Fractal FM3 - Is it Underpowered?

[@LeonTodd]

I certainly feel underpowered every time I hear you play

[@johnnathancordy]

Get back to your quad cortex

[@rockstarjazzcat]

@LeonTodd, don’t listen to JC! The gear videos are a feint! It’s all through the Blue Angel, and when he’s not on here, he’s feverishly running his scales and arpeggios to keep up with the Aussies!

[@FullCircleguitar]

You kids...

[@RyanMcQuen]

Awwwwwww.

[@strattonsound789]

I Agree!!! But I feel the same way about you Leon :)

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I don’t think it is. I mean obviously the more processing the better, but so many countless historic/classic records have been made with just nothing but a guitar and an amp stack. If you can’t make the FM3 or ANY modeler work, it’s your skills, imagination and creativity that needs work. Every modeler these days has the capacity to help you make beautiful music. Gear is truly as good as it’s beholder. I think FM3 has enough power. I think it also makes you be more “intentional” with your programming which isn’t a bad thing. People gotta do the work and put in the hours and fine “their voice/tone”. There is NO substitution for that. Don’t care what modeler you have lol. Plus that journey is the best part. That process of discovery is so fun. Anyway, rant over. Love your channel and keep up the good work!

[@x3a3x3]

Sounds awesome my man! More Cygnus content please! Cheers

[@kevinp_25]

Yeah. More Cygnus. Freakin’ John and his Line6 love. Bah!

[@johnnyh64]

Thank you so much for doing this one. I was very curious about how this stacked up against the Helix. I’m actually pretty impressed with the capabilities. It seems it could do all that I would want as I don’t usually use a dual amp setup but even if I did, I could just use a new scene. Cool! Very nice of you to do this!

[@TheScaredofsilence]

The issue isn't that it's underpowered. The issue is that our expectations have become too high. When I hit 90% CPU on my fm3, that's a sign that I need to stop adding effects blocks and maximize what I already have on the grid. Just my opinion.

[@johnnathancordy]

I think I agree - there's not really a sound that I feel like "I can't make that" on here?

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

People are limited by their skills, imagination and creativity…..not the modeler lol

[@wolfnstrings]

Yes, that was helpful. In my case… I have a few pedals I plan to use with the FM3 at least in the beginning. I had some doubts that the FM3 had enough power, but not anymore. Thank you!

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

A brave man ventures above 75% on the CPU meter

[@avaris1280]

I wouldn’t say it’s underpowered no. But you do have to kind of dance around the CPU depending how much you’re adding. If you want all the best quality effects you’re certainly not going to have enough cpu unless you’re running just amp cab delay reverb. Which is honestly fine for majority of people and situations.

[@JRP3music]

I wonder can you go without amp blocks and get more fx like multiple delays in parallel. I only want the fx no amp. Plan to use my existing amp tone.

[@einaraarnes1378]

There's an input gate you can turn off to save a few prosent CPU/DSP.

[@wadecrowaudio1441]

thanks this was a useful vid, it seems powerful enough for what i would need i think, i would mainly use the presets but the general quality doesn't sound the same as the axe fx models hmm.. cheers!

[@johnnathancordy]

The quality is definitely the same - all of the blocks are at the same level of development now. There's a couple minor differences like the lack of an impedance circuit but I'm not sure that's a massive difference?

[@deans.4705]

As always, great playing and a nice honest review. Each vendor has their own reasons for limiting products. In this case, Fractal has to approach their product line in a way not to limit sales of their flagship model, especially since the FM9 and the ridiculous FM9 turbo is shipping. I say that frustratingly as I was one of the "former fortunate" people to get an FM9. Now it is already legacy since they have released the Turbo to counter the chip shortage. Kind of reminds of me of when the first FM3s shipped with no headphone out. The FM3 is limited by the cpu and certain blocks. It is completely usable but I couldn't get along with only 3 buttons. I still prefer the Helix workflow but with the FM.edit it makes it easier.

[@MuntsoMixoLydian]

Quite the compliment from Mr. Todd. But he's right you have a very sweet, melodic, tasteful style. Very Carlton-ish if I may say. Great stuff man!

[@mikezimmerman5633]

I love my fm3 I go to the virtual capo -3 hello Tony Iommi, fractal products are Head and shoulders over the competition no doubt about it!!👍

[@PhilipGregory1981]

How do you control parameters with an X/Y touchpad external MIDI device?

[@john808welk]

One thing I found out is bringing up dual amps and the FM3 in the same sentence is more explosive than a MAGA hat on fire. Finally have a handle on the interface, but I'm really struggling without my dual amps. I have to practice with headphones most of the time so dual amps is much more inspiring than just a stereo reverb.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

You can still wear headphones with a single amp, bud.

[@john808welk]

@@fivefingerfullprice3403 only took 4 months...

