How Good is the Fractal FM3 REALLY? I've Had One for 4 Years

[@LivinginLosAngeles-re5yx]

FM3 is an amazing bit of engineering. Hold one in your hands, navigate the menus, hear those amazing Fractal effects...and you'll get it. Great value used too. 👍

[@mjmason75]

Not only do I really love your videos and the way you share your thoughts and information to us, but I really enjoy your playing too. Love your style, and you always have incredible tone. I know the gear helps, but let's face it, most of our tone comes from our fingers and playing technique. Well done John... as always!

[@20weststudio]

Great video! I've been using Fractal products since 2015. I recently switched from the FM9 Turbo and put together a hybrid pedal board with an FM3 Turbo and a few of my favorite drive pedals in front. Now I can tweak on the fly. Sounds great! I also run a Strymon Cloudburst through the loop and save a ton of CPU. Thanks for the time you take on these videos. It's appreciated and inspiring!

[@rmp5s]

Just thought of something...I know some/most/all of the big Strymon pedals can be switched j via MIDI...can you use MIDI out of the FM3 or FM9 into the Strymon pedals to change when the preset on the FM changes? If so, that really would turn the Strymon into a block in the FM!! That'd be awesome!!

[@20weststudio]

@@rmp5s I don’t use midi at all. I leave the cloudburst on at all times and use the Strymon switch to turn on and off my favorite setting.

[@rmp5s]

@@20weststudio Ah...kinda "one 'n' done". Got ya. Whatever works!!

[@amchoong]

New to the Fractal world. Been on a HX Stomp forever which I absolutely love. But the FM3 I just got, makes my Stomp feel like a toy. And the tones? The tones just seem better. But by God, you REALLY need to read the manual… Overwhelming is an absolute understatement 😂😂😂

[@meljohnson5579]

May I suggest KZbin Leon Todd videos. I bit the bullet and bought the Cooper Carter Fractal Materclass and it was well worth it. I think it was about 120.00 a few years ago. Enjoy😊

[@amchoong]

@@meljohnson5579 Thank you for the suggestions!!! I’m a bit scared to get good at Fractaling to be honest. Because I know what that will mean. FM3 -> FM9 -> Axe FX III 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@millman82]

@@amchoongthat’s what it meant for me. Just got my AxeFX III Mark II Turbo last week. 😂

[@amchoong]

@@millman82 🤣🤣🤣 I know it will happen. It feels almost inevitable…

[@GertvanderDoes]

Doesn't have to. I've been in the Fractal universe since the AxeFx 1 Turbo right after it came out. Went to the II, then AX8, then FM3 which I'm at now. I find I'm simplifying with every step, after starting out with a preset per song and nowadays just a couple, mostly using the same amp and IRs. Basically it's finding what you need and sticking with it. It's also a portability thing that the FM9 is just too big along with the other stuff on the board. Thinking about the FM3 turbo, though. Could use some more cpu power. But I'm mostly good until the next Gen, that is a thing, once you have the best you want to stay at the front of the wave. I'd jump on an FM6 in a heartbeat.

[@Theability83]

I’ve had the fm3 since its initial release in the states and then upgraded to the HP version when it came out. Been in fractal audio land since 2014-2015 myself. Cliff and his team are miles ahead of any other company out there doing modeling and have been since they hit the scene. I’d imagine fractal audio has been approached by bigger companies to try and buy them out because no one has been able to capture what fractal audio has imho. I’ve said it for years but I truly believe that fractal audio and all of these modelers out these days are some of the most innovative and intuitive and creative pieces of gear ever made for guitar players. It just fills every need and want and gives most people who can’t afford or have the space for numerous amps a way to try them all out and find what your flavor is. Seriously one of the best pieces of gear ever made for guitar players.

[@DaviSiqueiraSilva]

Hi John! Could you please make an updated video about the real-world differences between the FM9 and the FM3? Now with the gapless preset/channel switching and the complete flexibility on the footswitch management, it seems to me that there's little (if any) reason to choose the FM9 over the FM3.

