Always consult the official Owners Manuals first!
March 2024: all pages have been checked and are up-to-date

Difference between revisions of "Controllers and modifiers"

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* '''Axe-Fx III''': 4 channels
 
* '''Axe-Fx III''': 4 channels
 
* '''FM3''': 4 channels
 
* '''FM3''': 4 channels
 +
* '''FM9''': 4 channels
 
* '''Axe-Fx II''': no
 
* '''Axe-Fx II''': no
 
* '''FX8''': no
 
* '''FX8''': no

Revision as of 07:51, 30 August 2021

Iii-modifier.jpg

Channels or X/Y switching

  • Axe-Fx III: 4 channels
  • FM3: 4 channels
  • FM9: 4 channels
  • Axe-Fx II: no
  • FX8: no
  • AX8: no

If a controller is assigned to a parameter on the Axe-Fx II, AX8 or FX8, it always applies to the X and Y settings. It's not possible to have different modifier settings per X/Y.

"The architecture doesn't allow for this." [1]

What are modifiers and controllers

Modifiers and controllers are explained in depth in the Owner's Manuals. They allow real-time control over parameters and therefore sound.

Controllers — Generate data which can change parameter values. For example: an expression pedal (an external controller) works with the Wah block, an external on/off switch (an external controller) turns an effect on/off or taps the tempo, an envelope follower (an internal controller) makes fade-ins possible.

External controllers — Gateway between the FAS device and another external hardware device such as a pedal, switch or MIDI device.

Internal controllers — Generate data within the FAS device, which in turn change parameter values. Envelope follower, LFO and ADSR are examples of internal controllers. Use the Control menu to adjust their settings, per preset.

Modifiers — Sit between the internal or external controller and the parameter which is being "controlled". So the chain goes: internal/external controller sends data, which is modified and then results in changes in sound.

Scene controllers — read this: Scenes.

Control Switches — These provide a way to control a parameter with an onboard switch. Available on the AX8, Axe-Fx III with FC-6 and FC-12 foot controllers and FM3.

Improvements in in firmware Ares and later

In addition to the differences noted above, current firmware:

  • allows a pedal, switch, etc. to be directly assigned as a modifier source. (On the Axe-Fx II, a pedal, switch etc. always has to be attached to an external controller first, to be able to act as a modifier source)
  • provides 16 external controllers and 24 modifiers per preset
  • provides Control Switches
  • allows to assign a 2nd source to a modifier ("dual source modifiers", i.e. to use two "Wah" pedals. Not supported on the FM3.
  • allows longer attack and release times.

Internal controllers

What do internal controllers do

Internal controllers generate control data without help of an external device.

Firmware Ares and later provides internal controllers with 4 different sets of settings per preset, through Channels. Also, some of the "ambient" blocks, such as the Multitap Delay block, have a built-in envelope follower on the input, enabling swelling effects without having to use a controller.

Read the Owner's Manual for more information about internal controllers.

ADSR, Envelope Follower, LFO, Pitch, Sequencer

Internalctl.png

5 internal controllers generate control data without help of an external device:

LFO — generates control signals as familiar wave shapes or random signals. Each LFO outputs two signals, “A” and “B”

(Firmware Ares 12 and later) "Added “Astable” type to LFOs. This simulates an astable Op-amp Multivibrator as is commonly found in effect pedals. “Beta” controls the shape of the LFO. High values approach a square wave while low values approach a triangle wave."

"You can start a sweep, ramp, etc. from a known value. When you stop the LFO it resets the function argument to zero. The output is then, for example, sin(0) = 0. The random type doesn't have a value associated with an argument of zero so it doesn't reset." [2]

Sequencer — generates control patterns by looping through 2–32 stages

ADSR — “envelope generators” with ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN and RELEASE parameters (thus “ADSR”)

Attack — The time it takes to go from silence to maximum level.

Decay — The time it takes to drop from maximum level to the sustain level or silence.

