October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.
Tempo
Contents
When tapping the Tempo button on the processor hardware or Tempo switch, the Tempo menu appears on the hardware GUI. It will disappear after a few seconds. Some devices let you specify how long it stays on-screen (Global menu).
On the Axe-Fx III, the Tempo button is also a shortcut to the Controllers menu.
Tempo: global or per preset
You can specify in the Tempo menu if you want the set tempo to apply to all presets or per preset.
The Controllers block in firmware Ares has 4 channels. This means that each preset can have 4 different tempos.
Tapping tempo
The Global menu lets you specify how Tap Tempo works:
Average — averages the tempo to the last ten taps. Usually a wise choice
Last Two — uses only the most recent two taps to determine the tempo. Acts faster but also less precise
Syncing effects to tempo
You can assign effect parameters such as Time or Rate to a specific tempo, like 1/4 or 1/8 Dotted, instead of specifying the number of milliseconds. That will make the effect depend on the global or preset tempo. Tapping a different tempo will change the rate of the effect.
Important: after assigning a parameter to a tempo, you can no longer adjust the time in the effect manually!
Accuracy of the tempo LED
"The tempo LED is handled by a low-priority thread so it isn't rock solid and the higher the CPU usage the less solid it will be." source
Remote control
Footswitch
Scroll to the Tempo CC in the I/O menu and hit Enter. Click the switch on the footswitch that you want to assign the Tuner to.
Or configure it manually by assigning the Tuner MIDI CC to a switch on a MIDI controller.
MIDI CC
The default MIDI CC for the Tuner is 14 on the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8. Keep it like this to avoid issues.
The Axe-Fx III lets you set the Tuner CC manually in the I/O menu.
FM3: to be added...
MFC-101
The MFC-101 has a dedicated Tempo command for the Axe-Fx II, when it's running in Axe-Fx Mode.
FC controllers
The FC-6 and FC-12 controllers for the Axe-Fx III have a dedicated Tempo command.
MIDI Clock
Read this: MIDI Clock
Tips and tricks
Tempo guide
The Owner's Manuals contain a Tempo Cross Reference guide.
Auto-activate a Delay by tapping Tempo
Read this: Delay block
SysEx commands for tempo
Here's a list of all SysEx commands for each tempo setting in the Delay block in the Axe-Fx II XL.
Bleed-through tempo noise
Audible bleed-through of the tempo signal can occur if the MIDI cable is not properly shielded. Use high-quality, properly shielded MIDI cables.
