Fender G-DEC 3 MUSTANG FUSE 2-0 User manual

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Getting Started
Introduction
This manual is your step-by-step guide to the Fender® FUSE™
software for your Mustang™ or G-DEC® 3 amplifier. Fender
FUSE allows you to control your amplifier from your computer
and to perform many functions beyond what the amplifiers
provide on their own. System requirements: To run Fender
FUSE, you must have a PC computer running Windows 7, Vista
or XP, or a Macintosh computer with Intel® processors running
OS X version 10.5 (Leopard) or above.
Installing Fender® FUSE™
To install Fender FUSE on your computer please download
the latest version of the Setup file from http://www.fender.
com/support/gdec3/ or http://www.fender.com/support/
mustang/.
To install Fender FUSE:
1. Double-click on the Fender FUSE Setup.exe file (for PC) or
the FUSE Installer.dmg (for Mac) and follow the onscreen
instructions.
2. If any device drivers or auxiliary program windows pop up
during the Fender FUSE installation process, always allow
them to be installed. Examples:
Firmware Update
Your Mustang or G-DEC 3 amplifier may need a firmware
update to operate properly with Fender FUSE.
To update the Firmware on your Mustang amplifier:
1. Connect your Mustang amplifier to your computer's USB
port and open the Fender FUSE software.
2. Turn the amplifier off.
3. MUSTANG I/II: Press and hold the SAVE button on the
amplifier while turning the power switch back on. Continue
holding the SAVE button until it starts to blink red.
4. The Firmware Update Instructions will automatically open
and give you two options. Select the "Bundled Update"
option unless you have downloaded a newer firmware
update from http://www.fender.com/support/mustang/.
5. Turn the amplifier off and then back on again to finalize
the firmware update.
To update the Firmware on your G-DEC 3 amplifier:
1. Download the latest firmware file from: http://www.
fender.com/support/gdec3/. To check what version your
G-DEC 3 currently is running, watch the start up screen on
the G-DEC 3 and the firmware version number will display
in the lower right corner for 3 seconds after the initial
Fender logo screen (for example, "v 1.03").
2. Unzip the compressed file that you just downloaded,
which contains the firmware update file.
3. Connect your G-DEC 3 amplifier to your computer's USB
port.
4. Open Fender FUSE and click on "Update Firmware" from
the Utilities menu (under Main Menu).
5. Select the firmware update file that you downloaded and
unzipped in Step 2.
6. Watch the G-DEC 3 screen for update progress. Firmware
update takes about 20 seconds.
Select "Run"
Select "Install"
Select "Bundled Update"

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Preset Editor
This is the first screen you will see when you start up Fender® FUSE™. When your amplifier is connected to your computer via
USB cable, the Fender FUSE screen will mirror exactly what the amplifier is doing. If you click and drag a knob in Fender FUSE it
immediately affects the corresponding control on your amplifier and visa-versa.
A. PRESET CONTROL PANEL — Click on the right side of this
drop down menu to select a preset or use the up/down arrows
to scroll through presets. Click on the left side of the drop
down menu to choose between amp or computer presets.
The five buttons below allow you to create a new preset from
scratch, open a preset on your computer, import one or more
components of a different preset to the current preset (Amp/FX/
Band settings), save a preset or delete a preset.
B. EFFECTS CONFIGURATION (Mustang™ I/II Only) — These
knobs function as they do on the Mustang amp. If you click on
these knobs, a status window will appear.
C. PHRASE SAMPLER (G-DEC® 3 Only) — These buttons function
as they do on the G-DEC 3 amp.
D. SEARCH PANEL — This window allows you to search for presets
and audio files in the location(s) selected with the buttons below.
Search results are displayed via the Media Library which can also
be accessed quickly by clicking the Media Library button.
E. TUNER — The Fender FUSE tuner provides the features of a
studio rack mounted guitar tuner.
F. PRESET INFO — Click to edit preset information (see page 7).
G. AMP CONTROLS — Click and drag any of these knobs to adjust
the amplifier's settings for the current preset. Any "grayed-out"
knobs are controls that have not been activated yet.
H. START / BAND — Click Start to play the band track. Click Band
to select a band track and edit band track settings (see page8).
I. AMPLIFIER — Click on the drop down menu to select an
amplifier type or use the up/down arrows to scroll through amp
types.
J. ADVANCED AMP — Click to open up the advanced amp
settings window (see page 6).
K. EFFECT FOOTPEDALS — Click on any of these four slots to add
an effects footpedal and edit effect settings (see page 4).
L. AMP ICON — Click on this icon to return to editing amp tone
settings after adjusting effect settings.
M. RACK EFFECTS — Click on any of these four slots to add a rack
mounted effect and edit effect settings (see page 5).
N. AMP CONNECTED — Indicates when your amp is connected.
O. COMMUNITY — Click to open the Fender Amplifier Online
Community website (see page 11).
P. LOGIN — Click to login to the Fender Amplifier Online
Community website (see page 11).

