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FAQ: UAFX Pedals

Updated

This article answers frequently asked questions about UAFX Pedals. 

General UAFX Pedal Questions

What are UAFX Pedals?

UAFX is a line of high-quality guitar pedals from Universal Audio, featuring sonically authentic vintage and modern effects, dual-engine processing with spillover, silent switching, stereo I/O, selectable true or buffered/trails bypass, simple operation, and a robust compact form factor. 

What pedals are in the UAFX product lineup? 

There are twenty UAFX pedals in four categories, with two form factors:

Amp & Cab Emulators

Delay & Reverb

Compression

Modulation

 * Compact UAFX pedal

Where can I buy UAFX pedals?

UAFX pedals can be purchased worldwide from authorized Universal Audio retailers. 

What makes UAFX pedals unique?

There are four main differentiators for UAFX vs. other effects pedals: 

Powerful UAFX Engine for Sonic Authenticity *

We developed a powerful, all-new UAFX engine with dual-processing architecture to deliver the most sonically authentic classic reverb, delay, and modulation effects ever produced by a pedal. This engine has massive DSP horsepower to drive more complex and accurate sounds. 

Simple Live/Preset Modes for Inspiring Playability *

Simple Live/Preset modes allow instant recall of your favorite sounds, with silent switching, true/buffered bypass, and spillover/trails — all controllable via UAFX Control software.

Additional Downloadable Effects *

Add new bonus effect(s) at product registration from the world-renowned UAD algorithm team.

UA Craftsmanship & Build Quality

Timeless UA analog design and beautiful, robust craftsmanship make UAFX pedals built to last decades.

 

* Does not apply to compact UAFX pedals

How can I learn more about UAFX pedals?

Visit our UAFX product pages and the UAFX Knowledge Base for more information and complete user documentation.

UAFX Control App

What is UAFX Control?

UAFX Control is a mobile app for your iPhone or Android smartphone that’s used to change hidden settings on full-size UAFX pedals, such as true or buffered/trails bypass and right footswitch modes. 

For more information about the UAFX Control App, visit the UAFX Control Manual.

Note: UAFX Control App is not used with compact UAFX pedals.

What platforms does UAFX Control support?

The UAFX Control mobile app is available for iOS and Android smartphones.

How do I update my UAFX pedal?

Firmware updates for UAFX may be provided to improve or add functionality. UAFX firmware updates are installed over a USB connection to a computer using UA Connect on your Windows or Mac computer.

Will deeper control editing be available with UAFX Control?

We’re always listening to users and thinking of cool and exciting new product ideas, but we can’t comment on any specific plans.

UAFX Pedal Registration

How do I register my UAFX pedal?

UAFX pedals can be registered to your UA account using UA Connect on your Mac or Windows computer, or the UAFX Control app on your smartphone.

Can I transfer my UAFX pedal?

Yes, UAFX pedal registration is automatically transferred when the new owner registers the pedal in UA Connect or UAFX Control.

Can the bonus effects be transferred as well?

Yes, the new owner can simply register the pedal in UA Connect or UAFX Control to get the free bonus effects.

Powering UAFX Pedals

What are the power supply requirements for UAFX pedals?

Full-sized UAFX pedals (with two footswitches) require 400 mA (milliamps) of current; compact UAFX pedals (with a single footswitch) require 250 mA (milliamps) of current.

For more information about powering UAFX pedals, see this page.

What kind of power connector do UAFX pedals have?

UAFX pedals have a center-negative barrel connector with a 2.1 x 5.5 mm tip (this is the same connector that Boss pedals use). 

Is a power supply included?

No, UAFX pedals do not include a power supply.

Do you sell a power supply?

A certified power supply for UAFX is available from authorized Universal Audio dealers. However, any modern, isolated, high-current power supply may be used.

What happens if power is interrupted on a UAFX pedal?

If pedal power is lost, true bypass via mechanical relays ensures the pure analog signals are passed from input to output.

What is an isolated power supply, and why are you recommending it?

An isolated power supply has a power input that is electrically independent from its power output, and with multi-output supplies, the outputs are also electrically independent from each other. We recommend using isolated power to prevent ground loops and other noise issues. You can use a dedicated power supply for each pedal on your pedal board, but this is often both space-consuming and inconvenient.