[@Harrysound]

I feel like I’ve learned a lot about the science of sound ,speakers and amps, since owning an axe fx in 2016. Once you follow the forum which is full of utter nerds and die hards and read cliffs posts of scientific papers and advancements it’s such an eye opener.

[@HarlanHarvey76]

I have my Axe FX 3 and FC12 in my desk. I use it for everything. I want to get an FM3 to load up with everything I need for live performances. The FM3 with the FC12 and expression pedals is Great backpack rig. If someone didn't already have the fc12 like myself, i think the FM9 would be your best option. Fractal remains the King of Tone amongst modelers. No matter what anyone tries to say. I surprisingly love Fenders UI in the Tone Master unit

[@PhilSmythMusic]

The dream set up right there 👏🏽👏🏽

[@sboy1955]

Factually, when you listen to JNC playing across the various modelers in his videos - over the years - I come to the objective conclusion that none surpasses the Helix “stuff”..

[@aaronthomas7790]

Totally agree. Customer service as noted is excellent in my experience. I needed a few screws for the bumpers I lost when I put mine on a board and they responded right away and I had in 2 days for just a couple bucks. I can't live without plex delay and the verbs.

[@kevinbolton5]

Just sent my FM9 for service had an issue. Turnover time for repair 3 days ! Great customer service spoke to Andrew at Fractal too notch guy.

[@MikeC-cm7pc]

There is Fractal then there are all the others , and all this is due in fact to the genius of Cliff 🤘

[@user-my4bq2mh4j]

Best tone I’ve legit ever had was from an FM3 running into a HRD…no joke, best hybrid setup of my life. No other modeler, profiler comes close.

[@KaiDown]

The warranty repair on my FM3 was world-class fast. Collected Tuesday morning, repaired Wednesday, posted Wednesday evening, and delivered Thursday morning. Phenomenal service centre here in the UK.

[@KaiDown]

Also the gapless switching is nuts - if you ever struggle with CPU and hit the threshold, you can just split the preset over two presets and switch them seamlessly. I’ve only owned the FM3 for a couple months but I haven’t felt any urge to buy the FM9 or Axe III

[@evanmiller2579]

Love this video. Playing is impeccable with amazing tones. Love my Fractal. Keep trying to figure out if I should get the the AxeFX3. Not sure I need all that horsepower. Thanks for all you do.

[@DS76204]

I have the 3 - the learning curve is frustratingly steep. If they simplified the UI it would be unbeatable. Because of that I find myself using my L6 stuff more regularly, and even my Ampero Mini for certain things.

[@lyricbread]

@johnnathancordy definitely keep in touch with Thomas Blug. I’d love to see you demo the AMPX.

[@christianpucciarelli]

I’d love to see an amp-x too…wherever ,whenever ………

[@Richie7390]

Appreciate the info and always a pleasure to listen to your music. Thank you.

[@leoolivero963]

Agree 100%. I own several high end valve, SS amps and one pedal form factor multi-amp simulator. Have tried helix & QC. My FM3 rocks! Love it.

[@Salveguitarristas]

Great video as always man, thanks for all your content on the channel. I’d love to see your opinion on a video of Fractal FM3 vs Kemper Player

[@m4ssi86]

Fractal is the best, i am curious on the next gen if they will improve the on board user interface

[@mydayis5]

I was all set on buying an FM3 until I saw a video on the time it takes to reboot the unit (60 seconds). Losing power at gigs is very rare but not uncommon, particularly playing wedding venues with sound limiters. So I have stuck with my Axe FX 2 (reboot time is about 10 seconds) and this unit still sounds amazing!