Sustain — The volume of a note while holding it.

Release — The time it takes to drop from sustain level to silence after being released.

Envelope Follower — converts input levels to control signals, responding variably to playing dynamics. In comparison, the ADSR envelope generator always creates the same control signal, but only triggers when you play hard enough. Use Envelope to create an Auto Wah: attach Envelpe to the Control parameter in the Wah block and hit the note hard for much effect, hit it soft for less effect

Firmware Ares 11.02 and later adds Low Cut and High Cut parameters to the Envelope Follower.

Pitch detector — analyzes the pitch of your playing and outputs a low value for low notes and a high value for high notes

Envelope and Pitch only detect signals at the front input of the Axe-Fx II and AX8, and Input 1 left rear (Axe-Fx II). The FX8 lets you adjust this for POST-only setups (Global menu). The Axe-Fx III and FM3 have expanded possibilities and the Pitch block has its own detector in the Axe-Fx III.

More information:

External controllers

An external controller lets you manipulate effect parameters with a pedal, switch, dial, etc.

Examples: Wah pedal, Whammy pedal, changing the rate of an effect with a rotary dial, engaging the Hold function of a Reverb with an external switch.

The Axe-Fx III and FM3 provide 16 external controllers.

Engage and bypass an effect through an external controller

You can attach a controller to the effect's Bypass (Mode) parameter. This will not change the bypass mode, but it'll act as an On/Off switch for the effect block. Side-effect is you can no longer engage or bypass that effect manually by editing the preset. The On/Off state is determined by the external controller, exclusively.

Firmware Ares and later provides separate Bypass and Bypass Mode parameters.

Set the state of a disconnected external controller (INIT VALUE)

Setting the initial state of an external controller is important to prevent issues when that controller is not connected. For example, you are using a controller (a pedal) to control the overall volume. To make sure that the output volume is 100% when the pedal is NOT connected, set the controller's initial state to 100% (MIDI > Initial Value).

Initial Value settings apply only to external controllers, not to pedals that are directly connected to the device.

The AX8 and FX8 detect if a pedal is not connected and set the controller's initial state at 100% automatically. The Init Ctrl value will be bypassed.

(FX8) "Pedals are always running. If nothing is plugged in there is a pull-up resistor that pulls the pedal value to 100%." [3]

MIDI CCs for external controllers

Axe-Fx III – assignable in Setup > MIDI/Remote > External

FM3 — assignable in Setup > MIDI/Remote > External

Axe-Fx II – External controllers 1-12 correspond with MIDI CCs 16 - 27

AX8 – External controllers 1 - 4 are assigned to Pedal 1 - 4 by default

FX8 – External controllers 1 and 2 are assigned to Pedal 1 resp. Pedal 2 by default

Factory presets

Search the Factory presets page for "external" to see examples of usage of an external controller.

Modifier menu

Auto-Engage

What does Auto-Engage do

The Auto-Engage modifier parameter allows engaging and bypassing effects automatically. Example: rocking an expression pedal will engage and bypass the Wah block automatically without having to press a switch first, like an optical Wah pedal.

Configure Auto-Engage

You can make Auto-Engage kick in depending the pedal's position, or the speed with which you rock it. "Position" depends on the OFF VAL setting.

"Added speed (SPD) vs. position (POS) options to Modifier Auto-Engage parameters. The SPD options engage the effect when the controller changes more than 5% in any 20 ms interval (as before). The POS options engage the effect when the controller value is 5% greater than or less than the Off Value (depending upon whether the Off Value is less than or greater than 50% respectively). For example, setting the Auto-Engage to SLOW SPD will bypass the effect when the controller value is less than, say, 5% (default). To engage the effect the controller (foot pedal) must be moved more than 5% in a 20 ms interval. This requires that the pedal be moved somewhat rapidly and prevents the effect from engaging erroneously if the pedal droops. Setting the Auto-Engage to SPD POS will bypass the effect in the same manner but the effect will engage when the controller exceeds 10% (5% + 5%) regardless of the rate of change."

