Fractal AXE-FX III Owner'S Manual Download Page 1

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Current as of Axe-Fx III Firmware 19.x

Original, Mark II, Standard and TURBO versions

March 2022

Summary of Contents for AXE-FX III

Page 1: ...Current as of Axe Fx III Firmware 19 x Original Mark II Standard and TURBO versions March 2022...

Page 3: ...se limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not instal...

Page 4: ...1 USB Re Amping 22 4 SETTING UP 23 General Principles 23 FRFR Direct 24 FRFR monitor FRFR to Front of House 25 Power Amp Guitar Speakers 26 Power Amp Cab FRFR Direct 27 Four Cable Method 4CM 28 FX Pro...

Page 5: ...9 Advanced Tuner Functions 69 Mini Tuners 70 12 SETUP MENU 71 The Foot Controllers Menu 71 The Global Settings Menu 71 The I O Menu 74 The MIDI Remote Menu 77 The Utilities Menu 82 13 FC CONTROLLERS 8...

Page 6: ...inch 5 If the cord becomes damaged discard and replace it 6 If not using your Axe Fx III for extended periods of time disconnect from AC power 7 Protect the unit from rain and excessive moisture 8 Ref...

Page 7: ...fast PC1600 DDR3 memory hundreds of Mb of FLASH memory a proprietary FPGA and more The number of inputs and outputs has more than doubled in comparison to previous products Routing capabilities have a...

Page 8: ...and equally important feel New Cabinet block features a Cab Lab style multichannel mixer to load up to four IRs at once 2 048 Factory cabs 189 Legacy Cabs from Axe Fx II 2 048 User Cabs and 16 Scratc...

Page 9: ...gnments for the many remote controllable functions of the Axe Fx III The Utilities menu contains informative readouts plus a control to adjust screen brightness and tools to reset or erase the Axe Fx...

Page 10: ...going to sound like a 4 12 stack In comparison full range flat response studio monitors PA speakers and FRFR speakers designed specifically for guitar are designed to reproduce anything you play thro...

Page 11: ...O menu under SETUP You can also monitor levels on the Meters page of the Home menu Except at the very lowest settings Input level adjustments do not affect gain levels As you adjust the input level to...

Page 12: ...f modulation may not be apparent at all Even the tone can change if amps or cabs have been panned Here is an overview of several scenarios with recommended settings for each MONO VS STEREO STEREO No s...

Page 13: ...the VALUE knob or use the NAV left right buttons Many factory presets contain fully developed Scenes You can switch Scenes using NAV up down or knob A See p 9 for an introduction to Scenes OTHER HOME...

Page 14: ...ial input and output blocks connect to the various jacks and USB signals of the Axe Fx III The following graphic illustrates these concepts INTRO TO THE LAYOUT GRID CABLE CABLE Let s review what is ha...

Page 15: ...ake it easy to set up delay and reverb for spillover so tails can ring out across changes Scenes even have their own names which is especially helpful as you step through them INTRO TO SCENES AND CHAN...

Page 16: ...ighted Inactive Row is dimmed NAV Up Down to change rows Push Functions A E Current Parameter Value Box Tuner Current Scene Channel Resets this Block to defaults Bypass or Engage this block These chan...

Page 17: ...ck Library Scene Swap Performance Control pages etc It also provides tools for managing presets and banks installing Cab Packs and more You can download Axe Edit III for Mac or Windows at http www fra...

Page 18: ...re check with the switch manufacturer or try both settings to see which works better Calibration is not required You can use a normal guitar cable TS for switches Only ONE switch can be used at each p...

Page 19: ...ted via an FC series controller Select a number if your pedal is transmitting a MIDI CC For example by default the Fractal Audio Systems MFC 101 transmits CC 11 for XP1 and CC 16 for XP2 4 Test and EX...

Page 20: ...14 1 Introduction SHORTCUTS The Axe Fx III has many user interface shortcuts These are listed in Shortcuts on p 104...

Page 21: ...s These knobs also have hidden double tap functions detailed on p 105 HOME Button This button shows the Home menu a convenient starting point for loading or editing presets and accessing the tuner con...

