Fractal MFC-101 Mark III Owner's manual

Fractalaudio MFC-101 Programming for the Fractalaudio Axe-Fx III
The MFC-101 as generic MIDI controller for controlling with the Axe-Fx III.
A DEMONSTRATION VIDEO CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://www.cabir.eu/content/13-mfc101-for-axefx3
References to menu item Entries in the MFC-101 operating instructions refer to the English-language MFC-101 MIDI Foot Controller Owner’s Manual Version 2.01
(V. 1.02 © 2018 Markus Hohmann | www.cabIR.eu - fine impulse responses)

Introduction:
THE GOOD: WHAT'S POSSIBLE
Anyone who thinks that the MFC-101 can no longer be used to control the Axe-Fx
III in a practical way is mistaken. Besides the MFC-101 `Axe-Fx Mode` for
bidirectional communication, the MFC-101 is also an extremely powerful generic
MIDI controller. And we take advantage of this:
In this tutorial you will find step-by-step instructions in 5 steps on how to
configure the MFC-101 so that you can control the following functions of the Axe-
Fx III and always keep track of current switching states.
•Call up any 48 Axe-Fx III Presets
•8 Axe-Fx III scenes Switches
•17 IA Axe-Fx III FX bypass, FX channel or Tempo TAP switches
All functions `IN SYNC` with the Axe-Fx III: MFC-101 IA switch LEDs always display
the current bypass or channel status of assigned Axe-Fx III FX blocks.
The physical connection is via a One-Way MIDI connection:
MFC-101 MIDI OUT -> AXE-FX III MIDI IN.
On the last page you will find for download:
MFC-101 Original/MKII default configuration.syx and matching Axe-Fx III
Systemdaten.syx in a ZIP file. You can install both on your devices with Axe-fx
Fractal-Bot and you are ready to go.
THE BAD: WHAT DOESN'T WORK
Fractalaudio's MFC-101 does not support `Axe-Fx mode` for the latest Axe-Fx III,
eliminating the possibility of bi-directional data communication, which means that
the following functions of the MFC-101 are not supported in conjunction with the
Axe-Fx III:
No MFC-101 support for the Axe-Fx III for the following settings:
12.4 The MIDI Menu
12.5 The Setup Menu
12.4.0 MFC-101 Port [Expansion, Faslink]
12.5.0 Axe-Fx Mode [Standard, Ultra, II, XL, XL+]
12.4.2 Axe-Fx TotalSync
12.5.2 Axe-Fx Display Offset
12.4.7 IA Switch Axe-Fx Functions
12.5.20 Hold Axe-Fx Tempo for Tuner
12.4.3 Axe-Fx Preset Transmit Map
12.5.21 Axe-Fx Instant Access Switch LED Off State
12.5.24 Looper Control
Reference: MFC-101 MIDI Foot Controller Owner’s Manual Version 2.01
https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/manuals/mfc-101/MFC-101-Owners-
Manual.pdf

