Axe-Edit Getting Started Guide - Fractal Audio · PDF file2 | Axe-Edit Getting Started Guide -...

1|Axe-EditGettingStartedGuide-Version3.14

WelcometoAxe-Edit,theofficialsoftwareeditorfortheFractalAudioSystemsAxe-FxII.TheaimofthisGettingStartedguideistohelpyouinstalltheprogramandgetstartedquickly,withtipsandtricksonhowtouseAxe-Edit.

Minimum Requirements Axe-EditrequiresanAxe-FxIIrunningfirmware11.0ornewer(includingANY“Quantum”firmwareversion).NewerversionsofAxe-Editwillrequirenewerfirmwareversions,soifyoudon’tupgradeyourAxe-Fx,there’snoneedtoinstallAxe-Editupdates.ForAxe-Edittowork,yourAxe-FxmustbeconnectedtoyourcomputerviaUSB,andyourcomputermusthavetheAxe-FxIIUSBdriverinstalled.Finddriversatwww.fractalaudio.com/support.

Mac Minimum Requirements • OSX10.6.8orlater.• IntelProcessor.• 512MBminimumRAM.

• USB2.0Support.

Windows Minimum Requirements • VistaSP2,Win7SP1,Win8(x86orx64)

XPworksbutisnotofficiallysupported.• [email protected],orAMDequivalent.• 1GBminimumRAM.

• USB2.0support.

Installation & Release Notes YoucanalwaysdownloadthelatestversionofAxe-Editfromwww.fractalaudio.com/axe-edit.Theinstallerispackagedina.zipor.dmgarchivecontainingvariousdocumentsinadditiontotheactualprogram.Double-clicktheinstallerandfollowanyon-screeninstructions.

Pleasereadthe“ReleaseNotes”includedwiththeinstallerdownload.Theyincludeinformationaboutwhat’snew,what’schanged,andwhatyoushouldbeawareofbeforeupdatingandusingthenewversion.Releasenotesarealsodisplayedafterinstallation.


Running Axe-Edit for the First Time OnceAxe-Editisinstalledtoyourcomputer,youwillfinditinyourApplications(OSX)orStartMenu(Windows).Launchtheprogram.Axe-EditconnectsautomaticallytoyourAxe-FxIIuponstartup.

Connected!ToconfirmthatAxe-EditiscommunicatingwithyourAxe-FxII,lookforagreencheckmarkwiththeword“Connected”intheprogram’stopmosttitlebar.Ifthe“Connected”messagedoesnotappear,don’tpanic.Clickthe“Settings”buttontoselectAxe-FxportsorconsulttheTroubleshootingsectionattheendofthisguide.

PausingAxe-EditAxe-Editreliesonintensivetwo-waycommunicationwhichcancauseaudiogapsorstutterswhileusingaconnectedMIDIfootcontroller.ThePAUSECOMMUNCIATIONSfeature,availablethroughaniconintheupperleftcornerorintheSettingsmenu,putsAxe-Editonholdsoyoucantestperformancewithoutglitches.

BlockDefinitionsWhenyoufirstlaunchAxe-EditorupdateyourAxe-FxIIfirmware,Axe-Editwilllikelyneedto“ReadandSaveBlockDefinitions”beforeitcanbeused.Adialogwillalertyouwheneverthisneedstohappen.TheprocesswillrunforseveralminutesafteryouclickOK.Onceitcompletes,youmaycontinueusingAxe-Edit.YoucanmanuallyforceAxe-Edittore-readblockdefinitionsbyselectingthemenuoption,Settings:RefreshafternewFW

Selecting a Preset to Edit

Threedifferentsetsofcontrols(illustration,left)allowyoutoselectapresetinyourAxe-FxIIforeditinginAxe-Edit.

Seethetableattheendofthisguideforpresetpickerkeyboardshortcuts.


The Grid OnceapresetisloadedinAxe-Edit,itsnameisshownanditscontentsdisplayedon“thegrid”—a4⨯12structurewhereblocksareplacedandinterconnectedtocreatepresets.Clickanygridblocktoshowitintheeditor.Double-clicktobypassorengage.Seebelowformore.

Working with Blocks Belowisashortguidetoallofthethingsyoucandowithblocksonthegrid.

Action HowTo Notes

InsertaBlock Rightclick(orcontrol-clickontheMac)anygridslottobringuptheGridMenu.Choosetheblockyouwantanditwillbeplacedonthegrid.Blocksalreadyonthegridareshownasdisabledinthismenu.

YoucanalsoclickInsertontheBlockmenu.Tip:Akeyboardshortcutmaybeusedtoplaceshunts.(Mac:⌘+U,Win:Ctrl+U)Tip:YoucanalsousetheInsertMenutoreplaceanyblockwithanotherofadifferenttype.

