// Help & support
AxeBlock EDIT.
AxeBlock EDIT is a tablet app that controls and edits your Fractal rig in real time over MIDI — presets, scenes, every block, and the routing grid. This page covers how to install it, how to connect, how to use each screen, what to do when something goes wrong, and how to reach us. Which Fractal units work today is in What works today.
Your presets are safe. AxeBlock EDIT works in the edit buffer — the same temporary space the unit uses while you turn knobs on the front panel. Nothing writes to a stored preset until you hit Save. Not sure? Power-cycle the unit and everything unsaved is discarded.
// Install — iPad (TestFlight)
- Install the TestFlight app from the App Store.
- Open the invite email and tap View in TestFlight (or enter the code).
- Install AxeBlock EDIT and launch it.
// Install — Android
The Android build is still in development — there’s nothing to install yet, and no Play Store listing. If you want in, sign the beta agreement and pick Android, then check the devices you’d test on. That’s what tells us which hardware to build against — and you’ll get install instructions the moment there’s a build to hand out.
// Connect your rig
You need a unit connected — there’s no demo data, so an empty screen just means it isn’t seeing your hardware yet. AxeBlock EDIT works with the Axe-Fx III and the full Axe-Fx II family:
- Axe-Fx III— connect over USB. It’s class-compliant, so plug it straight into your iPad (USB-C, or a camera adapter) and it shows up.
- Axe-Fx II, Axe-Fx II XL, and Axe-Fx II XL+(including the original Mark I and Mark II) — use a Bluetooth MIDI adapter (WIDI). The II’s USB isn’t iOS-compatible — confirmed on a real II XL. Heads-up: loading presets over Bluetooth is slower than USB — it’s working, not frozen.
When it connects, the top bar names the unit and turns green.
Tested on real hardware: Axe-Fx III over USB and Bluetooth (WIDI); Axe-Fx II XL over Bluetooth. Everything else on this page needs your hardware.
| Unit | USB-C | Bluetooth (WIDI) |
|---|---|---|
| Axe-Fx III | ✅ | ✅ |
| Axe-Fx II / II XL | — | ✅ |
| Axe-Fx Ultra | — | ✅ |
| FM9 | ✅† | ✅ |
| FM3 | — | ✅ |
| AM4 | expected* | ✅ |
| VP4 | expected* | ✅ |
| AX8 | — | ✅ |
| FX8 | — | ✅ |
† FM9 USB MIDI verified in the field — two owner captures over USB via our identify tool (fw 12.00, 2026-07). * expected — modern class-compliant USB, but checkmarks only go on hardware we’ve verified ourselves. The FM3’s USB carries no MIDI on any platform (its editor uses a proprietary USB protocol) — connect over Bluetooth (WIDI on its MIDI DIN ports) or 5-pin MIDI through an interface.
Axe-Fx II USB is not iOS-compatible — use Bluetooth (WIDI).
// We want every unit
The Axe-Fx III and Axe-Fx II XL are confirmed. Everything else on this list hasn’t been tested yet — if you own one, connect it, run through the checklist below, and report back:
- Axe-Fx Ultra
- FM9
- FM3 — its USB can't carry MIDI, so the identify tool needs its 5-pin MIDI ports run through a DIN interface (for probing only, we recommend the Roland UM-ONE mk2, affiliate link — the same interface will connect the FM3 to our upcoming Mac and Windows desktop apps)
- AM4
- VP4
- AX8
- FX8
On Windows, USB units (FM9, AM4, VP4, AX8, FX8) need the Fractal driver from fractalaudio.com/support. The FM3 (via interface) and Axe-Fx Ultra don’t — they’re DIN-only, no driver required.
Even a “it connected and presets work” report is valuable. Use the bug report form at the bottom of this page.
If your unit won’t connect, we’re probably just missing one byte from it — that’s a two-minute fix. Here’s how to grab it →
// Going wireless — the WIDI adapter
A WIDIadapter (by CME) is a small Bluetooth-MIDI dongle that plugs into a Fractal unit’s 5-pin DIN MIDI ports and connects it to your iPad over Bluetooth. Hook it to MIDI IN and OUT, pair it in iOS Bluetooth, and you’re on the air — no cables. It draws power from the MIDI port itself, so there are no batteries to charge or replace.
The exact adapter we’ve tested with — WIDI on Amazon →
// Why Bluetooth often beats USB on older units
The Axe-Fx III is USB class-compliant — iOS recognizes it instantly, no driver needed. Older hardware (Axe-Fx II, AX8, and others — the Standard/Ultra have no USB at all) uses a proprietary USB stack that requires a desktop driver. That driver doesn’t exist for iOS, so the USB port on those units is a dead end on iOS.
