Presets MASTER THREAD - AustinBuddy's 1400+ NAKED AMPS TonePack for firmware Cygnus X2

[austinbuddy]

Head's up Naked Amps fans -- Cliff has released a new, public beta firmware 25.0 also called CX3.

This firmware will likely significantly CHANGE the sound amp presets in Naked Amps you are using now from firmware 22-24 sounds.

Read Cliff's all CAPS message here before even thinking about updating:

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-25-00-public-beta-cygnus-x-3.202659/


I'm have two Axe-FX IIIs so I can run them side by side comparing each preset from firmware CX3 to CX2, and dial in a CX3 version accordingly - but this takes time. Lots of it.

If you guys wondered why I wait between firmware updates and only do them once a year, this is a good example -- because with the new changes it's probable that later this year Naked Amps will need to be re-leveled and gain adjusted for CX3.

I'm gonna start that CX2 to CX3 TonePack update process for LiveGold in April...Naked Amps will likely be late summer/fall.

SO -- for the time being, I'd urge you to stay on firmware 24 CX2 if you are using Naked Amps on gigs or recording...let the public beta process work out and bugs get found/resolved...

Onward and upward!

 

[austinbuddy]

Just a head's up -- my web team has resolved the website database/download/missing order issues that some of you were having with past orders or logging in the past few weeks since we launched the new updated website in January.


There may be a small handful of customers that could still have issues -- and if so, I can personally work to manually fix those as they come up. Just email me with your order email and what issue is (screen shots are helpful). Thanks.

I would NOT try the 1400+ Naked Amps with the new Axe-FX III firmware 25 public beta -- because that new firmware is going to change and default-out multiple amp parameters when you do the soft or hard amp preset reset necessary to use that new beta 25 firmware. You have been advised!

Naked Amps is scheduled to be updated in the Fall of 2024 to whatever is latest firmware at that time...

 

[austinbuddy]

Hi everyone:

Happy news. New Cygnus X3 Axe-Fx III firmware is out today (fw 25 pb3) from Fractal Audio. Sounds GREAT!

You can read more about it here.

The good news is, as the above link from Cliff states, this firmware 25 public beta 3 will automatically update key amp model parameters -- but installing this version of Cygnus X3 (unlike the prior one) does not requre an amp reset! YAY!

So, installing this will NOT reset any of the amp parameters I custom set (like amp boost, saturation value, input EQ, Graphic EQ, Speaker Comp, dynamics and out comp) made for the TonePack.

That is not to say that Cygnus X3 won't change the existing tone for your Cygnus X2 Naked Amps presets, or maybe alter the output level slightly, of your Naked Amps presets from the last update in Fall 2023. It could.

Yes, I will do an update to Cygnus X3 (probably next Fall). But so far, most adjustments or level changes I'll make should be minor and you can make any tweaks yourself for your key presets.

As always, back up everything -- all your banks -- with FractalBot before you load any new firmware, so you can always revert back.

Cheers!

 

[Lkdog]

FWIW here is my experience with FW 7.00 on FM9 and Naked Amp presets with amp reset.
All of the presets have lost some top end and clarity and definition. (same issue even when I did not reset the amps)

I also have FW25 on my AXE FX3 with the Naked Amp presets and they sound great.
Big difference between the tone on Axe FX3 and FM9 with the new Firmware with Naked Amp presets.


Not sure why Naked Amps are not translating with the FM9.

Also- I have Live Gold presets on both the Axe FX3 and FM9 and they all sound great.
Units sound identical.

Not complaining- just an observation.

 

[austinbuddy]

FWIW here is my experience with FW 7.00 on FM9 and Naked Amp presets with amp reset.
All of the presets have lost some top end and clarity and definition. (same issue even when I did not reset the amps)

I also have FW25 on my AXE FX3 with the Naked Amp presets and they sound great.
Big difference between the tone on Axe FX3 and FM9 with the new Firmware with Naked Amp presets.


Not sure why Naked Amps are not translating with the FM9.

Also- I have Live Gold presets on both the Axe FX3 and FM9 and they all sound great.
Units sound identical.

Not complaining- just an observation.

Thanks - will check that out. You did do the FM9 amp save for all presets (save each preset so new stuff loads in plus gapless switching stuff) - just checking?

 

[Lkdog]

Thanks - will check that out. You did do the FM9 amp save for all presets (save each preset so new stuff loads in plus gapless switching stuff) - just checking?

I did a Reset Amp Block of all presets in Preset Manager which I believe is supposed to automatically SAVE.
It is strange as the Naked Amp presets sound excellent in the AXE FX3, and the LIVE GOLD presets all sound great in the FM9.
The Naked Amp top end and gain is subdued and there is a slight Phaser quality to just those presets in the FM9.

