Fractal Audio FM3 Amp Simulator: is it any good?

[@BigMikeGuitar]

An interesting signal processing capability of the FM3 is the “envelope follower,” which function enables setting a dry un-effected sound for the lower strings, and then as you play up the fretboard, the higher notes become wet and effected, with delay, reverb, etc. That’s a pretty cool feature that I’m not aware of existing on other brands/devices.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well that's different - I have not seen that before either... thanks for the info and for watching.

[@rockindavebyron3960]

Here's an interesting thought, most, if not all these units say "do not operate unit in moisture or do not let it get wet" , for obvious reasons, BUT, do these companies know that most of our gigs down here in Florida, & others states, are outdoor gigs! Gigs that promoters plan out events rain or shine!!! Our gig industry has been changing for a long time now, either promoters have us play inside, especially during rainy season, or companies take advantage of this trend we've been facing, I wonder which one it'll be, LOL!!! Great video Tony, you're the only one who does this & we really do appreciate it, you ROCK my friend, be safe, Rock On & God Bless.

[@tonymckenziecom]

There is no IP rating for water and dust that I can see, and I did sort of pass comment on that about on the stage... but good point of Florida and very humid too. Thanks for watching.

[@TeresitaTwo]

Have you opened a Quad Cortex? No one here on KZbinland has probably already opened one. Thanks for opening this FM3. Fractal maybe ahead on algorithm, but the quality tho

[@tonymckenziecom]

I did steer clear of the quad cortex - and you can laugh that I thought their name of the unit was right from the off calling it something that it plainly is not... ;-0 I might look at some stage though. Thanks for watching.

[@4eyed267]

And still have the problem with usb port which soldering from the main chip and kill it with static... For that price... Whats wrong with you Cliff?

[@tonymckenziecom]

Thanks for the post... I was surprised it was an 'old' style USB too. Thanks for watching.

[@marysini1391]

Tony you are always the best

[@tonymckenziecom]

Some tell me I'm not... especially on this review. But I guess its all subjective ;-). Thanks for watching.

[@shanerabey1642]

You mention that 98% of people don’t care about tweaking component values of an amp and that there is a pile of options that are not on the original amp. These products cater for that 2%. You have Metallica using them to play stadium shows where they are recreating the exact tones from the albums. They have techs who work for weeks to program them to get exactly that sound. They would look at a song and say “well that song was recorded with this amp but it was modified with XYZ component values”. The Fractal products allow you to recreate exactly that. If you don’t want that then you can reset to stock values with the push of a button. I know touring musicians who can’t live without their AxeFX.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Sure I understand your comment. They used to say John Petrucci, but of course he uses real amps... and the fx is relegated to effects? And think of it this way, I truly doubt that those 2% guys you mention would keep FA in business for a week. What does matter is that the device has to be easy to use (questionable), sound AND FEEL the same as a real amp, and of course be affordable and competitive with other similar devices. Just my opinion of course. Thanks for the post... and of course for watching.

[@shanerabey1642]

@@tonymckenziecom thanks for your video and reply. You are right that the 2% doesn’t keep them in business but a bit like when Ferrari win an F1 race they sell a lot more cars the next day. People like to be associated with the best even if they can’t play (or drive) like them.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha good point... I'm told I can't play all the time :) but I certainly can when inspired... this gear did not do it... Oh well. Thanks.

[@algorithm007ify]

FM3's are way too expensive in Australia. Almost the same price as a Quad Cortex and more expensive than the Fender TMP and Kemper Profiler.... FM9's are about $500 more than Quad Cortex in Australia.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ouch. Well most stuff is getting so expensive these days and honestly I wonder where that will all end. I saw Sam Ash going out (I used to go there to specific branches and always interesting - its sad) and there really has to be a limit on all of it. In the UK Mesa Boogie are basically for most now not affordable really so I get your point re the prices. Thanks for watching appreciated and useful post.

[@davebennett919]

They’re nowhere near the price of a QC in Australia…dunno where you shop bro…

[@Deliquescentinsight]

good to see your Beck strat in action, sounds sweet. not for me these units, I have a Katana 100 watt and it works for me

[@tonymckenziecom]

Many say the Katana gear is great. I MUST review one one of these days. Thanks for watching. Yes this video took me three weeks!

[@christopheroconnor8842]

fractal audio were completely honest on why the turbo versions came into existing and advertised the " force upgrade " due to shortage of certain components

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well fancy me guessing that. I have seen it before with other gear - but honestly I did NOT research the old ad's of Fractal Audio. Thanks for the post and for watching.