[@AudioAtmos]

I went from hating modeling due to early experiences with Line 6. In 2021 I chose to dive into modeling with the FM3 and it turned my whole opinion around and in the time since I have double the device than the one I purchased through updates. The new Dyna Cabs with Cab Lab 4 are so cool. As far as being too complex to edit is really BS. Everything has a basic level that is defaulted to being great right out of the gate and if you want to go further the stuff is there. There’s really nothing better.

[@Place_to_keep_videos]

Used the Axe FX 2 live for several years until the Helix floor arrived and now I use HX stomp XL. If I’m on tour, I can’t just pop into a shop and buy a fractal product, but I can get line 6 products in most countries and states. This makes the HX products are much better decision for the working musician.

[@AudioAtmos]

Have a backup if you’re a big time “touring” professional.

[@amchoong]

@@Place_to_keep_videos I wouldn’t disagree. I have the HX Stomp and Stomp XL. But the Line 6 power supply is distinctly poor. It’s proprietary and feels so very flimsy. The one thing big difference that struck me about the FM3 was the power cable.

[@stevenkastner5678]

If you have a Fractal, check out an RJM Mastermind GT or PBC (which adds a looper) for added foot control. The Mastermind's integration with the Fractal line is excellent. And these units also control many other pedals via MIDI. I happen to have a Mastermind GT10 which I use with my Kemper Rack. But I'm considering an FM3 as well.

[@wildwood20147]

I have the Full blown AXE- FX III as well as the FM3 and I use the FM3 90% of the time. It is portable and and sounds great with my Friedman ASC-10. Whenever I go to try out a new guitar I take my FM3 in a back pack with headphones. I find it is much easier to determine whether the guitar will suit my needs and not have to fiddle with an unfamiliar amp(s) that I don't like. I have two other modelers as well and some really nice amps. The Fractal is the best all around tool

[@jetset9561]

Love my FM9 - I just get so much more out of it than I did my Helix for some reason.

[@IamMusicNerd]

Every time I use one I have the same reaction… great tones, but outdated interface and hardware. It’s oversized for the number of foot switches you get. The QC has triple that many foot switches in a similar size device, and if you only need 3 footswitches, the HX stomp is a way smaller device to fit on your pedalboard easier. It also needs a complete UI overhaul to make it simpler to use. But tone wise, it’s right up there as one of the best modelers.

[@sboy1955]

It sounds great.. amazing actually!

[@andrewdempsey5312]

If it’s your desert island FX unit, why isn’t it your gigging unit? It’s sort of like saying “I love my wife, but if I’m stuck on a desert island I’d rather it be with someone else”

[@PhilthyCasual]

If I’m stuck on a desert island, I’d rather not have to harvest and eat my wife

[@hamiltondematos]

Hardly there will he a better comment than this one. 😂

[@kebotrans]

I feel like ToneX is going to come with a serious unit in the future. I think it will be the next big thing with effects etc..

[@Patrick-857]

Maybe. Right now it's underwhelming. I've also never liked IK Multimedia stuff. Amplitube is what stopped me adopting modeling earlier than I have. I tried it 10 years ago and found it to be really yuck. I heard a demo of the Tonex yesterday, and heard the same gross sounds that made me not like Amplitube in the factory presets. The captures sound legit. I'm personally not interested on captures though. I have almost no use for that technology. I'm learning towards the FM3 now, because I think Fractal sounds the best, and much as I'd love an FM9 I don't need it, I'm not a professional musician. I was thinking Line6 but I think I'd end up wishing I had a Fractal.

[@kebotrans]

@@Patrick-857 I really want to try the FM3 and probably will at some point. I like my Tonemaster Pro for now.

[@ShreddingFinn]

These things are 999 now cheaper than a Helix. Im about to borrow a friend of mines for 5 days and see for myself.

