Doc Q7.0
23
Axe-Fx II as Effects Processor Only (with Guitar Amps)
3.4.8
COMPONENTS:
Guitar
Axe-Fx II
Guitar Amplifier with
built-in or separate
speaker cabinet
Global Settings:
Defaults OK, since special presets required should not have AMP or CAB blocks!
I/O Settings:
Change
INPUT 1 LEFT SELECT
to “REAR” if using the Axe-Fx II in an effects loop as shown above, left.
Leave the default setting of “FRONT” if you are connecting a guitar to the Axe-Fx II, as shown above, right.
Notes:
Although it was designed for complete guitar signal path simulation, the Axe-Fx II can also be put to superb
use as a standalone FX processor. As such, it can be placed between guitar and amp to replace stompboxes or in an
amp’s effects loop where a rack processor would normally appear.
To use either setup, you will need to create custom presets without AMP or CAB blocks. For operation inside an
amp’s effects loop, use the REAR input(s) and set
INPUT 1 LEFT SELECT
) accordingly. Presets in this case
will likely contain only those effects that sound best after a preamp: chorus, EQs, delays, reverbs, certain types of
pitch shift and modulation, et al.
For the best-case scenario when running in front of an amp, recognize that Output 2 of the Axe-Fx II has an all-new,
extremely
low-noise design that is well suited for this purpose. Effects-only presets should terminate in an FX LOOP
block to route signal to OUTPUT2. (In this case, nothing would be connected to the FX RETURN of the Axe-Fx II.)
The new Boost/Pad functions are designed to help run the OUT1 and OUT 2 D/A converters at optimum levels,
padding their outputs for even lower noise. To find the right setting, adjust either of these controls upwards until
you light the respective OUT CLIP LED on the front panel, then back off a few dB to prevent further clipping. You’ll
actually hear the noise floor drop as you make this adjustment. Humbuster™ technology (p.
), featured on all
1/4" outputs of the Axe-Fx II, can also significantly reduce ground hum when simple stereo-to-mono cables are used
to connect to an amp or other device.
It is easy enough to extend each of the above configurations for use in stereo. With the Axe-Fx II in a loop, connect
OUT1 R to the RETURN of a second amp, bypassing that unit’s preamp altogether, or run fully within the loops of
two separate amps using IN1 L/R and OUT1 L/R. With the Axe-Fx II between guitar and amp, connect a second
amplifier to OUT2 R. The no-amp/no-cab presets required for the scenarios in this section are not well suited for
headphone monitoring.