Axe-Fx III SETUP: MIDI/Remote
To remotely control the Axe-Fx III via MIDI commands of the MFC-101, the MIDI
channel on which the MIDI communication takes place must be defined. Likewise,
all control units you want to address must be assigned corresponding (unique)
Control Change Numbers (CC#). Up to 127 unique CC`s# can be assigned. By
default, they are all off (NONE), because there are many more entries in the Axe-
Fx III than the 127 that can be assigned. Here is my suggestion for a default CC#
assignment and further settings, which should normally be sufficient to control the
Axe-Fx III without conflicts with the MFC-101. All 127 possible uniquen CC# were
assigned. If you need CC# for other entries, you can of course adapt the CC#
assignment to your individual needs.
Under SETUP -> Global Settings -> Config -> I recommend
to set default Scene to 1.
STEP 1: Axe-Fx III: SETUP -> MIDI/Remote Menu [Axe-Fx III Manual: 12 Setup Menu | THE MIDI/REMOTE MENU]:
General
General
External
CC#
Looper
CC#
Other
CC#
GENERAL
INITIAL VALUE
External Control 1
1
Record
123
Tempo Tap
13
MIDI Channel
1
External Control 1
100%
External Control 2
2
Play
124
Tuner
120
Display Offset
1
External Control 2
0%
External Control 3
3
Undo
125
Scene Revert
ON
External Control 3
0%
External Control 4
4
Once
126
SCENE
Eff. Bypass Mode
VALUE
External Control 4
0%
External Control 5
5
Reverse
127
Scene Select
15
External Control 5
0%
External Control 6
6
Scene Increment
NONE
PC CONFIGURATION
External Control 6
0%
External Control 7
7
Scene Decrement
NONE
Program Change
ON
External Control 7
0%
External Control 8
8
Ignore Redundant PC
ON
External Control 8
0%
External Control 9
9
I/O
Send MIDI PC
OFF
External Control 9
0%
External Control 10
10
Input 1 Volume
NONE
MIDI PC Offset
0
External Control 10
0%
External Control 11
11
Input 2 Volume
NONE
PC Mapping
OFF
External Control 11
0%
External Control 12
NONE
Input 3 Volume
NONE
External Control 12
0%
External Control 13
NONE
Input 4 Volume
NONE
External Control 13
0%
External Control 14
NONE
Output 1 Volume
121
External Control 14
0%
External Control 15
NONE
Output 2 Volume
NONE
External Control 15
0%
External Control 16
NONE
Output 3 Volume
NONE
External Control 16
0%
Output 4 Volume
NONE
Initial Value 100% for External Control 1: External Control 1 I use for the expression pedal, which controls the volume of the VOLUME 1 block. This Block is always placed
between amp block and post amp effects such as delay and reverb and is always active. My "Master Volume" pedal. That's why I didn't give a CC# entry for VOLUME1 BYPASS,
because it is always active and is not switched on or off.

Bypass
even CC#
Channel
uneven CC#
Bypass
even CC#
Channel
uneven CC#
Amp 1
16
Amp 1
17
Mixer 3
NONE
Mixer 3
NONE
Amp 2
18
Amp 2
19
Mixer 4
NONE
Mixer 4
NONE
Cabinet 1
20
Cabinet 1
21
Multiband Compressor 1
72
Multiband Compressor 1
73
Cabinet 2
NONE
Cabinet 2
NONE
Multiband Compressor 2
NONE
Multiband Compressor 2
NONE
Chorus 1
22
Chorus 1
23
Multiplexer 1
74
Multiplexer 1
75
Chorus 2
24
Chorus 2
25
Multiplexer 2
NONE
Multiplexer 2
NONE
Compressor 1
26
Compressor 1
27
Multitap Delay 1
76
Multitap Delay 1
77
Compressor 2
28
Compressor 2
29
Multitap Delay 2
NONE
Multitap Delay 2
NONE
Compressor 3
NONE
Compressor 3
NONE
Output 1
NONE
Output 1
NONE
Compressor 4
NONE
Compressor 4
NONE
Output 2
NONE
Output 2
NONE
Crossover 1
30
Crossover 1
31
Output 3
NONE
Output 3
NONE
Crossover 2
NONE
Crossover 2
NONE
Output 4
NONE
Output 4
NONE
Delay 1
32
Delay 1
33
Parametric EQ 1
78
Parametric EQ 1
79
Delay 2
34
Delay 2
35
Parametric EQ 2
80
Parametric EQ 2
81
Delay 3
NONE
Delay 3
NONE
Parametric EQ 3
82
Parametric EQ 3
83
Delay 4
NONE
Delay 4
NONE
Parametric EQ 4
84
Parametric EQ 4
85
Drive 1
36
Drive 1
37
Phaser 1
86
Phaser 1
87
Drive 2
38
Drive 2
39
Phaser 2
88
Phaser 2
89
Drive 3
NONE
Drive 3
NONE
Pitch 1
90
Pitch 1
91
Drive 4
NONE
Drive 4
NONE
Pitch 2
92
Pitch 2
93
Enhancer 1
40
Enhancer 1
41
Plex Delay 1
94
Plex Delay 1
95
Enhancer 2
NONE
Enhancer 2
NONE
Plex Delay 2
NONE
Plex Delay 2
NONE
Filter 1
42
Filter 1
43
Realtime Analyzer 1
NONE
Filter 2
44
Filter 2
45
Resonator 1
96
Resonator 1
97
Filter 3
46
Filter 3
47
Resonator 2
NONE
Resonator 2
NONE
Filter 4
48
Filter 4
49
Return 1
NONE
Flanger 1
50
Flanger 1
51
Return 2
NONE
Flanger 2
NONE
Flanger 2
NONE
Reverb 1
98
Reverb 1
99
Formant 1
52
Formant 1
53
Reverb 2
100
Reverb 2
101
Formant 2
NONE
Formant 2
NONE
Ring Modulator 1
102
Ring Modulator 1
103
Gate 1
54
Gate 1
55
Rotary 1
104
Rotary 1
105
Gate 2
NONE
Gate 2
NONE
Rotary 2
NONE
Rotary 2
NONE
Gate 3
NONE
Gate 3
NONE
Scene MIDI
NONE
Gate 4
NONE
Gate 4
NONE
Send 1
NONE
Graphic EQ 1
56
Graphic EQ 1
57
Send 2
NONE
Graphic EQ 2
58
Graphic EQ 2
59
Synthesizer 1
106
Synthesizer 1
107
Graphic EQ 3
60
Graphic EQ 3
61
Synthesizer 2
NONE
Synthesizer 2
NONE
Graphic EQ 4
62
Graphic EQ 4
63
Ten-Tap Delay 1
108
Ten-Tap Delay 1
109

