Setup and Tips: FREE Volante Style Preset for Axe-Fx III, FM9 & FM3 | Tuesday Tone Tip In this Tuesday Tone Tip, Leon Todd demonstrates how to create a Volante-inspired preset for the Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3. Step 1: Setting Up the Core Amp and Cab from the Video Amp Block Configuration Amp Model: Band Commander Gain: 5.0 Bass: 2.0 Treble: 5.0 Bright: On Level: -12.0 dB Cab Block Configuration Cab 1: 4x12 Rumble EV12L Mic: Ribbon Level: 0.0 dB Position: 0.70 Distance: 6.98 cm Cab 2: 4x12 Rumble EV12L Mic: Dynamic 2 Level: 0.0 dB Position: 2.52 Distance: 0.00 cm High Cut: 8kHz Low Cut: 80Hz Initial Setup: Bypassed drive after the Cab Block, then a Quad Tape Delay Block, and at the end, a large spring reverb. Step 2: Configuring the Quad Tape Delay Scene 1: Basic Volante Delay Multi Delay Taps Configuration Mix/Filter Tab: Tap 1: Panning: -100 (left) Frequency: 500 Hz Q: 0.010 Level: 100% Tap 2: Panning: 100 (right) Frequency: 800 Hz Q: 0.010 Level: 100% Tap 3: Panning: 0 (center) Frequency: 1600 Hz Q: 0.010 Level: 50% Tap 4: Level: 0% Feedback Settings in the Time+FB Tab: Feedback: Set primarily on the third delay tap (center) at 35%. EQ Tab: Low Cut and High Cut Low Cut: 65.8 Hz High Cut: 2798 Hz 24 dB/Oct Modulation Settings Motor Speed Modulation: Utilize LFO1A to control the motor speed parameter. Settings for the Modifier: Min: 0.895 Max: 1.100 LFO1A Settings: Type: Triangle Run/Stop: Run Rate: 0.408 Hz Depth: 8.1% Shape: 75.5% Duty Cycle: 50% Output B Phase: 180 degrees High Cut: 50 Hz Quantize: Off Step 3: Fine-Tuning the Delay and Reverb Drive and Diffusion: Optionally, add drive or diffusion to the echoes for more texture. Motor Speed Modulation: Fine-tune the LFO1A settings to subtly change the tape speed, mimicking vintage tape variations. Step 4: Adjusting Mix and Level Mix: Set to 55% to blend the delay effect appropriately with the dry signal. Level: Adjust to 3dB to ensure the delay effect sits well in the overall mix. Step 5: Utilizing the Perform Page Mapping Parameters: Map key parameters like master time, master feedback, mechanics rate, depth, and duty cycle to the perform page for easy access. Custom Labels: Rename parameters to match the Volante's "mechanics" knobs for intuitive tweaking. Different Scenes: Scene 2: Delay Taps Configuration Tap 1: Panning: -50 (left) Level: 100% Tap 2: Panning: 50 (right) Level: 100% Tap 3: Panning: -100 (left) Level: 100% Tap 4: Panning: 100 (right) Level: 100% Feedback Settings Tap 1 Feedback: 0% Tap 2 Feedback: 0% Tap 3 Feedback: 0% Tap 4 Feedback: 50% Scene 3: Enhanced Feedback Delay Taps Configuration Tap 1: Eighth note, feedback at 5% Tap 2: Quarter note, feedback at 10% Tap 3: Quarter note dotted, feedback at 20% Tap 4: Quarter note, feedback at 40% Scene 4: Rhythmic Variation Delay Taps Configuration Tap 1: Quarter note, feedback at 5% Tap 2: Half note, feedback at 5% Tap 3: Half note dotted, feedback at 5% Tap 4: Half note, feedback at 50% Practical Tips Subtle Modulation: Keep modulation settings subtle to mimic the natural variations of vintage tape echo machines. Feedback Control: Use feedback sparingly on the initial delay taps to create a balanced echo sequence. Perform Page Utilization: Regularly use the perform page for quick adjustments during live performances or recording sessions. This Volante-inspired preset for the Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3 brings the lush, warm delays and reverbs of vintage tape echo machines to your Fractal device. Experiment with the settings, especially the perform page mappings, to fine-tune the sound to your preference. Enjoy the rich, immersive echoes and reverb that this preset offers, and feel free to explore further customizations. Additional Resources Fractal Audio Wiki: Multi-Tap Delay Fractal Audio Forum By following this guide, you'll be able to recreate the iconic sounds of the Volante and other vintage tape echo machines, enhancing your tonal palette with the rich, modulated echoes that defined an era. Happy playing!
Leon, I've got a challenge for you - Billy Cobham's Quadrant 4 - Tommy Bolin's crazy runaway echoplex effects using an expression pedal with the Fractal.
Sounds great mate. Sorry to be that guy Leon, the Echorec used a magnetic drum recorder rather than tape. Obviously the Volante has a tape mode too but the original unit I believe did not use tape.
Setup and Tips:
FREE Volante Style Preset for Axe-Fx III, FM9 & FM3 | Tuesday Tone Tip
In this Tuesday Tone Tip, Leon Todd demonstrates how to create a Volante-inspired preset for the Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3.
Step 1: Setting Up the Core Amp and Cab from the Video
Amp Block Configuration
Amp Model: Band Commander
Gain: 5.0
Bass: 2.0
Treble: 5.0
Bright: On
Level: -12.0 dB
Cab Block Configuration
Cab 1: 4x12 Rumble EV12L
Mic: Ribbon
Level: 0.0 dB
Position: 0.70
Distance: 6.98 cm
Cab 2: 4x12 Rumble EV12L
Mic: Dynamic 2
Level: 0.0 dB
Position: 2.52
Distance: 0.00 cm
High Cut: 8kHz
Low Cut: 80Hz
Initial Setup: Bypassed drive after the Cab Block, then a Quad Tape Delay Block, and at the end, a large spring reverb.
Step 2: Configuring the Quad Tape Delay
Scene 1: Basic Volante Delay
Multi Delay Taps Configuration
Mix/Filter Tab:
Tap 1:
Panning: -100 (left)
Frequency: 500 Hz
Q: 0.010
Level: 100%
Tap 2:
Panning: 100 (right)
Frequency: 800 Hz
Q: 0.010
Level: 100%
Tap 3:
Panning: 0 (center)
Frequency: 1600 Hz
Q: 0.010
Level: 50%
Tap 4:
Level: 0%
Feedback Settings in the Time+FB Tab:
Feedback: Set primarily on the third delay tap (center) at 35%.
EQ Tab:
Low Cut and High Cut
Low Cut: 65.8 Hz
High Cut: 2798 Hz
24 dB/Oct
Modulation Settings
Motor Speed Modulation: Utilize LFO1A to control the motor speed parameter.
Settings for the Modifier:
Min: 0.895
Max: 1.100
LFO1A Settings:
Type: Triangle
Run/Stop: Run
Rate: 0.408 Hz
Depth: 8.1%
Shape: 75.5%
Duty Cycle: 50%
Output B Phase: 180 degrees
High Cut: 50 Hz
Quantize: Off
Step 3: Fine-Tuning the Delay and Reverb
Drive and Diffusion: Optionally, add drive or diffusion to the echoes for more texture.
Motor Speed Modulation: Fine-tune the LFO1A settings to subtly change the tape speed, mimicking vintage tape variations.
Step 4: Adjusting Mix and Level
Mix: Set to 55% to blend the delay effect appropriately with the dry signal.
Level: Adjust to 3dB to ensure the delay effect sits well in the overall mix.
Step 5: Utilizing the Perform Page
Mapping Parameters:
Map key parameters like master time, master feedback, mechanics rate, depth, and duty cycle to the perform page for easy access.
Custom Labels: Rename parameters to match the Volante's "mechanics" knobs for intuitive tweaking.
Different Scenes:
Scene 2:
Delay Taps Configuration
Tap 1:
Panning: -50 (left)
Level: 100%
Tap 2:
Panning: 50 (right)
Level: 100%
Tap 3:
Panning: -100 (left)
Level: 100%
Tap 4:
Panning: 100 (right)
Level: 100%
Feedback Settings
Tap 1 Feedback: 0%
Tap 2 Feedback: 0%
Tap 3 Feedback: 0%
Tap 4 Feedback: 50%
Scene 3: Enhanced Feedback
Delay Taps Configuration
Tap 1: Eighth note, feedback at 5%
Tap 2: Quarter note, feedback at 10%
Tap 3: Quarter note dotted, feedback at 20%
Tap 4: Quarter note, feedback at 40%
Scene 4: Rhythmic Variation
Delay Taps Configuration
Tap 1: Quarter note, feedback at 5%
Tap 2: Half note, feedback at 5%
Tap 3: Half note dotted, feedback at 5%
Tap 4: Half note, feedback at 50%
Practical Tips
Subtle Modulation: Keep modulation settings subtle to mimic the natural variations of vintage tape echo machines.
Feedback Control: Use feedback sparingly on the initial delay taps to create a balanced echo sequence.
Perform Page Utilization: Regularly use the perform page for quick adjustments during live performances or recording sessions.
This Volante-inspired preset for the Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3 brings the lush, warm delays and reverbs of vintage tape echo machines to your Fractal device. Experiment with the settings, especially the perform page mappings, to fine-tune the sound to your preference. Enjoy the rich, immersive echoes and reverb that this preset offers, and feel free to explore further customizations.
Additional Resources
Fractal Audio Wiki: Multi-Tap Delay
Fractal Audio Forum
By following this guide, you'll be able to recreate the iconic sounds of the Volante and other vintage tape echo machines, enhancing your tonal palette with the rich, modulated echoes that defined an era. Happy playing!
Yeah man. It's all right there. Nice job! Volante is the delay pedal I go to the most.
This will sound trippy in a mix! Awesome as always Leon! You are truly the guru of dialing in fractal audio gear
Awesome! @LeonTodd is a mad genius.
Leon, I've got a challenge for you - Billy Cobham's Quadrant 4 - Tommy Bolin's crazy runaway echoplex effects using an expression pedal with the Fractal.
Great idea!
Leon this is JUST so GOOD!!!! Thanks
Thanks so much Leon.
So good
First! Also, beautiful dreamy sounds :)
Thank a lot Sons superbes!!♥️🎇🧑🎤
Wrong The Binson was not tape ! It used a magnetised disc !!
Sounds great mate. Sorry to be that guy Leon, the Echorec used a magnetic drum recorder rather than tape. Obviously the Volante has a tape mode too but the original unit I believe did not use tape.