Axe-Fx III vs. FM9 vs. FM3 - The 5 Big Differences -- Fractal Fridays with Cooper Carter #2

[@AudioAtmos]

That last part in some ways was the most important. In a strict apples to apples comparison they SOUND the same! Thanks!!

[@spodey8484]

I was initially a bit sad that having just started using my new FM3, the FM9 was released shortly afterwards - but realistically - the FM3 does everything I'm going to need it to for. long old while yet, and its does indeed sound bloody fantastic!

[@SteveRayMorse]

Same here. Actually, it does a lot more than I need. The FM9 would be a cannon to kill a mosquito in my hands hahaha

[@明李-o9c]

Haha, my FM3 has been transferred. Now wait for FM9. I'm from China.

[@qixiaowhs]

@@明李-o9c 国内没货吧？要等到2023年？

[@MOAB-UT]

Would you recommend I get the FM3 ($1,000) or a Ampero 2 ($400)? Can I use my Boss Looper 500 pedal with the FM3? I am not a pro but like great tone.

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

I would love an FM3! It's perfect size for gigging. 👍

[@angelvasquez5066]

Literally the best review I’ve seen on KZbin for these units. Great video!

[@SM57]

Thank you! Ordered FM3 eventually 🙏

[@FastRedPonyCar]

Oh, I owned the AxeFX3 for a little over a year and sold it back in December. It was absolutely incredible, but entirely more power than what I actually needed. I think that I got caught up on the possibilities of what it COULD do, and it took a while to realize that the realities of what I needed it to do only required a fraction of its capabilities. I literally only used one amp, some delay, reverb, and an IR and that was it. So now I have an FM3 on the way.

[@yokisullivan8647]

would you say, the ol' AX8 be good for you? like if you dont get to choose between it or the FM3

[@FastRedPonyCar]

@@yokisullivan8647 The AX8 is still a perfectly capable device but I would rather have the more compact size of the FM3.

[@FastRedPonyCar]

@Eric T. lol. Old school. I’ll never own another Carvin/Keisel product ever again after how they screwed me over and lied about my custom shop CS6M.

[@plinx.]

@@FastRedPonyCar YEP I love my AX8 but you do feel its age sometimes hahah

[@robertanderson1043]

This has happened to me with every multi-fx I've ever owned. Amongst all the infinite possibilities, I always end up with about 2 or 3 sounds that I really like and use 95% of the time. But it is nice to be able to explore all of the options to really settle on "your" sound.

[@fbettr2627]

You're such an excellent communicator. As a huge fan of Neal SCHON, I'm so impressed that you've collaborated with Neal and Neal's guitar tech. I saw those two racks that belong to Neal SCHON when I attended a JOURNEY concert last year with TOTO as supporting act, as my cousin and I sat on Neal side of the stage. Neal's musicianship and guitar tone are exemplary. Hope you can post a video of Neal's 2024 rig used during the stadium tour with DEF LEPPARD.

[@AkiraSpectrum]

killer video. Really interested in an FM3.

[@58lp2002]

Great vid! I still use my AX FX II but not supported by the most up to date drivers. Does what I need for recording. The FBE amp has always been my go to. I have not ever tried gigging with this unit but have hooked it up to my PA, no foot switcher. For my small gigs from time to time a small tube amp like my Fuchs Blackjack 21 and some pedals is fine. I have heard that more recently for larger gigs don’t bring an amp any more.

[@rockstarjazzcat]

The III shows up in giant racks, but it doesn’t need to. I end up with the same number of bags to carry as I would with the FM9, and due to form factor, the III is slightly more manageable for me than the II. RTA on the III is handy for tone tweakers. The FM3 is super cool for situations where guitar gear shouldn’t be the focus. Cheers, Daniel

[@Wagoo]

True, they should have shown a simple 4U flight case, too.

[@riccovrea841]

Wow that was a sick preset where can I get that at?

[@coopercarter]

Literally just the stock preset!

[@m.r.4455]

Pretty sure FM9 is the best balance. I own FM3 and the only one AMP+CAB block is frustrating. I had to be very creative to manage a simple clean-high gain gapless switching.

[@tobario]

Try channels. No problems here.

[@ruanddu]

@@tobario as a non Fractal owner, can you please explain more what you mean by channel switching? Does this happen on the Fractal or a guitar amp?

[@MOAB-UT]

Did you get a FM9 yet? Do you like the Ampero 2? I am trying to decide between the three- FM3, FM9 or Ampero2.

[@rmp5s]

THANK YOU for the spreadsheet comparison thing!! Has any of it changed with the new updated hardware?

[@jeromeclatot1769]

The main question is is there a difference in sound quality? you showed a sample of simple setup but when processing a little more complex loop is there a difference in tone or quality?

[@MusicWizard85]

I think Fractal has the best sound quality of anything similar. The Boss GT1000 is the only close competition. However, where I think FM9 could use improvement: more user friendly & easy to use. While not in the same ballpark sound wise, Headrush makes the easiest and best user interface of anything on the market. It would be cool to see FM9 with a Headrush-like interface.

