USB

Manual

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Diagram: USB features

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User contributions

Driver for USB connectivity

• Drivers for Mac and PC which add USB connectivity are available for download here.
• It's not an driver in the conventional sense. It's a daemon that waits for the Axe-Fx USB port to appear and then downloads software to the port to make it USB class-compliant. The plist file is located here: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.fractalaudio.axefx2load.plist.
• The USB driver's control panel should not be used for configuration. Ignore error messages when clicking on the controls. Source1 Source3
• The names of the Axe-Fx channels on the computer are assigned by the computer, not by the Axe-Fx. Source
• If using AxeEdit, you will still need to go to Settings > MIDI Settings and select the Midi In and Out ports for it to use. They should be named something like "AXE-FX II MIDI In" and "AXE-FX II MIDI Out". IMPORTANT: The Axe-II must be connected via USB and powered up for the MIDI ports to appear in the settings list.

No MIDI interface or audio interface required

• When using the USB interface, there's no need for an additional audio interface. An audio interface is still required when connecting the analog Axe-Fx II outputs to a computer instead of using USB.
• A MIDI interface is also not required to connect the Axe-Fx II to a computer. USB suffices (MIDI-over-USB). The Axe-Fx II itself is an USB-to-MIDI adapter. MIDI interfaces can still be used though, and editing with the help of a MIDI interface is also still possible.

Using the Axe-Fx II to update the MFC-101 firmware

The Axe-Fx II can be used as a USB-to-MIDI interface to update the firmware on the MFC-101. Read this

USB connection increases CPU utilization

Creating an USB connection increases CPU utilization (by design). If a preset uses much CPU cycles, you may run into CPU overload problems when connecting the Axe-Fx II to a computer through USB. Source1 Source2

Latency

When monitoring audio via the Axe-Fx II, latency is none. When monitoring the audio signal via the computer's output, latency depends on computer. Source

Solving USB noise

High-pitched noise may be caused by a ground loop.

Disabling the Axe-Fx output signal when monitoring through a DAW

When the Axe-Fx is connected to a DAW through USB, you're using monitors connected to the Axe-Fx, and you're recording, you may want to monitor just the DAW signal, not the signal from the Axe-Fx. To accomplish this, turn down the preset level in Axe-Edit. Or set USB/Digi Out Source to Out 2, then route guitar to FXL only. Source

Cliff: "The USB spec calls for grounding the cable at both ends (mistake). This can create an USB ground loop. Make sure everything is plugged into the same outlet strip." Source

USB storage media

The Axe-Fx II cannot connect to an USB stick. Source