Bypass
even CC#
Channel
uneven CC#
Bypass
even CC#
Channel
uneven CC#
Input 1
64
Input 1
65
Ten-Tap Delay 2
NONE
Ten-Tap Delay 2
NONE
Input 2
66
Input 2
67
Tone Match
12
Input 3
NONE
Input 3
NONE
Tremolo/Panner 1
110
Tremolo/Panner 1
111
Input 4
NONE
Input 4
NONE
Tremolo/Panner 2
NONE
Tremolo/Panner 2
NONE
Input USB
NONE
Input USB
NONE
Vocoder 1
14
Looper 1
122
Volume 1
NONE
Volume 1
NONE
Megatap 1
68
Megatap 1
69
Volume 2
112
Volume 2
113
Megatap 2
NONE
Megatap 2
NONE
Volume 3
114
Volume 3
115
Mixer 1
70
Mixer 1
71
Volume 4
116
Volume 4
117
Mixer 2
NONE
Mixer 2
NONE
WahWah 1
118
WahWah 1
119
WahWah 2
NONE
WahWah 2
NONE
Now the Axe-Fx III is ready and the basis is set to prepare the MFC-101 in the next step and program it to match the CC# values set above!
MFC-101: Preparations
STEP 2: MFC-101: EDIT->SETUP
We make the following settings in the MFC-101 SETUP Menu:
EDIT -> SETUP
EDIT -> SETUP
12.5.0 Axe--Fx Mode
NONE
12.5.11 Global IA Switch Setup
NO
12.5.1 Performance Mode
PRESET
12.5.12 IA Switch Send w/ Preset
YES
12.5.2 Axe--Fx Display Offset
1
12.5.13 IA Switch Names
as wanted, if
needed
12.5.3 MFC--101 Display Offset
1
12.5.14 IA Switch Link Settings
not in use
12.5.4 MIDI Channel Display Offsets
1
12.5.15 Send IA Switch Link OFF
Messages
Yes
12.5.5 MIDI Channel Names
as wanted, if needed
12.5.16 Internal CC Names
as wanted, if
needed
12.5.6 Bank Size
8
12.5.22 Save Edits Switch
ON
12.5.7 Bank Style
FIRST
12.5.8 Bank/Song Limit
48
12.5.9 Bank/Song Wrap
OFF
12.5.10 IA Switch Types
TOGGLE [for FX BYPASS/CHANNEL &
TUNER]
MOMENTARY [for TAP Tempo]

