Basic breakdown of what I do is as follows:
- Windows 10 laptop
- Axe-FX III hooked up via a USB hub (Sabrent HB-UM43)
- laptop only has one USB port and we're also doing the patch changes with a Helix stomp for my bassist and some other gear
- Reaper is my DAW
- running backtracks to Front of House
- note: I used to run BTs FROM the Axe-FX directly, but we now use a separate interface with more INS/OUTs to better facilitate everyone in the band
- running backtracks/clicks/cues to IEMs
- I have all my songs in one Reaper Project and use Reaper SWS extensions to auto go to the a different Marker (i.e. song) when Reaper hits the end of song Marker. Works well once you get the hang of it, but this is where the "I wish it were more modular like the new FC Setlists" comes in.
- Sending MIDI over the USB cable to change presets/scenes + automatically adjust tempo based on Reaper's
If you have the AXE-FX USB drivers installed, your DAW should see the Axe-FX III as a MIDI input device AND a MIDI output device. I enable the Axe-FX
Input Device and
Output Device. And in the
Output config I make sure to
Send clock to this device (for automatic tempo changes based on my DAW timeline).
To get the Preset/Scene changes to work you have to do this:
- Setup > MIDI/Remote > Other > Scene Select -- set this to your preferred CC# (I use 60, which I picked from a hat)
- In your DAW, create new MIDI items and insert Bank/Program changes and CC commands, referencing the Owner's manual MIDI reference tables section for the proper values.
Here is an example using my
Scene Select CC# as 60, going to Preset 501, Scene 3.
- Create a new MIDI item
- Insert a Bank/Program Selectevent at the proper location in the MIDI item
- View attachment 99817
- (this changes to Preset 501)
- For preset 501: Bank MSB = 3, Program Number = 117 per the MIDI reference table in the manual
- Insert a CC eventat the proper location in the MIDI item
- View attachment 99818
- (this changes to Scene 3)
- The CC/Controller value should be 60 (or whatever you set it as)
- Value should be ONE LESS than the scene you want.
- Please note that the Value is one less than the scene number. I think there is a way to change this number to match the scene number via the Axe-FX's settings, but I have never bothered.
You can trigger other things via MIDI as well, but it requires configuring the Axe-FX settings to do so.
As I automate all of my preset/scene changes via my laptop, I've never tested to see how my FC would behave, but I assume it would just reflect your FC's current layout in reference to the Preset/Scene you have active.