[@OGbarnabas_]

Am I correct in that I can only have one reverb block at a time? I like to have an always on standard reverb like a spring or hall, but also have an ambient reverb like a cloud reverb that I can switch to when I want to. I'm considering the FM3 while I'm waiting for an FM9 to be available.

[@johnnathancordy]

That's correct!

[@OGbarnabas_]

@@johnnathancordy Can I bypass this issue by using different channels in the reverb block?

[@EarthisnotforSale]

How big is the learning curve on these Fractal products? Granted there are a TON of videos here on YT that could help with any issue. I am just bummed out that the FM3 is unavailable for now :(

[@mastermachetier5594]

The only limitation i feel on the fm3 that I can't get around is the dual amp thing, but hey Do i really need two amps :)

[@kevinp_25]

Yes. Yes you do. :)

[@davman115]

The cheaper HX Stomp and GTK have it. So why is fractal skimping?

[@johnnathancordy]

@@davman115 I think it might just be a decision that they make rather than the Helix approach of "dynamic DSP". In the Hx stomp you can do dual amps and cabs and that can quickly limit your choices elsewhere, maybe Fractal just decide that one amp is your lot but that means you can go fairly wild with the other effects?

[@mastermachetier5594]

@@davman115 it’s not skimping it’s a hardware design decision. They wanted to make this one to a price point and that means only one processor for the amps. The helix is different I was a stomp owner before(I loved it) switching to the fm3 and it was significantly more limiting then the fm3. If you use two amps you don’t have any dsp for anything else basically

[@mastermachetier5594]

@@george_richman I 100% agree . It would be nice to have two amps but to me it’s not a big deal . For the $999 I paid for it compared to the competition to me it is the best all around. On a budget though hxstomp is killer

[@JRP3music]

I currently use mostly reverb and delays. I use my Eventide PitchFactor for Micropitch and extra delays. Thinking of getting this FM3 to simplify my setup. Just curious if I should wait for a fx processor only version. I have no need for virtual amp stuff. I use my Two Notes Torpedo Captor and stereo Two Note Torpedo Cab M plus IR DI boxes. On the look out for a compact fx device that is more modern.

[@lukestrat93]

Hi John, Could it be a good idea to buy an external reverb pedal to put after the FM3? I think this would save a lot of CPU, right? For example I was thinking of a Boss RV-6/RV-200

[@Terribleguitarist89]

Looking at fractal after using a GE-200 and HX Stomp for years I was curious if I should save for the FM9 instead of the FM3... honestly, for my uses the FM3 looks more than suitable given I'm used to far tighter DSP limitations.

[@kevinp_25]

2:27 Is that a little nod to Jack Gardiner? Reminded me of Nioh. :)

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

Also, if you need more than that; you should probably make another preset

[@DavidEidelberg]

A question about terminology. On the Quad Cortex, DSP and CPU are completely different things so when they show you a giant patch using very little cpu power, that's no indication of how much DSP is used up. That's one major thing I believe was misleading in their advertising. In Fractal world, you're talking about CPU % as if it's DSP %. Is it the same here or are we actually looking at a DSP meter rather than a CPU meter? Thanks

[@ShreddingFinn]

Sounds are not going to continue to get a whole lot better, but I fully expect the next gen of hardware to outpace the modeling, there is no more excuse to run out of dsp using todays hardware

[@Giantsbran1227]

Love your channel man! What do you play through when using the fractal at home? I'm assuming studio monitors, if so which ones do you use?

[@johnnathancordy]

JBL LSR305s!

[@Vesperoth]

Hey man! What do you think of the drives now that the ax3 algorithm has been ported to fm3?

[@waikschoner4885]

Ok please! Can someone tell me if you switch between different channels of a block (lets say an amp block), is it seamless or ist there a audible gap???

[@sambroxguitar]

Seemless

[@waikschoner4885]

@@sambroxguitar even if the preset is packed like to 85% CPU?

[@value4valuemaxi]

@@waikschoner4885 Pretty seemless. It is certainly quicker than switching channels on an actual amp. Early on people were saying there was a gap but I never noticed it.

[@kenmasters007]

Can it two reverbs, two amps, two cabs on two different paths with stereo?

[@justinmiller7083]

Only one amp

[@kevinp_25]

Agree, I don’t think it’s underpowered really. I do wish it had the full power of the AxeFX though, mostly because I’d like dual amps. At that point cooling might become an issue. Maybe someday.

[@zebric]

I think that the unit can't change channels without an audio drop.

[@HarlanHarvey76]

Mornin!

[@pb25193]

Get eventide for wonky things and keep the fm3 at high quality for amps cabs and comp and eq

[@flatbill2]

You can make a cardboard box sound gorgeous.

[@johnnathancordy]

That's my next video

[@kevinp_25]

That’s why John could make the coolest unboxing videos ever.