DeleteaBlock SelectandpresstheDeletekeyonyourkeyboard. YoucanalsoclickDeleteontheBlockmenuorintheGridMenu.

BypassorEngageaBlock Double-click…orselecttheblockandpresstheSPACEBAR.

YoucanalsoclickBypass/EngageontheBlockmenuorintheGridMenu.

SwaptwoBlocks Draganddroponeblockontoanothertoswaptheirgridpositions.

Allconnectionstoandfromeachblockwillbepreservedwhenyouperformaswap.

MoveaBlock Dragablocktoanemptygridspacetomoveit. HoldCommand(Mac)orControl(Win)whiledragging/droppingtoforceablocktomoveinsteadofswap.

Cut/Copy/PasteaBlock Selectablockandpressthekeyboardshortcut:

Mac WinCopy ⌘+C Ctrl+CPaste ⌘+V Ctrl+VCut ⌘+X Ctrl+X

TheseoptionsalsoappearontheBlockmenuorintheGridMenu.Tip:Youcancopy/pasteblocksacrosspresets.Tip:Copyablock,thenselectanotherblockofthesametypebeforepasting.Allsettingsofthefirstblockwillbetransferredtothesecond(Ex:Amp1andAmp2)

ResetaBlock Selecttheblockandpress⌘+I(Mac)orCtrl+I(Win)orchooseResetfromtheGrid|EditorBlockmenu.

ChangesALLofablock’ssettingstodefaultvalues.

Disconnectall Selectablockandpress⌘+D(Mac)orCtrl+D(Win)toremoveallconnectorcablesfromitsinputandoutput.

Youcanalsodragablocktoanyemptygridslotinanothercolumnwiththesameeffect.

Library See“BlockLibrary”onp.9


Connecting and Disconnecting Blocks Axe-Editmakesiteasytoaddandremoveblockconnections,butitisabitdifferentthantheAxe-FxII.IfyouworkedwithpreviousversionsofAxe-Edit,youmayfindyourselftryingto“drag”cablesforawhile,butintime,wethinkyou’llappreciatetheprecisionandintuitivenessofthe“jacks”methoddescribedbelow:

1 Whenyouselectablock,noticethatitdisplaysInputandOutput“Jacks”—smallcircularobjectslabeled“I”and“O”.Theseareusedtocreateorremoveconnectionstoorfromtheselectedblock.

2 Whenyouclickajack,itbecomesselectedandallvaliddestinationjacksarehighlightedwithagreen“plus”sign.

3 Clickthedesiredjack,andtheconnectionappears.

4 Youcanmakeconnectionsineitherdirection,evenspanningmultiplecolumnsasdesiredinasingleclick.JustasontheAxe-Fxitself,ifyoumakeaconnectiontothejackofanemptygridlocation,ashuntwillbeinsertedautomatically.


5 DestinationjacksshownwitharedXindicatethatanexistingconnectioncanberemoved.

6 Clickthered“X”andaconnectionwillberemoved.Tip:Youcanalsodouble-clickanyexistingconnectiontoremoveitinstantly!

Afinalnote:asontheAxe-Fx,theINPUTandOUTPUTgridobjectsarenotinvolvedinblockconnection.Wheneverablockisinsertedinthefirstorlastcolumn,itwillautomaticallybeconnectedtotheinputortheoutput.

Tip:Toconnectacrossanentirerow,connecttheoutputofitsfirstlocationtotheinputofitslastlocation.


Editing Block Parameters Whenaneditablegridblockisselected,itsparametersareshownbelowthegridintheEditor.Intheexamplebelow,theAMP1blockisselected,sotheparametersshownbelowthegridarethoseforAMP1.Theeditorsectionwillhaveadifferentnumberof“pages,”eachrepresentedbyabutton(highlightedingreenintheillustrationbelow):

ParameterOperationsThevariousknobs,sliders,dropdowns,andswitchesareusedtocontrolsoundparametersintheAxe-FxII.Changesareheardinrealtimewhileyouwork.Notethatstutteringorlightclickingwillbeheardwhileyoumakeadjustmentstocertainparameters.Pleasereviewthefollowingnotes,tipsandtricks.

Notes,TipsandTricks

Knobs Clickaknobanddragup/righttoincrease,ordown/lefttodecrease.Fastestresponseisobtainedwith45°Northeast/Southwestmotion.

ThedefaultknobmodeisLINEAR(describedabove).YoucanmomentarilyinvokeCIRCULARknobmodebyholdingtheALTkey.YoucanalsochangethedefaultknobmodeunderSettings,Preferences,General,Controls.

