Output block

Output block

Axe-Fx III: 4 blocks, 4 channels
FM9: 3 blocks, 4 channels
FM3: 2 blocks, 4 channels
VP4: output section

Axe-Fx II, AX8: not as a separate block
FX8: no

About the Output block

The Output block is the spot where the signal exits the grid and leaves the unit through the corresponding analog or digital output port.

The VP4 doesn't have Output blocks.

There's an Output block for each physical mono or stereo output. Each Output block has 4 channels, and has a mixer with Level and Balance controls for each grid row, plus master Output Level, Balance and Bypass controls.

The Output block meters come BEFORE the Level controls (pre-fader) on the front panel, and are therefore uneffected by the Level controls. The meters indicate the internal signal level relative to full-scale (dBFS). When you hit the red line in the meters, you're still 12dB away from clipping. [1]

FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES

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[2] The meters in the block are pre-fader (Level knobs on front of unit). The LEDs are post-fader. Simple as that.

On the Axe-Fx, FM3 and FM9 devices, the Output 1 block provides 20dBu output gain, even with the Level parameter at 0. This can be monitored by connecting the Input 1 block directly to the Output 1 block and looking at the meter in the Output block.

The Output blocks can be muted in SETUP > I/O > Audio. The signal is muted at the corresponding output AND on the grid.

The Output block level is stored per scene.

The Vol Inc and Vol Dec commands (footswitches and MIDI) provide a convenient way to adjust preset levels on the fly (without manual editing). They let you adjust the output level per scene in steps of 1 dB while playing. Read this: Vol Inc and Vol Dec

Output 1 

Transmits signal to the physical Output 1 jacks and to USB Inputs 1+2 on a connected computer

Output 2 

Transmits signal to the physical Output 2 jacks and to USB Inputs 3+4 on a connected computer

Output 3 

Transmits signal to the physical Output 3 jacks

Output 4 

Transmits signal to the physical Output 4 jacks

The signal from the Output 1 block may also be transmitted to the digital outputs, if SPDIF/AES Out Source is set to Output 1.

The signal from the Output 1 block may also be transmitted to Output 2 port, if Output 2 Copy Output 1 is turned on and there's no Output 2 block on the grid.

The Output 2 block signal may also be transmitted through the digital outputs, if SPDIF/AES Out Source is set to Output 2.

Read these for more information about output signals and output levels:

• I/O connectivity and levels
• Setup menu
• Preset level

Position on the grid

Axe-Fx II, AX8, VP4 

The output section is fixed at the end of the grid

Axe-Fx III, FM9, FM3 

The Output blocks can be positioned freely on the grid

FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES

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Product information:

Routing flexibility is enhanced by unconstrained placement of input and output blocks anywhere in the routing grid. Want to insert different outboard devices at different parts of the signal path? No problem. Simultaneously process discrete stereo output for acoustic and electric guitars? Easy. Send stereo to front-of-house, plus a true “Wet-Dry-Wet” on stage while recording a DI for re-amping later? No problem! Each output pair also has its own dedicated front panel LEVEL knob for convenient control.

Copy Output 1 to Output 2

When engaged, the Copy Output process occurs before the Output Mode settings in SETUP are applied. So, Output 2 receives the stereo signal from Output 1 no matter what Output 1's mode setting happen to be. This allows you to have independent mode settings for Output 1 and Output 2.

the presence of an Output block (Axe-Fx III, FM9, FM3) or an FXL block (AX8, Axe-Fx II) in a preset, always overrides the Copy Output setting in SETUP.

Effects Send/Return loop

On the Axe-Fx III, FM9 and FM3, a combination of an Output block and Input block can operate as Effects Send/Return loop.

Read this: I/O connectivity and levels

No Global block

Output blocks don't support Global blocks.