Factory presets

The information on this page supplements the official manuals.

About factory presets

Fractal Audio posts new versions of the factory preset banks on the Support page from time to time. Use Fractal-Bot to upload preset banks to the hardware. Or use the editor to upload selected presets from the banks.

If you want to store your own presets, you have to overwrite factory presets, unless you have an Axe-Fx II XL or XL+ (banks D and up are empty).

The amp modelers are sensitive to the type of guitar you're using in regard to presets. For example, use a guitar equipped with single coil pickups when auditioning Fender amp presets.

When hitting the strings in a normal manner on a guitar equipped with single coils, factory presets with clean amp models should not distort. When really digging in the strings, especially using a high-output humbucker, some clean presets may distort. Don't worry, they should probably be getting distorted, based on their settings. If you don't like that, just turn down Drive or Master Volume or Input Trim in the Amp block.

Preset output levels can vary from preset to preset. If a factory preset makes the Out 1 Clip LED blink, its overall signal level is too hot. Turn down Level in the Amp block.

If possible, play the factory presets in stereo to hear the presets at their best.

If you're running mono and audio output is set to “Sum L+R”, phase cancellation may occur. This can happen if the preset contains an Enhancer block in Classic Mode, or a micro delay in the Cab block. Or when a preset contains a Delay block with the Phase Rev parameter engaged.

When using output mode "Copy L>R" you'll lose the part of the signal that's hardwired to the right channel. That might be a Ping Pong delay, or a stereo Cab block with both sides hard-panned.

Fractal Audio:
"The presets were dialed in loud so as to be sure the Fletcher-Munson effect did not influence the sound." source

Here's a list of amps and cabs used in the stock Axe-Fx II presets, by AxeFxTutorials. You can also use FracTool to see which cabs are used in presets.

The meaning of titles of Axe-Fx II factory presets are discussed in this thread.

Factory presets per device

Axe-Fx II

• Mark I and II: 3 preset banks (A B C).
• XL and XL+: 6 banks (A B C D E F). Banks D, E and F are empty.

Cooper Carter demonstrates factory presets.

July 2017 factory presets:

Bank A:

Bank B:

Bank C:

AX8

Banks 1 - 16 contain factory presets, updated in June 2017.

Bank 64 provides utility presets and templates, including a very usable preset for acoustic guitar, a demonstration of scene controllers and more.

FX8

Cooper Carter compiled a list of all FX8 factory presets, including the amps (traditional and amp models) that were used when creating them. Download the list (version: August 2015).

If you put the FX8 in front of your amp, you won't experience the factory presets as they are intended. That's because some of them are configured for POST only (FX8 in the effects loop of an amp) or 4CM. An easy way to overcome this, is to use a patch cable to connect OUT [PRE] L MONO to IN [POST] L, and connect OUT [POST] L to your amp.

Some factory presets are configured for stereo output amd won't sound like they should in a mono setup.