View source for Editors

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[[image:Iii Axe-Edit-Mockup.png|350px]]
=About the software editors=

The software editors for Fractal Audio's processors are available for Windows and Mac.

* [https://www.fractalaudio.com/support download the latest versions]
* [http://archive.axefx.fr download older versions from the unofficial archive]

[[Owners_Manuals | Getting Started Guide for Axe-Edit (outdated)]]

Product information about Axe-Edit III:

<blockquote>"Axe-Edit III is a full-featured Mac/PC editor for the Axe-Fx III. You can view, edit, and manage presets, and much more. You will immediately discover the advantage of working on a large computer screen with a full keyboard and mouse/touchpad. Axe-Edit III makes it even easier to create and dial in even the most complex setups. You can view, edit, copy, paste, save, swap or even drag-and-drop not just presets, but scenes, blocks, channels, user cabs, and more. Speed your workflow with preset Templates, or use the Block Library stored on your computer to access your favorite sounds in one click. Unlock your full creative potential with Axe-Edit III, available for free."</blockquote>

<blockquote>"We rewrote everything using a client-server approach. You can have any number of clients attached, even multiple editors, and they all update automatically when something changes (even if changed from the front panel). The foot controllers are essentially clients as well." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/so-whats-new-on-the-iii-axe-fx-2-vs-3.134729/page-7#post-1592499] </blockquote>

The above applies to FM3-Edit as well.

If you get an error message regarding MSVCP140.DLL, download and install the [https://support.microsoft.com/nl-nl/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads MS Visual C++ Redistributable Update].

=Editing on a tablet or smartphone=

[[image:ipad.jpg|link=|250px]]

Fractal Audio's software editors require a Windows or Mac computer and a USB connection.

If you want to edit and control the processor with a tablet or smartphone, you need alternative solutions. Some suggestions:

* Extend the computer screen to a separate tablet (wired or wireless) using tools built in the OS, or a software utility such as [http://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/duet-display/id935754064?mt=8 Duet Display (Mac/iOS)], or a combined hardware+software solution such as [https://lunadisplay.com/ Luna Display]. This lets you move the editor screen to the tablet and use its touchscreen for editing.

* Run [[FracPad]], forum member AlGrenadine's mobile app for Fractal Audio's processors. It runs on Android and iOS devices and provides almost all features of the official editors, and more. 

* [http://coffeeshopped.com/2015/05/using-wireless-midi-to-connect-your-ipad-or-iphone-to-your-computer-and-hardware-synths Use wireless MIDI connections with Macs and Windows PCs, with the computer acting as the interface between the app on the tablet or phone and the Fractal Audio device]

=Connecting=

==USB or MIDI==

[[image:MIDI.png|link=]] [[image:usb.png|link=|100px]]

'''FX8 and AX8''' — The editor communicates with the hardware via [[USB]], without requiring a 3rd-party MIDI Interface or driver. Editing via MIDI is not supported.

'''Axe-Fx II''' — The editor communicates with the hardware via [[USB]] or [[MIDI]]. USB requires installing an USB host driver first. USB Adapter Mode must be disabled to prevent slowing down Axe-Edit.

'''Axe-Fx III''' — The editor communicates with the hardware via [[USB]].

'''FM3''' — The editor communicates with the hardware via [[USB]].

The above applies to [[Fractal-Bot]] too.

Note: when using a USB-C to USB adapter on a newer Apple computer, plug the USB-C adapter into a the port on the Mac first, allow it several seconds to “wake up” and then connect a USB cable and the unit into the adapter.

==Don't run an editor and Fractal-Bot simultaneously==

[[image:Fractal-Bot.png|125px|link=]]

Running [[Fractal-Bot]] and a software editor at the same time can cause conflicts. Try to avoid this.

==Google Chrome==

<blockquote>"There is a known issue with Chrome seizing MIDI ports (both physical and virtual MIDI-over-USB ports) as part of some misguided MIDI over the internet idea. Since the AX-8 is USB 1.1 it only allows one connection so if Chrome grabs it then AX-8 Edit won't be able to use it. Unfortunately Google seems uninterested in fixing it." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/so-frustrated-i-want-to-throw-the-ax8-in-the-trash.120124/page-3#post-1429463]</blockquote>

<blockquote>"Chrome definitely can hijack the MIDI over USB port on the AX8. When that happens, it's not enough to just close the browser, you have to ensure that it is not running in the background. Fractal Audio has tested and confirmed this." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/cant-connect-to-ax8-edit.124825/#post-1484972]</blockquote>

==Apple Logic==

If you're experiencing issues running the Axe-Fx III, Axe-Edit III and Apple Logic, [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fixed-axe-fx-iii-and-logic-pro-midi.145242 read this for a solution].

