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3 USB
USB RE-AMPING
The Axe-Fx III USB Audio capabilities are perfect for “re-amping”, a method in which the raw un-processed DI
output of a guitar is recorded and then re-processed later through the amp, cab, and effects of your choice.
Re-amping has many benefits. First, it allows you to record when inspiration strikes, capturing a DI instead of
obsessing over final tone. Later, you – or a mixing engineer – can redesign a sound as your track’s production
advances. Also, punches and edits made on the DI track are essentially made inaudible by the re-amping process.
In comparison to other products, the Axe-Fx III allows you to use the unit in the best and most effective re-amping
workflows, including being able to dial in new tones while simultaneously listening to the track for context.
NOTE: This method is for USB Re-Amping. For analog reamping, simply copy Input 1 to Output 3 or 4 (
This tutorial also assumes you are using default settings for the varioys parameters in Setup: I/O.
STEP 1: RECORDING
The following tutorial assumes that the Axe-Fx III has been selected as the audio interface in your Digital Audio
Workstation (DAW), and that you have connected Output 1 L/R to studio monitors, or that you are monitoring
through the Axe-Fx III headphones jack. The details for each step below may vary slightly from one DAW to
another, but this guide should be easy to adapt to your own environment.
1. In your DAW, select Axe-Fx III as the main audio interface. Set the main outputs to Axe-Fx III Outputs 1+2.
2. Create a new project in the DAW, and set its sample rate to 48kHz. Record or insert any backing tracks.
3. Connect your guitar 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 something like “Guitar DI”. Set its input to Input 5. This is the DI
output of the Axe-Fx III. This will record the signal at the Input 1 Instrument jack with no processing.
Create a stereo track. Name this track something like “Guitar Reference 1”. Set its inputs to Axe-Fx III
Inputs 1+2. This will record the processed guitar signal sent on the grid to the OUT 1 block.
5. Arm both of your guitar tracks for recording, making sure that Software/Input Monitoring is NOT enabled.
6. Hit RECORD and roll the track. You should see signal on both tracks. Be aware: while the processed track will
show “hot” levels, the signal level on a DI track will appear to be very low. This is NORMAL! You are recording
the instrument level signal exactly as it comes out of your guitar with no pre-amplfication.
STEP 2: RE-AMPING
To prepare for basic re-amping, change two settings on the Axe-Fx III.
1. Press HOME and open SETUP : I/O : Audio and make the following two changes:
Change Digital Input Source to “USB/CHANNELS 5/6”.
Change Input 1 Source to “DIGITAL”.
2. MUTE the “Guitar Reference 1” track.
3. Change the output of your “DI” track to Axe-Fx III Output 5/6. Set its output level to –6.0 dB.
4. Solo your DI track, then rewind and hit PLAY. You should hear the DI being processed by your Axe-Fx III preset.
5. Record the re-amp. Create a stereo track. Name this track something like “Guitar Re-Amp 1”. Set its inputs to
Axe-Fx III Inputs 1+2.
6. Arm your re-amping track for recording, making sure that Software/Input Monitoring is NOT enabled.
7. Rewind, hit RECORD, and roll the track. The output of the preset is recorded.
8. Change Input 1 Source back to “ANALOG” when you finish re-amping.
