cool feature about the AFC- 6 foot controller is that Phase is among the controls you
can switch from the floor. If for some reason you continue to have feedback problems with both Notch and Phase engaged,
then you can fiddle with the 6-band EQ.
But it’s always good to keep in mind that
Notch and Phase have very little impact
on tone, so it’s best to go there first for
feedback control.
Above the sliders on the 6-band EQ,
you’ll find Frequency Locator LEDs,
which can help you identify frequencies
that are causing feedback. When you hear
feedback, you will see one of the LEDs
above the EQ section light up, even if
nothing is being played. At that point you
can simply slowly pull the slider down
until the feedback stops.
Shape is another feature that comes
in handy, and can be controlled with the
AFC- 6 as well. It lights up a yellow LED
to let you know it’s active. This boosts the
highs and lows and cuts the mids, which
can help make some lower-quality pickups
sound less nasal and more natural, and
sometimes it can help a vocal come through
better. The foot controller lets you quickly
pop in and out of the Shape function.
Tone Tinkering
The Trace’s onboard effects are controlled
with a Parameter rotary encoder and push
switch, and a Setting rotary encoder and
push switch, meaning you use the same
two knobs to choose your effect, turn it
on and off, and control the parameters.
Pressing the Setting knob sets a tap tempo
if you’re using delay. On/off and tap tempo
are also controlled with the AFC- 6.
There are several effects to choose from,
including Reverb, Stereo Chorus, Stereo
Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Analog Delay
simulator, quarter-note mono digital delay,
three 16th-note mono digital delay, and
Stereo Ping-Pong delay (which bounces
the repeats from left to right). The effects
are pretty simple to modify and store. To
change them, turn the Setting knob to
where you want it, and it will be automatically stored when you turn the unit off.
Forceful and Forgiving
It’s pretty easy to get a good basic
guitar tone once you plug in. Armed
I didn’t have to do much to get a
satisfyingly rich, yet brilliant sound.
I dialed in just a taste of reverb, and
right there, I was pretty happy.