==Time-outs and disconnecting==

* Try another or shorter USB cable. Don't skip this, it's the MOST COMMON CAUSE of issues.
* Do not use a cable extender or USB hub (a USB port on a keyboard can also be a hub).
* Try another USB port on your computer.

[https://support.fractalaudio.com/article/11-axe-edit-time-out-troubleshooting Axe-Edit Time-out Troubleshooting]

=Syncing=

==Syncing hardware, software editor and foot controller==

'''Axe-Fx II, AX8, FX8''' – It's recommended to not use the MFC-101 with the Axe-Fx II, nor the onboard switches on the AX8 and FX8, while using the editor. The editors rely on intensive two-way communication which can cause audio gaps or stutters while using a connected foot controller. The PAUSE COMMUNICATIONS feature, also available through an icon in the upper left corner or in the Settings menu, puts the editor on hold so you can test performance without glitches.

Also, engaging and bypassing effects on the MFC-101 does not update Axe-Edit. To make the editor recognize such changes, its polling mechanism must be engaged. This is accomplished by attaching the Bypass parameter of any block in the preset to a controller. The block doesn't have to be connected to anything on the grid, so use a low CPU block.

'''Axe-Fx III and FM3''' – see earlier comments.

Operating the hardware (device or foot switches) while the editor is connected can cause audio hiccups, because the editor continuously polls the hardware which can interfere with the audio. For best results, put the editor in Pause mode when operating the hardware.

==No offline editing==

The editor works in tandem with the hardware unit in a client-server type relationship. The editor requires the unit to be connected for all operations. Offline editing is not supported and will NOT be added to future versions. The client-server relationship brings a host of benefits to the editor. Most importantly, it can never corrupt a preset as only the hardware itself ever owns the data. This means you can program sounds with the confidence that what you see is what you'll hear is what you'll save.

=Editor updates=

The editors for current products are updated often. Updates are released when the firmware of the hardware products is updated, or to add new features to the editor.

The editor relies on data which it downloads from the hardware. The editor will recognize when the firmware on the hardware has been updated and will then refresh its so-called "effect block definitions". The editor can also be instructed to this.

Refreshing the definitions may not suffice if the firmware contains new features which require a change to the editor itself. In those cases, a new version of the editor itelf must be installed. Such an update usually is released within days after an upgrade of the hardware's firmware. The editor will notice you of new releases automatically (except with releases of beta firmware).

=Preferences=

The Settings > Preferences menu lets you configure the editor and set your personal preferences.

For example, there's a checkbox to enable/disable reading all presets and cabs at startup.

==Warnings in Manage Preset / Manage Cabs==

The warnings that appear when launching or exiting Manage Presets or Cabs can be turned off.

==Amp block controls: authentic or ideal==

Just like on the hardware, the editor lets you choose between "Authentic" and "Ideal" controls when displaying the Amp block.

'''Authentic''' — only the controls which are present on the modeled amp are displayed on the main page

'''Ideal''' —  all tone controls are displayed

==Importing cabs==

When importing external IRs (.syx or .wav), you can choose between [[Impulse_responses_(IR)#Minimum_Phase_Transformation_.28MPT.29_and_Auto_Trim|Minimum Phase Transform and Auto-Trim]], and create UltraRes or non-UltraRes cabs.

==Refresh rate==

This option adjusts the rate at which the preset information and block parameters refreshes.