Axe-Fx Mode NONE means that we use the MFC-101 as generic MIDI controller, because the Axe-Fx III is not supported for Axe-Fx Mode.
BankSize determines how many scenes you can control per preset, here 8. De facto we use each MFC-101 bank for ONE Axe-Fx III preset, which we select directly by BANK
UP/DOWN (BankStyle = FIRST). IA Switches used for FX BYPASS or FX CHANNEL or TUNER are set to TOGGLE. An IA Switch, which we use for Tempo, is set to MOMENTARY.
With the Save Edits Switch to ON we enable us to define the status of the global IA switches for each preset and scene and to store them directly in the MFC-101 using the
EDIT/SAVE button. We program each IA switch per scene on the MFC-101 and store it. The Axe-Fx III assumes this status per scene, so it is also recommended to save the
Axe-Fx III preset after programming is complete. Thus, MFC-101 and Axe-Fx III are now always running `IN SYNC`. For this to work, IA Switch Send w/ Preset must be configured
to YES.
STEP 3: MFC-101: EDIT->MIDI
We make the following settings in the MFC-101 MIDI Menu:
EDIT -> MIDI
12.4 The MIDI Menu
EDIT -> MIDI
12.4 The MIDI Menu
12.4.0 MFC--101 Port
MIDI
12.4.10 IA Switch Program Change Settings
IA01-17 | pOF | PC#OFF
12.4.1 Axe--Fx MIDI Channel
1
12.4.11 IA Switch Custom MIDI Messages
S01 OF
12.4.4 MFC--101 MIDI Receive Channel
OFF
12.4.12 Internal Control Change Settings
IntCC 01-08 = SCENE# Ch01
12.4.5 MFC--101 Receive Program Change
OFF
IntCC 09-17 = OFF
12.4.6 MFC--101 Program Change Map
no mapping (000 = 000;…)
12.4.13 Internal Control Change ON/OFF
Values
IntCC 01 OF OFF ON 000
IntCC 02 OF OFF ON 001
IntCC 03 OF OFF ON 002
IntCC 04 OF OFF ON 003
IntCC 05 OF OFF ON 004
IntCC 06 OF OFF ON 005
IntCC 07 OF OFF ON 006
IntCC 08OF OFF ON 007
12.4.8 IA Switch Control Change (CC#) Settings
Set c1 CC# to the corresponding MIDI
function from the Axe-Fx III MIDI/Remote
menu. Use Ch01 (MIDI channel of the Axe-Fx
III).
Set c2 CC# to OFF or to the corresponding
MIDI function from the Axe-Fx III
MIDI/Remote menu, if a second function
should always be controlled with c1 CC#.
12.4.9 IA Switch Control Change ON/OFF Values
OFF 000 | ON 125 for
FX BYPASS; TUNER; FX CHANNEL A/B IA Sw.
OFF OFF | ON 125 for TAP Tempo IA Sw.

MFC-101 MIDI Port = MIDI: The MFC-101 must control the Axe-Fx via MIDI. We connect MFC-101 MIDI OUT -> Axe-Fx III MIDI IN. Axe-Fx MIDI Channel: We set MIDI channel
1 because the Axe-Fx III has also been set to MIDI channel 1.
Instead of the global 12.4.7 IA Switch Axe-Fx Functions we use the generic global 12.4.8 IA Switch Control Change (CC#) settings. By specifying the CC# number, we determine
which Axe-Fx III controller is addressed (e.g. FX BYPASS, FX CHANNEL, TEMPO, TUNER, etc.). The assignments which CC# number addresses which Axe-Fx III control unit are
made in the Axe-Fx III under SETUP: MIDI/Remote.
STEP 4: MFC-101: EDIT->PRESET
We prepare the presets: MFC-101 PRESET Menu:
For preparation we now switch off ALL PC#, the 17 global IA Switch CC# and the 17 global Internal CC# (IntCC#) in all MFC-101 presets. This ensures that no unwanted and
unnecessary MIDI commands are sent to the Axe-Fx III in the future when an MFC-101 switch is operated. To make life easier, we prepare the first MFC-101 preset and copy
it to the other MFC-101 presets of MFC-101 Bank 1 (Preset 001 - 008 with BankSize = 8). Then we program the scenes 1 to 8 commands for the first 8 presets in Bank 1, then
copy Bank 1 to all other banks:
STEP 4.1: Clear MFC-101 Preset 001 MIDI Commands
CLEAR PRESET 001
12.1 The Preset Menu
12.1.0 Select Preset
1
12.1.1 Preset Name
SCENE 1
12.1.2 Preset Program Changes
Ch 01-16: OFF
12.1.3 Alternate Preset
OFF (or as wanted)
12.1.4 Preset Instant Access Switch States
IASw 01-17 OFF
12.1.5 Preset Internal Control Change States
Internal CC 01-17 OFF
12.1.6 Preset Custom MIDI Message
Custom 1 -- -- -- --
STEP 4.3: Adjust the 12.1.1 Preset Names for presets 002 to 008
Rename Preset | Preset Name
12.1.1 Preset Name
001 | SCENE 1
SCENE 1
002 | SCENE 1
SCENE 2
003 | SCENE 1
SCENE 3
004 | SCENE 1
SCENE 4
005 | SCENE 1
SCENE 5
006 | SCENE 1
SCENE 6
007 | SCENE 1
SCENE 7
008 | SCENE 1
SCENE 8
STEP 4.2: Copy MFC-101 Preset 001 to all other Presets in MFC-101 Bank 1
COPY PRESET 001 up to 008
12.3 The Copy Menu
CopyPrst 001
to 002
CopyPrst 001
to 003
CopyPrst 001
to 004
CopyPrst 001
to 005
CopyPrst 001
to 006
CopyPrst 001
to 007
CopyPrst 001
to 008

