Axe-Fx III Basics - Initial I/O Setup

[@willykakka]

honestly the cabinet modelling should always be on

[@envisionDave]

This is SOOOO helpful!!! I just setup my new Axe FX III and compared to my JMP-1 the settings are overwhelming. Especially all the different places you can adjust levels, so setting this as the starting point is a huge help to me. Thank you!!!

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah of you treat it like a real amp and don't go dish the advanced parameters rabbit hole you'll be sweet.

[@envisionDave]

Leon Todd good advice. I want to start setting up some rich 80’s Lynch and Demartini tones, then move into some Steve Stevens tones from Rebel Yell, then advance to creating some wild tones from The Edge from Achtung Baby and Pop, (his modulated clean Box delay is awesome!). But thanks for the guides on getting started!.

[@timothystorm9576]

Hey Leon, how do you handle settings your ouput knob on the Axe FX to safe levels through studio monitors?

[@mmgla4608]

Thanks for the info! I should get my axe fx3 in couple of days and can`t wait for it! :D I have a question regarding studio monitors. I live in the apartment and cannot play loud, my room is not too big(20m2) What will be the better option, yamaha hs7 or hs8, the difference is in speaker size. Best regards from Poland!

[@Cerrus100]

Did anybody else notice the video noise at the bottom of the screen when he swapped from 60 to 50 hz @2:13?

[@CHAOSMOVEMENT]

Thanks for the video, helped me hit the ground running.

[@gypsyfolklore]

Do you recommend -10 Output Level when plugging in Ax FX 3 XLR's into DAW interface?........and + 4 Output Level if using the USB into DAW computer?

[@ladislavmertlik]

great video. how to setup multiple guitars with different strenghts of signal - from acoustics to bass and electric guitars? weaker guitars will loose in input a lot. How to handle this situation? THANKS

[@LeonTodd]

The input sensitivity is just to optimism signal to noise ratio, it doesn't have any effect on overall gain

[@vladzubac5360]

I plan on buying the Fractal FM9. I want to use my Fractal FM9 at home (no recording, just playing), but I also want to use my gaming pc through an audio interface to monitors. How do I connect the FM9 in this equation (I want to use my PC, regardless if the FM9 is powered on/off). Do I connect my FM directly to my PC via USB to get audio through my monitors, or through the external audio interface that is connected to my PC which leads to Studio monitors? I know there are a lot of options to connect, but I would just use it as a classic "amp rig" to have fun, and nothing else (no recording, etc).

[@LeonTodd]

The audio interface needs to be on in both situations, so hook that up to the monitors and hook the FM9 up to the interface

[@MKUltra77715]

Wait I Can just plug straight in to my recording interface? No cabs required?

[@LeonTodd]

Yep, that's what you're hearing

[@anthonyurciuoli4896]

Leon, could you do a video for setting up the Axe FX III with the MFC-101?

[@LeonTodd]

I don't have an MFC unfortunately

[@vonkishachatman9044]

my axe fx screen wont come on can you tell me what may be wrong with it

[@byronh77]

Question, I updated axe fx version 19.01, and l used your instructions to adjust the input level, so the red is tickling. However lve noticed the output level is staying in the RED and not tickling output level like the input levels. Is this normal? As l noticed in your video as you were adjusting the levels, nothing came out of your output levels. I’m going into a power stage power amp, into a 4 x 12 Marshall cab. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[@bthellam]

Thank you, Leon! Do you have to make similar adjustments to the Instrument Input Level when using a distortion or overdrive in front of the Axe? Or is that a matter of just turning the pedal's output level down if it's pushing the Axe meter red?

[@cgrcjet]

What about the output meter? Where should that be hitting at?

[@LeonTodd]

Use the preset levelling tool in Axe edit to keep everything around 0dB

[@jameslugo]

Hey Leon I just ordered an Axe 3 MK2 for the studio and now I’m wondering if I should have got a Turbo. What do you think? I’m not the guy who builds crazy presets.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah the regular version is still crazy powerful, I think you'll be fine.

