- $120
The Complete Axe-Fx III Master Class with Cooper Carter
Over 13 hours of instruction, taking you deep into Fractal's flagship unit!
Overview
With the Axe-Fx III, Fractal Audio Systems has once again redefined the guitar landscape, giving you more power and a greater range of vintage, modern, and all-new tones than ever before.
In this 13+ hour course, Cooper Carter takes you deep into the mind of the machine, teaching you how to recreate classic sounds, sculpt your own tones, build presets, and dial in effects quickly and with confidence. Along the way he shares tips and tricks developed over years of working in the studio and onstage with bands like Metallica, Journey, Maroon 5, Dream Theater, and more.
From first steps for beginners, through intermediate topics, to advanced techniques, you will learn to build and control your own custom virtual rigs, including complete coverage of the new FC Foot Controllers, DAW Integration, Tone Matching, Modifiers, and more.
Whether you're a guitarist, bassist, or another instrumentalist looking to expand your sonic toolkit, Cooper's Axe-Fx III Master Class is your definitive road-map to the present and future of your tone with the world's most powerful guitar processor, the Axe-Fx III.
Contents
Introduction & Philosophy
We discuss my philosophy on using the Axe-Fx III as the ultimate tool for creating music and briefly discuss the scope of the class.
The Axe-Fx III in 2023 - Welcome to v3.0
- 3 mins
- 345 MB
Introduction & Philosophy
- 7 mins
- 492 MB
Setup & Global Settings
We go through the Axe-Fx III's Setup menus one-by-one, with a special emphasis on the most useful features and their impact on your use of the unit.
Initial Setup & Gear Considerations
- 3 mins
- 228 MB
The Input Screen
- 3 mins
- 266 MB
Audio & USB/AES Settings
- 9 mins
- 952 MB
FC Controller Settings
- 16 mins
- 1.71 GB
Global Settings
- 13 mins
- 1.36 GB
The Pedal Page
- 1 min
- 100 MB
MIDI/Remote Settings
- 11 mins
- 1.11 GB
Utilities
- 2 mins
- 199 MB
The Tuner
- 3 mins
- 307 MB
The IR Capture Screen
- 1 min
- 103 MB
Basics of the Grid & Dialing in a Clean Tone
A brief introduction to the basics of Axe-Edit and The Grid leads into a deep dive into dialing in a beautiful clean tone preset.
Routing Best Practices & Templates
- 3 mins
- 179 MB
Dialing in a Clean Tone
- 12 mins
- 736 MB
Adding in Reverb
- 2 mins
- 115 MB
Dialing in Compression
- 6 mins
- 355 MB
The Basics of Delay
- 5 mins
- 267 MB
Dialing in Chorus & Further Refinements
- 8 mins
- 606 MB
The Perform Tabs
- 3 mins
- 222 MB
449_Clean Tone.syx
- 48.2 KB
Dialing in an Edge of Breakup Tone
The Elusive Edge of Breakup Tone! Learn how to dial in a perfect pedal platform amplifier that sits right on the edge of breaking up, bringing out all the nuances in your playing or tipping over into thick overdrive with the addition of the right pedal.
Dialing in an Edge of Breakup Tone Pt. I
- 6 mins
- 382 MB
Dialing in an Edge of Breakup Tone Pt. II
- 3 mins
- 213 MB
Organic Reverb Techniques
- 5 mins
- 311 MB
Exploring Compression
- 4 mins
- 265 MB
Exploring Edge of Breakup Drive
- 5 mins
- 351 MB
Creating an Ambient Space
- 4 mins
- 231 MB
Tremolo
- 4 mins
- 262 MB
The Rotary Speaker
- 5 mins
- 290 MB
The Perform Tab
- 2 mins
- 153 MB
450_Elusive EoB.syx
- 48.2 KB
Dialing in a Classic Rock Tone
It's time to crank up the speakers. In this section, we go over dialing in the perfect classic arena rock stack preset.