STEP 4.4: Programming SCENE 1 to 8 for Preset 001 to 008
12.1.5 Preset Internal Control Change States
Value
Preset 001
Set ONLY Internal CC 01 = ON
Preset 002
Set ONLY Internal CC 02 = ON
Preset 003
Set ONLY Internal CC 03 = ON
Preset 004
Set ONLY Internal CC 04 = ON
Preset 005
Set ONLY Internal CC 05 = ON
Preset 006
Set ONLY Internal CC 06 = ON
Preset 007
Set ONLY Internal CC 07 = ON
Preset 008
Set ONLY Internal CC 08 = ON
STEP 4.5: Copy MFC-101 Bank 001 to all other MFC-101 Banks
12.3.1 Copy Bank
Value
Bank 001
to 002
Bank 001
to 003
Bank 001
to 004
Bank 001
to 005
Bank 001
to 006
Bank 001
to 007
…
…
Bank 001
to 048
READY Now your MFC-101 and your Axe-Fx III is set up so that we can take the final step: The configuration of your Axe-Fx III presets you want to control with the MFC-
101.

Programming an MFC-101 bank to control 1 Axe-Fx III preset with 8 scenes (BankSize = 8)

STEP 5: ASSIGN AN AXE-FX III PRESET TO AN MFC-101 BANK
YOU HAVE ALREADY CONFIGURED THESE IA SWITCHES, BUT HERE AGAIN THE OVERVIEW
1)
Choose the MFC-101 Bank by selecting BANK UP/DOWN you want to configurate as
Axe-Fx III Preset (with 8 Scene switches)
2) Hit EDIT -> PRESET: This jumps you directly into the MFC-101 Preset Menu of the actual MFC-101 Preset
3) Just set this FIRST Preset (SWITCH 1) from a MFC-101 Bank to an Axe-Fx III Preset (PC#):
12.1.2 Preset Program Changes: Choose PC# of the wanted Axe-Fx III Preset and save with EDIT/SAVE button.
12.5.10 IA Switch Types: TOGGLE
FX BYPASS SWITCH: 12.4.8 IA Switch Control Change (CC#) Settings
Select c1 CC# from the Axe-Fx III MIDI/Remote BYPASS Menu
OFF value 000 for Effect bypassed, ON value 125 for Effect engaged
12.5.10 IA Switch Types: TOGGLE
FX CHANNEL SWITCH: 12.4.8 IA Switch Control Change (CC#) Settings
Select c1 CC# from the Axe-Fx III MIDI/Remote CHANNEL Menu
OFF value 000 for Channel A, ON value 125 for Channel B
12.5.10 IA Switch Types: TOGGLE
TUNER SWITCH: 12.4.8 IA Switch Control Change (CC#) Settings
Select c1 TUNER CC# from the Axe-Fx III MIDI/Remote CHANNEL Menu
OFF value 000 for Tuner OFF, ON value 125 for Tuner ON
12.5.10 IA Switch Types: MOMENTARY
TAP TEMPO SWITCH: 12.4.8 IA Switch Control Change (CC#) Settings
Select c1 TEMPO CC# from the Axe-Fx III MIDI/Remote CHANNEL Menu
OFF value OFF, ON value 125 for Tempo TAP