{"id":1773572,"date":"2022-06-02T17:32:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T21:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/?post_type=articles&p=1773572"},"modified":"2025-11-13T12:28:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T17:28:52","slug":"getting-started-with-your-universal-audio-guitar-pedal","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/getting-started-with-your-universal-audio-guitar-pedal\/","title":{"rendered":"Universal Audio UAFX Guitar Pedal Quickstart Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this guide, we will show you how to register, set up, and connect your Universal Audio guitar pedal. Follow the sections below to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Register the Pedal with the UA Connect App<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  2. Update the Firmware<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  3. UAFX 2.0 Firmware Update<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  4. UAFX Control App for iPhone, iPad, and Android<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  5. Setup and Connections<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  6. Using Your UAFX Pedal<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  7. Universal Audio Tutorial Videos<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Register the Pedal with the UA Connect App<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We know you are eager to slot your UAFX pedal into your pedalboard, plug in your guitar, and crank it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before you do that, take the time to connect your UAFX pedal to your Mac or your Windows PC with a USB-C data cable (and an adapter, if needed), then download and run the UA Connect app<\/strong> from the Universal Audio website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With your UAFX pedal connected to the app, you can register your purchase with Universal Audio, but there\u2019s more: the app will prompt you to update the firmware for the latest bug fixes and features. Depending on the model, registration also gives you access to bonus effects, models, and voicings. The UA Connect app also provides you with a link to your unit\u2019s owner\u2019s manual and support information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Connect your UAFX pedal to your Mac or your Windows PC with a USB-C data cable and an adapter (if needed).<\/li>
    2. Power your pedal with a 9V power supply.<\/li>
    3. On your Mac or your Windows PC, go to the UA Connect download page<\/a>.<\/li>
    4. Click macOS<\/strong> or Windows<\/strong> to download the appropriate version.<\/li>
    5. Run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts.<\/li>
    6. Launch the UA Connect app.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      In the opening window, you will be prompted to log in to your existing Universal Audio account. If you don\u2019t have one, click Create An Account<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"UAFX<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      UA Connect registration screen with a connected Dream \u201865 Reverb Amplifier pedal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Once you log in, UA Connect will detect your pedal. Click Register<\/strong>, and the serial number of the pedal will automatically be registered to your account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"UAFX<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      UA Connect home page with a UAFX Dream \u201865 Reverb Amplifier pedal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Update the Firmware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      On the home screen, click the UAFX Pedals<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      UA Connect will inform you if there is a firmware update. If so, click the Update<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      IMPORTANT:<\/strong> When updating the firmware, keep the pedal connected to 9V power and connected to your computer via the USB-C cable. Wait patiently until UA Connect indicates that the firmware update is complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      When the update is complete, the pedal will restart. After the restart, when UA Connect indicates that the firmware is up to date, you can disconnect the USB-C cable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Learn more in the Universal Audio support article UA Connect with UAFX Pedals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      UAFX 2.0 Firmware Update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      On November 11, 2025, Universal Audio released UAFX 2.0, a firmware update for the full-sized UAFX pedals (those with two footswitches), providing a host of new features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You can now connect third-party external MIDI footswitches and expression pedals to control parameters on multiple full-sized UAFX units. This is done by sending MIDI commands from your controllers to your UAFX units over the USB-C cable connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For compatible UAFX pedals equipped with a Preset switch, which is all amp modeling pedals plus the Starlight, Astra, Golden and OX Stomp effects, you can use the UAFX Control app to set up and recall 128 presets for each unit with MIDI program change commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For all of the full-sized UAFX pedals, you can map expression pedals to parameters with MIDI CC (continuous controller) data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Time-based effects (Starlight, Astra, DelVerb and Galaxy) can now use MIDI clock tempo sync.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      On the amp modeling pedals, the update provides new performance modes using the built-in footswitches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The update also provides improved reliability with the UAFX Control mobile app over Bluetooth. If you choose not to use Bluetooth, you have the option of connecting your mobile device directly to your UAFX pedal over a USB-C cable, and to multiple UAFX pedals through a USB hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Update the firmware<\/a> on your units using UA Control according to the procedure above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To get started with MIDI control for compatible UAFX pedals, check out our Sweetwater Universal Audio UAFX 2.0 MIDI Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/div>

