Fractal AXE-FX III User manual

Current as of Axe-Fx III Firmware 19.x
Original, Mark II, Standard and TURBO versions
March 2022

Inside Front Cover

i
Declaration of Conformity
Manufacturer’s Name: Fractal Audio Systems, LLC
Manufacturer’s Address: 4 Wilder Drive, Plaistow, NH 03865 USA
Declares that the product:
Product name: Axe-Fx III Product option: None
Conforms to the following Product Specications:
Safety: EN60065:2014
EMC: EN55013:2013
EN55020:2007+A11:2011
EN55024:2010
EN61000-3-2:2014
EN61000-3-3:2013
Supplementary Information:
The product herewith complies with the requirements of
the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC
and the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC.
Clifford Chase
President / CEO
January 22, 2018
EMC/EMI
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B Digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in residential installations. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. There is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION .....................1
Welcome to the Axe-Fx III .............. 1
Feature Summary .................... 2
The Setup menu...................... 3
Quick Connect Guide .................. 4
Setting Levels ....................... 5
Humbuster™ Cables................... 6
Mono vs. Stereo ..................... 6
The Home Page: Presets............... 7
Intro to the Layout Grid ................ 8
Intro to Scenes and Channels ........... 9
Grid Editing: Quick start............... 10
Block Editing: Quick start ............. 10
USB Overview ...................... 11
Fractal-Bot & Axe-Edit III .............. 11
Connecting Pedals Directly ............ 12
Global Expression Pedal Setup ......... 13
Global Volume Pedal Setup ............ 13
2 HARDWARE OVERVIEW ..............15
The Front Panel ..................... 15
The Rear Panel ..................... 17
3 USB .............................19
Computer Integration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
USB Inputs and Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Mac OS X System Audio .............. 21
USB Re-Amping ..................... 22
4 SETTING UP.......................23
General Principles ................... 23
FRFR/Direct ........................ 24
FRFR monitor & FRFR to Front-of-House .. 25
Power Amp & Guitar Speakers.......... 26
Power Amp & Cab & FRFR/Direct ....... 27
Four-Cable Method (“4CM”) ........... 28
FX Processor only (“Post”) ............ 29
FX Processor only (“Pre”) ............. 30
Inserting Outboard Gear .............. 31
Multi I/O Setups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
5 PRESETS .........................33
Overview .......................... 33
The Layout Grid .................... 34
Working with Blocks ................. 34
Connector Cables ................... 36
Block Inventory ..................... 38
Example Preset Grids ................ 39
Editing Effect Blocks ................. 40
Saving Changes..................... 41
Preset CPU Limits ................... 42
6 SCENES & CHANNELS ...............43
Overview .......................... 43
Changing Channels .................. 44
Setting Up Channels ................. 44
Selecting Scenes .................... 45
Setting Up Scenes .................. 45
Selecting Scenes & Channels Remotely .. 46
Program Change Mapping............. 47
Sending MIDI with Scenes............. 47
Scene levels........................ 48
The Default Scene ................... 48
Scenes, Channels & Modiers .......... 48
Scene Revert ....................... 49
Scene Ignore ....................... 50

iii
7 LEVELING PRESETS .................51
A Method for Leveling ................ 52
Block Bypass Levels ................. 53
8 BLOCKS GUIDE.....................54
The Fractal Audio Blocks Guide......... 54
9 MODIFIERS .......................55
Creating a Modier .................. 55
Modier Tutorial: Wah Pedal ........... 56
Modier Sources Overview ............ 57
Modier Parameters ................. 58
Internal Controllers .................. 61
Metronome ........................ 63
External Controllers.................. 63
Modiers List....................... 63
Dual Source Modiers ................ 64
Tutorial: Scene Controllers ............ 65
Modier Tips And Tricks .............. 66
10 TEMPO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Synchronizing Sound Parameters ....... 68
11 THE TUNER ......................69
Advanced Tuner Functions ............ 69
Mini Tuners ........................ 70
12 SETUP MENU .....................71
The Foot Controllers Menu ............ 71
The Global Settings Menu ............. 71
The I/O Menu....................... 74
The MIDI/Remote Menu............... 77
The Utilities Menu ................... 82
13 FC CONTROLLERS .................83
14 IR CAPTURE......................85
Setup 1: Mic Only.................... 86
Setup 2: Mic + Di .................... 87
Capturing Impulse Responses.......... 88
15 ADDITIONAL TOPICS ...............91
Fractal-Bot ......................... 91
Backing Up & Restoring ............... 91
Firmware Updates ................... 92
Recovery .......................... 93
Getting Help........................ 93
Global Blocks....................... 94
Performance Control Pages ........... 96
Loading User Cabs .................. 98
Axe-Change ........................ 99
Input Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Spillover.......................... 101
Sending MIDI ...................... 102
Shortcuts......................... 104
Frequently Asked Questions .......... 106
MIDI Reference Tables...............108
16 SPECIFICATIONS .................113
MIDI Implementation................ 115
WARRANTY .......................116
EULA ............................117