Page 22: ...not saved The MIDI In LED lights while MIDI data is being received at the MIDI Input or via USB h Output Level Knobs 1 4 These knobs independently control the volumes at the corresponding rear panel...

Page 23: ...ce It is best to use XLR or TRS 3 conductor cables when connecting Axe Fx III inputs 2 3 and 4 to the balanced outputs of other devices Regular TS type patch cables 2 conductor are sufficient when con...

Page 24: ...sion pedal or switch to control various functions of the Axe Fx III See Connecting Pedals Directly on p 12 for more information 2 FASLINK II Connector Connect Fractal Audio FC 6 or FC 12 foot controll...

Page 25: ...he installer MAC MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OS OS X 10 6 8 or later for MIDI over USB Fractal Bot Axe Edit III Cab Lab etc OS X 10 9 or later for USB audio An issue in older OS X versions causes audio pops...

Page 26: ...IN 2 or IN3 or IN4 IN 1 and or IN 2 3 or 4 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 OUT 1 L R OUT 2 L R opt SPDIF AES OUT INST 1 2 2 RECORD 1 2 USB USB Output 1 Mode STEREO Output 1 Mode MUTE PLAYBACK 1 2 OUTPUT 1...

Page 27: ...tions The first option is to re map USB Audio playback so computer outputs 1 and 2 to go to Out 2 L R instead of Out 1 L R To do this change SETUP I O Audio USB OUTPUT MAPPING to 1 2 OUT2 3 4 OUT1 The...

Page 28: ...to the Instrument input and select a preset well suited to the material you re recording 4 For this tutorial we will record both the processed output and the DI Create a mono track Name this track so...

Page 29: ...te cables and connectors For balanced signals use balanced connectors Regular guitar cables are fine for unbalanced connections to the inputs of the Axe Fx III Setting Input Levels correctly is import...

Page 30: ...assive full range speakers and a full range power amp Other suitable FRFR systems include high quality PA speakers including Personal Monitor wedges or studio monitors In some cases signal from the Ax...

Page 31: ...ultimate in tonal flexibility stompboxes amps cabs post effects and more Output 1 is connected directly to your own monitors Use full range flat response FRFR monitor speakers such as those offered es...

Page 32: ...e second category is non neutral power amps typically tube powered and made specifically for traditional guitar rigs This includes not only rackmount amps but the power amp in a tube head or combo usa...

Page 33: ...f House PA Inform the sound technician that the Axe Fx III outputs a direct LINE level signal which should initially not require any EQ or settings typically used on a mic d guitar cabinet Connect Out...

Page 34: ...FX IN1 WAH DRV OUT3 IN 4 DLY REV OUT4 etc etc CONNECTIONS 4CM requires custom presets with no Amp or Cab blocks see above A template is included 382 Connect your guitar to Input 1 Instrument Connect...

Page 35: ...h no Amp or Cab blocks Connect your guitar to your amp s instrument input as usual Connect the FX Send of your amp to Input 3 L Input levels can be adjusted in SETUP I O Input In SETUP I O Audio set I...

Page 36: ...IONS This setup requires custom presets with no Amp or Cab blocks Connect your guitar to Input 1 Instrument on the Axe Fx III Adjust input levels if required as detailed on p 5 Connect Output 3 L to t...

Page 37: ...Input block return to serve as a master bypass control for the send return loop INSTR IN Front or Rear Main Out INPUT 3L OUTPUT OUTPUT 3L INPUT 3R OUTPUT 3R INPUT GAIN B M GAIN M VOLUME VOLUME BRIT CO...

Page 38: ...of effects including amp and cab modeling The amp for the piezo out might use a Tube Preamp model and an acoustic guitar simulation IR downloaded from Axe Change CPU 82 FULLY INDEPENDENT GUITAR AND BA...

Page 39: ...r capabilities When you consider everything that is possible with Scenes and Channels a single preset can easily cover an entire song or even an entire gig LOADING PRESETS Different areas of the Axe F...

Page 40: ...refer simply to these controls as NAV going forward TO INSERT A BLOCK NAV to the desired grid location Turn the VALUE wheel to step through the list of blocks including options for SHUNT see below an...

