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Difference between revisions of "Tempo"

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''The information on this page supplements the official manuals.''
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__TOC__
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=Tempo menu=
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When tapping the Tempo button on the processor hardware or Tempo switch, the Tempo menu appears on the hardware GUI. It will disappear after a few seconds. Some devices let you specify how long it stays on-screen (Global menu).
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On the Axe-Fx III, the Tempo button is also a shortcut to the Controllers menu.
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=Global or per preset=
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You can specify in the Tempo menu if you want the set tempo to apply to all presets (Global) or per preset (Preset).
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=Channels=
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The Controllers block in firmware Ares has 4 channels. This means that presets can have 4 different tempos. This allows setting tempo per scene.
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=Tap tempo calculation=
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The Global menu lets you specify how Tap Tempo works:
  
__TOC__
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'''Average''' — averages the tempo to the last 10 taps. Usually a wise choice if you can't get the first taps right, and the default setting
  
[[image:Metronome.png|link=]]
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'''Last Two''' — uses only the most recent two taps to determine the tempo. Acts faster but also less precise
  
=Tap Tempo modes in the Global menu=
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Tap Tempo needs at least two taps to calculate.
The Global menu lets you set the Tap Tempo operating mode:
 
* '''Average''': averages the tempo to the last ten taps.
 
* '''Last Two''': uses only the most recent two taps to determine the tempo.
 
  
=Tempo menu=
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[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/tap-tempo-issues.151565 Forum discussion]
When tapping the Tempo button or switch, the Tempo menu appears. It will disappear after a few seconds. You can specify in the Global menu how long it should stay on-screen.
 
  
=Tempo: global or preset=
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=Syncing effects to tempo=
You can specify in the Tempo menu whether you want tempo to be set globally (across all presets) or per preset.
 
  
=Tempo LED accuracy=
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You can assign effect parameters such as Time or Rate to a specific tempo, like 1/4 or 1/8 Dotted, instead of specifying the number of milliseconds. That will make the effect depend on the global or preset tempo. Tapping a different tempo will change the rate of the effect.
  
<blockquote>"The tempo LED is handled by a low-priority thread so it isn't rock solid and the higher the CPU usage the less solid it will be." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/51049-does-tempo-led-actually-flash-time.html#post658471 source] </blockquote>
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Important: after assigning a parameter to a tempo, you can no longer adjust the time in the effect manually!
  
=Tempo is part of MIDI data=
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=Accuracy of the tempo LED=
Tempo information is sent to other devices through MIDI syex. This can be disabled in the I/O menu (Send Realtime Sysex parameter).
 
  
=Ticking tempo noise=
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<blockquote>"The tempo LED is handled by a low-priority thread so it isn't rock solid and the higher the CPU usage the less solid it will be." [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/does-the-tempo-led-actually-flash-in-time.51049/#post-658471 source] </blockquote>
Audible bleed-through of the tempo signal can occur when the MIDI cable is not properly shielded.
 
  
 
=Metronome=
 
=Metronome=
The Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8 can emit a metronome signal. The metronome is located in the Tempo menu. You can start the metronome using a switch (assigned to the Metronome's MIDI CC) or through the Tempo menu. The metronome plays through Output 1 only.
 
  
The Axe-FX III does not provide a metronome.
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The Tempo menu contains a metronome. Read this: [[Metronome]]
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=Remote control=
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==Footswitch==
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Scroll to the Tempo CC in the [[I/O menu]] and hit Enter. Click the switch on the footswitch that you want to assign the Tuner to.
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Or configure it manually by assigning the Tuner MIDI CC to a switch on a MIDI controller.
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==MIDI CC==
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The default MIDI CC for the Tuner is 14 on the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8. Keep it like this to avoid issues.
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The Axe-Fx III lets you set the Tuner CC manually in the [[I/O menu]].
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FM3: to be added... @@
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==MFC-101==
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The [[MFC-101 MIDI foot controller]] has a dedicated Tempo command for the Axe-Fx II, when it's running in Axe-Fx Mode.
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==FC controllers==
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The [[FC-6 and FC-12 foot controllers]] for the Axe-Fx III have a dedicated Tempo command.
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==MIDI Clock==
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Read this: [[MIDI#MIDI_Clock|MIDI Clock]]
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=Tips and tricks=
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==Tempo and Beats Per Minute (BPM)==
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The [http://wiki.fractalaudio.com/axefx2/index.php?title=Owners_Manuals Owner's Manuals] lists the Tempo values with the BPM equivalents.
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==BPM on the Performance Pages==
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If you add Controllers > Tempo as the first control on a Performance Page on the Axe-Fx III, you'll always see the preset's BPM value when switching presets from your foot controller.
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==Auto-activate a delay by tapping Tempo==
  
=Auto-activate a Delay using Tap Tempo=
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Read this: [[Delay block]]
If the parameter Auto Delay in the Tempo menu is “ON,” any delay blocks that are bypassed will become active whenever a tempo is tapped in. This allows you to set the tempo and un-bypass your delay block(s) from a single footswitch.
 