iv
Legal Notices
Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx III Owner’s Manual. Contents Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of Fractal Audio Systems.
Fractal Audio, the Fractal Audio Systems logo, Axe-Fx, Humbuster, UltraRes, FullRes, FASLINK are trademarks of Fractal Audio
Systems. Manufacturer names and product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners, which are in no way associated with or afliated with Fractal Audio Systems, LLC. The names are used only to illustrate sonic
and performance characteristics.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose this
appliance to rain or moisture.
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not remove screws.
There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualied service
personnel.
Important Safety Instructions
1. Obey all warnings on the Axe-Fx III chassis and in this User Guide.
2. Keep away from sources of heat such as ducts, registers or appliances that produce heat.
3. Connect only to a standard grounded AC outlet of 100–240V, 47–63 Hz.
4. Keep the power cord in good condition. Do not kink, bend, or pinch.
5. If the cord becomes damaged, discard and replace it.
6. If not using your Axe-Fx III for extended periods of time, disconnect from AC power.
7. Protect the unit from rain and excessive moisture.
8. Refer servicing to qualied personnel only.
9. Stop operation of the unit and obtain service if:
- Liquids or excessive moisture enter the unit.
- The unit operates incorrectly or performance is inconsistent or erratic.
- The unit has been dropped and/or the enclosure damaged.
10. Prolonged exposure to high volume levels can cause hearing damage and/or loss. The use of
hearing protection in high volume situations is recommended.
A Manual for Online and Print Use
This manual is intended for use in desktop, tablet, and smart phone readers. It includes clickable links and bookmarks to make
navigation and cross-reference easy. We generally recommend against printing, because rmware updates tend to make older
manual versions out of date. That said, considerations have been taken for those who prefer paper. You are granted permission
to print this PDF for personal use only. A copy center or online printer can print and bind a book for you from the PDF le.
Hopefully those with screen readers can forgive the changes made herein to accommodate the print version: all links also
include a page or section numbers, page spreads have extra margins towards the binding edge, and blank pages have been
included to preserve page and chapter flow.

1
1 INTRODUCTION
The Axe-Fx III is the current flagship product in our long line of industry-leading guitar processors, and the world’s
most powerful unit of its kind, with signicantly more raw power than anything we’ve offered before. Our vision for
this platform was to create a product that sounds better, does more, and is easier to use than ever before, with all
of the best and room for more. It features our newest “Cygnus” amp modeling technology, UltraRes™ and FullRes™
speaker cab simulations, our legendary effect algorithms, and much more.
Fractal Audio Systems is known for accurate amp models with the sound and feel of real tube amps. The
Axe-FxIII carries this torch high. “Cygnus” picks up where “Ares” left off, with improvements and upgrades to the
accuracy, sound, and feel. Some may ask: “how can it still be getting better after all these years?” We maintain
that there is always room for improvement and innovation and submit the Axe-Fx III as proof.
The hardware has been completely re-designed around a streamlined workflow. The centerpiece is a dazzling
high-contrast full-color display with 30x the resolution of previous products. This display works alongside ve
endless-rotary push encoders (“push-knobs”). These do different things on different pages, with labels to show
dynamic functions. The end result is a user experience that’s immediately more intuitive. The display also excels
at animation for meters, modiers, and more.
Power and resources are vastly expanded. Two 1-GHz “Keystone” DSPs benchmark at 2.8x the power of the Axe-
Fx II, and there are two additional processors dedicated to graphics and USB. Peripherals include 4Gb of blazing
fast PC1600 DDR3 memory, hundreds of Mb of FLASH memory, a proprietary FPGA and more. The number of
inputs and outputs has more than doubled in comparison to previous products. Routing capabilities have also
been upgraded with dedicated blocks for each Input and Output allowing for highly flexible preset and rig design.
All 1/4" outputs feature our Humbuster™ technology to help reduce the noise caused by ground loops.
Better sound quality has been achieved through an audiophile-grade signal path. The difference is heard as a
lower noise floor, pristine clarity, and USB audio performance that’s even better than most dedicated pro audio
interfaces. As a 24-bit/48k 8×8 interface, the Axe-Fx III allows you to record multiple tracks of processed audio
at the same time, plus a DI. You can playback computer backing tracks or process incoming signals from the
computer. The re-amping workflow is improved with independent monitoring of backing tracks and re-processed
guitar tones while you dial in a sound.
Physically, the Axe-Fx III combines extraordinary design with manufacturing quality rugged enough to withstand
the rigors of life on the road. The unit is housed in a steel enclosure with a one-piece anodized aluminum
faceplate/bezel featuring a glowing Axe-Fx III logo.
Axe-Edit™ III, a fully re-tooled version of our editor for Mac or PC, is packed with great new features including
Quickbuild mode, a Scene Manager, and window scaling on monitors up to 5k and beyond.
Of course the unit features upgradeable rmware, meaning we can offer new features and xes through free
rmware updates—something that our customers greatly enjoy.
This manual also covers the “Mark II” version of the Axe-Fx III, introduced in 2020.
We hope you will enjoy using the Axe-Fx III as much as we’ve enjoyed creating (and playing) it.
WELCOME TO THE AXE-FX III
1 INTRODUCTION

