Universal Audio just dropped a massive firmware update for their UAFX pedal lineup, and it’s easily the biggest one yet. The new UAFX 2.0 firmware and UAFX Control 3.0 app overhaul the entire ecosystem — bringing better Bluetooth performance, full MIDI control, and more ways to integrate your pedals into modern setups.
If you’re a guitarist, producer, or tone-tweaker using UAFX pedals, this update is an absolute must.
🔧 What’s New in UAFX 2.0
1. Improved UAFX Control App & Bluetooth
Universal Audio rebuilt the UAFX Control app from the ground up for smoother, more reliable Bluetooth connectivity. Expect faster pairing, fewer drops, and a much more responsive interface.
You can now also control your UAFX pedals directly via USB — perfect for wired sessions or live rigs where you don’t want to rely on Bluetooth.
2. Expanded Preset Capabilities
Amp-style UAFX pedals now include footswitch preset modes, and pedals with preset functionality can store up to 128 recallable presets via MIDI Program Change.
Better yet, you can keep hundreds of presets on your pedal and manage them right inside the UAFX Control app.
This means you can finally save all your go-to sounds — from ambient shimmer patches to crushing overdrives — and recall them instantly during a gig or session.
3. MIDI Comes to UAFX
This is the big one.
UAFX pedals now support MIDI Beat Clock, Program Change, and MIDI CC control, opening up an entire new world of integration possibilities.
You can:
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Sync tempo-based effects to your rig’s master clock.
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Recall presets via MIDI Program Change.
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Control pedal parameters — including bypass, mix, and more — with MIDI CC messages or an expression pedal.
💡 MIDI CC support is currently in open beta, so you can expect ongoing refinements from UA.
⚙️ How to Get the Update
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Connect your pedal to your Mac or PC with a USB cable.
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Open UA Connect, go to the UAFX Pedals tab, select your pedal, and click Update Firmware.
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Wait for the process to complete (your pedal may restart twice).
Once that’s done:
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Update your UAFX Control mobile app to version 3.0 (iOS or Android).
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Connect your pedal via Bluetooth or a USB-C cable to start using the new features.
🎛️ Enabling & Using MIDI
To enable MIDI:
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Open the UAFX Control app and connect to your pedal.
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Tap the MIDI icon in the top-right corner.
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Enable MIDI, then set your MIDI channel(s).
You can enable Program Change and CC control separately — and even assign them to different channels if you’d like.
To use MIDI, you’ll need a USB Host-capable MIDI interface (check UA’s Getting Started with UAFX 2.0 USB MIDI guide for compatible options). Once connected, you can:
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Send Program Change messages to recall presets.
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Send MIDI CC messages to tweak parameters in real-time.
💡 Pro tip: The MorningStar MC8 Pro is a popular choice for this kind of setup. It’s a USB host-capable MIDI controller with a built-in USB host port, crisp color displays, rugged footswitches, and an intuitive software editor that makes assigning presets and parameters a breeze. It pairs beautifully with UAFX pedals for players who want deep, hands-free control over their effects.
🔌 Wired Control and Connection Notes
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To connect a mobile device, open the UAFX Control app before plugging in your USB-C cable.
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iPhone users will need the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.
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Only one USB Host connection can be active at once — so you can’t use USB MIDI and wired UAFX Control simultaneously.
If you’re using USB MIDI, control your pedal via Bluetooth instead.
💭 About Bluetooth MIDI (WIDI)
The UAFX 2.0 update does not include Bluetooth MIDI natively.
However, you can add this functionality using third-party gear like the CME H4MIDI WC or CME WIDI Uhost adapters.
Just note that UA doesn’t officially support third-party hardware — so use at your own discretion.
🔊 Final Thoughts
The UAFX 2.0 firmware update turns UA’s already world-class pedals into truly future-ready sound machines. Between better connectivity, full MIDI support, and massive preset flexibility, this update brings the UAFX line to a whole new level.
If you’re running a modern pedalboard — digital or hybrid — this is one update you don’t want to skip.