Introduction to Dialing in a Classic Rock Tone
- 33 mins
- 739 MB
Dialing in a Classic Rock Tone
- 5 mins
- 267 MB
Exploring Drives & Reverbs
- 5 mins
- 335 MB
Delays
- 4 mins
- 298 MB
Exploring Thickening Effects
- 9 mins
- 649 MB
The Perform Tab
- 2 mins
- 97.2 MB
451_Classic Rock Tone.syx
- 48.2 KB
Dialing in a High Gain Tone
Tight, chunky, brutal, shredding, epic---whatever you call your favorite high gain tone, we'll learn how to dial it in, loading on heaps of gain while keeping your palm mutes tight and your leads soaring.
Dialing in a High Gain Tone
- 16 mins
- 1.11 GB
The Noise Gate
- 5 mins
- 244 MB
Dialing in Delay & Reverb
- 4 mins
- 231 MB
Making It Sound Huge
- 2 mins
- 187 MB
Exploring the Enhancer
- 4 mins
- 226 MB
Flangers
- 8 mins
- 425 MB
Exploring the Plex Delay
- 7 mins
- 498 MB
Dialing in a Wah Pedal
- 5 mins
- 314 MB
The Perform Tab
- 2 mins
- 91.6 MB
452_High Gainer.syx
- 48.2 KB
Introduction to Scenes & Channels
Settle in, because we're about to consolidate four very different presets into one giant Rig of Powah!
Introduction to Scenes and Channels
- 9 mins
- 580 MB
The Block Library & Global Blocks
- 2 mins
- 110 MB
Consolidating Four Presets into One Rig of Power
- 21 mins
- 1.28 GB
Special Considerations with Scenes & Parallel Routing
- 9 mins
- 435 MB
Exploring Wah Channels
- 4 mins
- 261 MB
Best Practices for Presets with Scenes
- 2 mins
- 104 MB
Thoughts on Consolidating Presets
- 2 mins
- 132 MB
Managing CPU.mp4
- 13 mins
- 775 MB
Level-Mix-Calculator.xlsx
- 92.8 KB
453_The Rig of Powah.syx
- 48.2 KB
Building a Live Preset with Scenes
Go from an empty grip to a stage-ready preset in no time with some simply routing and the power scenes.
Dialing in a Live Tone
- 5 mins
- 299 MB
Refining a Live Tone
- 4 mins
- 283 MB
Exploring the Compressor
- 3 mins
- 203 MB
Sculpting a Lead
- 2 mins
- 110 MB
Adding More Effects
- 6 mins
- 422 MB
Exploring the Rotary
- 4 mins
- 244 MB
Even More Effects
- 6 mins
- 428 MB
Building Gig Scenes
- 7 mins
- 505 MB
The Virtual Capo & Pitch Block
- 9 mins
- 625 MB
High & Low Cutting the Cabinet Block for Live Performance
- 6 mins
- 370 MB
Live Performance Controls
- 3 mins
- 203 MB
454_AC-20 Live Rig.syx
- 48.2 KB
Recreating the "Amp in the Room" Sound
We'll go through a number of tips and tricks for helping a Full-Range, Flat-Response speaker sound more like a standard guitar cab, giving you the amp response every guitarist lives for.
Introduction to Recreating the "Amp in the Room" Sound
- 2 mins
- 129 MB
Recreating the Amp in the Room Sound Pt. II - EQ Methods
- 4 mins
- 260 MB
Recreating the Amp in the Room Sound Pt. I - Dialing in the Tone
- 5 mins
- 267 MB
Recreating the Amp in the Room Sound Pt. III - Cabinet Block Methods
- 12 mins
- 932 MB
455_Amp in the Room.syx
- 48.2 KB
Exploring Amp Parameters
We've touched on some advanced amp parameters in previous sections, but here we'll really get into some of the detailed ways you can tweak out your amplifier's preamp and power section.
