Send and Return blocks

Available on which products

• Axe-Fx III, FM9, FM3: 2 pairs
• Axe-Fx II: 1 pair
• FX8, AX8: no

Channels or X/Y

• Axe-Fx III and FM9 and FM3: no
• Axe-Fx II: no

Use Send/Return to extend the signal chain on the grid

You can use the Send/Return blocks to continue the signal chain on another row.

The Owner's Manual explains how this works.

Use Send/Return to create a feedback loop

You can use the Send/Return blocks to create a feedback loop with a Delay block.

For an example, search the Factory presets page for "feedback loop".

Use caution when experimenting when Send follows Return such as in this layout. The feedback loop can run-away very quickly leading to a piercing and painful noise.

Use Send/Return to send Input 2 to Output 2 on the Axe-Fx II

The Send/Return blocks can be used to enhance the effects loop (FXL) on the Axe-Fx II.

By itself, FX Loop allows:

• a signal from Input 2 to enter the grid.
• sending a signal through Output 2.

By placing FX Loop between Return and Send, you can accomplish both: send input from Input 2 to Output 2.

Latency increase

A Send/Return loop adds some latency to the signal processing (of that loop).

Parameters

Axe-Fx III, FM9, FM3 – Send does not have any adjustable parameters. The signal going to Return can be controlled with Mix in the Feedback Return block. If the signal is passed to the next block and needs adjustment, there are other tools to accomplish that, such as a Volume block.

The Return block's Level parameter defaults to 0 and will mute the sound to prevent undesirable osciallation. Turn it up to pass sound.

FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES

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[1] The reason the default level for the Return Block is 0 is probably so that when you insert it, you don't need to fear screaming feedback. The way it is, you can turn it up to make sure you haven't created a bad feedback loop.

[2] It's a safety thing to prevent unwanted feedback loops.

[3] The feedback return will clip at extremely high input levels. This is a protection mechanism to prevent against "runaway" if someone creates a feedback loop. The feedback return clips at a level of 38 dBu. This is nearly 10 times the maximum output level of the unit. If this protection were not there a feedback loop could be created that would result in digital overflow and cause a reboot.

PREVIOUS GENERATIONS

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Both blocks have parameters that need configuring. In most cases, you'll want Send to feed the Return block only, NOT to pass the signal to the next block. So Send Level (which feeds Return) has to be at 100% and Output Level (which sends the signal to the next grid block) stays at zero. In this case, the Return block's Mix parameter (which receives the signal from Send) should be 100% and Return Level (which sends the signal to the next grid block) is 0 dB.

No Global blocks

The Send/Return blocks don't support Global blocks.