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

Then set up a patch as follows:
- All effects off, except loop (if Loop is flashing, check settings above)
- Edit the loop settings: Mix to about 9 o'clock and gain to 0dB
- Use only amp 1, and set model to "none" with the volume fully off
- Place the Loop last in the post-FX
- 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)

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

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:
1 Pedal 1 (when enabled)
7 Volume (when enabled)
25 Stomp 1 Enable
28 Delay Enable
36 Reverb Enable
43 Pedal 1 Enable (usually to toggle the wah)
50 Mod Enable
64 Tap Tempo
105 Volume Enable *
107 FX Loop

If you have a FBV longboard, I'd expect these CCs as well:
2 Pedal 2
109 Stomp 2 Enable
110 Stomp 3 Enable
111 Amp 1
112 Amp 2
113 Tremolo

• 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
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.