Page 41: ...turn VALUE until SHUNT is displayed Press ENTER to confirm or EXIT to cancel changes INPUTS AND OUTPUTS Input and Output blocks are required to place input signals on the grid or pass signal to outpu...

Page 42: ...sh to remove Press ENTER To cancel without removing press EXIT instead SHORTCUT To span multiple empty grid columns with a series of shunts and cables select any block that is followed by a series of...

Page 43: ...he diagram below illustrates some of the ideas above You may freely SPLIT or MERGE up to six ways at any point This is sonically transparent and there is zero risk of signal degradation or phase probl...

Page 44: ...that is great for mastering or dynamic EQ MTD Multitap Delay A variety of special delays including diffuser quad tap and more MUX Multiplexer This input selector routes one of many inputs to an outpu...

Page 45: ...d Reverb is run in parallel to the delay for a different sound Ex 3 An entire parallel chain for a shimmery filtered effect with a VOLUME block for its own Send control Ex 4 A complex preset with effe...

Page 46: ...IGHT buttons to jump The A knob and the VALUEknob operate the selected parameter B C D and E knobs control other parameters in the list as shown by labels on the list OTHER PAGE TYPES Some pages are a...

Page 47: ...an cause the edited light to turn on RESETTING A BLOCK CHANNEL Use RESET when you want a fresh start after making changes to a block If it isn t already open for editing select the desired block on th...

Page 48: ...block At extremely high CPU usage levels the Axe Fx III may become unstable and or Axe Edit may stop responding Here are a few of the common block parameters whose settings have a measurable effect on...

Page 49: ...me based effects like delay and reverb The Channels feature is almost self explanatory Most blocks have some number of channels typically four and for each channel you can set every parameter of that...

Page 50: ...ming at least one Channel usually Channel A Programming additional channels is easy simply select the desired channel as described above and use your usual methods to set the various parameters to the...

Page 51: ...BYPASS button Push knob B Or use any assigned footswitch or remote controller to bypass engage the block 3 Set the Channel for each block as described on the previous page 4 Test and save your preset...

Page 52: ...ETUP The Channel is set by the value of the controller not the controller number itself see FAQ below Values begin at 0 which is Channel A and it continues from there See table 2 right As with Scene S...

Page 53: ...rogram Changes load presets on a 1 1 basis and Bank Select commands are processed as usual as per MIDI Reference Tables on p 108 BUILDING THE MAP The mapping table is on the Mapping page of the MIDI R...

Page 54: ...n the Dual Delay These differences are such that results should not be unpredictable SCENE CONTROLLERS Block parameter values are the same in every Scene of a preset Of course you can change the Chann...

Page 55: ...ke from the Axe Fx III front panel or Axe Edit III remain in effect until you save them or discard them by loading a different preset without saving Changes made via footswitches or MIDI however may w...

Page 56: ...ass engage and change channel Meanwhile channel D has Scene Ignore ON If any scene selects Channel D or if you switch to D using a footswitch or any other means the block will stop responding to furth...

Page 57: ...other systems and this goes for your tone as well as your levels Context including other sounds and the environment itself also change perceptions of loudness Two different guitar sounds may seem to...

Page 58: ...ich sums their outputs such as a Cab Mixer or Volume The Layout view allows you to change Scenes knob A and Channels knob B so you can compare and adjust everything all within a single page LEADS AND...

Page 59: ...on the block s Level parameter and the other on its Bypass button Push knob C switch the effect on and off making level adjustments until the desired volume is achieved when the effect is engaged Time...

Page 60: ...s on both devices share many of the same parameters and settings A separate manual covers these blocks in complete detail More than a simple reference it contains background information tips and extra...

Page 61: ...has no option for a modifier TO CREATE A MODIFIER Select any parameter that supports a modifier Press the ENTER button or the MODIFIER Push knob to show the Modifier menu The menu has three pages The...

Page 62: ...6 On the Source 1 page change the SOURCE to your pedal If you followed the instructions on p 13 this will be EXTERNAL 1 The hardware pedal jacks can also be used directly 7 Test The Wah should work w...

Page 63: ...heir own global setting to determine what controls them You can set them up to be controlled by your choice of Any MIDI Control Change CC message One of the onboard Expression Pedal jacks One of the P...

