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<font color=red>This page discusses functionality of legacy products and will not be updated.</font>
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__TOC____TOC__
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=Available on which products=
  
=X/Y switching: in the owner's manual=
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* '''Axe-Fx III''': no (replaced with [[Channels]])
* Axe-Fx II: 4.4 X/Y Switching
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* '''FM9''': no (replaced with [[Channels]])
* Axe-Fx II: 9.6 X/Y Quick-Jump Assign
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* '''FM3''': no (replaced with [[Channels]])
* FX8: 5 Creating presets
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* '''Axe-Fx II''': yes
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* '''AX8''': yes
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* '''FX8''': yes
  
=X/Y switching: supported by which Fractal Audio products?=
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=About X/Y switching=
* Axe-Fx II: yes.
 
* MFC-101: yes.
 
* FX8: yes.
 
  
=X/Y switching: basics=
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Most effect blocks in the Axe-Fx II, FX8 and AX8 can be switched quickly between two sets of settings: X and Y.
* 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."
 
* X/Y-switching occurs at block level, not on preset level.
 
* There's no crossfading when switching between X and Y. If you want crossfading, use [[Preset scenes| scene controllers]] as an alternative to X/Y switching.
 
  
=X/Y switching: CPU usage=
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Examples:
* CPU usage is calculated using the current state of a block (X or Y). When switching an effect between X and Y, CPU usage can change.
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* Amp X = clean, Amp Y = high gain
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* Phaser X = Script 90, Phaser Y = Vibe
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* Rotary X = slow, Rotary Y = fast
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* Cab X = mono, Cab Y = stereo
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* GEQ X = soft boost, GEQ Y = loud boost
  
=X/Y switching: preset scenes=
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X/Y switching has been replaced with [[Channels]] on next generation Fractal Audio products.
* The X/Y state of an effect can vary per [[Preset scenes | preset scene]]. This is one of the advantages of using preset scenes.
 
  
=X/Y switching: using the X/Y buttons as Quick-Jump buttons (Axe-Fx II)=
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=Which effect blocks support X/Y=
* See [[Axe-Fx II: X/Y Quick-Jump keys]].
 
  
=X/Y switching: on the FX8=
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* '''Axe-Fx II Mark I and II''': Amp, Cab, Chorus, Delay, Drive, Flanger, Phaser, Pitch, Reverb, Wah, Rotary
* On the FX8 you hold an effect switch (1-8) to alternate between X and Y. If the LED is amber lit, Y is active.
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* '''Axe-Fx II XL and XL+''': Amp, Cab, Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Flanger, GEQ, Gate, Mixer, PEQ, Phaser, Pitch, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah
* You can adjust the switch "hold" time in the Global menu.
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* '''AX8''': Amp, Cab, Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Filter, Flanger, Gate, Multi Delay, Phaser, Pitch, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah
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* '''FX8''': Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Filter, Flanger, Gate, MIDI, Multi Delay, Phaser, Pitch, Relay, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah
  
=X/Y switching: software editors=
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=Switching between X and Y=
* Press the "X" key on the keyboard to switch a block between X and Y in the software editor.
 
* The X/Y-states of the blocks are displayed in the software editor, without needing to select the block first.
 
  
=X/Y switching: copying and swapping X/Y settings=
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'''Axe-Fx II''' — In the Edit mode of a block, press the dedicated X/Y buttons on the front panel.
* X and Y effect settings can be copied using the hardware. To swap them, the software editor must be used.
 