Exploring Advanced Amp Parameters
- 8 mins
- 538 MB
Exploring Supply Sag
- 4 mins
- 288 MB
Exploring the Variac
- 3 mins
- 215 MB
Using Multiple Amps
The Axe-Fx III gives you two amp blocks, each with four separate channels, for a total of eight amps per preset. Let's explore how we can mix and match them!
Introduction to Using Multiple Amps
- 10 mins
- 694 MB
Setting Up Eight Amps in One Preset
- 8 mins
- 544 MB
Live Mixing Between Amps
- 7 mins
- 452 MB
394_Amp Fading.syx
- 48.2 KB
393_Eight Amp Rig MUX.syx
- 48.2 KB
392_Two Amp Rig Scenes.syx
- 48.2 KB
Creating a "Sound on Sound"
We'll explore how two amplifier blocks, a reverb, and some sneaky modifier settings can create an addictive Sound on Sound rig.
Creating a Sound on Sound Pt. I - Dialing Two Parallel Tones
Preview- 6 mins
- 399 MB
Creating a Sound on Sound Pt. II - Implementing Modifier Curves
- 6 mins
- 471 MB
395_Sound on Sound.syx
- 48.2 KB
Using Multiple Inputs for Multiple Instruments
Got a guitar with two outputs? Two guitarists? Three? And a bass, too? No problem. Let's hook 'em up.
Introduction to Multiple Inputs & Running Two Guitars into the Axe-Fx III
- 7 mins
- 533 MB
Running an Acoustic & an Electric Guitar into the Axe-Fx III
- 6 mins
- 472 MB
Running Two Guitarists into the Axe-Fx III
- 8 mins
- 565 MB
Running a Guitar & a Bass into the Axe-Fx III
- 4 mins
- 325 MB
Running a Full Band on One Axe-Fx III
- 3 mins
- 185 MB
396_Electric Piezo.syx
- 48.2 KB
397_Electric and Acoustic Rig.syx
- 48.2 KB
398_Two Guitarists One Axe-Fx III.syx
- 48.2 KB
399_A Guitarist and a Bassist.syx
- 48.2 KB
400_A Full Band with One Axe-Fx.syx
- 48.2 KB
Building Different Physical Rigs
The Axe-Fx III isn't just designed to run straight into a PA system. We'll explore all the various ways you can run out of the unit into full range rigs, power amps, standard guitar cabinets, and more.
Introduction to Multiple Outputs & Utilizing Multiple FRFR Outputs
- 8 mins
- 577 MB
Using the Axe-Fx III with a Solid State Power Amp and Cab
- 10 mins
- 760 MB
Using the Axe-Fx III with a Tube Power Amp & Cab or a Head/Combo
- 8 mins
- 643 MB
Using the Axe-Fx III with an FRFR System & an Onstage, Solid State Power Amp & Cab
- 6 mins
- 370 MB
Using the Axe-Fx III with an FRFR System & an Onstage, Tube Power Amp & Cab
- 6 mins
- 399 MB
465_AC-20 Live Rig.syx
- 48.2 KB
467_AC-20 Live Rig SS PWR Amp.syx
- 48.2 KB
466_AC-20 Live Rig wEarsWedge.syx
- 48.2 KB
468_Friedman Live Rig Tube PWR Amp.syx
- 48.2 KB
469_AC-20 Live Rig PA + SS CAB.syx
- 48.2 KB
470_AC-20 Live Rig PA + Tube DryCAB.syx
- 48.2 KB
471_AC-20 Live Rig PA + Tube WetCAB.syx
- 48.2 KB
Using the Axe-Fx III as an Effects-Only Unit
Amp modeling not your thing? The Axe-Fx III is still the greatest guitar processor on the planet. Let's put its incredible array of effects to use, whether in the FX Loop, in front of the amp, or both!
Using the Axe-Fx III as the Ultimate Effects Processor with the Four-Cable Method (4CM)
- 18 mins
- 1.51 GB
Using the Axe-Fx III as an FX Loop Only Processor
- 3 mins
- 206 MB
Using the Axe-Fx III in Front of an Amp
- 10 mins
- 797 MB
474_Front of Amp Pedalboard Rig.syx
- 48.2 KB
473_In da Loop FX Rig.syx
- 48.2 KB
472_4CM FX Rig.syx
- 48.2 KB
External Control with Pedals
Start putting your feet to work. We'll explore wahs, volume pedals, whammies, delay control, and more....
