October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.
Fractal-Bot
Contents
About Fractal-Bot
Fractal-Bot is a simple and free utility from Fractal Audio that lets you easily transfer data to and from your Fractal Audio device. It's not an editor.
You can use Fractal-Bot to:
- update the firmware of the device (processor or foot controller)
- send and retrieve single presets or preset banks
- send and retrieve a single IR or cab banks
- send and retrieve system data
- create and restore a backup of the system data, including Global Blocks
- fix a "bricked" device
Download the latest (standalone) version of Fractal-Bot for Windows or OS X)
Read First
This forum post provides essential information about using Fractal-Bot.
Connect Fractal-Bot
Fractal-Bot uses the same kind of connection as the editor does.
Note: when using a USB-C to USB adapter on a newer Apple computer, plug the USB-C adapter into a the port on the Mac first, allow it several seconds to “wake up” and then connect a USB cable and Axe-Fx III into the adapter.
Launch Fractal-Bot from the editor
Fractal-Bot is also an integral part of the current editors' Tools menu. It has the same functionality as the standalone version.
Update Fractal-Bot
Fractal-Bot checks for updates itself and will notify you if an update is available.
Update firmware with Fractal-Bot
Read this: Firmware
In some cases, Fractal-Bot needs to operate in a special mode.
- Hold CTRL (Windows) or COMMAND (Mac), and:
- Click "Select Device" to reveal and select the hidden “Utility” menu option
- Select the output port
- A MIDI Buffer Delay will appear, set this to 300 ms
This mode is used, for example, to update the low-level USB firmware of the Axe-Fx III (not the main DSP firmware) and the low-level firmware of the FC controllers.
Hardware-specific features
Axe-Fx III
Save and restore presets and user cabs, and create a backup of the system data, including Global Blocks and FC Controllers configuration.
FM9
Same as Axe-Fx III, except Global Blocks.
FM3
Same as Axe-Fx III, except Global Blocks.
Axe-Fx II
Save and restore presets and user cabs, and create a backup of system data, including Global Blocks.
If you use Global Blocks in your presets, DO NOT FORGET to always backup the System data area as well. A backup of your presets alone does not contain the Global Block data.
Axe-Fx II Mk I or Mk II – You can also backup banks of presets and system data to onboard memory. You can restore a single preset from onboard memory or the onboard factory presets using “Fetch” in the Utility menu
XL and XL+ – Saving presets to onboard memory is not possible, but a backup of system data can be stored in onboard memory
"The XL does not have a backup to FLASH function because the presets are all in FLASH. If the battery dies you don't lose your presets so there is no need to back them up. The system data IS battery-backed and the backup function saves system data to FLASH." [1]
User cabs:
Axe-Fx II Mk I and Mk II – User cabs 0-49 are included in a system backup. Cabs 50 and up are saved in a different area of memory and are not saved or restored when doing a system dump/restore, use Fractal-Bot to save these separately
Axe-Fx II XL and XL+ – User cabs are not included in a system backup. Use Fractal-Bot to back these up
Want to speed up the backup process? Scroll to an empty preset slot before performing the backup.
AX8
Save and restore presets and user cabs.
FX8
Save and restore presets.
FC controllers
Save the FC configuration data by saving the system data of Axe-Fx III.
MFC-101
Save and restore the MFC-101 configuration. This requires the use of a USB-to-MIDI-interface.
The Axe-Fx II in USB Adapter Mode can be used as an interface, MIDI cables and a power supply are still required. Follow the instructions in Fractal-Bot.
The Axe-Fx III, FM9 and FM3 do not support USB Adapter Mode.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Snapshots
Making Snapshots in the editor is another way to quickly create backups of a preset. Read more about Snapshots
Speed up transfers
Switching to an empty preset before launching Fractal-Bot can speed up transfers.
Don't run Fractal-Bot and the editor simultaneously
Don't run the standalone version of Fractal-Bot and a software editor at the same time because this may cause conflicts.
Browse button doesn't work
If the Browse button doesn't work, exit Fractal-Bot, delete the file "Fractal-Bot.settings" and restart.
Communication issues
- Try another USB cable
- Do not use cable extenders or USB hubs
- Try another USB port on the computer
- Check for corrupt IRs or presets. Even empty slots may be corrupt (clear them using the software editor)
- Adjust the MIDI Buffer Delay
Emergency Boot Recovery
In the event of issues during or after upgrading firmware, try this: Emergency Boot Recovery.