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Click on any of the four slots {A} to the left of the amplifier icon to select an effect and open the Pedal Effects edit screen. These
effects are located before the amp model in the signal path to provide a sound similar to effects that are connected inline with
your guitar cord before the input of the amplifier.
Fender® FUSE™ gives you access to effects combinations beyond what the amp has on its own. For example, you can put an echo
pedal before the amp, which could be just the thing for a rockabilly tone. Modulation effects like flangers and phasers sound very
different in front of the amp. NOTE: Mustang™ amplifiers also allow you to change the order of effects (which affects their sound)
by dragging the effect icons to different slots {A}.
B. EFFECT PEDAL SELECTOR— Click on the drop down menu to
select an effect, or use the up/down arrows to scroll through
effects in the currently selected effect category {A}. Effects are
separated into four categories: Stompbox, Modulation, Delay
and Reverb.
C. EFFECT SETTINGS — Click and drag any of these knobs to
adjust the effect pedal settings. The precise level of each setting
will be displayed under the Effect Pedal Selector {B} window.
♫ You can also adjust the knobs on the smaller version of the effect pedal icon below, which is convenient when you
are in the Preset Editor window.
D. PEDAL COLOR — Click on any of these color swatches to
change the color of the effect pedal. Color changes are for your
preference and do not change the sound of the effects.
E. DELETE — Click on the "X" to remove the effect from the current
preset.
F. BYPASS — Click on the footpedal switch to turn the effect
on-off (bypass). The red light in the upper left corner indicates
when the effect is on or off.
♫ You can also click the on-off switch on the smaller version of the effect pedal icon below.
EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:
• EFFECTS POSITION Pre– or Post–Amp
• EFFECTS BYPASS
These Fender® FUSE™ features add functionality beyond what your amplifier
provides on its own. Fender FUSE allows you to position your effects before or
after the amplifier in the signal path for a wider variety of sonic options. Fender
FUSE also allows you to bypass an effect temporarily rather than deleting it and
losing all your effect settings each time you want to turn an effect on-off.
Pedal Effects

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Click on any of the four slots {A} to the right of the amplifier icon to select an effect and open the Rack Effects edit screen. These
effects are located after the amp model in the signal path to provide a sound similar to effects that are connected through the
effects loop of an amplifier, or added at the recording console. NOTE: Mustang™ amplifiers also allow you to change the order of
effects (which affects their sound) by dragging the effect icons to different slots {A}.
B. RACK EFFECT SELECTOR — Click on the drop down menu to
select an effect, or use the up/down arrows to scroll through
effects in the currently selected effect category {A}. Effects are
separated into four categories: Post Gain, Modulation, Delay
and Reverb.
♫ You can have a total of up to four effects active at any time, but you can have only one of each "category" active
at a time. For example, you can have a reverb effect either
before or after the amplifier, but not both.
C. EFFECT SETTINGS — Click and drag any of these knobs to
adjust the rack effect settings. The precise level of each setting
will be displayed under the Rack Effect Selector {B} window.
♫ You can also adjust the knobs on the smaller version of the rack effect icon below, which is convenient when you
are in the Preset Editor window.
D. DELETE — Click on the "X" to remove the effect from the current
preset.
E. BYPASS — Click on the on-off switch to turn the effect on-off
(bypass). The red light next to the switch indicates when the
effect is on or off.
♫ You can also click the on-off switch on the smaller version of the rack effect icon below.
Rack Effects

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B. AMPLIFIER — Click on the drop down menu to select an
amplifier type, or use the up/down arrows to scroll through amp
types.
C. TONE CONTROLS — Click and drag any of these knobs to adjust
the amplifier's gain and tone settings.
♫ You can also adjust the knobs on the smaller version of the amp icon below, which is convenient when you are in
the Effects Editor window.
D. ADVANCED CONTROL PANEL — The advanced amplifier
control panel allows you to tweak your amplifier beyond the
basic tone controls.
♫ Adjustments that you make in the advanced amplifier control panel will remain with the preset when you
disconnect the amp from Fender® FUSE™, but you won't
be able to make further adjusts to those parameters
without connecting to Fender FUSE again.
EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:
• COMPRESSOR Custom Parameters (G-DEC 3 only)
• TONE STACK Position (G-DEC 3 only)
• NOISE GATE Custom Parameters
• Channel BLEND (Mustang I & II only)
• CABINET Type (Mustang I & II only)
• Amplifier SAG (Mustang I & II only)
• Tube BIAS (Mustang I & II only)
• Second MASTER (Mustang I & II only)
These Fender® FUSE™ features add functionality beyond what your Mustang
or G-DEC 3 amplifier provides on its own. Use these features to customize your
amplifier and create YOUR own sound.
Click on the "ADVANCED" amplifier button {A} to open the advanced amplifier settings screen. The controls that appear will vary
depending on the amplifier type that is currently selected and the model of G-DEC® 3 or Mustang™ amplifier connected to your
computer.
Advanced Amplifier Settings

