Quick Start Guide V1.1 - Updated 4-30-2014
I created this LF+ quick start template and Axe-Fx II preset to try and help new LF+ users get up and running quickly with something that more fully demonstrates the capabilities of the LF+ when used with the Axe-Fx II. Hopefully it will save you MANY hours of confusion, frustration and headaches. The LF+ controllers are well designed and very powerful, but not well documented or easy to figure out. This LF+ template was created for the LF+ JR+ so it only uses 8 buttons, but should work well on all LF+ controllers. Once you get the hang of it you can easily expand the layout to utilize all the buttons on your unit.
This LF+ template loads and saves preset names and AI states as you select presets, has scenes, tuner, tap tempo, looper, metronome, presets, effects and expression pedals one and two all ready and functioning. There is a main page, jump page, presets page, looper page and two pages for effects that you can easily use and customize to your own needs.
How to use the LF+ Template and Axe II Preset:
Step 1: Connections
Using 1 MIDI cable, connect the MIDI Out on the LF+ to MIDI IN on the Axe2. I use a single 7-pin MIDI cable with the LF+ power adapter plugged directly into the "Phantom Power" port on the back of the Axe2 (small adapter plug required) to transfer power and data between the units. A standard 5-pin MIDI cable can also be used, but the LF+ power adapter must them be plugged directly into the LF+ instead of the Axe2.
Connect LF+ and your computer with a USB cable.
Step 2: Software
Download and install the LF+ editor software and drivers from FAMC.
Step 3: Verify Connectivity
Now that everything is connected (MIDI and USB) and the drivers and editor are installed you need to verify connectivity between the LF+ and your computer.
Power up the LF+
Launch the LF+ Editor. As soon as it opens you should see it connect and start transferring information from your LF+. This should take about 5-10 seconds to finish. Once done it may notify you that there is a firmware update. If so install the firmware update and repeat this step.
If the LF+ Editor successfully connected and transferred the setup from you LF+ you are ready to move on to the next step. If not, you need to verify you have everything connected correctly and the latest drivers and editor software are installed correctly.
Step 4: Install the LF+ Template and Axe2 Preset
Download my LF+ Template and Axe2 preset syx files here in a single LF+ Template Zip File. Decompress to find two syx files.
Launch the LF+ Editor
Click the “Backup” button to back up the current setup.
Click the “Open” button and leave everything at default settings then click the second "Open" button and then select the syx file “LF+ JR+ Template for Axe-Fx II.syx”. This loads the syx file to the LF+ Editor on your computer. This template was created using LF+ firmware v3.29.
Click the “Transfer All” button and select the “Send All to LF+” option to transfer the template to your LF+ MIDI controller.
If the transfer screen popped up and you do not get an error message the LF+ should now be ready.
Launch AxeEdit
Install the preset "Axe2 Demo Preset for LF+.syx" to a slot of your choice on the Axe2. The LF+ Template assumes that your Axe2 is set to factory defaults for the most part. If you changed anything from factory defaults other than what is listed below you may need to do a “factory reset” on your Axe2 to get the template working. This preset will only work in firmware version 14 and above.
Axe-Fx Settings I have changed:
Under I/O, MIDI I changed "Display Offset" to 1 so the patch numbers line up between Axe and LF+
Under Global, Config I have "Spillover" set to "Both"
Step 5: Test the Template
Close or disconnect the LF+ Editor and AxeEdit (not necessary but reduces lag issues)
Use the large dial on the Axe2 to select the Demo Preset included in the Zip file.
Start using the LF+ MIDI Controller to test the setup as seen in the photos below.
I use second functions (push and hold for 1/2 second) on many buttons. Looking at the page layouts in the LF+ Editor is the easiest way to see what is going on.
Expression pedal 1 is set up to control volume, expression pedal 2 is set up control a Wah pedal (toe up is off) in the included preset.
Main Page:
This page has preset selection Up/Down, Scenes 1-6 (push and hold buttons for 1/2 second for scenes 4-6) across the bottom, 2 effects (push and hold) on one button, tap tempo and lastly a button for the jump page and last page used (again push and hold).
Jump Page:
This page allows you to quickly jump to other pages like the looper page or presets page, plus it has a button for the metronome and tuner on it.
Looper Page:
This page has most of the looper functions working. Several buttons on this page also have multiple functions. The LF+ series does not currently have a proper looper control mode so the lights do not synchronize properly with the Axe. Let FAMC know that you want them to implemented a proper looper control mode so the lights and everything else synchronize properly with the Axe.
Preset Selection Page:
This page only has bank up/down and presets on it. Buttons 4 and 8 have second functions to jump to the Main Page and Effects 1 Page.
Effects 1 Page:
My most commonly used effects are on this page. Most buttons have a second function. For example Drive 1 and Drive 2 are on the same button. Buttons 4 and 8 have second functions to jump to the Main Page and Effects 2 Page.
Effect 2 Page:
Same as Effects 1 Page with other effects. Buttons 4 and 8 have second functions to jump to the Main Page and Effects 1 Page.
Step 6: Optional
While the LF+ will save present names as you use them, you may want to preload everything to make presets easier to find. To do so you need to run the LF+ Editor “Automatic Programming Wizard” with everything turned OFF in the wizard window. This will load all your preset names without screwing up the template.
I hope LF+ users will find this template helpful. If you figure out ways to improve the template please post back to this thread changes you made. A group effort will probably make this template a whole lot better.