[@cunjoz]

the 2 complaints I'd have with the FM3 specifically is that it can't load 2 amp blocks and that it doesn't have a tone matching block

[@22duke]

I would really really want to buy the FM3 or better the FM9 But after owned the Ampero Stage II a couple months now. I feel spoiled with the touchscreen AND the app. It’s so user friendly and quick on the fly with the app. I know the Fractal is a whole nother ballgame - so are the price. And I also know the Fractal lifespan is much much longer. But one could hope that Fractal implement a touchscreen and an app in the future.

[@user-xk8xr8gs4f]

Fractal is definitely the unit that sounds the closest to real amps. The FM3 to be perfect could have 6 switches.....and for size it is, they probably could fit in there.

[@kenphillips3282]

Check out the Otter Custom Design switches that augment the FM3 for a pretty good price.

[@user-xk8xr8gs4f]

@@kenphillips3282 That's always possible but I'm saying it should be designed with extra switches.....

[@mistajerka5221]

Where does one find videos/other resources on how to learn licks/runs like the one starting at 2.08? I love how they sound but i never really came across them in the songs i have learned thus far so i figure i should just tackle them directly

[@intenzityd3181]

My rig is Helix-based and I've thought about switching to Fractal but 2 things put me off 1) I'd want a cheap backup, with helix obviously there's the stomp or pod which can be dialled in to sound identical to my helix patches, fractal don't really have anything remotely affordable. I don't really want to pay a grand for an FM3. An 2) I can replace my Helix easily and I could borrow one anytime I wanted. Fractal's distribution in Europe is really poor and they are too exclusive to be practical, it's for bedroom players.

[@sacredgeometry]

Its pretty good

[@lassekalhauge4801]

Will Fractal ever do a software only version - like Helix Native? I would be the first one to get it ❤

[@CharlesStratton-oi8ef]

No, I would!

[@Mr_Bollie]

What a coincidence! Dedusted my FM3 after 2 years of not using it just two days ago and thought, "Heck, that thing isn't bad at all!". At least sound-wise. The FX are top-notch, too. It also felt quite... soothing, I'd say, to use it after fiddling around with Helix, QC, ToneX, and the NAM Player. Two things, that annoy me about the device is a.) switching that device on or off causes a loud pop in my headphones and I fear it might ruin them and b.) three footswitches aren't enough for what this thing is capable of. I do have the FC-6, but even programing that takes quite a bit of effort. :D

[@TS-nb9ko]

If I'm not going to run this fm3 thru a computer.im gonna just 4 wire it thru my marshall.is it worth me buying.i do not know.this is why I am asking

[@algorithm007ify]

These are way too expensive in Australia..not worth it..more expensive than Kemper floor, Helix and Fender TMP (which is sounding good with the new updates, it seems... The models are good to great with fractal but other units can actually be more accurate, depending on the model... and no capture tech like QC/Kemper, etc...

[@franknguitars7671]

that was one of the best tones you had in recent history.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Still seems to me captures/profiles are tops ToneX, Kemper, QC … in that order … tho’ ToneX and Kemper can be super close … and QC maybe better at heavier tones? As for modelers Fractal, Helix/TMP(certain amps), Headrush I guess (ok for metalz)) Just my impressions so far, after a lot of comparing … 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@millman82]

Captures are only good if you have the collection of amps and cabs to capture. Relying on other people’s captures is a crapshoot. What if they are just a little off? Slightly too much treble or too little bass or too much gain, etc. I don’t believe in tweaking those settings on a capture device because they model a tone stack that doesn’t match the Amp (aside from the few liquid profiles the Kemper can do that actually uses the modeled tone stack).

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@millman82 Not true. There are great quality captures around. Might have to do some research and they might cost a few dollars, but some great tones in such a versatile and portable format is valuable to me … Same issues with modeling; you either do the best you can yourself, learn to get good at it (or not), or purchase settings from someone else (outsource the task). Same as everything, really.

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@millman82 If I think modeling surpasses good captures/profiles at some stage, then I’ll switch … Big touring set-ups still seem to favour modeling, for its flexibility?! … I only care about what sounds best to me (with the maximum transportability and lowest maintenance) … Others may have other priorities; different strokes for different folks … Cheers!

