October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.
Difference between revisions of "Beginners"
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=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: virtual power amp= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: virtual power amp= | ||
| − | The Axe-Fx has built-in | + | The Axe-Fx has built-in power amp simulation in the [[Global menu]], which means that you can listen to the sounds of the modeled amps through headphones and neutral amplifiers, and connect the Axe-Fx to a mixer or record it without needing a separate power amp. |
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: using a real power amp= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: using a real power amp= | ||
| − | To amplify the Axe-Fx through a speaker, you need a [ | + | To amplify the Axe-Fx through a speaker, you need a [[Axe-Fx II: power amp and speaker cabinet | real power amp]]. Either a standalone tube power amp designed for guitar, a head or combo (through its effects loop), or a so-called neutral power amp. You can also use studio monitors and monitor wedges with built-in amplifiers ("active", "powered"). |
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: playing through a guitar speaker= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: playing through a guitar speaker= | ||
| − | You can use the Axe-Fx with a traditional guitar speaker, in combination with a power amp. This will give you the familiar [ | + | You can use the Axe-Fx with a traditional guitar speaker, in combination with a power amp. This will give you the familiar [[Audio topics|amp-in-the-room]] tone. It does limit the possibilities of the Axe-Fx, because any sound you will create will go through that speaker and therefore will be ''colored'' by it. |
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: using FRFR amplification= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: using FRFR amplification= | ||
| − | You can opt for [ | + | You can opt for [[FRFR amplification, FOH mixer|FRFR (Full Range Flat Response)]] sound reproduction. This requires a FRFR speaker and an external or built-in neutral (power) amp. Studio monitors are FRFR, as well as some wedges / cabs.<BR> |
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: cabinet modeling and IRs= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: cabinet modeling and IRs= | ||
| − | A FRFR setup requires [ | + | A FRFR setup requires [[Cabinet_modeling speaker cabinet modeling]]. This means that the sound of a virtual speaker cabinet is added. The Axe-Fx comes with many built-in [[Cab: all models|cabinet models]]. It also allows loading additional cabs, known as [[Impulse Responses IRs)]] or user cabs. |
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: listening to FRFR amplification= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: listening to FRFR amplification= | ||
| − | It's very important to realize that when you're using [ | + | It's very important to realize that when you're using [[Audio_topics FRFR]] with cabinet modeling, you'll be listening to the sound of a ''mic'd speaker'', as opposed to an amp-in-the-room. A cab model always represents the tone of a speaker that as captured using one or more microphones, mostly positioned very close to the speaker. That's totally different from listening to a guitar speaker at some distance. FRFR has more lows, more highs and has the coloring of the used microphone baked in. It takes a while to get accustomed to FRFR tone, but it's the tone the audience hears too through the FOH system and when listening to recorded music. |
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: being heard in the mix= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: being heard in the mix= | ||
| − | Important in general but especially when playing through FRFR amplification: the [ | + | Important in general but especially when playing through FRFR amplification: the [[Audio_topics |Fletcher-Munson curve]]. This is the scientific name for the fact that human ears perceive sound at low volume levels different than at higher levels. At low volume level people often turn up treble and bass. The Loudness switch on older home stereo systems does just that. At higher volume levels those controls need to be turned down again because, in a live environment, tones with too much treble and bass are prone to get lost in the mix. Otherwise the guitar will compete with cymbals with the bass. Even turning up the volume level often won't help. Remember that the guitar is a "mid frequency" instrument. So: dial in your live guitar tones at gig level. |
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: solving clipping= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: solving clipping= | ||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: available software= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: available software= | ||
| − | [http://www.fractalaudio.com/p-axe-edit-software.php Axe-Edit] — load and save presets from/to disk, edit sounds, rearrange presets and user cabs.<BR>[http://www.fractalaudio.com/fractal-bot.php Fractal-Bot] — backup or restore your Axe-Fx, load/save presets and user cabs, upgrade the firmware.<BR>[http://www.fractalaudio.com/cab-lab-packs.php Cab-Lab] — mix IRs, convert IRs, create an IR of your guitar cabinet (IR Capture). | + | * [http://www.fractalaudio.com/p-axe-edit-software.php Axe-Edit] — load and save presets from/to disk, edit sounds, rearrange presets and user cabs.<BR> |
| + | * [http://www.fractalaudio.com/fractal-bot.php Fractal-Bot] — backup or restore your Axe-Fx, load/save presets and user cabs, upgrade the firmware.<BR>* [http://www.fractalaudio.com/cab-lab-packs.php Cab-Lab] — mix IRs, convert IRs, create an IR of your guitar cabinet (IR Capture). | ||
=Understanding the Axe-Fx II: questions, issues?= | =Understanding the Axe-Fx II: questions, issues?= | ||
Revision as of 14:06, 9 April 2015
Contents
- 1 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: owner's manual
- 2 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: virtual preamp
- 3 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: virtual power amp
- 4 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: using a real power amp
- 5 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: playing through a guitar speaker
- 6 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: using FRFR amplification
- 7 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: cabinet modeling and IRs
- 8 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: listening to FRFR amplification
- 9 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: being heard in the mix
- 10 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: solving clipping
- 11 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: creating and editing sounds
- 12 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: available software
- 13 Understanding the Axe-Fx II: questions, issues?
