5
1 INTRODUCTION
Setting proper levels is critical but easy, with many meters to help you while you work.
INPUT LEVELS
The Axe-Fx III comes ready-to-use for the typical guitar or bass, but you
should check that your guitar is not clipping the inputs.
Connect a guitar to the Instrument input. Choose your loudest pickup setting and set all the guitar
controls to “wide open.” Play loudly to push the levels as you watch the front panel
INPUT 1
meter
LEDs. A red LED on the input meter indicates a level of -6dB, which is still safely below clipping. Adjust
the input trim so your loudest playing “tickles the red.” It is of course also fine if a lower output guitar
never hits the red. In general, you should set input levels as high as possible without clipping:
Open SETUP : I/O : Input page.
Adjust Input 1/Instrument input levels using the
A
knob.
Inputs 2, 3 and 4 can be adjusted using the same method. Each has its own Input trim parameter on the
Input page of the I/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 the A/D converter, the output is compensated accordingly, so what you hear is not
affected by how you set these controls.
SETTING LEVELS
OUTPUT LEVELS
Output levels are very easy to monitor on the front
panel meters, and easy to control using the four front
panel
LEVEL
knobs. You can also monitor output levels
in higher resolution by paging to the Meters page from
the Home menu.
Outputs 1-2 are ready to be connected to consumer
line inputs (-10 dbV). If you are connecting to
professional-grade equipment operating at +4dBu, set
the nominal output levels as follows:
Page to SETUP : I/O : Audio.
Adjust Output 1: Output Level or
Output 2: Output Level to +4dBu.
Learn more about the I/O Menu on
If you notice the Outputs clipping, this means your
presets are too hot.
dedicated to the important subject of adjusting preset
levels.
The Meters page of the Home menu shows all I/O levels.
The Layout also has a Meters view showing block levels.