[@fabiviegas1guitar]

Já pensou se lançarem o FM12 com mesmo processamento DSP do AXFX 3 ?

[@ibanezrg7421]

The biggest different is found between the FM3/Axe-FX and the FM9. You can actually buy an FM3/Axe-FX. The FM9 is only available to famous musicians and influencers. Otherwise, it resides only in myths.

[@RsqSqr]

What would you prefer Fractal Expression pedal Ev-1 or Mission Engineering EP - 1

[@MOAB-UT]

Did you decide on which pedal?

[@bstacka26]

I heard a pretty drastic difference in the high end between the FM9 and FM3. Maybe it was just a volume differential?

[@huttone]

I heard the high end drop just a Iota between the AXEFXIII and FM9 and I have pretty awful High frequency hearing. thanks

[@josephelias3295]

Curious why the more powerful fm9 uses more DSP to run than the less powerful fm3 in the end clip where they are all playing the same preset. The axe3 uses like 60%, the fm9 used around 69% and the fm3 only used around 60%. This doesn’t make sense to me between the fm9 and fm3. Shouldn’t the fm3 use up more processing space than the fm9 considering the fm9 has more DSP than the fm3? What am I missing?

[@KingKong-mp6gj]

One reason is that the fm3 has a dedicated chip to offload the impulse respone modeling of the cab block onto from the main DSP. It also models less channels per block as said in the video.

[@MOAB-UT]

Most of the time, you can play far more complex presets in the FM9. Not sure exactly what you saw but ignore it. FM9 has power for days.

[@Taylor___]

I wish the FM3 did dual amp blocks.

[@yjm100playloud]

Hey Cooper what do think about the Fryette 2/90/2 power amp to use with the AXE-FX III

[@TonyFlatleyGUITARCOVERS1982]

Hi there, can you tell me are you able to connect a P.C or tablet to the FM9 to access those setting options while its running through an frfr speaker?

[@d-no6358]

So I've been using an Axe Fx3 since it came out. And just bought an FM9 Turbo. Will there be any issues on my PC changing from one machine to the other? I want to duplicate the sounds on the 3 over to the 9 for rehearsals and gigs while leaving the 3 rack mounted safely at home and it can run my studio replacing my Rme Babyface Pro interface. Thoughts?

[@MOAB-UT]

How do you like your FM9? is it much better than the FM3 in your opinion?

[@d-no6358]

@@MOAB-UT I never used the FM3. I have the rack mount Axe 3 with the FC12. Since I've gotten the FM9 I have not used the Axe3 other than to move it to my desk mounted rack from my travel rack.

[@felipealonso8409]

Nice vid!

[@christelhall9379]

Interesting comparison. What speaker (not monitors) for that processor would you recommend?

Nice 👌🏻

[@ChrisM541]

Wrapping it up, the higher the cost, the greater the features. Good that the basics are the same though.

[@ulfandersson1732]

Same preset on Axe-FX III mk II gives 58,5 %, FM9 69,4 % and FM3 61.9 %. What's the different between amp + cab + enhace on the different units? Different algorithm for the amp on the units perhaps, because FM3 has lower percentage than the FM9. Please report all data when necessary!

[@justinTime077]

FM3 automatically ditches blocks that are in places it couldn’t have ever had them. Something translated to the fm9 that the fm3 spared.

[@bthellam]

I use the Axe FX II XL+ as my audio interface with Cubase 10, and I have to set the Axe FX buffering in Cubase to a sample rate of 1024 to stop pops. That gives me a latency of 25 ms, which is quite noticable when playing VSTs in real time. Is the Axe FX III faster in terms of soundcard and less latency? Thank you!

[@b1gnutt]

Axefx 2 xl+ is more than anyone could ever need

[@saamo1423]

Just use direct monitoring

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hey, great video demo. I have a question, I heard so much about the AXE models. and I was wondering which is the best for me. I am practicing musician, I practice in my bedroom alot. I am not in a band or anything like that. I play alot of classic hard rock, AC/DC, Zeppelin, Beatles, Greenday, 38 Special. You get the idea. I want to able to replicate amp models, like the Plexes' Fender, etc. Can you please recommend one of these units? I had the line 6, but I wasn't getting the sounds I was after. I have the Headrush, which the amp models sound alot better in my opinion.

[@KidNato]

Probably better to just invest in some IR's for your headrush instead. You don't need a particularly complex signal chain for classic rock tones- meaning the headrush easily covers those sounds- though the AFX will have more model variation.

[@firubbi]

Does all has same hardware?

[@MOAB-UT]

No

[@shaharbar]

Thanks for the video Cooper. I’m on the FM9 waitlist. I’m new to Fractal, I have a quick question regarding the amp blocks. So each amp blocks can have four different amps (i.e. Fender, Boogie, Soldano, Marshall)? That goes up to 8 amps in the FM9 (which to me already sounds like overkill)? And I assume there is seamless transition between those. If I were to switch to another patch, how noticeable is the delay (is it in seconds or milliseconds)?