The best solution is to use a dedicated multi-output pedal power supply, but this is where isolation matters. Some cheaper multi-output power supplies have one power input that is simply cascaded to multiple outputs without any isolation, which is a common cause of noise issues. When buying a multiple-output power supply, you should make sure that each output is individually isolated.

UAFX Pedal Operation

Do UAFX Pedals support MIDI?

Yes, all dual-footswitch UAFX pedals support MIDI over USB, provided the firmware is up to date.
Reference the Getting started with UAFX 2.0 USB MIDI article to explain how this functions.

  • Up to 128 recallable presets using MIDI program change.
  • Up to 1176 presets can be stored on a UAFX pedal, accessible from UAFX Control.
  • Pedal parameter control over MIDI CC, including control with expression pedals.
  • Tempo Sync over MIDI Beatclock

See the defined feature-set for each pedal below:

Can I store my settings as a preset?

Yes, all full-sized UAFX pedals feature one preset that can easily be stored, recalled, and modified.

What are the UAFX Live and Preset modes?

All dual-footswitch UAFX pedals have two effect engines that you can seamlessly switch between, with true stereo spillover. Live mode is the main mode — it works like most other stomp boxes, where the current position of the knobs and switches is what you hear. Preset mode is an additional stored favorite sound that can be recalled independently from the knob and switch positions. The Live mode sound is toggled on/off with the left footswitch. The Preset mode sound is toggled on/off using the right footswitch. The pedals start up in Live mode.

When UAFX Pedals are updated to UAFX Firmware 2.0 or later, additional alternative pedal modes become accessible from UAFX Control.

Possible configurations are listed below, but vary according to the UAFX pedal model.  
Reference the individual UAFX Manuals to determine which options are offered in each UAFX pedal type.

Pedal Mode Left Footswitch Right Footswitch

Live/Off | Preset A/B

Toggles Live / Bypass

Toggles Preset A / Preset B

A/Off | B/Off
(Tour Mode)

Toggles Preset A / Bypass

Toggles Preset B / Bypass
A/B | C/D

Toggles Preset A / Preset B

Toggles Preset C / Preset D

Do UAFX pedals have spillover?

Yes, spillover means delay, and reverb processing isn’t cut off when switching effects. With the dual-engine processing of full-size UAFX pedals, two completely independent stereo effects are always running concurrently — one in Live mode, and the other in Preset mode. So when you switch between the live and preset sounds, you get true stereo spillover from the two different stereo effects.

Do UAFX pedals have effects trails when bypassed?

Yes, when Golden Reverberator, Starlight Echo Station, Del-Verb Ambience Companion, or Galaxy ‘74 Tape Echo & Reverb are set for buffered trails bypass mode with the UAFX Control mobile app, processing plays out naturally when bypassed instead of stopping suddenly. Even when set to trails bypass mode, inputs remain analog dry-through when the effect is both on and off.

Do UAFX pedals feature tap tempo?

Yes, with Starlight Echo Station, Del-Verb Ambience Companion, or Galaxy ‘74 Tape Echo & Reverb, delay times can be tapped with the right footswitch. By default, the right footswitch controls tap tempo and preset load/bypass, with other right footswitch modes available in the UAFX Control mobile app. With Astra Modulation Machine, tap tempo can be enabled in the UAFX Control mobile app. Golden Reverberator doesn’t feature tap tempo, as reverb isn’t a rhythmic effect.

UAFX Pedal Effects

How many effects do UAFX pedals have?

Each full-size UAFX effect pedal comes with three unique effects (algorithms), and each effect has up to three variations. Additionally, when you register the pedal, you get additional bonus effects.

How do I get the free bonus effects?

Register your pedal with UA Connect to get your free bonus effects.

Are these the same effects/algorithms as UAD plug-ins?

No, most of the effects are entirely new. Of course, some R&D from existing UAD plug-ins was used, but these effects were redesigned and optimized specifically for UAFX pedals.

Will new algorithms be added to the UAFX line, beyond the bonus effects available at registration? 

We’re always listening to users and thinking of cool and exciting new product ideas, but we can’t comment on any specific plans.

If I already own the UAD plug-in that a UAFX pedal algorithm is based on, can I get a discount?

