View source for Fractal-Bot

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[[image:Fractal-Bot.png|125px|link=http://www.fractalaudio.com/fractal-bot.php]]
=About Fractal-Bot=

Fractal-Bot is a simple, free utility from Fractal Audio, which lets you easily transfer data to and from your Fractal Audio device. It's not an editor.

You can use Fractal-Bot to:

* upgrade the firmware of the processor or foot controller
* send and retrieve single presets or preset banks
* send and retrieve single cabs or cab banks
* send and retrieve system data
* create and restore backups of all system data
* fix a "bricked" device

[http://www.fractalaudio.com/fractal-bot.php Download the latest version of Fractal-Bot (Windows, OS X)]

[[Owners_Manuals|Read the manual]]

[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/forums/fractal-bot.76/ Visit the discussion forum]

=Read First=

[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fractal-bot-read-this-first.168000/ This forum post] provides essential information about using Fractal-Bot.

=Connect Fractal-Bot=

Fractal-Bot uses the same kind of connection as the editor does. 

Read this: [[Editors#Connecting|Connecting the editor]]

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 Axe-Fx III into the adapter.

=Launch Fractal-Bot from the editor=

Fractal-Bot is also built in in the current editors (Tools menu).

=Update Fractal-Bot=

Fractal-Bot checks for updates itself and will notify you if an update is available.

=Update firmware with Fractal-Bot=

[[image:Icon-firmware.png|link=]]

Read this: [[Firmware]]

=Access the hidden Utility mode=

In some cases, Fractal-Bot needs to operate in a special mode.

# hold CTRL (Windows) or COMMAND (Mac), and:
# click "Select Device" to reveal and select the hidden “Utility” menu option
# then select the output port
# a MIDI Buffer Delay will appear, set this to 300 ms

This mode is used, for example, to update the low-level USB firmware of the Axe-Fx III (not the main DSP firmware) and the low-level firmware of the FC controllers.

=Hardware-specific features=

==Axe-Fx III==

Save and restore presets and user cabs, and create a backup of the system data, including Global Blocks and FC Controllers configuration.

==FM9==

Same as Axe-Fx III, except Global Blocks.

==FM3==

Same as Axe-Fx III, except Global Blocks.

==Axe-Fx II==

Save and restore presets and user cabs, and create a backup of system data, including Global Blocks.

If you use Global Blocks in your presets, DO NOT FORGET to always backup the System data area as well. A backup of your presets alone does not contain the Global Block data.

'''Axe-Fx II Mk I or Mk II''' – You can also backup banks of presets and system data to onboard memory. You can restore a single preset from onboard memory or the onboard factory presets using “Fetch” in the Utility menu

'''XL and XL+''' – Saving presets to onboard memory is not possible, but a backup of system data can be stored in onboard memory

<blockquote>"The XL does not have a backup to FLASH function because the presets are all in FLASH. If the battery dies you don't lose your presets so there is no need to back them up. The system data IS battery-backed and the backup function saves system data to FLASH." [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/posts/1046313]</blockquote>

User cabs:

'''Axe-Fx II Mk I and Mk II''' – User cabs 0-49 are included in a system backup. Cabs 50 and up are saved in a different area of memory and are not saved or restored when doing a system dump/restore, use Fractal-Bot to save these separately

'''Axe-Fx II XL and XL+''' – User cabs are not included in a system backup. Use Fractal-Bot to back these up

Want to speed up the backup process? Scroll to an empty preset slot before performing the backup.

[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/wicked-wiki-5-no-excuse-for-no-backup.49204/ Wicked Wiki thread]

==AX8==

Save and restore presets and user cabs.

==FX8==

Save and restore presets.

==FC controllers==

Save the FC configuration data by saving the system data of Axe-Fx III.

==MFC-101==

Save and restore the MFC-101 configuration. This requires the use of a USB-to-MIDI-interface.

The Axe-Fx II in USB Adapter Mode can be used as an interface, MIDI cables and a power supply are still required. Follow the instructions in Fractal-Bot.

The Axe-Fx III, FM9 and FM3 do not support USB Adapter Mode.

=Tips and Troubleshooting=

==Snapshots==

Making Snapshots in the editor is another way to quickly create backups of a preset. [[Editors#To_make_Snapshots#Snapshots|Read more about Snapshots]]

==Speed up transfers==

Switching to an empty preset before launching Fractal-Bot can speed up transfers.

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

Don't run Fractal-Bot and a software editor at the same time because this may cause conflicts.

==Browse button doesn't work==

If the Browse button doesn't work, exit Fractal-Bot, delete the file "Fractal-Bot.settings" and restart.

==Communication issues==

* Try another USB cable
* Do not use cable extenders or USB hubs
* Try another USB port on the computer
* Check for corrupt IRs or presets. Even empty slots may be corrupt (clear them using the software editor)
* Adjust the MIDI Buffer Delay

==Emergency Boot Recovery==

In the event of issues during or after upgrading firmware, try this: [[Firmware#Emergency_boot_recovery|Emergency Boot Recovery]].

[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
[[Category:Axe-Fx3]]
[[category:FM3]]
[[category:FM9]]
[[category:FX8]]
[[category:AX8]]
[[category:Remote]]
[[category:All]]