Always consult the official Owners Manuals first
Difference between revisions of "Comparing the Axe-Fx III to the Axe-Fx II"
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'''I/O:''' | '''I/O:''' | ||
− | * | + | * The III has 4 independent stereo outputs, instead of 2, plus auto-switching front/rear instrument inputs (with "Secret Sauce IV") and 3 stereo inputs. INs and OUTs can be used in the usual ways, or paired to insert outboard gear in up to 3 stereo loops. |
* The red Output LEDs in the front panel meter bridge now light at -1 dBFS. | * The red Output LEDs in the front panel meter bridge now light at -1 dBFS. | ||
* Inputs 2, 3 and 4 support guitar impedance. | * Inputs 2, 3 and 4 support guitar impedance. | ||
* The nominal level of Outputs 1 and 2 can be switched between -10 and +4 dB. | * The nominal level of Outputs 1 and 2 can be switched between -10 and +4 dB. | ||
− | <font color=red>IMPORTANT: The III defaults to -10 dB, so | + | <font color=red>IMPORTANT: The III's output level defaults to -10 dB, so lower than the II!</font> |
'''User interface:''' | '''User interface:''' | ||
− | * Instead of a RECALL screen, the | + | * Instead of a RECALL screen, the III has a HOME button. The new Home menu provides access to Presets, Meters, with soft-button access to the Tuner, layout grid, controllers, and Setup menu. |
− | * Instead of a LAYOUT button, the | + | * Instead of a LAYOUT button, the layout grid is accessed from a soft-button in the Home menu, or by pressing ENTER, or pressing VALUE while on the Home page. The grid has new features like Zoom, CPU meter, and a "mini" tuner. |
− | * You can use old familiar workflows with the NAV buttons and VALUE wheel, but you’ll move much faster through editing if you | + | * You can use old familiar workflows with the NAV buttons and VALUE wheel, but you’ll move much faster through editing if you use the five Push-knobs under the display. |
'''Effects:''' | '''Effects:''' | ||
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* 4 instances of Delay. | * 4 instances of Delay. | ||
* 2 instances of Feedback Send/Return. | * 2 instances of Feedback Send/Return. | ||
− | * Pitch block: 4 voices. Pitch block has its own pitch detector. | + | * Pitch block: 4 voices. Pitch block has its own (faster) pitch detector. |
* Improved Reverbs. | * Improved Reverbs. | ||
* More Looper time. | * More Looper time. | ||
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* Tuner: improved tracking, works on any input. | * Tuner: improved tracking, works on any input. | ||
* Compressor: "RMS" is the same as "Fast RMS" in the AX8 and Axe-Fx II. "E-L Panel" mode added. Filter parameter has been replaced with EQ-ing tools. | * Compressor: "RMS" is the same as "Fast RMS" in the AX8 and Axe-Fx II. "E-L Panel" mode added. Filter parameter has been replaced with EQ-ing tools. | ||
− | * Drive: higher oversampling ratio and double-precision filters in some places. | + | * Drive blocks: higher oversampling ratio and double-precision filters in some places. |
* The output level of some effects / effects types has been changed, such as Resonator and Studio Compressor. | * The output level of some effects / effects types has been changed, such as Resonator and Studio Compressor. | ||
− | * Vocoder has 24 bands. | + | * Vocoder now has 24 bands. |
* Some effects have their own envelope follower, such as Plex Delay. | * Some effects have their own envelope follower, such as Plex Delay. | ||
'''Modifiers and controllers:''' | '''Modifiers and controllers:''' | ||
− | * The Controllers block has 4 channels, so the Envelope Controller can have 4 different settings per preset, for example. | + | * The Controllers block now has 4 channels, so the Envelope Controller can have 4 different settings per preset, for example. |
− | * 4 Scene Controllers. | + | * 4 Scene Controllers instead of 2. |
− | * Damping is replaced with Attack/Release. | + | * Damping (modifier menu) is replaced with Attack/Release parameters. |
* To control the bypass state of a block using a modifier, you no longer modify the Bypass Mode parameter, but a dedicated Bypass parameter. | * To control the bypass state of a block using a modifier, you no longer modify the Bypass Mode parameter, but a dedicated Bypass parameter. | ||
+ | * Modifiers can now be attached to just one channel of an effect. | ||
'''Presets, scenes, blocks and channels:''' | '''Presets, scenes, blocks and channels:''' | ||
− | * 14x6 grid. | + | * 14x6 grid instead of 12x4. |
− | * 512 preset slots. | + | * 512 preset slots instead of 768. |
* More CPU available per preset. | * More CPU available per preset. | ||
