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CONNECTIONS
Doc v6.00c
15
3
Connections
Before making connections, be sure to turn down the volume of your amps and switch off all power. Take
extreme care NEVER to connect the SPEAKER outputs of an amplifier to any jack on the Axe-Fx II as this will
damage one or both devices. If you’re not sure, don’t do it!
3.1
Setting Levels
For the Axe-Fx II to work properly, it is important that input and
output levels be configured correctly.
INPUT LEVELS
are set with “soft-knobs” on the INPUT page of the
I/O menu. Adjust according to the level of input source material
until “hot” signals “tickle” the red LEDs on the front panel INPUT
meters. The red LED lights at -6 dB (below clipping). Some sources
may not reach ideal levels but can still be used with no problems.
All inputs are normalized, allowing the Axe-Fx II to operate with unity gain irrespective of the trim settings. The
sole purpose of the input trims is to optimize A/D drive level for the best signal-to-noise ratio and distortion
performance. Each input has its own dedicated A/D. The
INSTR
input jack parallels the rear inputs for improved
signal-to-noise performance.
The front panel
OUTPUT LEVEL1/2
knobs independently control the volumes at these rear panel jacks.
Output 1 also adjusts the headphones level. Optimal levels will depend on what the Axe-Fx II is connected to.
To operate with unity gain, simply set the Output Level knobs to maximum. If you then route shunts from the input
to the output you will get out exactly what you put in.
If levels result in clipping of attached equipment, turn down the front panel
OUTPUT LEVEL1/2
knobs. At
the minimum setting, volume is reduced but not silent.
NOTE:
The Axe-Fx II uses digital potentiometers to adjust the output levels. These actually contain hundreds of tiny resistors
and switches. As such, some noise may be generated while adjusting the knobs.
If the
OUT1
or
OUT2 CLIP
LEDS light while you use the Axe-Fx II, the problem is not trim settings but levels
in the digital domain. Chances are the effects in your preset—many of which can increase gain significantly—are
simply too hot. Reduce the output of one or more blocks (the AMP or CAB might be a natural starting point) or
adjust the main GAIN slider of the preset’s output mixer (p.
116
).
When you need to adjust the level of all of your presets at once because some are clipping, you can also use the
GAIN slider on the OUT1 or OUT2 global graphic equalizer to make a global adjustment.
Clipping can also be caused if you have increased the BOOST/PAD setting for one of the converters and can be
reduced if you adjust this setting to be closer to 0 dB (see p.
135
). Block or preset adjustment may still be required.
Summary of Contents for AXE-FX II
Page 1: ...Owner s Manual ...
Page 82: ...EFFECTS GUIDE Doc v6 00c 71 ...