HoldCOMMAND(Mac)orCTRL(Win)forfinermouseresolution.

Double-clicktheknoboritslabeltosetagenericdefaultvalue.GenericknobvalueswillnotnecessarilybethesameasthoseobtainedwhenyouInitializeanentireblock,changeitstype,etc.

Scroll(mousewheel,trackpad,etc.)overaknobtoeditparametervalues.HoldCMD(Mac)orCTRL(Win)forfineresolution,givingeachwheelclickhasthesamepreciseactionasasingle“tick”oftheVALUEwheeloftheAxe-FxII.

TheUPandDOWNarrowkeysareequivalenttousingthemousescrollwheel.

Fader Clickanddragthefaderhandle.Double-click,wheelandarrowkeysworkthesameaswhenoperatingaknob.

Switches Clicktheswitch.Double-clickthelabeltosetittoagenericdefaultvalue.Someswitchesmaydisengageautomatically(e.g.ToneMatch“Match”)

Dropdowns Clickthetextareaofthedropdowntodisplayalistofalloptions.Double-clickthelabeltosetagenericdefault.ClicktheUP/DOWNarrowstoselectthepreviousornextvalue.

Picker

The“Picker”isaspecialselectionwindowpresentedwhenadropdownwouldbetoosmallfortheavailableoptions.Pickerwindowsnormallycloseonceyouclickaselection.Usethe“Pushpin”intheupperrightcorner(shownatleft)tokeepthewindowpinnedopen.Thisallowsyoutoauditionmultipleoptionsbeforemanuallyclosingthewindow.PickerwindowsincludeaSearchfieldwhichhelpsyoufilterthelisttofindadesiredentry.Youcansearchonitemnamesornumbers(numbermatchingcanbedisabledinPreferences|Optionsasdesired).YoucanalsouseARROWKEYStonavigateandENTERtomakeselectionsinapickerwindow.Tip:TheCABblock’smainCabpickershowsthenamesofUltraRes™Cabsinitalics.

Keyboard ClickthefieldaboveanyknoborfaderandpressReturn/Entertosetadesiredvaluedirectlywithyourkeyboard.NOTE:ThisisnotallowedfortheMINandMAXfieldsoftheMODIFIERdialog!


Working with XY TheAxe-FxII“XY”featuregivessomeblocktypestwofullyindependentsetsofparametervaluesthatcanbeusedtotogglesoundchangesatwill.XYworkslikethe“channels”ofanamporsomepedals.ClicktheXorYbuttonintheEditortoselectthedesiredstate.RememberthattheX/YswitchcanbesetdifferentlyforeachSCENEwithinapreset.Right-click(orControl+click)theXorYbuttonforCopy,Paste,andSwapoptions.Youcancopy/pasteX/Ystatesbetweenblocksofthesametype(evenacrosspresets).X/YcanalsobetoggledintheGridorBlockmenus.

Effect Type Amp,Cab,andmanyotherblockshavea“TYPE”dropdown(ontheleftsideoftheeditorpanel.AsontheAxe-Fx,thisactsasakindof“superparameter,”andchangingtheTYPEcancauseotherparameterstoappear,disappearorchangetheirvalues.

Working with Scenes TheScenesfeaturegiveseveryAxe-FxIIpreseteightsetsofsavedsettingsfortheBypassStateofeveryblock,theXYstatesofthoseblockswhichsupportXY,theFXLOOPblockMainLevel,twoSceneControllers,andtheoverallPresetMainLevel(intheOUTPUTblock).Allotherparametersettingsremainthesameacrossallscenesinyourpreset.

ToselectaSceneinAxe-Edit,simplypressoneoftheeightscenebuttonstotherightofthepresetnamedisplay.YoucanalsoholdOption(Mac)orAlt(Win)andpressanyscene’snumberonyourkeyboardfordirectselection.

Ahiddenmenu,displayedwhenyouright-click(orcontrol-click)thescenecontrol,provideshandycopyandpasteoptionsforscenes.Note:TheSCENESclipboardisclearedwhenyouchangepresets(orREVERTthecurrentpreset).

Note:Axe-EditusesaSysExmessagetochangescenes.Therefore,theSCENEREVERTsettingontheAxe-Fxisignored.Inotherwords,scenesinAxe-Editremainasyousetthemuntilyousavechangesorreverttheentirepreset.

Saving Changes Tosavethepresetyouarecurrentlyediting,pressthered“Save”buttoninAxe-Edit.ThemenuoptionPreset|SavePreset(Mac⌘+S,WinCtrl+S)performsthesamefunction.

PresetsarestoredintheAxe-Fxatthesamepresetnumbertheywereloadedfrom.