=Keyboard shortcuts=

==Presets==

* P: Preset Picker
* Command/Control + M: Preset Manager
* Command/Control + L: Preset Levelling
* Command/Control + PgUp / PgDn: preset up/down
* Command/Control + S: save preset
* Shift + Command/Control + S: save preset to new preset number
* Shift + Command/Control + F12: revert preset
* Shift + Command/Control + Backspace: clear preset
* F5: refresh preset
* Shift + Control (Alt) + Command/Control + I: import preset
* Shift + Control (Alt) + Command/Control + X: export preset
* Shift + Control (Alt) + Command/Control + S: save snapshot

==Scenes==

* Command/Control + 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8: select a scene

==Blocks==

* Alt or F1: show Block Info
* Q: show Quick Build panel
* Command/Control + U: insert a shunt
* Spacebar: bypass or engage the selected block, or toggle X/Y (old editors)
* Shift + Spacebar: bypass block in all scenes 
* Shift + Command/Control + Spacebar: engage block in all scenes
* Command/Control + D: disconnect all cables from selected block
* Backspace: delete block
* Enter: open the Edit field of the selected control
* +: display the menu associated with the ‘+’ button on the selected dropdown control
* G: toggle the “Global” button for the selected control
* Cursor up/down: value up/down
* Command/Control + Cursor up/down: value up/down (fine increment)
* Command/Control + B: save block to the Library

==Channels==

* A/B/C/D/E/F: select channel (E and F apply to the MUX block only)
* X: next channel
* Command/Control + I: reset channel (soft reset)

==Tuner==

* Command/Control + T

==Devices==

* Command/Control + K: show devices
* F8: pause communications

==Preferences==

* Command/Control + P

==Manage Presets, Manage Cabs==

* Command/Control + M: Preset Manager
* Shift + Command/Control + M: Cab Manager

==Grid Navigation Mode==

* Shift + Command/Control + G

==Basic Controls==

* F2: edit the name of the preset in the main window (it also set the name of selected items in the browser windows)
* F3: set the focus to the search bar
* Command/Control + Z: undo
* Command/Control + Y: redo
* Command/Control + X/C/V: cut, copy, paste
* Tab: change the focus to the next parameter
* Shift + Tab: change the focus to the previous parameter
* Arrow up: increment the value of the focused menu or parameter
* Arrow down: decrement the value of the focused menu or parameter

Shift+Click any dropdown control to load it as a picker.

==Batch Set==

Current editors support Parameter Batch Set functionality. The Parameter Batch Set command can be activated by right-clicking on a parameter while holding down SHIFT to display a context menu and selecting "Set In Multiple Presets". Selecting a sub-menu item will display the Preset Picker from which you can select multiple presets to batch set the parameter value.

==Window Size==

* Shift + Command/Control + W: full screen
* Shift + W: normal size


In the Cab block, the mouse wheel can be used to scroll through the available cabs (Axe-Edit III and FM3-Edit).

[http://wiki.fractalaudio.com/axefx2/index.php?title=Owners_Manuals List of keyboard shortcuts in the Getting Started Guide]

Note that when using a DAW, some of these shortcuts may unintendedly change a setting in the DAW when the editor window doesn't have the focus.

Axe-Edit III and FM3-Edit: to enter text into the edit box for any knob (whether the knob has a visible edit box or not), simply click the label of the knob so that control becomes focused and hit ENTER. For fast keyboard editing: Use the TAB key to move the focus around, hit ENTER to open the edit box, type in the value.

=Using the editor=

==Noteworthy stuff==

Regarding Axe-Edit for the Axe-Fx II, AX8-Edit and FX8-Edit:

* You cannot type Min/Max values in a modifier menu because of technical reasons.
* Looper, Tap Tempo and Tuner require the corresponding CCs to be set to their default values on the hardware.
* Axe-Edit is not compatible with MIDI Mapping on the Axe-Fx II.
* It is normal for the hardware display to change screens automatically while the editor is being used. '''To avoid confusion, it is strongly recommended that you avoid using the top/front controls of the device while the editor is running, or press the editor's Pause command.'''
* To make the Tuner work on the MFC-101, verify that SEND REALTIME SYSEX is enabled on the hardware.

==To name the device==

The editor lets you name your device.

==To configure Performance Pages==

The editor is required to configure the Performance Pages on the Axe-Fx III and FM3. [[Presets#Performance_Pages | More information]]

==To launch Fractal-Bot==

[[Fractal-Bot]] can be launched from within Axe-Edit III and FM3-Edit.

==To access Axe-Change==

[[Axe-Change]] can be accessed from within the editor.

==To manage Presets==

Read this: [[Presets]]

The editor's Preset Manager lets you import and export presets, rename them and copy/paste/move/swap them. It uses a Browser pane at the left of the window. To show or hide the Browser pane click on the Browser menu at the top-left of the manager and choose "Show / Hide". Or use the key sequence CTRL+B (Windows) or CMD+B (Mac).