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Click on the "PRESET INFO" button {A} to open the Preset Information window. This window allows you to edit an extensive list
of preset information to enable more useful search functions and easier preset identification. The information you enter will be
visible to members of the Fender® Amplifer Online Community should you choose to upload your presets and share them with
the community.
B. PRESET NAME — The name of the currently active preset on the
amplifier will appear here.
C. AUTHOR — The creator of the current preset will appear here.
D. DESCRIPTION — Enter a description for the currently active
preset on the amplifier to reference what the preset can be used
for. Example: I use this preset for the opening of "Cliffs of Dover" by
Eric Johnson with delay effects.
E. TAGS — Enter descriptive tags (terms) separated by commas
for the currently active preset on the amplifier. These are quick
keywords to aid in searching for presets in the Media Library.
From the example above, you might enter the following tags:
"Eric Johnson, Cliffs, delay."
F. GENRES — Enter the main genre (music category) and as
many as two sub genres for the currently active preset on the
amplifier.
G. OK — Click OK to save all your entries for the currently active
preset on the amplifier.
Preset Info Screen

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Click on the "BAND" button {A} to select a Band track and adjust Band settings. Although you cannot store Band tracks on your Mustang™
amplifier like you can on the G-DEC® 3, you can play songs on your computer through Fender® FUSE™ and save the associated track as
part of a Mustang preset.
B. MP3 / WAVE — Select the MP3/Wave radio button if you want
to select an MP3/Wave Band track file for the currently active
preset on the G-DEC 3.
C. TRACK LIST — Click on this drop down list to select an MP3/
Wave Band track on the G-DEC 3 hard drive (HD) or SD card on
the G-DEC 3.
D. REPEAT — Click on this box for endless loop playback.
E. AUDIO MIX — Choose an audio mix for the Band track selected
in the Track List {C}. Select STEREO for normal operation. Select
LEFT/RIGHT MIX if you want to adjust the balance of the Band
track to focus on the audio content of one channel. Select
CENTER CANCEL if you want to eliminate the audio in the
"center" of the mix in a stereo file. This is often effective in
removing the lead guitar and vocals from a song.
F. BALANCE — Adjusts the left/right (1/10) balance for the Band
track selected in the Track List {C} when LEFT/RIGHT MIX is
chosen for the Audio Mix {E}.
G. SPEED — Adjusts the playback speed of the Band track.
H. PITCH — Adjusts the pitch of the Band track.
I. PREVIEW / STOP — Click to listen to the Band track selected in
the Track List {C}.
J. OK — Click OK to save your Band track selection and settings for
the currently active preset on the G-DEC 3.
K. MIDI — Select the MIDI radio button if you want to select a MIDI
Band track file for the currently active preset on the G-DEC 3.
L. TRACK LIST — Click on this drop down list to select a MIDI Band
track on the G-DEC 3 hard drive (HD) or SD card on the G-DEC3.
M. REPEAT — Click on this box for endless loop playback.
N. TEMPO — Adjusts the tempo of the MIDI Band track.
O. TRANSPOSE — Use to transpose the key of the MIDI Band track.
P. DRUM SOLO — Select this check box if you want the MIDI Band
track to play only the drums channel (ch 10) of the MIDI file.
Q. COUNT IN — Select how many beats you want the MIDI file
selected in the Track List {L} to count in before the actual song
starts. Four is a typical number for most songs written in 4/4
time signature.
R. PREVIEW / STOP — Click to listen to the Band track selected in
the Track List {L}.
S. OK — Click OK to save your Band track selection and settings for
the currently active preset on the G-DEC 3.
T. MP3 / WAVE — Select the MP3/Wave radio button if you want
to select an MP3/Wave Band track file for the currently active
preset on the Mustang.
U. TRACK LIST — Click on this drop down list to select a Band
track on your computer for the currently active preset on your
Mustang. When you start the band track the audio will play
through your computer speakers, so you will need to adjust the
playback volume through your computer and from the speaker
volume control.
V. REPEAT — Click on this box for endless loop playback.
W. PREVIEW / STOP — Click to listen to the Band track selected in
the Track List {U}.
X. OK — Click OK to save your Band track selection and settings for
the currently active preset on the Mustang.
Band Track Screens
Mustangs Only
G-DEC 3 Only