(Bakerman) "Both auto-engage types need to go into the off zone (determined by Off Value) to disengage. Position/speed really only changes the conditions to engage the block. "Speed" type requires a certain rate of change instead of simply reaching some value."

To turn an expression pedal into a virtual "toe switch": set OFF VAL to around 90% and Auto-Engage to Medium or Slow.

Auto-Engage and scenes

When switching scenes while the effect is still engaged, the effect will also be engaged in the new scene. In other words, an Auto-Engaged effect survives scene switching, even with Scene Revert set to ON.

Auto-Engage and editor

Auto-engaging an effect in the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8 will not be visible in the editor for technical reasons. In other words, the block won't be un-bypassed visually. To see the actual state of the block, refresh the editor.

Alternative to Auto-Engage

Auto-engaging an effect can cause an hickup in the audio when engaging the effect, such as a simulated Whammy. To avoid this, use modifier settings like these instead of Auto-Engage:

  • Auto-engage = off
  • Min = 100
  • Max = 0
  • Start = 60
  • Mid = 0
  • End = 49,8
  • Slope = 100
  • Scale = 10
  • Offset = -100.

These settings pass the unmodified signal at heel-down position and switch to 100% processed sound when moving the pedal, while retaining the expression pedal's regular functionality. Note that this only works with effects where the heel-down position sounds like the unmodified direct tone and which have a Mix parameter. This rules out the Wah block.

PC RST (Program Change Reset)

This parameter determines whether a modified parameter will be reset to its stored value when switching presets, or stay at its current value ("survive" preset switching).

Example: you have an expression pedal assigned to a Level parameter. You set the pedal half-way and then switch presets. PC RST determines whether the new preset maintains the pedal position and sets Level accordingly, or sets Level at the stored value of the preset, regardless of the pedal's position. If it's ON, the stored value will be used, until the pedal is moved.

"The new value must be 5% different than the previous value, otherwise whatever value the pedal is at, will immediately override the "PC RST" value. The idea is that the parameter is set to a value when you recall the patch. You then have to move your pedal a bit (5%) to regain control of the parameter. This is done for two reasons:

  1. Many MIDI controllers send the state of their expression pedals along with the PC message. If the behavior weren't as described, the stored parameter value wouldn't stick.
  2. Many MIDI controllers have "noisy" expression pedals where the value tends to bounce around a little. This prevents the stored value from being lost."

Damping and Attack/Release

Damping determines how long it takes to move the parameter between values.

The Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8 allow a maximum damping time of 1000 ms.

Firmware Ares and later provides Damping with separate Attack (up) and Release (down) parameters. This means that damping up and down can be set at different times. Also, the maximum damping time has been expanded.

Update rate

Available in firmware Ares only.

This selects the rate at which the modifier updates the target parameter. For most applications a slow rate is sufficient. That's always the case with external controllers.

Under some circumstances a slow or medium rate combined with an internal controller may cause “zipper noise”. Increasing the rate will reduce the noise. Note: higher update rates increase background CPU usage and should only be used when absolutely necessary.

Modifier curves

Read the Owner's Manual for more information and diagrams.

SCALE — applies “gain” to the modifier curve, allowing the user to create steeper or shallower curves (vertical). Use this to optimize your pedal

OFFSET — allows shifting the curve up or down the Y-axis

SLOPE — introduces an "S"-shaped curve

Turning up Scale will ensure that the Control value reaches maximum even if the pedal doesn't. [4]

M@'s tips:

  • Simulate a Whammy, reaching an octave at toe-down, with extra "play" at the top: Pitch CONTROL; SCALE 1.089; OFFSET 10.0
  • Make the Auto-Engage "bump" disppear (true bypass at heel-down): Pitch MIX; Start 40; Mid 100; End 55; Slope 0; Scale 10; Offset 100
  • Make a modifier go straight from MIN to MAX at toe-down: START 0; MID 0; MAX 60; SLOPE 0; SCALE 10; OFFSET -100
  • Simulate a Log taper in a modifier menu: set "Mid" in the modifier menu to 20%. Adjust Slope to avoid the dead zone