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: owner's manual
- Axe-Fx II: 1.1 What is the Axe FX II?
- Axe-Fx II: 1.2 The Inventory-Grid Concept
- Axe-Fx II: 16.5 60-Second Edit Guide
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: virtual preamp
The Axe-Fx II (and XL) is a guitar preamp. It models more than hundred real amps such as heads, combos and racked preamps. You can also use its many other effects, use it to reamp a dry signal, create tone matches of real amps and recordings, use it for mastering, etc.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: virtual power amp
The Axe-Fx has built-in power amp simulation in the Global menu, which means that you can listen to the sounds of the modeled amps through headphones and neutral amplifiers, and connect the Axe-Fx to a mixer or record it without needing a separate power amp.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: using a real power amp
To amplify the Axe-Fx through a speaker, you need a real power amp. Either a standalone tube power amp designed for guitar, a head or combo (through its effects loop), or a so-called neutral power amp. You can also use studio monitors and monitor wedges with built-in amplifiers ("active", "powered").
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: playing through a guitar speaker
You can use the Axe-Fx with a traditional guitar speaker, in combination with a power amp. This will give you the familiar amp-in-the-room tone. It does limit the possibilities of the Axe-Fx, because any sound you will create will go through that speaker and therefore will be colored by it.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: using FRFR amplification
You can opt for FRFR (Full Range Flat Response) sound reproduction. This requires a FRFR speaker and an external or built-in neutral (power) amp. Studio monitors are FRFR, as well as some wedges / cabs.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: cabinet modeling and IRs
A FRFR setup requires Cabinet_modeling speaker cabinet modeling. This means that the sound of a virtual speaker cabinet is added. The Axe-Fx comes with many built-in cabinet models. It also allows loading additional cabs, known as Impulse Responses IRs) or user cabs.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: listening to FRFR amplification
It's very important to realize that when you're using Audio_topics FRFR with cabinet modeling, you'll be listening to the sound of a mic'd speaker, as opposed to an amp-in-the-room. A cab model always represents the tone of a speaker that as captured using one or more microphones, mostly positioned very close to the speaker. That's totally different from listening to a guitar speaker at some distance. FRFR has more lows, more highs and has the coloring of the used microphone baked in. It takes a while to get accustomed to FRFR tone, but it's the tone the audience hears too through the FOH system and when listening to recorded music.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: being heard in the mix
Important in general but especially when playing through FRFR amplification: the Fletcher-Munson curve. This is the scientific name for the fact that human ears perceive sound at low volume levels different than at higher levels. At low volume level people often turn up treble and bass. The Loudness switch on older home stereo systems does just that. At higher volume levels those controls need to be turned down again because, in a live environment, tones with too much treble and bass are prone to get lost in the mix. Otherwise the guitar will compete with cymbals with the bass. Even turning up the volume level often won't help. Remember that the guitar is a "mid frequency" instrument. So: dial in your live guitar tones at gig level.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: solving clipping
Setting levels: be aware that input clipping is something totally different than output clipping.
It's okay for the LED to "tickle" the red. If it happens all the time, decrease Input Level the I/O menu. Be aware in this is not a real input level control, the control controls the signal-to-noise ratio only and does NOT affect signal level or gain.
The output clipping LED light indicates that the signal level in the effects chain is too hot. Adjusting Input Level does NOT solve this. Decrease the level somewhere in the chain.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: creating and editing sounds
Read the Owner's Manual for editing instructions. It includes a 60-Second Edit Guide and an overview of shortcuts.
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: available software
- Axe-Edit — load and save presets from/to disk, edit sounds, rearrange presets and user cabs.
- Fractal-Bot — backup or restore your Axe-Fx, load/save presets and user cabs, upgrade the firmware.
* Cab-Lab — mix IRs, convert IRs, create an IR of your guitar cabinet (IR Capture).
Understanding the Axe-Fx II: questions, issues?
- Read the Owner's Manual. Start with: What is the Axe-Fx II?
- Consult Troubleshooting
- Visit the forum
- And of course: explore this wiki!