* Inputs and Outputs must be placed on the grid as blocks. | * Inputs and Outputs must be placed on the grid as blocks. | ||
* Each Scene has its own customizable name. | * Each Scene has its own customizable name. | ||
* Up to 4 Channels per block. | * Up to 4 Channels per block. | ||
− | * Presets no longer default to Scene 1 | + | * Presets no longer default to Scene 1, this is customizable. |
* Scenes do no longer store the level of the output mixer. | * Scenes do no longer store the level of the output mixer. | ||
+ | * Global Blocks were absent in first firmware versions, but have been added. | ||
'''Amp modeling:''' | '''Amp modeling:''' | ||
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* Mixes up to 4 different IRs at once. | * Mixes up to 4 different IRs at once. | ||
* Output level is automatically normalized. | * Output level is automatically normalized. | ||
− | * Mic | + | * Mic Modeling has been removed, but "Proximity" remains. |
* Speaker Size parameter is gone. | * Speaker Size parameter is gone. | ||
* There are now Factory 1, Factory 2, User 1 and User 2 banks, each with 1,024 IRs, and a Legacy bank containing all 189 IRs from the Axe-Fx II, and 16 Scratchpads. | * There are now Factory 1, Factory 2, User 1 and User 2 banks, each with 1,024 IRs, and a Legacy bank containing all 189 IRs from the Axe-Fx II, and 16 Scratchpads. | ||
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'''Editors and foot controllers:''' | '''Editors and foot controllers:''' | ||
* Editor software and foot controllers share control, updating each other seamlessly without re-sync issues or paused communications. | * Editor software and foot controllers share control, updating each other seamlessly without re-sync issues or paused communications. | ||
− | * FASLINK II connects the Axe-Fx III to the new FC controller(s). | + | * FASLINK II (XLR) connects the Axe-Fx III to the new FC controller(s). |
* Axe-Edit III supports hi-res displays. | * Axe-Edit III supports hi-res displays. | ||
+ | * The Bypass state of effects can now be toggled (no need to specify "0"or "128" when sending a MIDI CC). | ||
'''MIDI:''' | '''MIDI:''' | ||
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* The "Send Realtime SysEx" parameter is gone. | * The "Send Realtime SysEx" parameter is gone. | ||
* A MIDI PC can be sent through the MIDI OUT port upon preset changes. | * A MIDI PC can be sent through the MIDI OUT port upon preset changes. | ||
+ | * The FC can be used to send additional MIDI commands through Control Switches (similar to FX8 and AX8). | ||
'''Computer:''' | '''Computer:''' | ||
* No driver required for Mac computers. | * No driver required for Mac computers. | ||
− | * 8x8 USB Audio. | + | * 8x8 USB Audio interface. |
* Faster MIDI-over-USB. | * Faster MIDI-over-USB. | ||
− | * USB communications do not increase CPU load. | + | * USB communications do not increase CPU load anymore. |
=What's gone= | =What's gone= | ||
* The MFC-101's "Axe-Fx Mode" is no longer supported. | * The MFC-101's "Axe-Fx Mode" is no longer supported. | ||
− | * X/Y switching. | + | * X/Y switching (replaced with Channels). |
− | * Swapping presets on hardware. | + | * Swapping presets on hardware (requires editor). |
− | * Recall Effect. | + | * Recall Effect function. |
* Quad Chorus block. | * Quad Chorus block. | ||
* Multi Delay block. | * Multi Delay block. |
Revision as of 19:57, 30 May 2018
What's new or changed
For more information, read the Owners Manuals. Both manuals contain a summary of features.
Hardware:
- The unit is taller, at 3U instead of 2U, but shallower, at 11.5” deep instead of 12.9”.
I/O:
- The III has 4 independent stereo outputs, instead of 2, plus auto-switching front/rear instrument inputs (with "Secret Sauce IV") and 3 stereo inputs. INs and OUTs can be used in the usual ways, or paired to insert outboard gear in up to 3 stereo loops.
- The red Output LEDs in the front panel meter bridge now light at -1 dBFS.
- Inputs 2, 3 and 4 support guitar impedance.
- The nominal level of Outputs 1 and 2 can be switched between -10 and +4 dB.
IMPORTANT: The III's output level defaults to -10 dB, so lower than the II!
User interface:
- Instead of a RECALL screen, the III has a HOME button. The new Home menu provides access to Presets, Meters, with soft-button access to the Tuner, layout grid, controllers, and Setup menu.
- Instead of a LAYOUT button, the layout grid is accessed from a soft-button in the Home menu, or by pressing ENTER, or pressing VALUE while on the Home page. The grid has new features like Zoom, CPU meter, and a "mini" tuner.
- You can use old familiar workflows with the NAV buttons and VALUE wheel, but you’ll move much faster through editing if you use the five Push-knobs under the display.
