October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.
Effects list
Effects comparison table
The Owner's Manuals also list the effects in each processor.
| 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) |
| Input | Input | Input | Input (5) |
| - | - | - | IR Player (2) |
| Looper | Looper | Looper (global) | Looper |
| Megatap Delay | - | Megatap Delay | Megatap Delay (2) |
| Mixer (2) | - | - | Mixer (4) |
| Multi Delay (2) | Multi Delay | Multi Delay | Multitap Delay / Plex Delay / Ten-Tap Delay |
| Multiband Compressor (2x) | - | - | Multiband Compressor (2x) |
| - | - | - | Multiplexer |
| Noise gate (per preset) | Noise gate (per preset) | Noise gate (per preset) | Noise gate (per Input block) |
| Output mixer (per preset) | Output mixer (per preset) | Output mixer (per preset) | Output block (4) |
| Parametric EQ (4) | Parametric EQ (2) | Parametric EQ (2) | Parametric EQ (4) |
| Phaser (2) | Phaser | Phaser (2) | Phaser (4) |
| Pitch (2) | Pitch | Pitch | Pitch (2) |
| Multi Delay | Multi Delay | Multi Delay | Plex Delay |
| QuadChorus (2x) | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | Real-Time Analyzer |
| - | - | Relay (2) | - |
| Resonator (2) | - | - | Resonator (2) |
| Reverb (2) | Reverb | Reverb (2) | Reverb (2) |
| Ring Modulator | Ring Modulator | Ring Modulator | Ring Modulator |
| Rotary (2) | Rotary | Rotary (2) | Rotary (2) |
| - | - | - | Scene MIDI block |
| Synth (2) | Synth | Synth | Synth (2) |
| Multi Delay | Multi Delay | Multi Delay | Ten-Tap Delay |
| Tone Match | - | - | Tone Match |
| Tremolo/Panner (2) | Tremolo/Panner | Tremolo/Pan (2) | Tremolo/Panner (2) |
| Vocoder | - | - | Vocoder |
| Volume/Pan (4) | Volume/Pan (2) | Volume/Pan (2) | Volume/Pan (4) |
| Wah (2) | Wah | Wah (2) | Wah (2) |
M@'s comments about effects in the FX8
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."