Page 64: ...ow show just a few examples of the kinds of non linear curves you can create using Slope Scale and Offset The pages which follow contain more examples Damping Attack and Release These are used to slow...

Page 65: ...the volume will go only as low as 8 instead of 0 as in the previous example Here is a different twist Min is at 10 0 the loudest setting while Max is at 0 0 silent It looks the same but this is a reve...

Page 66: ...a modifier changes Once you try it we believe you will quickly find that this capability comfortably eliminates the need for an expression pedal toe switch Set up Auto Enage using two parameters on t...

Page 67: ...fier settings A Scene Controllers tutorial appears on p 65 For more on Scenes see Section 6 on p 43 PITCH DETECTOR The Pitch Detector analyzes the pitch of your playing and outputs a low value for low...

Page 68: ...d press EDIT 3 Use the PAGE buttons to locate the Config page of the Delay block 4 NAV to the Feedback parameter and notice the open yellow modifier ring beneath the knob 5 With the Feedback parameter...

Page 69: ...55 To change which CC or pedal switch operates an External Controller 1 Open the MIDI Remote menu in SETUP and page to External Ctrl 2 Use NAV to select the External Controller you want to change ex E...

Page 70: ...ut Source 1 Scale or Source 2 Scale can be used to reduce the impact of either source Meanwhile the Operation parameter determines whether the two sources will be added Source 1 Source 2 subtracted So...

Page 71: ...mbol is now a solid yellow dot 7 Now let s set the values for our Scene Controller Press HOME to show the home page 8 Press the CONTROLLERS button Push knob C 9 Use the PAGEbuttons to locate the Scene...

Page 72: ...cene Controllers can Four different knobs can be used with modifiers to change the value of desired parameters See the tutorial on p 65 for more on this Auto Engage allows a modifier source like an ex...

Page 73: ...nder 1 above Be aware that whenever you change the Global Tempo you are also changing the current Preset Tempo which will be saved if you store the current preset see below Be on guard that you don t...

Page 74: ...to the tempo TO SYNCHRONIZE A DELAY TO THE TEMPO Navigate to any type of Delay block and press EDIT to show its Edit menu Find the Tempo parameter and set it to 1 4 Feel free to choose explore other...

Page 75: ...uration Parameters PARAMETER Description Source Selects which physical input the tuner should listen at Mute OFF INPUT OUTPUT Determines how the tuner mute function works OFF No mute All signal is pas...

Page 76: ...0 11 The Tuner MINI TUNERS For convenience mini tuners appear throughout the Axe Fx III These consist of two green triangles to indicate when a note is flat left lit sharp right lit or in tune both li...

Page 77: ...IDEAL This parameter governs the Tone page of the amp block When set to Authentic default only those controls present on the actual amp are displayed When set to Ideal all tone controls are displayed...

Page 78: ...t on Edited Preset Change When set to ON the unit will prompt before changing presets if the current preset has been edited This spares you from accidentally losing your edits NOTE Be sure to change t...

Page 79: ...ngs are NOT applied to signals at Out 2 Instead the Output 2 Global EQ settings apply as usual GLOBAL SETTINGS CUSTOM SCALES PAGE The Scales page is used to configure scales for the Custom Shifter typ...

Page 80: ...USB 7 8 USB Output 7 8 Source This determines whether computer USB audio inputs 7 and 8 will record the signal from physical INPUT 1 INPUT 2 or INPUT 3 USB Output Mapping Determines whether the first...

Page 81: ...e Output 2 Phase Output 3 Phase Output 4 Phase NORMAL INVERT These four parameters determine whether signal at the corresponding output ports will be normal or phase inverted relative to its state at...

Page 82: ...and levels can be cut or boosted here Be careful not to boost overall levels to the point of output clipping AES SPDIF This scales the levels of signals from the AES and SPDIF inputs Recognize that t...

Page 83: ...a hidden Learn Mode function Rather than using the knobs to assign a pedal switch or MIDI CC you can use Learn Mode This is quick and also potentially saves you from needing to know which MIDI CC is a...

Page 84: ...termines whether the Axe Fx III will process or ignore incoming MIDI Program Change messages Ignore Redundant PC ON OFF This setting determines whether the Axe Fx III should re process or ignore a Pro...

