Always consult the official Owners Manuals first
Difference between revisions of "Comparing the Axe-Fx III to the Axe-Fx II"
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| + | <font color=red>The firmware of the Axe-Fx III keeps evolving, introducing more and more features which set the Axe-Fx III apart from the previous generation(s). This page will not be updated anymore. </font> | ||
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
| + | [[image:Axe-Fx XL Plus front.png|375px|link=]] | ||
| − | [[image:Iii-front-transparent-1024x271.png| | + | [[image:Iii-front-transparent-1024x271.png|375px|link=]] |
| + | =What's new or changed= | ||
| − | [[ | + | For more information, read the [[Owners Manuals]]. |
| − | + | '''Dimensions''' | |
| + | * The III is taller, at 3U instead of 2U, but shallower, at 11.5” deep instead of 12.9” | ||
| − | + | '''I/O:''' | |
| + | * The III has 4 independent stereo outputs, instead of 2, plus auto-switching front/rear instrument inputs (with "Secret Sauce IV" on the front input) and 3 stereo inputs. INs and OUTs can be used in the usual ways, or paired to insert outboard gear in up to 3 stereo loops | ||
| + | * The red Output LEDs in the front panel meter bridge now light at -1 dBFS, and a warning pops up when the input is clipping | ||
| + | * Inputs 2, 3 and 4 support guitar impedance | ||
| + | * The nominal level of Outputs 1 and 2 can be switched between -10 and +4 dB | ||
| + | * The III has adjustable input levels for USB, AES and SPDIF | ||
| − | + | IMPORTANT: the Axe-Fx III's default output level is -10 dB (lower than the II: +4 dB) | |
| − | |||
| − | ''' | + | '''User interface''' |
| − | * The III has | + | * Instead of a RECALL screen, the III has a HOME button. The new Home menu provides access to Presets, Meters, with soft-button access to the Tuner, layout grid, controllers, and Setup menu |
| − | + | * The III's Home Screen also has Performance Pages, allowing fast access to often-used and critical controls | |
| − | * | + | * Instead of a LAYOUT button, the layout grid is accessed from a soft-button in the Home menu, or by pressing ENTER, or pressing VALUE while on the Home page. The grid has new features like Zoom, CPU meter, and a "mini" tuner |
| − | * The | + | * You can use old familiar workflows with the NAV buttons and VALUE wheel, but you’ll move much faster through editing if you use the five Push-knobs under the display |
| − | + | * The hardware and editor now optionally prompt before changing presets if the current preset has been edited or scenes has been switched . This prevents users from losing edits | |
| − | ''' | + | '''Sound''' |
| − | + | <blockquote>'''FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES'''<HR> | |
| − | + | <blockquote> | |
| − | + | [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/why-is-ares-darker-sounding-than-q10-01.145919/#post-1725472] | |
| − | + | The Axe-Fx III has slightly more high end extension than the previous products. It's more accurate. | |
| + | </blockquote> | ||
| + | </blockquote> | ||
| − | '''Effects | + | '''Effects''' |
| − | * New blocks: Plex Delay, Ten-Tap Delay, Multiplexer, Realtime Analyzer, Scene MIDI block | + | * New blocks include: Plex Delay, Ten-Tap Delay, Multitap Delay, Multiplexer, Realtime Analyzer, Scene MIDI block, IR Player, Dynamic Distortion |
| − | * Authentic Tri- | + | * Authentic Tri-Chorus type in the Chorus block |
| − | * 4 instances of Drive | + | * 4 instances of Drive |
| − | * 4 instances of Delay | + | * 4 instances of Delay |
| − | * 2 instances of | + | * 2 instances of Send/Return |
| − | * Pitch block: 4 voices. Pitch block has its own (faster) pitch detector. | + | * Pitch block: 4 voices. Pitch block has its own (faster) pitch detector. Latency and stability has been improved. New Virtual Capo mode |
| − | * | + | * Much improved Reverbs, Pitch shiftching |
| − | * Looper: more looping time, better control | + | * Looper: more looping time, better control |