AsontheAxe-FxII,youwillbenotifiedofanyunsavedchangesbythe“Edited”LEDlocatedabovetheSavebutton.ThemenuoptionPreset|SavetoNewPresetNumberdisplaysadialogallowingyoutosavethecurrentpresettoanymemorylocationintheAxe-FxII.

Snapshots Snapshotsprovideone-clickexporttodisk.WhenyoupresstheSnapshotbutton,acopyofyourcurrentpreset(includingunsavedchanges)issavedasafiletothesnapshotsfolderonyourcomputer:

~/Documents/Fractal Audio/Axe-Edit/Presets/Snapshots

YoucanchangethelocationoftheSnapshotsdirectoryinSettings|Preferences.Anon-screenindicatorconfirmsthatthesnapshothasbeensaved.PrevioussnapshotscanbebroughtintoAxe-EditusingtheFile|Importfeature.

SnapshotsnormallyincludelinkstoGlobalBlocks.Thesecanbeunlinkedautomaticallyinsteadifyouprefer,byusinganoptionfoundinSettings|Preferences.

TIP:RightclicktheSnapshotbuttonandchooseShowFoldertoopentheSnapshotsdirectoryinFinder/Explorer.


Import Preset InadditiontoloadingpresetsfromtheonboardmemoryoftheAxe-FxII,youcanalsoIMPORTindividualpresetfilesfromyourcomputer.Thisallowsyoutoloadfilesyou’vebackedup,downloaded,orsavedasSnapshots.

Pressthe“Import”button(orchoosetheFile|ImportPresetmenuoption)todisplaythe“ImportPreset”filebrowserdialog.NavigatetoandselectanyvalidAxe-FxIIpresetSysEx(.syx)fileandchoose“Open.”ThepresetisinstantlyimportedtoboththeAxe-FxIIandAxe-Edit,soyoucanauditionandeditasdesired.ImportedpresetsarenotstoredtotheAxe-FxuntilyoumanuallypresstheSavebutton.

NewtoAxe-Edit3.0istheabilitytoimportindividualpresetsfromwithinasavedBankfile.WhenyouselectabankfileintheImportPresetfilebrowserdialog,a“PresetPicker”willbedisplayedautomatically.Simplyclickthedesiredindividualpresetanditwillbeimported.

Tip:“Pin”thepickerwindowopenandyoucanauditionpresetsbeforeimportingone.

RememberthatanAxe-FxIIXLcanimportolderAxe-FxIIpresetsbutXLpresetscannotbeloadedonothermodels.

Export Preset ToEXPORTthecurrentAxe-EditpresetasaSysEx(.syx)fileonyourcomputer,chooseFile|ExportPreset.WhentheExportPresetbrowserdialogisshown,simplynavigatetothedesiredlocationandpress“Save.”ExportingpresetsallowsyoutopostthemonAxe-Change,ourpresetsharingsite.

ExportedpresetsnormallyincludelinkstoGlobalBlocks.Thesecanbeunlinkedautomaticallyinsteadifyouprefer,byusinganoptionfoundinSettings|Preferences.

New from Template Likemanyothertypesofprograms(office,graphics,etc.)Axe-Editallowsyoutocreatenewpresetsfromatemplate.SimplychoosePreset|NewfromTemplate,selectatemplate,andpressOpen.Thetemplatewillload.The“workingcopy”isnottheoriginaltemplate.Whenyousave,you’llbestoringapresetintheAxe-FxIIwhilethetemplatefileonyourcomputerwillremainunmodified.

Templatesarestoredinadedicateddirectory.Thedefaultlocationis:

~Documents/Fractal Audio/Axe-Edit/presets/templates/

YoucanchangethelocationoftheTemplatesdirectoryinSettings|Preferences|Workspace|PresetTemplates

CreatenewtemplatesusingPreset|SaveasTemplate,orbycopyingexportedordownloadedpreset.syxfilestoyourtemplatesdirectory.UseFinder/Explorertodeleteorrenametemplates.(Rememberthatthefilenameisindependentofthenamestoredinthetemplate).BecausetheNewfromTemplateusesastandard“ImportPreset”dialog,youarefreetocreateanystructureofsubdirectoriesbeneathit.

Other Preset and Block Options ThereareseveralotherusefultoolsprovidedinthePresetmenu.

PRESETMENU Notes,TipsandTricks

ClearPreset Removesallblocks,clearsthepresetname.

InitializePreset Initializeseveryblocktodefaultvalues,setsthepresetnameto“INIT”.

CopyPreset Copiestheentirepresettotheclipboard.

PastePreset Pastestheentirepresetfromtheclipboard.

RevertPreset Discardsallchangesandrevertstothelastsavedversionofthepreset.