The 5-pin DIN MIDI ports, though, are plain 40-year-old MIDI — universally understood by everything. WIDI bridges those ports to Bluetooth LE MIDI, which iOS has supported natively since iOS 8. No drivers, no adapter chains. On older Fractal hardware, Bluetooth is the cleaner connection.
On an Axe-Fx III? Skip the WIDI — plug straight in with a USB-C cable. Recommended cable on Amazon →
// What AxeBlock EDIT controls
| Your Fractal unit | Load presets | Live performance | Deep editing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axe-Fx III — Original, Mark II, Turbo | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Live |
| Axe-Fx II / II XL / XL+ | ✅ | ✅ | In development |
* Not every unit confirmed yet — see “How AxeBlock EDIT Gets Built” to the left.
// Compatible iPads
- iPad Pro 13" (M5)
- iPad Pro 11" (M5)
- iPad Pro 13" (M4)
- iPad Pro 11" (M4)
- iPad Pro 12.9" (M2)
- iPad Pro 11" (M2)
- iPad Air 13" (M3)
- iPad Air 11" (M3)
- iPad Air 13" (M2)
- iPad Air 11" (M2)
- iPad Air (5th gen)
- iPad (11th gen)
- iPad (10th gen)
- iPad (9th gen)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- iPad mini (6th gen)
// Android devices we’re targeting
Nothing here is confirmed on real hardware yet — these are the devices the beta signup collects. Checking yours is what moves it up the list.
- Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S10+
- Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S9+
- Galaxy Tab S9
- Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S8+
- Galaxy Tab S8
- Galaxy Tab A9+
- Pixel Tablet
- OnePlus Pad 2
- OnePlus Pad
- Lenovo Tab P12
- Lenovo Tab P11
- Xiaomi Pad 7
- Xiaomi Pad 6
- Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Galaxy S25+
- Galaxy S25
- Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Galaxy S24+
- Galaxy S24
- Galaxy S23 series
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 8 series
- OnePlus 13
- OnePlus 12
Parameters
Global controls (no block needed)
- Bypass on/off — per block
- Channel (A/B/C/D) — per block
- Scene select — 0–7
- Preset name — read any preset by number
- Scene name — read any scene
- Tempo — get/set BPM
- Tap tempo
- Full status dump — all blocks’ bypass + channel at once
Block parameters — 41 calibrated blocks
| Block | Key controls |
|---|---|
| Amp | Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, Master, Presence, Depth, Level, Overdrive, Input Trim, MV Trim, Bright Cap, Hi Treble, Balance, Bright/Boost/Cut/Fat |
| Cab | Mic 1 Level, Mic 1 Pan, Level, Room, Mic Distance, Distance, Low/High Cut, Room Freq |
| Drive | Drive, Tone, Level, Mix, Low Cut, High Cut, Mid Freq, Balance |
| Compressor | Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Knee, Mix, Level, Makeup Gain, Detector, Low/High Cut, Input Level |
| Delay | Time, Master Feedback, Feedback, Mix, Low/High Cut, Drive, Level, Balance, Echo Pan |
| Reverb | Time, Predelay, Size, Mix, Early Level, Late Level, Low/High Cut, Mod Rate/Depth, Echo Density, Diffusion |
| GEQ | 8 bands (31Hz–4kHz), Level, Master Q, Balance |
| PEQ | Band 1–5 Gain, Band 1–5 Freq, Level |
| Chorus | Rate, Depth, Delay Time, Voices, Mix, Level, Balance, Low/High Cut |
| Flanger | Rate, Depth, Feedback, Manual, Mix, Level, Low/High Cut, Max Time, Bass Focus, Stereo Spread |
| Phaser | Rate, Depth, Feedback, Manual, Mix, Level, Min/Max Freq, Low/High Cut |
| Pitch | Voice 1/2 Detune, Voice 1/2 Level/Delay/Feedback, LFO Rate, Mix, Level, Balance |
| Wah | Min/Max Freq, Resonance, Control, Level, Low Cut, Bypass Mode |
| Filter | Frequency, Q, Gain, Order, Low/High Cut, Level, Mix, Balance, Pan, Phase Invert, Delay Time, LFO Rate/Depth |
| Rotary | Rate, Depth, Horn Level, Mix, Level, Low Rate Mult, Time Constant |
| Tremolo | Rate, Depth, Mix, Level, Filter Freq |
| Gate/Expander | Threshold, Attack, Release, Hold, Ratio, Level, Range |
| Multiband Comp | Lo/Hi Crossover, Lo/Mid/Hi Thresh/Ratio/Gain/Attack/Release, Mix, Level |
| Vocoder | Bands, Low/High Freq, Q, Attack, Release, Mix, Level |
| Formant | Vowel A, Vowel B, Control, Mix, Level, Resonance |
| Ring Mod | Frequency, Amount, Mix, Level, High Cut |
| Resonator | Mix, Q, Feedback, Res 1–4 Freq |
| Megatap | Mix, Time, Taps, Feedback |
| Ten-Tap | Time, Feedback, Mix, Level, Low/High Cut |
| Multitap | Tap 1–4 Level, Tap 1–4 Time |
| Volume/Pan | Volume, Pan, Level, Swell Thresh, Swell Attack/Release |
| Synth | V1/V2/V3 Freq/Level/Attack, Master Mix, Level |
| Mixer | Ch 1–4 Level/Pan, Master Level |
| Crossover | Freq, Low/High Level, Level |
| Enhancer | Width, Depth, Low/High Cut, Level |
| Multiplexer | Level, Balance |
| IR Player | Low/High Cut, Level, Balance, Level A/B, Mix |
// Using the app
AxeBlock EDIT is four screens. Everything you do lives on one of them.