| − | * Tone Matching in UltraRes, no difference between Offline and Live modes | + | * Tone Matching in UltraRes, no difference between Offline and Live modes |
| − | * Tuner: improved tracking, works on any input | + | * Tuner: improved tracking, works on any (or: all 4) input |
| − | * Compressor: "RMS" is the same as "Fast RMS" in the AX8 and Axe-Fx II. "E-L Panel" mode added. Filter parameter has been replaced with EQ-ing tools. | + | * Compressor: "RMS" is the same as "Fast RMS" in the AX8 and Axe-Fx II. "E-L Panel" mode added. Filter parameter has been replaced with EQ-ing tools. More compressor types, sustainers added |
| − | * Drive blocks: | + | * Drive blocks: much improved. Higher oversampling ratio and double-precision filters in some places. GEQ added. Authentic controls. FASPICE technology |
| − | * The output level of some effects / effects types has been changed, such as Resonator and Studio Compressor | + | * Gate: improved |
| − | * Vocoder now has 24 bands | + | * The output level of some effects / effects types has been changed, such as Resonator and Studio Compressor |
| − | * Some effects have their own envelope follower, such as Plex Delay | + | * Vocoder now has 24 bands |
| − | * Improved noise gate in the Input block, now also includes EMI filtering | + | * Some effects have their own envelope follower, such as Plex Delay |
| − | * Stereoizer mode in Enhancer block | + | * Improved noise gate in the Input block, now also includes EMI filtering |
| + | * Stereoizer mode in Enhancer block | ||
| + | * Improved Multiband Compressor | ||
| + | * Wah has an GEQ | ||
| + | * Multi Delay expansion | ||
| + | * Auto Swell mode in Volume block | ||
| + | * Bias and Harmonic Tremolo types | ||
| + | * More Compressor types | ||
| + | * Plex Reverb | ||
| − | '''Modifiers and controllers | + | '''Modifiers and controllers''' |
| − | * The Controllers block now has 4 channels, so the Envelope Controller can have 4 different settings per preset, for example | + | * The Controllers block now has 4 channels, so the Envelope Controller can have 4 different settings per preset, for example |
| − | * 4 Scene | + | * 4 Scene controllers instead of 2 |
| − | * Damping (modifier menu) is replaced with Attack/Release parameters | + | * Damping (modifier menu) is replaced with Attack/Release parameters |
| − | * To control the bypass state of a block using a modifier, you no longer modify the Bypass Mode parameter, but a dedicated Bypass parameter | + | * To control the bypass state of a block using a modifier, you no longer modify the Bypass Mode parameter, but a dedicated Bypass parameter |
| − | * A modifier can now be attached to either a single channel of an effect block, or to all its channels. | + | * A modifier can now be attached to either a single channel of an effect block, or to all its channels. You can't use a different modifier on a single parameter per channel |
| − | '''Presets, scenes, blocks and channels | + | '''Presets, scenes, blocks and channels''' |
| − | * 14x6 grid instead of 12x4 | + | * 14x6 grid instead of 12x4 |
| − | * 512 preset slots instead of 768. | + | * Axe-Fx III Mark I: 512 preset slots instead of 768. The number of presets in the Mark II and Turbo models has been increased to 1024 |
| − | * More CPU available per preset | + | * More CPU available per preset |
| − | * Inputs and Outputs must be placed on the grid as blocks | + | * Inputs and Outputs must be placed on the grid as blocks |
| − | * Each Scene has its own customizable name | + | * Each Scene has its own customizable name |
| − | * Up to 4 Channels per block | + | * Up to 4 Channels per block (Multiplexer: 6) |
| − | * Presets either default to a specified scene upon loading, or to the scene that was active when the preset was saved (global option) | + | * Presets either default to a specified scene upon loading, or to the scene that was active when the preset was saved (global option) |
