Effects list

The information on this page supplements the official manuals.

Effects comparison table

Axe-Fx III: to be added.

Axe-Fx II	AX8	FX8	Axe-Fx III
Amp (2)	Amp	-	Amp (2)
Cab (2)	Cab	-	Cab (2)
Chorus (2)	Chorus	Chorus (2)	Chorus (2)
Compressor/Dynamics (2)	Compressor/Dynamics	Compressor/Dynamics (2)	Compressor/Dynamics (2)
Controllers (per preset)	Controllers (per preset)	Controllers (per preset)	Controllers (per preset)
Crossover (2)	-	-	Crossover (2)
Delay (2)	Delay (2)	Delay (2)	Delay (4)
Drive (2)	Drive (2)	Drive (2)	Drive (4)
Effects Loop	Effects Loop	-	-
Enhancer	Enhancer	Enhancer	Enhancer (2)
Feedback Send/Return	-	-	Feedback Send/Return (2)
Filter (4)	Filter (2)	Filter (2)	Filter (4)
Flanger (2)	Flanger	Flanger (2)	Flanger (2)
Formant	Formant	Formant	Formant (2)
Gate/Expander (2)	Gate/Expander	Gate/Expander (2)	Gate/Expander (4)
Graphic EQ (4)	Graphic EQ (2)	Graphic EQ (2)	Graphic EQ (4)
Looper	Looper	Looper (global)	Looper
Megatap Delay	-	Megatap Delay	Megatap Delay (2)
Mixer (2)
Multi Delay (2)	Multi Delay	Multi Delay
Multiband Compressor (2x)
Noise gate (per preset)	Noise gate (per preset)	Noise gate (per preset)
Output mixer (per preset)	Output mixer (per preset)	Output mixer (per preset)
Parametric EQ (4)	Parametric EQ (2)	Parametric EQ (2)
Phaser (2)	Phaser	Phaser (2)
Pitch (2)	Pitch	Pitch
QuadChorus (2x)
Resonator (2)
Reverb (2)	Reverb	Reverb (2)
Ring Modulator	Ring Modulator	Ring Modulator
Rotary (2)	Rotary	Rotary (2)
Synth (2)	Synth	Synth
Tone Match
Tremolo/Panner (2)	Tremolo/Panner	Tremolo/Pan (2)
Vocoder
Volume/Pan (4)	Volume/Pan (2)	Volume/Pan (2)
Wah (2)	Wah	Wah (2)
MIDI block
Relay

Blocks with X/Y support

Read this: X/Y switching.

Blocks with support for channels (Axe-Fx III)

Read this: Channels.

Effects in the FX8: M@'s comments

M@ (source):

"First: like the Axe-Fx, the FX8 provides more than models when it comes to effects. It is more like a platform that can be used to innovate as well as imitate. Therefore, a list of effects on the FX8 is limited only in terms of what happens to be provided "in the box". Secondly, you'll notice my list includes BLOCKS (ALL CAPS) and underneath them, "Types". The types fall in to two groups. For some effect blocks -- like CHORUS for instance -- changing type is like selecting a mini preset just for that effect: it changes all of the settings to easily dial in a sound with only one knob. You can then adjust as desired, even turning one "type" into another. For other effect blocks -- like PITCH SHIFTER -- changing type is almost like changing to a totally different effect. The whole algorithm is different. You can then adjust as desired. If you're using the free FX8-Edit software, you can even save fully dialed-in blocks to your computer to share or use any time in your own presets. It's like an infinite effects locker. To address your specific question about drives, the G3 Drive block is accurate, but also very versatile. With controls to recreate the tone you love from your favorite analog pedals, but also go further, with XY capability for two "channels" out of a single drive effect, plus a built-in equalizer. Finally, I should mention that as I type this in summer 2015, this list is bound to grow as firmware updates bring new options to the FX8. OK, on to the show...

CHORUS - Mono and stereo modulation effects, including vibrato:

• 4-Voice Analog
• 8-Voice Stereo
• 80'S Style
• Analog Mono
• Analog Stereo
• Digital Mono
• Digital Stereo
• Dimension 1
• Dimension 2
• Japan CE2
• Triangle Chorus
• Vintage Tape
• Warm Stereo

COMPRESSOR – Control dynamics and add sustain.

• Dynamics
• Pedal Comp 1
• Pedal Comp 2
• Studio Comp

DELAY - Up to 8000 ms, with types for analog, digital, tape, and more.

• 2290 w/ Mod
• Ambient Stereo
• Analog Mono
• Analog Stereo
• Deluxe Mind Guy
• Digital Mono
• Digital Stereo
• Dual Delay
• Ducking Delay
• Lo-Fi Tape
• Mono BBD
• Mono Tape
• Ping-Pong
• Reverse Delay
• Stereo BBD
• Stereo Tape
• Sweep Delay
• Vintage Digital

DRIVE - 25+ types including boost, overdrive, distortion, fuzz, and many more.