Page 85: ...is powered on This value persists until data is received from the MIDI controller This is especially useful when an external MIDI controller is absent For example if you normally use an expression ped...

Page 86: ...to assign a switch connected to the corresponding switch jack of the designated FC controller NONE to remove all assignments from the selected item MIDI REMOTE CHANNEL PAGE The Channel page works exac...

Page 87: ...Scene on p 112 Scene Increment Scene Decrement The Scene Increment and Decrement functions allow you to step up or down through scenes These functions are triggered by CC data values above 63 Input 1...

Page 88: ...oting It never deletes or modifies your presets You will be prompted to press ENTER to confirm Be very careful with this option Resetting system parameters is irreversible A second utility provides th...

Page 89: ...er feedback They look great too making an awesome addition to your stage or studio All aspects of the FC are set up through the Axe Fx III under SETUP FC Controllers p 71 The FC Owner s Manual covers...

Page 90: ...84 13 FC Controllers...

Page 91: ...the Fractal Audio X Load LB 2 to factor out the power amp so you can use any amp even a regular guitar amp MONITOR YOUR AXE FX III When creating IRs you ll probably want to test drive the results righ...

Page 92: ...r amp Connect the power amp s speaker out to your speaker Open the Config page of the IR Capture Utility under SETUP and set Capture Method to MIC ONLY Follow the Capture Instructions on p 88 Spkr Inp...

Page 93: ...the amp to as clean a setting as possible Connect the amplifier s speaker out to the speaker level input of the DI box Be sure to use a DI box that is specifically designed to work with speaker level...

Page 94: ...to control for the Axe Fx III during IR capture Cab Lab is an IR Mixer and Toolbox available at https www fractalaudio com cab lab 3 It is strongly recommended that you use Cab Lab to capture IRs The...

Page 95: ...r field mic distances To use the compensation refer to the graph on the Capture page Press E to select Graph Time and do a test sweep Note the waveform delay and dial in the desired amount of compensa...

Page 96: ...guitar cab recording and position it according to your preference Information is widely available about mic placement distance angle etc but don t be afraid to experiment Each mic needs to be connecte...

Page 97: ...he banks A 0 127 B 128 255 C 265 383 and D 384 511 A backup of the SYSTEM includes all of the custom settings in the Setup menu Global I O MIDI Remote and Tuner settings User Cabs are backed up in two...

Page 98: ...ious page 5 Launch Fractal Bot and proceed through three self explanatory steps 6 Firmware updates will occasionally be accompanied by new versions of the Axe Fx III Factory Presets These will be avai...

Page 99: ...c system parameter prevents the Axe Fx III from booting normally you may use the following procedure to recover 1 Power down the unit and wait five seconds 2 Power on holding EDIT until the boot up pr...

Page 100: ...lay Vocoder GLOBAL BLOCKS EXAMPLE Imagine a set of five different presets used for a live rig Each of them has one amp block AMP 1 with the same settings but this amp is surrounded by totally differen...

Page 101: ...linked preset is changed and saved this preset will be updated Always save your preset immediately after creating a link to a Global Block LOAD FROM AND LINK TO GLOBAL BLOCK The Load from and Link to...

Page 102: ...rol page allows you to choose up to ten different parameters in each and every preset One preset might show ten Amp controls while the next shows ten effect controls while the next shows a mix of both...

Page 103: ...f it isn t already selected 6 Switch to the Performance Control editor by clicking the Perform button above the grid 7 Drag and Drop the Input Drive parameter by its label to the first slot of the Glo...

Page 104: ...ng Fractal Bot and the unit will save the IR to that location Axe Edit III The Axe Manage Cabs tool allows you to drag and drop user cab files into memory slots Don t forget to press SAVE You can also...

Page 105: ...for your Axe Fx III and other Fractal Audio Systems products You can upload your own creations or browse what others have contributed including some high profile artists though regrettably many artis...

Page 106: ...he Input 1 jacks Input 2 uses the Input 2 jacks and so on When any input is set to DIGITAL it uses a shared digital input source which can be set globally to your choice of AES SPDIF or USB The concep...

