🎸 AxeFXIIControl

A free Windows control screen for the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II, XL and XL+ — built for playing live.

Free Software

Your Axe-Fx II, on stage and under control

AxeFXIIControl is a computer control screen for the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II, XL and XL+. It adds features the unit itself does not have (setlists, preset search, a scene matrix) and puts every front-panel function in one searchable, numbered list with step-by-step button instructions and, where possible, a MIDI control that does it for you.

  • Live control — preset list by number and name, ▲ / ▼ next and previous, 8 scene buttons, every block's engage / bypass and X / Y, tap and set tempo, tuner readout and looper
  • Two-way sync — follows changes made on the Axe-Fx II front panel; connects automatically and keeps trying for 5 minutes if the unit is switched on later
  • Presets — a local list of all 768 presets with names, amps, cabs, drives and blocks; instant search; ships with the XL / XL+ factory list; Resync All, Selected or Range
  • Setlists — songs with named sections (each a scene, and optionally its own preset), tempo and notes; drag presets in; print and export; full-screen Perform view
  • Stage Monitor — a big display for a second monitor or TV, readable from 10 feet: song, section, next, preset, stage banners (DROP D), tuner strip, setlist view and browse-then-Go
  • Foot Control — Behringer FCB1010, MFC-101 or any MIDI pedal; MIDI Learn with Bank + Program Change, latching / momentary switches, pedal calibration, long press and profiles
  • Scene Matrix — all 8 scenes of a preset against every block on one screen; click to change a block in a scene
  • Settings — 98 Axe-Fx II functions numbered by importance and searchable, each with front-panel button steps and, where possible, a MIDI control that does it for you
  • Controllers — External Controllers 1–12 as faders; CC Map with MIDI Learn-friendly defaults; Test MIDI finds the unit's MIDI channel
  • Axe-Edit hand-over — one button starts Axe-Edit and reconnects when it closes
  • Standalone — Axe-Fx II USB or any USB-MIDI / DIN-MIDI interface · 100% offline · no license key
📦 GitHub Repository PDF AxeFXIIControl Help Guide 🔽 Download AxeFXIIControl Version 1.0 installer (.exe)
AxeFXIIControl installer's digital fingerprint / SHA-256 hash: A209FCA47F9F795338B598E046FAEBE48B3F95DFA58082A848E0332B31A3C24E
What is a SHA-256 hash? A unique 64-character digital fingerprint calculated from the installer file. If even one byte is altered — by corruption or tampering — the hash changes completely. Comparing it to this value confirms you have a safe, unmodified copy. How to verify (Windows PowerShell): Get-FileHash setupAxeFXIIControl-V1.0.exe -Algorithm SHA256 Compare the Hash value in the output to the fingerprint above — they should match exactly.

Fractal Audio, Axe-Fx and Axe-Edit are trademarks of Fractal Audio Systems. Sierra Digital Audio is not affiliated with Fractal Audio Systems.

Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ ↗
Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ front panel
768 presets
8 scenes per preset
X / Y block states
AxeFXIIControl — Live Control
AxeFXIIControl main window — preset list, scenes, blocks, tempo, tuner and looper for the Axe-Fx II
Stage Monitor — second screen or TV
AxeFXIIControl Stage Monitor — song, section, next song, preset and block tiles in big type for the stage
Setlists · Presets · Stage Monitor Settings
Foot Control · Scene Matrix · Controllers

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

  • OS Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • Runtime .NET Framework 4.8 (built into current Windows)
  • Disk 15 MB free space
  • MIDI Axe-Fx II USB (Fractal Audio USB driver) or a USB-MIDI / DIN-MIDI interface
  • Hardware Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II, XL or XL+
  • Optional Second monitor or TV for the Stage Monitor; MIDI foot controller (e.g. Behringer FCB1010)
  • Net No internet connection required

Version History

  • v1.0 First release — built from my list of Axe FXII 'nice to have' notes
  • Live control, setlists, Stage Monitor, preset list, scene matrix
  • Foot Control with MIDI Learn, 98-function Settings guide, CC Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about AxeFXIIControl.

AxeFXIIControl is a computer control screen for the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II, XL and XL+. It adds features the unit itself does not have (setlists, preset search, a scene matrix) and puts every front-panel function in one searchable, numbered list with step-by-step button instructions and, where possible, a MIDI control that does it for you.
No. Axe-Edit is Fractal Audio's preset editor; AxeFXIIControl is for playing and organising - setlists, the Stage Monitor, foot control, scenes and presets. They work side by side: the Axe-Edit button hands the Axe-Fx II's MIDI ports to Axe-Edit and reconnects when Axe-Edit closes.
The Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II (Mark I / II), Axe-Fx II XL and Axe-Fx II XL+. It was developed and tested on an Axe-Fx II XL+.
Over the Axe-Fx II's own USB port (with the Fractal Audio USB driver installed), or through any USB-MIDI or DIN-MIDI interface. It connects automatically and keeps trying for five minutes if the unit is switched on later.
Yes. Foot Control maps FCB1010 (or MFC-101, or any MIDI pedal) switches and expression pedals to songs, sections, scenes, presets, tap tempo, tuner, blocks and the looper, with MIDI Learn - including Bank + Program Change, latching / momentary switches and pedal calibration.
Yes - completely free for personal and professional use. No license key, no activation, no subscription and no internet connection required.
Windows 10 or Windows 11, the .NET Framework 4.8 (built into current Windows 10 and 11), and an Axe-Fx II, XL or XL+ connected by USB or a MIDI interface. A second monitor or TV and a MIDI foot controller are optional.