AXE FX2 or FM3?

guitarplayer said:
Hello!
Does the FM3 sound differ from the Ax FX2 Ares 2.0 firmware?
Does it make sense to replace the Ax FX2 with FM3?
Thanks!
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Yes. But think about this:
Axe FX 2 sounds pretty much like a real amp and people fail miserably in Blind tests.
FM3 sounds pretty much like a real amp and people fail miserably in Blind tests.
If A sounds like C and B sounds like C, it logically follows that A sounds like B.

In other words, there isn't a world of difference between Axe FX 2 and Axe FX 3/FM3.

Still, there are differences, and if fractal dudes aren't lying, the FM is more accurate to the real thing, of course, but it's something that you would hear only by A/B switching them and listening closely. When casually listening to music, you would never go like "Hey, this sounds more like FM3 than Axe FX 2".

Axe FX 2 sounds great. FM3 sounds great. Different shades of great. Does accuracy matter to you or is sounding great all that matters? Didn't Amp modelling reach a point of "Just another tone", and it's just a matter of taste for which is better?


Anyway, when considering the differences between Axe FX 2 vs FM3, there are a lot of other things to consider.
How I see it, is that the FM3 beats the Axe FX 2 in pretty much everything, except for the number of instances of blocks.
Do you need that many blocks? I don't.
If your stage rig is rack-based, Axe FX 2 can be convenient, especially considering that you can connect multiple guitars to it... uncomfortably, but you can..
Otherwise, I see no reason to go Axe FX 2 over FM3. It's a valuable upgrade.
 
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The Ares modeling has gone through several updates since support was dropped for the AxeFX II. Whether it's objectively "better" or not is a matter of opinion, but it is different, it will continue to evolve, and it does NOT sound the same.

In addition to modeling, several of the effects block have been updated since support for the AxeFX II was dropped (drive, phaser, reverb, plex delay, pitch, and maybe more that I am forgetting). IMO, the effects are definitely better in the AxeIII/FM3.

But the AxeFX II still sounds fantastic!
 
Axe fx ii if you need 2 amp blocks, tone matching, IR creation, and if you use lots of real-time mods as that uses a lot of CPU, and if you don't want to update all the time as its finalized/EOL.

FM3 if you want latest FAS advancements and features (doesn't mean it sounds better, just means more options to get you to the end result you are striving for and more cool "toys" but it really comes down to how you are going to use it.

I have a mkii for 7 years and I'm not hearing that the III is better or more "real" in a mix live or recorded.

That said, I should be getting my headphones FM3 invite in the next couple days and I'm buying one. Once in hand I will compare directly to the II as I'm on the fence about selling or keeping it for home/backup. Only concern is that like AX8, its a different team on the FM3 and its going to fall behind the III, and I recall lots of unhappy posts about that over the years.

One thing I find amusing is the FAS fanatics that with every FW since I came here 7 years ago always say its better now, ... I disagree, as listening back to 7 years of recordings I always have the same dial in and tone regardless of FW lol. Anyways, that's my opinion.
 
Severed said:
Only concern is that like AX8, its a different team on the FM3 and its going to fall behind the III, and I recall lots of unhappy posts about that over the years.
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Yep, that's my concern as well. Hopefully FAS has learned from the AX8 and will do a better job keeping the FM3 in sync with the AxeFX III (as far as the CPU differences will allow).
 
A component of the 3rd gen of products is feel as well. Yes the 2nd gen already “sounds like a real amp.” Much of the improvement is in the feel, and that helps it sound and play even more like a real amp. I try not to get caught up in the “sounds like” thing as that’s an endless comparison.

I do prefer the 3rd gen but happily use the 2nd gen all the time as well.
 
Yes, that’s a good point @chris, and was something I noticed immediately when I got the III two years ago. The III, and FM3, definitely has a better feel in terms of dynamics and touch responsiveness.
 
ethomas1013 said:
The Ares modeling has gone through several updates since support was dropped for the AxeFX II.
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For the record, support has never been dropped for the Axe-Fx II. Or for the AX8 or FX8, for that matter. Those products are still supported.
 
Fair point in terms of technical support. But in terms of FW updates they are no longer supported and are now listed as “legacy” products on the forum.
 
i don't think there was a great disparity between the Axe2 and AX8. CPUs are limited and the AX8 is known to have a less powerful CPU. other than number of blocks and specific types not included, i never used the AX8 and thought that it didn't sound like my Axe2.

that said, we know that the 3rd generation was designed to keep the Rack and Portable versions as close as possible. judging from the recent release notes of the FM3 beta, they are doing exactly that and putting as much Axe3 stuff into the FM3 blocks as possible. it's looking great!
 
ethomas1013 said:
Yep, that's my concern as well. Hopefully FAS has learned from the AX8 and will do a better job keeping the FM3 in sync with the AxeFX III (as far as the CPU differences will allow).
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Well, as much as I'm bummed about AX8 not getting Ares like the Axe Fx II, it's fair to recognize that up until Quantum 10, FAS did an excellent job keeping both units on par Firmware-wise. Of course, there were times the porting took some time, but sure thing they delivered. Even IIRC there was an ocassion where the FW came first for the AX8 and then ported to the Axe Fx II.
 
Severed said:
Axe fx ii if you need 2 amp blocks, tone matching, IR creation, and if you use lots of real-time mods as that uses a lot of CPU, and if you don't want to update all the time as its finalized/EOL.

FM3 if you want latest FAS advancements and features (doesn't mean it sounds better, just means more options to get you to the end result you are striving for and more cool "toys" but it really comes down to how you are going to use it.

I have a mkii for 7 years and I'm not hearing that the III is better or more "real" in a mix live or recorded.

That said, I should be getting my headphones FM3 invite in the next couple days and I'm buying one. Once in hand I will compare directly to the II as I'm on the fence about selling or keeping it for home/backup. Only concern is that like AX8, its a different team on the FM3 and its going to fall behind the III, and I recall lots of unhappy posts about that over the years.

One thing I find amusing is the FAS fanatics that with every FW since I came here 7 years ago always say its better now, ... I disagree, as listening back to 7 years of recordings I always have the same dial in and tone regardless of FW lol. Anyways, that's my opinion.
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Did you ever get the FM3? Any opinions on the newer platform? I'm currently using an AXE II, but am curious whether the FM3 is noticeably better in your experience.
 
CactusTone said:
Did you ever get the FM3? Any opinions on the newer platform? I'm currently using an AXE II, but am curious whether the FM3 is noticeably better in your experience.
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I had the Axe II and FM3 at the same time. While the II is still a great product, the FM3 impressed me that much that I now added an Axe3 and sold the II.
 
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