Fractal Axe-Fx II XL Getting Started Manual
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Fractal Axe-Fx II XL Getting Started Manual

Preamp/ fx processor
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  • Page 2: Important Safety Instructions

    No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the permission of Fractal Audio Systems. Fractal Audio Systems, Axe-Fx, Axe-Fx II, Axe-Fx II Mark II, Axe-Fx II XL, G2 Modeling Technology (“G2”), Humbuster, Multipoint Iterative Matching and Impedance Correction (“MIMIC”), Virtual Vacuum Tube (“VVT”), UltraRes, are trademarks of Fractal Audio Systems.
  • Page 3 Certificate of Conformity Fractal Audio Systems, USA, hereby declares on its own responsibility that the following product: Axe-Fx II XL Digital Guitar Preamplifier and Effects Processor covered by this certificate and marked with CE label, conforms to following standards: EN60065...

  • Page 4: Getting Started

    Getting Started... Thank you for purchasing the Axe-Fx II XL, one of the most powerful musical instrument processors ever produced. The XL is the latest revision of our flagship product the Axe-Fx II. This Getting Started Guide was envisioned when it became apparent that the Axe-Fx as we know it defies the use of a traditional printed “Owner’s Manual.”...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Getting Started................. iii Contents ................... iv 1 Introduction ..................1 2 Hardware Overview ..............3 3 Connections ..................9 4 Basic Operation and Editing ............15 5 Basic Blocks Guide ............... 27 6 Modifiers ..................28 7 Additional Topics ................. 30 8 Troubleshooting ................

  • Page 6: Introduction

    1.1 What is the Axe FX II XL? The Axe-Fx II XL is an advanced digital preamp and multi-effects processor for guitar, bass, and other instruments. It is As the flagship product from Fractal Audio Systems, it delivers the world’s most advanced amp modeling, plus our best-ever effects technology with state-of-the-art algorithms of outstanding quality.
  • Page 7 HARDWARE Overview 1.2 The Inventory/Grid Concept On the Axe-Fx II, many of the limitations of traditional gear are eliminated. You possess an INVENTORY of virtual amps, cabs, and effects, placed as “BLOCKS” in to the slots of a 12×4 “GRID.” As in the real world, things must be patched together using connector “CABLES.”...

  • Page 8: Hardware Overview

    HARDWARE Overview 2 Hardware Overview The Axe-Fx II has a simple hardware interface with clearly labeled controls and jacks. Review the following to familiarize yourself with the hardware features of the unit. 2.1 The Front Panel Figure 2-1 The Axe-Fx II is housed in a powder-coated steel enclosure with an anodized aluminum faceplate. Dual front handles allow easy rack mounting and removal.
  • Page 9 MIDI. Each of the major menus mentioned above is fully detailed in the online Axe-Fx II XL Owner’s Manual. – On the Axe-Fx II, certain effects have two fully independent sets of settings, called “X” and “Y”. Think of X and Y like two different “channels”...

  • Page 10: The Rear Panel

    HARDWARE Overview for Output 1 (L+R) and output 2 (L+R, aka “FX SEND”) are set using these knobs. See section 3.1 on p. 9 for information on setting levels. OUTPUT 1 also controls the headphone jack. NOTE: It is normal to hear a slight clicking while adjusting output levels with these knobs. –...
  • Page 11 Control Port – This RJ45 jack allows you to use a standard (non-crossover) Ethernet cable to connect the Axe-Fx II to a Fractal Audio Systems MFC-101 MIDI Foot Controller. The cable used to connect the Axe- Fx II and MFC-101 carries two-way data communication and phantom power without needing an external “wall wart”...
  • Page 12 HARDWARE Overview 2.3.1 Minimum Requirements Mac Minimum Requirements: Windows Minimum Requirements:  OS X 10.6.8*  OS: Windows Vista SP2 (x86 or x64)  CPU: Intel Processor Windows 7 SP1 (x86 or x64), Windows 8  Memory: 512MB minimum  CPU: Intel Core 2 @1.6 GHz or better, or AMD equivalent ...
  • Page 13 “legacy” MIDI, and allows two-way communication with the computer over a single cable. 2.3.3 Fractal-Bot Fractal-Bot, available from http://www.fractalaudio.com/fractal-bot.php is a powerful, lightweight MIDI Utility for the Axe-Fx II. Use Fractal-Bot for firmware updates, backing up your Axe-Fx, managing User Cabs, and more. 2.3.4 Axe-Edit Axe-Edit is a full-featured software editor for the Axe-Fx II.

