Fractal AXE-FX II Quick Reference Manual - page 22
Understanding All the Different Gain Controls
The amp block in the Axe-Fx has a variety of gain controls that change depending upon the amp model selected.
These controls are:
Input Drive
Input Trim
Overdrive
Master Volume
These various controls are located at fixed points in the virtual amplifier circuit as follows:
Input Drive
This is the modeled amp’s gain, drive, volume, etc. control. It adjusts the attenuation at the input to the amplifier gain
stages after the input buffer. On a Marshall Plexi, for example, it is the “Loudness” control. On a typical Fender amp it is
the “Volume” control. On many high-gain amps it is called either “Gain” or “Drive”.
On a real amp this is implemented using a variable resistor (potentiometer). Many amps include a “bright cap” on the
drive control which is a small value capacitor placed across the terminals of the pot that bleeds treble frequencies
through as the gain is reduced. Sometimes this bright cap is switchable via a switch on the amp. Sometimes it is fixed.
Input Trim
The Input Trim control adjusts the input attenuation without changing the frequency response. If you turn down the
Input Drive and the model has a bright cap the amp will get brighter. Now you may like the brighter tone but wish
there were more gain. Input Trim allows you to increase the gain without changing the tone. Conversely you may like
the darker tone with Input Drive set high but wish there were less gain. In this case you can lower Input Trim.
Most real amps do not possess an Input Trim control. Instead they usually have a switch or two input jacks that select
between a high-gain and low-gain input. Almost invariably the difference between these two jacks is 6 dB. All the
Axe-Fx amps are modeled using the high-gain input or switch position (if any). To simulate the low-gain input set the
Input Trim to 0.5 which is 6 dB less.
Overdrive
Some amps possess an attenuation control between the later gain stages. Examples of the are the Mesa/Boogie Mark
series, Dumble ODS and others. This control allows the user to vary the gain staging. The Input Drive can be turned up
and the Overdrive turned down so that the earlier stages distort more and the later stages distort less and vice-versa.
Master Volume
The Master Volume (MV) controls how much signal level is sent to the power amp. Many vintage amps have no MV
control and the power amp runs “wide open”. Modern amps often get their distortion from the preamp and the Master
Volume then allows the user to control the volume of the amp.
The Master Volume in the Axe-Fx II, as well as on real amps, is probably the singular most powerful control in the amp
block. As the Master Volume is increased the virtual power amp begins to distort. The virtual power amp also begins to
sag and all sorts of beautiful magic occurs. The tone becomes more focused, the dynamic response changes, the note
attack is accentuated, etc.
The key to crafting the ultimate tone involves understanding these controls and learning how to balance them.
INPUT BUFFER
WITH
INPUT TRIM
GAIN
STAGE
INPUT
DRIVE
BRIGHT
CAP
GAIN
STAGE(S)
OVERDRIVE
GAIN
STAGE(S)
MASTER
VOLUME
MV
CAP
MASTER
VOLUME
TRIM
POWER
AMP
(PRE-PI)
flow chart by PacoCasanovas