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Difference between revisions of "Channels"

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''The information on this page supplements the official manuals.''
 
 
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
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[[image:Iii all-blocks-3x13.jpg|500px|link=]]
 +
=Available on which products=
  
=Channels: supported by which Fractal Audio products=
+
* '''Axe-Fx III''' and '''FM3''': yes
* '''Axe-Fx III''': yes.
+
* '''Axe-Fx II''': no
* '''Axe-Fx II''': no (X/Y switching).
+
* '''MFC-101''': no
* '''MFC-101''': no (X/Y switching).
+
* '''AX8''': no
* '''AX8''': no (X/Y switching).
+
* '''FX8''': no
* '''FX8''': no (X/Y switching).
 
  
 
=What are channels=
 
=What are channels=
Almost all effect blocks 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.
+
Most effect blocks in firmware Ares have multiple channels. Channels can be regarded as mini-presets in each block. Each channel provides a unique set of parameter values. Switching between channels is instantaneous and pretty seamless and can be done manually (on the hardware or with a foot controller) or automatically when changing scenes. Channels can also be switched via MIDI for applications requiring automation.
 +
 
 +
Channels provide quick and easy switching between sounds without the unwanted side-effects of preset changes (due to grid reordering). For example, set the Amp block so that Channel A is a “Deluxe Verb” model, Channel B is a “Plexi”, Channel C is a “Recto” and Channel D is “FAS Modern”. Then change channels almost instantly at the touch of a button.
 +
 
 +
Channel-switching is the successor of [[X/Y switching]], a feature of the Axe-Fx II, AX8, FX8 (and MFC-101).
  
Channels do not run simultaneously. And sounds do not crossfade when switching channels, so if you want crossfading, use Scene Controllers.
+
[[Owners_Manuals|More explanation in the Owner's Manual]]
  
=Which effect blocks support channels=
+
<blockquote>"Channels are the cat's sphincter. Many blocks, including the amp block, have four channels. Channels switch instantly." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/so-whats-new-on-the-iii-axe-fx-2-vs-3.134729/#post-1591896 source] </blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>"Channels save all settings for a block. A channel is like a preset within a block." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/so-whats-new-on-the-iii-axe-fx-2-vs-3.134729/page-7#post-1592475 source] </blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>"Channels can be thought of as a preset for an individual block. For example, you can think of the Delay block as being a stand-alone delay pedal (or rackmount processor) with four presets. Scenes store the bypass state and channel for each block. By using scenes and channels you can use a single preset for an entire song, an entire set or even the entire show. Since the routing doesn't need to change things switch fast and smooth. When switching presets the processor has to assume the routing might have changed and therefore has to clear all the buffers, mute the audio, etc. which takes time and interrupts the audio." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-scenes-channels-demo.137003/#post-1624185 source] </blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>The Axe-Fx III was designed so that single preset can be thought of as an entire rack full of processors. Each virtual processor has up to four presets. So if you were trying to do spillover in a rack you would use two reverb processors. [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/spill-over.136766/#post-1624006 source] </blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>"The Control block has four channels." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/so-whats-new-on-the-iii-axe-fx-2-vs-3.134729/page-5#post-1592247 source] </blockquote>
 +
 
 +
=Which effect blocks have channels=
 +
 
 +
The list below applies to the Axe-Fx III.
 +
 
 +
The effect blocks on the FM3 have the same number of channels as on the Axe-Fx III.
 +
 
 +
Note: the Multiplexer actually has 6 channels.
  
 
[[image:Iii-effect-types-table-364x1024.gif|300px]]
 
[[image:Iii-effect-types-table-364x1024.gif|300px]]
 +
 +
And read this:
 +
* [[IR Player block]]
 +
* [[Modifiers, Controllers and Control Switches]]
  
 
=How to switch between channels=
 
=How to switch between channels=
* Use the hardware GUI.
+
 
* Use the editor.
+
To switch between the channels of an effect block, use:
* Use presets.
+
 
* Use scenes.
+
* the hardware GUI  
* Use the foot controller.
+
* the software editor
* Use MIDI: assign a MIDI CC to a block's channel, and use CC value 0-4 to select a specific channel.
+
* presets
 +
* scenes
 +
* FC-6 or FC-12 controller
 +
* MIDI: assign a MIDI CC in Setup > MIDI/Remote > Channel (Axe-Fx III and FM3 only, and specify a value to select a specific channel:
 +
:0 = A
 +
:1 = B
 +
:2 = C
 +
:3 = D
 +
 
 +
=Switching channels can cause an audio gap=
 +
 
 +
When switching channels on an Amp block, there will be a short gap in the sound. Channels do NOT run simultaneously. They do not crossfade. If you need crossfading, use the [[Mixer block]] which can crossfade between input sources, or use a Scene Controller.
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>"Crossfading channels would require that two instances of an effect be running at all times. This would cut the useable CPU in half. Most people wouldn't like that. [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/silence-between-scene-switching-channel-switching.139604/#post-1655468 source]</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
Also read this:
 +
* [[Amp_block#Switching_between_amp_sounds|Switching between amp sounds]]
 +
* [[Presets#Preset_switching_can_cause_an_audio_gap|Preset switching can cause an audio gap]]
 +
* [[Scenes#Switching_scenes_can_cause_an_audio_gap|Switching scenes can cause an audio gap]]
 +
* [[X/Y_switching#X.2FY_switching_can_cause_an_audio_gap|X/Y switching can cause an audio gap]]
  
