Always consult the official Owners Manuals first
Difference between revisions of "Wah block"
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=List of modeled Wah pedals= | =List of modeled Wah pedals= | ||
Current types in the Wah block: | Current types in the Wah block: | ||
− | * '''FAS Standard''' – equivalent to the “Bandpass” setting in earlier firmware | + | * '''FAS Standard''' – equivalent to the “Bandpass” setting in earlier firmware |
− | * '''Clyde''' – based on an original Vox Clyde McCoy wah | + | * '''Clyde''' – based on an original Vox Clyde McCoy wah |
− | * '''Cry Babe''' – based on a Dunlop Cry Baby | + | * '''Cry Babe''' – based on a Dunlop Cry Baby |
− | * '''VX846''' – based on a Vox V846-HW handwired wah | + | * '''VX846''' – based on a Vox V846-HW handwired wah |
− | * '''Color-Tone''' – based on a Colorsound wah | + | * '''Color-Tone''' – based on a Colorsound wah |
− | * '''Funk''' – modeled after the “Shaft” sound | + | * '''Funk''' – modeled after the “Shaft” sound |
− | * '''Mortal''' – based on a Morley wah/volume pedal | + | * '''Mortal''' – based on a Morley wah/volume pedal |
− | * '''VX485''' - based on a Vox V845 | + | * '''VX485''' - based on a Vox V845 |
[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fas-amps-models-gallery-more-qu-1-06.105944 Pictures of the real pedal equivalents, by MDProd.] | [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fas-amps-models-gallery-more-qu-1-06.105944 Pictures of the real pedal equivalents, by MDProd.] | ||
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The Wah block is usually placed before the Amp block. Unless you want to sound like Tom Morello, in which case it should be placed after the Amp block. | The Wah block is usually placed before the Amp block. Unless you want to sound like Tom Morello, in which case it should be placed after the Amp block. | ||
− | = | + | =Thump when engaging the Wah= |
Fractal Audio: | Fractal Audio: | ||
* (answering a question about hearing a thump when auto-engaging a wah): "The thump isn't the wah, it's the Input Impedance changing. If your preset is set to Auto for the Input Z, when you engage the wah the impedance switches. This causes a slight thump if you are playing since the load on your guitar changes. If you want to avoid this, turn Input Impedance to 1M OHM." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-wish-list/46390-wah-smooth-crossover-autoeng.html#post671237 source] | * (answering a question about hearing a thump when auto-engaging a wah): "The thump isn't the wah, it's the Input Impedance changing. If your preset is set to Auto for the Input Z, when you engage the wah the impedance switches. This causes a slight thump if you are playing since the load on your guitar changes. If you want to avoid this, turn Input Impedance to 1M OHM." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-wish-list/46390-wah-smooth-crossover-autoeng.html#post671237 source] | ||
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The Low Cut Freq parameter sets the highpass filter due to the input coupling capacitor. | The Low Cut Freq parameter sets the highpass filter due to the input coupling capacitor. | ||
− | =Wah | + | =Wah output level= |
When changing the Wah type, its Level is also adjusted automatically because the output of the models has been matched to the original pedals (firmware Quatum 6 and later). [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-ii-quantum-rev-6-00-firmware-released.121149/page-11#post-1442565 source] | When changing the Wah type, its Level is also adjusted automatically because the output of the models has been matched to the original pedals (firmware Quatum 6 and later). [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-ii-quantum-rev-6-00-firmware-released.121149/page-11#post-1442565 source] | ||
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=Special Wah effects= | =Special Wah effects= | ||
==Seek Wah== | ==Seek Wah== | ||
− | The Seek Wah is a pedal by ZVEX, which uses a sequenced filter pattern. For an equivalent effect, try the Random Wah factory preset in the Axe-Fx II. For a more pronounced effect, | + | The Seek Wah is a pedal by ZVEX, which uses a sequenced filter pattern. For an equivalent effect, try the Random Wah factory preset in the Axe-Fx II. For a more pronounced effect, add a Formant filter, attached to the same controller. |
==Auto Wah== | ==Auto Wah== | ||
− | Read this: [[Filter_block#Creating_an_Envelope_Filter|Envelope filter]] | + | Read this: [[Filter_block#Creating_an_Envelope_Filter|Envelope filter]]. |
=More information= | =More information= | ||
− | Decreasing the MAX FREQ value often helps to make a high gain wah tone cut better through the mix. | + | * Decreasing the MAX FREQ value often helps to make a high gain wah tone cut better through the mix. |
− | + | * Copying frequency range settings from manufacturer's manuals helps emulating specific wah pedals. | |
− | Copying frequency range settings from manufacturer's manuals helps emulating specific wah pedals. | ||
[[category:Axe-Fx]] | [[category:Axe-Fx]] |
Revision as of 15:05, 8 May 2017
The information on this page supplements the official manuals.
