@@tjontheroad Quick question; do I need to worry about a cab hookup to the amp with this cable method or should my studios XLR out of the FM9 be sufficient to offload. Was reading about tube stress. Thanks!
One thing that can be done is leave the FM3 right on or near the amp and use all short cables for the 4cm hookups. Then run a long fast link cable/xlr to a Fractal FC6 or 12 and use that pedal for all your footswitching. The short cable runs will reduce tone loss. Also the master volume on the TC has a big impact on the FX loop. At lower master volume settings it will affect tone.
Hey TJ, thanks a lot for the video, is very informative. I do have a question, though, if you don't mind: Did you manage to check if the amp's tone is actually affected by the FM3? Meaning, is there tone suck? Thanks in advance.
I can’t say I did a direct a/b test. However, I would normally expect some effect in tone when running 4CM and the 15 foot cable snake I use. It is just the nature of that setup. Bottom line is it’s easily compensated for with some judicial EQ and not anything to worry about IMO. I gigged extensively with the TC-50 using both the Fractal FX-8 and Line 6 HXFX. Always was an awesome experience. I originally ordered the FM3 as an intended upgrade to those. There’s no gigs now, but I have no doubts FM3 would be even better 4CM with my TC-50. I mean, if it sounds good, rock it all night and no worries. Thanks for watching, TJ
Hi! Amazing video thank you! You use the tap function to controll your Mesa via midi and change between channels, can you also use the hold function in order to both change channel and activate effects?
Thanks for watching. Yes, you can set hold functions for the same tap. There's a whole manual on this called the Fractal Audio Footswitch Functions Guide available for download. Cheers, TJ
I run the fm3 straight into a Princeton with its EQ down. Sounds really good actually. I am trying to set a boss gt1000 as a midi controller for the fm3 . I am considering doing a 4 cable method between the gt1000 and the fm3...
hi ...help please , i setup 4 cable , it all works including drive block. but any effects such as reverb or delay after the preamp are barely audible , like they're way in the background compared to the preamp signal ... what am i doing wrong ? appreciate any help thank you
Hi. Thanks for watching the video. As best I can figure from your description of the issue, you either have the cables wired incorrectly and/or the FM3 block routing incorrect. It could also be that your amp has a parallel effects loop rather than a series effects loop. Those amps require a slightly different configuration. Best of luck, TJ
Hi, Thanks for watching. The connections and using the FM3 MIDI block are explained in the video. You don't need to re-program the amp as I did. You can use the default settings as explained in the manual for the TC-50 (page 23 for control change and page 25 for program change). I only re-ordered the MIDI PC commands so that they'd be easier to remember than the defaults. If you do wish to reprogram how the TC-50 responds to MIDI commands, that's is also explained in the manual. Best of luck. Please share and subscribe. TJ
FM3 is very high quality and transparent. That said, with 4CM there is always alteration in tone with just the cable runs alone. FM3 also acts as a high quality buffer along the way. The results are clean and professional sounding. I previously gigged 4CM with a Fractal FX8 and later a Line 6 HXFX. FM3 is easily the better 4CM rig. Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
@@nikkinik2161 One trick is to place a volume block at the beginning of each path and use the scenes to control the amount of signal that is sent past that black.
Hi, I wonder if is possible to navigate to SETUP: I/O: Audio and change Output 2R /Copy Output 1 to “ON” to replicate the signal normally sent to Out 1. To not use an adaptor XLR to TS… I aprettiate your answer... thx
That isn't workable because the FM3 only allows one instance of an output 1 or 2 block within a preset. Also, there is no separate availability to have individual dual mono L/R sends. With 4CM, output 2 is dedicated to the send from FM3 to your amp's guitar input and cannot be reused. The output 1, with it's XLR connection is the only option. Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
@@tjontheroad Thx for your answer... and maybe with this two configurations: Dual Mono (SETUP: I/O: Audio and set Mode for the desired output to “COPY L->R”) or Summed Mono (SETUP: I/O: Audio and set Mode for the desired output to “SUM L+R”)... this for go out from Output 2R with a TS CABLE... It´s this possible? since I don't have it yet I have these quetions and I really appreciate your answers
There are only "input" and "output" blocks on the FM3 (and FXIII) of which act the same as sends and returns to exterior gear. Internally, there are "send" and "return" blocks that allow any signal at any point of the grid to be sent to any other point on the grid where the signal is returned back into the chain. This allows for internal feedback loops and for longer signal chains. Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
What if my amp doesnt have a midi input, also do I absolutely need to connect a XLR cable to be able to play this through an amp?( Ive seen XLR to 1/4" jack cable, so thats not the issue)
Hi, If your amp doesn't have MIDI and want use the FM3 to change channels, you can use an amp switcher such as the RJM Mini Amp Gizmo. That will convert the FM3 MIDI commands into regular analog switching signals. You'll need a XLR cable from the FM3 out to send to your amp return. You can either use an adapter or a cable with a TRS 1/4 inch end on the one side for your amp. Some FM3 users have created more complex presets that use the extra 1/4 inch send instead of the main XLR out. That's beyond the scope of this video. Check out the Fractal Audio forum for more information. Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
@@tjontheroad Hi, thanks for answering. I just check my marshall dsl and sadly it actually doesnt have a fx send or return. But my cheaper marshall mg50 does. (Stock speaker) so sadly I guess I will using beats to listen
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Great video, straight to the point!