[@algorithm007ify]

@@millman82 Captures are better ...lots of great captures online.

[@millman82]

@@kierenmoore3236 it’s good to have options. I would use capture tech more myself if I had the Amps that I wanted to capture. I don’t personally like how capture tech has its own tone stack. The similarity between the amp and capture immediately ends if you change any of the settings post capture. Plenty of people have compared their real amps to Fractal models and the results were impressive enough to get me onboard. I personally have never gotten on with Line 6 modelers and I have access to them whenever I want. However, as I said choice is good and you do you!

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

Would I need a preamp pedal and cab for a decent ‘in the room’ tone from the FM3? I’m really keen to get into the Fractal world (coming from a BOSS Katana).

[@millman82]

Cooper Carter has some great tutorials on getting an amp in the room sound. I always wonder why people want that though. When I play my Amps it sounds harsh. All the reference sounds one is trying to chase are also recorded sounds through mics and a mic preamp.

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

@@millman82 Thanks, I’ll look into his content. Are you implying that your preferred method would be to use monitors with the Fractal? I’ve dabbled with Neural plugins and struggled to get any good tone from them, which makes me nervous to rely on monitors. I’m only running some basic Mackie CR-3 however.

[@millman82]

@@Chris_Nouvelli monitors, studio quality headphones, or good FRFR. Studio monitors don’t really cut it until you get to 7”. Adam Audio makes good monitors. I use Beyer Dynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones a lot for playing/practice.

[@MrJingles021]

Does the Fractal actually have amp models, or are they profiles?

[@millman82]

It’s models and they are so close they are indistinguishable to the real thing.

[@MrJingles021]

@millman82 thank you for answering! How did they get so many compared to a massive company like Yamaha/Line 6?

[@millman82]

@@MrJingles021 companies have given Cliff schematics to their Amps, like Revv for example. Others, they have dissected and modeled. They have an inventory of Amps they work with, like Line 6.They have even had a lot of people send them amps to model and compare. They’ve even worked with specific artists to capture their amps like the Robben Ford Dumble. The word capture here is used loosely. They have written all the algorithms and they determine the tolerances of the Amps through lots of component testing and then plug the values into models. I think is speaks volumes that companies and artists think highly enough of them to work with them directly.

[@MrJingles021]

@@millman82 great answer. I guess now I'm surprised I don't see more people using them compared to a Helix.

[@millman82]

@@MrJingles021 in the professional space you do. Or they have fake amps on stages because that is what you concert goers expect to see. Take a look at the artist roster with Fractal. Neil Schon of Journey, Metallica, Synyster Gates, Devin Townsend, Guthrie Govan, Dweezil Zappa, and many more.

[@fredriknordin]

The latency in the FM3 switches ruined it for me. Unplayable.

[@sacredgeometry]

Between patches? I would love to see you swap out your rig quicker.

[@fredriknordin]

@@sacredgeometryno just turning on a effect or like I eventually did: changed parameters with the switches, since I heard that would be the quickest. Still there wasn’t that immidiate change (like for instance a real effect pedal has). I switched to hx stomp and that was oddly enough much better. With HX Stomp I didnt have to press 0,5 seconds before the chorus (or whatever was coming up)…. It’s a shame really because the sounds in the Fractal was to die for!

[@sacredgeometry]

@@fredriknordin Thats odd, its pretty immediate for me on my rack version, I cant imagine a pedal version specially tailored for live use would perform worse in that regard. Are you sure it wasnt something to do with how you had it set up? Swapping presets isnt but then again thats like swapping out the hardware and rewiring your signal chain which would definitely take a lot longer than a fraction of a second. Hell it would take longer just unplug your guitar and plug it into another one.