2
1 INTRODUCTION
FEATURE SUMMARY
Rugged 3U steel chassis with a sleek anodized
aluminum front panel and illuminated “Axe-Fx III”
logo. On the Axe-Fx III Mark II, the logo can color
cycle, or you can choose your own color.
Two 1.25 GHz (“Turbo”) or two 1.0 GHz
(“Standard”) Keystone DSPs benchmark
at 2.8x the power of the Axe-Fx II.
4Gb blazing fast PC1600 DDR3 memory, hundreds
of Mb of FLASH memory, proprietary FPGA.
Dedicated processors for graphics and USB.
VALUE knob optical encoder lifespan
rated for 1,000,000+ rotations.
Audiophile-quality signal path yields superior sound quality
and a far lower noise floor and THD than previous products.
Auto-switching front/rear instrument
inputs, both with “Secret Sauce IV”.
Three stereo inputs: 1 with XLR/1/4" combo
jacks, two with balanced 1/4" inputs.
Four stereo outputs: one pair with XLR outs, one pair with
both XLR and 1/4" outs, and two pairs with 1/4" outs.
Humbuster technology on all 1/4" outputs
helps reduce ground loop noise.
Front panel headphones output.
Front panel LED meter bridge for instant visibility of levels.
Easy-to-use interface allows intuitive and efcient editing.
Stunning color display with 30x the resolution of previous
products. On the Axe-Fx III Mark II, the display is improved
even further, with enhanced clarity, color, and contrast.
Animated on-screen metering for every
block, input, output, and more.
5 soft-knobs with on-screen labels
for turn and push functions.
512 Preset memories (1024 on the Mark II), each
an entire rig with amp(s), cab(s) and effects.
14×6 grid layout allows larger presets
than Axe-Fx II, AX8, FX8, and FM3.
New “Zoom” view shows the entire grid on one page.
8 nameable “Scenes” per preset store
settings like “presets within a preset”.
Revolutionary new “Channels” concept for fast,
seamless switching of up to four channels per block.
Built-in tools to copy Channels and Scenes within a preset.
Hundreds of accurate amp models with real tube
amp sound and equally-important feel.
New Cabinet block features a “Cab-Lab” style
multichannel mixer to load up to four IRs at once.
2,048 Factory cabs, 189 “Legacy” Cabs (from Axe-Fx
II), 2,048 User Cabs and 16 Scratchpad memories.
Factory IRs by Fractal Audio and the
best of 3rd party creators.
Presets can now contain up to four instances
of Compressor, Drive, and Delay blocks.
New blocks: Plex Delay, Ten-Tap Delay,
Multiplexer, Realtime Analyzer and more.
Effect “Types” create classic sounds at the
turn of a knob. Types include 40+ drives, 50+
reverbs, 30+ delays, and many more.
New effect models include analog Tri-stereo Chorus,
deep modeled Phaser and Flanger blocks.
Improved Reverb is even richer and smoother than ever.
Improved Pitch block with faster detection and tracking.
New fully parametric “Input EQ” in Amp block.
Fully revamped 5.8 minute stereo Looper with undo.
Tone Matching to clone any tone, now in UltraRes.
Built-in IR Capture Utility allows you to
create your own speaker cab IRs.
New Input and Output blocks make
routing more flexible than ever.
Improved and faster Tuner featuring a new interface.
8×8 USB Audio with better audio performance
than most dedicated pro audio interfaces.
Dedicated USB Input block for reamping/processing tracks.
MIDI-over-USB between Axe-Fx III and a computer is
10× faster than the same connection on Axe-Fx II.
MIDI IN, OUT and THRU ports.
Rich MIDI implementation allows extensive remote control.
The new “Scene MIDI” block enables each scene to
transmit up to 8 PC/CC messages when loaded.
Optional MIDI PC/Bank transmission
when a new preset is loaded.
Two on-board PEDAL jacks for expression
pedals like the Fractal Audio EV-1 and EV-2.
FASLINK 2 connector for connecting up to four of
our next-gen Foot Controllers, FC-6 and FC-12.
Daisy-chain FC series foot controllers for more pedal
board “real estate” or to allow player and tech to share
switching responsibilities on “cloned” systems.
Future proof: as ever, fully upgradeable rmware means
the Axe-Fx III has the capability for free updates.
Built-in backup rmware allows recovery in the
event of complications during update.
And much more.