RefreshPreset UpdatesAxe-EditfromtheAxe-Fx.(ThisoptionisprovidedforuseintheunlikelyeventthatvaluesshowninAxe-EditgetoutofsyncwiththoseonyourAxe-Fx.)

SavePreset Savesthepreset.Thisoptionperformsthesameactionaspressingthered“Save”button.


The Block Library TheBlockLibraryisoneofthemostpowerfulfeaturesinAxe-Edit.Itallowsyoutocreatealibrarycontainingfavoritesettingsforeachblocktype(AMP,CAB,DELAY,etc.)Ablocksavedinthelibraryincludesallparametersettings(bothforXandY)plusmodifierassignments.

Tousethelibrary,youmightdialinaDRIVEblock(Type:T808Mod;Drive:6;Tone:2,Level:7,etc.)andthensaveitas“My808”.Then,whenworkinglaterinanotherpreset,youcouldrecallthesavedblockandallitssettingswithjustafewclicks.

It'simportanttonotethatwhenyourecallfromthelibrary,theblockcreatedhasnoconnectiontothemastercopyonyourcomputer.Thinkofthelibraryblockasa“cookiecutter”or“rubberstamp.”Changingorevendeletingtheoriginalwillnotaffecttheblocksitwasusedtocreate.

SavingandManagingBlocks

Therearemultiplewaystosaveblockstothelibrary.TheeasiestisperhapstheBlocksLibrary“Widget”whichappearsinthelowerleftcornerofAxe-Editwheneverablockisselected.Tousethis,justclickthe“+”todisplayamenuandchoose“Save”.NametheblockandpressOKandyouwillhavecreatedanewentry!

Youcanalsopressthekeyboardshortcut(Mac:Cmd+B,Win:Ctrl+B)orchooseBlock|Library|SavefromAxe-Edit’smainmenu.Youwillalsofindahandy“Library”menuwhenyouright-click(orCtrl-click)anyblockorgridlocation.

Themenuofthe“+”controlintheBlocksLibraryWidgetalsocontainsadditionaloptions.Onceyou’verecalledablock(seebelow)youcanmakeandSavechanges,oruseSaveAs…tocreateatotallynewentryfromthecurrentsettings.RenameandDeleteallowyoutomanageexistingentriesinyourBlocksLibrary.

NamingBlocks

Youneedtoprovideanamewheneveryousaveanewlibraryblock,andeachblockofagiventypemusthaveauniquename.Inotherwords,youcan’thavetwoAMPblocksbothnamed“Awesome!”.Blocksofdifferenttypescanhavethesamename,however;anAMPandaCABinthesamelibrarybothcouldbothbenamed“Awesome!”

Tip:Whennaming,keepinmindthatthelibraryisorganizedbyblocktype.IfyouweresavingaMultidelayasa“Shimmer”then,youcouldsimplycallit“Shimmer”insteadof“MultidelayShimmer”.

RecallingBlocks

Torecallablockinthelibrary,usetheBlocksLibraryWidgetdropdown,orselectanygridspaceandchooseBlock|Library|Recall...

Libraryblocksarecompletelyinterchangeablewithanynumberedblockinstance.Youcansave“FILTER1”,forexample,andrecallitasFILTER1,2,3or4.

BlocksonDisk

Blocksaresavedasindividualfilestoyourcomputerin

~/Documents/Fractal Audio/Axe-Edit/Blocks

YoucanchangethelocationofthisdirectoryinSettings|Preferences.

Youcanuseyourcomputer’sFinderorExplorertomanageitemsinyourlibrary(orsharethemwithotherAxe-Fxowners).Blockfilesareautomaticallyorganizedinsubdirectoriesbytype(AMP,CAB,DELAY,etc.)butthisisforonlyforyourconvenience;Axe-EditwillrecognizeallvalidfilesfoundanywherebelowtheBlocksfolder.

BlocksfromdifferentAxe-Fxmodelsarenotinterchangeable.Likewise,differentfirmwareversionsmaycauseincompatibilities.Awarningonstartupwillalertyouifanyissuesareencountered,andalogfileintheBlocksfolderwillbecreated.


Global Blocks Axe-EditincludesfullsupportforGlobalBlocks,afeaturefoundontheAxe-FxII.SaveandLink,LoadandLink,LoadwithoutLinkingandUnlinkoperationsareallsupportedthroughtheGlobalBlockswidget.

IfyouworkwithGlobalblocks,youmayalsoappreciatetheoptiontoremoveglobalblocklinkswhenEXPORTINGorcreatingaSNAPSHOT.FindtheseoptionsunderSettings|Preferences.

SeeChapter6oftheAxe-FxIIOwner’sManualformoreonGlobalBlocks.