 
=Channels and CPU usage=
 
=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=
+
[[CPU usage]] is calculated based on the currently selected channel of an effect. When switching channels, CPU usage may change.
The gap is fixed at 35 ms which is very short.
+
 
 +
=Channels and modifiers=
 +
 
 +
If a controller is assigned as a source to a parameter in a modifier menu, you can choose between applying it to all channels of that block, or to just a single channel.
 +
 
 +
Note: a parameter allows only one modifier, not multiple.
 +
 
 +
Read this: [[Modifiers, Controllers and Control Switches]]
 +
 
 +
=Managing channels=
 +
 
 +
On the hardware, channel settings can be copied-and-pasted within the same block (Layout > Tools), or swapped.
 +
 
 +
To copy channels between blocks and to/from other presets, use the software editor.
  
=Copy and paste channel settings=
+
=Resetting a channel or an entire block=
Channel settings can be copied and pasted using the hardware GUI or software editor (more possibilities).
 
  
=What happens to channels when resetting a block=
+
Resetting a block defaults the parameters of the current channel. It does not change the settings of other channels.
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.
+
To reset all channels of the 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=
+
Read this: [[Presets#Reset_a_block|Resetting blocks]]
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=
+
=Using channels to compare sounds and parameters=
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. They also allow you to quickly detect non-default settings by resetting one channel to default settings and then comparing the channels.
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 is saving 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 [[Editors|editor]].
  
[[category:Axe-Fx]]
+
[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
[[category:Effect]]
+
[[category:FM3]]
 +
[[category:Sounds]]
 +
[[category:Remote]]

Revision as of 12:18, 6 September 2020

Iii all-blocks-3x13.jpg

Available on which products

  • Axe-Fx III and FM3: yes
  • Axe-Fx II: no
  • MFC-101: no
  • AX8: no
  • FX8: no

What are channels

Most effect blocks in firmware Ares have multiple channels. Channels can be regarded as mini-presets in each block. Each channel provides a unique set of parameter values. Switching between channels is instantaneous and pretty seamless and can be done manually (on the hardware or with a foot controller) or automatically when changing scenes. Channels can also be switched via MIDI for applications requiring automation.

Channels provide quick and easy switching between sounds without the unwanted side-effects of preset changes (due to grid reordering). For example, set the Amp block so that Channel A is a “Deluxe Verb” model, Channel B is a “Plexi”, Channel C is a “Recto” and Channel D is “FAS Modern”. Then change channels almost instantly at the touch of a button.

Channel-switching is the successor of X/Y switching, a feature of the Axe-Fx II, AX8, FX8 (and MFC-101).

More explanation in the Owner's Manual

"Channels are the cat's sphincter. Many blocks, including the amp block, have four channels. Channels switch instantly." source

"Channels save all settings for a block. A channel is like a preset within a block." source

"Channels can be thought of as a preset for an individual block. For example, you can think of the Delay block as being a stand-alone delay pedal (or rackmount processor) with four presets. Scenes store the bypass state and channel for each block. By using scenes and channels you can use a single preset for an entire song, an entire set or even the entire show. Since the routing doesn't need to change things switch fast and smooth. When switching presets the processor has to assume the routing might have changed and therefore has to clear all the buffers, mute the audio, etc. which takes time and interrupts the audio." source

The Axe-Fx III was designed so that single preset can be thought of as an entire rack full of processors. Each virtual processor has up to four presets. So if you were trying to do spillover in a rack you would use two reverb processors. source

"The Control block has four channels." source

Which effect blocks have channels

The list below applies to the Axe-Fx III.

The effect blocks on the FM3 have the same number of channels as on the Axe-Fx III.

Note: the Multiplexer actually has 6 channels.

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

And read this:

How to switch between channels

To switch between the channels of an effect block, use:

  • the hardware GUI
  • the software editor
  • presets
  • scenes
  • FC-6 or FC-12 controller
  • MIDI: assign a MIDI CC in Setup > MIDI/Remote > Channel (Axe-Fx III and FM3 only, and specify a value to select a specific channel:
0 = A
1 = B
2 = C
3 = D

Switching channels can cause an audio gap

When switching channels on an Amp block, there will be a short gap in the sound. Channels do NOT run simultaneously. They do not crossfade. If you need crossfading, use the Mixer block which can crossfade between input sources, or use a Scene Controller.

"Crossfading channels would require that two instances of an effect be running at all times. This would cut the useable CPU in half. Most people wouldn't like that. source

Also read this:

Channels and CPU usage

CPU usage is calculated based on the currently selected channel of an effect. When switching channels, CPU usage may change.

Channels and modifiers

If a controller is assigned as a source to a parameter in a modifier menu, you can choose between applying it to all channels of that block, or to just a single channel.

Note: a parameter allows only one modifier, not multiple.

Read this: Modifiers, Controllers and Control Switches

Managing channels

On the hardware, channel settings can be copied-and-pasted within the same block (Layout > Tools), or swapped.

To copy channels between blocks and to/from other presets, use the software editor.

Resetting a channel or an entire block

Resetting a block defaults the parameters of the current channel. It does not change the settings of other channels.

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

Read this: Resetting blocks

Using channels to compare sounds and parameters

Channels offer an easy way to compare sounds when tweaking. They also allow you to quickly detect non-default settings by resetting one channel to default settings and then comparing the channels.

An alternative approach to comparing sounds is saving 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.