  
=X/Y switching: when using controllers=
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'''FX8 and AX8''':
* An assigned modifier always applies to X and Y block states. It's not possible to have different modifier settings for X and Y. The architecture doesn't allow for this. [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97591-separate-controllers-x-y-states.html#post1172114 source]
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* Hold a switch (1-8) to alternate between X and Y. If the LED is amber lit, Y is active.
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* Assign one of the three F-switches to "Single X/Y" or "Sticky X/Y", then press the switch which has been assigned to the effect.
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* Switch a block between X and Y on the grid using a shortcut key:
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** '''AX8''' — SHIFT + 2x EDIT on LAYOUT page, or 2x EDIT in a block's editing mode
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** '''FX8''' — 2x EDIT on CFG screen
  
=X/Y switching: when using Recall Effect on the Axe-Fx II=
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'''Scenes''' — The X/Y state of an effect can be set per scene.
* Using [[Axe-Fx II: Recall Effect]] will always import the entire effect block settings: X and Y. You can't use Recall Effect for X or Y only. Use the software editor instead to copy and paste the X-only or Y-only settings.
 
  
=X/Y switching: as a handy tool to compare sounds and check settings=
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'''Editors''' — Press the "X" key on the keyboard to switch a block between X and Y in the software editor. The X/Y state of each block is shown in the software editor, without needing to select the block first.
* X/Y offers an easy way to compare sounds when tweaking. Example:
 
*# Go to the effect block, state "X".
 
*# Double-click the "Y" knob on the front panel, to copy the "X" settings to "Y".
 
*# Select "Y" and change settings. Or doubleclick Bypass to reset the block entirely.
 
*# Now alternate between X and Y to see and hear the differences.
 
* You can also do this in the software editor.
 
* An alternative approach to comparing sounds, on the Axe-Fx II: save a preset as a Snapshot in Axe-Edit. Select Revert to get the original sound back. Then drag and drop the snapshot file into Axe-Edit.
 
  
=X/Y switching: on the MFC-101 and other MIDI controllers=
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'''MFC-101 and other MIDI controllers''' — Most blocks have a dedicated MIDI CC for X/Y switching. These are listed in the manuals. Assign the CC to a switch to alternate between X and Y.
* There's a specific MIDI CC for most blocks which feature X/Y switching. Assign this to a switch alternate between X and Y.
 
* You can configure X/Y effect blocks to engage the effect in either X or Y mode. Example: ([http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii/38230-ia-x-y-control-how-turn-switch-xy.html source])
 
*# IA Switch 1, ON message: DELAY 1 ON, DELAY 1 X (CC#47:127, CC#106: 127)
 
*# IA Switch 1, OFF message: DELAY 1 OFF, DELAY 1 X (CC#47:0, CC#106: 127)
 
*# IA Switch 2, OFF message: DELAY 1 ON, DELAY 1 Y (CC#47:127, CC#106: 0)
 
*# IA Switch 2, OFF message: DELAY 1 OFF, DELAY 1 Y (CC#47:0, CC#106: 0)
 
* Or use the controller's group/switch-link functionality.
 
* On the MFC-101 X is green, Y is red. If you prefer the default state to be green, use Y as the default state.
 