Introduction to External Control with Pedals - Wah & Volume
- 4 mins
- 256 MB
Creating a Whammy Pedal
- 6 mins
- 343 MB
Creating a 'Talkbox' Formant Pedal
- 4 mins
- 266 MB
Controlling Amp Gain with a Pedal
- 4 mins
- 253 MB
Controlling Delays with a Pedal
- 6 mins
- 478 MB
475_Pedals.syx
- 48.2 KB
476_Pedal 1 Controls.syx
- 48.2 KB
Using the FC Foot Controllers
Introduction to the FC Controllers
- 3 mins
- 291 MB
FC Layouts 1-5 - The Presets, Scenes, Effects, Channels & Looper Layouts
- 13 mins
- 1.04 GB
FC Layout 6 - The Per-Preset Layout
- 12 mins
- 783 MB
FC Layouts 7 & 8 - The Perform Layouts
- 7 mins
- 498 MB
Customizing Multiple Live Layouts - Advanced Layout Linking
- 17 mins
- 1.03 GB
Stand-In Switches, Pedals & Further Refinement
- 13 mins
- 844 MB
The JP IIC+ Preset
- 6 mins
- 359 MB
FC-6 vs. FC-12 Considerations
- 5 mins
- 279 MB
Using Multiple FC Pedals Pt. I
- 8 mins
- 549 MB
Using Multiple FC Controllers Pt. II
- 4 mins
- 231 MB
MAIN LIVE FC Layout 1 File
- 7.06 KB
SONGLIST FC Layout 4 File
- 7.04 KB
LOOPER FC Layout 5 File
- 7.05 KB
MAIN LIVE 12-6 COMBO.fclayout
- 10.5 KB
TOC.fclayout
- 10.5 KB
TOC 2.fclayout
- 10.5 KB
Cooper's Petrucci IIC+.syx
- 48.2 KB
The Internal Controllers Suite
The Axe-Fx III offers a vast number of ways to modify your sounds and rigs. We'll explore each internal controller in depth. This section covers the Tempo, LFOs, Envelope Follower, ADSRs, Sequencer, and Pitch Follower controllers.
Exploring Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) Pt. II
- 30 mins
- 2.03 GB
Exploring Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) Pt. I
- 7 mins
- 548 MB
Exploring the Envelope Follower Pt. I
- 10 mins
- 661 MB
Exploring the Envelope Follower Pt. II
- 6 mins
- 322 MB
Exploring the ADSR
- 10 mins
- 605 MB
The 'Auto Koto' - Advanced Controller Usage
- 7 mins
- 385 MB
Exploring the Sequencer
- 7 mins
- 389 MB
Exploring the Pitch Follower
- 5 mins
- 300 MB
Creating a Dynamic Lead with the Pitch Follower
- 3 mins
- 146 MB
Creating a Synth Lead with the Pitch Follower
- 7 mins
- 389 MB
Exploring Scene Controllers
- 8 mins
- 513 MB
Automating Tone with Scene Controllers
- 7 mins
- 430 MB
Applying Scene Controllers to the Sound on Sound Preset
- 5 mins
- 309 MB
Exploring Control Switches Pt. I
- 3 mins
- 137 MB
Exploring Control Switches Pt. II
- 5 mins
- 369 MB
413_LFO Synched Tremolo.syx
- 48.2 KB
414_LFO Trem Ramping.syx
- 48.2 KB
415_Electric Miss.syx
- 48.2 KB
416_Organic Chorus.syx
- 48.2 KB
417_Banded Reverb.syx
- 48.2 KB
418_Alien Delay.syx
- 48.2 KB
419_Gated Reverb.syx
- 48.2 KB
420_Envelope Trem.syx
- 48.2 KB
421_Auto Wah.syx
- 48.2 KB
422_Enveloped in Crystals.syx
- 48.2 KB
423_Env vs. ADSR.syx
- 48.2 KB
424_ADSR Flanger.syx
- 48.2 KB
425_Auto Koto Effect.syx
- 48.2 KB
426_Seeking a Wah.syx
- 48.2 KB
427_Pitches Running Wild.syx
- 48.2 KB
428_Synth Lead - Pitch Activated.syx
- 48.2 KB
429_Amp Gain Scene Controller.syx
- 48.2 KB
430_Effects Mix Scene Controllers.syx
- 48.2 KB
431_Sound on SoundScene Controlled.syx
- 48.2 KB
432_Control Switched Amp Scenes.syx
- 48.2 KB
Tone Matching
Matching your favorite stems, recapturing studio tones, improving acoustic tones; so much is possible with Tone Matching.