Axe-Manage : Presets and Cabs Finally:aMANAGERthatdoessomethingotherthanstealtheband’smoneyormakethebassplayerwearacrabsuit!Insoftwareterms,“management”referstorearranging,deleting,swapping,duplicating,renamingandmore.Axe-Manageallowsyoutodoallthisandmore,withthecapabilitytoworkwitheitherPresetsorCabs.

LaunchAxe-Manage(choosing“Presets”or“Cabs”)fromtheToolsmenu.Note:pleaseSTOREanyunsavedchangesinAxe-Editfirst.TheManagerinterfaceshouldfeelfamiliarasitisbasedonthe“picker”viewusedtoselectpresets,amps,tempos,etc.

NotethatliketheCab“Picker,”Axe-ManageCabsshowsthenamesofUltraRes™cabsinitalics.

MakingSelections• CLICKanypresetorcabtoselect.• CLICKanypresetorcab,holdSHIFTthenCLICKanotherpresetorcabtoselectarange.• HoldCMD(Mac)orCTRL(Win)toclickmultipleindividualpresetsorcabsinanylocations.

o YoucanalsousethistechniquetoDESELECTpreviouslyselectedentriesinarange.• PressCMD+A(Mac)orCTRL+AtoSelectAll.

ManagerMenuOperationsRightclickorcontrolclicktodisplaytheManagerMenu:

ACTION MAC WINDOWS Cut ⌘+X CTRL+X Copy ⌘+C CTRL+C Paste ⌘+V CTRL+V Clear DELETE BACKSPACEorDELETE Rename* F2 F2 Import* ⌘+I CTRL+I Export ⌘+E CTRL+E Load*¶ Return/Enter Return/Enter*=Singleselectiononly.¶=Presetsonly.

Drag&DropOperationsWhenyoudraganddroponeormoreselecteditems,theywillbeswappedwiththoseinthetargetlocation.IfyouholdCMD(Mac)orCTRL(Win)theywillbemoved(leavingoneormoreemptylocations.)IfyouholdSHIFT,theselecteditemswillbecopied.

YoucanalsodropsingleormultiplepresetsorcabsintoAxe-ManagefromyourdesktoporMacFinder/WindowsExplorer.(ThisisagreatwaytoinstallaCab-Pack!)

SavingChangesAxe-ManagewaitstoapplyanyandallchangesuntilyoupresstheSAVEbutton.Thisisbothasafetymechanismandanefficiencyfeature.Asunsavedchangesaremade,theaffectedentriesturnredandaremarkedwithadot•

PresstheSAVEbuttontocommitchangespermanently.PresstheCLOSEbuttontoquitAxe-Managewithoutsaving.Savedchangesturngreenandthedotisremoved.TheimagesbelowshowasectionofAxe-Managewithunsavedandchanges,plusthelocationoftheSaveandClosebuttons.


Preferences Settings|PreferencesincludesoptionsforthevariablesettingsandpathsusedbyAxe-Edit,andseveralusefuldisplaysofinformation.

SECTION ITEM NOTESGeneral Ports ShowstheinputandoutputportsusedbyAxe-Edit.Becausetheprogram

automaticallyselectstheUSBportsofaconnectedAxe-FxII,youwillprobablyneverneedtomanuallymakeselectionshere.

MIDISettings ShowstheMIDIChannelandDisplayOffsetsettingoftheconnectedAxe-Fx. Controls KnobMode

determineshowknobsrespondtomousemotion.

Linear (Default) - The values of knob parametersincrease as click and drag the mouse away fromthecenteroftheknob.Moveuportotherighttoincrease, down or to the left to decrease. Thefastest response occurs when you move in a“northeast” or “southwest” direction.Circular – The knob pointer follows your mousepointerasyouclickanddraginacircularmotion.

Wheel/ScrollAction Typically,youwon’tneedtochangethissetting,butiftheactionofyourtouchpadorthewheelofaconnectedmouse/trackballseemsbackwards,changethisvaluetoReverse.

Workspace Snapshots SetsthelocationwhereSnapshotsarecreated.(Seep.7) BlockLibrary SetstherootoftheBlockLibrary.Axe-Editscansthisfolderandall

subdirectoriesbeneathitforvalidentriestobuildtheblocklibrary. Preset

TemplatesSetsthelocationusedbybothPreset|NewfromTemplateandPreset|SaveasTemplate

Refresh PresetNames

CabNamesRefreshesthenamesofallPresetsorCabs.Typicallyarequiredrefreshhappensautomatically,butamanualoptionisprovidedforuseincasenamesinthePreset/CabPickerorAxe-Manageappearoutofsyncwithyourconnectedhardware.

BlockDefinitions

BlockdefinitionsarerefreshedautomaticallywhenyouinstallanewAxe-FxIIfirmwareversion.Thisoptionisfortroubleshootingonly.