3
1 INTRODUCTION
Throughout this manual, you will be directed to the Setup menu, which includes the following sections:
The FC Controllers menu includes all settings for a connected FC Series controller.
The Global Settings menu includes options which govern the overall behavior of the Axe-Fx III.
The I/O menu contains settings for inputs and outputs, levels, audio, USB, and switches or expression
pedals connected directly to the Axe-Fx III.
The IR Capture utility can be used to create your own “User Cab” impulse responses.
The MIDI/Remote menu contains MIDI settings, plus several pages of assignments for the many
remote-controllable functions of the Axe-Fx III.
The Utilities menu contains informative readouts plus a control to adjust screen brightness, and
tools to reset or erase the Axe-Fx III.
To access the Setup menu:
Press HOME.
Push the “E” knob for the SETUP main menu.
Use the NAV buttons or “A” knob to select a sub-menu and press ENTER to make a selection.
Use PAGE and NAV buttons to get around the menus. Use VALUE and knobs A–Eto make changes.
Press HOME at any time to return home.
NOTE: Changes in the SETUP take effect immediately and never need to be stored
Use these links for instant access to the Setup menu topics in this manual:
THE SETUP MENU
SETUP
FC Controllers Section 13
Global Settings Page 71
I/O Page 73
IR Capture Section 14
MIDI/Remote Page 77
Utilities Page 82

4
1 INTRODUCTION
INPUT
1
OUTPUT
1
Use
Out 1 L
for
Mono
FRFR speakers, Studio Monitors
Audio Interface or Mixer
Add
Out 1 R
for
Stereo
The most popular and flexible way to enjoy the Axe-Fx III is through a full-range system such as studio monitors,
a high-quality PA, or full-range cabinets designed specically for guitar. All of the factory presets are designed
for this type of setup.
Of course you can use the unit in many other types of setups, including those which integrate with tube amps,
USB recording, guitar speakers, 3rd-party outboard equipment, and more. You can nd over ten examples in
Section 4 of this manual.
Basic setup instructions for a typical direct/full-range rig appear below:
FAQ: WHY FULL RANGE?
A Full-Range Flat Response (“FRFR”) system aims to reproduce the entire audio spectrum without any tonal
coloration. In comparison, most traditional guitar speakers are sonically limited, with tonal coloration and
limited low and high response. Each speaker cabinet has its own effect on your sound, and a 1×12 open-back
combo is never going to sound like a 4×12 stack. In comparison, full-range flat-response studio monitors,
PA speakers, and FRFR speakers designed specically for guitar are designed to reproduce anything you play
through them. The output of a fully modeled signal path is in fact closer to what you’d hear in a nished mix
or recording, so it sounds best when played through a system that is designed for full range. Of course, many
other setup types exist, as demonstrated in the many examples shown in Section 4 of this manual.
qBegin with all level knobs turned down.
Connect your guitar to the front or
rear Instrument input (Input 1).
The Axe-Fx III is also perfect for
bass and other instruments.
wConnect Output 1 to your mixer, studio
monitors, audio interface, PA system, full-
range speakers, power amp inputs, etc.
• For a mono rig, use Out 1 Left.
• For stereo, also connect Out 1 Right.
• Use XLR outputs to connect to balanced
inputs, or use the 1/4" outputs when
connecting to unbalanced inputs.
• Use Humbuster cables with 1/4" outputs
to reduce hum from ground loops.
eTurn up the front panel OUT 1 knob and adjust the
level on your monitors as desired.
Explore factory presets by turning the VALUE wheel.
Select Scenes within a preset by using NAV Up/Down.
QUICK CONNECT GUIDE

