Totally agree on the switch closeness and lack of scribble strips on the QC. If you actually play live, big bright scribble strips go from being a nice to have to essential.
If you hit the Pin icon when you're picking your picking out your amp, cab or effect, you can audition them one at a time without having to keep clicking on the type box
Yeah, I never heard they even released the Turbo stuff. It didn't really seem like they did a marketing blitz like they did when the FM3 first came out. Possibly cause it's just the same unit but with more CPU available, which was probably most needed for the FM3 since the FM9 and Axe 3 have plenty of processing power for what 90% of guitarists would need. My guess is they weren't getting the numbers they wanted for the new units and now have to compete with Tone X and QC, but at launch, they didn't have anyone besides L6 and Kemper.
Damn , I’m fucking old . I just plug into my mesa and 4x12 cab. I try but this stuff is beyond me but i do enjoy watching you kids with your new toys . 🤘🏻🤘🏻. Always love the content
I'm 53. So, I'm old. I have an Axe FX III. I absolutely love the thing. No chance I'd go back to using tube amps at this point. Can't tell you the amount of times I've had other guitarists come up to me and ask me about 'one of the best live tones they've ever heard.'
@@nahnotsomuch2292 lol @ 53 being old . Glad you enjoy your tone . I love mine as well . I’ll play my tube amps till I die . But I’m glad you kids have cool shit . 🤘🏻👍
You can get a midi switcher for most of these modelers. Way less to worry about too, it's way easier to replace one of those than any of the modelers on the market
Great to see you putting some love on the Fractal products, Fluff! For everone not familiar with Fractal you should have shown the Dyncacab section though....I strongly prefer it over "legacy" IRs personally ☺ The Ownhammer IRs are great though tbh. Fractal rules, I agree! 🤘🏻
Same. I've got a lot of ownhammer, Nolly and ML Soundlab IR's and I ALWAYS go back to the dynacab. After having spent about a month now with a Tonemaster Pro though, whatever voodoo they did with their IR's is seriously impressive and not only is that thing MILES easier to work with both at home and on stage, I feel like it was a lot easier to dial in a sound that would have taken me hours to get to on my FM3. I still think that the FM3 is capable of slightly better sounds but it feels like it takes an order of magnitude longer to get there.
@@MatthiasBuesing Of course I don't know how big the difference here is exactly and I know they both sound great, but in general there is a significant difference between shorter and longer IRs. This is probably one of the bigger reasons why older digital amp modelling technology sounds far worse than that of today.
@@MatthiasBuesing I just looked it up, Fractal's standard IRs are 20ms long, their Ultra-Res IRs are 170ms long. That is certainly a difference that you can hear and gives more realism to the low end.
@@RiffsAndBeards The input trim on the amp block also has nothing to do with the pad. There is a global input trim setting if you want it, since you mention the trim resetting when you change amps.
You brought up the ultra-res cabs but then used a standard length IR. The mk1 can run the ultra-res too, just gotta watch some leon todd vids to maximize dsp.
Is there a difference between adding a drive block and adding an input boost in the amp block? Ola Englund made a vid the other day and just added an input boost. Just a curious Headrush Core user.
L6 will have more options in terms of your buttons and also have more power; the normal helix has the same DSP power as the LT. I would get a helix over an FM3, but I would do FM9 (more options) over a helix. So, for me, it comes down to switching options in a live scenario; if you aren't trying to do live stuff, the FM3 will be good cause you can just program midi switching for recording. In short, if you play live Helix. Otherwise, you'll have to get an FM9 to have similar flexibility (except you have to buy a foot pedal if you want to do the wah, pitch shift, or volume stuff live.) If you play at home or in the studio, FM3 (MK1 or Turbo). Just know your preferences, and you'll know what to get. Also, I don't have a bias here because I'm a Kemper user. Good luck!