[@ErebosGR]

Pro tip: To save cpu usage, you can use IR-based reverbs.

[@joshuabenton3785]

Wait....tell me more.

[@ErebosGR]

@@joshuabenton3785 You can download/buy IR-based reverbs and load them into an IR loader block, instead of using a Reverb block. These IRs are usually recorded from real locations and you won't be able to modify them but they are much easier for the cpu than algorithmic reverbs.

[@ErebosGR]

@@joshuabenton3785 Examples: www.openair.hosted.york.ac.uk/?page_id=36 isotonikstudios.com/product/dankverb/ drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XKEhGUSSd7ALs8B34WiWvIhyojtI-6ws

[@joshuabenton3785]

@@ErebosGR hmm so what about the cab situation. you can only load one cab block, so how does that work?

[@ErebosGR]

@@joshuabenton3785 Oh I didn't know of this limitation... I have to look into it to see if there is a workaround.

[@COTG666]

After having an FM3 for almost a year, it's not underpowered. Can you do every crazy setting with every possible effect it has all at once ? No. If that's what you want buy the FM9 or AXEIII. But if you want a unit that sounds great, does everything you need, small, affordable, then this is it. Blows the competition away and I used to be a die-hard Line6 customer for years. Until you spend some serious time with ANY Fractal product you won't understand.

[@WarrenPostma]

I wish my podgo had level LEDs.

[@MOAB-UT]

YES, which is why there is now the FM9...nearly 2x the CPU power. It's "almost" like a floor version on the AxeFXIII- only with 9 footswitches (vs. none.) There is a much bigger delta between the FM3 and the FM9 than there is from the FM9 to the AxeFXIII. You will be able to play almost everything from the AxeFXIII on the FM9- unless you have a truly ridiculous preset. Regarding CPU on the FM9, Leon T. loaded a really nice, complex patch, using dual amps and Ultra-High quality effects and he barely broke 50% CPU. To say it is better than the FM3- Oh yeah! Nearly 2x the CPU power and 6 additional (needed) footswitches and a better PC Editor. Like there effects, you can chose the quality level based on the $ power- FM3 (Good.) FM9 Very good, Better. AxeFX III (Best.) For my casual needs- FM9 wins. I like that it is all in one package.

[@johnnathancordy]

Yeh it's really cool isn't it! And yes at the moment if looks like the FM9 can keep up with the Axe 3 pretty well, unless they start developing some more complicated stuff on the Axe?

[@MOAB-UT]

@@johnnathancordy Yes it is! I think at this point (FM9 or AxeFxIII) there is there to keep us busy for the next several years. The next iterations of the Axe-FX and FM line will probably have tone matching and touchscreens. The great musicians made amazing music back in the 70's with little more than a guitar and an old tube amp. It was their skill, creativity and passion that did it- technology can never replicate that. If someone already has skill- like you, it can simply compliment them. No one ever bought a CD or MP3 and said, "You have to hear that amazing Ultra-High res. reverb on track #2!" They listen to tunes they relate to- music that connects with them and makes them feel good.

[@johnpauldeguzman823]

Try it with the AX8

[@rtbmusic1135]

Dear Fractal Audio: Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II Make an AX8 Mk II

[@davidfaustino4476]

They actually did!!! Its called the FM3.

[@rtbmusic1135]

@@davidfaustino4476 The FM3 is a completely different form factor. It's great, don't get me wrong, but it's no AX8 MkII.

[@joshuabenton3785]

Answer: Yesn't.

[@jato1956]

Dang...

[@woodygranger2126]

Interesting to 1 or 2 people = everyone on the internet that likes guitar.

[@Allann882]

Just add a Bigsky... Problem solved

[@justinmiller7083]

That's my plan. The big reverbs suck up too much DSP. outboard the reverb and DSP for dayz

[@aarongrimwood6594]

First?

[@ALIASZARDOZ]

The FM3 is not reliable. Some times it is blocking, you cannot change anything. You have to switch off and switch on. It's okay if you play every day on your bedroom or studio room. But it is awful on stage. So for $1300 it is not supportable from FRACTAL AUDIO and it's a shame. And sometimes when you switch on the FM3, it not loads the program and the fan is always running. So you have to switch off and switch on again. The FM3 is a huge BULLSHIT pedal.

[@chhau123]

Nice click bait (but I will click it anyway)

[@johnnathancordy]

It's literally a question that I get asked a lot and that I'm explicitly addressing in the video....that's not clickbait

[@kyzafpv2247]

@@johnnathancordy you're clickbait

[@johnnathancordy]

@@kyzafpv2247 no you are

[@ErebosGR]

It's not clickbait. It follows Betteridge's law of headlines: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no."

[@chhau123]

@@ErebosGR which still sounds dumb tbh. Any who