5
1 INTRODUCTION
Setting proper levels is critical but easy, with many meters to help you while you work.
INPUT LEVELS
The Axe-Fx III comes ready-to-use for the typical guitar or bass, but you
should check that your guitar is not clipping the inputs.
Connect a guitar to the Instrument input. Choose your loudest pickup setting and set all the guitar
controls to “wide open.” Play loudly to push the levels as you watch the front panel INPUT 1 meter
LEDs. A red LED on the input meter indicates a level of -6dB, which is still safely below clipping. Adjust
the input trim so your loudest playing “tickles the red.” It is of course also ne if a lower output guitar
never hits the red. In general, you should set input levels as high as possible without clipping:
Open SETUP : I/O : Input page.
Adjust Input 1/Instrument input levels using the Aknob.
Inputs 2, 3 and 4 can be adjusted using the same method. Each has its own Input trim parameter on the
Input page of the I/O menu under SETUP.
You can also monitor levels on the Meters page of the Home menu.
Except at the very lowest settings, Input level adjustments do not affect gain levels. As you adjust
the input level to the A/D converter, the output is compensated accordingly, so what you hear is not
affected by how you set these controls.
SETTING LEVELS
OUTPUT LEVELS
Output levels are very easy to monitor on the front
panel meters, and easy to control using the four front
panel LEVEL knobs. You can also monitor output levels
in higher resolution by paging to the Meters page from
the Home menu.
Outputs 1-2 are ready to be connected to consumer
line inputs (-10 dbV). If you are connecting to
professional-grade equipment operating at +4dBu, set
the nominal output levels as follows:
Page to SETUP : I/O : Audio.
Adjust Output 1: Output Level or
Output 2: Output Level to +4dBu.
Learn more about the I/O Menu on p. 73.
If you notice the Outputs clipping, this means your
presets are too hot. Section 7 on p. 51 is
dedicated to the important subject of adjusting preset
levels.
The Meters page of the Home menu shows all I/O levels.
The Layout also has a Meters view showing block levels.

6
1 INTRODUCTION
HUMBUSTER™ CABLES
Most FRFR setups use the XLR outputs of the Axe-Fx III into the balanced inputs of mixers, monitors, and other
devices. For these applications, XLR cables or XLR-to-TRS cables are typical.
When connecting the 1/4” outputs of the Axe-Fx III to unbalanced 1/4" inputs on other devices, you can use
standard 1/4" patch cables, but there is a better option. Humbuster™ technology on all 1/4" outputs of the Axe-Fx
III can signicantly reduce unwanted noise due to the common problem of a ground loop. For this to work, you
must use a special Humbuster cable. This has one TRS end (like a balanced cable) and one TS end (like a guitar
cable). The TRS end connects to the Axe-Fx III. The TS end connects to your other device or amp.
Humbuster cables are available from http:/www.fractalaudio.com/cables. You can make your own by following
the diagram below. Be sure to use high-quality connectors and shielded cable.
The Axe-Fx III comes pre-congured for stereo but you can connect it in mono with no issues.
In mono, however, you may nd that certain presets or settings produce unexpected results.
For example, a panner sounds like a tremolo when one channel is missing. A ping-pong delay
may “ping” but never “pong”. Stereo enhancers or certain types of modulation may not be
apparent at all. Even the tone can change if amps or cabs have been panned. Here is an
overview of several scenarios, with recommended settings for each.
MONO VS. STEREO
STEREO: No special settings required.
HALF STEREO: Leaving the Axe-Fx III in its default stereo conguration but connecting
only one (Left) output results in “half-stereo.” This setup works ne, aside from the
exceptions mentioned above (ping-pong, panning, etc). No special settings required.
MONO, COPY L>R: Sonically, this is identical to half-stereo, with the same limitations, except that
mono signal is produced at both the left and right jacks so you can connect to two monitors. To
switch to dual mono, open SETUP: I/O: Audio and set Mode for the desired output to “COPY L->R”.
MONO, SUM L+R: In this setup, left and right channels are added together resulting in a mono
signal at both left and right outputs of the Axe-Fx III. While this does not discard half of the
channels like half-stereo does, summing has its own issues. For example, short delays or
phase differences between channels can result in strange artifacts or cancellation. To switch
to summed mono, open SETUP: I/O: Audio and set Mode for the desired output to “SUM L+R”.
On the Axe-Fx III, a flexible block-based I/O system makes it easy to use different outputs with different
settings for different purposes. See Input and Output blocks in the “Blocks Guide”.
All options of the I/O menu under SETUP are detailed in Section 12.

7
1 INTRODUCTION
Once you have connected your Axe-Fx III you can begin to audition factory preset sounds. Remember that aside
from a few templates, the factory presets are designed for use with full-range speakers, monitors, or headphones.
See Section 4 for details on creating presets for other setups.
The Axe-Fx III contains 512 preset memories (1024 on the Mark II), each a fully independent rig with its own
amps, cabs, effects, settings, controllers, and more. When you consider everything that is possible with Scenes
and Channels, a single preset can easily cover an entire song, or even a whole show.
Here’s how to explore the factory presets:
Press HOME to show the Home page,
where you can switch presets.
To change presets, turn the VALUE knob
or use the NAV left/right buttons.
Many factory presets contain fully developed Scenes.
You can switch Scenes using NAV up/down or knob A.
See p. 9for an introduction to Scenes.
OTHER HOME MENU FUNCTIONS
The push functions of
the ve knobs of the hme page provide access to other areas:
Tuner (Page 69)
Layout grid (Page 8 and Page 34)
Controllers (Page 61)
FC Per Preset (See Section 13: FC Controllers).
Setup (Page 3 and Page 71).
A mini-Tuner appears at the top of the Home page itself.
THE PRESETS DIRECTORY
You can also access a PRESETS directory:
From the Home page, press PAGE RIGHT until the Presets page is shown.
Presets are shown in numerical order. To sort presets alphabetically by name, press the “Sort A–Z” button.
Use the VALUE wheel and NAV buttons to select any entry.
The ENTER key loads the selected preset and returns to the Home page
THE HOME PAGE: PRESETS
Previous Scene
Previous
Preset
Next
Preset
Next Scene