My buddy plays huge venues with Fractal Racks. You can even see videos of them backstage of band like Metallica. I don’t know what level player you are, but I will tell you this, hoping it will help. I own basically ALL of the high end ones. i have no wife, no life, and no kids. so I spend my money on crap that I don’t need at all. That being said. Just as the other commenter said, Fractal is top notch. People will argue the quad cortex is. So, I havre all this high end modellers etc. But just like computers, they go out of date and become dinosaurs eventually. I acually picked up the powered kemper rack recently and really like it, but the controls are from 1967 or something. Lately I’ve been buy here and there the cheaper units off Amazon. And I’ll tell you what, I had the Katana Go first (tiny unit, basically fully wireless but you need corded headphones. Now I have the Mooer P2. About the size of an iphone and now I just jam all night with headphones on. But these are just entry level “get into the modeler scene”. In my opinion, though I also have the Mooer 1000Li I think? It’s there flagship. Let me preface that I really only use these for practice, not stellar tones. So a $500 unit (as well as the Flamma 300 I think) are battery powered! So you can play for about 5 hours without needing a cord. Even the smallest hotone mini with two buttons needs a cord. Blows my mind. I will also tell you, you’re asking OTHER people what to get. So you’re like me. Now I have dust on most of my stuff because I just didnt’ vibe with it. Next is software. I can’t stand having to use my computer to plug in a guitar lol. I don’t know anything about you, but I would , if you can, go check out some units. I got into the trap that I bought evertyhing that Fluff and Ola and such would demo. The ONLY thing I have about my battery powered Mooer 1000li, is the built in footswitch. If I wanted one, I’d buy one. So if you really think about it. I mean really. You might be spending more time on firmware updates and tweaking stuff than just getting down and dirty and practicing. I don’t know if you mentioned this, but Blackstar makes 3 units. The Amped 1, 2, and 3. They have “nano tube” technology, so it’s somone analog, but somewhat digitial. The amped 3 I really love. It has 3 (maybe 4 I can’t remember) channels. Each has a programmable footswitch. It has clean channel, then crunch, Then crunch with overdrive, then channel 3 is moremoremore overdrive, then it has a super duper tastic overdrive. AND, you can switch which tubes you want just with a switch. 6L6, EL34, KT88 (might be KT77) and I think flat response or something. Now, even better! You can switch between 1 watt, 20 watts, or 100 watts. So I program my channels, hook up a wireless thigamahooker and I’m totally wireless. I can go poop and still be playing! At the very least, even if you don’t like it, it can power your Helix, Fractal, or whatever because it is powered as well. So sorry man, but I’ve spent over $600,000 tone chasing, I need to sound like this or that, oh look a new modeler etc. So my advice, make pros and cons, test them if you can. If you can’t and are still unsure, buy something cheap that won’t break your bank and save some other money for when you know what your needs are. I have amps around $5k i’ve never even played. Wait until you see my youtube channel. I never practiced until I got that little Katana go for $100 (i guess they are discontinued due to lack of parts, but are redesigning them?). Now I do, and you’re going to see what its like to have the most expensive gear you could want, and only be able to play a D chord. Okay not even that, Just drop D. My channel is going to be for fun, and show what an average (or less than) needs to get better. BTW, this video, a Mark II, is this a NEW unit? Crap! I need it! lol. Again sorry for the rant, but don’t do what I did and go down a path that ends up where you started. Cheers brother!
Same as Matthias said. The turbo actually a decent boost in DSP. Most musicians will use FM3 just fine and if you need more switches just grab a MIDI controller, tons of them out there.
Naah, why do you think that? Fractal doesn’t have a power amp so don’t worry about that. Without a cab you will hear annoying, harsh, raw sound. Just like with the amp plugins on PC
I just purchased the FM3, I am waiting for it to arrive. Your video was the first one that I've that showed how to get it out of the box and use it. All the tweaking that some of the other folks that demo the unit, just makes my head spin. Great job, I subscribed and liked this video. Well done sir.
The FM3 does have input sensitivity controls it's just in the IO settings.
But just 2 options, I think? It’s incremental on the other devices.
It doesn't really have input sensitivity control but 4 fixed input pad values: 0, 6, 12, and 18dB. IMO more than enough for most practical cases.
I was very impressed that these are able to be had for 999. I borrowed one for a week and fell in love. Currently a dual HX Stomp user,
Do you prefer it to your Stomp enough to change?
So you and Ola both put out a video about the FM3 a day apart…..what’s coming down the fractal audio pipeline? Tell me what you know!!!!!
