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Difference between revisions of "X/Y switching (legacy)"

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''The information on this page supplements the official manuals.''
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<font color=red>This page discusses functionality of legacy products. It will not be updated.</font>
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__TOC____TOC__
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=Available on which products=
  
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__TOC__
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* Axe-Fx III: n/a (replaced by [[Channels]])
 +
* FM9: n/a (replaced by [[Channels]])
 +
* FM3: n/a (replaced by [[Channels]])
 +
* VP4: n/a (replaced by [[Channels]])
 +
* Axe-Fx II: X/Y
 +
* AX8: X/Y
 +
* FX8: X/Y
  
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[[image:Xy.jpg|link=|150px]]
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=About X/Y switching=
  
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=X/Y switching: supported by which Fractal Audio products?=
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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.
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* '''Axe-Fx II''': yes.
 
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* '''MFC-101''': yes.
 
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* '''AX8''': yes.
 
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* '''FX8''': yes.
 
  
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=What is X/Y switching=
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Examples:
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Most effect blocks in the Axe-Fx II, FX8 and AX8 can be switched between two states (sets of settings): X and Y, without manually changing parameters. X/Y-switching occurs at block level, not a preset level. X/Y switching lets you switch for example between two different phaser types by pressing a footswitch.
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* 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
  
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<blockquote>"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." </blockquote>
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X/Y switching has been replaced with [[Channels]] on next generation Fractal Audio products.
  
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Sounds do not crossfade when switching between X and Y. If you want crossfading, use Scene Controllers as an alternative to X/Y switching.
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=Which effect blocks support X/Y=
  
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=Effect blocks with X/Y support=
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; '''Axe-Fx II Mark I and II''' : Amp, Cab, Chorus, Delay, Drive, Flanger, Phaser, Pitch, Reverb, Wah, Rotary
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'''Axe-Fx II Mark I and II:''' Amp, Cab, Chorus, Delay, Drive, Flanger, Phaser, Pitch, Reverb, Wah, Rotary.
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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
 +
; '''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
  
−
'''Axe-Fx II XL and XL+:''' Amp, Cab, Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Flanger, GEQ, Gate, Mixer, PEQ, Phaser, Pitch, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah.
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=Switching between X and Y=
  
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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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; '''Axe-Fx II''' : In the Edit mode of a block, press the dedicated X/Y buttons on the front panel.
  
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'''FX8:''' Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Filter, Flanger, Gate, MIDI, Multi Delay, Phaser, Pitch, Relay, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah.
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; '''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
  
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<blockquote>"Any blocks that have X/Y on the XL but not on the Mark II will not import the bypass state as that is stored differently. You need to manually adjust the bypass state after import." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-bugs/100398-potential-bug-xl-importing-mk-ii-presets.html#post1203688 source] </blockquote>
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; '''Scenes''' : The X/Y state of an effect can be set per scene.
  
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=How to switch between X and Y=
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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.
  
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'''Axe-Fx II:'''
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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. 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]
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Use the dedicated X/Y buttons on the front panel.
 
−
 
 
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'''FX8 and AX8:'''
 
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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.
 
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'''Scenes:'''
 
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The X/Y state of an effect can vary per scene. This is one of the advantages of using scenes.
 
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'''Editors:'''
 
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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.
 
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'''MFC-101 and other MIDI controllers:'''
 
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There's a dedicated "X/Y switching" MIDI CC for most blocks (not all) that offer X/Y switching. They are listed in the manuals. Assign the CC to a switch to alternate between X and Y.
 
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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/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, 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 1, OFF message: DELAY 1 OFF, DELAY 1 X (CC#47:0, CC#106: 127)
Line 58: Line 54:
 
Or use a MIDI controller's "group" or "linked switches" feature.
 
Or use a MIDI controller's "group" or "linked switches" feature.
  
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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.
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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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Not all effect blocks that support X/Y have a specific MIDI CC available 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 view 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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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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=Audio gap when switching the Amp block between X and Y=
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=Visual indication=
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Switching an Amp block between X and Y will cause a brief gap in the audio.
 
  
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This is especially important with the AX8, because it has a single amp block.
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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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=Visual indication of the X/Y state=
 
 
The visual X/Y state of effects blocks is shown in the software editors.
 
The visual X/Y state of effects blocks is shown in the software editors.
  
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On the AX8 the current X/Y state of the selected block is shown at the bottom of the Layout page.
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=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=
  
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On the 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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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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=X/Y state and CPU usage=
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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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CPU usage is calculated using the current state of a block (X or Y). When switching an effect between X and Y, the preset's CPU usage may change.
 
  
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=Copy and swap X/Y settings=
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=Swapping=
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X and Y effect settings can be copied on the front panel of the Axe-Fx II: press X or Y twice quickly.
 
  
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Swapping X and Y settings always requires use of the software editor.
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Swapping the X and Y settings of a block requires use of the editor.
  
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=What does resetting do to X/Y settings=
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=Block reset=
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Resetting an effect block 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 software editor to reset the entire block).
 
  
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=Controllers/modifiers and X/Y settings=
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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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When a controller is assigned to a parameter, it always applies to both states: 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/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97591-separate-controllers-x-y-states.html#post1172114 source]
 
  
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=Recall Effect and X/Y settings=
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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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Using Recall Effect (copy block settings from another preset) always imports X and Y settings. Use the software editor to copy only X or only Y settings.
 
  
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=Using X/Y switching to compare sounds and settings=
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=Modifiers=
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X/Y switching offers an easy way to compare sounds when tweaking. Example:
 
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# Go to an AMP 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 software editor.
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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]
 +
 
 +
=Recall Effect=
 +
 
 +
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.
 +
 
 +
=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.
 +
 
 +
# Go to a block, state "X"
 +
# Double-click "Y" on the front panel to copy the "X" settings into "Y"
 +
# Select X or Y, and adjust settings
 +
# 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.
 
This also offers an easy method to quickly see non-default settings, by resetting one side to default settings.
  
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An alternative approach to comparing sounds on the Axe-Fx II: save a preset as a Snapshot in the editor. Select Revert to get the original sound back. Then drag and drop the snapshot file into the editor.
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=Crossfading sounds=
 +
 
 +
Sounds do not crossfade when switching between X and Y. Use Scene controllers instead.
  
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[[category:Axe-Fx]]
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[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
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[[category:Effect]]
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[[category:Remote]]
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[[category:Sounds]]
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[[category:All]]

Latest revision as of 17:56, 28 May 2025

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

Available on which products

  • Axe-Fx III: n/a (replaced by Channels)
  • FM9: n/a (replaced by Channels)
  • FM3: n/a (replaced by Channels)
  • VP4: n/a (replaced by Channels)
  • Axe-Fx II: X/Y
  • AX8: X/Y
  • FX8: X/Y

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.

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