EDIT
Calibrated per-block controls — real hardware ranges and tapers, not generic 0–100 sliders. Turn a knob here and the unit follows live. 41 blocks are mapped, from Amp and Cab to Reverb, Pitch, and the modulation effects.
GRID
The full routing grid, editable. Place, move, and delete blocks; draw and cut the connections between them. What you see mirrors the layout on the unit's own screen.
CONTROLLERS
The modulation sources — LFO 1 and 2, ADSR 1 and 2, the envelope follower, and the sequencer. Attach one to a parameter and the unit responds in real time.
TUNER
Chromatic and strobe. Engage it from anywhere; it reads straight off the unit.
// Saving — the one path
There is exactly one way to write to your unit: save the edit buffer to the current slot, behind a deliberate tap and a confirmation that names the slot. Everything else stays in the edit buffer — the same temporary space the unit uses while you turn front-panel knobs. Nothing touches your stored presets until you ask it to, by name.
Also on board: a searchable preset browserthat opens on the preset you’re already on, scene recall with per-scene output meters, modifiers with attach/release and a slot editor, IR and cab browsing by name, tap tempo with a live BPM readout, and a guided first-run tour. A full parameter reference for all 41 blocks is in the right-hand column above.
// What works today
Setting expectations up front, because Fractal’s line-up is wide and we are not all the way across it yet.
Axe-Fx III — the fully supported unit. Deep editing of every block, the routing grid, scenes and modifiers. Plugs straight into the iPad over USB-C, no adapter, no driver.
Axe-Fx II, MkII, XL, XL+ — presets, scenes and live control. On iPad these connect over Bluetooth MIDI only, using a WIDI adapter. Their USB needs a desktop driver that iPadOS cannot provide, so a cable will not work here.
FM3, FM9, AX8, FX8, VP4, AM4, Standard, Ultra — in our compatibility program. The app can identify these units, but full support is not confirmed and nothing is promised yet. If you own one, running the Fractal Unit ID capture is what puts your unit on the supported path — it reads the unit only and cannot change, save or write anything on it.
// What to test
Run these and tell me anywhere the app and the unit disagree:
- Connect — does the top bar show the right model (II vs III) and go green?
- Presets & scenes — on the GRID page, step through presets and scenes. Does the unit follow instantly?
- Amp edit — on EDIT, move the knobs and flip Boost / Cut / Fat / Bright. Do the app and the unit stay in sync?
- Grid— does the routing shown match what’s on your unit’s screen?
- Tuner & tap — does the tuner engage, and does tap-tempo land?
- Controllers — on CONTROLLERS, attach a modifier to a knob. Does the unit follow live?
- Unplug mid-session — does it disconnect cleanly (no freeze, no crash) and recover when you reconnect?
// Known limitations — not bugs as of July 15, 2026
- Axe-Fx II scene names are not cached — the SCENE chip shows the scene number only, not its name.
- FM3 and FM9 are protocol-verified but hardware-confirmed support ships in a follow-up update.
- No preset import/export yet — editing is parameter-by-parameter for now.
// Troubleshooting
Most connection trouble is one of these. If yours isn’t here, or a fix doesn’t take, tell us — a report with your unit and firmware is what turns a mystery into a fix.
The screen is empty / no data
There's no demo data on a live connection, so an empty screen means the app isn't seeing your hardware yet. Check the cable or WIDI pairing — when it connects, the top bar names your unit and turns green.
Presets load slowly over Bluetooth
That's expected. Bluetooth MIDI is slower than USB, so a preset load over WIDI takes a beat longer. It's working, not frozen — give it a second.
