FAQ: UAFX 2.0 Update

What new features are included in the update?

• Improved UAFX Control app and Bluetooth connectivity
  Ground-up redesign of UAFX Control over Bluetooth for rock-solid reliability
• Wired UAFX app control for direct mobile-to-pedal USB connection
• Footswitch preset modes (amp pedals only)
  
  Note: Features vary according to pedal capability

• 128 recallable presets using MIDI program change for pedals with a preset feature. 
• Hundreds of presets can be stored on a UAFX pedal and accessed from UAFX Control.
• Tempo sync for FX with MIDI Beat Clock on pedals with tempo-related effects.
• Pedal parameter control over MIDI CC including control with expression pedals. (Note: MIDI CC is in open beta). 

Important: To use the new UAFX 2.0 features, the pedal's firmware must be updated to v2.0 or newer, and UAFX Control must be updated to v3.0 or newer. 

Which pedals can be updated?

All dual footswitch UAFX Pedals can be updated:

How do I get the update?

Connect your UAFX pedal to your macOS or Windows computer using a USB Cable, and open UA Connect. Click on the UAFX Pedals tab on the left-hand side, then click on your connected pedal, and select the option to update the firmware.

Note: The pedal may restart twice, and be cautious not to interrupt the firmware update process.

You will then need an iOS or Android device to use the UAFX Control mobile app with UAFX pedals. Once you have updated the UAFX Control mobile app to v3, you can now connect to your UAFX pedals using Bluetooth or a direct USB-C connection.

How do I enable MIDI?

Open the UAFX Control mobile app and connect to the UAFX pedal, then tap the MIDI icon on the top right.

From here, you can enable MIDI and set the MIDI channel. Note that it is necessary to enable MIDI Program Change and CC control separately, and possible to set those to use different MIDI channels.

Note the separate views in the application for MIDI Program Change and MIDI CC. 

• MIDI Program Change is used to assign presets on compatible pedals.
• MIDI CC is used to control every other feature the pedal offers.

MIDI must be enabled in UAFX Control before you can use it.

How do I use MIDI?

UAFX pedals require a USB Host-capable MIDI interface; see our Getting Started with UAFX 2.0 USB MIDI article for a quick overview of common configurations.  

Once you have a suitable USB Host MIDI interface connected, any MIDI device that is able to send Program Change or MIDI CC data will be able to communicate with UAFX pedals. You can send program change data to change presets,* and also send CC data to change all available parameters of a connected pedal. 

Presets can be assigned to a program change number directly from the UAFX Control mobile app, as shown in the images above.*

CC data has two aspects: the CC number (as an example, 19 for bypass control of UAFX pedals), then, the control value, which lets the pedal know your instructions for the command, like 0 to bypass a pedal, 1 to enable the left footswitch, or 2 to enable the right footswitch.  

The function of UAFX foot switches can be changed in UAFX Control.

This may vary slightly between UAFX pedal models, and all MIDI data functionality is documented in the UAFX Manuals.

*Available only on pedals with preset functionality.

How do I use UAFX Control with a wired connection to my UAFX pedal?

Open the UAFX Control app, tap the USB icon at the upper left of the screen, then connect your mobile device to your pedal with a USB-C cable. For optimum results, it is best to connect the USB-C cable after the UAFX Control app is opened, and to disconnect the USB-C cable before you close the app. 

Connecting to an Apple mobile device that has a Lightning port requires the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.

There can only be one USB host connection to a UAFX Pedal, which means it is not possible to use UAFX USB MIDI at the same time as a wired USB connection to a mobile device for UAFX Control. When using USB MIDI, a Bluetooth connection should be used with UAFX Control.

When using a direct USB connection to a mobile device with UAFX Control, only one connected UAFX Pedal is supported.

Does the update include MIDI over Bluetooth (WIDI)?

No, all MIDI functionality with UAFX is achieved over a class-compliant USB wired connection.

However, if you would like to integrate UAFX with WIDI, it is possible to add WIDI capability using the CME H4MIDI WC interface with the optional Bluetooth WIDI Core module installed, as an example, but these configurations are not tested or supported by UA.

A H4MIDI WC can be used with up to 8 UAFX pedals connected by USB, and you can then connect a Bluetooth-capable MIDI switcher, such as the MorningStar MC8, to the H4MIDI WC wirelessly.

For adding Bluetooth MIDI to a single UAFX pedal, the CME WIDI Uhost adapter is a good choice.

Note: UA does not directly support third-party hardware, and any questions regarding the named products should be directed to the product manufacturer. UA can assist with any UA product questions.

Are there manuals for the UAFX 2.0 update?

Yes, for operating instructions, including step-by-step procedures, see the UAFX Control Manual, the USB MIDI with UAFX Pedals Manual, and the individual UAFX Manuals for your particular pedal.