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WICKED WIKI 17
“Settings for different guitars”
Regularly the question pops up how to configure the Axe-Fx II for different guitars.
For example, you have everything dialed in for your clean Strat. Then, when playing those presets with your Gibson, everything is louder and more distorted and dark.
Of course, some will answer: it’s the nature of guitars, they are different.
This is true of course. That's why different guitars exist.
But adjusting settings and level may still be desirable, just like on a traditional amp.
The beauty of the Axe-Fx is that it lets you plan the desired changes.
Here are ways to apply settings for different guitars.
Based on maintaining a single amp type.
But first a relevant tip:
Fender amps and other amps are modeled using their High inputs. To emulate the Low input, Input Trim must be set at 0.500. Input Trim at 0.500 equals -6 dB, so you can set Global Amp Gain, or the Amp block's Input Trim, at -6 for the same result.
Certainly there are other creative ideas. Have one? Post it!
Wiki: Connecting guitar(s)
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“Settings for different guitars”
Regularly the question pops up how to configure the Axe-Fx II for different guitars.
For example, you have everything dialed in for your clean Strat. Then, when playing those presets with your Gibson, everything is louder and more distorted and dark.
Of course, some will answer: it’s the nature of guitars, they are different.
This is true of course. That's why different guitars exist.
But adjusting settings and level may still be desirable, just like on a traditional amp.
The beauty of the Axe-Fx is that it lets you plan the desired changes.
Here are ways to apply settings for different guitars.
Based on maintaining a single amp type.
But first a relevant tip:
Fender amps and other amps are modeled using their High inputs. To emulate the Low input, Input Trim must be set at 0.500. Input Trim at 0.500 equals -6 dB, so you can set Global Amp Gain, or the Amp block's Input Trim, at -6 for the same result.
- LAYOUT > IN/GTE
The IN/GTE page in the Layout menu has a LEVEL parameter. This controls the loudness of the signal entering the grid. This parameter was specifically introduced for this purpose: compensating output level differences between guitars.
Disadvantages: it works per preset only, so you have to adjust this parameter in every preset you’ll be using with the current guitar; not very handy when playing live. You can’t change its value per scene and you can’t attach a modifier.
However, you can save its setting as a global block. This way an adjusted value will carry over to every preset with the same global block. But it isn’t very likely that you will be using it this way: also part of this global block are the noise gate settings, and you probably won’t want the same noise gate settings in every preset (unless you keep the gate OFF).
- AMP X/Y
You can set up the Amp block’s X state for one type of guitar and Y for another. The Input Trim parameter is suited for the task: increasing or decreasing the signal at the input of the Amp block, to compensate for output level differences between guitars. Then use an AMP X/Y IA switch on your floor controller or scenes to switch between X and Y.
Disadvantages: a lot of work maintaining two amp configurations. You lose X/Y functionality for other purposes. It doesn’t work across presets: each time you switch to a preset you have to press the IA or switch scenes. And you lose the functionality of scenes for other stuff.
- TWO AMP BLOCKS
You can set up two amp blocks, each adapted to a specific guitar. Then use IA(s) on your floor controller or scenes to switch between the blocks.
Disadvantages: a lot of work maintaining two amp configurations. You lose the option to use the 2nd Amp block for other stuff. It doesn’t work across presets: each time you switch to a preset you have to press the IA or switch scenes. Plus: you lose the functionality of scenes for other stuff.
- SCENES AND SCENE CONTROLLERS
You can use scenes and scene controllers to accommodate different guitars. Attach Input Trim in the Amp block to a Scene Controller. In the Controllers menu set the controller to the desired trim value for each scene. When switching between guitars, switch scenes as well.
Disadvantages: it doesn’t work across presets: each time you switch to a preset you have to press the IA or switch scenes. You lose the functionality of scenes for other stuff.
- GLOBAL EQ
The Global EQ controls stuff at the preset output stage. You probably want to adjust stuff at the preset's input stage when switching guitars.
- GLOBAL AMP GAIN
This is a parameter in the Global menu. It’s the same as Input Trim in the Amp block but works across ALL presets (and uses a different measurement system: dB).
It's almost perfect for the task: increasing or decreasing the signal at the input of the Amp blocks, to compensate for output level differences between guitars, and working across all presets. Still, there's a disadvantage: it needs careful manual adjustment on the hardware itself. Not very handy when you often switch guitars during a set, have been drinking, etc.
- BLOCK AT START OF GRID
The following method doesn’t come with the disadvantages mentioned above.
Add a low-CPU block to every preset. Like FILTER or VOL or PEQ (PEQ and FILTER allow additional EQ-ing). Put it at the start of the grid to make it affect the amount of gain in the Amp block. Keep the block neutral and set its Level at -6 dB (see the tip above). Now make it a global block, so you can easily change a setting and have it applied across all presets immediately. And attach its Bypass parameter to an external controller. The block is OFF by default.
You can now engage this block by going into I/O > MIDI and toggling EXT CTRL .. INIT VAL between 0% and 100%. Or you can assign a general function footswitch to the external controller’s CC and use that for toggling (set the switch to Global:Yes in the MFC). It works across all presets.
I'm using this method. I engage this block when switching to my Gibson, and keep it bypassed when using other guitars. The decreased Gibson level makes sure I’m not driving my amp blocks into more distortion than I want, while maintaining the Gibson's character. The block also helps to normalize the overall output level when switching guitars, especially when using clean tones.
Disadvantage: the block needs to be present in all presets.
Certainly there are other creative ideas. Have one? Post it!
Wiki: Connecting guitar(s)
List of all Wicked Wiki threads
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