Control Switches

This applies to:

  • AX8
  • FM3
  • FC controller with an Axe-Fx III

Instead of an internal or external controller, a modifiable parameter can be assigned to a Control Switch (CS). The CS can then be controlled with an onboard switch or FC controller. This allows controlling a function like Input Boost in the Amp block directly with an onboard switch.

The state of the Control Switch is saved per scene.

Control switches can also be used to send MIDI commands. See MIDI.

Control Switches are documented in the Owners Manuals of the FC controllers, AX8, and FM3.

Axe-Fx III

The Axe-Fx III provides 6 Control Switches.

The Control Switch can operate as a latching or momentary switch.

The state of a CS is stored per scene: On, Off, or LAST. "Last" (default) leaves the switch state unchanged when you change to a scene with this setting. The "per scene" settings can be accessed from the CS PER SCENE page in the Controllers menu.

Control Switches can be made part of a mutually exclusive group (Global menu). This means that engaging one will bypass the others.

The Control Switches also let you transmit MIDI at will by pressing the switch, when using an FC-6 or FC-12 or FM3. This doesn't depend on a preset change or scene change. Up to 4 MIDI commands (PC or CC) can be transmitted.

Demonstration: using Control Switches to switch amp stuff

FM3

See Axe-Fx III.

AX8

The AX8 has provides two Control Switches, which can be assigned globally or per-preset like any other footswitch block from the main Footswitch (“FS”) page.

To set up a Control Switch footswitch:

  1. On the Footswitch (“FS”) page, use the NAV and A knobs to assign CS1 or CS2 to footswitch 1 – 8.
  2. Add a modifier to the desired effect parameter, setting “CTRL SW1” or "CTRL SW2” as the source.
  3. Adjust the modifier to work as desired.

To set initial values for a Control Switch:

  1. From the main FOOTSWITCH (“FS”) page of the AX8, page right to the CONFIG page.
  2. Select the CONTROLLERS option and press <ENTER>.
  3. Page to the CONTROL SWITCH (“CTRL SW”) page.
  4. Set the initial value of each switch for each scene to either “ON” or “OFF”.

Forum discussion

Manual controls

Firmware Ares 6 and later for the Axe-Fx III brings back the five manual controllers from the Axe-Fx II firmware.

These are accessible in the Controllers menu and/or Performance Pages, and can be used as modifiers for real-time manipulation of parameters from the front panel, without needing an expression pedal, MIDI device or other controller.

Controllers and CPU usage

Using controllers increases CPU usage slightly. For example, when you move a pedal which is assigned to a parameter, it'll send control data which will increase CPU usage temporarily.

Controllers and Channels

Firmware Ares lets you assign a controller to a parameter and apply that either to a single channel or to all channels. This allows more flexible use of a modifier, especially across scenes. Also, multiple controller settings within a single preset are possible, because the Control block has 4 channels.

Modifiers and Global Blocks

Modifier settings and controller assignments are not saved with Global Blocks.

Use Recall Effect on the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8 to copy controller and modifier settings between presets, or use the editor.

Tips and tricks

See which parameters are modified

To see if and which controllers are used in a preset, go to I/O > Control menu and scroll to the last tab page.

You can do the same in the software editor. Press Enter after selecting a controller on the Mods page to open its Modifier menu (except for "CONTROL" modifiers). Exit or Control will return from a modifier menu to the Mods menu.

Wicked Wiki article

Controllers and modifiers in a DAW

Read this

Unable to type Min/Max modifier values in the software editor

The software editors do not allow typing values in the Min/Max fields within a modifier menu, for technical reasons. Use the mouse instead.