8
1 INTRODUCTION
In the world of traditional gear, our options are limited by budget, space, weight, and the limits of the gear itself.
Building a rig means making hard choices. With the Axe-Fx III however, a limited selection of gear is instead
replaced by a vast (ever-growing!) “inventory” of virtual amps, cabs, effects, and more. Every preset gives you the
flexibility to design a totally new rig composed of whichever components you choose.
Let’s learn the vocabulary of preset creation. To create a preset, virtual pieces of gear are selected from the
inventory and placed as blocks into the slots of the layout grid, a structure of rows and columns. Each block
represents a different component like a wah pedal, amp, reverb, etc. Blocks are connected together using virtual
cables, and you can create splits, merges or multiple parallel paths as needed. Passive shunts carry signal
through empty grid spaces. Special input and output blocks connect to the various jacks and USB signals of the
Axe-Fx III. The following graphic illustrates these concepts:
INTRO TO THE LAYOUT GRID
CABLE
CABLE
Let’s review what is happening above. Various blocks have been placed on the grid and connected with cables.
Signal flow begins at the Input block on the left. It then goes to a Wah block. The wah connects to a shunt, which
has no effect on the sound and is shown only to introduce the idea of how it carries signal from one location to
another. The shunt is connected to an Amp block (we might set its type to “Plexi 100W High”), which in turn feeds
a Cab (one of the many “4×12” options, perhaps). This is connected to a Reverb and then to an Output block. In
this limited example, only a few blocks are shown on a partial grid. In reality the size of a preset is limited only by
the grid structure, block inventory, and total processing power (“CPU”). You will nd that you can create very large
virtual rigs with multiple amps, cabs, and effects.
A new “ZOOM” feature shows the whole grid at once. Look for the ZOOM button on Layout menu pages.

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1 INTRODUCTION
Imagine a rack system like those used by many guitar players over the past decades. In this system, various
amps, pedals, and rack units are connected through a central switching system, which places components in or
out of the signal path at will. Some componenets in a rig like this have their own settings that the switcher can
control remotely—like the channels on an amp, or the different settings of a delay. Using the switcher, you set up
different combinations gear and settings and then save a preset: Clean, Rhythm, Lead, etc. (Yes, this old rig does
all this and weighs just a few hundred pounds!)
A single Axe-Fx III preset is comparable to an entire rig. Axe-Fx Scenes, are an innovation something like a
switching system. A Scene stores whether each block is engaged or bypassed, and which of up to four “channels”
it should be on. A Channel is like a preset within a block; each block has up to four channels, and every channel
its own fully independent settings. For example, Channel A of a Drive block might be a “clean boost”, Bcould be a
“screamer” , Ca distortion, and D a fuzz. So, with channels, you get four different sounds from just one block! By
switching blocks and channels for you, Scenes offer a way to select different sounds without changing presets.
Scenes offer many advantages. First, they eliminate “tap dancing” and make complex sound changes easy. Also,
scene changes are fast and can even be perfectly seamless. Scenes also make it easy to set up delay and reverb
for “spillover” so tails can ring out across changes. Scenes even have their own names, which is especially helpful
as you step through them.
INTRO TO SCENES AND CHANNELS
IN 1 CMP 1
ADRV 1 AAMP 1 ACAB 1 ACHO 1 ADLY 1 AOUT 1
Here is our preset. The Input 1 block feeds a Compressor followed by a Drive, then into an Amp and Cab,
followed by Chorus and a little Delay, ending up at the Output 1 block.
SCENE 1 – “Clean”: For scene 1, the Drive and Delay blocks are bypassed. We dial in the Compressor, Amp,
Cab, and Chorus for a classic clean tone. Notice that the amp says “1A”. This means we are using Amp 1, set
to channel A. Let’s imagine it as the “ODS-100 Clean” model. We name the scene “Clean”.
SCENE 2 – “Crunch”: To create scene 2, we bypass the Compressor, Chorus and Delay and engage the Drive.
The Amp block is changed from channel A to channel B, which we dial in as a “Euro Blue” crunch model.
Remember, each channel has a totally independent set of settings, so every amp parameter exactly as we wish
for this scene: Drive, Treble, Mid, Bass, and many, many more. We then dial in Channel “A” of the drive block
with a good “screamer” sound by selecting the “TS808 OD” type. Let’s name this scene “Crunch”.
SCENE 3 – “Lead”: Here’s our soaring lead. The Chorus is bypassed. We’ve changed the compressor to
Channel “B” and dialed it in for sustain. The amp is the same as the “Crunch” scene but Drive changes to “B”,
which we’ll make a “Fat Rat”. The Delay is on channel “B” dialed in with higher mix and feedback. We name the
scene “Lead”.
Learn more in “Scenes & Channels” on p. 43
DRV 1
ADLY 1 A
CMP 1
ACHO 1 ADLY 1 A
CHO 1
A
SCENES AND CHANNELS: A VISUAL EXAMPLE