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Welcome back, Tony! Looking forward to this video.

[@tonymckenziecom]

It took me three weeks to create. I hope it's useful and thanks for watching.

[@rumy6871]

I appreciate Tony's approach, which is pretty unique for gear videos. I learn a fair bit from him. Do I agree with every one of his conclusions? No, but that does not take away from the value of his content. I wish he would avoid statements about specific reviewers. It feeds the trolls and distracts from the good work. Best.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Post understood... and thanks for watching... appreciated.

[@Scott__C]

Interesting info. The funny thing to me is most of these things have more processing than I think most will really use. Supporting different memory types I think isn't unusual since they don't know who will be using it and for what, but yeah, DDR3 is a bit long in the tooth, so this must be an older processor or Analog Devices is behind the curve of newer memory types? People say it's great all the different things you can tweak in their software, but you couldn't do some of those adjustments to a real amp unless you open it up and use a soldering iron and/or replace components. I don't know, I think it's just too much fiddling for my taste.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Actually good summing up and I agree. The startup time was a bit poor... thanks for watching.

[@stankfingermusic]

Laughing at all the triggered fractal fanboys in the comments who clearly missed the point of yet another great review by Tony

[@tonymckenziecom]

They never 'get it'. Thanks for watching.

[@lukesteverything627]

Hi Tony. Always great to see your vids. I'm probably a bit older than you but you speak my language and I've learned a lot from you. Big thanks and I wish you all good things for the future.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Oh man, this took me three weeks to complete. I do think making these for something like this is maybe something to do occasionally rather than having to live on doing it. 2 hours! even I was surprised :) In any case great you watch the stuff... its appreciated and thanks.

[@lukesteverything627]

You do a great job and I really appreciate it. If I could talk to my younger self over 50 years ago I’d avoid so many buying mistakes. I’d love to be able to tell the new guitarist out there not to be influenced by the hype especially from the big names like Gibson. I cleared out so much gear a few years ago and now have 3 good amps and 4 nice guitars. The tech gear has to be spot on for my needs and I take your channel very seriously in this regard. Thanks again.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Thanks for the kind words... some don't like me 'showing' what you really get... but at least I try. Thanks.

[@Mega_trav]

Mean Well makes good stuff. Usually around $30-$100 depending on the model (for consumers.. might be less in bulk). I have no opinion on Axe FX at all, but SMPS is reasonable. Lighter and cheaper than a transformer. Easy to replace if it goes out. Lots of amplifiers use switching supplies (guitar and bass amps, PA, Pro Amplifiers like QSC and Crown, etc).

[@tonymckenziecom]

I would not disagree with that at all, but power supplies from China can be substantially less than your quoted prices. Just trust me on that - I buy thousands. Switching power supplies generally are reliable, if you buy them from the right manufacturer... and if not they can be problematic. My research did show that 'Mean Well' do make lots of power supplies so maybe these are reasonable but only time will confirm that. I raised the SMD question because for some repair guys they simply don't have the hot plate, the magnification or in some cases the skill to change the components out. Thanks for the post and for watching.

[@Mega_trav]

@@tonymckenziecomfinally had time to finish the video. I appreciate your in-depth review. I will say that it’s pretty obvious that you have a bit of a stigma towards Fractal. I know they and their fan base has been disrespectful towards you. I think it’s interesting you keep going back, especially when you could spend less money and review some gear that you will probably like better. I’ll stay tuned either way. All the best.

[@John_2Much_Coffee]

Hi. You say its passible for tone compared to tube amps. I think Def Leppard would say more than just passible !

[@tonymckenziecom]

And I am sure that I can find many other artists that don't or won't use it or any of the other simulators too. Both comments are valid of course. Thanks for watching.

[@Paul-D]

Thanks for this video

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well thank you for watching.

[@aipsong]

Quite the deep dive this time !!! As much as I like technology, and I am surrounded by 0s, 1s, and many analog modules, I am not tempted by Fractal. I am satisfied with my guitars going through pedals, to my Blackstar, through my UA Ox, and into my ProTools. I am very far from having discovered all the various results possible from that setup !! Thanks for the video and your great efforts to inform us !!!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha me too in the 'day job' :) I work 10 to 4 these days but I love what I do at work... not related to this channel at all. Yes the FM3 can do so much, but personally I think the 'extra' changes to the amp and effects that originals did not do change the unit to being complex. I guess its whatever works for each of us. But FM3 is not really for me. Interesting though to see inside and the software etc. how it is in 2024 and how it sounds etc. Video review took three weeks to create :( and probably too long. Some might not quite 'get it' :) but that's OK. Thanks for the post and of course as always for watching.