Effects:
- New blocks: Plex Delay, Ten-Tap Delay, Multiplexer, Realtime Analyzer, Scene MIDI block.
- Authentic Tri-chorus type in the Chorus block.
- 4 instances of Drive.
- 4 instances of Delay.
- 2 instances of Feedback Send/Return.
- Pitch block: 4 voices. Pitch block has its own (faster) pitch detector.
- Improved Reverbs.
- More Looper time.
- Tone Matching in UltraRes.
- Tuner: improved tracking, works on any input.
- Compressor: "RMS" is the same as "Fast RMS" in the AX8 and Axe-Fx II. "E-L Panel" mode added. Filter parameter has been replaced with EQ-ing tools.
- Drive blocks: higher oversampling ratio and double-precision filters in some places.
- The output level of some effects / effects types has been changed, such as Resonator and Studio Compressor.
- Vocoder now has 24 bands.
- Some effects have their own envelope follower, such as Plex Delay.
Modifiers and controllers:
- The Controllers block now has 4 channels, so the Envelope Controller can have 4 different settings per preset, for example.
- 4 Scene Controllers instead of 2.
- Damping (modifier menu) is replaced with Attack/Release parameters.
- To control the bypass state of a block using a modifier, you no longer modify the Bypass Mode parameter, but a dedicated Bypass parameter.
- Modifiers can now be attached to just one channel of an effect.
Presets, scenes, blocks and channels:
- 14x6 grid instead of 12x4.
- 512 preset slots instead of 768.
- More CPU available per preset.
- Inputs and Outputs must be placed on the grid as blocks.
- Each Scene has its own customizable name.
- Up to 4 Channels per block.
- Presets no longer default to Scene 1, this is customizable.
- Scenes do no longer store the level of the output mixer.
- Global Blocks were absent in first firmware versions, but have been added.
Amp modeling:
- "Ares" amp modeling.
- Some parameters have been added. “Character” parameters are gone.
- Pre-EQ controls have been added.
Cab modeling:
- Mixes up to 4 different IRs at once.
- Output level is automatically normalized.
- Mic Modeling has been removed, but "Proximity" remains.
- Speaker Size parameter is gone.
- There are now Factory 1, Factory 2, User 1 and User 2 banks, each with 1,024 IRs, and a Legacy bank containing all 189 IRs from the Axe-Fx II, and 16 Scratchpads.
Editors and foot controllers:
- Editor software and foot controllers share control, updating each other seamlessly without re-sync issues or paused communications.
- FASLINK II (XLR) connects the Axe-Fx III to the new FC controller(s).
- Axe-Edit III supports hi-res displays.
- The Bypass state of effects can now be toggled (no need to specify "0"or "128" when sending a MIDI CC).
MIDI:
- Up to 8 MIDI PCs or CCs can be transmitted upon scene changes.
- A MIDI PC can be transmitted upon preset changes.
- The "Send Realtime SysEx" parameter is gone.
- A MIDI PC can be sent through the MIDI OUT port upon preset changes.
- The FC can be used to send additional MIDI commands through Control Switches (similar to FX8 and AX8).
Computer:
- No driver required for Mac computers.
- 8x8 USB Audio interface.
- Faster MIDI-over-USB.
- USB communications do not increase CPU load anymore.
What's gone
- The MFC-101's "Axe-Fx Mode" is no longer supported.
- X/Y switching (replaced with Channels).
- Swapping presets on hardware (requires editor).
- Recall Effect function.
- Quad Chorus block.
- Multi Delay block.
- FX Loop block.
- Metronome.
- Cab block parameters: Mic modeling, Motor Drive, Speaker Size.
- Amp block parameters: Character, Pick Attack.
- MIDI phantom power.
- USB Adapter Mode.
- Output level per scene.
Comparing the blocks
Comparison of available effects in each device.
The Axe-Fx II and Axe-Fx III cannot share presets electronically, but you can transfer sounds by re-creating them on the grid and entering parameter values, which match up identically or very closely.
Comparing sound quality
"III is a little punchier. I really notice it when I A/B between the III and II (or the AX-8). If you plug into one and then plug into the other it's not as noticeable but if you use an A/B switch it's a more marked difference." source
”Everything sounds better. I think a big part of it is the quality of the I/O. The I/O measures flatter and less distortion than my $2000 interface.” source
"It actually does sound a little better. The extra DSP horsepower means that we didn't have to make compromises in some of the algorithms. The amp modeling algorithm is very similar but there's a few places on the II where we had to make compromises to get the algorithm to run within the allotted time. Also the III has a higher internal oversampling rate and a higher bit depth on some calculations (64-bit vs. 40-bit)." source
"Better algorithms, higher upsampling, better analog I/O design."