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Channels

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Revision as of 17:32, 5 February 2018 by Yek (talk | contribs)
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The information on this page supplements the official manuals.

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

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.

Channels do not run simultaneously. And sounds do not crossfade when switching channels, so if you want crossfading, use the new Multiplexer block which can crossfade between input sources, or use a Scene Controller.

"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

"The Control block has four channels." source

Which effect blocks support channels

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

How to switch 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.

Channel switching speed

"The "gap" is arbitrary (and set at 35 ms) and is simply the time to fade down the old amp and fade up the new amp. You HAVE to do some ramp-down and ramp-up or you'll get artifacts as the gain can be completely different. If you just instantly switch from a clean amp to a distorted amp or vice-versa you'll get a pop. That's just basic signal processing. About the shortest you can make ramp-down/ramp-up without introducing clicks and pops is 15 ms so the total time is 30 ms (plus 5ms as a safety margin)." source

Demo "Feels seamless to me (and faster than any of my channel switching amps) but everyone has different definitions." source

"Any faster than that and you risk pops or clicks if the levels and/or gains are markedly different. You can't change the laws of nature." source

Copy and paste channel settings

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 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.