Axe-Fx III & FCB1010 - Toggling an individual effect on and off

[@UglyBunnyJase]

CORRECTION/UPDATE: PLEASE READ - Only One CC Needed To Toggle Effects! In the MIDI/Remote "General" setting tab, if you set "Eff. Bypass Mode" to "TOGGLE," then you need only one CC to toggle effects on or off, not two. You don't need to have one set to 127 and one set to 0 unless you have it set to "VALUE." Just set pedal 6 to the appropriate CC and the value to 127 and you're good to go. Thank you to Greg Summers for pointing this out!

[@frankvazquez5974]

How do you get to the Midi/remote "general" setting tab and do all that other magic?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

@@frankvazquez5974 from the Home Screen, hit “Setup” (push knob E), then hit enter on MIDI/Remote. use the page buttons to navigate this section.

[@frankvazquez5974]

@@UglyBunnyJase Oh. Is this a function in the Axe effects? I thought you were talking about the foot pedal. I'm using FL studio and just want to turn a stomp box on and off. I can turn it on. But it won't turn off...Closer than I've gotten with any other video though! Thanks for the response.

[@GringoStarr94]

I’m using Logic, and when I switch to ‘toggle’, the pedal I want to turn on/off starts switching on/off automatically really quickly. Any idea what I’m doing wrong?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

@@GringoStarr94 I'm sorry, I don't know. I've never used it with Logic before. I would ask around on the official forums...

[@Stormendrang]

Thanks for this great user friendly and quite brief tutorial. This helped me a lot. Since I'm using my FCB1010 in combination with Native Instruments Maschine I NEED the so called 'impulse' function and cannot use 'state' to toggle in Global configuration. So for me, this tutorial helped me understanding assigning two cc's to one button, so it toggles. In my humble opinion, the FCB1010 is one of the best companions for guitarists who use computers with virtual amps and recording...

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Completely agree. It's a gem. I use my FC6 now for my Axe Fx III, but I'm just itching to use this again for something - like my Keyboard or perhaps Helix Native. You can't beat the price or functionality!

[@erikmorgan7059]

You saved my life, thank you!

[@chrisw1462]

CC numbers are NOT MIDI Channels. MIDI channels are 0-15 and are set globally in the FCB1010 for each message a switch can send. CC#'s are 0-127 and can be set per switch.

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Yep; you’re right. I was still new to MIDI back then :)

[@frankvazquez5974]

This is the most confusing piece of gear I have ever owned.

[@Gottavom1]

Hey, can really use your help. I followed your instructions exact. I'm use an Axe Fx Ultra. I'm trying to program button 6 to turn my phaser on and off. However, after programming, the button continues to perform a program change. Is there a way to remove this function from the switch? Ignore redundant program change is turned on. Thanks.

[@GregSummersMusic]

Can you have it assigned as just a toggle rather than eating up 2 switches for bypass?

[@Marc9889]

Thank you for posting this. Very, very helpful. My FCB1010 is set up to change scenes, and turn the drive/volume up/down, it that's all working. Oddly enough, I can't seem to get the pitch shifter to toggle on/off. I used foot switch 10, channel 11, value 127, and set it to External 4. I select the pitch shifter block, and right click the Bypass button, then select External 4 in the drop down list, then click save. Test = fail. Is there anything I can look at to troubleshoot?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Hmm. You shouldn't need to mess with External modifiers at all. It should just be a CC and a value. I'd remove the modifier altogether. Configure a CC to use to bypass the pitch block (like you said, CC#11) and then assign that same CC and value (127) to footswitch 10. You would only need a modifier for the pitch parameter if, for instance, you wished to make it detune by a certain amount. I have a song where I have one CC to bypass the pitch block, then another CC controlling the modifier (External 4) to drop the pitch by 1 semitone. So; to recap: one CC to bypass and another CC attached to a modifier attached to the pitch parameter. Now, if you have the pitch block set up exactly as you need it, then you won't need the second CC. My thing is, though, that I use the same preset and need it to be different pitches for different songs, so I need both the bypass and the pitch control CCs. Hope this helps!

[@Marc9889]

@@UglyBunnyJase Ah! I overlooked one step. For those who might benefit from it, here goes. Go into Setup >> Midi / Remote, and page over to the Bypass tab. Scroll down the list until you find the block you want to bypass (Pitch Block 2 in my case). Turn the encoder knob until the value reads CC# 11 (in my case). Viola, foot switch 10 is not turning the pitch block on and off. I did set it to "toggle", not sure if that's a factor or not. This pitch block is set up to "virtual capo", which will be handy for quickly switching from standard tuning to 1/2 step down. Very, very helpful. Thanks, @Ugly Bunny!

