October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard has been added to the wiki.

Fractal-Bot

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Fractal-Bot.png

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.

Auto-update

Fractal-Bot checks for updates itself and will notify you if an update is available.

Update firmware

Icon-firmware.png

Read this: Firmware.

Install factory presets

Read this: Factory presets.

hidden Utility mode

In some cases, Fractal-Bot needs to operate in a special mode.

  1. Hold CTRL (Windows) or COMMAND (Mac), and:
  2. Click "Select Device" to reveal and select the hidden “Utility” menu option
  3. Select the output port
  4. A MIDI Buffer Delay will appear, set this to 300 ms.

Tips, tricks and troubleshooting

Snapshots

Saving Snapshots in the editor is another way to quickly create backups of a preset. Read this: Editors.

Speed up transfers

Switch 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.

Browse button doesn't work

If the Browse button doesn't work, exit Fractal-Bot, delete the file "Fractal-Bot.settings" and restart.

Emergency Boot Recovery

In the event of issues during or after upgrading firmware, try this: Emergency boot recovery.

Videos