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Fractal Audio AX8 - User Manual

Fractal Audio AX8
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OWNER’S
MANUAL
AMP MODELER + MULTI FX
Manual Version 1.00.2

Table of Contents

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Summary

Declaration of Conformity

EMC;EMI

Explains electromagnetic compatibility and interference guidelines for the device.

Legal Notices

Important Safety Instructions

Crucial warnings to prevent fire, electric shock, and ensure safe operation.

Introduction

Welcome to the AX8

Welcomes users and introduces the AX8's core features and purpose.

Quick Overview

Provides a summary of the AX8's capabilities, presets, footswitches, and connectivity.

If You Own an Axe-Fx...

Offers tips for existing Axe-Fx users transitioning to the AX8.

If You Own an FX8...

Provides guidance for FX8 owners familiarizing themselves with the AX8.

Quick Connect Guide

Step-by-step instructions for basic connection and setup of the AX8.

Checking and Setting Levels

Essential guide for optimizing input and output signal levels for optimal performance.

Humbuster Cables

Explains the use and benefits of Humbuster cables for reducing ground loop noise.

The Footswitches

Details the functions of the AX8's eleven footswitches, divided into F-Switches and numbered switches.

The Footswitch Page

Explains the display and layout of the AX8's default Footswitch Page.

Footswitch 1-8 Assignment Quickstart Guide

A quick guide on how to assign functions to footswitches 1-8 within a preset.

The Grid Concept

Introduces the AX8's 12x4 grid system for arranging virtual amp, cab, and effect blocks.

Grid and Block Edits Quickstart Guide

A primer on navigating and editing blocks within the AX8's grid layout.

Hardware Overview

The Top Panel

Describes the controls, display, and indicators on the AX8's top panel.

The Rear Panel

Details the various input and output connectors located on the back of the AX8.

Setup Guide

Full-Range;Direct Setup

Covers connecting the AX8 directly to full-range speakers or PA systems.

Setup: Power Amp & Guitar Speakers

Explains how to connect the AX8 to a power amp and traditional guitar speakers.

Setup: Direct + Real Amp & Cabs

Details how to send separate signals to FOH and a stage amp/cab setup.

Setup: FX Processor Only

Instructions for using the AX8 solely as an effects processor, without amp or cab modeling.

Checking and Setting Levels

Essential guide for optimizing input and output signal levels for optimal performance.

Connecting Pedals & Switches

Guide on connecting and calibrating external expression pedals and footswitches.

To Connect and Set Up an External Footswitch

Specific instructions for connecting and configuring external footswitches.

Connecting a Computer

Explains how to connect the AX8 to a computer via USB for firmware updates and software editing.

Function Switches

F-Switches Overview

Introduces the three assignable Function Footswitches (F1, F2, F3) and their dual functions.

Customizing F-Switches

Details how to assign tap and press-and-hold functions to the F-Switches.

Sample F-Switch Layouts

Provides example configurations for assigning functions to the F-Switches.

Creating Presets

What Is a Preset?

Defines what a preset is and how it encompasses the entire rig configuration.

The Layout Grid

Explains the AX8's 12x4 grid system for arranging and connecting effect blocks.

Working With Blocks

Covers navigating, inserting, and changing effect blocks within the AX8's grid.

Shunts

Explains the purpose and use of shunts for signal routing in empty grid spaces.

Connector Cables

Details how to create and remove cables to connect blocks within the AX8's grid.

The Rules of AX8 Cables

Outlines the fundamental rules for creating and connecting blocks using cables in the grid.

Moving Blocks

Describes how to move blocks, rows, or columns within the AX8's grid layout.

Block Inventory

Lists all available effect blocks and their descriptions for use in presets.

Example Preset Grids

Illustrates various preset configurations using the AX8's grid layout.

Editing Effect Blocks

Guides users on accessing and editing parameters within individual effect blocks.

Saving Changes

Explains how to save edited presets, including changing names and locations.

Setting Up Footswitches 1-8

Details how to program the numbered footswitches for specific functions within presets or globally.

