Fractal Audio FM3 Amp Modeler/FX Processor

6334 Views 58 Replies 24 Participants Last post by ChainOfThought, May 5, 2019

mpexus

Discussion Starter · Apr 23, 2019

The new FM3 is an Amp Modeler/Multi-FX floor unit from Fractal Audio Systems.

Full details on the PDF:

https://www.fractalaudio.com/tmp/190423-Fractal-Audio-Announces-the-FM3-Amp-Modeler-MultiFX.pdf

From the Fractal Forum:

WAIT LIST POLICY
If you're currently on the wait list for an AX8, we will automatically transfer your request to the FM3 in the order in which it was received.

If you want to join the waitlist for the FM3, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "FM3 Wait List" to reserve your unit in the USA or Canada
.
For waitlist requests in other countries, please contact your local Fractal Audio Systems dealer with the understanding that we have not yet provided our dealers with any dates.

PS: If you'd like to see the new FM3 in person, visit Axe-Fest at the Boston Amp Show this weekend! (April 27-28)

Price seems to be $999 (Direct)

Excerpt from the PDF:

The FM3 features ARES Amp Modeling-the latest technology developed by Fractal Audio for the award-winning Axe-Fx III. ARES captures the subtle sonic characteristics of real tube amps, with 265+ models offering an impressive range of clean tones, elusive "edge of breakup", and everything from warm, touch-sensitive overdrive to face-melting modern distortion.

The FM3 also includes the entire speaker cab impulse response ("IR") collection from the Axe-Fx III, with a stunning 2,200+ "Factory" choices and 2000+ "User" locations to store custom sounds from free or commercial packages. As a multi-effects unit, the FM3 includes a superb selection of Fractal Audio's state-of-the-art effect algorithms: dazzling drive pedals, dozens of delays, reverbs, compressors, EQs, modulation effects, a looper, and more.

Like other Fractal Audio processors, the FM3 uses "Presets" built from "Blocks" on a "Grid" (4x12). Eight "Scenes" per preset can engage or bypass effects, switch effect "Channels", adjust levels, and more. Fractal Audio's flexible "Modifier" system enables easy real-time sound changes with onboard or remote controllers, switches or expression pedals. A precision full-screen tuner, two global equalizers, and a convenient Tap Tempo function are also built-in.

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1 - 20 of 59 Posts

Josh

· #2 · Apr 23, 2019

Guess they saw the HX Stomp and decided they needed something more portable and lower in price.

79

· #3 · Apr 23, 2019

I'm already on the waitlist.

For $999 with AxeFX III modeling, why not? That's a killer box. I'll just flip the HX Stomp, and hope this fits in the same spot on my modeler board.

EDIT

Announcing the FM3 Amp Modeler/FX Processor!

Also, people like this can go fuck themselves. Buy something because it fits your needs when you buy it; not because you're concerned about flip value.

Jack Secret

· #4 · Apr 23, 2019

Fractal Audio Systems announces the FM3

Well...damn

https://www.fractalaudio.com/tmp/190423-Fractal-Audio-Announces-the-FM3-Amp-Modeler-MultiFX.pdf

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79

· #5 · Apr 23, 2019

https://www.metalguitarist.org/foru...actal-audio-fm3-amp-modeler-fx-processor.html

WE NEED A MERGE OVA HERE!!!!! STAT!!!

Nick

· #6 · Apr 23, 2019

Jeff said:
I'm already on the waitlist.

For $999 with AxeFX III modeling, why not? That's a killer box. I'll just flip the HX Stomp, and hope this fits in the same spot on my modeler board.

EDIT

Announcing the FM3 Amp Modeler/FX Processor!

Also, people like this can go fuck themselves. Buy something because it fits your needs when you buy it; not because you're concerned about flip value.

What if your needs are to be part of the scene and have the latest flavour of the month bullshit at all times?

Randy

· #7 · Apr 23, 2019

Josh said:
Guess they saw the HX Stomp and decided they needed something more portable and lower in price.

Agreed in concept but is the HX Stomp doing that well? I see very few of them out in the wild.

mpexus

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 23, 2019

I almost bought an AX8 last December but then started thinking that I was buying old tech (among being bigger than I liked and no headphones out) and something new would probably come out. Wasn't expecting it this soon and being even more portable and with Headphones out, It's what I wanted first place

There's no info on the price that I have seen for Europe. European website doesn't even show it. Most certain I will get one around summer time.