[@m.r.4455]

Take a moment to understand this. Consider a “AMP+CAB” something called “source of your sound”. Every AMP has 4 channels, but DO NOT think they are like your traditional valve amp channels. Consider them “a slot where the software creates your sound”. So a single AMP has 4 “sources of your sound, one for slot, done by an algorithm” You can set a Fender in channel1, Mesa in channel 2, Marshall in ch3, Orange in ch4, or using the same Fender in every 4 channels. Every slot-channel is not a real head ready for any purpose, it’s only a “limited fraction” of the real head: a combination of gain-mid-bass-trebs you choose as “source of your sound”. So channel1 fender cleans, ch2 Mesa high gain ecc... BUT When you change channel, you change the slot where the algorithm makes your sound, and CPU will reload the “source of your sound”, even if you use the same Fender with same settings in all channels. You will ear a hole (gap) in your sound, even with Axefx III. NOW Here the big difference: In Axefx III and FM9 you can use (load from start) two AMP+CAB. Example. One amp is loaded for your cleans, the other for high gain. They could be whatever type you want. When you switch from AMP1 to AMP2, there will be NO GAP, because your machine has already loaded the “source of your sound” from the beginning (no reload needed). In FM3 you have only one AMP, so if you want to change from clean to high gain you have to trick a lot to compensate the fact if you reload something (different slot-channel) you WILL EAR THE GAP

[@johndenver9961]

I'm on the waitlist as well. Did you get an email yet? I signed up around September

[@shaharbar]

@@johndenver9961 no, but I ended up buying the AxeFX III.

[@johndenver9961]

@@shaharbar Ohhhh man.... I'm sooo tempted to get it. I'm deciding between the Axe FX III, or the FM3 while I wait. What do you think? I'll mostly be using it for recording youtube covers

[@shaharbar]

@@johndenver9961 totally your call, in my opinion what I got is definitely overpowered. And to be honest probably too much for me. In retrospect I think the FM3 is a steal. But after all is said and done, the FM9 is the sweet spot. Best balance of price, power, and control, but who knows how long the wait is. I put $100 of every paycheck into my “G.A.S.” account, and during the long wait the balance grew to where I had enough for the flagship.

[@MOAB-UT]

Hey Coop. Can you please help me decide between a FM3 and a Ampero 2? The Ampero 2 sounds great and is only $400! One concern is I won't be able to get tone packs on the Ampero 2 that are named like the songs I want to play. Only named after cab names which is less helpful. The online community for Ampero and support is not nearly as good. Also, can I put my Boss Looper in line somewhere with any of these units. Thanks!

[@FunkMauzz]

Funny guy 😂😂😂😂

[@MOAB-UT]

@@FunkMauzz Why am I funny- do I amuse you?

[@FunkMauzz]

Yess a little bit..... Do you think this guy is gonna give you an advice. He is making this video for G66...

[@PhilipGregory1981]

That midi missing from Fm3 is HUGE if you have a touchpad on your guitar ....

[@Patrick-857]

It has midi in and combined out/thru. It doesn't have midi over USB.

[@jc5512]

Lol it's gonna cause problems for about 4 people then

[@satarello]

I hear the difference between AXE III, FM 9 and FM3 when you using palm muting...FM3 is slightly muddy comparing to III and FM 9.

[@fritzhieke7209]

this is absolute bs

[@huttone]

That was helpful.

[@shredding51]

I had the fm3 and wasn’t impressed with the sound. My computer sims sounded better

[@vinniekay0967]

It's totally worth it's value, money wise.. Only thing in MY case is.. "The cost of a 24/7 On the Payroll Tech, Needed to make all this shit 'Happening,Dialed in & Programmed' to my wishes" Because after the first 3 sentences you already lost me with all the Onboard features bells and whistles..

[@joebloggs1583]

so if pedals and amps which last forever are so expensive you now say much better to buy 3 different products in 10 years that all become obsolete when the manufacturer stops supporting them which cost far more than the price of amp and pedals seems like good advise that not😂😂

[@theotherpete]

How is it you think they become obsolete? Will they stop getting updates? Of course. Do your pedals get updates? Probably not! Can you go buy a first gen AxeFx 1 from 18 years ago, plug in, and play? Absolutely. Your logic is incredibly flawed. I still use my 13 year old AFX2 daily. It's anything but obsolete.

[@justinTime077]

This channel is such a stool samp

[@jasonvai4951]

Axe fx perfect choice for the gear snobs who cant play guitar

[@PhilipGregory1981]

Or for people like me, who can.

[@jconner3891]

Or people like me that will buy what I want with my own money

[@ericaguitarbebe]

on the used market online fm3 owners are asking more than new from Fractal's web site. I wonder why? I don't understand.

[@MrCcfly]

waiting list on fractal site