[@Crowgvadillo]

Hi! Awesome user friendly tutorial man! Maybe you could help me a little more: I am not sure if you are using the UnO chip, but in case you are, do you know if could be possible to keep two leds on at the same time (I. e. telling that you have the drive and a chorus at the same time in a particular scene) but without using the stompbox mode even under UnO chip, just like if the pedalboard came with factory eprom?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

I believe that is one of the benefits of using the UnO chip. I do not have it installed; mainly because while it offers some additional/different functionality, (multiple LEDs, momentary switching), my understanding is that you are relegated to very specific modes in using the FCB1010 - whereas, with the stock chip, you don't get those additional functions, but the MIDI programmability is wide open as far as versatility. I don't want to make the sacrifice of being being able to build my banks as custom or wild as I want. Honestly, I'm not sure if my assumption about the UnO chip is correct. I'll do a bit more research to see if it's still possible to have the supreme versatility of the stock chip AND the additional functionality of the UnO chip.

[@UglyBunnyJase]

And as a side note, even if you have multiple LEDs on in some sort of stomp box mode (like the UnO offers), it isn't real-time feedback from the Axe - so you'd have to make sure it was correct - and any changes you made to a patch would then require updating the FCB to be accurate. Ultimately, I think I prefer my method, even though I don't have real-time feedback on specific stomps (or multiple LEDs). For the most part, I just use scenes and that covers most of the tap dancing that I'd be doing anyway.

[@Crowgvadillo]

I was tempted to return to stock chip after days tweaking it without success! UnO chip changes the behaviour of the FCB programming even in "stock mode" so I spend one day researching (fractal forum have tons for newbies like me) how to reset just the tuner function on/off as the pedalboard now assumes momentary behaviour of the pedal instead of toggle. Finally I have sorted it mostly but I'm still learning how to assign modifiers to the expression pedals (for pitch etc). Axe III is an unlimited beast compared to my X3 Live I used before and FCB1010 looks really promising in terms of programming creativity. Thanks again for your tutorials! @@UglyBunnyJase

[@UglyBunnyJase]

@@Crowgvadillo Thanks - yeah, it can do so damn much. I feel like I'd need a hundred-pedal pedal board and like 16 expression pedals to have the control this thing is capable of in even a basic preset...

[@DanieleTurani]

Very userful information, thanks for sharing! How did you get the "pedals" list with their MIDI channel?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

I made it myself - just a simple spreadsheet and I only added the features I used to it; like I don't have "Filter 3" for instance, at least until I plan to use it. I may have to revamp it eventually, but yeah; it's pretty easy since you can assign any function to any MIDI CC.

[@DanieleTurani]

Thanks for the answer. Do you assign an arbitrary value to Drive 1? I mean: where did you get the value "11"? Is that something you set up in the Axe-Fx?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Yep; arbitrarily chosen CC numbers, and yes - to assign values in Axe, just go to Setup > MIDI/Remote > and tab through the pages; you can assign bypass, channel changes, etc. Hell, you can even assign specific patch/scene changes in the "Mapping" section.

[@DanieleTurani]

Got it! Thanks so much!

[@GregSummersMusic]

Looks like they implemented "CC Bypass type" back in May. You can set it to Absolute or Toggle. May be something for you try out and do a video update.

[@UglyBunnyJase]

YES! Thank you - not that I need the extra CC (most of the time) but this will cut programming time in half - I'll find a way to incorporate this new knowledge into my video. I appreciate you telling me this :)

[@GregSummersMusic]

I figured it out last night. In the bypass menu assign the same CC as the channel and toggle works. The light status on the FCB doesn’t update but not the axe fx fault. I was able to get everything going as well as tap tempo. Couldn’t get the tuner to respond but I can just do that on the unit itself.

[@UglyBunnyJase]

@@GregSummersMusic I think for that you do need to set the values on both CCs. I don't think Tuner toggle is an option - use the above steps for setting that up: set the Tuner's CC, then set up the pedal you wish to use as the tuner with both CCs set to the same as the one you assigned to the tuner in the Axe, then with one's value set to 127 and the other to 0. This should allow you to toggle. The way I do it, to save a pedal and since I don't ever use wah, is I use the far right expression pedal. I set it to the CC I have for my tuner, then toe down is 127 and toe up is 0 - thus, if I need to tune, I just push the toe down, and when I'm done, I bring it back up. Free's up a pedal. Good luck!

[@PedroOrdaz451]

Hi, thanks it was very helpful, is there a way to enable this toggle function for each different pedal? To have the toggle activated in multiple pedals, I tried with the same and different CC values but no sucess, only the fist programmed pedal is the only that works

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Each pedal can send 5 PCs and only 2 CCs. So you'd only be able to set up toggling two effects at a time per pedal. Pedals 6 & 7, when you're in edit mode are gonna be your CCs. If it's not working, then you programmed something wrong in the FCB or in your MIDI settings in the Axe. Do you have the stock chip in the FCB?