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1 INTRODUCTION
GRID EDITING: QUICK START
Learn more about working with the grid in Section 5. Meanwhile, here’s a very quick primer:
From the Home page, press LAYOUT (knob B) or ENTER to show the “Edit”
page of the Layout menu, commonly called the “grid”.
Use the NAV buttons to move the cursor around the grid.
Turn the VALUE knob to cycle through the inventory of blocks at any grid location. When
you nd the block you want, press ENTER to conrm. Press EXIT to cancel changes.
On the grid, “push” functions of the B, C, and Dknobs allow you to toggle a block’s Bypass state,
Delete a block, or create/remove a connector Cable between any two blocks in adjacent columns.
To save any changes, press STORE, ENTER, ENTER.
Block Name and Number Menu Pages (Tabs) I/O Meters
Block Type
Current
Parameter
Highlighted
Inactive Row
is dimmed
(NAV Up/Down
to change rows
)
Push Functions
(A—E)
Current
Parameter
Value Box
TunerCurrent Scene/Channel
Resets
this Block to
defaults
Bypass or
Engage this
block
These change
the Channel
of the block
CHANNEL - CHANNEL + BYPASS RESET MODIFIER
Adds a Modifer
to the current
parameter
Yellow ring/dot
shows Modifier
capability
BLOCK EDITING: QUICK START
Learn more about editing blocks in Section 5. Meanwhile, here’s a very quick primer:
On the grid, select the desired block and press EDIT to open its menu.
Use the PAGE buttons to navigate menu pages.
Many blocks have a TYPE page, which allows you to dial in classic settings instantly. Examples
include setting an amp to “USA Lead+”, a drive to “Face Fuzz”, or a reverb to “Large Spring”.
Use the A, B, C, D, and E knobs to edit on-screen parameters. From
any block’s Edit menu, press EXIT to return to the grid.
To save any changes, press STORE, ENTER, ENTER.
The stylized diagram below shows a typical edit menu page with annotations:

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1 INTRODUCTION
In addition to providing audio and MIDI capabilities, connecting the
Axe-Fx III to a computer via USB allows you to use companion software
applications Fractal-Bot and Axe-Edit III.
Fractal-Bot is a small, simple program used to update the Axe-FxIII when
new rmware is released. It includes tools to backup or restore presets
and other custom settings, and can be used to install downloaded presets
or cabs.
Axe-Edit III is a full-featured software editor/librarian for the Axe-Fx III
and FC Controllers. If you are comfortable with audio software or plug-
ins, you will probably enjoy using this program to work with the Axe-Fx
III. While the Axe-Fx III can certainly be operated from the unit’s front panel, Axe-Edit III brings a new level of
convenience, including some “power-user” routines that aren’t possible on the unit itself (e.g. Block Library, Scene
Swap, Performance Control pages, etc.). It also provides tools for managing presets and banks, installing Cab
Packs, and more.
You can download Axe-Edit III for Mac or Windows at http://www.fractalaudio.com.
FRACTAL-BOT & AXE-EDIT III
USB OVERVIEW
USB provides the Axe-Fx III with a host of great features. A 16-core, 500 MHz microcontroller provides 16
channels of flawless 48kHz USB audio (8 in, 8 out) allowing the Axe-Fx III to be the center of your music
workstation. The audiophile-grade signal path components and converters provide better audio performance than
most dedicated USB audio interfaces. With 8×8 channels you can record multiple tracks of processed audio and
DI signals, monitor backing tracks, audition stereo re-amps in real-time, and more. A USB audio sound source can
even be placed on the grid for processing via the dedicated USB Input block.
USB is also required to use Axe-Edit and Fractal-Bot, the companion software products for the Axe-Fx III.
See Section 3: USB, on p. 19 for full details on the USB capabilities of the Axe-Fx III.

