Doc Q7.0
15
3
Connections
Before making connections, be sure to turn down the volume of your amps and switch off all power. Take
extreme care NEVER to connect the SPEAKER outputs of an amplifier to any jack on the Axe-Fx II as this will
damage one or both devices. If you’re not sure, don’t do it!
Setting Levels
3.1
For the Axe-Fx II to work properly, it is important that input and
output levels be configured correctly.
INPUT LEVELS
are set with “soft-knobs” on the INPUT page of the
I/O menu. Adjust according to the level of input source material
until “hot” signals “tickle” the red LEDs on the front panel INPUT
meters. The red LED lights at -6 dB (below clipping). Some sources
may not reach ideal levels but can still be used with no problems.
Changing input levels will NOT affect
what you hear
. Inputs are
compensated
, meaning that as you lower trims
to optimize signal-to-noise ratio going into the converters, the output of the converters is adjusted inversely
so “what you hear” (and what reaches the signal processor) always
remains the same
.
Each input has its own dedicated analog-to-digital converter. The
input jack parallels the rear inputs for
improved signal-to-noise performance.
The front panel
and knobs independently control the volumes at the corresponding rear
panel jacks. The output knob simultaneously controls
XLR and ¼-inch jacks, and the unit’s headphone
jack level. Optimal levels will depend on what the Axe-Fx II is connected to.
To operate with unity gain, set the Output Level knobs to
maximum
. If you then route shunts from the input to the
output you will get out exactly what you put in. (If you’re not using the Axe-Fx in the loop of a tube amp, unity gain
is likely not relevant.)
If levels result in clipping of attached equipment, turn down the front panel
knobs. At the
minimum setting, volume is reduced but may not be silent.
NOTE:
The Axe-Fx II uses digital potentiometers to adjust the output levels. These actually contain hundreds of tiny resistors
and switches. As such, some noise may be generated while adjusting the knobs.
If the
or
LEDS light while you use the Axe-Fx II, the problem is not trim settings but levels in the
digital domain. Chances are that the effects in your preset—many of which can increase gain significantly—are
simply too hot. Reduce the output of one or more blocks (the AMP block
OUTPUT LEVEL
is usually a good starting
point) or adjust the main GAIN slider of the preset’s output mixer (see p.
When you need to adjust the level of all of your presets at once because some are clipping, you can also use the
GAIN slider on the OUT1 or OUT2 graphic equalizers to make a global adjustment. (p.
Clipping can also be caused if you have increased the BOOST/PAD setting for one of the converters and can be
reduced if you adjust this setting to be closer to 0 dB (see p.
). Block or preset adjustment may still be required.