  
[[category:MIDI]]
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You can configure X/Y effect blocks to engage the effect in either X or Y mode. Example: [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/ia-x-y-control-how-to-turn-on-and-switch-xy.38230/#post-523176]
[[category:Effect]]
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# IA Switch 1, ON message: DELAY 1 ON, DELAY 1 X (CC#47:127, CC#106: 127)
[[category:Axe-Fx]]
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# IA Switch 1, OFF message: DELAY 1 OFF, DELAY 1 X (CC#47:0, CC#106: 127)
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# IA Switch 2, OFF message: DELAY 1 ON, DELAY 1 Y (CC#47:127, CC#106: 0)
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# IA Switch 2, OFF message: DELAY 1 OFF, DELAY 1 Y (CC#47:0, CC#106: 0)
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Or use a MIDI controller's "group" or "linked switches" feature.
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On the MFC-101 MIDI foot controller X is green, Y is red. If you prefer the default state to be green, use Y as the default state.
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Note that not all effect blocks which support X/Y have a specific MIDI CC for that task. The FX8 lets you assign CCs to those, the Axe-Fx II does not. There's a way around this. Use a MIDI Monitor to detect the MIDI sysex command that switches the block between X/Y. Then program a switch on the controller using that data.
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=Visual indication=
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'''Axe-Fx II and FX8''': The current X/Y state of the selected block is shown in an effect block's EDIT menu (not on the Layout page).
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'''AX8''': The current X/Y state of the selected block is shown at the bottom of the Layout page.
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The visual X/Y state of effects blocks is shown in the software editors.
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=CPU usage=
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Reported CPU usage is based on the current block state (X or Y). When switching an effect between X and Y, the preset's CPU usage may change.
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=Copy and paste=
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The "X" settings can be copied to "Y", and vice versa, on the front panel of the Axe-Fx II by pressing the X or Y button twice quickly. There's no equivalent shortcut on the AX8 and FX8 hardware.
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The software editor can be used to copy and paste an entire block or just the X or Y settings within the preset or to another preset.
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=Swapping=
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Swapping the X and Y settings of a block requires use of the editor.
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=Block reset=
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Resetting block settings on the hardware resets the parameters to their default values. This only applies to the current state: X or Y.
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To reset the entire block, switch to the other state and repeat the process, or use the editor to reset the entire block.
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=Modifiers=
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If a modifier has been assigned to a parameter, it always applies to both X and Y. It's not possible to have different modifier settings for X and Y, the architecture doesn't allow this. [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/separate-controllers-for-x-y-states.97591/#post-1172114]
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=Recall Effect=
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The [[Presets#Recall_Effect|Recall Effect]] function (which copies block settings from another preset) always imports both X and Y settings. If you want to copy just X or just Y, use the software editor.
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=X/Y switching can cause an audio gap=
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When switching an Amp block between X and Y, there will be a short gap in the sound.
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=Compare sounds and settings=
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 +
X/Y switching offers an easy way to compare sounds when tweaking.
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 +
# Go to a block, state "X".
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# Double-click "Y" on the front panel to copy the "X" settings into "Y".
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# Select X or Y, and adjust settings.
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# Now alternate between X and Y to see and hear the differences.
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You can also do this in the editor.
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This also offers an easy method to quickly see non-default settings, by resetting one side to default settings.
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=Crossfading sounds=
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Sounds do not crossfade when switching between X and Y. Use [[Scene controllers]] instead.
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[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
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[[category:Sounds]]
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[[category:All]]

Revision as of 12:18, 8 April 2024

This page discusses functionality of legacy products and will not be updated.

Available on which products

  • Axe-Fx III: no (replaced with Channels)
  • FM9: no (replaced with Channels)
  • FM3: no (replaced with Channels)
  • Axe-Fx II: yes
  • AX8: yes
  • FX8: yes

About X/Y switching

Most effect blocks in the Axe-Fx II, FX8 and AX8 can be switched quickly between two sets of settings: X and Y.

Examples:

  • Amp X = clean, Amp Y = high gain
  • Phaser X = Script 90, Phaser Y = Vibe
  • Rotary X = slow, Rotary Y = fast
  • Cab X = mono, Cab Y = stereo
  • GEQ X = soft boost, GEQ Y = loud boost

X/Y switching has been replaced with Channels on next generation Fractal Audio products.

Which effect blocks support X/Y

  • Axe-Fx II Mark I and II: Amp, Cab, Chorus, Delay, Drive, Flanger, Phaser, Pitch, Reverb, Wah, Rotary
  • Axe-Fx II XL and XL+: Amp, Cab, Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Flanger, GEQ, Gate, Mixer, PEQ, Phaser, Pitch, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah
  • AX8: Amp, Cab, Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Filter, Flanger, Gate, Multi Delay, Phaser, Pitch, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah
  • FX8: Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Filter, Flanger, Gate, MIDI, Multi Delay, Phaser, Pitch, Relay, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah

Switching between X and Y

Axe-Fx II — In the Edit mode of a block, press the dedicated X/Y buttons on the front panel.

