AxeFx3 users who also have a FM3

JasonB5232

JasonB5232

Inspired
Getting rid of a bunch of gear I no longer use and was thinking about using the proceeds for an FM3. Taking the AxeFX3 to jam sessions with friends sometime feels like complete overkill and having something smaller for gigs would be a bonus.

I have the FC12 so I'm not worried about lack of buttons.
I'm typically a 1 amp type of guy.
I typically don't go overboard with effects.

Just wondering what other's experiences have been having the AxeFx3 and then going to the FM3.

Thanks.
 
I have both and use it exactly the same. FM3 for most jams and some gigs, the axe fx at home and for larger shows. Very convenient.

I usually create my presets on the axe fx, just need to be a bit careful to not go overboard on adding effects. I have a template now with the right number of blocks and just switch out effects or amp/cab for different sounds.
 
I “downgraded” from my Axe FX 3 Turbo Mk II to an FM9T Mk II for a similar reason. I’m mainly just playing it at home and taking it to church every other week, and that also entailed an FC12 and an EV-2 in a backpack.

I’m thoroughly enjoying the switch, as I now have a free hand when taking gear to and from places, and 9 switches with the OFM9G layout is perfect for me. A lot of the features the Axe FX has that the FM9 doesn’t were features I wasn’t using anyway, and I haven’t missed out on any horsepower and still get more options for blocks and effect quality than the FM3.

My opinion is if you’re using the Axe FX 3 with an FC12 and feel like you’re not making the most out of everything the 3 has, the FM9 will get you all the way there with minimally more tap dancing with a good layout.
 
JasonB5232 said:
Just wondering what other's experiences have been having the AxeFx3 and then going to the FM3.
Click to expand...
My III stays in a rack at home. Love it for the power, but I need portability when I gig. I mainly gig an FM9 but the FM3 will do the occasional small gig or acoustic gig. The FM9 is, in my opinion, the perfect gigging size-to-power ratio. If I'm feeling like I'll have the stage space, I'll extend the FM9 with an FC6 for for more switches.
 
JasonB5232 said:
Getting rid of a bunch of gear I no longer use and was thinking about using the proceeds for an FM3. Taking the AxeFX3 to jam sessions with friends sometime feels like complete overkill and having something smaller for gigs would be a bonus.

I have the FC12 so I'm not worried about lack of buttons.
I'm typically a 1 amp type of guy.
I typically don't go overboard with effects.

Just wondering what other's experiences have been having the AxeFx3 and then going to the FM3.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
honestly it was a matter of really streamlining my patches, and going from infinite changes and options down to becoming super efficient and focused on what was most important for the song. Quite cathartic TBH :)
 
Do it, I've got both and it's great to have the tones, and plenty of the features in a smaller package

I did an open air gig a few months and folks couldn't believe how good it sounds

I've A/B'd them, and yhe tonal differences are tiny
 
I have an Axe IIIT that I use for all of my live, rehearsals and recording. I take it whenever I play. I have an FM3T on my tech bench at work. It is also my backup for when I play live.

No reason not to have a smaller setup if it works for you. However, it is not overkill.
 
Similar situation, have an axe fx3 and rjm16 to control. Back in time I needed this rig for an artist I was touring with. But now It feels like over kill.

I will soon list all and get an fm9 turbo. Axe Fx 3 is especially an over kill in the studio in my case…I don’t record with FX (delay, reverb etc) neither for my own productions, nor any of the producers I work with would want me to record with those. So ASAP I will switch to fm9. Need to take photos and list.
 
I have the Axe-FX III Mark II Turbo as well as the FM3 Mark II Turbo. Thus far, it's been Axe in the studio, FM3 at rehearsals/gigs. I'm actually just beginning the process of selling my FM3 and upgrading to an FM9 for live use. For context, I've had the FM3 since March and the Axe since May. I really like the FM3's form factor and footprint, but there are a few nagging things about it which make it clear that the FM9 is a better choice for me. Aside from the utility of just being able to use more switches natively on the FM9, there are a few limiting factors about the FM3 which I eventually conceded that I'm not going to get over. The first one is the fact that it only has a S/PDIF output (instead of the FM9's and Axe-Fx's S/PDIF I/O.) This was frustrating due to how I prefer to set things up, and also made integrating the VP4 much more challenging.

The FM3 also lacks what Fractal calls their "special sauce" on the input jack. I'm not 100% sure what this actually entails, because the effect is somewhat intangible, but after playing the Axe for months, and then going back to the FM3, the "feel" isn't quite the same. Add in the more limited version of the USB functionality in both an audio and MIDI context to the FM3, plus the fact that the FM3 can only do a single amp block, and it caused just enough cognitive dissonance for me to eventually accept that I would prefer an FM9. YMMV of course.
 
I was in those same shoes,... having to disconnect all the cables from my FX3 and carrying it to my rehearsal place, at least twice a week.... I was thinking of getting a FM3, then I got to my senses and got myself another FX3, and left it there, ... now I just take my guitar, and Im set. Also easy to backup one unit and just restore it on another,.... best of both worlds :D
 

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I have the AxeFX3, FM9T, and FM3T.

The way I view them is that the FM9T is my backup to my AxeFX3 (although I don't take it to gigs). I keep the FM9T in my "Studio Room" and take my AxeFX3 to gigs and generally keep it in my rehearsal space in my basement. I know that's a little backwards, but there's reasons why the rack version works better for my band since we have an IEM rig that it sits on top of as well as having a power amp to power a cab when we play smaller shows where they only mic vocals.

I also took my FM9T to rehearsal for the cover band I just left to focus on my original band. It was more convenient in that scenario and I barely had to dumb down my AxeFX3 preset to run on the FM9T.

I bought the FM3T to be my portable rig to take to jams. I have to make dumbed down versions of my main AxeFX3 presets but it can still do a lot. The other guitarist in my band uses my FM3T. I have a simpler preset made for them that works well.
 
100%. Once you customize the FM3 performance view to your liking, you're set. I added a Hot one 2 button switch for tuner/tap and quick access to views. Also have a Mission pedal cause I'm a wah guy. Presets transfer well with the exception of some reverbs not available. I don't think you will need the FC12.
 
I have both. Started with the FM3 and last year added the axefx3. When my fm3 shit the bed (power cable connection blew out), I was so happy I had the rack unit. Saved my ass since I had a gig the weekend the fm3 decided to stop working. You can’t go wrong having both. Use what you like but a backup is key if you are out gigging.
 
I have the III and the FM3. The III lives in a rack at my house. The FM3 goes to rehearsals and gigs. The FM3 does everything I need it to do with my band. The main reason I still have my III is to experiment with making IRs, and to have a modeler always hooked up and ready to go for practice.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I ended up getting the FM3. Went to a jam session with it tonight and it worked out great. For this group I don't change settings a lot really, just switching between SLO Clean and Lead, adding a boost and maybe putting on vibe or envelope filter.

Cover band rehearsal, well, not sure if I'm going to be able to live without the FC12. Tried it with just the 3 buttons and haven't been able to come up with anything ideal. I have too many 3 scene combinations and then trying to figure out which view I should be on. Thought that getting out of Scene thinking might benefit me, but I still have to many multi effect combinations.
 
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