digitalwaveform
Member
I'm upgrading from an AX8 and owned a AXE FX II and Ultra before that. The FM9 is a tremendous leap in every category. I've gigged hundreds of shows on the AX8 since I got it years ago. The FM9 is a substantial upgrade in every way that matters to me.
First things first, sound quality. FM9 is just much more touch sensitive, and has a MUCH lower noise floor. I've noticed where I used to have my noise gate threshold up on previous iterations I'm actually able to turn it down now and have noticed a much cleaner noise floor across the board. This translates into me being able to be more dynamic and work the volume on my guitar in situations where previously that wouldn't have been optimal. Clean and pushed sounds I find a really big difference over previous hardware as well. I didn't anticipate that but was really surprised at how organic the cleans sound. Esp that pushed cleans that have a just a little hair or break up in them. I know is cliche to say those adjectives at this point. But I def find myself playing and being really inspired and excited to program sounds. Heavy sounds seem richer to me too and there's more air and most welcome to me - bloom.
All the UI improvements, colored switches and customizations and layouts, the full color screen. I could go on and on. To keep it short, if you're coming from an AX8, the FM9 is badass and you will not be disappointed. I think it's a major hit for Fractal. One thing I'm loving is the dual function switches, I've just scratched the surface with holding the Delay switch down to increase feedback and modulation rate to get some cool run-away analog style delay sounds while it also controls the EQ Frequency in the Filter Block. Nothing ground breaking, but programing it is a lot easier on the FM9.
If you're coming from an AXE-FX III, you're loosing some power obvi. But if you're not using that much horsepower, not having to bring out a rack and dedicated foot pedal is pretty awesome.
As a working musician that's in the trenches grinding it out, the FM9 checks off so many boxes for me. I played a show to about 500 people on Saturday with it barely dialed in and got a boat load of compliments on my tone. When it comes to pedals and electronics, I don't buy the latest and greatest just for the hell of it. I have a mortgage. Gear is like an iPhone to me, I expect to use it for years until it breaks or something REALLY compelling causes me to upgrade.
The FM9 is a very worthy upgrade!
Bravo Fractal!
First things first, sound quality. FM9 is just much more touch sensitive, and has a MUCH lower noise floor. I've noticed where I used to have my noise gate threshold up on previous iterations I'm actually able to turn it down now and have noticed a much cleaner noise floor across the board. This translates into me being able to be more dynamic and work the volume on my guitar in situations where previously that wouldn't have been optimal. Clean and pushed sounds I find a really big difference over previous hardware as well. I didn't anticipate that but was really surprised at how organic the cleans sound. Esp that pushed cleans that have a just a little hair or break up in them. I know is cliche to say those adjectives at this point. But I def find myself playing and being really inspired and excited to program sounds. Heavy sounds seem richer to me too and there's more air and most welcome to me - bloom.
All the UI improvements, colored switches and customizations and layouts, the full color screen. I could go on and on. To keep it short, if you're coming from an AX8, the FM9 is badass and you will not be disappointed. I think it's a major hit for Fractal. One thing I'm loving is the dual function switches, I've just scratched the surface with holding the Delay switch down to increase feedback and modulation rate to get some cool run-away analog style delay sounds while it also controls the EQ Frequency in the Filter Block. Nothing ground breaking, but programing it is a lot easier on the FM9.
If you're coming from an AXE-FX III, you're loosing some power obvi. But if you're not using that much horsepower, not having to bring out a rack and dedicated foot pedal is pretty awesome.
As a working musician that's in the trenches grinding it out, the FM9 checks off so many boxes for me. I played a show to about 500 people on Saturday with it barely dialed in and got a boat load of compliments on my tone. When it comes to pedals and electronics, I don't buy the latest and greatest just for the hell of it. I have a mortgage. Gear is like an iPhone to me, I expect to use it for years until it breaks or something REALLY compelling causes me to upgrade.
The FM9 is a very worthy upgrade!
Bravo Fractal!