[@jameslugo]

@@LeonTodd thanks man. Which version are you using? Also I’ve been listening to Ragdoll. Dude I love it. Great band. I spent a month in Melbourne at Pony Studios making a Dead City Ruins record years ago. Ate a lot of Parma’s!!! Lol.

[@LeonTodd]

I only recently got a Turbo funnily enough :p I really appreciate that! I've seen DCR a bunch of times and we played a bunch of the same places they had just played when we toured Europe. Fun band. Parma's go alright hey!

[@akikarvonen7045]

My Les Paul is tickling the red at 60 % whereas Leon's does it at as low as 20 %. What's up with that?

[@LeonTodd]

Different guitars, pickups, strings, picks, players is going to result in different outcomes there. Anything between 10-90% is pretty normal, all your doing is fine tuning the input A/D converters for optimal signal to noise ratio.

[@MegaNafo]

Thanks!

[@Nig6tWalker]

thank you Leon for this video

[@furryz666]

output level from axe 3 - toslink - converter box - spdif input of apollo twin x interface is it +4dbu or -10dbv?

[@Teleman01]

If you adjust the input like you did, does it affect the output volume?

[@LeonTodd]

No, it just calibrates the A/D converter sensitivity

[@Teleman01]

@@LeonTodd thanks. That's good to know. In case it's something you have to change every once in a while, you don't have to worry about re leveling your presets. We use ours with a wireless receiver. So we can adjust the inputs via the wireless packs. But… If we need to go to a cable every once in a while, all of that can be out of whack. So it's nice to know I can use this adjustment without affecting anything else..

[@deluxairhead]

Hiya Leon, firstly thanks for the inspiration love ya work dude, secondly the question if l may, I just received my FM3 and trying to figure the landscape of routing though Logic, I cannot seem to hear any drum tracks or guitar, do l just setup as l would normally do for an interface or is there some other format with getting sound out to headphones though the FM3, hope you can help, big cheers from Vic ; }

[@NONE2NONE]

Leon, I just watched this but I think that they updated the firmware after this video. For the A/O input levels, I also have a 5 knob that's the INPUT 1 Gain. This is different than just the Input 1 Instrument knob that shows on your screen. How should i set up this Extra 5th knob? Any tips?

[@LeonTodd]

Just leave it at the stock value.

[@istabile]

Are settings as DIGITAL I/O Config and INPUT config available also in Axe III Edit? For Axe II Edit this is not (for ex you cannot choose ANALOG/Spdif/USB for Input1)

[@cashway0420]

Any advice for using just headphones?

[@LeonTodd]

try this kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5-rhGOoaJuGp8k

[@opethian8512]

Just got one today and no sound. It shows the signal on the front of the axe fx 3 and in my interface software. Any idea whats causing this? Also subscribed!

[@LeonTodd]

How are you hooking it up?

[@NoNo-sv2fo]

@@LeonTodd it's running xlr out to the scarlett 18i20

[@ClydetheFrawg]

Hey Leon! Just wondering which rack case you've got your Axe FX mounted into in this video! Looks like it fits perfectly :D

[@LeonTodd]

Skb shallow 3ru

[@Larryriley3]

So if I’m assuming this correctly if I’m running my axe fx to a solid state power then into my 212 cab EVH Cab I set the line level to +4db ?

[@viktordc94]

Yes sir, line level at +4db, SD power stage use line level input

[@gorbzzz]

This is so helpful @LeonTodd . Do you think that the AXE FXIII (or eg a Helix) makes the use of a USB audio interface obselete? So, do you direct record from the AXE FXIII or you connect it first to your audio interface?

[@LeonTodd]

Depends what you need it for. There's not a dedicated mic preamp here but if you just need to track guitars it's brilliant.

[@a.phakic4854]

Can sustainiac-type sounds be achieved on the FX III?

