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Difference between revisions of "Channels"

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=Channels: supported by which Fractal Audio products=
 
=Channels: supported by which Fractal Audio products=
 
* '''Axe-Fx III''': yes.
 
* '''Axe-Fx III''': yes.
* '''Axe-Fx II''': see X/Y switching.
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* '''Axe-Fx II''': no (X/Y switching).
* '''MFC-101''': see X/Y switching.
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* '''MFC-101''': no (X/Y switching).
* '''AX8''': see X/Y switching.
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* '''AX8''': no (X/Y switching).
* '''FX8''': see X/Y switching.
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* '''FX8''': no (X/Y switching).
  
 
=What are channels=
 
=What are channels=
Every effect block in the Axe-Fx III can be switched between channels. Channels represent sets of settings. For example, channels let you switch between four different types of Phaser in a single preset and using a single Phaser block, by pressing a footswitch or by switching scenes.
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Every effect block in the Axe-Fx III can be switched between channels. Channels represent sets of settings. For example, channels let you switch between four different types of Phaser in a single preset with a single Phaser block.
  
 
Channel-switching is the successor of X/Y-switching, featured in the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8.
 
Channel-switching is the successor of X/Y-switching, featured in the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8.
  
<blockquote>"The idea behind X/Y is that people often have multiple distortion/chorus/delay/etc. pedals on their board but they rarely have more than one on at a time. So rather than creating more instances of effects, which sucks up CPU, have each instance capable of more than one sound." </blockquote>
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Channels do not run simultaneously. And sounds do not crossfade when switching channels, so if you want crossfading, use Scene Controllers.
 
 
Channels do not run simulataneously. And sounds do not crossfade when switching channels, so if you want crossfading, use Scene Controllers.
 
  
 
=Effect blocks with channel support=
 
=Effect blocks with channel support=
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[[image:Iii-effect-types-table-364x1024.gif|300px]]
 
[[image:Iii-effect-types-table-364x1024.gif|300px]]
  
=How to switch between channels=
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=How to switch a block between channels=
* Select a channel using the hardware GUI.
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* Use the hardware GUI.
* Use the editor to select a channel.
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* Use the editor.
* The preferred channel can vary per scene. This is one of the advantages of using scenes.  
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* Use presets.  
* Use the foot controller to select a channel.
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* Use scenes.  
* Assign a MIDI CC to a block's channel, and add CC value 0-4 to select a specific channel.
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* Use the foot controller.
 
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* Use MIDI: assign a MIDI CC to a block's channel, and use CC value 0-4 to select a specific channel.
=Visual indication=
 
@
 
  
 
=Channels and CPU usage=
 
=Channels and CPU usage=
CPU usage is calculated using the current channel of a block. When switching channels, CPU usage can change.
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CPU usage is calculated using the load of the current channel. When switching channels, CPU usage can change.
  
 
=Gap when switching between channels=
 
=Gap when switching between channels=
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=Copy and paste channel settings=
 
=Copy and paste channel settings=
Channel settings can be copied and pasted using the hardware GUI. The editor offers more possibilities.
+
Channel settings can be copied and pasted using the hardware GUI or software editor (more possibilities).
  
 
=What happens when resetting a block=
 
=What happens when resetting a block=
Resetting an effect block resets the channel parameters to their default values. This applies to the current channel. To reset the entire block, switch to the other channels and repeat the process (or use the software editor to reset the entire block).
+
Resetting an effect block resets the channel parameters to their default values. This applies to the current channel.
 +
 
 +
To reset the entire block, switch to the other channels and repeat the process, or use the software editor to reset the entire block in one go.
  
 
=Controllers/modifiers and channels=
 
=Controllers/modifiers and channels=
When a controller is assigned to a parameter, it always applies to all channels. It's not possible to have different modifier settings per channel.
+
When a controller is assigned as a source to a parameter in a modifier menu, it applies to all channels. It's not possible to have different modifier settings per channel.
  
 
=Recall Effect and channels=
 
=Recall Effect and channels=
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=Using channels to compare sounds and settings=
 
=Using channels to compare sounds and settings=
Channels offer an easy way to compare sounds when tweaking as well as an easy method to quickly see non-default settings, by resetting one channel to default settings.
+
Channels offer an easy way to compare sounds when tweaking, as well as an easy method to quickly see non-default settings by resetting one channel to default settings.
  
 
An alternative approach to comparing sounds: save a preset as a Snapshot in the editor. Select Revert to get the original sound back. Then drag and drop the snapshot file into the editor.
 
An alternative approach to comparing sounds: save a preset as a Snapshot in the editor. Select Revert to get the original sound back. Then drag and drop the snapshot file into the editor.

Revision as of 14:41, 30 January 2018

The information on this page supplements the official manuals.

150px

Channels: supported by which Fractal Audio products

  • Axe-Fx III: yes.
  • Axe-Fx II: no (X/Y switching).
  • MFC-101: no (X/Y switching).
  • AX8: no (X/Y switching).
  • FX8: no (X/Y switching).

What are channels

Every effect block in the Axe-Fx III can be switched between channels. Channels represent sets of settings. For example, channels let you switch between four different types of Phaser in a single preset with a single Phaser block.

Channel-switching is the successor of X/Y-switching, featured in the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8.

Channels do not run simultaneously. And sounds do not crossfade when switching channels, so if you want crossfading, use Scene Controllers.

Effect blocks with channel support

Iii-effect-types-table-364x1024.gif

How to switch a block between channels

  • Use the hardware GUI.
  • Use the editor.
  • Use presets.
  • Use scenes.
  • Use the foot controller.
  • Use MIDI: assign a MIDI CC to a block's channel, and use CC value 0-4 to select a specific channel.

Channels and CPU usage

CPU usage is calculated using the load of the current channel. When switching channels, CPU usage can change.

Gap when switching between channels

The gap is fixed at 35 ms which is very short.

Copy and paste channel settings

Channel settings can be copied and pasted using the hardware GUI or software editor (more possibilities).

What happens when resetting a block

Resetting an effect block resets the channel parameters to their default values. This applies to the current channel.

To reset the entire block, switch to the other channels and repeat the process, or use the software editor to reset the entire block in one go.

Controllers/modifiers and channels

When a controller is assigned as a source to a parameter in a modifier menu, it applies to all channels. It's not possible to have different modifier settings per channel.

Recall Effect and channels

Recall Effect (copy block settings from another preset) always imports all channels. Use the software editor to copy settings from a specific channel.

Using channels to compare sounds and settings

Channels offer an easy way to compare sounds when tweaking, as well as an easy method to quickly see non-default settings by resetting one channel to default settings.

An alternative approach to comparing sounds: save a preset as a Snapshot in the editor. Select Revert to get the original sound back. Then drag and drop the snapshot file into the editor.