Contents
Wah: supported by which Fractal Audio products?
- Axe-Fx II: yes.
- AX8: yes.
- FX8: yes.
X/Y switching in the Wah block
- Axe-Fx II: yes.
- AX8: yes.
- FX8: yes.
List of modeled Wah pedals
Current types in the Wah block:
- FAS Standard – equivalent to the “Bandpass” setting in earlier firmware
- Clyde – based on an original Vox Clyde McCoy wah
- Cry Babe – based on a Dunlop Cry Baby
- VX846 – based on a Vox V846-HW handwired wah
- Color-Tone – based on a Colorsound wah
- Funk – modeled after the “Shaft” sound
- Mortal – based on a Morley wah/volume pedal
- VX485 - based on a Vox V845
Pictures of the real pedal equivalents, by MDProd.
Position of the Wah block
The Wah block is usually placed before the Amp block. Unless you want to sound like Tom Morello, in which case it should be placed after the Amp block.
Thump when engaging the Wah
Fractal Audio:
- (answering a question about hearing a thump when auto-engaging a wah): "The thump isn't the wah, it's the Input Impedance changing. If your preset is set to Auto for the Input Z, when you engage the wah the impedance switches. This causes a slight thump if you are playing since the load on your guitar changes. If you want to avoid this, turn Input Impedance to 1M OHM." source
- "Set the Input-Z on the preset to 1M rather than Auto. The reason the Wah engages abruptly is because it switches the input impedance. Setting Input-Z to 1M overrides the impedance switch (and, frankly, sounds better IMO)." source
The AX8's Input Impedance is fixed at 1 MOhm (not adjustable).
Parameters in the Wah block
Tracking
Fractal Audio:
"Tracking controls how much the Q changes with the Control knob. The Q in a wah is not constant. The amount of Q change varies from brand-to-brand and model-to-model. It even varies between identical models due to component tolerances." source
FAT
Fractal Audio:
"FAT is actually a mix control. It adds dry signal so you can't ever get 100% dry. At max FAT it's 50/50." source
Coil Bias
This allows the user to adjust the DC offset of the virtual inductor.
Fractal Audio:
"Over time the inductors build up some slight permanent magnetism due to finite DC current through them. This causes asymmetric distortion." source
The Low Cut Freq parameter sets the highpass filter due to the input coupling capacitor.
Wah output level
When changing the Wah type, its Level is also adjusted automatically because the output of the models has been matched to the original pedals (firmware Quatum 6 and later). source
Fractal Audio:
"A typical wah has a gain of around 16 dB but it's a bandpass (sort of) response. If your amp is set clean then the output of the amp block will increase by 16 dB when the wah is engaged. Most amps have a response that rises with frequency response. So if the output of the amp block without the wah engaged was, say, 12 dB below full-scale at the high frequencies, it will be 4 dB over full-scale when the wah is engaged." source
Auto-engage the Wah
Just like an optical wah pedal, you can engage the Wah automatically when moving the pedal. This is especially handy when using a spring-loaded pedal. To accomplish this, set Auto-Engage in the modifier menu to either a speed-controlled or position-controlled setting.
If you want the Wah to be bypassed automatically at toe-down position (simulating a virtual toe switch), instead of heel-down, set OFF VAL in the modifier menu to 95%.
Special Wah effects
Seek Wah
The Seek Wah is a pedal by ZVEX, which uses a sequenced filter pattern. For an equivalent effect, try the Random Wah factory preset in the Axe-Fx II. For a more pronounced effect, add a Formant filter, attached to the same controller.
Auto Wah
Read this: Envelope filter.
More information
- Decreasing the MAX FREQ value often helps to make a high gain wah tone cut better through the mix.
- Copying frequency range settings from manufacturer's manuals helps emulating specific wah pedals.