Thanks for this direct comparison. I had both devices, first the HX Stomp and then moved to Fractal (Axe-FX III). The Fractal is more direct sounding and has a crispness that I was unable to dial in with the HX Stomp. After a learning-phase the interface and workflow became very intuitive ... and yes, I absolutely like the thousands of possibilities of tweaking the sound. Can get a bit overwhelming but is soooo cool 🙂
This is exactly my experience. Started with the HX Stomp. Loved it so much I got an XL as well. Picked up a reasonable first gen FM3 to mess about with. The word really is crisp. It’s so much cleaner and crisper. So hard to describe but I definitely want to invest some time in the Fractal eco system. Once I have it licked, I don’t think i’m moving back.
Big difference with the FM3 in openness/ breath in the tones - dynamic range also very evident on the track featuring the blue track with the lady. FM3 all day
The HX Stomp is awesome, and I still love it. However, I just sold my HX Stomp to put the money towards and FM3 which I've owned for over a month now. HX Stomp is amazing and so compact, but if you want more flexibility and more DSP, then the FM3 is the way to go if you have the extra money to spend. I'm a bass player, and both are great for bass. I love that the Stomp fit in my gig bag, but the FM3 required it's own carrying bag since it's like 4 times larger and about 6 times heavier. HX Stomp gives you up to 8 blocks, but FM3 can easily do 16+ depending on what blocks you are using (I've maxed it out at 12 using some high DSP blocks). Stomp is easier to use for sure, but if you are willing to learn the Fractal Audio interface, there are way more customizable options to really customize your sounds, especially if you want to apply the "modifiers" to the effect blocks which lets you do things like auto adjust the effect based on how hard you play (envelope) or the pitch of the notes you play (like when you play higher up on the neck). These modifiers are not even an option in the Stomp if you really want to use them.
I'm running an rc booster in front of the hx stomp or my helix. Always on. For that feeling thing. The first thing that your guitar heats is an analog signal on the rc booster, and that makes all the difference. Give it a try.
I’ve heard people do likewise with a compressor out front, and saying that improved/‘fixed’ the feel of their HX (probably versus a Kemper, I suspect).
I'm exactly in the same predicament...I have found that using Custom IRs with the Helix fixed the feel thing quite a bit, but I must say apart for the extreme portability I feel that the helix is starting to become outdated in terms of sounds...unless they come out with a massive update soon (I doubt it)
FM3 definitely sounds fuller, less muffled, more articulate and bigger sound.. The high end is much better and sounds more like a real Tube amp. Just not a fan of the modeling in HX.
Could you please tell me where you got the rhythm, drums backing tracks from ? It helps me judge each device for pros and cons. I'm been looking at a boss gt1 effects pedal btw. So a small similar device ish to those you reviewed. Great review by the way . Thank you! 🤘🎸
The HX Stomp sounds a bit clearer, but can soften sound too bright. The FM3 sounds thicker and warmer. I've had an HX Stomp for 3.5 years. A couple tone tips is to lower the High Cut on the Cab Block to match the actual Manufacturer's Speaker Frequency Response Chart. The best way I've found to thicken up the HX Stomp tone so it's more similar to the FM3 is to simply roll down the Tone Knob on the guitar a little. Works well for me.
I have both these units and tbh the FM3 edges it a little on tone, but it's such a pain in the ass to use if you need to make a quick adjustment on the fly, and I personally find that unless I'm using it a lot I forget how stuff works, even in the editor. Line 6 have had Fractal beaten soundly in that area for years as far as I'm concerned and therefore I pretty much use the HX for most things, with an IR and again tbh, if you know what you're doing with these things the differences are pretty tiny
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Thanks for this direct comparison. I had both devices, first the HX Stomp and then moved to Fractal (Axe-FX III). The Fractal is more direct sounding and has a crispness that I was unable to dial in with the HX Stomp. After a learning-phase the interface and workflow became very intuitive ... and yes, I absolutely like the thousands of possibilities of tweaking the sound. Can get a bit overwhelming but is soooo cool 🙂
This is exactly my experience. Started with the HX Stomp. Loved it so much I got an XL as well. Picked up a reasonable first gen FM3 to mess about with. The word really is crisp. It’s so much cleaner and crisper. So hard to describe but I definitely want to invest some time in the Fractal eco system. Once I have it licked, I don’t think i’m moving back.
That arrangement of Be thou My Vision is beautiful.
Thanks. Here is the full video of that tune. "Be Thou My Vision" - Guitar Instrumental by Nate Savage
th-cam.com/video/9lHMJ2mJ-jA/w-d-xo.html
Great comparison, thanks for putting this together. Recently bought the FM3 and then the FM9. Pretty incredible pieces of gear.
Really cool you got the tabs on there. Great playing too!
Fractal/FM3 for the win!