[@lespaulman67h60]

Hello Leon I just received my Axefx 3 today ,hooked it up ,for some reason I’m not getting very good volume out of the unit just going 1/4 “ out of out 1 to studio monitors and my usb to high end windows 10 Intel I7 . My Axefx 3 needs to be turned all the way up on out 1 knob still not getting much volume my monitors never needed to be turned up more than 1/2;way and they need turned up then everything sound like it’s clipping.Also have another issue I’m not getting sound from my computer with usb hooked up. Driver is loaded and it’s showing speaker in windows like it’s working but it says something like no line jack found in Windows.

[@LeonTodd]

Are the output 1 labels set at - 10 or +4?

[@marcocelestino4308]

@@LeonTodd is the level supposed to be at -10 or +4 ? I have a couple of yamaha hs 8 , on axe fx3 group they are suggesting using -10 db, which one is correct ?

[@dtd1986]

Use +4

[@aviator_bryan]

What if I want run a power amp/cab on stage, but use cabsim to FOH? And special global settings in that case?

[@andriealinsangao613]

In that case, you would need to use two output blocks on your preset: one with a cab sim (for FOH), and another without (for your stage setup).

[@jimjeffreymusic]

When using an amp can you plugin to the effects return to use a solid state head as a power amp to bypass the preamp?

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah

[@jimjeffreymusic]

@@LeonTodd in this setup would you leave the amp block in and only bypass the cab block or do you need to bypass the amp block as well?

[@jonbigg7385]

Great info. Thank you Leon! One question that I was unclear. When setting the output level, for studio monitors, what should I be using? -10db or +4db?

[@numv2]

+4db

[@jonbigg7385]

@@numv2 Thank you!

[@horizonxx_1]

I wanted to know this too

[@Allthewrongkeys821]

@Jeralt Du Trivia I have those speakers and they're technically near field FRFR reference speakers not exactly a PA per se. to answer your question those are what I use with my axe fx and they're perfect for me. if you're experiencing issues with the sound it could be a number of things. firstly I'd make sure your amp modeling is turned on and cab modeling is "active" as seen in this video. from there make sure you're not clipping. refer to the manual and fractal forums if you're still having issues.

[@krowland7584]

Theres no global input eq? @leontodd

[@LeonTodd]

Not at present. You can store global blocks though, so you could easily set up a PEQ in each patch and have them all linked.

[@SHADOWBLADE239]

Hey leon! What case do you have for your ax fx3?🙂

[@LeonTodd]

SKB shallow 3U

[@SHADOWBLADE239]

@@LeonTodd Thanks for getting back with me man God bless you Jesus loves you

[@anmolatwal]

How hot are those pickups!!! You are tickling red at 20% while i am tickling red at 95% with a bkp nailbomb!!

[@marleyharper3261]

a trick: watch movies at KaldroStream. Been using them for watching lots of of movies recently.

[@jackleo4632]

@Marley Harper definitely, I've been using Kaldrostream for years myself :D

[@veronatragedy7016]

I just got my axe 3 and am not getting sound from monitors. Do I HAVE to have it connected to a computer just to play it using monitors and the axe 3 built in interface?

[@LeonTodd]

Connect the monitors directly to output 1 and you should be fine

[@veronatragedy7016]

@@LeonTodd Do I have to use a DAW in order to hear sound of the AXE FX 3 through the monitors?

[@veronatragedy7016]

@@LeonTodd I downloaded the fractal usb and have usb going from fractal to my pc, and i see the fractal listed as my audio interface when i click the speaker on the icon tray at the bottom of windows. I was just able to get sound when i messed with settings on audio interface section of Reaper Daw but it didn't sound at all right. I just wanna play through monitors, is that possible without using a DAW because the DAW I don't understand how to set up

[@LeonTodd]

@@veronatragedy7016 yes but the monitors need to be plugged into the Axe-Fx itself, not into a different audio interface.

[@veronatragedy7016]

@@LeonTodd I think it's working now, Thanks!

[@howardtaylor229]

Setup? FAIL. You did not show the cable setup/plug-in.