Drive block

Note: forum member CBoothe01 contributed to this page.

THIS WIKI PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Drive: supported by which Fractal Audio products?

• Axe-Fx II: yes.
• AX8: yes.
• FX8: yes.

Drives and X/Y switching

• The two Drive blocks in the Axe-Fx II, FX8 and AX8 support X/Y switching.

Drives and CPU usage

• If CPU load is an issue, take note which Drive type you select. Some types use much more CPU than other types.
• CPU usage is amplitude dependent. CPU usage will change when you hit the strings when one or more Drive blocks exist in the preset (bypassed or engaged).

Knobs on real pedals versus virtual knobs

• If the original pedal has a single Tone knob, use the Tone control in the model for authentic results.
• If the original pedal has active EQ controls (Bass / Mid / Treble), use the Bass/Middle/Treble controls in the model for authentic results.
• If the original pedal has a Volume or Level knob, it is mapped to the Level control.
• If the original pedal has a Drive or Gain knob, it is mapped to the Drive control.
• Cliff's comments:
  • "The Tone control works the same as the modeled pedal. The Bass, Mid and Treble controls are a generic EQ that can be used in addition to the Tone control to further shape the sound." source

Fuzz pedals, buffers and impedance

• Cliff: "The Fuzz in the Axe-Fx reacts as though there is a buffer in front of it (because there is). It's a limitation inherent to all modeling products. I modeled it using a nominal source resistance. I forget what I used for the source resistance but it was probably around 100K ohms. To really simulate it you would need a controller to simulate the changing output impedance of the guitar." source

Drive models based on the Tube Screamer circuit

• Models based on the Tube Screamer circuit: (source)
  • T808
  • T808 Mod
  • Super OD
  • Full OD
  • BB Pre
  • Eternal Love
  • Zen Master
  • LED Drive

Using a Drive block for tighter tones

• Put a Drive block before the Amp block, with minimal Gain and maximum Level. Turn down the Drive in the Amp block. This makes the bass tighter. This works well in particular with Tube Screamer-based Drive types.
• Alternatively use a PEQ and copy and paste the HiCut and LowCut frequencies from the Drive block. This will apply the same EQ-ing but without the gain and toll on CPU.

Turning an Amp block into a Drive (Axe-Fx II only)

• Insert a 2nd Amp block before the main Amp block, set its Supply SAG to zero ("p.a. off") to switch off power simulation, set Presence/HiCut to neutral ("5"), and you made yourself yourself a virtual preamp pedal. Set the main Amp block to a fairly clean tone for best results. Works great with the Euro Blue/Red/Uber and 5153 amp types.
• Sources:
  • http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/69137-like-bogner-pedals-you-got-them-already.html
  • http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/want-the-mxr-5150-overdrive-pedal-you-got-it-already.106699/#post-1276274

Pictures of the modeled pedals (by MDProd)

• Pedal pictures.

Parameter: Mix

• Mix at 0% in a Drive block is not equivalent to "true bypass" (100% dry signal). Also, the Mix control operates prior to any tone control. This lets you mix some dry in with the distorted signal but still maintain overall tone control. Some people like turning down the effects’s Mix level to 80% or lower to increase transparancy and decrease buzziness.
• Cliff's comments:
  • "The models let clean through even with the mix at 100%. It depends on the diodes though as to how much clean is mixed. Our models are based on the most common versions." source

Parameter: Sample Rate Deduction

• Use Sample Rate Reduction for intentional aliasing to create creative effects.

Parameter: Bit Reduction

• Use Bit Reduction to intentionally lower the resolution of the signal.

Parameter: Slew Rate

• Wikipedia.

Simulating other pedals

• Klon Centaur:
  • Currently there's no Fractal Audio model of the Klon Centaur boost/overdrive pedal. Here are some guidelines to approach its sound:
    • http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/klon-based-drive.112409
    • http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/85654-klon-capture-ir-most-common-clean-boost-settings.html
    • FET Boost: Drive 5-6, Tone 4-5, Level 5-7, Clip Type Si Diode, High Cut 6500, Mid 1.00.
    • PEQ: band 1 Shelving2, 150 Hz, 0.707, -12, band 5 Shelving2, 2253 Hz, 0.707, -12, Level 1.5.
• Simulating the Solo Dallas Schaffer Replica pedal. More information
• Maxon OD808.

Drive models

BB Pre (based on Xotic BB preamp)

1. Based on: Xotic BB preamp, an overdrive pedal with a preamp stage. "BB" actually stands for "Bluesbreaker", Marshalls 2x12 combo amp used by Eric Clapton in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "Works just like the real thing here. Tons of gain, too much IMO but I didn't design it." source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Bender Fuzz (based on Sola Sound/Vox Tone Bender)

1. Based on: classic Tone Bender circuit, made famous by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin (Whole Lotta Love).
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Bit Crusher

1. Not based on a particular pedal. It can be used to warm up a sound or to deliberately degrade a signal to create a lo-fi or "broken" sound, using the Bit Reduce and/or Sample Rate parameters.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Blues OD (based on Marshall Bluesbreaker (Mk1)

1. Based on: Marshall Bluesbreaker Mk1 (pedal). Designed in the 90s to pump up the volume and simulate the mildly overdriven valve sound of the 2x12 Marshall combo amp used by Eric Clapton in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Esoteric ACB (based on Xotic AC Booster)

