![Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III Owner'S Manual Download Page 54](http://html1.mh-extra.com/html/fractal-audio/axe-fx-iii/axe-fx-iii_owners-manual_2326270054.webp)
48
7 LEVELING PRESETS
7 LEVELING PRESETS
This section is about balancing levels across presets, scenes and channels, as compared to the topic of correctly
setting overall input and output levels. Balancing levels requires both knowledge and tools. The challenge of
getting levels “right” is not unique to the Axe-Fx III. Guitar players and audio technicians face the same obstacles
when using traditional equipment: our hearing, speakers, and surroundings are all variable. On a platform as
powerful and flexible as the Axe-Fx III, the number of options that affect volume can be daunting, but fortunately
there are some good rules of thumb, all backed by a number of precision controls and meters. This section aims
to provide a method you can rely on to normalize the levels of Presets, Scenes and Channels.
GENERAL ADVICE
Our ears deceive us. A phenomenon known as the “equal-loudness contour” effect (aka “Fletcher
Munsen” effect) results in different perceptions of tonal balance at different volume levels.
At lower volumes, low and high frequencies seem to be relatively quieter. Learn more about
this phenomenon and check your sounds at various levels, especially “gig” volume!
Because of varying frequency response, different speaker systems also change our perceptions of relative
volume. Set levels on the system you will perform through, or ideally, the best and most accurate speakers you
can find. Be prepared to make adjustments on other systems. (This goes for your tone as well as your level.)
Our surroundings, or the context of playback, also change perceptions of loudness. Two guitar
sounds may appear to be relatively equal in level when you audition them alone, but sound
totally different when you are “competing” in a mix against other instruments such as bass
and drums, or when played in a problematic performance space. Adjust in context.
THE RULE OF THUMB
There are a lot of different ways to adjust level on the Axe-Fx III. A good rule of thumb is
to use the Level parameter of the Amp block. See “The Method” on the next page for an
explanation of how to work through this process across presets, scenes and channels.
Above all, use common sense. Rely on meters, but don’t set levels solely on how they look. USE YOUR EARS!
EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE
When following the Amp block(s) with any level-dependent dynamic effects, such as a compressor
or gate, you will need to re-adjust those blocks after changing amp levels. A better option may
be to “bend” the rule of thumb and adjust the output of the last dynamics block instead.
This is also the case for any nonlinear blocks such as Drive which may in rare cases (such as Tape
Saturation or Bitcrusher effects) be placed after the amp. Adjust Level for these blocks instead of the amp.
If you have prominent Drive/Saturation in the Preamp simulation of the
Cab block, adjust the level of the Cab block instead.