Thanks for watching. Cheers, TJ
Great video. I currently run my FM9 into studio monitors. Would love to run my EVH amp into the unit with 4 cable.
Thanks for watching. Cheers, TJ
@@tjontheroad Quick question; do I need to worry about a cab hookup to the amp with this cable method or should my studios XLR out of the FM9 be sufficient to offload. Was reading about tube stress. Thanks!
Yes, your amp needs to be loaded. Either with a speaker or load box.
@@tjontheroad Perfect thanks!
One thing that can be done is leave the FM3 right on or near the amp and use all short cables for the 4cm hookups. Then run a long fast link cable/xlr to a Fractal FC6 or 12 and use that pedal for all your footswitching. The short cable runs will reduce tone loss. Also the master volume on the TC has a big impact on the FX loop. At lower master volume settings it will affect tone.
Sure, FC6 or FC12 are great for that.
Thanks for watching. TJ
Hey TJ, thanks a lot for the video, is very informative. I do have a question, though, if you don't mind: Did you manage to check if the amp's tone is actually affected by the FM3? Meaning, is there tone suck? Thanks in advance.
I can’t say I did a direct a/b test. However, I would normally expect some effect in tone when running 4CM and the 15 foot cable snake I use. It is just the nature of that setup. Bottom line is it’s easily compensated for with some judicial EQ and not anything to worry about IMO. I gigged extensively with the TC-50 using both the Fractal FX-8 and Line 6 HXFX. Always was an awesome experience. I originally ordered the FM3 as an intended upgrade to those. There’s no gigs now, but I have no doubts FM3 would be even better 4CM with my TC-50. I mean, if it sounds good, rock it all night and no worries.
Thanks for watching, TJ
Hi! Amazing video thank you! You use the tap function to controll your Mesa via midi and change between channels, can you also use the hold function in order to both change channel and activate effects?
Thanks for watching. Yes, you can set hold functions for the same tap. There's a whole manual on this called the Fractal Audio Footswitch Functions Guide available for download.
Cheers, TJ
I run the fm3 straight into a Princeton with its EQ down. Sounds really good actually.
I am trying to set a boss gt1000 as a midi controller for the fm3 . I am considering doing a 4 cable method between the gt1000 and the fm3...
Thank you for watching. Cheers, TJ
@@tjontheroad great content, thank you!
Great video I have a Mesa Roadster and I am on the waitlist for the FM3 will do this (no midi for now) keep rocking man!
Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
hi ...help please , i setup 4 cable , it all works including drive block.
but any effects such as reverb or delay after the preamp are barely audible , like they're way in the background compared to the preamp signal ... what am i doing wrong ?
appreciate any help thank you
Hi. Thanks for watching the video. As best I can figure from your description of the issue, you either have the cables wired incorrectly and/or the FM3 block routing incorrect. It could also be that your amp has a parallel effects loop rather than a series effects loop. Those amps require a slightly different configuration.
Best of luck, TJ
Hi, I have the same gear (TC-50 and fm3) I'm having trouble programing it the way you did. How did you connect the midi and how did you program it?
Hi, Thanks for watching. The connections and using the FM3 MIDI block are explained in the video. You don't need to re-program the amp as I did. You can use the default settings as explained in the manual for the TC-50 (page 23 for control change and page 25 for program change). I only re-ordered the MIDI PC commands so that they'd be easier to remember than the defaults. If you do wish to reprogram how the TC-50 responds to MIDI commands, that's is also explained in the manual.
