Tempo

The information on this page supplements the official manuals.

Tap Tempo modes in the Global menu

The Global menu lets you set the Tap Tempo operating mode:

• Average: averages the tempo to the last ten taps.
• Last Two: uses only the most recent two taps to determine the tempo.

Tempo menu

When tapping the Tempo button or switch, the Tempo menu appears. It will disappear after a few seconds. You can specify in the Global menu how long it should stay on-screen.

Tempo: global or preset

You can specify in the Tempo menu whether you want tempo to be set globally (across all presets) or per preset.

Tempo LED accuracy

"The tempo LED is handled by a low-priority thread so it isn't rock solid and the higher the CPU usage the less solid it will be." source

Tempo is part of MIDI data

Tempo information is sent to other devices through MIDI syex. This can be disabled in the I/O menu (Send Realtime Sysex parameter).

Ticking tempo noise

Audible bleed-through of the tempo signal can occur when the MIDI cable is not properly shielded.

Metronome

The Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8 can emit a metronome signal. The metronome is located in the Tempo menu. You can start the metronome using a switch (assigned to the Metronome's MIDI CC) or through the Tempo menu. The metronome plays through Output 1 only.

The Axe-FX III does not provide a metronome.

Auto-activate a Delay using Tap Tempo

If the parameter Auto Delay in the Tempo menu is “ON,” any delay blocks that are bypassed will become active whenever a tempo is tapped in. This allows you to set the tempo and un-bypass your delay block(s) from a single footswitch.

MIDI CCs for Tempo and Metronome

• Tempo: CC 14
• Metronome: CC 122 (not on Axe-Fx III)

Showing tempo on on MIDI controllers

Tempo indication on MIDI foot controllers relies on bidirectional MIDI and system exclusive messages.

The Axe-Fx III has a proprietary communication protocol. The MIDI controller needs to act as a client to the Axe-Fx III to be able to communicate. The firmware of the MIDI controller needs to be adapted to this.

Using Tempo in effect blocks

Some effects let you assign parameters such as Time or Rate to a specific tempo, like 1/4 or 1/8 Dotted, instead of number of milliseconds. That will make the effect depend on the global or preset tempo. Tapping a different tempo will change the rate of the effect.