Axe-Edit Getting Started Guide - Fractal Audio · PDF file2 | Axe-Edit Getting Started Guide -...
Transcript of 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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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5 DestinationjacksshownwitharedXindicatethatanexistingconnectioncanberemoved.
6 Clickthered“X”andaconnectionwillberemoved.Tip:Youcanalsodouble-clickanyexistingconnectiontoremoveitinstantly!
Afinalnote:asontheAxe-Fx,theINPUTandOUTPUTgridobjectsarenotinvolvedinblockconnection.Wheneverablockisinsertedinthefirstorlastcolumn,itwillautomaticallybeconnectedtotheinputortheoutput.
Tip:Toconnectacrossanentirerow,connecttheoutputofitsfirstlocationtotheinputofitslastlocation.
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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!
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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.
8|Axe-EditGettingStartedGuide-Version3.14
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.
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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.
10|Axe-EditGettingStartedGuide-Version3.14
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.
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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.
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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
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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
14|Axe-EditGettingStartedGuide-Version3.14
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.
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