[@555_MACH]

great playing Tony. Another great informative video. Just got some new Adams monitors and i quite like them. Now as one does when they have a gear problem i must need a new uprade in the interface department...lol. Cheaper than crack and better for ya too...cheers

[@tonymckenziecom]

I have not tried those, but I believe you :) ... thanks for watching.

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

The Australian guy is a legend who can play circles around you in his sleep. Among probably a bazillion other things.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Indeed he can. But not once has he (or any of the others) actually showed you what you're really buying have they? Thanks for watching.

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

@@tonymckenziecom My reply to this somehow disappeared. Dude is the nicest and most helpful of all FAS content creators. And can annihilate the fretboard on top of that. Seems like a weird case of punching up just because Cliff "yelled at you" all those years ago.

[@tonymckenziecom]

You need to 'snap out of it' really with your attitude - it was wrong from the start. If you can't take what I show in ANY of my inside and out video reviews, there is good and bad in all of them, then clearly you and your cohorts are in the wrong place. Frankly I care not about the fanboys or anything else related to those types. I showed what I saw as a paying customer with my PURCHASED device. If you like some YT channel then PLEASE go there. You will not be missed here, particularly when you are rude to me because I have an opinion. And as for running rings.. kzbin.infoM8j0oa6nWhE now push off.

[@guitarhacks6788]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Barbarapape]

No body on KZbin does reviews to Tony's standard and tell you the good, bad and ugly. Plus have some sympathy for him, it has taken many hours to make this video, he bought it with his own money which is why i watch his reviews and not those grifters from the other channels. As for this FM 3 what can i say, grossly overpriced and clearly has more than a few issues. The manufacturing costs are peanuts compared to the MSRP, yes they have to develop the firmware but does it realy add that much to the final price ? Another one bites the dust ! bung it on Reverb and get some of your money back Tony. Great to see you again, Take care.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Thanks for those kind words. This took me three weeks to create and was not that easy. I did try and make as much a truthful overview of what I saw. Interesting it was better made than the older stuff I saw before - and this made in China. Ha I might well sell it, but I'm still looking at the unit for now. I have Kemper, Line 6, Roland Boss etc. too so it is what it is really. Re the ones less 'kind' with this stuff I am not surprised and that seems to follow FA wherever they go. They simply don't like this stuff being shown in this way. Me? I'm just a paying customer... but that makes little or no difference. In any case... if someone gains from this review then it was worth creating. Thanks... and for watching too and those kind words of support.

[@kissthissonline]

Fractal audio stated at the time why they changed the processor, it was due to the chip shortage. Fractal units are as complicated as you want them to be. You don’t need a FC6, you just need to be creative with your foot switch choices. Have you actually spent any time using it, because it doesn’t sound like it? I used a helix live for 5 years, then switched to fractal during the lockdowns. I ended up doing 1 gig about a year ago on a helix, using my presets, and the difference between the feel was noticeable. Fractal products are so far the best in my opinion. I’ve tried a few cheaper units from Moore and nux, I also owned a kemper for 2 years. Fractal all the way.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ah dancing the night away :) not for me. Hey if you like the FA stuff that's fine by me, after all you bought one! So did I. I have used most devices including Roland/Boss. Line 6. Kemper amp and player, Tonex, Head-rush, Fender Tone Master Pro and even the AXE-FX II and III. I have over the years kept what I think are best for me. I retain the Kemper since Jan 2012, the Line 6 Helix rack also since launch, the Fender Tone Master Pro (currently for reviewing) and some Roland/Boss gear along with some NUX gear too. Its true I have not spent weeks on this unit. Understand that my review shown here took me (as it is) three weeks of work and it is very different than the sales video's out there. I bought my FA gear - all of it and I'm sure that you will have learned 'something' from the review. It was also interesting about those small screens being 'bigger' and my thoughts at the time were ' I wonder how many users complained about the old smaller ones?' The FC6 was clearly developed to reduce the 'aggro' of operation with the 3 switches I think. Just a personal opinion of course. For the things I showed in general truthfully I don't need months of use, I look at hardware, speed of operation, things like those 'upgrades', the general complexity of the software and that sort of thing. To understand everything in the FM3 would literally in my opinion take months or longer. Me I just won't put the time behind the unit personally to learn 'every aspect' because I really already have lot's of gear and investing the time in the FM3 is really not something I will do. I'm surrounded by real amps (over 20) and to be honest those for me rule better than any of the simulators I have used to date. BTW I mentioned the 'obsolescence' route from personal experience and did not go back in time investigating whether FA had problems or not - truth is, many guys generally do not understand the obsolescence route and so I just threw that in as general information from manufacturing. Thanks for the post and while I did say I liked the FM3 different guys make different choices... thanks for watching too.