[@fredriknordin]

@@sacredgeometry no setup issues, I just didnt like the delay that happened when turning on the distorsion. Kemper had the same thing. I mean we’re not talking a huge delay/latency, but I had to learn when to press the switch. Sliding into choruses also masked the latency. All the youtube guides didnt help, so I switched to a HX Stomp XL, where the factory presets are just aweful. But you can tweak the effect blocks into greatness…. Even with the HX stomp I still suffer from the same thing: tweaking sounds and modifying them instead of actually playing guitar.

[@sacredgeometry]

@@fredriknordin I mean normally I would agree but again, I could measure any delay in ms and samples right now and show you how negligible it is. I doubt its above 3ms. Thats certainly not enough to throw anyone off. Or even really notice in the context of playing live.

[@CloudyNoodling]

ac 20 especially good

[@rumy6871]

Try to edit on the unit during a gig... 😂

[@Team512]

Haha!!! Love my FM9T and AFX3 - but have to agree with this comment. I bring my laptop to gigs just in case I have to make changes between sets.

[@sacredgeometry]

Try to "edit" your amp during a gig. I will be sitting around laughing at you trying to swap out tubes or solder the circuit to do what can be done with a couple of twists of a knob on the axe fx. These arguments are so silly. You can expose all the things you need to edit , you can even automate them if you want. You have that control if you need it. The alternative doesnt give you it.

[@lanceholland]

I have all my important parameters on performance pages - it’s ridiculously easy.

[@Team512]

@@lanceholland I have now done the same. Makes it super easy like you said.

[@sacredgeometry]

@@lanceholland Yeah it is. If you really need to you do some sort of MIDI map to expose everything you need. Never had needed to, but then I havent whilst gigging ever needed to adjust more than the amps front face controls and you have easy access to those if you want anyway.

[@kierenmoore3236]

QC doesn’t look gig-worthy … wall-wart, too … and as cool as combined buttons/potentiometers are, they seem destined to fail 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@algorithm007ify]

Well google FM3 failures..several occurred at the power supply. Having the power supply external helps a lot..and would be a non-issue for this situation (i.e., more gig-worthy)

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@algorithm007ify Oh, right … Yeah, well, if one way or the other was perfect/clearly best, then everyone would do it that way (subject to cost), I suppose … Wall-warts could be better from a noise, heat, cost, replaceability perspective … They still ‘suck’, tho’ … lol 😉

[@plimtaku]

I have a quad cortex and gig it all the time. The oem power supply is noisy so that got replaced, much better. One of the foot switch pots stopped working but I can still change values using screen. I think I prefer the fractal sound but it was such an arse to use live I stopped taking it out.

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@plimtaku Thanks for that candid/honest feedback. The impression I’m left with is that QC might be a good all-in-1 solution (overall) for those into metal/heavier tones. But I don’t know … Just the impression I’m left with. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@digsy1303]

At 1200 quid I'd say no it's not really worth it these days.

[@Francis23777]

Fractal is excellent, my humble opinion is for touring and recording musicians, HX Stomp and the likes for aficionados and bedroom players.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Aficionados? Sounds like you’re saying the Stomp sounds better … ? Though that would kinda contradict the Fractal being for recording musicians? 🤔

[@Francis23777]

@@kierenmoore3236 the HX Stomp with premium presets can sound as good as Fractal, you pay half and get to the promised land.

[@picksalot1]

Does anyone think Matteo Mancuso is an aficionado? 😲

[@Francis23777]

@@picksalot1people get paid to use gear, are you aware?

[@picksalot1]

@@Francis23777 Yes, and Pros use gear that doesn't compromise their music. Mancuso uses an HX Stomp XL and Helix Floor.

[@patrickcarroll1754]

Hi John. I just purchased your HX Stomp Bundle. I'd like to hire you for a small preset project. I received your email address from PayPal's confirmation. Can I send you an email with my offer? Thanks! Patrick Duluth, MN

[@joemiller9856]

FM3 ordered and will arrive at my home tonight! @johnnathancordy.