Always consult the official Owners Manuals first

Difference between revisions of "Firmware"

From Fractal Audio Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
@see manual
+
One of the best features of the Axe-Fx II is the fact that it gets frequent updates, for free! Through these updates it's continuously improved, and its functionality and features are extended.
 +
Go to Utility > Firmware to see the version number of the installed firmware. The latest firmware version can be downloaded from [http://www.fractalaudio.com/support-fractal.html Fractal Audio Support.] Firmware is provided in raw sysex format.
  
Upgrading the Axe-Fx II firmware can be done over USB or via a separate MIDI interface.
+
To update via MIDI or MIDI-over-USB:
 +
# Connect your computer's MIDI Out to the Axe-Fx II"s MIDI In.
 +
# Load the firmware sysex file into a MIDI librarian utility.
 +
# On the Axe-Fx II press UTILITY and then PAGE until you reach the FIRMWARE page.
 +
# Press ENTER.
 +
# Send the file from the computer to the Axe-Fx II.  A progress box should appear on the Axe-Fx II displaying the transfer progress.  It will take some time to transfer the file.
 +
# If all goes well the Axe-Fx II will display "GOOD CHECKSUM" and proceed to reprogram the flash memory. If the file format was incorrectly interpreted by your librarian or any other problems occur the Axe-Fx will display "BAD CHECKSUM" and abort the update procedure.  If this happens turn the unit off and then back on and check your librarian settings and then repeat this procedure.
 +
# After the flash has been reprogrammed the unit should automatically reboot.  Occasionally the unit may not reboot automatically in which case turn the unit off, wait several seconds and turn back on.
 +
# Verify the update was succesful by checking the revision listed on the FIRMWARE page.
  
Old Wiki:
+
Notes:
One of the best features of the Axe-Fx is the fact that it gets updated all the time. For free! Through these software updates the Axe-Fx is continuously improved, extendending its functionality and features.
+
* Updated firmware may cause changes in your presets. Read the firmware release notes and verify your presets.
 
+
* If you are using MIDI-OX to send the firmware to the Axe-Fx II be aware that its  default settings may cause a buffer overrun error. Change Low Level I/O Buffers size to 256, and number to 16, and Milliseconds between buffers to 90.
Go to Utility > Firmware to see the version number of the installed firmware. The latest firmware can be downloaded here: ....
+
* When using MIDI-over-USB the transfer speed can be increased significantly by setting "Milliseconds between buffers" to 20 ms and "Delay after F7" to 20 ms.
 
+
* Major firmware revisions may change the structure of presets. In such a case use Preset Update (Utility > Preset) to update all presets to the new protocol. Usually the firmware release notes will explicitly instruct you to do this if necessary.
A MIDI connection with a computer is required for the update procedure, see separate topic.
 
 
 
How to update:
 
# Create the connection between the Axe-Fx (MIDI IN) and the computer
 
# Load the firmware SysEx file into the application
 
# On the Axe-Fx go to Utility > Firmware, press Enter
 
# Send the file from the computer to the Axe-Fx
 
# A progress box should appear on the Axe-Fx. It will take several minutes to transfer the file
 
# If all goes well, the Axe-Fx will display "GOOD CHECKSUM". If not, it displays "BAD CHECKSUM". In that case switch the Axe-Fx off and on again, check everything and rerun the procedure
 
# After a successful update the Axe-Fx will reboot
 
 
 
Updated firmware may cause changes in your presets. Read the firmware release notes and verify your presets.
 
 
 
Major firmware revisions may change the structure of presets. Use Preset Update (Utility > Preset) to update all presets to the new protocol. Usually the firmware release notes will explicitly instruct you to do this if necessary.
 
 
 
Note: if entering the Edit mode of the AMP block causes an audible change in the guitar tone, you probably have installed a major new firmware version without using Preset Update.
 
  
 
[[category:System and firmware]]
 
[[category:System and firmware]]
 
[[category:Axe-Edit]]
 
[[category:Axe-Edit]]

Revision as of 15:39, 28 June 2011

One of the best features of the Axe-Fx II is the fact that it gets frequent updates, for free! Through these updates it's continuously improved, and its functionality and features are extended. Go to Utility > Firmware to see the version number of the installed firmware. The latest firmware version can be downloaded from Fractal Audio Support. Firmware is provided in raw sysex format.

To update via MIDI or MIDI-over-USB:

  1. Connect your computer's MIDI Out to the Axe-Fx II"s MIDI In.
  2. Load the firmware sysex file into a MIDI librarian utility.
  3. On the Axe-Fx II press UTILITY and then PAGE until you reach the FIRMWARE page.
  4. Press ENTER.
  5. Send the file from the computer to the Axe-Fx II. A progress box should appear on the Axe-Fx II displaying the transfer progress. It will take some time to transfer the file.
  6. If all goes well the Axe-Fx II will display "GOOD CHECKSUM" and proceed to reprogram the flash memory. If the file format was incorrectly interpreted by your librarian or any other problems occur the Axe-Fx will display "BAD CHECKSUM" and abort the update procedure. If this happens turn the unit off and then back on and check your librarian settings and then repeat this procedure.
  7. After the flash has been reprogrammed the unit should automatically reboot. Occasionally the unit may not reboot automatically in which case turn the unit off, wait several seconds and turn back on.
  8. Verify the update was succesful by checking the revision listed on the FIRMWARE page.

Notes:

  • Updated firmware may cause changes in your presets. Read the firmware release notes and verify your presets.
  • If you are using MIDI-OX to send the firmware to the Axe-Fx II be aware that its default settings may cause a buffer overrun error. Change Low Level I/O Buffers size to 256, and number to 16, and Milliseconds between buffers to 90.
  • When using MIDI-over-USB the transfer speed can be increased significantly by setting "Milliseconds between buffers" to 20 ms and "Delay after F7" to 20 ms.
  • Major firmware revisions may change the structure of presets. In such a case use Preset Update (Utility > Preset) to update all presets to the new protocol. Usually the firmware release notes will explicitly instruct you to do this if necessary.