| − | + | * 8 Global Blocks per effect block instance. Some blocks (like Multiplexer) do not support Global Blocks | |
| − | * Global Blocks | + | * Switching scenes is much faster |
| − | * Switching scenes is much faster | + | * Faster engage/bypass speed for some blocks |
| + | * Songs and setlists | ||
| + | * Scene ignore feature | ||
| − | '''Amp modeling | + | '''Amp modeling''' |
| − | * "Ares" amp modeling | + | * Additional amp models |
| − | * “Character” parameters are gone | + | * "Ares" amp modeling, "Cygnus" and "Cygnus X-2" amp modeling |
| − | * Pre-EQ controls have been added | + | * “Character” and "Pick Attack" parameters are gone |
| − | * "Boost types" have been integrated into the Amp block | + | * Pre-EQ controls have been added |
| + | * "Boost types" have been integrated into the Amp block. These act as clean boosts replicating the oft-used “Drive on 0, adjust Level as desired” boost technique. This allows boosting the Amp block without requiring a separate Drive block. The "Boost Level" parameter controls the amount of boost | ||
| + | * Output Mode lets you switch between FRFR and SS Power Amp + Cab | ||
| + | * New Speaker Compliance parameter controls nonlinear behavior of the virtual speaker | ||
| + | * New impedance modeling and impedance curves | ||
| + | * Auto impedance curve selection (part of DynaCab) | ||
| + | * FASPICE technology | ||
| + | * Authentic controls | ||
| + | * Oversampling Mode | ||
| − | '''Cab modeling | + | '''Cab modeling''' |
| − | * Mixes up to 4 different IRs at once | + | * Mixes up to 4 different IRs at once |
| − | * Output level is automatically normalized | + | * Output level is automatically normalized |
| − | * Mic Modeling has been removed, | + | * Mic Modeling has been removed, "Proximity" remains |
| − | * Speaker Size parameter is gone | + | * Speaker Size parameter is gone |
| − | * There are now Factory 1, Factory 2, User 1 and User 2 banks, each with 1,024 IRs, and a Legacy bank containing all 189 IRs from the Axe-Fx II, and 16 Scratchpads | + | * There are now Factory 1, Factory 2, User 1 and User 2 banks, each with 1,024 IRs, and a Legacy bank containing all 189 IRs from the Axe-Fx II, and 16 Scratchpads |
| + | * Two "IR Player" blocks | ||
| + | * Different Slope settings for Hi Cut and Low Cut | ||
| + | * Improved room ambience, with floor reflections | ||
| + | * IR alignment | ||
| + | * Support for FullRes IRs | ||
| + | * DynaCabs allow control over position and distance and provide new IRs | ||
| − | '''Editors, foot controllers | + | '''Editors, foot controllers''' |
| − | * Editor software and foot controllers share control, updating each other seamlessly without re-sync issues or paused communications | + | * FC foot controllers. Configuration on hardware or editor |
| − | * FASLINK II (XLR-to-XLR) connects the Axe-Fx III to the new FC controller(s) | + | * Editor software and foot controllers share control, updating each other seamlessly without re-sync issues or paused communications |
| − | * | + | * FASLINK II (XLR-to-XLR) connects the Axe-Fx III to the new FC controller(s) |
| + | * The editor supports hi-res displays | ||
| − | '''MIDI | + | '''MIDI''' |
| − | * Up to 8 MIDI PCs or CCs can be transmitted upon scene changes | + | * Up to 8 MIDI PCs or CCs can be transmitted upon scene changes |
| − | * A MIDI PC can be transmitted upon preset changes | + | * A MIDI PC can be transmitted upon preset changes |
| − | + | * A MIDI PC can be sent through the MIDI OUT port upon preset changes | |
| − | * A MIDI PC can be sent through the MIDI OUT port upon preset changes | + | * The FC can send additional MIDI commands through Control Switches (similar to those on the FX8 and AX8) |
| − | * The FC can send additional MIDI commands through Control Switches (similar to those on the FX8 and AX8) | + | * The Bypass state of an effect can simply be toggled (no need to specify "0" or "128" when sending a MIDI CC), which is useful with MIDI controllers that don't send values along with MIDI CCs |