  
=MIDI CCs for Tempo and Metronome=
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==SysEx commands for tempo==
* '''Tempo''': CC 14
 
* '''Metronome''': CC 122 (not on Axe-Fx III)
 
  
=Showing tempo on on MIDI controllers=
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[[media:Axe-Fx-II-XL-Delay-Tempos.pdf |Here's a list of all SysEx commands]] for each tempo setting in the [[Delay block]] in the Axe-Fx II XL.
Tempo indication on MIDI foot controllers relies on bidirectional MIDI and system exclusive messages.
 
  
The Axe-Fx III has a proprietary communication protocol. The MIDI controller needs to act as a client to the Axe-Fx III to be able to communicate. The firmware of the MIDI controller needs to be adapted to this.
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==Bleed-through tempo noise==
  
=Using Tempo in effect blocks=
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Audible bleed-through of the tempo signal can occur if the MIDI cable is not properly shielded. Use high-quality, properly shielded MIDI cables.
Some effects let you assign parameters such as Time or Rate to a specific tempo, like 1/4 or 1/8 Dotted, instead of number of milliseconds. That will make the effect depend on the global or preset tempo. Tapping a different tempo will change the rate of the effect.
 
  
[[category:Axe-Fx]]
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[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
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[[category:FM3]]
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[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
[[category:Effect]]
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[[category:Sounds]]
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[[category:Remote]]

Revision as of 03:47, 2 March 2020

Tempo menu

When tapping the Tempo button on the processor hardware or Tempo switch, the Tempo menu appears on the hardware GUI. It will disappear after a few seconds. Some devices let you specify how long it stays on-screen (Global menu).

On the Axe-Fx III, the Tempo button is also a shortcut to the Controllers menu.

Global or per preset

You can specify in the Tempo menu if you want the set tempo to apply to all presets (Global) or per preset (Preset).

Channels

The Controllers block in firmware Ares has 4 channels. This means that presets can have 4 different tempos. This allows setting tempo per scene.

Tap tempo calculation

The Global menu lets you specify how Tap Tempo works:

Average — averages the tempo to the last 10 taps. Usually a wise choice if you can't get the first taps right, and the default setting

Last Two — uses only the most recent two taps to determine the tempo. Acts faster but also less precise

Tap Tempo needs at least two taps to calculate.

Forum discussion

Syncing effects to tempo

You can assign effect parameters such as Time or Rate to a specific tempo, like 1/4 or 1/8 Dotted, instead of specifying the number of milliseconds. That will make the effect depend on the global or preset tempo. Tapping a different tempo will change the rate of the effect.

Important: after assigning a parameter to a tempo, you can no longer adjust the time in the effect manually!

Accuracy of the tempo LED

"The tempo LED is handled by a low-priority thread so it isn't rock solid and the higher the CPU usage the less solid it will be." source

Metronome

The Tempo menu contains a metronome. Read this: Metronome

Remote control

Footswitch

Scroll to the Tempo CC in the I/O menu and hit Enter. Click the switch on the footswitch that you want to assign the Tuner to.

Or configure it manually by assigning the Tuner MIDI CC to a switch on a MIDI controller.

MIDI CC

The default MIDI CC for the Tuner is 14 on the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8. Keep it like this to avoid issues.

The Axe-Fx III lets you set the Tuner CC manually in the I/O menu.

FM3: to be added... @@

MFC-101

The MFC-101 MIDI foot controller has a dedicated Tempo command for the Axe-Fx II, when it's running in Axe-Fx Mode.

FC controllers

The FC-6 and FC-12 foot controllers for the Axe-Fx III have a dedicated Tempo command.

MIDI Clock

Read this: MIDI Clock

Tips and tricks

Tempo and Beats Per Minute (BPM)

The Owner's Manuals lists the Tempo values with the BPM equivalents.

BPM on the Performance Pages

If you add Controllers > Tempo as the first control on a Performance Page on the Axe-Fx III, you'll always see the preset's BPM value when switching presets from your foot controller.

Auto-activate a delay by tapping Tempo

Read this: Delay block

SysEx commands for tempo

Here's a list of all SysEx commands for each tempo setting in the Delay block in the Axe-Fx II XL.

Bleed-through tempo noise

Audible bleed-through of the tempo signal can occur if the MIDI cable is not properly shielded. Use high-quality, properly shielded MIDI cables.