Audio Parameters
Routing and format parameters appear on the AUDIO page of the I/O menu.
MAIN INPUT SOURCE (ANALOG (IN 1)/USB/SPDIF-AES)
This selects which one of several input sources should be routed to the Input of the grid. “ANALOG (IN 1)” selects the front INSTR input jack or the rear INPUT 1 jacks, based on the setting of INPUT 1 LEFT SELECT (below). When “USB” is selected, the Axe-Fx II will process signals sent from the AXE-FX II OUT 0 and AXE-FX II OUT 1 audio outputs of the connected computer. When “SPDIF/AES” is selected, the digital inputs of the Axe-Fx II will be used.
INPUT 1 LEFT SELECT (REAR/FRONT)
When “ANALOG (IN1)” is selected as the Main Input Source (above), this determines whether the front INSTR input jack or the rear IN1 LEFT/MONO jack should be used as the LEFT channel of the input signal. This option defeats the jack that is NOT selected.
INPUT 1 MODE (LEFT ONLY/L+R SUM/STEREO)
This determines whether the signal received at INPUT 1 will be processed in stereo or mono, and, if in mono, whether the “LEFT ONLY” or a sum of both channels should be used. For typical “Guitar In/Processed Stereo Audio Out” applications, use default settings: MAIN INPUT SOURCE to ANALOG (IN1), INPUT 1 LEFT SELECT to FRONT, and INPUT 1 MODE to LEFT ONLY.
INPUT 2 MODE (LEFT ONLY/L+R SUM/STEREO)
This determines how the Axe-Fx II handles signals received at the balanced INPUT 2 (“FX RETURN”) jacks, setting whether they should be processed in stereo or mono, and, if in mono, whether the “LEFT ONLY” or a sum of L+R channels should be used. The outputs of the connected device and the nature of the source material will determine which setting is best.
OUTPUT 1 MODE (STEREO/SUM L+R/COPY L>R)
This determines how OUTPUT 1 signals will be processed after the output mixer of the grid. This control makes it easy to use the same Axe-Fx II presets in a variety of stereo and mono performance or recording environments. The decision to use SUM L+R or COPY L>R should be based on the source material.
OUTPUT 1 BOOST/PAD (0-18 dB)
Firstly, this is NOT a boost intended for use during musical performance, as you might find on an amp or pedal. Rather, this parameter is designed to boost signals to the OUT1 D/A converters so they can operate as close to full-scale as possible, while simultaneously padding converter outputs to lower the noise floor. To set this control, increase the boost/pad amount until hard playing on a loud preset causes the front panel OUT1 CLIP LED to light. Then reduce the Boost/Pad setting a few dBs to prevent further clipping. Note that the BOOST amount is also applied to outgoing DIGITAL or USB signals.
OUTPUT 1 PHASE (NORMAL/INVERT)
This determines whether signal at the OUTPUT 1 jacks will be normal or phase-inverted relative to its state at the output of the grid. This lets you compensate for inversions elsewhere in the signal chain. Note that this inverts BOTH channels of the stereo pair.
OUTPUT 2 MODE (LEFT ONLY/L+R SUM/STEREO)
This determines how signals will be processed after leaving the output mixer of the FX LOOP block, or after being created as a COPY of OUT 1 (see below). This control makes it possible to use the same FX-LOOP-block-based presets in either stereo or mono conditions, or to use OUT 2 to create a mono copy of the stereo signal appearing at OUT 1.
OUTPUT 2 BOOST/PAD (0-18 dB)
See OUTPUT 1 Boost/Pad, above.
OUTPUT 2 PHASE (NORMAL/INVERT)
See OUTPUT 1 Phase, above.
COPY OUT 1 TO OUT 2 (OFF/ON)
This switch causes OUT 2 to be fed by a copy of OUT 1 instead of the signal from the FX LOOP block. Its use is suited to a wide range of applications such as feeding amps and a recorder at the same time, sending identical signals to Front of House and Stage monitors while retaining separate front panel knob level control over each, using the Axe-Fx II simultaneously with both Stereo and Mono systems (see Output 1/2 Mode above), and more.
SPDIF/AES SELECT (SPDIF/AES)
This switch selects whether the S/PDIF or AES digital inputs and outputs are active. Only one may be active at any time.
USB/DIGI SOURCE (OUTPUT1/OUTPUT2/INPUT)
This selects the signal that will feed both the digital outs and the “AXE-FX II IN 0“ and “AXE-FX II IN 1“ inputs of a computer connected via USB. A USB 2.0 compliant host will also have a dry input pair, making it possible to record the MAIN INPUT signal of the Axe-Fx II at the same time as the source selected here.