FX8 and AX8:

  • Hold a switch (1-8) to alternate between X and Y. If the LED is amber lit, Y is active.
  • Assign one of the three F-switches to "Single X/Y" or "Sticky X/Y", then press the switch which has been assigned to the effect.
  • Switch a block between X and Y on the grid using a shortcut key:
    • AX8 — SHIFT + 2x EDIT on LAYOUT page, or 2x EDIT in a block's editing mode
    • FX8 — 2x EDIT on CFG screen

Scenes — The X/Y state of an effect can be set per scene.

Editors — Press the "X" key on the keyboard to switch a block between X and Y in the software editor. The X/Y state of each block is shown in the software editor, without needing to select the block first.

MFC-101 and other MIDI controllers — Most blocks have a dedicated MIDI CC for X/Y switching. These are listed in the manuals. Assign the CC to a switch to alternate between X and Y.

You can configure X/Y effect blocks to engage the effect in either X or Y mode. Example: [1]

  1. IA Switch 1, ON message: DELAY 1 ON, DELAY 1 X (CC#47:127, CC#106: 127)
  2. IA Switch 1, OFF message: DELAY 1 OFF, DELAY 1 X (CC#47:0, CC#106: 127)
  3. IA Switch 2, OFF message: DELAY 1 ON, DELAY 1 Y (CC#47:127, CC#106: 0)
  4. IA Switch 2, OFF message: DELAY 1 OFF, DELAY 1 Y (CC#47:0, CC#106: 0)

Or use a MIDI controller's "group" or "linked switches" feature.

On the MFC-101 MIDI foot controller X is green, Y is red. If you prefer the default state to be green, use Y as the default state.

Note that not all effect blocks which support X/Y have a specific MIDI CC for that task. The FX8 lets you assign CCs to those, the Axe-Fx II does not. There's a way around this. Use a MIDI Monitor to detect the MIDI sysex command that switches the block between X/Y. Then program a switch on the controller using that data.

Visual indication

Axe-Fx II and FX8: The current X/Y state of the selected block is shown in an effect block's EDIT menu (not on the Layout page).

AX8: The current X/Y state of the selected block is shown at the bottom of the Layout page.

The visual X/Y state of effects blocks is shown in the software editors.

CPU usage

Reported CPU usage is based on the current block state (X or Y). When switching an effect between X and Y, the preset's CPU usage may change.

Copy and paste

The "X" settings can be copied to "Y", and vice versa, on the front panel of the Axe-Fx II by pressing the X or Y button twice quickly. There's no equivalent shortcut on the AX8 and FX8 hardware.

The software editor can be used to copy and paste an entire block or just the X or Y settings within the preset or to another preset.

Swapping

Swapping the X and Y settings of a block requires use of the editor.

Block reset

Resetting block settings on the hardware resets the parameters to their default values. This only applies to the current state: X or Y.

To reset the entire block, switch to the other state and repeat the process, or use the editor to reset the entire block.

Modifiers

If a modifier has been assigned to a parameter, it always applies to both X and Y. It's not possible to have different modifier settings for X and Y, the architecture doesn't allow this. [2]

Recall Effect

The Recall Effect function (which copies block settings from another preset) always imports both X and Y settings. If you want to copy just X or just Y, use the software editor.

X/Y switching can cause an audio gap

When switching an Amp block between X and Y, there will be a short gap in the sound.

Compare sounds and settings

X/Y switching offers an easy way to compare sounds when tweaking.

  1. Go to a block, state "X".
  2. Double-click "Y" on the front panel to copy the "X" settings into "Y".
  3. Select X or Y, and adjust settings.
  4. Now alternate between X and Y to see and hear the differences.

You can also do this in the editor.

This also offers an easy method to quickly see non-default settings, by resetting one side to default settings.

Crossfading sounds

Sounds do not crossfade when switching between X and Y. Use Scene controllers instead.