Dont need it, but I want it

Rev Drucifer

· #9 · Apr 23, 2019

I figured they'd be doing something like this soon. I'm diggin' the idea of this, I like that it's pretty small and can be controlled via MIDI or one of the Fractal pedals, which is probably how I'd run it in a live setting. There's too much stuff that's going to take priority over an AxeFX for the next year, but this can be reasoned in quite well!

Josh

· #10 · Apr 23, 2019

Randy said:
Agreed in concept but is the HX Stomp doing that well? I see very few of them out in the wild.

I mean, they were sold out everywhere for quite some time after launch. I bought one with a 20% off coupon; hard to argue with that pricepoint and size (though I wouldn't mind grabbing a modular switch at some point because 3 switches is doable but not ideal).

Leon

· #11 · Apr 23, 2019

Jeff said:
https://www.metalguitarist.org/foru...actal-audio-fm3-amp-modeler-fx-processor.html

WE NEED A MERGE OVA HERE!!!!! STAT!!!

:yesway:

49

· #12 · Apr 23, 2019

At that price, I am all over that waitlist. I love the fun and having the tactile-ness of tweaking a real amp and pedals, but this will obviously sound amazing and potentially be so much more practical.

79

· #13 · Apr 23, 2019

Nick said:
What if your needs are to be part of the scene and have the latest flavour of the month bullshit at all times?

:lol: true.

Randy said:
Agreed in concept but is the HX Stomp doing that well? I see very few of them out in the wild.

Seem to be, yeah. regardless, FAS needed to move forward with that pricepoint ($999-$1500) because the AX8, as good as it is, was getting stale. Also missing features people have been asking for, like headphone jack, USB audio, etc.

mpexus

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 23, 2019

There is a HUGE Market that this Companies seem to almost ignore. The dude at home with no pretensions of even having a Band but that likes to have gadgets.

Im part of those "dudes" and I can spend money if I think its worth it. Heck some newly arrived VST's are selling for 120 bucks and they only do one Amp and you still need a Laptop/Desktop and an Audio Interface.

Also its a matter of time until all of this will run perfectly well on a mid level consumer laptop. Wont take that long so its better to be part and leader of the pack now before its too late.

Jazzhands

· #15 · Apr 23, 2019

mpexus said:
There is a HUGE Market that this Companies seem to almost ignore. The dude at home with no pretensions of even having a Band but that likes to have gadgets.

Headrush just released a mini version of their modeler, and Line 6 has had the HX FX and HX Stomp for awhile now. Boss doesn't do one, but no one really seems to care about their amp modeling these days. Hell even Mooer released something like this before any of them. :lol:

Also going by what was said in the Fractal forums, this'll pretty much be an AX8 2.0. Same processing power, single amp, not as many effects as the Axe 3.

Rev Drucifer

· #16 · Apr 23, 2019

The one-amp thing is a downer. I'd rather throw this on a board with a few pedals doing specific sounds and retain the processing power to run two amps at once. Not a huge deal breaker as the only person that gives a shit about running two amps in a live setting is the guy that programmed them.

Nick

· #17 · Apr 23, 2019

Rev Drucifer said:
The one-amp thing is a downer. I'd rather throw this on a board with a few pedals doing specific sounds and retain the processing power to run two amps at once. Not a huge deal breaker as the only person that gives a shit about running two amps in a live setting is the guy that programmed them.

I always think two amps at once on the afx2 sounds weird, most specifically during pinch harmonics but in general it feels unnatural to me.

PirateMetalTroy

· #18 · Apr 24, 2019

So will this one be able to do direct recording since it has USB audio now?

Naren

· #19 · Apr 24, 2019

As awesome as this looks, I'm probably still going to get the AX8. I mean, the Axe-FX III modelling is awesome, but the fact that it's limited like this means I'd rather have the Axe-FX II technology and much more freedom.

mpexus

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 24, 2019

Jazzhands said:
Headrush just released a mini version of their modeler, and Line 6 has had the HX FX and HX Stomp for awhile now. Boss doesn't do one, but no one really seems to care about their amp modeling these days. Hell even Mooer released something like this before any of them. :lol:

Yeah because they saw the opportunity. But none of those sound any better than the Fractal. Fractal has the crown for a long time and they know it., They were resisting but they knew they couldn't do it for long. Kemper will do something similar sooner than later, they also can't expect to keep 6-7 year old tech still relevant much longer.

1 - 20 of 59 Posts

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