craneturtle
Member
New Axe-Fx Utlra owner here, and I love it.
Like many have said, there is a learning curve, especially for a gear novice like me. If you're a professional gigging musician, I'm sure this is old knowledge for you, but I had to go through several steps to get my Axe-Fx setup properly. So here's my experience from bringing it home, several trips to guitar center to get extra items, and what I did. Also what accessories I decided to buy, like foot controller. So there are some hidden costs that you might not be aware of, especially if you decide to update your firmware which you'll need a midi device. I'll also put down some useful links, like video tutorials I looked at.
First off, save yourself a lot of trouble and read all the stickies in the forums here. Also read the Axe-Fx Wiki:
http://axefxwiki.guitarlogic.org/
Ok, if you're like me, you're lazy and you only glanced at the stickies and just bookmarked the Axe-Fx wiki and decided to buy an Axe-Fx anyway. =) So after a 2 month hunt for a the perfect tube amp, I went found my holy grail when I discovered the Axe-Fx and decided to go digital. I bought an Axe-Fx Ultra from Tone Merchants (only Axe-Fx dealer in the Los Angeles area, located Orange County, Ca) and brought it home...
1) Hooking it up. I wanted to do the 4 cable method (see the diagrams in the Axe-Fx manual) and hook up my Axe-Fx to my Vox AD60VTX combo. I had 2 long guitar cables and 2 really short patch cables I use with my guitar pedals and this worked but I had to keep my Axe-Fx on top of the combo itself, because of the real short length of the 2 patch cables into the effects loop of my amp combo. I had to make a trip to guitar center to get longer cables later on so I could move my Axe-Fx off my amp.
- items purchased: 2 patch cables (3 foot or longer)
2) Making it sound good - I read the tips on turning off cab sims (possibly the power sims too) in the global settings. Also I the read tips about setting the global EQ. I actually ended up leaving everything on, cab and power sims, and just messed with the global EQ to get a good sound. I lowered the high frequences a bit and boost the bass and mid range slightly. I discovered that my optimum EQ settings would differ depending on what guitar I was using -- Gibson Les Paul Standard, American made Fender Stratocaster with 9 gauge strings with Kahler tremolo bridge (like a Floyd Rose), Japanese made Fender Stratocaster with 10 gauge strings standard tremolo bridge.
3) Updating Firmware - This was a bit of a hassle. I had a midi controller, my M-Audio Axiom keyboard hooked up to my computer via usb cable, but no midi cables to attach the Axe-Fx. I went to the store, bought one cable, and then realized I should have purchased 2 cables (although not necessary, I didn't want to switch cables everytime I sent or received data, plus the Axe-Fx editor needs both cables attached). I went back got another cable, a different color to make it easy to know which cable was "in" or "out". I then watched the Axe-Fx editor tutorial on youtube here (thanks marmax78):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVzQ7yDmNnQ
I discovered later that the midi channel setting doesn't apply anymore in the new version of the editor (I used 1.24 beta), so you don't need to set that (actually you can't anymore). Just need the sysex id in the editor to match the current preset that you're dialed into on the Axe-Fx itself. BTW I had to install Java on my Windows XP to make the Axe-Fx editor work. Painless process for me, but then again I'm a computer programmer.
I then discovered my midi controller, the Axiom keyboard, didn't like the editor as I couldn't do anything, send or receive didn't work. Tried the MidiOx program and I could receive data, like presets from the Axe-Fx, but just couldn't send data to the Axe-Fx. I did remember the warning that Axe-Fx editor (actually java's midi implementation) is a bit picky with midi devices.
After reading the midi interface thread here (click to see), I then bought a M-Audio MidiSport 2x2 as recommended and yes! It all worked, even the Axe-Fx editor. I updated firmware easily using the Axe-Fx editor. I wanted to update the new 6.00 presets too and used the editor to do it by uploading the new Ultra banks. Unlike the firmware updating process, there is no indication that the editor is updating banks -- no progress bar in the editor or the axe-fx -- so it's makes you wonder if it worked. I read on the forums that this is normal behavior. This thread, "Loading presets BankA, B, & C?", discusses about updating banks into the Axe-Fx and how to tell if banks were successfully updated, like the editor will freeze while uploading then unfreeze, etc).
- items purchased: M-Audio Midisport 2x2, and 2 midi different colored midi cables (helps to identify which is either "in" or "out)
4) Footcontroller and expression pedal (So many options!) - I had the Vox VC-12, a footcontroller and 2 expression pedal device for my beloved VOX AD60VTX that I loved, and wanted something like that with my Axe-Fx. I had thought initially that I could hook the VC-12 up to my Axe-Fx but there are some weird ports in the back of the Vox VC-12, so I'm not sure if I can.