The editors for the Axe-Edit III and FM3 support loading presets created on either device.

Speed up transfers by switching to a low CPU preset before operations such as bulk exporting!

The Preset Manager doesn't refresh preset names each time upon launch, to speed up operations. To force the Preset Manager to refresh, press the Refresh icon in its title bar.

A preset can be saved as a template, which can be used as a starting point for creating presets.

==To export presets==

You can export the currently loaded preset through the Preset menu.

Or you can use the Manage Presets tool to export a single or multiple IRs. This will add the preset slot number to the filename(s).

==To level Presets==

The editor for the Axe-Fx III and FM3 provides a fly-out panel for leveling presets.

Press Control-L (Windows) or Command-L (Mac).

==To manage Scenes==

Use the scene buttons to switch scenes. Use the Scenes menu to manage scenes.

Axe-Edit III and FM3-Edit also provide the Scene Manager, which simplifies managing blocks across all scenes.

Read this: [[Scenes]]

==To edit parameters==

Important: double-clicking a control in the editor is not the same as a soft or hard reset of the channel or block. It resets the control to a generic value, which is not parameter-specific. Ideally double-clicking should reset it to the correct value, but this is a limitation of the architecture at this time. [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fm3-firmware-version-3-01.168482/post-2024066]

==To manage Cabs==

Read this: [[Cab block]]

The editor's Cab Manager lets you import and export cabs, rename them and copy/paste/move/swap them. It uses a Browser pane at the left of the window. To show or hide the Browser pane click on the Browser menu at the top-left of the manager and choose "Show / Hide". Or use the key sequence CTRL+B (Windows) or CMD+B (Mac).

The Cab Manager in Axe-Edit III and FM3-Edit can directly import IRs in .wav format.

==To manage internal controllers==

Read this: [[Modifiers, Controllers and Control Switches]]

Note that the Controllers block has channels too.

You can save and load internal controller settings, such as Envelope, into a separate Controllers block. Click the Controllers button and use the Block menu.

When sharing a regular effect block with specific internal controller settings, distribute both the regular block and the Controllers block.

==To adjust hardware settings==

The Setup button allows adjusting some of the global hardware parameters, including Global EQ, USB, AES and SPDIF levels, audio parameters.

==To configure FC-6 and FC-12 controllers==

The buttons "FC Controllers" and "Per-Preset FC" allow you to configure the [[FC-6 and FC-12 foot controllers]] from within the editor.

The "10" button (next to FC Controllers button) masks off the characters in the Preset and Scene name fields that do not fit in the FC scribble strips.

==To access Axe-Change==

The editors offer fast access to [https://axechange.fractalaudio.com/ Axe-Change], Fractal Audio's site for sharing presets, cabs and effect blocks.

==To Quick-Build a preset==

Use the Quick-Build feature to create a preset, using an graphic inventory of all effect blocks.

==To edit a preset title==

When editing the preset title field, make sure to press Enter to make the editor aware of the title. Then press Save to store.

==To clear, initialize, refresh or revert a preset==

'''Clear''' – removes all blocks and clears the preset name<BR>
'''Initialize''' – resets each block in the preset to its default values and sets the preset name to INIT<BR>
'''Revert''' – instructs the editor to load the preset's stored settings from the hardware<BR>
'''Refresh''' – makes sure that the preset in the editor is in sync with the hardware

Read this: [[Presets]]

==To change a parameter value in small steps==

Hold Command (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) while changing a value with the mouse.

==To delete a cable between blocks==

Double-click the cable.

==To edit a modifier and attaching/detaching controllers==

Right-click a modifiable control.

==To reset a block==

A reset can either apply to the current channel only (menu bar: Block > Reset Channel) or to the entire block (right-click block > Edit > Reset Block).

==To swap blocks==

Drag a block onto another block.

==To engage or bypass a block across all scenes==

Use the command in the Blocks > All Scenes menu.

==To move rows and columns==

The columns and rows in the editor have small handles, which you can drag to move the entire column or row.

==To use Global blocks==

Use the widget in the bottom left corner of the editor to manage Global blocks, on hardware that supports this feature.

Read this: [[Global Blocks]]

==To use the Library==

The Library (formerly: Block Library) lets you save and recall entire effects blocks or channels. These are saved on your hard drive, giving you a near limitless amount of blocks and channels that you can store and pull from as you build your patches. You can share them with other users. Block definitions can be shared between Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8 devices. Blocks can also be shared between Axe-Fx III and FM3 devices. 