[@johnmeeks9308]

Why are they using those old strap cables in there instead of the newer and better connectors

[@tonymckenziecom]

Who knows. I just filmed it :) Thanks for watching.

[@Scott__C]

Which new cables are you referring to?

[@guitarhacks6788]

FM9 por favor☝️🤙👏👏👏

[@m4ssi86]

i have no knowledge on electrical stuff, but I know that the fractal reverbs and multidelay are top class

[@tonymckenziecom]

The effects are fine IMO, but the incredible depth of amp modifications away from the original amp (and other effects too for that) are seemingly IMO excessive and it adds a layer of complexity beyond all the other simulators I know of and have used. Thanks for the post and for watching - appreciated.

[@JeffBee1]

@@tonymckenziecomso….just don’t change anything, then? I do use the extra functionality. It’s not a requirement though.

[@timeagan893]

I'm not quite sure how much information I glean from constant statement :"Well it is what it is"

[@tonymckenziecom]

I guess you should watch the 2 hours then? Thanks.

[@user-og9jm5zc6y]

Funny how in terms of pure amp sounds, none of these crazy expensive boxes like Fractal, Kemper, QC etc, sound any better than the free Neural Amp Modeler.

[@tonymckenziecom]

That could be true - I have not tried the free NA modeller but thanks for posting it and for watching.

[@JackieMcGruffster]

Tony; thank you for another thorough, informative and honest review. Regarding tap dancing with just the three foot switches, you mentioned also getting the FC6 controller. Adding the prices of those two together would get close to the FM9 with all those extra foot switches. Had you considered that ? Either way, I appreciate the in-depth look at the interface and you've confirmed what many others have said - namely that it's far too complicated. Looking forward to your review of the Fender TMP. Keep up the great work !

[@tonymckenziecom]

Indeed I DID consider the FM9. But I thought really that the combination of the FM3 and FC6 allowed for a smaller footprint when 3 buttons would suffice. It IS an interesting aspect and the FM9 includes another processor and a few other things so is probably better value overall. I will look at the FC6 internally and as a short review but I don't really expect to see much in there - but I could be wrong, we shall see. As always some people shoot the messenger and that is frustrating really, but thanks for your great post. I have always found the FA gear more complex than is really necessary, and I am surprised that they simply don't have a 'simple' mode and an advanced mode for the people that really do want to spend the time with all of that, I can't see why. The Fender I failed to remove the cooling off the processor and as yet I have NEVER actually seen what the processor is. I always like to confirm what they are. But thanks for watching - appreciated.

[@bill-sr1vd]

You're never going to forgive Cliff for calling you a Chucklehead, are you? You can keep making these videos, but he's not going to take that back.

[@tonymckenziecom]

This was an entirely independent review that shows what I found as a paying customer. Thanks.

[@davman115]

Interesting review however the fact that you failed to get decent sounds out of the unit is not uncommon amongst people who are new to a particular modeler. I've owned quite a few modelers which I sold as I did not have the patience to get the best out of them. It took me a while before I realised that I and not the modeler was the problem. These things have a steep learning curve and I look forward to these things being more user friendly for those of us who want to spend hours playing and not tweaking.

[@tonymckenziecom]

As I said in the review, I EXPECT Fractal Audio to have presets that are good? A company operating since 2006 and they can't create decent presets? Something is clearly adrift. To be honest the Fender ones sound better. I have used simulators since January 2012 non stop, but I PURPOSELY used their presets to show what the unit is like by default. And I just want to point out that is what I do with ALL simulators. Inserting loads of stuff that I think most users have likely never heard of, or having controls concocted that don't even exist on the real gear seems folly, or just a way, as you say of attracting a very small minority of computer users. It's just my opinion, but so many people criticize the Fractal stuff for being too complex and generally hard work. Of course their 'fans' won't say that, but that point of view certainly is out there. I think I first commented about the complexity about 8 years ago. Nothing has changed except maybe its got worse. It could be SO EASY to have two modes on the device - easy and harder... but of course the inventor type can't see that because to those people it's all great. I agree that this device should have GREAT presets, a 'simple' mode and what else would you need - leave the nerds to play with themselves. Sadly neither currently exist in this unit - its all or none. Thanks for watching.