Cliff posted in the fractal forum on Aug 8th that a new product will be released in the coming weeks 😮
This.... yes. Same. Word on the street is that there is a new product coming that will not replace an existing Fractal product. I am very curious.
Totally agree on the switch closeness and lack of scribble strips on the QC. If you actually play live, big bright scribble strips go from being a nice to have to essential.
FM9 turbo owner here. These are the best out there IMO
Yes been with them 15 years the only way to go.
can’t wait for mine to arrive 🤘🏽🎛️⚡️
If you hit the Pin icon when you're picking your picking out your amp, cab or effect, you can audition them one at a time without having to keep clicking on the type box
Got my fm3 mk2 a few weeks back. so far it's easily the best sound I've had out of a guitar. HIGHLY recommend!
So what changed in the universe that nearly year old unit is just now getting reviews from Ola and Fluff?
Sales down?
Tone X
Yeah, I never heard they even released the Turbo stuff. It didn't really seem like they did a marketing blitz like they did when the FM3 first came out. Possibly cause it's just the same unit but with more CPU available, which was probably most needed for the FM3 since the FM9 and Axe 3 have plenty of processing power for what 90% of guitarists would need. My guess is they weren't getting the numbers they wanted for the new units and now have to compete with Tone X and QC, but at launch, they didn't have anyone besides L6 and Kemper.
Fractal paying probably
@@ejw3006 I mean its cool, I'm glad, its a great unit, but you really can't call it 'new'...lol.
Damn , I’m fucking old . I just plug into my mesa and 4x12 cab. I try but this stuff is beyond me but i do enjoy watching you kids with your new toys .
🤘🏻🤘🏻. Always love the content
You aren’t missing anything.
@@joefh1985 lol. Ty
I'm 53. So, I'm old. I have an Axe FX III. I absolutely love the thing. No chance I'd go back to using tube amps at this point. Can't tell you the amount of times I've had other guitarists come up to me and ask me about 'one of the best live tones they've ever heard.'
@@nahnotsomuch2292 lol @ 53 being old . Glad you enjoy your tone . I love mine as well . I’ll play my tube amps till I die . But I’m glad you kids have cool shit . 🤘🏻👍
You can get a midi switcher for most of these modelers. Way less to worry about too, it's way easier to replace one of those than any of the modelers on the market
Great to see you putting some love on the Fractal products, Fluff! For everone not familiar with Fractal you should have shown the Dyncacab section though....I strongly prefer it over "legacy" IRs personally ☺ The Ownhammer IRs are great though tbh.
Fractal rules, I agree! 🤘🏻
Same. I've got a lot of ownhammer, Nolly and ML Soundlab IR's and I ALWAYS go back to the dynacab.
After having spent about a month now with a Tonemaster Pro though, whatever voodoo they did with their IR's is seriously impressive and not only is that thing MILES easier to work with both at home and on stage, I feel like it was a lot easier to dial in a sound that would have taken me hours to get to on my FM3.
I still think that the FM3 is capable of slightly better sounds but it feels like it takes an order of magnitude longer to get there.
There should be a clipping indicator (at least there is on the Axe FX III). There is a setting in the I/O to adjust.
The FM3 MKI also have the same sound of the MKII, FM9 and AxeFX3. Just less CPU horsepower.
If you can only use shorter IRs than on the bigger units, then it really doesn't sound the same or am I missing something?
@@josuastangl7140 I doubt that you can hear those more than subtle differences, even isolated.
@@MatthiasBuesing Of course I don't know how big the difference here is exactly and I know they both sound great, but in general there is a significant difference between shorter and longer IRs.
This is probably one of the bigger reasons why older digital amp modelling technology sounds far worse than that of today.
@@MatthiasBuesing I just looked it up, Fractal's standard IRs are 20ms long, their Ultra-Res IRs are 170ms long.
That is certainly a difference that you can hear and gives more realism to the low end.
@@josuastangl7140The FM3 can play UltraRes IRs since FW 3 i think. It eats a couple of percent from your already limited CPU budget though.
It does have input sensitivity. It’s a 6,12 or 18db pad.
I mean like the III tho but yea you are right
@@RiffsAndBeards The input trim on the amp block also has nothing to do with the pad. There is a global input trim setting if you want it, since you mention the trim resetting when you change amps.
Fractal sounds great!!!