[[FracTool]] can convert block files between devices.

Saving a block definition saves everything about that block: the X/Y or Channel settings of the block as well as all scene states. The controllers assigned to the block are also saved but not the configuration of the specific controllers attached to the block. Note: X/Y and Channel support varies per Fractal Audio product.

The files should never be edited by hand. They contain checksum information that the editor uses to ensure they are valid. Hand-editing the files will destroy their validity.

There are multiple ways to load a saved block or channel into a patch:
* Right click on an empty spot in the grid and select Library -> Recall.
* Add a block to the grid and use the Library area to select one of the saved blocks or channels from your library for that block type.
* Drag a block file from a Finder (Mac) of Explorer (Windows) window into the editor.

You can find the Library in the Block menu, the Grid context menu (right-click) and the Library control when any amp, cab, or effect block is selected on the grid.

The editor saves the data to folders under /Fractal Audio/(editor)/blocks/. Files anywhere in this directory will be read into the library based on their type. The directory structure is ignored. You use a single folder to store files from different devices. Don't worry if there are no subfolders under the /Blocks folder on your computer. It will be automatically created by the editor after dropping a BLK file in the /Blocks folder and restarting the editor, or after saving a block in the editor. If there's no Blocks folder either, saving a block in will create it.

Blocks and channels are saved to disk with a name and a date-stamp (similar to snapshots). The name of the file is not the name of the block as it appears in the editor. Changing the file name will not change the name in the Library. The name is internally stored and can only be changed through the editor. Blocks must be given a unique name per effect-type. For instance, one cannot create two Amp block entries with the name “Killer Tone”. Block names may be reused across effect types, however. An AMP and a CAB block could each be named “Great Tone”. Upon reading the blocks from disk, if a block currently being read has a name that is in use in the library for the given effect-type, then that block being read will have its name appended with a number. The original file will remain unchanged. For instance, if two Amp blocks have name “Great Tone”, then the first read library entry will be “Great Tone” and the second read library entry will be “Great Tone(1)”, and so on. This enables you to share library block files without having to worry about naming.

Deleting an entry from the Library widget will also delete the file from disk. If the Library control doesn't let you delete a block, delete the file itself from Fracrtal Audio/Axe-Edit/Blocks.

"Save Preset As Blocks": this command lets you store a preset as individual blocks. You use these blocks on other Fractal Audio devices through their editors.

The editors provide an "Export as Blocks in Library" context menu item. This will export the blocks for each selected preset to the Library folder, which is set in the editor's Preferences. The blocks are saved in a timestamped directory with the format YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS ("20210709-093339", for example), under which will be directories for each preset.

==To work with X/Y settings==

'''Copy''' — right-click X or Y and select the corresponding command

'''Swap''' — right-click X or Y and select the corresponding command

'''Quick-toggle''' — the X and Y sets are a perfect way to do quick A/B comparisons on changes. Copy X to Y in the editor, start tweaking on the Y side of the block (or vice versa), press X for a quick comparison.

==To work with Channels==

Use the menu at the bottom left of Axe-Edit III and FM3-Edit to switch a selected block between its channels.

Use the menu above it to copy channel settings to another channel.

Use the command in Block > All Scenes to change a block to the same channel in all scenes.

Read this: [[Channels]]

==Grid Navigation Mode==

Grid Navigation lets you perform grid operations without loading and displaying the contents of the blocks, which speeds up everything. It doesn’t let you edit the effects themselves. 

To activate this mode, press:
* Shift+Ctrl+G (Windows)
* Shift+Cmd+G (OS X)

==Block Info button==

Press the Block Info button to view the block instance and active channel of each block on the grid.

==To make Snapshots==

The Snapshot button, inscribed with a small camera icon on it, allows you to quickly save a snapshot of the current state of the preset. This is a handy "quick save" button that you can employ while working on a preset to save the state of the preset mid-edit, so you can return to it later or call it up for comparison.

Snap shots are saved to a standard location and the files are labeled with the name of the preset, followed by the date and time of the snapshot, so that every preset save is a unique file and ordered in time.

[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
[[category:FM3]]
[[category:AX8]]
[[category:FX8]]
[[category:Remote]]
[[category:All]]