Also I have the PLUS PACK 2024. All of them that I have auditioned sound great in FW 7.0 in the FM9.

 

[Lkdog]

Well I reloaded the Naked Amp presets into the FW7 FM9 unit and did not do the reset amp block thing in the Preset Manager.

The presets all now sound just like the ones in the Axe Fx 3 except for a few output level differences which are unit specific and normal.

None of the odd loss of top end or phaser thing. All is well.

Sounds great. Thanks.

 

[austinbuddy]

Well I reloaded the Naked Amp presets into the FW7 FM9 unit and did not do the reset amp block thing in the Preset Manager.

The presets all now sound just like the ones in the Axe Fx 3 except for a few output level differences which are unit specific and normal.

None of the odd loss of top end or phaser thing. All is well.

Sounds great. Thanks.

Good to hear @Lkdog! Naked Amps was saved in September 2023 firmware and 95%+ of the amps should be fine on firmware 25 or FM9 firmware 7 - you just have to do the “resave all presets” thing from the hardware (not the preset manager reset the amps) and that will put in the Gapless switching as well as the nee firmware amp goodies.

If you guys spot and amp that the level is now way off or different under fw25 after you do this, let us know. I had to relevel some Unberschall snd Fryette and Komet presets for LiveGold - but the originals were from Feb. 2023 so the Naked Amps Sept. 2023 may be okay…

 

[Dave Merrill]

Good to hear @Lkdog! Naked Amps was saved in September 2023 firmware and 95%+ of the amps should be fine on firmware 25 or FM9 firmware 7 - you just have to do the “resave all presets” thing from the hardware (not the preset manager reset the amps) and that will put in the Gapless switching as well as the nee firmware amp goodies.

If you guys spot and amp that the level is now way off or different under fw25 after you do this, let us know. I had to relevel some Unberschall snd Fryette and Komet presets for LiveGold - but the originals were from Feb. 2023 so the Naked Amps Sept. 2023 may be okay…

Did I miss something here? What do you mean by "do the resave all presets thing from the hardware"? Edit each one individually so it updates, then save it?

 

[austinbuddy]

Did I miss something here? What do you mean by "do the resave all presets thing from the hardware"? Edit each one individually so it updates, then save it?

@Dave Merrill -- whoops, I misspoke.

Something in my head seemed to recall that a function got added as "re-save all presets in hardware" - but I checked and don't see it as option on the hardware on my III. My bad. Good wish list item though...

For anyone else reading this, don't use the amp resetter in Preset manager for the firmware 25 update on your presets, or commercial ones -- that amp reset will alter some amp values in your presets, and you'll have to go back and re-enter them.

Just use the the editor's Batch Setter tool on something (a value) that doesn't change in your presets ever.

I use Input1 block "Level =0 for channel D" myself... and run it over all your presets. I have a video of how this works but can't upload that file on forum...

How to:

Put mouse on INPUT1 block channel D LEVEL (it probably already says "0" - that's okay)

Now, click CMD+SHFT+ Mouse right click on a Mac (it's probably CNTRL+ SHFT+ right click on Windows)

You'll see this menu below open up:




Next, Pick "Set in Multiple Presets". And select to only do it for ONLY channel D.

Then the preset window will next open up - and you can pick the range of presets you want to apply the change to (click first one, it turns blue, then SHIFT and pick the last preset you want it to apply to), and last - hit SAVE.

That's it. This editor tool will now "reset" the Input1 Level from zero to zero - but is saving every preset along the way, which will load gapless switching as well as firmware 25 changes for the amps your presets are using.

 

[austinbuddy]

So far I’ve only played/heard about 30% of the all the Fractal amp models saved in firmware 25 that were originally made under a prior firmware like Naked Amps or Live Gold - but they all sounded great. Back up everything first, but don’t be afraid to upgrade to firmware 25 and use the tool in above post.

Only a handful of Live Gold (not Naked Amps) so far need a major re-leveling - Satriani amps, Komet, Uberschall, and Fryette. All of the other 30% were still pretty leveled and sounded great!

 

[Fro68]

I haven't tried any other but my goto presets still sound great!

 

[austinbuddy]

I haven't tried any other but my goto presets still sound great!

This is good to hear @Fro68 and consistent with the feedback I've been getting from others.... I'm sure there will be a few more amps that need a re-level but it seems like 90 to 95% so far that I've played are ready to rock under the new firmware "as is" although as I touch them I do check levels and may tweak the gain and lightly touch the EQ hear and there... stuff ya'll can do easy enough to taste!