I researched quite a bit on footcontrollers and expression pedals on the forums. Wow. Lots of choices. I initially wanted to go with a Rocktron Midimate since it's cheap and would be a stopgap until the official Fractal Audio footcontroller comes out (whenever that may be). And use it with 2 Rocktron Hex expression pedals as they seem popular and very sturdy, which I could later use with the Fractal Audio footcontroller. I was concerned about all this talk about needed to mod the cables (tip and ring ends) of various expression/volume pedals, like the Rocktron Hex in order to get it working with the Axe-Fx, but realized this was a non-issue (well most of the time) if you just plugged the pedal into a footcontroller board, and not into the Axe-Fx pedal jack itself. See the various forum threads in the "Floor Controllers & Midi CC questions" forum.
Ultimately, I just went with a Roland FC-300 which is a footcontroller, 2 expression pedal combo, just like my Vox VC-12 (similar to the Vox Tonelab SE/LE layout). I read people having a lot of success with the FC-300 and thier Axe-Fx and even better, it's reasonably priced ($345 or less). I was able to get it for $275 locally (yay!). Some people talk about the lack of available CC pedals on the Roland FC-300, but there's a mode you can get the Roland into that will let you enable the other pedals as CC pedals, and use the bank switcher to give you even more access. I found this out by reading one of "Cemusic" replies in this thread from the older Fractal Audio forum.
http://www.setbb.com/axefx/viewtopic.ph ... orum=axefx
Setting the Axe-Fx with the FC-300 was helped by watching the Rocktron Midimate tutorial (thanks 0ddb0d).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_qXIFSN5hM
Sticky forum thread on this video here:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=53
The procedure with the Roland FC-300 is similar. Once I hooked up the FC-300 to the Axe-Fx, the Axe-Fx recognized it as I was able to switch presets. I did the offset change by 1 as explained in the video. And setting up the CC pedals and expression pedals was easy. Like in the video, I just matched the CC# for a pedal (looked in my Roland manual to the CC#) to a device in the Axe-Fx I0/Ctrl Menu. I tested it out by making a patch that had a drive block and a wah pedal. I was able to toggle the drive block on and off and the expression pedal was able to change the wah sounds. Oh yeah, I purchased 2 more midi cables, but I don't really need this as I could just the same cables I use for the Axe-Fx/MidiSport 2x2.
Helpful links:
http://axefxwiki.guitarlogic.org/index. ... di_control
http://axefxwiki.guitarlogic.org/index. ... =Midi_foot
- items purchased - Roland FC-300, 2 midi cables
Conclusion:
So there you go. An abbreviated version of my experience in setting up the Axe-Fx. I left out the stuff like learning the Axe-Fx itself, like how to use the expression pedal, in my case the pedal on the FC-300, as a wah device but you got the forums, wiki and manual for that.
The only other thing I can see my purchasing is a new amp combo for the Axe-Fx, like a FRFR system. Maybe QSC that seems very popular here, or the upcoming Atomic Reactor amp combos designed for the Axe-Fx.
I had so much fun over the weekend with the Axe-Fx and a friend of mine, a longtime guitar player that gigs in LA, came over and his reaction was priceless. I had the "machine gun" preset on and he was playing Hendrix's Machine Gun on my guitar and he stopped midway through, doubled over in the chair, laughing in disbelief. He was amazed at the sound.
Updates:
Dec. 2, 2008
Input level on the Axe-Fx makes a difference! I spent so much time tweaking my Axe-Fx but kept my input level fairly low, like at the 10 o'clock mark. I recently raised it to around 2 o'clock mark and wow, big difference in sounds. So much clearer and punchy. This might be obvious to more experienced people, but I didn't think about tweaking the input volume or had no idea it would affect the sound so much.
Another newbie Axe-Fx user also just made similar post about the input level affecting your sounds here:
New User Advice: Input level is SO IMPORTANT!!!
May 21, 2009
If upgrading to 7.0 firmware from 6.0 or less, remember to reset the new input volume control. I updated my firmware a month ago and wondered why all of a sudden all my patches sounded muffled and barely audible. It sounds like your Axe-FX is broken, which scared me at first, but a quick scan of the firmware release notes said what to do. Just wanted to point this out in case new users with older firmware (pre 7.0), eager to upgrade their firmware to the latest (at the time of this writing, version 7.08) encounters this same issue.