No, while a few of the effects in UAFX pedals might appear similar to UAD plug-ins at first glance, they are all redesigned with new features, functionality, and sonic changes to make them perfect for pedal use.  

Is the analog preamp sound modeled in the Tape EP-III and Analog DMM effects?

Yes, by default, all UAFX pedals don’t alter the dry guitar tone in any way. But with these vintage effects, preamp coloration of the dry signal is an important aspect of the sound. By enabling preamp coloration on Starlight Echo Station with the UAFX Control app, the dry signal is colored to sound exactly like the vintage hardware’s preamp circuitry.

Does Starlight have stereo ping-pong delay options?

Yes, the last two settings on Starlight’s Division knob are stereo ping-pong bounce delays.

What delay times are available with Starlight?

Starlight Echo Station’s delay time ranges vary per effect:

  • Tape EP-III: 80-700 ms
  • Analog DMM: 110-1068 ms
  • Precision: 120-1500 ms
  • Cooper Time Cube: 120-2500 ms

I’ve heard of the other effects, but what is Dharma 61 Trem?

Astra Modulation Machine’s Dharma 61 Trem bonus effect is a unique invention from UA’s renowned algorithm team that’s unlike anything else available. It’s a dynamic harmonic tremolo — which (in extremely simplified terms) is sort of like a combination of tremolo and phasing — that can respond according to how soft or loud you play. It can also do pitchy-warbly-swirly goodness… It sounds amazing!

Routing Inputs & Outputs

Are UAFX pedals true bypass or buffered/trails bypass?

This depends on the pedal; some pedals support multiple options, and the remaining pedals are buffered bypass. No latency is added in any type of bypass state.

Trails on full-size UAFX pedals can be enabled with the UAFX Control app. Both true and buffered/trails bypass routings feature UAFX’s unique Silent Switching circuitry, which provides noise-free bypass switching.

How do I switch between true bypass and buffered/trails bypass?

For pedals that feature true bypass or buffered/trails bypass, you can switch between the two options in the UAFX Control app.

Do UAFX pedals have analog dry-through?

UAFX reverb and delay pedals do have analog dry-through. 

All pedals have analog dry through when bypassed.

Can UAFX pedals do 100% wet (kill dry)?

Yes, when the mix knob on any UAFX reverb or delay pedal is turned all the way up, the output is 100% wet and the analog signal is muted. However, the 100% wet level cannot be independently adjusted. With Astra Modulation Machine, the dry signal is always mixed in.

What kind of cables do I need? Is the I/O on UAFX pedals balanced or unbalanced? 

The inputs and outputs on UAFX pedals use unbalanced connections, so we recommend using standard TS instrument cables only. Although TRS cables can be used, they offer no benefit over regular unbalanced guitar cables.

Do UAFX pedals support mono-in/stereo-out wiring? What about stereo-in/stereo-out?

Yes, full-size UAFX pedals feature true stereo processing, so the left and right inputs are processed completely independently. When used in a mono-in/stereo-out setup, the input is split before the stereo effect engine. With stereo-in/stereo-out setups, the left/right input signals remain fully discrete from inputs to outputs. Of course, mono-in/mono-out wiring can also be used.

Can I use UAFX pedals with my high-output pickups?

Yes, all UAFX pedals are designed to work perfectly with both passive and active pickups, such as EMGs.

Will UAFX pedals work with bass guitars?

Yes, why should guitar players have all the fun?! All UAFX pedals have been designed and tested to work perfectly for bass as well.

Can I use UAFX pedals with line-level gear?

Yes, but with a couple of considerations. UAFX pedals are designed to work great when plugged into the input of an amp as well as in an amp’s effect loop, but they can easily handle line-level gear such as synthesizers and audio interfaces. The pedals are voiced for instrument levels, so you may need to reduce the line-out level of the gear you’re connecting to the pedals to avoid overdriving the analog emulations.

Can I use just a USB-C cable to record the signal from UAFX pedals?

No, the USB-C port on UAFX pedals is for firmware updates, registration, and using the UAFX Control mobile app.

Do I need a USB-C port on my computer?

No, although the USB port on UAFX pedals uses a USB-C connector, you can connect to any type of USB port on the computer with an appropriate adapter.

 

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