[@przemysawrajewski7357]

Tony, Fractal stuff is for people who like to dig deep and tweak stuff, there’s nothing wrong with that.

[@tonymckenziecom]

So how many surveys have you completed? That comment is purely anecdotal. Thanks for watching.

[@przemysawrajewski7357]

@@tonymckenziecom none. Just went Through a brunch of modelers and found out what Works for me ( QC / Tonex). I have friends that use and love Fractal stuff for reasons that You don’t.

[@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784]

ToneX eats for breakfast both kemper and fm3 (for amp sounds, not fx of course)

[@alien4422]

I agree I had an FM3 be it for a very short time and though if sounded good it is very expensive when compared to Tonex or the Kemper Player.

[@tonymckenziecom]

@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784 I get it, but the Tonex is lacking in some areas so is it a really fair comparison? Well I guess it depends what someone wants. Some have said to me about FM3 - its the best and 2% pro etc. well all well and good but what about the other 98% of users :). Tonex does have some issues too particularly relating to the initial software that 'authorizes' installation of the rest of it all. Tonex is not too bad especially for that price. Thanks for watching.

[@JeffBee1]

Completely subjective. I’ve had ToneX since launch, and even the best captures are just decent.

[@soulwreckedyouth877]

Watching roughly an hour of you complaining (I skipped herer and there) and then hear you playing is too funny :D

[@tonymckenziecom]

Firstly I am not under review... I did not complain, but I did complete a real review (clearly you are not used to them) that showed exactly what you get (as a paying customer) when you buy one of these units. The review is conducted in exactly the same way as it was for every other simulator I have reviewed (and that includes most competitive devices) and this one was ultimately pretty much like most. Don't like the review? Don't watch it. I guess you skipped the parts that are irrefutable... right. And lastly, just so you know what happens with playing when gear inspires you its this: kzbin.infoM8j0oa6nWhE Now you're free to leave and please don't come back.

[@grimoire7851]

secret go and play do songs no matter what equipment

[@tonymckenziecom]

Not quite... I wish it was that easy... if you watch the video you might realize that there is much time involved. Thanks for watching...

[@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784]

31:04 the most important sequence of the video = doesn’t have the tube feel

[@PainterDans]

Never will

[@tonymckenziecom]

@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784 I agree. Tones are not bad, but the feel IMO was missing. Generally similarly on most/all simulators of amps. Thanks.

[@tonymckenziecom]

@PainterDans - indeed, they might do it at some stage, technology is a funny thing, but I never found it yet. Thanks for watching.

[@PainterDans]

The closest ive played, beleive it or not, is my katana 100 head...

[@spacefx1340]

Overpriced yes, great product yes, best unit on the market yes, imo.

[@tonymckenziecom]

:) Maybe... or not... but some of the things I saw I would not put this one 'at the top of my list' really. But that's OK... and thanks for the post and for watching.

[@motokev2727]

Looking at the board, I'm amazed humans can build such a item. Did humans reverse engineer from alien technology ? I think so.

[@tonymckenziecom]

It was clearly made on a machine... thanks for watching.

[@bro7269]

2 hours of speculation and drivel.....? No thanks.

[@tonymckenziecom]

It's not speculation when I see the power connector glued in is it?

[@martinsutcliffe5824]

My god. I'd suggest you take a couple of years off and learn how to play the guitar, but I honestly don't know if it will make a difference. Have you considered reviewing cellphones instead?

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ah I have seen fanboys like you before. When I play well it's because I am inspired by the gear. Here's a video where I am inspired, unlike with this device: kzbin.infoM8j0oa6nWhE now please... push off.

[@martinsutcliffe5824]

@@tonymckenziecom watched that. My point still stands. Get hold of a teacher. They say you're never too young to learn ...but you may put that saying to the test

[@mazsenior]

I think it’s basic Karma in that Cliff has to reap even a tiny bit of what he sows. I’m sure he watched every second of this exhaustingly sarcastic review (his Fanboi’s have). Anyway, he has one of the most acerbic online personalities in existence. Honestly Cliff’s attitude gets so tiresome he doesn’t even realize how selfish he is at times. And it’s that exact selfish nature that brings out the worst in people, from pensioners to posers.

[@tonymckenziecom]

This review was completed in the same way other inside and out reviews have been. Thanks...