X;Y Switching

Explains how to use X/Y switching to have two sets of parameters for a single block.

Preset CPU Limits

Discusses CPU usage, limitations, and automatic block disabling to prevent overload.

AX8-Edit

Introduces AX8-Edit software for graphical preset editing and management.

Scenes

Overview

Introduces scenes as "mini-presets" that store effect states, X/Y settings, and levels.

Selecting Scenes

Describes the different methods for selecting scenes within a preset.

Setting Up Scenes

Guides users on programming effect ON/OFF states and X/Y settings for each scene.

Scene Revert

Explains the Scene Revert function and its effect on scene change behavior.

Blocks Guide

Under Construction

Indicates that the guide is still being developed and refers to other resources.

The Amp Block

Comprehensive guide to the AX8's amp modeling capabilities and parameters.

The Type Page

Details how to select different amp models and their associated parameters.

The Preamp Page

Explains the parameters related to the preamp section of amp models.

The Power Amp Page

Details the parameters for simulating the power amp section of guitar amplifiers.

The Cab Block

Covers the cabinet simulation block, including IR loading and microphone selection.

Page 1 Parameters

Covers parameters like Cabinet Type and Microphone Type for cab simulation.

Page 2 Parameters

Explains input and output modes, and low/high cut filters for cab simulation.

Cab Mix Parameters

Details the MIX parameters for the Cab block, including Level, Balance, and Bypass.

Working With User Cabs

Guides on loading and using custom impulse response files as User Cabs.

Cab-Lab

Introduces Cab-Lab software for managing and creating cab files.

The Looper Block

Explains the Looper block, its functions, and control modes.

Looper Control Mode

Explains how to operate the Looper block using footswitches and its various functions.

Looper Page 2 Parameters

Details parameters for loop mode, quantization, and playback.

Looper Trim Page Parameters

Covers manual trimming of loop start and end points for precise control.

Looper Mix Page Parameters

Explains MIX parameters like Level, Balance, and Dub Mix for the Looper.

Looper MIDI Control

Details how to control Looper functions remotely via MIDI CC messages.

The FX Loop

Explains the FX Loop block for integrating external hardware into the signal chain.

FX Loop Send Page Parameters

Details parameters for routing signals from the FX Loop block to Output 2.

Alternate Use As An Auxiliary Output Or Input

Describes how the FX Loop block can be used for auxiliary output or input routing.

FX Loop Mix Page Parameters

Explains the MIX parameters for the FX Loop block.

The Noise Gate

Details the Noise Gate block, its parameters, and how to use it to reduce unwanted noise.

The Output Mixer

Explains how the Output Mixer controls the signal flow from the grid to the main output.

Mix Page Common Parameters

Describes common MIX parameters applicable to various blocks on the AX8.

Modifiers

Overview

Introduces modifiers for automating or remote-controlling sound parameters.

Creating a Modifier

Step-by-step guide on assigning sources, MIN/MAX values, and storing modifiers.

Modifier Example: Wah Pedal

A practical tutorial on setting up an expression pedal to control a Wah block.

Modifier Sources Overview

Lists and explains the various internal and external sources available for modifiers.

Internal Controllers

Describes built-in controllers like LFOs, ADSR, Sequencer, and Scene Controllers.

External Controllers

Explains how to use MIDI messages or expression pedals as external modifier sources.

Advanced Modifier Parameters

Covers advanced settings like MIN/MAX, curves, and shapes for fine-tuning modifiers.

Understanding Modifier Min and Max

Explains how MIN and MAX parameters define the range of sound changes controlled by modifiers.

Advanced Modifier Curves and Shapes

Details how START, END, SLOPE, SCALE, and OFFSET create custom modifier response curves.

Auto-Engage Turns Effects On;Off Automatically

Explains the Auto-Engage feature for automatically engaging/bypassing effects with a controller.

Tempo

To Synchronize a Delay to the Tempo...

Guides on synchronizing delay effect timing to the AX8's tempo.

To Synchronize a Tremolo or Other Rate to the Tempo...