| − | * The Bypass state of an effect can | ||
| − | '''Computer | + | '''Computer''' |
| − | * No driver required for Mac computers | + | * No driver required for Mac computers |
| − | * 8x8 USB Audio interface | + | * 8x8 USB Audio interface |
| − | * Faster MIDI-over-USB | + | * Faster MIDI-over-USB |
| − | * USB communications do not increase CPU load anymore | + | * USB communications do not increase CPU load anymore |
| − | '''Powering on | + | '''Powering on''' |
| − | * When powering on, the unit reads all user cabs. This | + | * When powering on, the unit reads all user cabs. This happens in the background |
| − | * The | + | * The III shows diagnostics |
=What's gone= | =What's gone= | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | * The MFC-101's "Axe-Fx Mode" is no longer supported | |
| − | [[Effects_list | + | * X/Y switching (replaced with Channels) |
| + | * X/Y Quick Jump (soft knob on the Home page lets you jump to the Amp block) | ||
| + | * Swapping presets on hardware (requires editor) | ||
| + | * Certain hardware buttons like Effect Bypass (replaced with soft knobs) | ||
| + | * Recall Effect function | ||
| + | * Quad Chorus block (now available in the Multitap Delay block) | ||
| + | * FX Loop block (replaced with Output blocks) | ||
| + | * Cab block parameters: Mic modeling, Motor Drive, Speaker Size | ||
| + | * Amp block parameters: Character, Pick Attack | ||
| + | * MIDI phantom power | ||
| + | * USB Adapter Mode | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Effects= | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Effects_list|List of effects in each device]] | ||
| − | The Axe-Fx II and Axe-Fx III cannot share presets electronically. | + | The Axe-Fx II and Axe-Fx III cannot share presets electronically. You can trying using [[FracPad and FracTool|FracTool]] to import Axe-Fx II presets into the Axe-Fx III, however be aware that the parameter settings might not transfer correctly. |
| − | = | + | =Sound= |
| − | <blockquote> | + | <blockquote>'''FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES'''<HR> |
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/output-level.136991/#post-1624021] | ||
| + | III is a little punchier. I really notice it when I A/B between the III and II (or the AX-8). If you plug into one and then plug into the other it's not as noticeable but if you use an A/B switch it's a more marked difference. | ||
| + | </blockquote> | ||
| − | <blockquote> | + | <blockquote> |
| + | [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/new-reverbs-and-plex-delay-what%C2%B4s-new.136124/#post-1611774] | ||
| + | Everything sounds better. I think a big part of it is the quality of the I/O. The I/O measures flatter and less distortion than my $2000 interface. | ||
| + | </blockquote> | ||
| − | <blockquote> | + | <blockquote>[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/xl-becoming-obsolete.134736/#post-1592389] It actually does sound a little better. The extra DSP horsepower means that we didn't have to make compromises in some of the algorithms. The amp modeling algorithm is very similar but there's a few places on the II where we had to make compromises to get the algorithm to run within the allotted time. Also the III has a higher internal oversampling rate and a higher bit depth on some calculations (64-bit vs. 40-bit). |
| + | </blockquote> | ||
| − | <blockquote> | + | <blockquote> |
| + | Better algorithms, higher upsampling, better analog I/O design. | ||
| + | </blockquote> | ||
| + | </blockquote> | ||
[[category:Axe-Fx2]] | [[category:Axe-Fx2]] | ||
[[category:Axe-Fx3]] | [[category:Axe-Fx3]] | ||
| + | [[category:All]] | ||
Revision as of 10:55, 27 February 2024
The firmware of the Axe-Fx III keeps evolving, introducing more and more features which set the Axe-Fx III apart from the previous generation(s). This page will not be updated anymore.
What's new or changed
For more information, read the Owners Manuals.