• BB Pre
• Bender Fuzz
• Bit Crusher
• Blues OD
• Esoteric ACB
• Esoteric RCB
• Eternal Love
• Face Fuzz
• FAS Boost
• FAS LED-Drive
• Fat Rat
• FET Boost
• FET Preamp
• Full OD
• Hard Fuzz
• M-Zone Dist
• Master Fuzz
• Micro Boost
• Mid Boost
• Octave Dist
• PI Fuzz
• Plus Dist
• Rat Dist
• Ruckus
• SDD Preamp
• Shred Dist
• Super OD
• T808 Mod
• T808 OD
• Tape Dist
• Timothy
• Treble Boost
• Tube Drv 3-Knob
• Tube Drv 4-Knob
• Zen Master

ENHANCER - Classic and Modern Stereo separator.

• Classic
• Modern

FILTER – From subtle EQ to extreme synth-type filters.

• Bandpass
• Highpass
• Highshlf
• Highshlf 2
• Lowpass
• Lowshelf
• Lowshelf2
• Notch
• Null
• Peaking
• Tilt

FLANGER – Anything from subtle chorus to through-zero tape swoosh to extreme jet.

• Analog Mono
• Analog Stereo
• Digital Mono
• Digital Stereo
• Pop Flanger
• Stereo Jet
• Thru-Zero
• Zero Flanger

FORMANT - Multi-mode formant filter creates vowel sounds.

GATE/EXPANDER - Provided in addition to a “global” noise gate.

GRAPHIC EQ - Easy, flexible tone shaping. v3-Band Passive

• 4-Band Passive
• 5-Band Constant Q
• 5-Band Passive
• 5-Band Variable Q
• 7-Band Constant Q
• 7-Band Variable Q
• 8-Band Constant Q
• 8-Band Variable Q
• 10-Band Constant Q
• 10-Band Variable Q

MEGATAP DELAY – Dense echo effects with group controls for time, pan, level, etc.

MIDI – Sends MIDI messages to the OUT port when the effect is turned ON or OFF.

MULTIDELAY – A variety of effects built from delay lines in creative configurations:

• Band Delay
• Diffusor
• Plex Delay
• Plex Detune
• Plex Shift
• Quad Tape Dly
• Quad-Series
• Quad-Tap
• Rhythm Tap
• Ten-Tap Dly

TREMOLO/PANNER - Classic trem, plus auto-pan and psychoacoustic effects.

• Tremolo
• Panner

PARAMETRIC EQ – 5-band precision tone sculpting tool.

PHASER – A variety Vintage and modern effects are possible.

• Barberpole
• Block 90
• Classic Vibe
• Digital Mono
• Digital Stereo
• Script 45
• Script 90
• Stereo 8-Stage

PITCH SHIFTER – Everything from classic detune to whammy to custom harmony.

• Ad. Whammy
• Arpeggiator
• Cl. Whammy
• Crystals
• Cust. Shift
• Detune
• Fixed Harm
• Intel Harm
• Octave Div

RELAY - Used to operate the onboard relays for amp channel switching

REVERB - World-class recreations of springs, plates, rooms, halls, and more.

• Ambience
• Asylum Hall
• Cavern
• Concert Hall
• Deep Chamber
• Deep Space
• Drum Room
• Gymnasium
• Hallway
• Huge Room
• Large Cathedral
• Large Chamber
• Large Deep Hall
• Large Hall
• Large Plate
• Large Room
• Large Spring
• Lg Tiled Room
• Lg Wooden Room
• London Plate
• Med. Cathedral
• Medium Chamber
• Medium Hall
• Medium Plate
• Medium Room
• Medium Spring
• North Church
• Rec Studio A
• Rec Studio C
• Rich Hall
• Small Cathedral
• Small Chamber
• Small Hall
• Small Plate
• Small Room
• Small Spring
• South Church
• Stone Quarry
• Studio
• Sun Plate
• Tunnel
• Vocal Plate
• Wide Hall

RING MODULATOR – Advanced ring mod also features optional pitch tracking.

ROTARY - Simulates a classic rotary speaker with multiple microphones.

VOLUME/PAN - Simple volume block also offers channel input/output tools.

WAHWAH - Multiple types based on classic originals:

• Clyde
• Color-Tone
• Cry Babe
• FAS Standard
• Funk
• Mortal
• Vx845
• Vx846

So that's the current list. There are a few effect block types on the flagship Axe-Fx II which are not present on the FX8. The majority are amp/cab/routing related: AMP, CAB, FB SEND, FB RETURN, FX LOOP, MIXER, QUAD CHORUS, SYNTH, TONE MATCH, VOCODER.

ALL of the "Controllers" from the Axe-Fx II are also onboard.

• Two LFOs
• 32-stage Sequencer
• 2 x ADSR generators
• Envelope and Pitch Detectors
• 2 Scene controllers
• 12 external controllers (each tied to a customizable MIDI CC)"