Output block

Available on which products

• Axe-Fx III: 4 blocks
• FM9: 3 blocks
• FM3: 2 blocks
• Axe-Fx II: 1 block
• AX8: 1 block
• FX8: no

Channels or X/Y

• Axe-Fx III and FM9 and FM3: 4 channels
• Axe-Fx II: no
• AX8: no

What is the Output block

The Output block is the spot where the signal exits the grid and leaves the unit through the corresponding output port.

Each Output block contains a mixer to mix the signal from the grid rows.

On the Axe-Fx III, FM9 and FM3, an Output block can also operate as Effects Send in an effects loop. The signal is sent to an external device through an Output block (Effects Send) and then re-enters the grid through the Input block (Effects Return). This is similar to the FX Loop block on the Axe-Fx II and AX8.

Position of the Output block on the grid

Axe-Fx II and AX8— The Output block has a fixed position at the end of the grid.

Axe-Fx III, FM9, FM3 — The Output blocks can be positioned freely on the grid.

(Axe-Fx III product information) "Routing flexibility is enhanced by unconstrained placement of input and output blocks anywhere in the routing grid. Want to insert different outboard devices at different parts of the signal path? No problem. Simultaneously process discrete stereo output for acoustic and electric guitars? Easy. Send stereo to front-of-house, plus a true “Wet-Dry-Wet” on stage while recording a DI for re-amping later? No problem! Each output pair also has its own dedicated front panel LEVEL knob for convenient control."

Output blocks

Axe-Fx III

Each Output block has 4 channels, and contains a mixer with Level and Balance controls for each grid row, plus master Output Level, Balance and Bypass controls.

Output 1 — transmits signal to the physical Output 1 jacks and to USB Inputs 1+2 on a connected computer

Output 2 — transmits signal to the physical Output 2 jacks and to USB Inputs 3+4 on a connected computer

Output 3 — transmits signal to the physical Output 3 jacks

Output 4 — transmits signal to the physical Output 4 jacks

The Output 1 block signal may also be transmitted:

• through the digital outputs, if SPDIF/AES Out Source is set to Output 1
• through Output 2, if Output 2 Copy Output 1 is turned on and there's no Output 2 block on the grid.

The Output 2 block signal may also be transmitted through the digital outputs if SPDIF/AES Out Source is set to Output 2.

The Output blocks can be muted. The signal is muted at the corresponding output AND on the grid.

Regarding the Output 3 and 4 blocks:

• If you don't connect Output to Input, muting the Input block will mute the signal path from this loop.
• If you connect them, bypassing the Input block will not mute the signal. Signal is passed without going through the loop.
• If you connect them, with Input engaged, it will output the signal from the effect loop.

FM9

Each Output block has 4 channels, and contains a mixer with Level and Balance controls for each grid row, plus master Output Level, Balance and Bypass controls.

Output 1 — transmits signal to the physical Output 1 jacks and to USB Inputs 1+2 on a connected computer

Output 2 — transmits signal to the physical Output 2 jacks and to USB Inputs 3+4 on a connected computer

Output 3 — transmits signal to the physical Output 3 jacks

The Output 1 block signal may also be transmitted:

• through the digital outputs, if SPDIF Out Source is set to Output 1
• through Output 2, if Output 2 Copy Output 1 is turned on and there's no Output 2 block on the grid.

The Output 2 block signal may also be transmitted through the digital outputs if SPDIF Out Source is set to Output 2.

The Output blocks can be muted. The signal is muted at the corresponding output AND on the grid.

Regarding the Output 3 block:

• If you don't connect Output to Input, muting the Input block will mute the signal path from this loop.
• If you connect them, bypassing the Input block will not mute the signal. Signal is passed without going through the loop.
• If you connect them, with Input engaged, it will output the signal from the effect loop.

FM3

Each Output block has 4 channels, and contains a mixer with Level and Balance controls for each grid row, plus master Output Level, Balance and Bypass controls.

Output 1 — transmits signal to the physical Output 1 jacks. It can act as the source for SPDIF output, and as the source to computer inputs 1+2.

Output 2 — transmits signal to the physical Output 2 jacks. It can act as the source for SPDIF output, and as the source to computer inputs 3+4.

Setting and viewing levels

The Axe-Fx III, FM9 and FM3 provide block meters, which indicate the Input and Output signal level per block.

The Output block level is stored per scene.

The Output block meters are BEFORE the Level controls (pre-fader) on the front panel, and are therefore unaffected by the Level controls. The meters indicate the internal signal level relative to full-scale (dBFS).

When you hit the red line in the meters, you're still 12dB away from clipping. [1]

Overriding "Copy Output" in I/O menu

If the preset contains an Output block (Axe-Fx III, FM9, FM3) or FXL block (AX8, Axe-Fx II), it overrides the Copy Output setting in I/O > Audio that corresponds with that output.

More information about the Output blocks

Read this:

• Connections and levels
• I/O menu

Output blocks and Global Blocks

Output blocks in firmware Ares and later don't support Global Blocks.