Dimensions
- The III is taller, at 3U instead of 2U, but shallower, at 11.5” deep instead of 12.9”
I/O:
- The III has 4 independent stereo outputs, instead of 2, plus auto-switching front/rear instrument inputs (with "Secret Sauce IV" on the front input) and 3 stereo inputs. INs and OUTs can be used in the usual ways, or paired to insert outboard gear in up to 3 stereo loops
- The red Output LEDs in the front panel meter bridge now light at -1 dBFS, and a warning pops up when the input is clipping
- Inputs 2, 3 and 4 support guitar impedance
- The nominal level of Outputs 1 and 2 can be switched between -10 and +4 dB
- The III has adjustable input levels for USB, AES and SPDIF
IMPORTANT: the Axe-Fx III's default output level is -10 dB (lower than the II: +4 dB)
User interface
- Instead of a RECALL screen, the III has a HOME button. The new Home menu provides access to Presets, Meters, with soft-button access to the Tuner, layout grid, controllers, and Setup menu
- The III's Home Screen also has Performance Pages, allowing fast access to often-used and critical controls
- Instead of a LAYOUT button, the layout grid is accessed from a soft-button in the Home menu, or by pressing ENTER, or pressing VALUE while on the Home page. The grid has new features like Zoom, CPU meter, and a "mini" tuner
- You can use old familiar workflows with the NAV buttons and VALUE wheel, but you’ll move much faster through editing if you use the five Push-knobs under the display
- The hardware and editor now optionally prompt before changing presets if the current preset has been edited or scenes has been switched . This prevents users from losing edits
Sound
FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES
[1] The Axe-Fx III has slightly more high end extension than the previous products. It's more accurate.
Effects
- New blocks include: Plex Delay, Ten-Tap Delay, Multitap Delay, Multiplexer, Realtime Analyzer, Scene MIDI block, IR Player, Dynamic Distortion
- Authentic Tri-Chorus type in the Chorus block
- 4 instances of Drive
- 4 instances of Delay
- 2 instances of Send/Return
- Pitch block: 4 voices. Pitch block has its own (faster) pitch detector. Latency and stability has been improved. New Virtual Capo mode
- Much improved Reverbs, Pitch shiftching
- Looper: more looping time, better control
- Tone Matching in UltraRes, no difference between Offline and Live modes
- Tuner: improved tracking, works on any (or: all 4) input
- Compressor: "RMS" is the same as "Fast RMS" in the AX8 and Axe-Fx II. "E-L Panel" mode added. Filter parameter has been replaced with EQ-ing tools. More compressor types, sustainers added
- Drive blocks: much improved. Higher oversampling ratio and double-precision filters in some places. GEQ added. Authentic controls. FASPICE technology
- Gate: improved
- The output level of some effects / effects types has been changed, such as Resonator and Studio Compressor
- Vocoder now has 24 bands
- Some effects have their own envelope follower, such as Plex Delay
- Improved noise gate in the Input block, now also includes EMI filtering
- Stereoizer mode in Enhancer block
- Improved Multiband Compressor
- Wah has an GEQ
- Multi Delay expansion
- Auto Swell mode in Volume block
- Bias and Harmonic Tremolo types
- More Compressor types
- Plex Reverb
Modifiers and controllers
- The Controllers block now has 4 channels, so the Envelope Controller can have 4 different settings per preset, for example
- 4 Scene controllers instead of 2
- Damping (modifier menu) is replaced with Attack/Release parameters
- To control the bypass state of a block using a modifier, you no longer modify the Bypass Mode parameter, but a dedicated Bypass parameter
- A modifier can now be attached to either a single channel of an effect block, or to all its channels. You can't use a different modifier on a single parameter per channel
Presets, scenes, blocks and channels
- 14x6 grid instead of 12x4
- Axe-Fx III Mark I: 512 preset slots instead of 768. The number of presets in the Mark II and Turbo models has been increased to 1024
- More CPU available per preset
- Inputs and Outputs must be placed on the grid as blocks
- Each Scene has its own customizable name
- Up to 4 Channels per block (Multiplexer: 6)
- Presets either default to a specified scene upon loading, or to the scene that was active when the preset was saved (global option)
