USB/Computer sound is quiet or silent - Here's what to do

[chris]

When upgrading to any version of Firmware 18 from any version of Firmware 17.04 or earlier, you will need to adjust the new USB Return Level parameter in the I/O menu. It is set to -60 which is very quiet. Recommended settings are -6 or 0.

Read my article for more information: USB Playback is very quiet or silent after updating Firmware to 18.01 or higher

Also check out any of these threads asking the same question:

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-bugs/97447-volume-issue-[not-bug].html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-bugs/97781-18-03-usb-return-level-60-[fixed].html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97965-no-sound-computer-since-18-03-update.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...yback-volume-something-i-did.html#post1175535

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-bugs/98284-after-latest-firmware-update-can-hear-guitar-but-not-mac-output-[not-bug].html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98443-post-fw18-issue.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98375-question-volume-newbie.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98308-no-sound-system.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98094-problem-usb-analog-output.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98045-using-axe-fx-soundcard.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...very-low-playback-volume-something-i-did.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97965-no-sound-computer-since-18-03-update.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97973-axe-volume-vs-usb-volume.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97814-low-sound-help.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97846-playback-volume-drop-after-fw18.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...xe-fx-sound-card-mac-not-working-anymore.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97707-upgraded-18-03-latest-axe-edit-today.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97721-axe-sounscard-dosent-work.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97625-volume-issues-18-a.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97650-low-output-volume-after-fw18-upgrade.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...tput-through-axe-monitors-barely-audible.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97448-problem-usb-audio.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97497-sound-problem-please-help.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97434-usb-level-return.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...x-ii-firmware-18-01-released.html#post1168570

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...x-ii-firmware-18-01-released.html#post1168577

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...x-ii-firmware-18-01-released.html#post1168628

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...ii-firmware-18-01-released-2.html#post1168722

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...ii-firmware-18-01-released-3.html#post1168775

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...ii-firmware-18-01-released-6.html#post1170682

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98637-no-sounds-computer.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/showthread.php?t=98685

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...snt-work-interface-fw18-07-a.html#post1184608

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98838-probably-simple-question.html#post1185983

 

[paranoid]

you need neon lights on the title!!! I bet this will still be posted again!!! every one please read all release notes when updating!!!!!!!

 

[FractalAudio]

Stickied.

 

[scottburrow]

Thanks for doing what you do Chris, we appreciate it.

 

[GuitarDojo]

Very Good Chris.

 

[don_joe]

So that's why...thanks Chris!

 

[chucma]

Good idea Chris! Thanks for always helping!

 

[sgplayer76]

Thank you! I just sat down with my headphones and barely had audio -- this was exactly what I was looking for!

 

[cbrgne]

Hey guys
I am totally lost in this now I posted a little while ago I updated from the latest 17. To 18:12 and also updated the mfc to it current update now I get no sound my patches are all over the mfc and now I currently have no working axe because there is no sound and everything is scattered... Chris if this sounds all over the place it's because I'm freaking out about now.... Guys I need a helping hand here please give me a hand on this I followed the instruction Chris put on the forum to the letter but I'm not getting anything if anyone could call me 201-923-3541. This would be a huge favor and a favor our back. Please I have a gig in a few days Please help. Carl

 

[tas9195]

Hey Chris can I assume this would be the case for the new mysterious firmware update?

 

[slinky005]

How much you want to bet people will still ask about this......

 

[chris]

I get messages on Facebook for this at least once a week.

 

[zenaxe]

This begs the question, is there a reason this defaults to what seems to be an unusable value? If recommended settings are -6 to 0 range, why can't we have it default to -6 as a starting point and avoid the constant support load? Is there some benefit to the existing default?

 

[chris]

This begs the question, is there a reason this defaults to what seems to be an unusable value? If recommended settings are -6 to 0 range, why can't we have it default to -6 as a starting point and avoid the constant support load? Is there some benefit to the existing default?