Page 107: ...s and set the Spillover parameter to determine whether DELAY REVERB or DELAY REVERB or ALL will spill over when you change presets ALL includes not only Delay and Reverb but also Plex Delay Multitap D...

Page 108: ...ontrol Switches set up on an external Fractal Audio FC 6 or FC 12 Controller The primary function of a Control Switch is to operate as a Modifier source to control sound parameters Beyond this however...

Page 109: ...ith different values for ON and OFF For each command selecting whether you want a Program Change PC or Control Change CC message Set the MIDI Channel for that command as desired from 1 16 If you chose...

Page 110: ...tten the EQ On the Output EQ page press NAVUP DOWN to change the number of bands IN THE CAB BLOCK NAV to the Cab Number field and press ENTER to enter the Cab Picker for the selected ON THE GRID With...

Page 111: ...ally to step through all blocks in the current preset top to bottom left to right or double tap to step in reverse order STORE You can double tap STOREto skip directly to the final saving prompt witho...

Page 112: ...e Axe Fx II AX8 or FX8 into the Axe Fx III or vice versa A No presets are not cross compatible but you can generally transfer parameter settings by hand without unexpected results As of this writing a...

Page 113: ...fore or after an Amp and Cab A Sonically speaking the main reason to care about effect placement is that a given effect will sound different when placed before or after distortion How does this differ...

Page 114: ...109 109 0 110 110 0 111 111 0 112 112 0 113 113 0 114 114 0 115 115 0 116 116 0 117 117 0 118 118 0 119 119 0 120 120 0 121 121 0 122 122 0 123 123 0 124 124 0 125 125 0 126 126 0 127 127 1 0 128 1 1...

Page 115: ...2 94 350 2 95 351 2 96 352 2 97 353 2 98 354 2 99 355 2 100 356 2 101 357 2 102 358 2 103 359 2 104 360 2 105 361 2 106 362 2 107 363 2 108 364 2 109 365 2 110 366 2 111 367 2 112 368 2 113 369 2 114...

Page 116: ...122 634 4 123 635 4 124 636 4 125 637 4 126 638 4 127 639 5 0 640 5 1 641 5 2 642 5 3 643 5 4 644 5 5 645 5 6 646 5 7 647 5 8 648 5 9 649 5 10 650 5 11 651 5 12 652 5 13 653 5 14 654 5 15 655 5 16 656...

Page 117: ...6 118 886 6 119 887 6 120 888 6 121 889 6 122 890 6 123 891 6 124 892 6 125 893 6 126 894 6 127 895 7 0 896 7 1 897 7 2 898 7 3 899 7 4 900 7 5 901 7 6 902 7 7 903 7 8 904 7 9 905 7 10 906 7 11 907 7...

Page 118: ...D 16 A 17 B 18 C 19 D 20 A 21 B 22 C 23 D 24 A 25 B 26 C 27 D 28 A 29 B 30 C 31 D 32 A 33 B 34 C 35 D 36 A 37 B 38 C 39 D 40 A 41 B 42 C 43 D 44 A 45 B 46 C 47 D 48 A 49 B 50 C 51 D 52 A 53 B 54 C 55...

Page 119: ...Rate 48 kHz Dynamic Range 114 dB Frequency Response 20 20kHz 0 1 dB Crosstalk 60 dB over full bandwidth ANALOG OUTPUT 1 Connectors 2 XLR balanced with Ground Lift 2 1 4 phone jack unbalanced hum cance...

Page 120: ...Switch make break momentary or latching FASLINK II INTERFACE Connectors 1 XLR F WARNING Connect ONLY to the FASLINK II connector on a Fractal Audio FC Series controller GENERAL Finish Powder coated s...

Page 121: ...l Controllers assignable as modifiers to one or more parameters on a per preset basis some Scene functions all Looper functions and all block BYPASS and CHANNEL switches Program Change True Number Ban...

Page 122: ...ization of repairs to authorized service centers Unauthorized service repair or modification will void this warranty DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF WARRANTY THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS THE ONLY WARRANTY G...

Page 123: ...out a commercial license cannot be included for free with another product or package that is offered for sale Contact sales fractalaudio com to obtain a commercial license 5 SUPPORT Subject to the ter...

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