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 data transfer utility for Fractal Audio devices.
You can use Fractal-Bot to:
- update the firmware of the device (processor or foot controller)
- update the USB 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
- backup and restore system data, including Global blocks
- backup and restore the configuration of FC controllers
Download the latest (standalone) version of Fractal-Bot for Windows or OS X)
More information:
Read first
- Always create backups of your presets etc. on a regular basis! Fractal-Bot makes it fast and easy.
- To connect Fractal-Bot to your computer, you may need to install a driver for your operating system (check your manual or the wiki).
- If your Fractal Audio device has two USB ports, make sure you're using the right one (USB-B type).
- Fractal-Bot can be launched at as standalone application, of as an embedded tool from within the Editors.
- In case of issues, verify that you're running the latest version of Fractal-Bot.
- In case of connection issues, try another USB cable first.
- To prevent communications issues, don't run Fractal-Bot and the editor at the same time.
- If Fractal-Bot hangs, check for corrupted presets or cabs.
- When using Global blocks in your presets, make sure to back up the system data too.
- After restoring system data to your device, shut down your device and boot it again.
- The "Auto-Update Firmware" feature in Fractal-Bot doesn't signal beta versions of firmware.
- Fractal-Bot doesn't save your editor's Library. The contents are already stored on your computer.
- If you've restored presets to your device with Fractal-Bot, and they don't seem to appear on your device, make sure that the device is running current firmware.
- When using an Axe-Fx II, disable USB Adapter Mode.
- If something goes wrong when installing new firmware, and your device won't boot, read this: Emergency boot recovery.
Working with Fractal-Bot
Connect
Fractal-Bot uses the same kind of connection as the editor does. Read this: Editors.
Launch from the editor
The embedded version of Fractal-Bot is located the editors' Tools menu. It is the same as the standalone version.
Update
Fractal-Bot checks for updates itself and will notify you if an update is available.
Update firmware
Read this: Firmware.
Install factory presets
Read this: Factory presets.
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.
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.