My Axe-Fx II won't connect over USB
The Axe-Fx II's USB isn't iOS-compatible — it needs a desktop driver iPadOS can't provide. Connect over Bluetooth with a WIDI adapter instead. Confirmed on a real II XL.
My FM3 won't connect over USB
The FM3's USB carries no MIDI on any platform — its editor uses a proprietary USB protocol. Connect over Bluetooth (WIDI on its 5-pin DIN ports) or 5-pin MIDI through an interface.
The app doesn't recognize my unit at all
We're probably just missing one identifying byte from it — a two-minute fix. Run the Fractal Unit ID capture below and send it over; once we have that byte we can add your unit.
It connects, but presets don't change on the unit
We're tracking this on some units over Bluetooth. It isn't something you're doing wrong. Please report it with your exact unit and firmware version — that's what lets us pin it down.
The SCENE chip shows a number, not a name (Axe-Fx II)
Known, and not a bug on your end — the Axe-Fx II's scene names aren't cached yet, so the chip shows the scene number only.
// FAQ
Is it safe for my presets?
Yes. AxeBlock EDIT works in the edit buffer — the same temporary space the unit uses while you turn front-panel knobs. Nothing writes to a stored preset until you save it to a named slot on purpose. Not sure? Power-cycle the unit and anything unsaved is discarded.
Which Fractal units are supported?
The Axe-Fx III is fully supported; the Axe-Fx II family works for presets, scenes and live control over Bluetooth. A wider list of units is in our compatibility program — the app can identify them, but full support isn't promised yet. See What works today above.
Why iPad only right now?
iPad is where the beta is. Android is in active development — sign the beta agreement and pick Android to get on the list. Mac and Windows desktop apps are further out.
Does it need an internet connection?
No. AxeBlock EDIT talks to your unit directly over USB or Bluetooth MIDI. The connection is local — the app doesn't route your rig through the internet.
What's the Fractal Unit ID capture, and is it safe?
It's a read-only capture that reads your unit's identifying bytes so we can add support for it. It cannot change, save, or write anything on the unit — it only listens. It's how a unit in the compatibility program moves onto the supported path.
How much will it cost?
The beta is free. Pricing comes at App Store launch.
// How AxeBlock EDIT gets built
Fractal doesn’t publish the SysEx protocol. Everything AxeBlock EDIT knows about how to talk to an Axe-Fx was reverse-engineered by watching the bytes that flow between Axe-Edit and the unit — call it probing. We’ve done this on the Axe-Fx III and the Axe-Fx II XL from scratch.
Every Fractal unit announces itself with a one-byte ID inside a SysEx header that starts with F0 00 01 74. That byte is all we need to add support for a new unit. If you own an Axe-Fx model we haven’t confirmed yet, you can grab it in about two minutes.
Our Fractal Unit ID tool captures it right in the browser — plug the unit into a computer, open the page in Chrome, turn a knob. No downloads needed.
// Submit your unit ID
Identify any unit right here in the browser. Own a unit we haven’t confirmed on our own hardware — FM3, FM9, AX8, FX8, or something newer like an AM4 or VP4? Once it’s detected, a read-only deep probeappears. Press it and the tool asks your unit — in its own dialect, with the same questions its own editor asks — to describe your rig: the current preset plus a small sample of others (read from flash, without switching), grid, blocks, parameters, model lists. No preset change, no write; it only reads — and on the original Standard/Ultra it transmits nothing at all (a guided listen-only capture). Fill in the firmware number from your unit’s own screen before you submit. The capture is sent with your submission automatically, and it’s exactly what turns “should work” into confirmed support for your unit.
Connect your Fractal unit to your computer over USB, then start listening. The page listens by default; when you press IDENTIFY it asks your unit one read-only question — its firmware version — and the answer is the capture. Nothing here can change your rig.
// Found a bug?
In the app: tap the connection indicator in the top bar — the small icon that shows your connection status and turns green when a unit is online. That opens the Connection panel; Report a Bug is the last section, at the bottom. It builds an email with app version, your device, your connected unit, and the raw MIDI log — you review it before it sends.
The more detail you give — what you did, what the unit did, what the app did — the faster it gets fixed. Or use the form below.
// Web bug report
Want to see your submitted reports and their status?
// SEE YOUR REPORTS →// Get help
Stuck, or found something the troubleshooting list doesn’t cover? Here’s how to reach a human.
Report a bug
Something broken? The bug report form above goes straight to us with your device and unit attached.
Discord
Ask questions, compare notes with other testers, and hear about builds first.
Join the Discord →Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bloody Finger Software earns from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you buy through one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.