Fractal Audio AX8: 4 Cable Method Tutorial [Physical Setup + AX8 Edit Se...

The Two-Step 4CM Setup For The AX8

Today I'll be teaching you how to setup your Fractal AX8 using the 4CM. The reason that this setup is trickier than other standard setups is twofold - firstly, there is a physical setup that is slightly different from normal; secondly, there is a software or onboard setup that is required which is usually absent in simpler guitar/amp/analog pedal configurations.

Physical Setup

1. Cable 1 - Guitar to IN 1 [Instrument]
2. Cable 2 - OUT 1 L to [MAIN] on the AX8 to your AMP FX RETURN (LOOP)
3. Cable 3 -  IN 2 L [FX RTN] on the AX8 to your AMP FX SEND (LOOP)
4. Cable 4 - OUT 2 L [FX SEND] on the AX8 to your AMP GUITAR INPUT

In the video my Boss GT10 is acting as the amp head. Almost all amps that have an fx loop will look similar to the Boss GT10's fx loop with an 'fx return' and an 'fx send'. The primary difference between setting up regular pedals in an effects loop is that your guitar still goes directly into the front of the amp whereas here your guitar plugs into the AX8 first. In a way it is still similar to plugging into your normal effects pedals that aren't in the loop and then going from the last output of your final pedal into the amp input.

AX8-Edit Setup

1. Insert an FX Loop block into your preset
2. Either remove or turn off the power amp section of your amp block by either disengaging it via the Global setting or setting Supply Sag to zero.
3. Turn off your Cabinet block or remove it entirely

* Note. Presence should be checked and set to 5.00. Disengaging the power amp using Global can cause compression 

Conclusion

A lot of my information is gathered from many hours of research across various sites but in all honesty the lions share of what I know comes from two sources - practical experimentation with the product itself; and the Fractal Audio Wiki forums. So if you want to dig a little or a lot deeper than my videos or blogs the Wiki forum would be a great place to start...and of course just plug in your AX8 if you have one and go for it!

Here's a link to my entire Fractal Audio AX8 Tutorials Playlist! Be sure to check it out for great information on working with your Fractal AX8.

Fractal Audio AX8 Tutorials