92
15 ADDITIONAL TOPICS
FIRMWARE UPDATES
Our products are upgradeable, and we are committed to continual improvement. These highly antipated updates
add new amps, cabs, effects and features, fix issues, and more. We recommend keeping the firmware in your Axe-
Fx III up to date as new versions are released. Firmware is technically software — the “operating system” of your
Axe-Fx III — tracked using version numbers: 1.00, 1.01, 2.00, etc. Every Axe-Fx III is shipped from the factory with
the latest version installed. You can check your version any time by pressing the SETUP button (Push-knob E) on
the Home page. The version is displayed at the top left of the Setup menu.
UPDATING
Updating is safe, easy, and quick with Fractal-Bot (see previous page). Before you begin, please QUIT any other
applications which might interfere, including Axe-Edit and any DAW software or audio/MIDI applications.
1. Download the latest firmware for your Axe-Fx III from
https://www.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-iii-downloads
.
2. Unzip the download file. The archive may contain various documents in addition to the actual firmware file,
which is a MIDI System Exclusive or “SysEx” file. Extract the .syx file to a location you can easily find when
required. Do not double‑click the .syx file. Fractal-Bot will prompt you for its location when it is needed.
3. Please read the Release Notes included with the firmware download. They’ll let you know what’s new and
alert you to anything you may need to be aware of before updating to the new version.
4. Before performing a major firmware update, it is not unwise to back up your Axe-Fx III (see previous 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 available on our web site support page and can also be installed using Fractal-Bot.
FIRMWARE Q&A
:
Q
How do I know the upgrade worked?
:
A
Check your firmware version anytime by pressing the SETUP button (Push-knob E)
on the Home page. The version is displayed at the top of the Setup menu.
:
Q
Can I skip versions to go from a very old firmware version to a much newer one?
:
A
You can upgrade from any version to any other version. When you skip versions it is recommended that you
also read the Release Notes for all interim versions, all of which are included with every firmware release.
:
Q
Will updating my firmware erase, modify or “upgrade” my factory presets?
:
A
Firmware updates do not erase customized presets. However, firmware updates may
alter the sound of existing presets. Always read Release Notes before updating. Saving
presets after a firmware update can render them incompatible with previous versions. It
is always wise to create a full back up using Fractal-Bot before a major update.
Firmware updates do not upgrade Factory Presets. Updated Factory Presets, when offered, are released as a
separate update on our web site support page. Fractal-Bot can be used to transmit this update in the same
way it is used to update firmware.
:
Q
The firmware update failed mysteriously. What should I do?
:
A
If the Axe-Fx still boots normally, just try the update again. If successive failures occur, please delete and
re-download the update file before trying again. Trying a different USB port or cable can also solve issues.
:
Q
After updating, my Axe-Fx will no longer boot normally.
:
A
See “Recovery” on the next page.
