I impulsively bought one while at GC. Tbh I only did it "for science." I was actually wearing a fractal shirt at the time and the sales guy was like, "yeah see what you think and bring it back if you don't like it." As almost an afterthought I also picked up the TM FR-12.
After just a few hours of testing my initial impressions are very positive. I think it sounds probably as good as the FM9. Of course I didn't try every model but the ones I tried were excellent. The only model I directly compared was a deluxe with a spring reverb (using the same 3rd party IR). That model sounded just as good between the two units. I'll compare a few high gain ones tomorrow but regardless, the high gain models do sound really good.
In his initial video,
@2112 said it doesn't have a dual detune which is almost true. Instead you have to use a pair of chromatic pitch shifter blocks on parallel paths and set them to however many cents you want (I chose -11/+11). Worked fairly well, though I do wish I could put a bunch of stuff in parallel like you can with the Fractal grid (which is insanely powerful).
And then I put another chromatic pitch shifter block at the front for a virtual capo. That's nice as I can't do dual detune and VC on my FM9.
I was able to setup w/d/w by using an FX loop block after the cab sending to the FR-12, then sending output 1 with the wet effects to a couple of EVs. That worked out pretty well.
Overall I have to admit...the damn thing is pretty freaking great. The FM9 has some serious benefits like the grid, the number of amps* and effects, the amount of deep diving you can do, finer control of the cab block (Dynacab style), etc (I can list others). But the TMP also has some benefits such as the front panel UI and some effect flexibility (not necessarily limited by a set number of individual block types).
*The FM9 has way more amps obviously, but keep in mind the TMP amp models can be multiple models in one block. For example while Fractal has separate models for BE, HBE, HBE C45, etc., the TMP has a BE100 block with all the appropriate switches usable within the block. Fractal still has for more variety but it's worth mentioning.
Edit: almost forgot to mention it. The FR-12 is awesome. It feels more like a real guitar cab than the EV (which still sounds phenomenal--don't get me wrong) but it also has less features/inputs. I think I'll be keeping it even if the TMP goes back.
. . . . . . . . . Ok kind of a stupid joke.