  • Page 14: Connections

    CONNECTIONS 3 Connections Before making connections, be sure to turn down the volume of your amps and switch off all power. Take extreme care NEVER to connect the SPEAKER outputs of any amplifier to any jack on the Axe-Fx II as this will damage one or both devices.

  • Page 15: Connection Diagrams

    CONNECTIONS 3.3 Connection Diagrams Familiarize yourself with the capabilities of inputs, outputs, and control connections through this overview. The diagrams that follow illustrate real-world applications. Doc v15XL...
  • Page 16 CONNECTIONS 3.3.1 Axe-Fx II into Self-Powered Full-Range Speakers COMPONENTS:  Guitar  Axe-Fx II  Self-Powered Full Range Speaker(s)  Headphones (opt.) Global Settings: Default I/O Settings: Default Notes: With its built-in amp and speaker models, the Axe-Fx II can be played directly into P.A. or other self- amplified, full-range, flat-response (FRFR) speakers.
  • Page 17 CONNECTIONS 3.3.3 Axe-Fx II with Power Amp and Guitar Speaker COMPONENTS:  Guitar  Axe-Fx II  Power Amp and Guitar Speakers -OR- Amp Head/Combo with FX RETURN jack (power amp input) and Guitar Speakers Global Settings: Power Amp Modeling ON or OFF (see below), Cabinet Modeling OFF I/O Settings: Set as required for stereo or mono.
  • Page 18 CONNECTIONS 3.3.4 Axe-Fx II Four Cable Method (“4CM”) COMPONENTS:  Guitar  Axe-Fx II  Guitar Amp with a series effects loop and built-in or separate Guitar Speaker(s).  Second Amp for Stereo (opt.) Global Settings: Defaults are OK, since special 4CM presets should not have AMP or CAB blocks.
  • Page 19 CONNECTIONS 3.3.5 Direct to Front of House, plus Real Power Amp + Guitar Cab on stage COMPONENTS:  Guitar  Axe-Fx II  Guitar Amp with Guitar Speaker  Front-of-House P.A. Global Settings: Default I/O Settings: Set OUT1 MODE and OUT 2 MODE as required for stereo or mono Notes: This setup is similar to others in which the Axe-Fx II is used direct into full-range speakers.

  • Page 20: Basic Operation And Editing

    Getting Started guide. (For more on SCENES, see page 30.) A SCENES MINI MANUAL, available on the support page of our web site, offers additional information, as does the PDF version of the Axe-Fx II XL Owner’s Manual. For now, let’s learn more about editing presets… Doc v15XL...
  • Page 21 BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING 4.3 The Grid The grid is a 12×4 matrix into which BLOCKS are inserted and connected together to build presets. To display the GRID for any preset, press LAYOUT and select the EDIT page. The INPUT appears at the left, the OUTPUT at the right. The Axe-Fx LCD display can only show file columns at once. buttons are used to show off-screen columns.
  • Page 22 BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING 4.3.2 Shunts A shunt is a passive connector—a utility block that carries signal through otherwise empty grid locations. Shunts are required because, although you may only wish to have a few components in your chain, signal does NOT flow through an Axe-Fx II preset unless you completely connect the INPUT to the OUTPUT.
  • Page 23 BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING 4.3.3 Connector “Cables” As mentioned above, the INPUT must be connected to the OUTPUT for signal to pass through the grid. Blocks (including shunts) create the components of a chain, but need to be connected to one another for signal to flow. This is done using routing connectors, commonly referred to as “cables.”...
  • Page 24 BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING STEP-BY-STEP: Creating a Connector Cable…  Use the buttons to select the block where you wish the cable to BEGIN.  You can’t start from an EMPTY grid space!  The first and last grid columns are automatically connected to the INPUT and the OUTPUT. ...
  • Page 25 BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING 4.3.4 Moving Blocks on the Grid menu also includes a MOVE page with tools to move individual blocks or entire rows or columns UP, DOWN, LEFT, or RIGHT. When a block or a grid row/column is moved, it changes places with the item in the space it is moved to.
  • Page 26 BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING 4.3.5 Example Presets on the Grid Four sample presets are shown below as visualized in Axe-Edit, the companion software editor to the Axe-Fx II. Review the diagrams to get a sense of how presets are constructed and how they appear on the grid. EXAMPLE 1: Simple Amp Tone –...
  • Page 27 Fractal Audio community. Visit forum.fractalaudio.com and join the discussion. You can download additional presets for your Fractal Audio products at http://axechange.fractalaudio.com Doc v15XL...

