Axe FX Troubleshooting: Need help!

[The Whale]

Hi Gang -

Last night, we're setting up for a long evening of loudness. All seems very normal. I have my Axe FX standard running from output 2 L and R to a Carvin DCM200 and then out left and right to my two 1x12 cabs. The GCP is powered through the midi cable. there are two expression pedals plugged into the GCP, and they are both in the neutral position (volume all the way, wah heal down). The guitar is plugged into the front of the Axe.

I first tune up. No issues. I then make sure the GCP is switching channels by going to my clean channel (patch number 4). All good. now I kick on the DCM to get sound. I get a clean sound, but rather sterile, as if the amp block was bypassed. I checked and all was as it should be: amp block engaged. So I move to an overdrive channel. same sound. I kick on an effect (delay). same sound. I go to some completely different patches, ones not used in the set. Same sound. It sounded as if the Axe was passing a dry signal directly through with nothing on it. And this happened no matter what I did. I turned the unit off and then back on. Unplugged the GCP. same sound.

I'm completely stumped. The Axe has performed beautifully up until this point, and has been run in this format every time I've used it. Nothing was different last night in the way I set it up, just in the output. Can you help?

 

[mmcm4]

Did you turn off Cab sims and leave Power Amp sims on?

 

[zentman]

Bypass button? Not effects bypass but just bypass.

 

[Scott Peterson]

Pull the expression pedals and midi controller and check all your settings. Check for bypassed blocks, volume blocks being engaged, look for something that's supposed to be off actually on or vice versa etc.. Nothing there? Then something from your controller/expression pedal setup is messing up your settings.

It's just like trouble shooting an analog rig issue; break it down systematically back to scratch removing variables and then build it back up by component till you find the culprit.

 

[Jay Mitchell]

Your description is consistent with the unit being in global bypass. Look at the green LED in the "Bypass" button. If it's lit, bingo. I've had this happen on occasion. It may take turning bypass off and saving the preset to get it to stay off.

 

[The Whale]

Did you turn off Cab sims and leave Power Amp sims on?

On Out2, cab sims are off and power amp sims are on.

Bypass button? Not effects bypass but just bypass: I didn't check that, but I also didn't see anything different on the face. When I run the rig through it's paces again today, I'll see if that was the culprit

Pull the expression pedals and midi controller and check all your settings: I did do this... and one at a time. The issue persisted. In reading the responses, i'm rather curious whether or not the global bypass button was bumped. I'm going to give that a try. I was left to run through a red-knobbed fender super 60. It wasn't the worst thing in the world, but I missed my tone.

I'll update this afternoon.

m

 

[Scott Peterson]

On Out2, cab sims are off and power amp sims are on.

Bypass button? Not effects bypass but just bypass: I didn't check that, but I also didn't see anything different on the face. When I run the rig through it's paces again today, I'll see if that was the culprit

Pull the expression pedals and midi controller and check all your settings: I did do this... and one at a time. The issue persisted. In reading the responses, i'm rather curious whether or not the global bypass button was bumped. I'm going to give that a try. I was left to run through a red-knobbed fender super 60. It wasn't the worst thing in the world, but I missed my tone.

I'll update this afternoon.

m

Given that info, I'd also highly suspect that bypass was somehow activated and saved somehow.

 

[The Whale]

Given that info, I'd also highly suspect that bypass was somehow activated and saved somehow.

Scott - for my own knowledge, how does such a thing happen? I could see bumping it... but how does it save in that position?

m

 

[Scott Peterson]

Scott - for my own knowledge, how does such a thing happen? I could see bumping it... but how does it save in that position?

m

I don't know. Never happened to me personally, but I've seen/heard of it in the past which is why I (and others) mention it.

 

[djd100]

I have seen this (Ultra powering up in global bypass), perhaps caused by a beta Axe Edit crash and subsequent Axe hang, or a CC assigned to Global Bypass sans the controller connected (default state not defined)?

Not sure how I cured it, maybe changed bypass state and saved a patch or correct the CC issue , can't remember (long ago...), but I did manage to fix it to power up non-bypassed.

Scott - for my own knowledge, how does such a thing happen? I could see bumping it... but how does it save in that position?

m

 

[The Whale]

Gang - Solved the problem... and you'll never guess what the problem was! (Cue drumroll) There's a button on the front that says bypass and blinks green. it was blinking. I am so smart; SMRT smart. [sarcasm].

Thanks for pointing me to the global bypass. Didn't even know the button was there. Now, i'm well acquainted with it!

We will now return you to your regularly scheduled rocking.

 

[The Whale]

Gang - Solved the problem... and you'll never guess what the problem was! (Cue drumroll) There's a button on the front that says bypass and blinks green. it was blinking. I am so smart; SMRT smart. [sarcasm].

Thanks for pointing me to the global bypass. Didn't even know the button was there. Now, i'm well acquainted with it!

We will now return you to your regularly scheduled rocking.

 

[zentman]

Bypass button? Not effects bypass but just bypass.

Do I get a prize?

 

[Scott Peterson]

double post... Solved²!

 

[The Whale]

Sorry guys, but yes, the problem has been dual rectified! [ducks for cover] Zentman, you will receive an Axe-Fx Rx merit badge. Congratulations ! Back to rockin'!