- 8 Global Blocks per effect block instance. Some blocks (like Multiplexer) do not support Global Blocks
- Switching scenes is much faster
- Faster engage/bypass speed for some blocks
- Songs and setlists
- Scene ignore feature
Amp modeling
- Additional amp models
- "Ares" amp modeling, "Cygnus" and "Cygnus X-2" amp modeling
- “Character” and "Pick Attack" parameters are gone
- Pre-EQ controls have been added
- "Boost types" have been integrated into the Amp block. These act as clean boosts replicating the oft-used “Drive on 0, adjust Level as desired” boost technique. This allows boosting the Amp block without requiring a separate Drive block. The "Boost Level" parameter controls the amount of boost
- Output Mode lets you switch between FRFR and SS Power Amp + Cab
- New Speaker Compliance parameter controls nonlinear behavior of the virtual speaker
- New impedance modeling and impedance curves
- Auto impedance curve selection (part of DynaCab)
- FASPICE technology
- Authentic controls
- Oversampling Mode
Cab modeling
- Mixes up to 4 different IRs at once
- Output level is automatically normalized
- Mic Modeling has been removed, "Proximity" remains
- Speaker Size parameter is gone
- There are now Factory 1, Factory 2, User 1 and User 2 banks, each with 1,024 IRs, and a Legacy bank containing all 189 IRs from the Axe-Fx II, and 16 Scratchpads
- Two "IR Player" blocks
- Different Slope settings for Hi Cut and Low Cut
- Improved room ambience, with floor reflections
- IR alignment
- Support for FullRes IRs
- DynaCabs allow control over position and distance and provide new IRs
Editors, foot controllers
- FC foot controllers. Configuration on hardware or editor
- Editor software and foot controllers share control, updating each other seamlessly without re-sync issues or paused communications
- FASLINK II (XLR-to-XLR) connects the Axe-Fx III to the new FC controller(s)
- The editor supports hi-res displays
MIDI
- Up to 8 MIDI PCs or CCs can be transmitted upon scene changes
- A MIDI PC can be transmitted upon preset changes
- A MIDI PC can be sent through the MIDI OUT port upon preset changes
- The FC can send additional MIDI commands through Control Switches (similar to those on the FX8 and AX8)
- The Bypass state of an effect can simply be toggled (no need to specify "0" or "128" when sending a MIDI CC), which is useful with MIDI controllers that don't send values along with MIDI CCs
Computer
- No driver required for Mac computers
- 8x8 USB Audio interface
- Faster MIDI-over-USB
- USB communications do not increase CPU load anymore
Powering on
- When powering on, the unit reads all user cabs. This happens in the background
- The III shows diagnostics
What's gone
- The MFC-101's "Axe-Fx Mode" is no longer supported
- X/Y switching (replaced with Channels)
- X/Y Quick Jump (soft knob on the Home page lets you jump to the Amp block)
- Swapping presets on hardware (requires editor)
- Certain hardware buttons like Effect Bypass (replaced with soft knobs)
- Recall Effect function
- Quad Chorus block (now available in the Multitap Delay block)
- FX Loop block (replaced with Output blocks)
- Cab block parameters: Mic modeling, Motor Drive, Speaker Size
- Amp block parameters: Character, Pick Attack
- MIDI phantom power
- USB Adapter Mode
Effects
List of effects in each device
The Axe-Fx II and Axe-Fx III cannot share presets electronically. You can trying using FracTool to import Axe-Fx II presets into the Axe-Fx III, however be aware that the parameter settings might not transfer correctly.
Sound
FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES
[2] III is a little punchier. I really notice it when I A/B between the III and II (or the AX-8). If you plug into one and then plug into the other it's not as noticeable but if you use an A/B switch it's a more marked difference.
[3] Everything sounds better. I think a big part of it is the quality of the I/O. The I/O measures flatter and less distortion than my $2000 interface.
[4] It actually does sound a little better. The extra DSP horsepower means that we didn't have to make compromises in some of the algorithms. The amp modeling algorithm is very similar but there's a few places on the II where we had to make compromises to get the algorithm to run within the allotted time. Also the III has a higher internal oversampling rate and a higher bit depth on some calculations (64-bit vs. 40-bit).
Better algorithms, higher upsampling, better analog I/O design.