1. Based on: Xotic AC Booster ("Almost Clean"), a thick, light-to-medium overdrive pedal.
2. Yek's write-up
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Esoteric RCB (based on Xotic RC Booster v1)

1. Based on: Xotic RC Booster ("Real Clean"), a transparent boost pedal with additional gain en EQ. The model is based on the original version of the pedal (v1).
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Eternal Love (based on Lovepedal Eternity)

1. Based on: Lovepedal Eternity, a popular and expensive boutique overdrive pedal, which can also operate as a boost or as a treble booster using its tone ("Glass") knob.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Face Fuzz (based on Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face)

1. Based on: Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face, as used by Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour and Eric Johnson.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

FAS Boost

1. Cleanish boost, a custom model designed by FAS to boost vintage amps like Plexis.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "It's not based on anything. It's my take on an ideal boost pedal." source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

FAS LED-Drive

1. Custom model, based on the Tube Screamer circuit and LED clipping.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Fat Rat (based on modded Pro Co Rat)

1. Based on: modified Pro Co RAT, fuller and smoother.
2. See Rat Dist model.
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

FET Boost

1. Custom model, a gentle, smooth clipping booster with tone controls.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

FET Preamp (based on BOSS FA-1 Fet Preamp)

1. Probably based on: Boss FA-1 Fet Preamp, a rare FET preamp (not a pedal), used by The Edge (U2).
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Full OD (based on Fulltone Full-Drive 2)

1. Based on: Fulltone Fulldrive 2.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "The Full OD model is based on a Fulltone Fulldrive 2". source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Hard Fuzz

1. Custom model. A hard-clipping, 60s-style fuzz.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Master Fuzz (based on Gibson Maestro Fuzz-Tone FZ-1A)

1. Based on: Gibson Maestro Fuzz Tone FZ-1A, used in Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Micro Boost (based on MXR Micro Amp)

1. Based on: MXR Micro Amp Boost, a clean booster.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Mid Boost

1. A custom model, designed to boost the mids.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

M-Zone Dist (based on BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone)

1. Based on: Boss MT-2 Metal Zone.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Octave Dist (based on Tycobrahe Octavia)

1. Based on: Tycobrahe Octavia, an octave up fuzz.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Pi Fuzz (based on Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi)

1. Based on: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi fuzz.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "Our model uses a shelving filter but it's not based on a Ram's Head version." source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Plus Dist (based on MXR Distortion +)

1. Based on: MXR Distortion +. Designed to get more out of an already overdriven vintage amp.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Rat Dist (based on Pro Co RAT)

1. Based on: Pro Co Rat.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "The filter knob has been modeled but it works backwards." source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Ruckus (based on Suhr Riot)

1. Based on: Suhr Riot distortion pedal.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

SDD Preamp (based on preamp in Korg SDD-3000)

1. Based on: preamp in Korg's rackmount SDD-3000 digital delay, made famous by The Edge.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Shred Dist (based on Marshall Shred Master)

1. Based on: Marshall Shred Master.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Super OD (based on BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive)

1. Based on: BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

T808 Mod (based on modded Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer)

1. Based on: modded Tube Screamer, More bass, more gain range, more transparent.
2. Notes: see T808 OD model.
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

T808 OD (based on Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer)

1. Based on: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9.
2. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Tape Dist

1. Based on: the clipping of an overdriven reel-to-reel Ampex tape deck.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "It's just a generic tape distortion simulator. I used an old Ampex EQ curve basically."
   • "The tape drive is meant to be used anywhere in the chain. I've been using it after the amp to fatten things up and it work really well for that. Be careful though, the drive block is mono so you can get phase issues if you put it after a stereo effect."
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Timothy (based on Timmy overdrive by Paul Cochrane)

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1. Based on: Timmy pedal by Paul Cochrane, a transparent boost/overdrive pedal.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "The pedal has bass and treble controls. Low cut and Tone, respectively, are equivalent to these controls." source
   • "They are labeled Bass and Treble but they are Bass Cut and Treble Cut controls." source
   • "To get "flat" turn Low Cut all the way down and Tone all the way up." source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Treb Boost (based on a vintage treble booster)

1. Based on: a silicon-based treble booster.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "Boost was a switch and engaged the effect. Set was the amount of boost and is equivalent to Drive." source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Tube Drv 3-knob (based on 3-knob Tube Driver)

1. Based on: Tube Driver with 3 knobs, a pedal that contained a 12AX7 tube.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "The 3-knob version sounds very different than the 4-knob version." source
   • "Both of my actual pedals go silent with the Drive set to zero as would be expected looking at the design." source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Tube Drv 4-knob (based on 4-knob Tube Driver)

1. Based on: Tube Driver with 4 knobs, a pedal that contained a 12AX7 tube.
2. Cliff's comments:
   • "The idea with the 4-knob version is to use the tone controls on the EQ page and leave the single Tone knob at noon. You can still use the Tone knob if you want but the model is only accurate with the knob at noon."
   • "Both of my actual pedals go silent with the Drive set to zero as would be expected looking at the design." source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)

Zen Master (based on Hermida/Lovepedal Zendrive)

1. Based on: Hermida/Lovepedal Zendrive, the Dumble-in-a-box pedal.
2. To emulate the pedal's Voice control, use Low Cut. source
3. Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Drive models (PDF)