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Click on "MAIN MENU" and then "UTILITY" {A} to access Backup/Restore and Firmware update functions.
EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:
• BACKUP PRESETS
• RESTORE PRESETS
These Fender® FUSE™ features add functionality beyond what your amplifier
provides on its own. Use Preset Backup to take a snapshot of your amplifier
Presets (with or without the Band tracks on the G-DEC® 3). Fender FUSE saves
backups on your computer with your personal descriptions so that you can
easily find and Restore them at a later date. If you want, you can save several
completely different backups such as "My Rock Presets" and "My Blues Presets"
and restore each set for a particular occasion or performance.
B. PRESETS / BAND TRACKS — Choose to backup presets only, or
presets and band tracks on the G-DEC 3.
C. ONE OR ALL PRESETS — Choose just one preset number to
backup or "SELECT ALL" to backup all presets on the G-DEC 3.
D. DESCRIPTION — Enter a useful name for your backup here.
E. BACKUP — Click to backup your G-DEC 3 presets to your
computer.
♫ The location that FUSE uses to store backup files on your computer is: Documents > Fender > FUSE > Backups.
F. DESCRIPTION — Enter a useful name for your backup here.
G. BACKUP — Click to backup your Mustang™ presets to your
computer.
H. RESTORE PRESETS — Select a backup file to restore to your
amplifier. You can sort the list of backups by Date, Description,
or Presets by clicking on each column head.
! The RESTORE function will overwrite the target presets
(and band tracks on the G-DEC 3) on your amplifier.
It may be a good idea to Backup everything on your
amplifier first, before performing a Restore operation!
I. DELETE — Click to permanently delete the selected backup file.
J. RESTORE — Click to restore the selected preset to the amplifier.
K. FIRMWARE UPDATE — The Firmware Update Instructions that
appear will vary depending on the amplifier you are using.
There is also an instructional video to help you through the
steps. Please see "Firmware Update" on page 2 for step-by-step
instructions on how to update the firmware for your amplifier
model.
Utility Screens
Mustangs Only
G-DEC 3 Only

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B. MEDIA LOCATION — Click on any of these locations to show
the lists of available presets and band tracks.
C. SEARCH — Click on one or more of these buttons to highlight
them as locations to search for presets and band tracks. Then
type in a term in the window above and click "GO." Your search
results will be displayed below.
D. ADD TO LIBRARY — Click on "Add To Library" to copy preset
files (*.FUSE) and band track files (*.MP3, *.WAV) and (*.MID for
G-DEC 3) from anywhere on your computer to the location that
FUSE searches on your computer by default.
♫ The default location that Fender® FUSE™ uses to store presets on your computer is: Documents > Fender >
FUSE > Presets. The default location for band tracks is:
Documents > Fender > FUSE > Audio > WaveMP3 (or
MIDI (G-DEC 3 only)).
E. PRESET LIST — This list shows the presets available in the
selected Media location {B}. Right-clicking on any preset provides
a dynamic list of load, save, copy and delete functions.
• When you have Computer, Amplifier or Web selected as the
Media location {B}, you can double-click on any preset in the
Preset list {E} to open the Preset Editor with the selected preset
ready to play on the amplifier.
• When you have SD Card selected as the Media location {B}, you
must right-click on a preset in the Preset list {E} and first copy it to
your computer before you can activate it to play on the amplifier.
F. BAND TRACK LIST — This list shows the band tracks available in
the selected Media location {B}. Right-clicking on any band track
provides a dynamic list of load, save, copy and delete functions.
• G-DEC® 3 only: When you have Amplifier or SD Card selected as
the Media location{B}, you can double-click on any band track in
the list {F} to instantly load the track with the current preset and
have it ready to play on the amplifier.
• G-DEC 3 only: When you have Computer or Web selected as the
Media location{B}, you must first right-click on a band track in the
list {F} and copy it to your amplifier or an SD Card (in the amplifier)
before you can activate it to play with the current preset.
• Mustang™ only: When you have Computer selected as the
Media location{B}, you can double-click on a band track in the
list {F} to activate it to play with the current preset through your
computer speakers.
• Mustang only: When you have Web selected as the Media
location{B}, you must first right-click on a band track in the list
{F} and copy it to your computer before you can activate it to
play with the current preset through your computer speakers.
Click on the "MEDIA LIBRARY" button {A} (from the Preset Editor) to open the Media Library screen. From here you can easily view
and search for all the presets and band tracks in any of the locations currently available (Computer, Amp, SD Card and Web). Click
on the "PRESET EDITOR" button {A} to return to the Preset Editor window.
Media Library