The FM3 wins for me...easily actually. Kinda surprised at the gap in performance.
In what way make it's better? Still deciding whether to change to fm3 from hx
+1 on the Sublime and Cars solos - two of the most underrated solos ever 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Big difference with the FM3 in openness/ breath in the tones - dynamic range also very evident on the track featuring the blue track with the lady. FM3 all day
Forget about the comparison. Those licks were fire. You're a killer player 🔥
The HX Stomp is awesome, and I still love it. However, I just sold my HX Stomp to put the money towards and FM3 which I've owned for over a month now. HX Stomp is amazing and so compact, but if you want more flexibility and more DSP, then the FM3 is the way to go if you have the extra money to spend. I'm a bass player, and both are great for bass. I love that the Stomp fit in my gig bag, but the FM3 required it's own carrying bag since it's like 4 times larger and about 6 times heavier. HX Stomp gives you up to 8 blocks, but FM3 can easily do 16+ depending on what blocks you are using (I've maxed it out at 12 using some high DSP blocks). Stomp is easier to use for sure, but if you are willing to learn the Fractal Audio interface, there are way more customizable options to really customize your sounds, especially if you want to apply the "modifiers" to the effect blocks which lets you do things like auto adjust the effect based on how hard you play (envelope) or the pitch of the notes you play (like when you play higher up on the neck). These modifiers are not even an option in the Stomp if you really want to use them.
I'm running an rc booster in front of the hx stomp or my helix. Always on. For that feeling thing. The first thing that your guitar heats is an analog signal on the rc booster, and that makes all the difference.
Give it a try.
That’s a great tip
I’ve heard people do likewise with a compressor out front, and saying that improved/‘fixed’ the feel of their HX (probably versus a Kemper, I suspect).
FM3 sounds way more dynamic. and clear. line six seems muddy and compressed, and more "digital" sounding
I'm exactly in the same predicament...I have found that using Custom IRs with the Helix fixed the feel thing quite a bit, but I must say apart for the extreme portability I feel that the helix is starting to become outdated in terms of sounds...unless they come out with a massive update soon (I doubt it)
Great comparison - no need to trade my stomp, a good comp or boost in front and it feels great to me.
FM3 definitely sounds fuller, less muffled, more articulate and bigger sound.. The high end is much better and sounds more like a real
Tube amp. Just not a fan of the modeling in HX.
What is the Tonex set up to do in the Loop that it fixes the feel?
HX STOMP XL rules for me
Asked girlfriend for A/B testing and surprisingly HX was best most of the time… you should definitely have chosen same IR I guess
Dual amps don’t really matter to me. To just record in the studio, fractal wins big time. Fm3 has alot of tweak options that hx stomp can’t offer.
Could you please tell me where you got the rhythm, drums backing tracks from ? It helps me judge each device for pros and cons. I'm been looking at a boss gt1 effects pedal btw. So a small similar device ish to those you reviewed. Great review by the way . Thank you! 🤘🎸
Sure. I just programmed the drums in Logic. The rhythm guitar tracks were either helix native or tonex.
Ok great , thanks for the tips 🙂
The HX Stomp sounds a bit clearer, but can soften sound too bright. The FM3 sounds thicker and warmer.
I've had an HX Stomp for 3.5 years. A couple tone tips is to lower the High Cut on the Cab Block to match the actual Manufacturer's Speaker Frequency Response Chart.
The best way I've found to thicken up the HX Stomp tone so it's more similar to the FM3 is to simply roll down the Tone Knob on the guitar a little. Works well for me.
I have both these units and tbh the FM3 edges it a little on tone, but it's such a pain in the ass to use if you need to make a quick adjustment on the fly, and I personally find that unless I'm using it a lot I forget how stuff works, even in the editor. Line 6 have had Fractal beaten soundly in that area for years as far as I'm concerned and therefore I pretty much use the HX for most things, with an IR and again tbh, if you know what you're doing with these things the differences are pretty tiny
Where those factory presets or do you have to be a sound engineer to come up with those tones?
They were pretty simple. Just a amp cab and maybe some reverb or delay depending on the example.
So much similar....
fm3 is one of the only digital rigs I don't hear the digital fizz as much, much more natural sounding
My vote goes to the FM3
The hx sounded thin and kinda fizzy the fm3 sounded pretty much like the actual amps and cabs im suprised by the gap in performance
The FM3 has a noisy fan which really drive me crazy….
The FM3 seemed more like it was in the room to me. Or with me I guess
Tonewise to me the HX STOMP wins...but it's close
As far as sound goes, there’s really not much in it, considering the HX is half the price.
Fm3 sounds and feels better.
not fair...fm3 and helix is a better comparison
Line 6 all the way, much better mid range interpretation..
really strange to compare a 600 euros box (hx) to a 1359 euros one(fm3) and say the cheapest can't do what the other does!!!