, for editing purposes:

How to keep your knowledge up-to-date== How to get started quickly (for new users)== How to make sure it is set up correctly (gig checklist)== How to try the factory presets== How to find the right factory preset== How to view and hear the unit in action== How to mount it in a rack or rackbag== AMPLIFICATION AND I/O= How to switch it on and off== How to get sound from it (basics)== How to use it with FR amplification== How to connect it to a mixing table== How to integrate a (pre)amp== How to use it with a poweramp and speaker cabinet== How to use it with a guitar amplifier== How to set it up for mono or stereo output== How to get multiple output signals== How to use it for effects only== How to connect your guitar(s)== How to use its effects loop== How to set the input level== How to set the output level and avoid clipping== How to use it with headphones== How to make a digital connection== How to mute the signal when tuning== How to adjust the overall tone and volume level== How to deal with noise== FIRMWARE, SYSTEM'= How to update its firmware== How to reset the unit== How to prevent overloading the CPU== How to save and restore stuff== How to replace the battery== SOFTWARE, AXE-EDIT= How to connect to a computer== How to use it as an audio interface== How to use Axe-Edit== How to reamp== CREATING AND EDITING PRESETS= How to edit presets on a computer== How to use presets by other users== How to create a new preset from scratch== How to create your first preset== How to make editing easier== How to copy and paste effect settings between presets== How to reset an effect to its default state== How to adjust the global effects level or the master reverb level== How to insert more than 12 effects in a preset== How to add an effect to a preset== How to use effects in a parallel row== How to put effects before or after your own preamp== How to create a master bypass switch== How to run an effect in stereo or mono== How to set the correct bypass mode for an effect== How to set the volume level of an effect== How to adjust the volume level of a preset while playing== How to boost the signal for leads== How to avoid output clipping== How to decide where to put the cab block== How to enable spillover of delay trails and reverb== How to enable global control of any effects block== How to save and recall favorite amp settings (global amp)== How to minimize gaps in the signal when switching presets== How to print presets== How to keep your presets organized== How to insert an external pedal in the routing== EFFECTS'= How to know which effects are available== AMPS== How to know which amps are simulated=== How to dial in amp settings=== How to set the Drive and Master controls=== How to use the amp tone controls (tonestack)=== How to use the Bright switch=== How to use the Boost switch=== How to use the Presence control=== How to set the amp's advanced parameters=== How to split the preamp and poweramp of an amp sim=== How to get tight bass control=== How to use a Drive block to add or control gain=== How to add a gain stage=== How to prevent crossover distortion=== How to use multiple amps in a preset=== How to solve this issue: "My tone changes when I start editing the Amp block"=== How to get controlled feedback=== CABINETS== How to choose between the stock cabinets=== How to choose between the microphone sims=== How to choose between a stereo or mono cabinet=== How to use the Air and Drive parameters=== How to use an external user cab (IR)=== How to set the speaker resonance parameter=== How to optimize your room tone as well as the FOH tone === OTHER EFFECTS== How to use this effect: Chorus and Quad-Chorus=== How to use this effect: Compressor=== How to use this effect: Crossover=== How to use this effect: Delay=== How to use this effect: Detune=== How to use this effect: Drive=== How to use this effect: Effects Loop (FXL)=== How to use this effect: Stereo Enhancer=== How to use this effect: Feedback Send/Return=== How to use this effect: Filter=== How to use this effect: Flanger=== How to use this effect: Formant=== How to use this effect: Envelope filter=== How to use this effect: Graphic Equalizer=== How to use this effect: Looper=== How to use this effect: MegaTap Delay=== How to use this effect: Mixer=== How to use this effect: Multi-Delay=== How to use this effect: Multiband Compressor=== How to use this effect: Noise Gate=== How to use this effect: Panner=== How to use this effect: Parametric Equalizer=== How to use this effect: Phaser=== How to use this effect: Pitch Shifter=== How to use this effect: Resonator=== How to use this effect: Reverb=== How to use this effect: Reversed delay=== How to use this effect: Ring Modulator=== How to use this effect: Rotary Cabinet (Leslie)=== How to use this effect: Seek wah=== How to use this effect: Synth=== How to use this effect: Tremolo=== How to use this effect: (Uni)Vibe=== How to use this effect: Vocoder=== How to use this effect: Wah=== SPECIAL SOUNDS AND ROUTINGS== How to create an automated dive bomb=== How to integrate a real talk box=== How to create the vibrato effect=== How to simulate a violin=== How to simulate multiple violins (strings)=== How to crossfade effects=== How to automate volume swells=== How to get or handle acoustic tones=== How to create U2’s Mysterious Ways effect=== How to create space(ship) and lasergun sounds=== How to simulate a flute=== How to simualte an organ=== How to get the shimmer effect=== How to simulate an E-Bow (infinite sustain)=== How to simulate the sound of a windstorm=== How to simulate a sitar or tampura=== How to create infinite reverb (freeze, hold reverb, chord-drone)=== How to simulate dropped tuning=== How to simulate sirens=== How to create automatic double-tracking (ADT)=== How to use Buzz Feiten tuning=== INTERNAL CONTROLLERS AND MODIFIERS== PEDALS, SWITCHES, FOOT CONTROLLERS, MIDI= How to get familiar with MIDI== How to configure the MIDI settings and stuff== How to handle MIDI problems== How to choose a MIDI foot controller== How to make your MIDI foot controller work== How to operate the MFC-101== How to power a MIDI foot controller through MIDI (phantom power)== How to access presets 128 and higher with a MIDI foot controller== How to switch effects on and off using a MIDI foot controller== How to activate the tuner using a MIDI foot controller== How to display the tuner on a MIDI foot controller's display== How to choose an expression pedal== How to connect and configure an expression pedal or switch== How to solve a "stuttering" expression pedal== How to turn an expression pedal into a wah== How to activate an effect automatically when moving an expression pedal== How to use a single pedal to control different effects without switching presets (dual-function pedal) == How to use a switch for global control of any effects block== How to reset a pedal when switching presets== How to mute the delay using an expression pedal or switch== How to switch between different effect settings using a single switch== How to use a pedal for volume boosts== RECORDINGS= VIDEOS'= CATEGORIZED FACTORY PRESETS=

SOURCES:

• http://www.fractalaudio.com/products-fas-axe-fx-ii-2.html
• http://www.fractalaudio.com/tmp/Axe-Fx_II_Product_Brief.pdf
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/search.php?do=finduser&userid=7762&contenttype=vBForum_Post&showposts=1
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/search.php?do=finduser&userid=1&contenttype=vBForum_Post&showposts=1
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/search.php?do=finduser&userid=8142&contenttype=vBForum_Post&showposts=1
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/search.php?do=finduser&userid=7847&contenttype=vBForum_Post&showposts=1
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/search.php?do=finduser&userid=7936&contenttype=vBForum_Post&showposts=1
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/search.php?do=finduser&userid=8733&contenttype=vBForum_Post&showposts=1
• http://wiki.fractalaudio.com/index.php?title=Yeks_How_Tos
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/search.php?do=finduser&userid=7770&contenttype=vBForum_Post&showposts=1
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/showthread.php?t=35930
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/forumdisplay.php?f=61
• http://forum.fractalaudio.com/showthread.php?t=35997