From the 7.00 release notes (see the latest notes here)
Like many have said, there is a learning curve, especially for a gear novice like me. If you're a professional gigging musician, I'm sure this is old knowledge for you, but I had to go through several steps to get my Axe-Fx setup properly. So here's my experience from bringing it home, several trips to guitar center to get extra items, and what I did. Also what accessories I decided to buy, like foot controller. So there are some hidden costs that you might not be aware of, especially if you decide to update your firmware which you'll need a midi device. I'll also put down some useful links, like video tutorials I looked at.
First off, save yourself a lot of trouble and read all the stickies in the forums here. Also read the Axe-Fx Wiki:
http://axefxwiki.guitarlogic.org/
Ok, if you're like me, you're lazy and you only glanced at the stickies and just bookmarked the Axe-Fx wiki and decided to buy an Axe-Fx anyway. =) So after a 2 month hunt for a the perfect tube amp, I went found my holy grail when I discovered the Axe-Fx and decided to go digital. I bought an Axe-Fx Ultra from Tone Merchants (only Axe-Fx dealer in the Los Angeles area, located Orange County, Ca) and brought it home...
1) Hooking it up. I wanted to do the 4 cable method (see the diagrams in the Axe-Fx manual) and hook up my Axe-Fx to my Vox AD60VTX combo. I had 2 long guitar cables and 2 really short patch cables I use with my guitar pedals and this worked but I had to keep my Axe-Fx on top of the combo itself, because of the real short length of the 2 patch cables into the effects loop of my amp combo. I had to make a trip to guitar center to get longer cables later on so I could move my Axe-Fx off my amp.
- items purchased: 2 patch cables (3 foot or longer)
2) Making it sound good - I read the tips on turning off cab sims (possibly the power sims too) in the global settings. Also I the read tips about setting the global EQ. I actually ended up leaving everything on, cab and power sims, and just messed with the global EQ to get a good sound. I lowered the high frequences a bit and boost the bass and mid range slightly. I discovered that my optimum EQ settings would differ depending on what guitar I was using -- Gibson Les Paul Standard, American made Fender Stratocaster with 9 gauge strings with Kahler tremolo bridge (like a Floyd Rose), Japanese made Fender Stratocaster with 10 gauge strings standard tremolo bridge.
3) Updating Firmware - This was a bit of a hassle. I had a midi controller, my M-Audio Axiom keyboard hooked up to my computer via usb cable, but no midi cables to attach the Axe-Fx. I went to the store, bought one cable, and then realized I should have purchased 2 cables (although not necessary, I didn't want to switch cables everytime I sent or received data, plus the Axe-Fx editor needs both cables attached). I went back got another cable, a different color to make it easy to know which cable was "in" or "out". I then watched the Axe-Fx editor tutorial on youtube here (thanks marmax78):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVzQ7yDmNnQ
I discovered later that the midi channel setting doesn't apply anymore in the new version of the editor (I used 1.24 beta), so you don't need to set that (actually you can't anymore). Just need the sysex id in the editor to match the current preset that you're dialed into on the Axe-Fx itself. BTW I had to install Java on my Windows XP to make the Axe-Fx editor work. Painless process for me, but then again I'm a computer programmer.
I then discovered my midi controller, the Axiom keyboard, didn't like the editor as I couldn't do anything, send or receive didn't work. Tried the MidiOx program and I could receive data, like presets from the Axe-Fx, but just couldn't send data to the Axe-Fx. I did remember the warning that Axe-Fx editor (actually java's midi implementation) is a bit picky with midi devices.
After reading the midi interface thread here (click to see), I then bought a M-Audio MidiSport 2x2 as recommended and yes! It all worked, even the Axe-Fx editor. I updated firmware easily using the Axe-Fx editor. I wanted to update the new 6.00 presets too and used the editor to do it by uploading the new Ultra banks. Unlike the firmware updating process, there is no indication that the editor is updating banks -- no progress bar in the editor or the axe-fx -- so it's makes you wonder if it worked. I read on the forums that this is normal behavior. This thread, "Loading presets BankA, B, & C?", discusses about updating banks into the Axe-Fx and how to tell if banks were successfully updated, like the editor will freeze while uploading then unfreeze, etc).
- items purchased: M-Audio Midisport 2x2, and 2 midi different colored midi cables (helps to identify which is either "in" or "out)
4) Footcontroller and expression pedal (So many options!) - I had the Vox VC-12, a footcontroller and 2 expression pedal device for my beloved VOX AD60VTX that I loved, and wanted something like that with my Axe-Fx. I had thought initially that I could hook the VC-12 up to my Axe-Fx but there are some weird ports in the back of the Vox VC-12, so I'm not sure if I can.