Options Variousself-explanatoryAxe-Editoptions.


Keyboard Shortcuts Summary

SECTION ACTION MAC WINDOWSPRESET ClearPreset ⇧+⌘+DEL CTRL+SHIFT+DEL InitializePreset ⇧+⌘+I CTRL+SHIFT+I RefreshPreset ⇧+⌘+F5 CTRL+SHIFT+F5 RevertPreset ⇧+⌘+F12 CTRL+SHIFT+F12 SavePreset ⌘+S CTRL+S SavetoNewPresetNumber ⇧+⌘+S CTRL+SHIFT+S SaveSnapshot ⌃+⇧+⌘+S CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+S ImportPreset ⌃+⇧+⌘+I CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+I ExportPreset ⌃+⇧+⌘+X CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+X BLOCK CutSelectedBlock ⌘+X CTRL+X CopySelectedBlock ⌘+C CTRL+C PasteSelectedBlock ⌘+V CTRL+V DeleteSelectedBlock/Cable DELETE DEL/BACKSPACE Initialize ⌘+I CTRL+I DisconnectAll ⌘+D CTRL+D SaveSelectedBlocktoLibrary ⌘+B CTRL+B Bypass/Engage SPACE SPACESCENE SelectScene ⌘+1,2,3...etc. CTRL+1,2,3…etc.MISC Tuner ⌘+T CTRL+T Axe-Manage ⌘+M CTRL+M Preferences ⌘+P CTRL+P PauseCommunications F8 F8GRID InsertShunt ⌘+U CTRL+U Navigation ArrowKeys ArrowKeysEDITOR FineIncrementKnob/Fader UP UP FineDecrementKnob/Fader DOWN DOWN CoarseIncrementKnob/Fader ⌘+UP CTRL+UP CoarseDecrementKnob/Fader ⌘+DOWN CTRL+DOWN AdjustKnob/Fader MouseWheel MouseWheel CoarseAdjustKnob/Fader ⌘+MouseWheel CTRL+MouseWheel DefaultParamValue Double-ClicktheKnob/Slider DoubleClick-theKnob/Slider Showmodifierdialogofselected

parameterM M

PICKER DisplayPresetPicker P P NavigateBanks ⌘+LEFT/RIGHT CTRL+LEFT/RIGHT NavigatePresetPicker ArrowKeys ArrowKeys Loadcurrentselection Return/Enter Return/Enter


Troubleshooting Connectivity Axe-EditshouldgenerallydetectyourAxe-FxIIandconnectautomatically.Whenaproblemoccurs,youwillseea“Disconnected”indicator(abovetheprogramlogo)orawarningindicating“Communicationfailure:Axe-Editwasunabletocompletethecommunicationrequestduetotime-out.”Herearesomestepstoresolvepossibleconnectionissues:

R Trymanuallysettingorre-settingthetwoportsunderSettings|Preferences|Ports

R EnsurethatyourAxe-FxIIisconnectedviaUSB,andthatyou’veinstalledthelatestdriversfromhttp://support.fractalaudio.com.Toconfirmdriverinstallationsandversions:

o UnderWindows,findAddRemoveProgramsorUninstallaProgramintheControlPanelforthefollowingentries.Note:Entriesmayappearindifferentorder,dependingonhowyousort.Pleasecheckcarefully.

§ Axe-FxIIdriverv1.67.0(ornewer)§ Axe-FxUSBdriver1.68(ornewer)§ WindowsDriverPackage–FractalAudioSystems(axefx2load)USB(05/15/2011)1.0.0.9ornewer.

WindowsAddRemoveProgramsEntries

o UnderOSX,checkAudioMIDISetup|AudioDevices(finditusingSpotlight)foradevicecalled“Axe-FxII”.YoucanalsocheckAudioMIDISetup|MIDIStudiofortheAxe-FxII.ItshouldNOTbedimmedordisabled.When3rdpartydevicescauseproblems,creatinganew“Configuration”herecansometimeshelp.

R Axe-EditrequiresanAxe-FxIIrunningcompatiblefirmware.Firmwareupdatescanbedownloadedfromhttp://support.fractalaudio.comandinstalledusingFractal-Bot,ourfreeutility.http://www.fractalaudio.com/

R Reboot!ShutdownAxe-Edit,shutdownyourAxe-Fx,andshutdownyourcomputer.Re-startyourcomputer,poweronyourAxe-Fx,andre-startAxe-Edit.

R PleaseensurethatyourAxe-Fxisconnecteddirectlytoyourcomputer,ratherthanthroughaUSBhub.AREARpanelUSBportissometimespreferableasfrontpanelportsmayutilizeanintegratedhub.Also,tryadifferentUSBportordifferentUSBcable.