12
1 INTRODUCTION
Each of the two local Expression jacks of the Axe-FxIII allows you to connect one expression pedal or one
external footswitch. A connected pedal or switch can change effect parameters, or operate any of a long list of
global functions. Many factory presets are ready for use with one or more pedals.
TO CONNECT & CALIBRATE AN EXPRESSION PEDAL...
Expression pedals for the Axe-Fx III should have a linear resistance taper and must have a maximum resistance in
the range of 10–100kΩ. Expression pedals must be used with Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) cables!
Connect your expression pedal to the desired jack with a TRS cable, then follow these instructions to calibrate:
Page to the Pedal page of the I/O menu under SETUP.
Ensure that Pedal Type is set to “CONTINUOUS”.
Navigate to the Calibrate Pedal function and press the ENTER button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to perform calibration.
TO CONNECT A SWITCH...
Follow the instructions above and simply set Type to “MOMENTARY” or “LATCHING” based on what you’re
connecting. (If you’re not sure, check with the switch manufacturer or try both settings to see which works better.)
Calibration is not required. You can use a normal guitar cable (TS) for switches. Only ONE switch can be used at
each pf the pedal jacks.
THE EV-SERIES EXPRESSION PEDAL
The Fractal Audio Systems EV series of expression pedals are perfect for use with all Fractal Audio Systems
products. The EV-1 is a full-sized expression pedal. The EV-2 is a compact version. These pedals feature rugged
cast metal casings, a high quality 100kΩ potentiometer, and built-in analog volume pedal capability. Learn more at
https://www.fractalaudio.com.
CONNECTING PEDALS DIRECTLY
WHAT IS TRS? “TRS” stands for TIP-RING-SLEEVE and describes the
conguration of a 1/4" end plug or jack with three contacts. Normal guitar cables
are “TS” (Tip-Sleeve) since they lack the “ring” used as a third contact. Expression
pedals require TRS cables because voltage is transmitted to them on one contact
(the tip), and returned on another (the ring), allowing the host device to sense pedal
position. The third contact (sleeve) is connected to ground.
This section is for pedals connected to the local “Expression” jacks of the Axe-Fx III.
For pedals connected to a MIDI or FC Series controller, see the next page.

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1 INTRODUCTION
GLOBAL VOLUME PEDAL SETUP
The Axe-Fx III allows remote control of the volume at all inputs and outputs. If you have a second pedal, or if you
want to use one pedal for global volume instead of expression, follow the instructions below:
The rst step is to decide which volume you want to control. Adjusting Input volume affects gain/distortion and
the behavior of level-dependent blocks like the compressor or gate. Adjusting Output volume does not affect
level-dependent blocks, but scales everything you hear including effect tails. For all other volume options, you can
insert a Volume block anywhere in your preset and control it with an “External Controller” as described above
(See also “Modiers” on p. 55.)
To set up a global volume pedal, rst ensure that you have a pedal connected and ready to use. Then:
1. From the Home page, open SETUP: MIDI/Remote: Other.
2. NAV to the entry for the volume you want to control: Input 1, 2, 3, or 4, or Output 1, 2, 3, or 4.
3. Turn the “A“ or VALUE knob to assign a controller to your selected entry.
Select “PEDAL 1 or PEDAL 2” for the onboard Expression jacks
Select “FC__ PEDAL __” for a pedal connected via an FC series controller.
Select a number if your pedal is transmitting a MIDI CC#. For example, by default, the Fractal Audio
Systems MFC-101 transmits CC#11 for XP1 and CC#16 for XP2.
4. Test and EXIT when nished.
Learn about other options for global remote control in “The MIDI/Remote Menu” on p. 77.
GLOBAL EXPRESSION PEDAL SETUP
Pedals need to be assigned before they do anything. Once you have connected and calibrated a pedal according
to the instructions on the previous page (or if you are using a MIDI or FC-connected pedal) you can globally assign
it as “External 1”, which is used in many factory presets as a Wah controller.
To set “External 1” to respond to your connected pedal:
1. From the Home page, open SETUP: MIDI/Remote and change to the External page.
2. NAV to External Control 1.
3. Turn the “A” or VALUE knob to set this external controller to your pedal:
Select “PEDAL 1” or “PEDAL 2” for the onboard Expression jacks.
Select “FC__ PEDAL __” for a pedal connected via an FC series controller.
Select a number if your pedal is transmitting a MIDI CC#. For example, by default, the Fractal Audio
Systems MFC-101 transmits CC#11 for XP1 and CC#16 for XP2.
4. EXIT when nished. Most of the rst 100 Factory Presets contain a Wah block you can test with.
Learn more about assigning pedals and switches to sound parameters in Section 9: Modiers.

14
1 INTRODUCTION
SHORTCUTS
The Axe-Fx III has many user interface shortcuts. These are listed in “Shortcuts” on p. 104.