It was a new parameter and for whatever reason, it loaded at its minimum value. A system parameter reset and any FW installation after this defaults to 0. It's only the first time this parameter "appears" on the unit that it defaults to -60. Similar to how the updated Rotary block was engaged in every preset. It's just a one-time thing and not a true default.

 

[brianbauer]

I am running into a different issue in terms of sound level... i adjusted the USB return level and it works just fine now... the issue I am having is when I play music through my computer (via usb on Axe Fx 2), the output sound of my guitar goes way down... sound level of the music is fine but as soon as the music starts, the sound level of my guitar goes way down.. as soon as the music stops, the sound level of the guitar goes back up to normal...

any ideas???

Thanks much

When upgrading to any version of Firmware 18 from any version of Firmware 17.04 or earlier, you will need to adjust the new USB Return Level parameter in the I/O menu. It is set to -60 which is very quiet. Recommended settings are -6 or 0.

Read my article for more information and other similar settings like this:

Firmware 18.01 Released - AFT's Notes | AxeFxTutorials.com

Also see my note here: USB Playback is quiet FW18 - Axe-Fx II

Also check out any of these threads asking the same question:

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-bugs/97447-volume-issue-[not-bug].html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-bugs/97781-18-03-usb-return-level-60-[fixed].html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97965-no-sound-computer-since-18-03-update.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...yback-volume-something-i-did.html#post1175535

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-bugs/98284-after-latest-firmware-update-can-hear-guitar-but-not-mac-output-[not-bug].html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98443-post-fw18-issue.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98375-question-volume-newbie.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98308-no-sound-system.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98094-problem-usb-analog-output.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98045-using-axe-fx-soundcard.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...very-low-playback-volume-something-i-did.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97965-no-sound-computer-since-18-03-update.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97973-axe-volume-vs-usb-volume.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97814-low-sound-help.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97846-playback-volume-drop-after-fw18.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...xe-fx-sound-card-mac-not-working-anymore.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97707-upgraded-18-03-latest-axe-edit-today.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97721-axe-sounscard-dosent-work.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97625-volume-issues-18-a.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97650-low-output-volume-after-fw18-upgrade.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...tput-through-axe-monitors-barely-audible.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97448-problem-usb-audio.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97497-sound-problem-please-help.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/97434-usb-level-return.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...x-ii-firmware-18-01-released.html#post1168570

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...x-ii-firmware-18-01-released.html#post1168577

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...x-ii-firmware-18-01-released.html#post1168628

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...ii-firmware-18-01-released-2.html#post1168722

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...ii-firmware-18-01-released-3.html#post1168775

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...ii-firmware-18-01-released-6.html#post1170682

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98637-no-sounds-computer.html

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/showthread.php?t=98685

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-f...snt-work-interface-fw18-07-a.html#post1184608

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98838-probably-simple-question.html#post1185983

 

[chris]

i'd love to see a video of that. how fast does the guitar audio reduce and come back? is it a fade? is it sudden?

i wonder if it's something like the Input source setting set wrong? i've never heard of this issue before.

if you do a video, can you show the I/O menu pages, maybe 4 seconds pause on each screen?

 

[xfloxsx]

He everyone,

i have set the USB return level to 0. Anyway the volume of the USB Signal from my DAW (Reaper) is extremely low compared to the volume of the Instr. Input.
Is there any option to level out these two volumes?

My Hardware:
Axe FX2 XL+ used as an USB Interface on my Mac

Software:
DAW: Reaper 5.16 (64bit Version)

 

[chris]

Are you certain the Axe is the selected device is Reaper specifically?

 

[xfloxsx]

Yes, the Axe is set as Audio device in Reaper...

 

[chris]

Yes, the Axe is set as Audio device in Reaper...

had to ask, because you can assign the Axe as Mac System Device, but still not have it selected in DAW.

hmm, i've used the Axe with Cubase and Studio One, and the playback is just as loud as the input. i could never figure out Reaper, but my guess is that something in reaper is reducing the playback. maybe you have to increase the main fader or something? sorry, not sure i can help any more.