R IfusingWin7orWin8,tryright-clickingtheAxe-Editshortcuticonandchoosing“RunasAdministrator.”

R Trythefollowingstepstoresetyourportselections:1. PoweronyourAxe-FxII.2. StartAxe-EditandgotoSettings|Preferences.3. Setbothportsto"<<none>>"4. ClosethePreferencesdialogandthenquitAxe-Edit.5. Re-launchAxe-Edit.6. OpenSettings|PreferencesandselecttheAxe-FxIIinandoutMIDIports.Youshouldseeagreen“check”nexttoeachport

selection.7. Closethepreferencesdialog.Axe-EditshouldnowcommunicatingwiththeAxe-FxII.

R IntheearlydaysofAxe-Edit3.0,someusersfoundtheyneededtoclearUserCabsfromtheirunits’memoriesbeforethesoftwarewouldconnect.Presumablythe“bad”entrieswerecreatedby3rdpartyutilitiesorbetasoftware;thisproblemhasnowdisappeared.

Ifthesesuggestionsdon’tresolveyourconnectionissues,pleasecontactusathttp://support.fractalaudio.com.Pleaseletusknowifyou’vealreadytriedthestepsabove.

OSXAudioMIDISetupshowingtheAxe-FxII


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: SometimesIhaveproblemswhendisconnectingtheUSBcablebeforequittingAxe-Edit.

A: PleasequitAxe-EditbeforeconnectingordisconnectingtheAxe-FxIIUSBCable.IftheUSBCablebecomesdisconnected,pleasere-startAxe-Edit.

Q: IhaveproblemswhenItrytoeditmyAxe-FxfrontpanelwhileAxe-Editisrunning.Thescreenkeepschanging!

A: Axe-EditcancausethescreenoftheAxe-Fxtochangemenusorpages.Thisisnormal.WerecommendthatyouavoidusingtheAxe-FxfrontpanelforeditingwhileAxe-Editisrunning.

Q: Axe-Edit3.0won’tworkwithmyStandard/Ultra/OlderAxe-FxIIfirmware

A: Axe-EditrequiresanAxe-FxIIwithfirmware11.0ornewer.

Q: Axe-Editwon’tchangepresets,orchangespresetserratically.

A: PleasecheckforthefollowingsettingsontheI/O|MIDIpageofyourAxe-FxII:

• PROGCHANGE:ON• MAPPINGMODE:NONE

Q: Thetunerwon’twork. A: PleasecheckforthefollowingsettingsontheI/O|MIDIpageofyourAxe-FxII:

• SENDREALTIMESYSEX:ALL

Q: TapTempowon’twork. A: PleaseensurethatTEMPOTAPissetto“14”ontheI/O|CTRLpageofyourAxe-FxII:

Q: MyLOOPERcontrolsdon’twork. A: TheLoopercurrentlyrequiresdefaultCC#assignmentsintheI/O|MIDIpageofyourAxe-FxII.

Q: HowdoImanageUserCabs? A: Atpresent,pleaseuseFractal-BottomanageUserCabs.

Q: HowdoIbackuporrestoremyBanks? A: Atpresent,pleaseuseFractal-Bottoworkwithbankfiles.

Q: HowdoIupdatemyAxe-Fxfirmware? A: PleaseuseFractal-BottoupdateAxe-Fxfirmware.

Q: Typingvaluesdoesn’tworkformodifierMINandMAX.

A: ThisisalimitationofhowAxe-EditworkswiththeAxe-Fx.ItonlyaffectsMINandMAXonthemodifierscreen.

Q: SomechangesinAxe-EditarenotshownonmyMFC-101(orviceversa)

A: Thisisnormal.Somechangesinonesystemwillnotbeshowninrealtimeintheother.

Q: WherecanIturnforadditionalhelp? A: Ourforumathttp://forum.fractalaudio.comhastwoentiresectionsdedicatedtoAxe-Edit.

Youmayalsocontactusviahttp://support.fractalaudio.com

Q: Whenwill(insertfeaturenamehere)beadded? A: Atpresent,wehavenotpublishedanytimelines,butdevelopmentofAxe-Editisanongoingeffort.

Ifyouhavefurtherquestions,pleasevisithttp://forum.fractalaudio.comformember-to-membersupport,orcontactFractalSupportviahttp://support.fractalaudio.com.

* * *

Axe-Edit Getting Started Guide - Fractal Audio · PDF file2 | Axe-Edit Getting Started Guide -...

Documents

Transcript of Axe-Edit Getting Started Guide - Fractal Audio · PDF file2 | Axe-Edit Getting Started Guide -...