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

Difference between revisions of "Tempo"

From Fractal Audio Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(67 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
 
=Tempo menu=
 
=Tempo menu=
  
When tapping the Tempo button or switch, the Tempo menu appears. It will disappear after a few seconds. Some devices let you specify how long it stays on-screen (Global 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, it's also a shortcut to the Controllers menu.
+
On the Axe-Fx III, the Tempo button is also a shortcut to the Controllers menu.
  
=Gobal or per-preset tempo=
+
=Global or per preset=
  
You can specify in the Tempo menu whether you want the tempo to operate globally (across all presets) 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).
  
=Tapping tempo=
+
=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:
 
The Global menu lets you specify how Tap Tempo works:
  
* '''Average''' — averages the tempo to the last ten taps. Usually a wise choice.
+
'''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.
+
 
 +
'''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.
 +
 
 +
[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/tap-tempo-issues.151565 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=
  
=Setting tempo in effects=
+
<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>
  
You can assign effect parameters such as Time or Rate to a specific tempo, like 1/4 or 1/8 Dotted, instead 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.
+
=Metronome=
  
Important: after assigning a parameter to a tempo, you can no longer adjust the time in the effect!
+
The Tempo menu contains a metronome. Read this: [[Metronome]]
  
=Accuracy of the Tempo LED=
+
=Remote control=
  
<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>
+
==Footswitch==
  
=Tempo on the Axe-Fx III=
+
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.
  
Tempo is part of the internal controllers. The Controllers block on the Axe-Fx III has 4 channels. This means that each preset can have 4 different tempos.
+
Or configure it manually by assigning the Tuner MIDI CC to a switch on a MIDI controller.
  
=Using Tempo to auto-activate a Delay=
+
==MIDI CC==
  
[[Delay_block#Auto-activate_the_Delay_block|Read this.]]
+
The default MIDI CC for the Tuner is 14 on the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8. Keep it like this to avoid issues.
  
=Tempo and MIDI=
+
The Axe-Fx III lets you set the Tuner CC manually in the [[I/O menu]].
  
==MIDI CCs==
+
FM3: to be added... @@
  
* '''Tempo''': defaults to CC 14 on the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8. Keep it this way to avoid issues. The III lets you assign the Tempo CC manually.
+
==MFC-101==
* '''Metronome''': CC 122. The Axe-Fx III does not provide a metronome.
 
  
==Showing the tempo on a foot controller==
+
The [[MFC-101 MIDI foot controller]] has a dedicated Tempo command for the Axe-Fx II, when it's running in Axe-Fx Mode.
  
The Axe-Fx II, MFC-1010, AX8 and FX8 show the tempo.
+
==FC controllers==
  
Fractal Audio's FC series indicate the preset tempo on an Axe-Fx III. 3rd-party MIDI controllers can also show tempo when they have been programmed to act as a client to the Axe-Fx III, using Fractal Audio's protocol, or when using real-time sysex as [http://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/misc/Axe-Fx%20III%20MIDI%20for%203rd%20Party%20Devices.pdf documented here].
+
The [[FC-6 and FC-12 foot controllers]] for the Axe-Fx III have a dedicated Tempo command.
  
 
==MIDI Clock==
 
==MIDI Clock==
  
The Axe-Fx II and III, FX8 and AX8 do not transmit MIDI Clock to other devices. They can process an incoming MIDI Clock signal.
+
Read this: [[MIDI#MIDI_Clock|MIDI Clock]]
  
=Tempo guide=
+
=Tips and tricks=
  
The [http://wiki.fractalaudio.com/axefx2/index.php?title=Owners_Manuals Owner's Manuals] contain a Tempo Cross Reference guide.
+
==Tempo and Beats Per Minute (BPM)==
  
=Tempo in SysEx=
+
The [http://wiki.fractalaudio.com/axefx2/index.php?title=Owners_Manuals Owner's Manuals] lists the Tempo values with the BPM equivalents.
  
[[media:Axe-Fx-II-XL-Delay-Tempos.pdf | Llist of all SysEx commands for each tempo setting in the Delay 1 and Delay 2 blocks]]
+
==BPM on the Performance Pages==
 
 
=Metronome=
 
  
The Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8 can emit a metronome signal. It is located in the Tempo menu. The Axe-Fx III does not provide a metronome.
+
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.
  
Start the metronome by pressing a switch, assigned to the Metronome's MIDI CC, or in the Tempo menu.
+
==Auto-activate a delay by tapping Tempo==
  
The metronome plays through Output 1 only!
+
Read this: [[Delay block]]
  
If the metronome starts automatically and cannot be stopped, it's probably triggered by a MIDI CC transmitted by your DAW. Disable this in your DAW, or set the Metronome's MIDI CC to NONE in I/O.
+
==SysEx commands for tempo==
  
=Troubleshooting=
+
[[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.
  
==Ticking tempo noise==
+
==Bleed-through tempo noise==
  
Audible bleed-through of the tempo signal can occur if the MIDI cable is not properly shielded.
+
Audible bleed-through of the tempo signal can occur if the MIDI cable is not properly shielded. Use high-quality, properly shielded MIDI cables.
  
 
[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
 
[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
 +
[[category:FM3]]
 
[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
 
[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:Sounds]]
 
[[category:Sounds]]
 +
[[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.