October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.

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. The content are frozen and will not be updated.</font>
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__TOC____TOC__
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=Available on which products=
  
__TOC__
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* Axe-Fx III: n/a (replaced by [[Channels]])
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* FM9: n/a (replaced by [[Channels]])
 +
* FM3: n/a (replaced by [[Channels]])
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* VP4: n/a (replaced by [[Channels]])
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* Axe-Fx II: X/Y
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* AX8: X/Y
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* FX8: X/Y
  
[[image:Xy.jpg|link=|150px]]
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=About X/Y switching=
  
=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.
* '''Axe-Fx II''': yes.
 
* '''MFC-101''': yes.
 
* '''AX8''': yes.
 
* '''FX8''': yes.
 
  
=What is X/Y switching=
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Examples:
Most effect blocks in the Axe-Fx II, FX8 and AX8 can be switched between two preconfigured states: X and Y, without manually changing parameters.
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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 occurs at block level.
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X/Y switching has been replaced with [[Channels]] on next generation Fractal Audio products.
  
Fractal Audio:<BR>
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=Which effect blocks support X/Y=
"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."
 
  
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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* '''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
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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
  
=Effect blocks which support X/Y switching=
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=Switching between X and 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.
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'''Axe-Fx II''' — In the Edit mode of a block, press the dedicated X/Y buttons on the front panel.
  
'''AX8:''' Amp, Cab, Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Filter, Flanger, Gate, Multi Delay, Phaser, Pitch, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah.
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'''FX8 and AX8''':
 
 
'''FX8:''' Chorus, Compressor/Dynamics, Delay, Drive, Filter, Flanger, Gate, MIDI, Multi Delay, Phaser, Pitch, Relay, Rotary, Reverb, Tremolo, Wah.
 
 
 
Fractal Audio:<BR>
 
"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]
 
 
 
=How to switch an effect between X and Y=
 
 
 
'''Axe-Fx II:'''
 
Use 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.
 
* 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.
 
* 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:
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* 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.
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** '''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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** '''FX8''' — 2x EDIT on CFG screen
  
'''Scenes:'''
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'''Scenes''' The X/Y state of an effect can be set per scene.
The X/Y state of an effect can vary per scene. This is one of the advantages of using scenes.
 
  
'''Editors:'''
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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.
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.
 
  
'''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 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.
 
  
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])
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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]
 
# 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 62: Line 56:
 
Or use a MIDI controller's "group" or "linked switches" feature.
 
Or use a MIDI controller's "group" or "linked switches" feature.
  
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.
  
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.
  
=Gap in audio when switching the Amp block between X and Y=
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=Visual indication=
Switching an Amp block between X and Y will cause a brief gap in the audio.
 
  
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.
  
=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.
  
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=
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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=
  
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.
  
=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.
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.
 
  
=Copy and swap X/Y settings=
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=Swapping=
X and Y effect settings can be copied on the front panel of the Axe-Fx II: press X or Y twice quickly.
 
  
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.
  
=What does resetting do to X/Y settings?=
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=Block reset=
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).
 
  
=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.
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]
 
  
=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.
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.
 
  
=Using X/Y switching to compare sounds and settings=
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=Modifiers=
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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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".
 
# Double-click "Y" on the front panel to copy the "X" settings into "Y".
 
# Double-click "Y" on the front panel to copy the "X" settings into "Y".
# Select X or Y and adjust settings.
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# Select X or Y, and adjust settings.
 
# Now alternate between X and Y to see and hear the differences.
 
# Now alternate between X and Y to see and hear the differences.
  
You can also do this in the software editor.
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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.
  
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=
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Sounds do not crossfade when switching between X and Y. Use Scene controllers instead.
  
[[category:Axe-Fx]]
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[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
[[category:Effect]]
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[[category:Remote]]
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[[category:Sounds]]
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[[category:All]]

Latest revision as of 09:07, 1 November 2024

This page discusses functionality of legacy products. The content are frozen and 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.