I researched quite a bit on footcontrollers and expression pedals on the forums. Wow. Lots of choices. I initially wanted to go with a Rocktron Midimate since it's cheap and would be a stopgap until the official Fractal Audio footcontroller comes out (whenever that may be). And use it with 2 Rocktron Hex expression pedals as they seem popular and very sturdy, which I could later use with the Fractal Audio footcontroller. I was concerned about all this talk about needed to mod the cables (tip and ring ends) of various expression/volume pedals, like the Rocktron Hex in order to get it working with the Axe-Fx, but realized this was a non-issue (well most of the time) if you just plugged the pedal into a footcontroller board, and not into the Axe-Fx pedal jack itself. See the various forum threads in the "Floor Controllers & Midi CC questions" forum.
Ultimately, I just went with a Roland FC-300 which is a footcontroller, 2 expression pedal combo, just like my Vox VC-12 (similar to the Vox Tonelab SE/LE layout). I read people having a lot of success with the FC-300 and thier Axe-Fx and even better, it's reasonably priced ($345 or less). I was able to get it for $275 locally (yay!). Some people talk about the lack of available CC pedals on the Roland FC-300, but there's a mode you can get the Roland into that will let you enable the other pedals as CC pedals, and use the bank switcher to give you even more access. I found this out by reading one of "Cemusic" replies in this thread from the older Fractal Audio forum.
http://www.setbb.com/axefx/viewtopic.ph ... orum=axefx
Setting the Axe-Fx with the FC-300 was helped by watching the Rocktron Midimate tutorial (thanks 0ddb0d).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_qXIFSN5hM
Sticky forum thread on this video here:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=53
The procedure with the Roland FC-300 is similar. Once I hooked up the FC-300 to the Axe-Fx, the Axe-Fx recognized it as I was able to switch presets. I did the offset change by 1 as explained in the video. And setting up the CC pedals and expression pedals was easy. Like in the video, I just matched the CC# for a pedal (looked in my Roland manual to the CC#) to a device in the Axe-Fx I0/Ctrl Menu. I tested it out by making a patch that had a drive block and a wah pedal. I was able to toggle the drive block on and off and the expression pedal was able to change the wah sounds. Oh yeah, I purchased 2 more midi cables, but I don't really need this as I could just the same cables I use for the Axe-Fx/MidiSport 2x2.
Helpful links:
http://axefxwiki.guitarlogic.org/index. ... di_control
http://axefxwiki.guitarlogic.org/index. ... =Midi_foot
- items purchased - Roland FC-300, 2 midi cables
Conclusion:
So there you go. An abbreviated version of my experience in setting up the Axe-Fx. I left out the stuff like learning the Axe-Fx itself, like how to use the expression pedal, in my case the pedal on the FC-300, as a wah device but you got the forums, wiki and manual for that.
The only other thing I can see my purchasing is a new amp combo for the Axe-Fx, like a FRFR system. Maybe QSC that seems very popular here, or the upcoming Atomic Reactor amp combos designed for the Axe-Fx.
I had so much fun over the weekend with the Axe-Fx and a friend of mine, a longtime guitar player that gigs in LA, came over and his reaction was priceless. I had the "machine gun" preset on and he was playing Hendrix's Machine Gun on my guitar and he stopped midway through, doubled over in the chair, laughing in disbelief. He was amazed at the sound.
Updates:
Dec. 2, 2008
Input level on the Axe-Fx makes a difference! I spent so much time tweaking my Axe-Fx but kept my input level fairly low, like at the 10 o'clock mark. I recently raised it to around 2 o'clock mark and wow, big difference in sounds. So much clearer and punchy. This might be obvious to more experienced people, but I didn't think about tweaking the input volume or had no idea it would affect the sound so much.
Another newbie Axe-Fx user also just made similar post about the input level affecting your sounds here:
New User Advice: Input level is SO IMPORTANT!!!
May 21, 2009
If upgrading to 7.0 firmware from 6.0 or less, remember to reset the new input volume control. I updated my firmware a month ago and wondered why all of a sudden all my patches sounded muffled and barely audible. It sounds like your Axe-FX is broken, which scared me at first, but a quick scan of the firmware release notes said what to do. Just wanted to point this out in case new users with older firmware (pre 7.0), eager to upgrade their firmware to the latest (at the time of this writing, version 7.08) encounters this same issue.
From the 7.00 release notes (see the latest notes here)
7.00
NOTE: IF UPGRADING FROM 6.07 OR EARLIER THE NEW INPUT VOLUME CONTROL WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE RESET AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE FIRMWARE. SET TO “NONE” TO DEFEAT THIS FEATURE. YOU MAY NEED TO POWER CYCLE THE UNIT AFTER RESETTING THIS PARAMETER.