[@PedroOrdaz451]

@@UglyBunnyJase Thanks for the reply my friend, I was trying and found a way, basically just add the midi channels and assign their numbers in the global config for example 11, save and then edit the presets individually and it worked, I have 8 pedals working as independent toggle switches for individual effects, for the preset function I used 11, 12, 13 etc and the normal values 127 and 0, your video was really helpful to understand this configuration, thanks a lot and have a nice day

[@MrChopemup]

Mine flashes 88, what’s the fix ? I change the eprom, but still not fixed

[@UglyBunnyJase]

I only know how to use the stock chip. I did find this about the flashing 88: host.mtnsys.com:81/faq-fcb/Original%20FAQ/showfaqs.asp?FAQ=83#F83

[@MrChopemup]

@@UglyBunnyJase thanks...

[@HamsterSpanks]

Hello again my friend! In this application I am using the hardware. When I copy then paste a scene from one scene to another (inside the same preset) the amps settings stay married to each other. i.e. I copy and paste scene #1 to scene #4. This works perfectly. Problem is, afterwards, when I go back to adjust any of the amp settings on scene #1, then save, the machine automatically saves the adjusted settings of scene#1 to scene#4?? I tried this a dozen times with different presets and different combinations of scenes. The results were always the same. Thx bro, pullin' my freakin' hair out over here!

[@UglyBunnyJase]

The scenes do not save different settings; only the bypass state of blocks, channels, etc. That is, in order to have different settings on block "Amp 1" in different scenes, you would need to use two different channels; say Channel A for Scene 1 and Channel B for Scene 4. I had the same issue at first. The manual explains what all is saved in scenes, and block settings are not. Hope this helps! Good luck!

[@HamsterSpanks]

@@UglyBunnyJase Got it, thank you bro!!

[@patrikfekete2nd]

Hi! This pedal on/off function is working with the AXE-FX II XL+?

[@Uiah]

Yes

[@joshuasydnee]

Hi how do you get back to changing presets with the pedals and vice versa?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Each pedal in each bank can only have the functions you assign. I recommend using a different bank to change presets, unless you prefer the preset up and preset down switches, in which case you could assign those to pedals 5 and 10, for instance, if they’re not already being used by some other function in that bank.

[@joshuasydnee]

@@UglyBunnyJase Hi would do a video showing these Two functions together please?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

@@joshuasydnee I can't anymore; I don't have my FCB accessible (I switched to the FC6 about a year ago). But you can take my individual videos and combine them. Just stay in bank 00: set up two footswitches to change presets, set up 4 for scenes, and set up 4 for individual effects. All in one bank. This means you'll go into each footswitch individually and use PCs for presets, then CCs for scenes and effects. Remember you still need to assign the CCs in the Axe as well to match up to what you program (or vide versa).

[@dudleydooright]

Do you plan on getting the new foot controller when released or sticking w/ the 1010?

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Tough question. The OCD in me would love to have the matching FC with colors, lights, integrated tuner and all that... but the practicalist in me knows I don't need it and it's a huge expense. Based on my past patterns, yes, I'll probably get it; but not because I couldn't get by without it - just because I'll probably convince myself that I have the disposable income. If it does have a tuner on it and can be operated with a single cable from the Axe, then it's a no-brainer. Right now, I have to always have the Axe in view. When I tune, I have to turn away from the audience and squint to where ever the axe is chillin. BUT... If the FC means that literally my whole rig can be utilized with just my feet and the Axe can be anywhere in or out of sight, then it's a pretty big boon. So yeah, I'll probably get it. Not immediately, but once the hype dies down a little. I wish I had waited on this: I bought it from a scalper for $600 more than MSRP and literally THE NEXT WEEK I got my invitation to order mine from FAS lol! No regrets, of course, but it's funny how being impatient can kick you in the butt sometimes.

[@UglyBunnyJase]

I should also note that I have my wireless receiver in the road case with the axe; and without any mods, the FCB1010 requires power AND a MIDI cable. I'm always a fan of cleaning up my rig and having fewer things to plug in.

[@constantinosmavroyannis9409]

i have two fcb1010s. on one i have managed to set the tuner to toggle with two cc's on one switch. when i replicate the settings to the other it sends the two ccs at the same time. am i missing some setting in the fcb that i got right in the first one but i forgot? (it's been some time since i set it up)

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Hmm. If I had to guess, you might have the toggle behaviour set up. It's in the setup menu; it allows you to toggle effects on and off using only one CC, so if you're sending two CCs, you're toggling the tuner on and then back off in one press. Try eliminating one of the CC messages.

[@constantinosmavroyannis9409]

@@UglyBunnyJase how can I enable/disable this toggle behaviour? I can't seem to find it in the settings

[@UglyBunnyJase]

@@constantinosmavroyannis9409 go to Setup > MIDI/Remote > General tab, general section (top) and look at “Eff. Bypass Mode” and choose value. Honestly, I’d recommend just using toggle as it’s much easier than having to set two values.

[@botondroll]

Thank you! :)

[@UglyBunnyJase]

My pleasure - thanks for watching!