I created this LF+ quick start template and Axe-Fx II preset to try and help new LF+ users get up and running quickly with something that more fully demonstrates the capabilities of the LF+ when used with the Axe-Fx II. Hopefully it will save you MANY hours of confusion, frustration and headaches. The LF+ controllers are well designed and very powerful, but not well documented or easy to figure out. This LF+ template was created for the LF+ JR+ so it only uses 8 buttons, but should work well on all LF+ controllers. Once you get the hang of it you can easily expand the layout to utilize all the buttons on your unit.
This LF+ template loads and saves preset names and AI states as you select presets, has scenes, tuner, tap tempo, looper, metronome, presets, effects and expression pedals one and two all ready and functioning. There is a main page, jump page, presets page, looper page and two pages for effects that you can easily use and customize to your own needs.
How to use the LF+ Template and Axe II Preset:
Step 1: Connections
Using 1 MIDI cable, connect the MIDI Out on the LF+ to MIDI IN on the Axe2. I use a single 7-pin MIDI cable with the LF+ power adapter plugged directly into the "Phantom Power" port on the back of the Axe2 (small adapter plug required) to transfer power and data between the units. A standard 5-pin MIDI cable can also be used, but the LF+ power adapter must them be plugged directly into the LF+ instead of the Axe2.
Connect LF+ and your computer with a USB cable.
Step 2: Software
Download and install the LF+ editor software and drivers from FAMC.
Step 3: Verify Connectivity
Now that everything is connected (MIDI and USB) and the drivers and editor are installed you need to verify connectivity between the LF+ and your computer.
Power up the LF+
Launch the LF+ Editor. As soon as it opens you should see it connect and start transferring information from your LF+. This should take about 5-10 seconds to finish. Once done it may notify you that there is a firmware update. If so install the firmware update and repeat this step.
If the LF+ Editor successfully connected and transferred the setup from you LF+ you are ready to move on to the next step. If not, you need to verify you have everything connected correctly and the latest drivers and editor software are installed correctly.
Step 4: Install the LF+ Template and Axe2 Preset
Download my LF+ Template and Axe2 preset syx files here in a single LF+ Template Zip File. Decompress to find two syx files.
Launch the LF+ Editor
Click the “Backup” button to back up the current setup.
Click the “Open” button and leave everything at default settings then click the second "Open" button and then select the syx file “LF+ JR+ Template for Axe-Fx II.syx”. This loads the syx file to the LF+ Editor on your computer. This template was created using LF+ firmware v3.29.
Click the “Transfer All” button and select the “Send All to LF+” option to transfer the template to your LF+ MIDI controller.
If the transfer screen popped up and you do not get an error message the LF+ should now be ready.
Launch AxeEdit
Install the preset "Axe2 Demo Preset for LF+.syx" to a slot of your choice on the Axe2. The LF+ Template assumes that your Axe2 is set to factory defaults for the most part. If you changed anything from factory defaults other than what is listed below you may need to do a “factory reset” on your Axe2 to get the template working. This preset will only work in firmware version 14 and above.
Axe-Fx Settings I have changed:
Under I/O, MIDI I changed "Display Offset" to 1 so the patch numbers line up between Axe and LF+
Under Global, Config I have "Spillover" set to "Both"
Step 5: Test the Template
Close or disconnect the LF+ Editor and AxeEdit (not necessary but reduces lag issues)
Use the large dial on the Axe2 to select the Demo Preset included in the Zip file.
Start using the LF+ MIDI Controller to test the setup as seen in the photos below.
I use second functions (push and hold for 1/2 second) on many buttons. Looking at the page layouts in the LF+ Editor is the easiest way to see what is going on.
Expression pedal 1 is set up to control volume, expression pedal 2 is set up control a Wah pedal (toe up is off) in the included preset.
Main Page:
This page has preset selection Up/Down, Scenes 1-6 (push and hold buttons for 1/2 second for scenes 4-6) across the bottom, 2 effects (push and hold) on one button, tap tempo and lastly a button for the jump page and last page used (again push and hold).
Jump Page:
This page allows you to quickly jump to other pages like the looper page or presets page, plus it has a button for the metronome and tuner on it.
Looper Page:
This page has most of the looper functions working. Several buttons on this page also have multiple functions. The LF+ series does not currently have a proper looper control mode so the lights do not synchronize properly with the Axe. Let FAMC know that you want them to implemented a proper looper control mode so the lights and everything else synchronize properly with the Axe.
Preset Selection Page:
This page only has bank up/down and presets on it. Buttons 4 and 8 have second functions to jump to the Main Page and Effects 1 Page.
Effects 1 Page:
My most commonly used effects are on this page. Most buttons have a second function. For example Drive 1 and Drive 2 are on the same button. Buttons 4 and 8 have second functions to jump to the Main Page and Effects 2 Page.
Effect 2 Page:
Same as Effects 1 Page with other effects. Buttons 4 and 8 have second functions to jump to the Main Page and Effects 1 Page.
Step 6: Optional
While the LF+ will save present names as you use them, you may want to preload everything to make presets easier to find. To do so you need to run the LF+ Editor “Automatic Programming Wizard” with everything turned OFF in the wizard window. This will load all your preset names without screwing up the template.
I hope LF+ users will find this template helpful. If you figure out ways to improve the template please post back to this thread changes you made. A group effort will probably make this template a whole lot better.
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