Introduction to Tone Matching
- 5 mins
- 504 MB
Tone Matching a Recorded Electric Tone
- 10 mins
- 566 MB
Tone Matching High Gain Tones
- 7 mins
- 383 MB
Tone Matching an Acoustic Guitar
- 4 mins
- 319 MB
Turning an Electric Guitar into an Acoustic
- 5 mins
- 333 MB
433_Tone Matching.syx
- 48.2 KB
434_Tone Matching II.syx
- 48.2 KB
435_Acoustic Tone Match.syx
- 48.2 KB
436_Turn This Electric Acoustic!.syx
- 48.2 KB
U1.0002_Imperial March TM.syx
- 10.1 KB
U1.0003_Acoustic Tone Match.syx
- 10.1 KB
U1.0004_EBMM Demo Deluxe.syx
- 10.1 KB
Reamping
One of the most powerful tools for studio recording, and one that is too often confusing for too many, is simple to use and quick to set up in the Axe-Fx III.
Introduction to Reamping
- 3 mins
- 251 MB
Setting Up for Reamping
- 5 mins
- 295 MB
Reamping with the Axe-Fx
- 6 mins
- 392 MB
Live Reamping via USB
- 5 mins
- 367 MB
437_AC-20 Reamping Rig.syx
- 48.2 KB
438_AC-20 Live Rig II.syx
- 48.2 KB
Controlling the Axe-Fx with a DAW
Unlock the most powerful way to switch your rig for seamless changes during live shows and practice sessions. Feet are yesterday's tech. Midi control via computer is the future.
Setting Up to Control the Axe-Fx with a DAW
- 4 mins
- 298 MB
Creating a Preset to Control with a DAW
- 3 mins
- 163 MB
Automating Scene Changes with a DAW
- 5 mins
- 351 MB
Automating a Wah (Or Anything Else!) with a DAW
- 2 mins
- 139 MB
Creating Live Harmony Lines with the Pitch Block & a DAW
- 5 mins
- 286 MB
Managing Presets & Cabs, Wrapping Up & Further Exploration
We've covered a lot of ground, but there's still more to explore. We'll export all the presets and IRs we've made. Then we'll combine an assortment of controllers and blocks to create a wild ambient synth preset.
Managing Presets
- 3 mins
- 151 MB
Managing Cabs
- 2 mins
- 89.4 MB
Wrapping Up & Further Exploration
- 4 mins
- 376 MB
One Final Experiment - Wandering Through Modifiers, Synths, and Leads
- 23 mins
- 1.44 GB
508_Synth Jam in Am.syx
- 48.2 KB
The Complete Fractal Audio Master Class Series
As a leading authority on Fractal Audio products, Cooper Carter has worked with Metallica, Dream Theater, Journey, P!nk, Maroon 5, Avenged Sevenfold, TS, DMB, ZBB, and more
to create guitar tones heard on countless albums & stages across the globe.
--
In The Complete Fractal Audio Master Class Series, he shares the tricks of the trade to help any user, from beginner to advanced, to harness the full power of these game changing musical power tools!
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