the FM3 is on Version 1.xx, as alluded to. though we don't know if the Axe3 faster changes can be added to the FM3 in the same capacity, it's been stated that it hasn't made its way over yet.
most other gear that i've used - and i've used a lot, being the ordering manager for a large local music store - i've had to press any switches slightly before the downbeat as well. my peers in local music here do as well with all their gear. i think it's a lot to ask for analog or digital systems to change sounds seamlessly, instantly, smoothly, etc.
yes, in some music styles and situations with a single guitar, it is crucial to change sounds that quickly. the way the pros do it is have 2 amps or more so only audio path is changing, not channels or anything else. one amp for clean, another for dirty, maybe another for lead. even in "signature amps" with several channels, that pro is usually using multiple amps as i just described for the fastest changing, cleanest audio.
in the Axe world, that would be the equivalent of 2 Axe units, or a preset with 2 Amp blocks or other blocks that need seamless switching, and Scene changes so audio is just muting and unmuting, no channels or other settings actually changing. it's a reality of audio processing. of course the FM3 doesn't have 2 amp blocks, and i'm not at all suggesting using 2 FM3 units. but seamless instant audio is very difficult for a lot of gear to handle.
i guess i tend to change Scenes/Presets around an 1/8 note early (depending on tempo). then it's ready to go for the downbeat. if i need seamless gain change from clean to dirty, i'll usually use the same amp channel, use Scene Controllers to change the Input Drive and other parameters, and/or unmute a Drive block if i need high gain - like the Ruckus or something.
chances are, the audio gap will be reduced, as it has on all previous FAS gear.