I find with the newest updates it's not even a problem on the regular FM3 anymore, at least for a standard layout, even with reverb delay etc.
What a sexy unit
I think the Input Block has sensitivity controls.
Troll feet! lol Thanks for showcasing this. Sounds amazing as always.
Thanks for doing this review. Been on the fence, but this is pushing me over the line. Would love something that I can take when traveling/etc.
You brought up the ultra-res cabs but then used a standard length IR. The mk1 can run the ultra-res too, just gotta watch some leon todd vids to maximize dsp.
Love my FM3. I mostly use it for effects only in the loop of my Badlander, but as a standalone it’s fantastic.
Is there a difference between adding a drive block and adding an input boost in the amp block? Ola Englund made a vid the other day and just added an input boost. Just a curious Headrush Core user.
Input boost will leave the mids alone, just a personal preference
He’s comin in hot!!!!!
is it limited to just the 10 blocks?
Just ten? How many do you need ?
No, it's limited by DSP. You can route it across the grid however you want.
To me it looks like the quad cortex minus taxes and eventually broken pieces. Namastè.
wish it had 2 amp blocks, would be the perfect travel package
I'm going to be buying a modeler soon. Would you go with this one or the Line 6 Helix LT? I can't make up my mind.
quad cortex
L6 will have more options in terms of your buttons and also have more power; the normal helix has the same DSP power as the LT. I would get a helix over an FM3, but I would do FM9 (more options) over a helix. So, for me, it comes down to switching options in a live scenario; if you aren't trying to do live stuff, the FM3 will be good cause you can just program midi switching for recording.
In short, if you play live Helix. Otherwise, you'll have to get an FM9 to have similar flexibility (except you have to buy a foot pedal if you want to do the wah, pitch shift, or volume stuff live.) If you play at home or in the studio, FM3 (MK1 or Turbo). Just know your preferences, and you'll know what to get.
Also, I don't have a bias here because I'm a Kemper user. Good luck!
Fractal FM3, without a doubt. I had the Helix LT and the HX Stomp XL. Both are good devices for sure, but Fractal is another galaxy.
My buddy plays huge venues with Fractal Racks. You can even see videos of them backstage of band like Metallica. I don’t know what level player you are, but I will tell you this, hoping it will help. I own basically ALL of the high end ones. i have no wife, no life, and no kids. so I spend my money on crap that I don’t need at all. That being said. Just as the other commenter said, Fractal is top notch. People will argue the quad cortex is. So, I havre all this high end modellers etc. But just like computers, they go out of date and become dinosaurs eventually. I acually picked up the powered kemper rack recently and really like it, but the controls are from 1967 or something. Lately I’ve been buy here and there the cheaper units off Amazon. And I’ll tell you what, I had the Katana Go first (tiny unit, basically fully wireless but you need corded headphones. Now I have the Mooer P2. About the size of an iphone and now I just jam all night with headphones on. But these are just entry level “get into the modeler scene”. In my opinion, though I also have the Mooer 1000Li I think? It’s there flagship. Let me preface that I really only use these for practice, not stellar tones. So a $500 unit (as well as the Flamma 300 I think) are battery powered! So you can play for about 5 hours without needing a cord. Even the smallest hotone mini with two buttons needs a cord. Blows my mind. I will also tell you, you’re asking OTHER people what to get. So you’re like me. Now I have dust on most of my stuff because I just didnt’ vibe with it. Next is software. I can’t stand having to use my computer to plug in a guitar lol. I don’t know anything about you, but I would , if you can, go check out some units. I got into the trap that I bought evertyhing that Fluff and Ola and such would demo. The ONLY thing I have about my battery powered Mooer 1000li, is the built in footswitch. If I wanted one, I’d buy one. So if you really think about it. I mean really. You might be spending more time on firmware updates and tweaking stuff than just getting down and dirty and practicing. I don’t know if you mentioned this, but Blackstar makes 3 units. The Amped 1, 2, and 3. They have “nano tube” technology, so it’s somone analog, but somewhat digitial. The amped 3 I really love. It has 3 (maybe 4 I can’t remember) channels. Each has a programmable footswitch. It has clean channel, then crunch, Then crunch with overdrive, then channel 3 is moremoremore overdrive, then it has a super duper tastic overdrive. AND, you can switch which tubes you want just with a switch. 6L6, EL34, KT88 (might be KT77) and I think flat response or something. Now, even better! You can switch between 1 watt, 20 watts, or 100 watts. So I program my channels, hook up a wireless thigamahooker and I’m totally wireless. I can go poop and still be playing! At the very least, even if you don’t like it, it can power your Helix, Fractal, or whatever because it is powered as well.