      Universal Audio UAFX 2.0 MIDI Guide<\/p>

      <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a>\n\n\n\n

      Learn more in the Universal Audio USB MIDI with UAFX Pedals Manual<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Be sure to read the newest version of the UAFX owner\u2019s manuals<\/a>, which explain the features for each pedal, with MIDI control charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      UAFX Control App for iPhone, iPad, and Android<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"UAFX<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      The UAFX Control app with the<\/em> Dream \u201865 Reverb Amplifier pedal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Does my pedal use UAFX Control?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      There are two kinds of UAFX pedal: compact<\/strong> and full-sized<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The compact effect pedals, identified by their single footswitch, are designed to be used standalone. They don\u2019t have Bluetooth, and they don\u2019t use the UAFX Control app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The full-sized amp and cab modelers and certain models of effects pedals, identified by having two footswitches, can also be used standalone, but they are equipped with Bluetooth for use with the UAFX Control app for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Registering the purchase of your full-sized pedal and then connecting to the UAFX Control app provides free bonus effects, speaker cabinets, and voicings (depending on the model). UAFX Control is where you can configure global settings such as footswitch modes and EQ settings. You can also use the app to save and manage presets, on models that support this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Installing UAFX Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      If you have a full-sized UAFX pedal, you can use the UAFX Control app. Here\u2019s how to get it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      On iPhone or iPad, install Universal Audio UAFX Control from the Apple App Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      On Android, install Universal Audio UAFX Control from the Google Play store<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Pairing with Bluetooth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      TIP:<\/strong> The UAFX Control app may not be able to connect with your UAFX pedal if the firmware is not up to date. Before you connect your UAFX pedal to the UAFX Control app on your device, update the firmware to the newest version using your Mac or your Windows PC and the UA Connect app according to the instructions above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Power your UAFX pedal with a 9V power supply.<\/li>
      2. Enable Bluetooth in your device\u2019s system settings.<\/li>
      3. Launch the UAFX Control app.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        On iPhone and iPad, when you open UAFX Control for the first time, a dialog will ask if you want to allow the app to use Bluetooth. Click OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        On Android, when you open UAFX Control, it will prompt you to allow the app to access the device\u2019s location. You must allow access for the app to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The app will prompt you to log in to your Universal Audio account with your email address and password.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"UAFX<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Bluetooth pairing dialog in UAFX Control<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Your UAFX pedal should appear in the app. Tap the title of the pedal to open its configuration screen. You\u2019ll see a Bluetooth pairing request. Click Pair<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Learn more in the Universal Audio support article UAFX Control Manual<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Using UAFX Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        The features available in the UAFX Control app depend upon your model of UAFX pedal. Consult your pedal\u2019s owner\u2019s manual at the link in the charts below to determine the features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Learn more in the Universal Audio support article UAFX Control Manual > Using UAFX Control<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Setup and Connections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Powering your pedal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        IMPORTANT: <\/strong>Universal Audio amplifier pedals have specific power requirements. The pedal requires at least 400mA of current and must be isolated. If it is not isolated, you may hear additional hum in your signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A note about USB-C, Bluetooth, and analog audio connections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Prior to UAFX 2.0, the USB-C port on the full-sized UAFX pedals was only for connecting to the UA Connect app on your computer to register your unit and update the firmware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        After you update your full-sized UAFX pedal to firmware 2.0, your pedal gains the ability to transmit and receive MIDI control data over USB-C. The USB connection does not transmit digital audio. To record audio from your UAFX pedal, use the analog audio outputs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Full-sized UAFX pedals also have Bluetooth. This is for connecting to the UAFX Control app on your tablet or phone, to configure your pedal and to save presets. UAFX 2.0 pedals cannot receive MIDI program change and MIDI CC (continuous controller) commands over Bluetooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Connecting audio cables to your pedal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        How you cable up your unit depends on whether it\u2019s a compact model, a full-sized effects pedal, or a full-sized amp modeler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        With full-sized amp modelers, it\u2019s possible to configure the unit for 4-cable mode by accessing settings in the UAFX Control app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Consult the Universal Audio support article Connecting Your UAFX Pedals<\/a> for detailed connection diagrams for each kind of pedal in different usage scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Using Your UAFX Pedal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Operating each pedal depends on its features. Find the link to your owner\u2019s manual below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        UAFX Owner\u2019s Manuals home page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Full-Sized Pedals<\/h4>\n\n\n\n