MIDI question coming from Digitech 2101 to Axe FX 3

S

strategy400

Member
Axefx3 is being delivered tomorrow. I use these primarily for live performance. Coming from the digitech I'm used to sending midi pc messages from my fcb1010, one preset is one sound, another preset is another sound. My understanding is axefx3 is one preset contains 8 scenes/sounds. Fine. So in my mind I can organize this as each preset is a song and the scenes are the patches I'll use for that song. My concern is how can I switch between the sounds. Can I send a PC message from my fcb1010 and directly map that PC to a scene within a preset? Will this scenario allow spillover between the patches. Spillover is extremely important to me. I know fractal wants me to somehow map buttons on my controller to the scenes but this goes against every fiber of my being. Any advice is greatly appreciated thanks!
 
Last edited:
I came from a 2112 to an Ultra, and now an AXEFX3. I wish I could help with your particular question, but just wanted to say you'll probably never look back. I've plugged mine in twice in 7 years since I got the fractal.
 
MIDI PC messages will pull up different presets by default. Each preset has a default scene that will be selected when it loads. That can either be whichever scene that preset is on when it is saved (default behavior), or you can select one scene as default for all presets globally. In the latter option all presets would load with that scene selected.

You can use MIDI CC messages to select different scenes directly by sending a value 0 through 7 to select scenes 1 through 8 respectively.
 
In order to try to clarify what I'm trying to accomplish here is how I had organized my patches previously with the digitech
Screenshot_20260109-133333_Adobe Acrobat.jpg
 
Last edited:
mr_fender said:
MIDI PC messages will pull up different presets by default. Each preset has a default scene that will be selected when it loads. That can either be whichever scene that preset is on when it is saved (default behavior), or you can select one scene as default for all presets globally. In the latter option all presets would load with that scene selected.

You can use MIDI CC messages to select different scenes directly by sending a value 0 through 7 to select scenes 1 through 8 respectively.
Click to expand...
In my mind it would be ideal if I could send PC 1 and get "preset 1/scene 1" and then send PC 2 and get "preset 1/scene 2" etc etc. Is that not possible? I thought a I saw something in the manual where you could map PC messages to preset/scene, but it seems no one is doing it that way?
 
Yes, you can use PC Mapping but it's limited to a total of 128 combinations.

I don't remember if the FCB will support doing scene changes natively or not. I know it can with the UnO chip installed.

Also the Axe Fx can do Gapless preset changes now and can do Spillover between presets (scenes technically don't do "spillover" although it can be simulated), so use of scenes isn't required for what you want.
 
sean.e said:
I don't use PC mapping so can't answer if scene changes are possible that way. You might also be interested in the Set List feature which does support jumping around preset/scene combinations:
Click to expand...
I saw the setlist feature but I suspect it requires doing things the "fractal way". If I can just do spillover using presets only and I'm limited to 100-128 "patches" that will probably do what I need for now. Thanks you guys this forum is so positive and helpful!
 
Last edited:
Do you have the UNO or other upgrade chip in your FCB? It’s been well over a decade since I used one, but I remember that even with UNO you are limited in terms of messages sent per preset and IA buttons (using UNO). So consider a newer controller in the future.

That said, yes PC to specific presets and scenes is possible. You don’t have that many requirements for presets, so 128 combinations may take a while to reach unless you are using individual FCB presets or Axe presets for every section of every song you play.

You can do a little more if using the UNO chip via the IA buttons.
 
jamongrande said:
Do you have the UNO or other upgrade chip in your FCB? It’s been well over a decade since I used one, but I remember that even with UNO you are limited in terms of messages sent per preset and IA buttons (using UNO). So consider a newer controller in the future.

That said, yes PC to specific presets and scenes is possible. You don’t have that many requirements for presets, so 128 combinations may take a while to reach unless you are using individual FCB presets or Axe presets for every section of every song you play.

You can do a little more if using the UNO chip via the IA buttons.
Click to expand...
I have 2 fcb1010s. I just bought a new one because my old started having intermittent buttons. There are some rubber pads inside that get squished down. Probably an easy fix. I think my old one has the Uno chip but it's not really all that great. It does just fine with original firmware. You can send note messages and CCs and all kinds of things. Anyway I guess I'll dig into the axefx3 tomorrow when it shows up...
 
FWIW I also came from a Digitech to the Axe (a bit over 5 years ago) with similar objectives (heavily automated band), and the Axe's PC mapping (1 PC = 1 preset+scene) was an easy transition. MIDI comes from the BandHelper app, with some songs featuring multiple rapid changes; never any issues with the transitions. (You will wonder how you tolerated the Digitech for so long LOL)
 
I believe the Axe can 'ignore redundant PC commands' or some such...meaning that you can send the scene as a CC along with the PC and if the preset is the same, then only the scene will change.

I'm an idiot, so I have a FC-12 AND a FCB connected to my AXE and I use the FCB to simply send scene changes. I can choose any layout on the FC and always be able to send a scene change without changing my FC.

Sorry if you already knew this. We all go into the Fractal ecosystem with preconceived notions of how we expect to operate...and then the sheer myriad of options will change our approach as we gather experience. There are dozens of ways to skin this cat...and ultimately you'll want the FC because its just so cool.

Good luck and enjoy your axe.
 
squealie said:
I believe the Axe can 'ignore redundant PC commands' or some such...meaning that you can send the scene as a CC along with the PC and if the preset is the same, then only the scene will change.
Click to expand...
It can and it's actually required to use with PC Mapping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom