Cab-Lab 3 Manual - Fractal Audio Systems
Contents
1. o FRACTAL 0 AUDIO SYSTEMS WELCOME TO CAB LAB 3 0 IMPULSE RESPONSE MIXER AND TOOLS Cab Lab 3 is a powerful IR mixer The Fractal Audio Systems Cab Simulator Block uses Impulse Response IR technology to reproduce the sounds of real speakers With onboard Factory cabs plus our innovative User Cab memories you have access to a limitless range of tones IRs are widely available in our official Cab Packs and many third party libraries You can even capture your own IRs using the Axe Fx Il Sometimes a truly personalized tone however goes beyond a single IR For decades artists producers and engineers have been crafting tone using a mixer to blend the sound of different mics or speakers Cab Lab allows you to use this same process combining up to 8 individual IRs auditioning the results in real time as you mix and saving the result as a new User Cab IR for use in your own presets The totally new mixer in Cab Lab 3 also goes beyond simple combining with mix tools to process trim filter and adjust phase You can even listen in real time while you adjust faders whether using the Standalone version and an audio interface including the Axe Fx Il or the Plugin version in your DAW to process live or pre recorded material The Standalone version also includes tools to help you capture convert and batch process IRs making it an exceptionally valuable component of a complete IR workflow Either way C2. sk SE y Front Left Right While LIVE MODE is running the sound of Active output channels your Axe Fx ll is hijacked before it reaches Out 1 It makes around trip to Cab Lab and is returned 4 aaa ghar Front Left Right directly to the Axe Fx Output 1 Jacks Therefore your oe Pont Contar Low eee eo Cab mix is the final effect after any blocks on the grid Audio is processed in full stereo even though any IRs you export will be mono 5 Close the Live Mode screen and enjoy Cab Lab Remember in LIVE MODE you won t need to use the Send to Scratch Pad feature 6 The BYPASS button upper right can be useful if you want to bypass Cab Lab while using a 3rd party audio interface GETTING STARTED WITH THE PLUGIN VERSION Once you have installed and activated Cab Lab getting started is quite easy The plugin version runs as a plugin in your compatible host DAW or Sequencer Just like the Standalone version the plugin requires that you feed it a signal with no cab processing On the Axe Fx Il this means bypassing the Cab block though you could just as readily use a real amp into a direct box capable of converting speaker level to line level Cab Lab for Mac runs as a 64 bit AU plugin The Windows version comes in both 32 and 64 bit VST form Because each of the different host environments requires a different specific set of instructions this manual will be expanded in the future with step by step tutorials for
3. a directory a notification will appear and the conversion process will halt IR RENAME The IR Rename utility allows you to change the Internal name of an UltraRes syx file that is the name which will be displayed in the Axe Fx or Axe Edit when the cab is loaded It also works for non UltraRes syx IRs and for ir files but these can also be renamed in the Cab Lab mixer by double clicking the green Cab Name text See 2 above under Cab Lab features IR CAPTURE The IR Capture utility allows remote control of the entire IR Capture process using the Axe Fx Il You can perform all required operations through the software for greater convenience and the benefit of built in step by step help The utility is self guided with built in help A link to the IR Capture Guide is included in the Cab Lab Help menu of the standalone version REF IR BATCH This utility applies reference IR processing to all of the IRS found in a specified directory A reference IR is used to remove the effects of a power amp used to capture other IRs A separate document will cover the creation and use of reference IRs IR RENAME This allows you to rename a single IR with an option to keep the file name in sync with the internal name COPY FILENAME TO IR NAME This batch utility processes all IRs in a directory changing the internal name of each to match its file name When you combine this with 3rd party file naming utilities such as RenameMan or ABetterR
4. each platform Tools and certain other functions which require a MIDI over USB connection to the Axe Fx Il are not supported by the Cab Lab plugin version These are noted elsewhere in this manual MIXER SLOTS The Cab Lab mixer is designed so you can load IRs to create mixes The mixer has eight channels or slots numbered for easy identification 1 LOAD BUTTON The LOAD button in each mixer channel launches a ieee file browser Cab Lab mixer can open three formats ir files Fractal Audio Systems proprietary raw Impulse Response files 4x12 Beatle a51 such as those provided with every UltraRes Fractal Audio Cab Pack or those created when you capture or convert your own UltraRes IRs Q E syX files Fractal Audio Systems standard resolution User Cab IRs i e 5 non UltraRes This includes many files from our earlier Cab Packs most 3rd party IRs and your own standard res captures UltraRes syx files cannot be loaded in Cab Lab 4x12 Beatle M160 C 4x1 Beatle MD421 C wav files Cab Lab is able to load mono impulse responses in wav format You may combine IRs of different formats using the Cab Lab mixer If you select more than one file in the OPEN dialog Cab Lab will place each one into its own Mixer channel In the Standalone version you can also drag and drop one or more files from Finder or Explorer directly into the mixer 2 CLEAR BUTTON To clear an IR from any mixer
5. I or save it as a file 4 SAVE MIX TO USER CAB The Axe Fx II contains memory locations for storing User Cabs When you use Cab Lab to send a mix to a numbered User Cab memory location it remains there indefinitely until you overwrite Send Mix to Scratchpad or otherwise remove it 4 SAVE MIX TO FILE Use this option to save your Cab Lab mix for sharing or archiving 4x1 Beatle 57 Fl mix Audition to Scratch Pad Send Mix to User Cab When Output Format in the Settings Menu is set to Standard two syx files are saved one for the Axe Fx Il Original or Mark Il and one for the XL The two models Save Mix to File have different SysEx IDs and use different cab numbering systems The file in XL format will have _XL appended to its name automatically If you use Fractal Bot either of these files can be loaded in to any Axe Fx II but 3rd party MIDI Utilities are unable to make the conversion and you will need to use the appropriate file for the model connected When the Output Format is set to UltraRes three files are created two syx files one for the Original Mark Il and one for the XL plus an Impulse Response or ir file The ir file contains raw data for loading into future Cab Lab mixer sessions THE SESSION MENU The session menu gives you a way to save all of the IRs that you have loaded plus any mixer settings you ve made so you can continue working where you left off even after q
6. TTONS Each channel has MUTE and SOLO buttons allowing you to make quick changes when auditioning or saving a mix If you mute ALL of the channels in LIVE mode or using the Plugin version processing is bypassed instead of silenced 4 MIXER MODE SELECTOR The normal way of using the mixer is in Parallel mode Switching to Series changes the fundamental way that Cab Lab works Instead of mixing cab IRs together in parallel like a mixer would it runs them together in series This might be used to combine a normal IR with a corrective IR perhaps exported from a Tone Match block Although you can combine up to eight IRs in this way we recommend limiting it to two 5 MIXER CHANNEL TOOLS BUTTON The mixer channel tools button opens a flyout with additional options for the selected channel Only one flyout can be opened at a time 0000 Hz Processing Mode Min Phase hi elay IR MIXER CHANNEL TOOLS FLYOUT 20000 Hz Processing Mode Min Phase lelay amp N The Mixer Channel Tools flyout appears when you click the tools button wrench icon 6 PHASE REVERSE When this button is pressed the phase is reversed for the current channel 7 PROCESSING MODE Determines how the raw IR data will be processed before mixing The default is Min Phase Minimum Phase Transformation which ensures that all IRs are time aligned Auto Trim removes superfluous data from the beginning of the IR but does not appl
7. ab Lab gives you the tools you need to create your own signature tones and delivers results of the high quality you have come to expect from Fractal Audio Systems STANDALONE AND PLUGIN VERSIONS Cab Lab now comes in two versions The Standalone is run like any other application such as Axe Edit or Fractal Bot The Plugin version requires a host application like Reaper Logic Sonar Cubase or another digital audio workstation A feature comparison chart follows WHAT S NEW FEATURE COMPARISON Feature Mix up to eight IRs NEW Graphical display of mix output NEW Per channel IR processing tools for IR phase delay filtering and mode NEW Factor out the influence of a power amp using a Reference IR Combine IRs in Series NEW Real Time Audio Processing NEW Useful to re cab recorded raw amp tracks NEW IR Audition EZ Setup Save Mixes to your computer Connect to an Axe Fx II via USB Facilitate the IR Capture Process Batch convert wav or ir to syx NEW Batch process ir files using a Reference IR NEW Individual and batch rename tools Self updating on new version release Create files for commercial use Standalone e Yes Yes e Yes Yes Yes Yes through an audio interface Not possible Yes Yes both ir and syx formats Yes Use the Axe Fx Il as an audio interface during mixing and or save resulting mixes directly to user cab slots including scra
8. channel click the x button or click the topmost x to clear IRs from all channels 3 IR NAME The IR name is also shown IR files may also contain internal Cab Names for use on screen in the Axe Fx or Axe Edit D Double clicking the Cab Name allows you to permanently change it in the source file Be aware that the file name will not also change 4 ULTRA RES INDICATOR UltraRes IRs will be indicated for any IR with a special symbol 5 PLAY BUTTON Standalone Only Requires a connected Axe Fx The Play button in each slot allows you to send the currently loaded IR for that slot to a Scratchpad or User Cab memory in the Axe Fx ll This is useful for auditioning or comparison purposes THE IR MIXER Each Mixer Slot has a corresponding set of controls in the mixer s 1 FADER Eight faders allow you to set the relative levels of loaded IRs Cab levels are set in dB making it easy to precisely transfer values from another environment Double Click to zero any fader Use the mouse Scroll Wheel or Up and Down arrows to adjust a selected fader in 0 1 dB increments Hold Command Mac or CTRL Win for 1 0 dB increments NOTE Mixes are normalized so you cannot use Cab Lab to adjust the level of a single IR 2 FIELD Each fader has a field to show the precise value set Clicking the field allows you to use the computer keyboard to enter a precise value p 3 MUTE AND SOLO BU
9. d a free iLok account and the iLok License Manager Find it at https ilok com license manager You do not need a physical iLok but if you have one you may use it to make your activation portable Activate by choosing Redeem Activation Code from the Licenses menu of the iLok License Manager IMPORTANT Please activate the plugin version prior to launching the host If not the plugin may fail validation requiring you to manually rescan plugins after activation LSD K License Manager GETTING STARTED WITH THE STANDALONE VERSION Once you have installed and activated Cab Lab getting started is quite easy The standalone version works best when you have an Axe Fx Il connected to your computer with USB and appropriate driver for Mac or Windows installed Awe Fx Find drivers at http www fractalaudio com support php Ame Fx Il AL Launch Cab Lab from your Applications folder or Start Menu and select your Axe Fx Il from the connect menu at the top of the screen Your Axe Fx should Axe Fx AL be detected automatically and a small green check should appear on the left side in the Cab Lab title bar with the word Connected Disconnect The Axe Fx II connection let you use all of the mixing sending and saving options of Cab Lab plus all of the items in the SL Eee tools menu You can use the scratchpad and EZ Setup functions to audition i ee your cab mixes though you ll need to press Send to Scratchpad after eve
10. enamer it provides a very powerful way to batch rename IRs Hello to all you Cab Pack authors 11 CHECK FOR UPDATES Standalone Only Cab Lab updates itself over the Internet This normally happens automatically and you will be alerted when a new version is available If you d like to check manually choose the Check for Updates option in the Cab Lab menu TROUBLESHOOTING We ve found through previous versions that Cab Lab requires very little troubleshooting or support If you are getting errors when trying to connect to the Axe Fx Il an inferior USB cable may be the problem Rely on high quality cables such as those from http www fractalaudio com cables Another common cause of trouble is the computer itself Interference from another USB Device may be to blame Solutions vary and range from simply trying a different USB port to doing a complete manual uninstall of the offending MIDI driver Installing the latest version of the Axe Fx II driver may also help GETTING HELP If you need help with Cab Lab please contact our support team via http support fractalaudio com Please be sure to include all the information we will need to help you 1 Details of the computer Details about how you have things connected Details on any 3rd party devices such as Audio MIDI Interfaces Details on your sequencer or DAW if using the plugin version Version numbers Cab Lab computer OS FW versions for your Fractal product etc Step
11. oration so they do not require reference processing SAVE EXPORT OPTIONS 4x12 Beatle 57 F1 mix 1 MIX NAME FIELD Enter a name for your IR mix Every User Cab can be given a name of up to 31 characters hen Sn Names are displayed in the edit menu of the Cab block and in Axe Edit so you know which user cab is selected Send Mix to User Cab A name is required for Cab Lab to send or save a mix To enter a name click the name field type the desired name and press Enter Return Save Mix to File Please note that cab names can include characters that are illegal in computer file naming systems ex When you save a cab mix to disk these will be removed from the name of the file 2 SEND MIX TO SCRATCHPAD Standalone Only Requires a connected Axe Fx The SCRATCHPAD is a temporary cab memory area in the Axe Fx Il ideal for auditioning mix ideas without overwriting a User Cab memory slot This button sends the IR to whichever Scratchpad is selected in the dropdown beneath it 3 EZ SETUP Standalone Only Requires a connected Axe Fx temporarily configures the Cab block of your current preset to use the SCRATCHPAD selected in the Audition To dropdown This means you will be able to hear the result immediately when using the Send Mix to Scratch Pad button The SCRATCHPAD is cleared when you power down your Axe Fx II so remember also to send your finished mix to a User Cab location in the Axe Fx I
12. ry change LIVE MODE SETUP LIVE MODE lets you hear all changes as you make them in Cab Lab It requires an audio interface and your connected Axe Fx Il is a perfect choice Note that other interfaces can also be used with excellent results 1 Launch Cab Lab For the best way to test Live Mode load at least one IR into a Mixer Slot now 2 On your Axe Fx Il load a preset for use during the Cab Lab session and BYPASS its Cab block You don t need to SAVE and you can even run Axe Edit at the same time if desired Connect your Axe Fx II to whatever you would normally use for full range direct monitoring speakers headphones etc though if you were to play this preset right now it should sound pretty nasty with no cab 3 In Cab Lab enable Live Mode by pressing the Live Mode button 4 Choose Audio Settings from the Cab Lab Settings menu Select Cno ES your Axe Fx II for both the Output and Input ports You should now be able to hear the audio processed by Cab Lab You can reduce latency by lowering the Audio Buffer Size settings found under Show Advanced Settings You should be able to make it tolerable though if you go TOO low you ll experience popping and crackles You ll also notice a setting for Sample Rate but the Axe Fx operates at a fixed Sample rate of 48k Select Audio Device A TEST button in the Select Audio Device screen sends a sine tone to the outputs of your D Axe Fx II for troubleshooting Input
13. s to reproduce a given issue a od p oe S w Things you ve already tried to fix it 8 Anything else we might need to know Our forum at http forum fractalaudio com forum php can also be a valuable resource with members helping members around the clock 12
14. tch pad Yes Use the utility to capture IRs through a graphical user interface Yes using the included conversion tools Yes using the included conversion tool Yes using the included conversion tool Yes No Requires a commercial license Plugin Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes through a compatible plugin host e Yes Not possible e Yes both ir and syx formats Not possible Not possible Not possible Not possible Not possible Not possible No Requires a commercial license MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VERSIONS 2 0 GHz or higher processor 2GB RAM minimum 4GB or higher recommended Internet connection required for activation iLok License Manager and an iLok com account free at http www ilok com MAC VERSIONS Intel Processor OSX 10 6 or higher 10 9 recommended for Axe Fx II USB Audio PLUGIN 64 bit AU capable host software WINDOWS VERSIONS Microsoft Windows 8 7 Vista PLUGIN 64 or 32 bit VST capable host software INSTALLATION Unzip the Cab Lab download file then find and double click the installer for your operating system If you purchased the BUNDLE please find and run the two separate installers for the Standalone and Plugin versions ACTIVATION USING ILOK LICENSE MANAGER Cab Lab 3 requires activation before use Your Activation Code will be sent to the email address on your order within one business day You will also nee
15. uitting Cab Lab Session files can also be shared providing a way for you to show others your own take on combining IRs The IR Search Paths option in the Settings menu makes it even easier to use shared sessions by helping Cab Lab find IRs on your computer when a session is loaded 10 TOOLS STANDALONE VERSION ONLY WAVZSYX AND IR2ZSYX CONVERSION UTILITIES Wav2Syx and IR2Syx allow you to create standard or UltraRes user cab files from entire directories of wav or ir files When the Output Format found in the Settings menu is set to Standard two syx files are saved per source wav or ir one for the Axe Fx II Original or Mark II and one for the XL The files in XL format will have _XL appended to their name automatically When the Output Format is set to UltraRes three files are created for each source wav two syx files one for the Original Mark II and one for the XL and an Impulse Response or ir file The ir file contains raw data for loading into a Cab Lab mixer session Naturally ir2Syx does not create an extra set of ir files NOTE If you use Fractal Bot either of the syx files can be loaded in to any Axe Fx Il but 3rd party MIDI Utilities are unable to make the conversion and you will need to use the appropriate file for the model connected Wav2Syx requires mono Wav files which have been deconvolved but they can be of any sample rate or bit depth If any invalid IRs are found in
16. y Min Phase Transformation Selecting None disables all processing so the inherent time characteristics and phase of the raw IR will be used though you can still time compensate individual IRs using the Delay control 8 8 DELAY Adds 0 00 1 00 ms of delay to the channel so you can manually time align or offset IRs 9 EQUALIZATION Simple Low Pass and High Pass filters allow tone shaping an individual IR IR MIX OUTPUT PLOT The mix output plot shows a graphical representation of your current IR or IR mix with the option to display frequency domain or time domain information Mix Output Plot Hz db REFERENCE IR PROCESSING Load an optional Reference IR The reference IR section of Cab Lab includes control to load mute or clear a reference IR When a reference IR is loaded its name appears WHAT IS A REFERENCE IR An IR created using a power amp will contain the tonal coloration imparted by the power amp No amp is TRULY flat A separate IR of just the power amp can be used to correct this effect When you load the power amp IR as a Reference IR it is subtracted individually from every IR in your Mix to correct the overall response Creating a reference IR will be covered in a different document Note that a separate Reference IR batch processing utility can be found under the tools menu of the standalone version of Cab Lab IRs captured using the MIC DI method of the Axe Fx II do NOT have power amp col
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