Thanks for that! Itās really helpful for everyone to know what your personal ābetter than what Iām using todayā definition is. Everyone wants to help you get there!
The AX8 was a real winner, and a great design layout by FAS, on those points. The defined adjustment knobs went right to the heart of we players who missed the tactile and immediate feeling of real amp adjustments. I loved that about the AX8. While you can approximate the function of this on the more current units (as
@JoKeR III points out above), itās not right there staring you in the face like it was on the AX8.
The FM9 is a superb replacement in my personal experience, having used the AX8, Axe Fx III, and FM9 over the years. I shocked myself by selling my III-Turbo recently, and keeping the FM9-Turbo, with an added FC6 for even more switching options. You can assign the knobs for direct access to specific settings and, while theyāre not boldly displayed like the AX8, you can get to the settings they control as quickly. This is the first time since 2011 that I didnāt have an Axe Fxā¦ and so far Iām ok with it!
Nothing is going to beat the AX8 at being an AX8. It was a great unit for what it did, especially at that point in the evolution. But now, knowing what youāre really focusing on, I think the FM series can give you Axe Fx-like tones and capability along with AX8-like function and portability. I agree with others here that it would be a better solution, once you get used to how it accomplishes what youāre asking for here. The Axe Fx III is the flagship, and nothing does what it does, Fractal or otherwise. But if you can fit your presets into an AX8, then any FM will cover that and more.
Answering your
specific question, I think youād find the old adage āyou can never go backā true here. While the AX8 would be fun and familiar, the current power/tone/capabilities of the III (or FM3T/9T) would make it a bit like running into your old girlfriend. Still pretty, but not a good fit for the current you.