  • Page 28: Editing Sounds

    BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING 4.4 Editing Sounds The blocks of the Axe-Fx II represent different types of real-world equipment. In the same way that the original hardware devices are equipped with different controls, blocks also have many adjustable settings called parameters.
  • Page 29 BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING 4.4.1 Quick Control The function of the , , and knobs depends on which Axe-Fx II menu or function is selected.  In the main screen, the A knob selects the preset SCENE.  In every EDIT menu , A,B,C and D are dynamically mapped to four on-screen parameters for easy editing of multiple controls without the keys.
  • Page 30 BASIC OPERATION AND EDITING X-Y / Y-X Copying You can copy all of the settings from X to Y, or Y to X, by double tapping the button for the one you want to copy to, and then pressing to confirm. So, to copy X to Y, double-tap and then press .
  • Page 31 To store a sound to a new location or with a new name… The Axe-Fx II XL has hundreds of numbered preset memory locations. It is possible at any time to save any preset into any location. It is also possible to change the NAME of a preset before you store it.

  • Page 32: Basic Blocks Guide

    5 Basic Blocks Guide The inventory of blocks available to every Axe-Fx II preset is listed below: # Per Preset /Type Notes Amp* Over 130 types, based on every major amp category of the last 60+ years. Cab* "Factory" cabs of every shape and size, plus memory for 100s of custom “User” Cabs. Chorus* Create classic mono and stereo modulation effects including vibrato.

  • Page 33: Modifiers

    6 Modifiers Modifiers are used to remote-control or automate sound parameters. For example, you might attach an expression pedal to a wah, volume, or whammy. Or use an LFO to modulate the pitch of a synth voice. The process of creating a modifier begins at the parameter you want to control.
  • Page 34 Modifier Example: Controlling a Wah For this example, we assume that the controller called “EXT 1” is set to its default value in the I/O:CTRL page, and that we have connected a MIDI foot controller with an expression pedal that is set up to send this same message on the correct MIDI channel.

  • Page 35: Additional Topics

    7 Additional Topics 7.1 Scenes In an “old-school” guitar rig made from amps, pedals and rack effects, a device called a switcher is used to create presets. The switcher turns effects on or off in groups, and changes amps or channels. Such capabilities can easily be simulated on the Axe-Fx II using multiple presets, but this approach is not without certain drawbacks.
  • Page 36 7.1.1 Selecting Scenes The current scene is shown on RECALL:PRESET screen, and on all pages of the LAYOUT menu. Fig 2: “Scene 1”, as shown on the RECALL:PRESET screen. Fig 3: “Scene 1” as shown on the LAYOUT:EDIT screen. To select a scene, turn the “A” QUICK CONTROL knob on the front panel of the Axe-Fx. Scenes can also be selected via MIDI.
  • Page 37 Axe-Fx II. It’s small, lightweight, and extremely easy to use, with built-in step-by-step instructions. Visit http://www.fractalaudio.com/fractal-bot.php to download Fractal-Bot. 7.5 Backup and Restore The best way to back up and restore the Axe-Fx II XL is with your computer and Fractal-Bot, our free companion software utility available at http://fractalaudio.com Doc v15XL...

  • Page 38: Troubleshooting

    8 Troubleshooting Fractal Audio Systems offers support through support.fractalaudio.com You can also get answers to many questions at forum.fractalaudio.com The Axe-Fx Wiki at wiki.fractalaudio.com/axefx2 is also an excellent source of information. Here are some frequently asked questions that might help you with very basic issues.
  • Page 39 Q: All my presets suddenly sound harsh and bright. What’s going on here? A: Check the CONFIG page of the Global menu to ensure that the Global Power Amp and Cab Modeling have not been turned off. If a single preset is affected, make sure you haven’t set the SAG parameter of its AMP block(s) fully counterclockwise.

  • Page 40: Specifications

    Standard female XLR connector IMPORTANT: Do NOT connect this to any device except a Fractal Audio Systems MFC-101 or XA Adapter. This jack provides power to the MFC-101 and misuse will result in damage to one or both connected units.

  • Page 41: Midi Implementation Chart

    Selecting a preset via the Axe-Fx II front panel will also transmit the corresponding bank select and program change number messages Fractal Audio The list of parameters that can be controlled/edited via SysEx is listed in the Owner’s Manual under Factory Default Settings.

  • Page 42: Warranty

    This warranty only applies to products sold and used in the USA and Canada. Fractal Audio Systems shall not be liable for damages or loss resulting from the negligent or intentional acts of the shipper or its contracted affiliates.

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