So sorry man, but I’ve spent over $600,000 tone chasing, I need to sound like this or that, oh look a new modeler etc. So my advice, make pros and cons, test them if you can. If you can’t and are still unsure, buy something cheap that won’t break your bank and save some other money for when you know what your needs are. I have amps around $5k i’ve never even played. Wait until you see my youtube channel. I never practiced until I got that little Katana go for $100 (i guess they are discontinued due to lack of parts, but are redesigning them?). Now I do, and you’re going to see what its like to have the most expensive gear you could want, and only be able to play a D chord. Okay not even that, Just drop D. My channel is going to be for fun, and show what an average (or less than) needs to get better. BTW, this video, a Mark II, is this a NEW unit? Crap! I need it! lol. Again sorry for the rant, but don’t do what I did and go down a path that ends up where you started. Cheers brother!
What would you suggest the application of this is vs the axe 3 ? Just a smaller rig ?
Smaller and less CPU/DSP power, only 1 amp and 2 cabs. Enough for most musicians though ;-)
Same as Matthias said. The turbo actually a decent boost in DSP. Most musicians will use FM3 just fine and if you need more switches just grab a MIDI controller, tons of them out there.
Thanks guys I already have a axe 2 didn't know if it would be worth upgrading to something like this
@@Raijinx13 Should be thanks to the newer Cygnus modeling technology alone...
@@MatthiasBuesing word I'll take a look cause I think the only time I've ever blended amps was on the 2 for a clean that I found sick . !
Do you blow the FM3 if you remove the Cab block with the Amp on ?
Naah, why do you think that?
Fractal doesn’t have a power amp so don’t worry about that. Without a cab you will hear annoying, harsh, raw sound. Just like with the amp plugins on PC
Fluff Daddy, no funny business but the business is funny.
I just purchased the FM3, I am waiting for it to arrive. Your video was the first one that I've that showed how to get it out of the box and use it. All the tweaking that some of the other folks that demo the unit, just makes my head spin. Great job, I subscribed and liked this video. Well done sir.
What's the price point on this bad boy?
¿Cómo siendo un artista Fractal tienes que comprar su gear?
why did I buy a quad cortex when it costs more and the modelling is nowhere near as good as the fm3 😢
Yeah this is where my brain is at as I was getting ready to make the decision.
I think the Sound was exakt the same... The sound has not too much cou power so it should work at the old fm3 too... Why did you do that video?
Electricity is amazing.
My beginner knowledge couldn't even understand a thing about this
Hate to have to say this, but my FM3, not mark II, not turbo, sounds the same. You have maybe 10% more CPU available, but it sound's exactly the same.
There was a software update to all of them. 2 years ago you couldn’t run the Ultra Res stuff and my patches had noticeably less top end.
Dude, skipping Dynacab was a huge oversight. You should cover it in a supplemental video because it is a huge tone shaping tool.
🎉🎉🎉
Toured the world ?😂
Stop spreading your GAS my way!
Is it still worth getting a regular fm3 if I’m able to get it used for $1200cad?
I think not for $1200cad.
Damn bro did you get ANOTHER Tremonti lol that’s not the same one from a week or two ago
I don’t wanna talk about it
They found a huge old stock of them from K-Mart.
The FM3 Turbo might be the best purchase I have ever done. Nothing makes me happier:)
I won the first comment award AGAIN !
Burpia... It's a cold mocha frappuccini Burp.... Hi Yaw!!!!... How do you say burp in Italian" Burpini" ?
They all sound the same lol
someone offered me a fm3 for my peavey 5150ii...im thinking no. Ive never used anything fractal.
Probably awesome until the footswitches die after a week or two.
Fractal devices are literally built like a tank.
Who actually steps on the switches? I bend down and carefully push them by hand and ask them if they’re okay.