Explains how to sync modulation effects and other RATE parameters to the tempo.

Preset Tempo

Describes how presets can have their own saved tempo settings or use the global tempo.

Auto Delay

Explains how Auto Delay can engage delay blocks when a new tempo is tapped.

The Metronome

Details the built-in metronome function and its level control.

The Tuner

Advanced Tuner Functions

Covers advanced settings for the built-in tuner, including calibration and offsets.

Configuration Parameters

Details parameters for tuner calibration, mute settings, and offset application.

Setup Menus

The Global Menu

Accesses global settings that affect all presets, like power amp and cab modeling.

Global: Settings Page

Explains global settings for power amp and cab modeling, and global effects mix.

Global: Function Switches Page

Describes how to globally assign functions to the F-Switches.

Global: Footswitch 1-8 Page

Explains how to set footswitches 1-8 to be global or preset-specific.

Global: Out 1;Out 2 Pages

Covers global EQ and master gain adjustments for outputs 1 and 2.

Global: Custom Scales Page

Allows configuration of custom scales for the Pitch Shifter block.

The I;O Menu

Accesses settings related to input/output routing, levels, and audio configuration.

I;O: Levels Page

Details parameters for setting input and output nominal levels and input padding.

I;O: Audio Page

Configures audio routing modes (STEREO, MONO, etc.) for inputs and outputs.

I;O: MIDI Page

Covers MIDI channel, thru, program change processing, and scene revert settings.

I;O: Controllers Page

Maps pedals and MIDI CC messages to various AX8 functions and controllers.

I;O: Pedal Pages

Details the functions and calibration of the AX8's pedal jacks.

The Utility Menu

Provides access to utility functions like LCD contrast, erasing data, status meters, and reset options.

Utility: LCD Page

Adjusts the contrast and viewing angle of the built-in LCD display.

Utility: Erase Page

Tools for erasing all presets or user cabinets, with a strong caution.

Utility: Status Page

Displays realtime audio meters and CPU utilization percentage.

Utility: VU Meters

Shows visual representation of input/output levels and CPU usage.

Utility: Reset Page

Resets global, I/O, and tuner settings to factory defaults.

Utility: Firmware Page

Indicates the current firmware version and provides a link for updates.

Additional Topics

Global Volume Pedal Setup

How to set up a global volume pedal using an expression pedal without a dedicated block.

Spillover

Explains how delay and reverb tails can ring out when changing scenes or presets.

Up- vs. Down-Stroke Fx Switching

Details how to configure footswitch actions for tap and press-and-hold functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers common user queries regarding operation, troubleshooting, and features.

Transferring Blocks Between Products

Guides on transferring individual block settings between Fractal Audio products using editor software.

About the Block Library

Explains the Block Library feature for saving and recalling preset block configurations.

Example: Block Transfer from an Axe-FX to an AX8

A specific tutorial on transferring an Amp block from Axe-Edit to AX8-Edit.

Main Menu Soft Knobs Guide

Explains the functions of the A, B, C, D, and E knobs on different menu pages.

Hidden Edit Button Functions

Describes context-sensitive functions activated by tapping or double-tapping the EDIT button.

Specifications & Defaults

MIDI Implementation

Details the AX8's MIDI protocol, supported messages, and default assignments.

Factory Default MIDI CC Settings

Lists default MIDI CC# assignments for various AX8 functions.

MIDI Program Change Numbers

Provides a mapping of MIDI Bank and Program Change messages to AX8 presets.

Warranty

Disclaimer and Limitation of Warranty

Outlines the terms, conditions, and limitations of the product warranty.

EULA

Fractal Audio AX8 Specifications

General IconGeneral
Footswitches8
TypeMulti-Effects Processor
DisplayLCD
Inputs1 x 1/4" Instrument, 1 x XLR Mic
Outputs2 x XLR
MIDI I/OIn, Out/Thru
USBYes
Expression Pedal Inputs2 x 1/4"
EffectsDrive, Delay, Reverb, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Wah, Filter, Pitch, Synth, Compressor, Gate, EQ

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