Best of luck. Please share and subscribe. TJ
Can FM3 change channel on the amps without MIDI e.g. for amps that dont have MIDI?
No. It doesn't have relay switching.
Cheers TJ
How is the quality going into the amp input? Does the fm3 alter the guitar tone and feel?
FM3 is very high quality and transparent. That said, with 4CM there is always alteration in tone with just the cable runs alone. FM3 also acts as a high quality buffer along the way. The results are clean and professional sounding. I previously gigged 4CM with a Fractal FX8 and later a Line 6 HXFX. FM3 is easily the better 4CM rig.
Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
Thanks a lot! Still on the waitlist...😬
@@Ogiber0209 You're welcome. Enjoy it.
Hey! How can i 'disable' my amps preamp and only use the FM3's amp like you mentioned around 10:10? Thanks in advance!
You can do so by creating a path that only goes to the FX return of the amp.
Thanks for watching. TJ
@@tjontheroad Yeah i'm searching for a solution which works in one preset: One scene with the amp's preamp, one scene without it :)
@@nikkinik2161 One trick is to place a volume block at the beginning of each path and use the scenes to control the amount of signal that is sent past that black.
@@tjontheroad Good idea, thank you! :)
Hi, I wonder if is possible to navigate to SETUP: I/O: Audio and change Output 2R /Copy Output 1 to “ON” to replicate the signal normally sent to Out 1. To not use an adaptor XLR to TS… I aprettiate your answer... thx
That isn't workable because the FM3 only allows one instance of an output 1 or 2 block within a preset. Also, there is no separate availability to have individual dual mono L/R sends. With 4CM, output 2 is dedicated to the send from FM3 to your amp's guitar input and cannot be reused. The output 1, with it's XLR connection is the only option.
Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
@@tjontheroad Thx for your answer... and maybe with this two configurations: Dual Mono (SETUP: I/O: Audio and set Mode for the desired output to “COPY L->R”) or Summed Mono (SETUP: I/O: Audio and set Mode for the desired output to “SUM L+R”)... this for go out from Output 2R with a TS CABLE... It´s this possible? since I don't have it yet I have these quetions and I really appreciate your answers
@@faustopuin2631 Sorry, no can do. The XLR output 1 with adapter is the only way FM3 is designed to be used 4CM.
@@tjontheroad ...oh man :/ thanks for the answer...
What is the point of Fx send and return block, when you haven't used them, but input 2 and output 2 instead?
There are only "input" and "output" blocks on the FM3 (and FXIII) of which act the same as sends and returns to exterior gear. Internally, there are "send" and "return" blocks that allow any signal at any point of the grid to be sent to any other point on the grid where the signal is returned back into the chain. This allows for internal feedback loops and for longer signal chains.
Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
What if my amp doesnt have a midi input, also do I absolutely need to connect a XLR cable to be able to play this through an amp?( Ive seen XLR to 1/4" jack cable, so thats not the issue)
Hi, If your amp doesn't have MIDI and want use the FM3 to change channels, you can use an amp switcher such as the RJM Mini Amp Gizmo. That will convert the FM3 MIDI commands into regular analog switching signals. You'll need a XLR cable from the FM3 out to send to your amp return. You can either use an adapter or a cable with a TRS 1/4 inch end on the one side for your amp. Some FM3 users have created more complex presets that use the extra 1/4 inch send instead of the main XLR out. That's beyond the scope of this video. Check out the Fractal Audio forum for more information.
Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. TJ
@@tjontheroad Hi, thanks for answering. I just check my marshall dsl and sadly it actually doesnt have a fx send or return. But my cheaper marshall mg50 does. (Stock speaker) so sadly I guess I will using beats to listen
Well you could always use FM3 in front of the amp just like a pedalboard.
@@tjontheroad ive heard that that effects the delays and reverbs and can also sound like crap
That's sometimes true, but not always. You need to experiment and find what works for you.
I get volume loss in 4 cable method and my in and out clip. I am using a tc 50 head.
Pay close attention to gain staging throughout your signal chain and set the amp master volume to balance the final output.
Cheers TJ
Uuummmm, so what is a hum buster cable??? TRS - TS?
Here's a diagram for Humbuster cables forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/ax8-effects-only-in-loop-excessive-noise.142372/post-1685467
Not to be pedantic but it's color coded not color coordinated. Color coordinating is when you make sure your shirt and tie go together.
Lol. I gave up the shirt and tie routine long ago. Cheers, TJ