BigStubby
Member
I got my FM3 January 2023
Short version:
Hated it for the first month... tons of nasty sizzle, so many places to edit tone, unfamiliar parameter names and workflows and way too much PDF and Forum to read. I was pretty close to selling it but stuck with it on the idea that there were some solid pro players having great success getting amazing sounds.
I am thoroughly impressed with the FM3. After continued learning of the unit I started getting my sounds. As it stands now (7 months in) I can get premium studio quality, world-class sounds that have wonderful playability (nuance of touch, response from whichever gtr/pups I'm playing).
FM3... Buy one, Learn it, Live it!
Long version:
Like so many, I've owned and sold a ton of gear, everything from stacks to racks and modelers too. This FM3 is my 1st ever Fractal Audio device and now 7 months in I figured I’ve got enough time in with it to review.
The FM3 is amazing! It can provide authentic tone and dynamics within the context of a multitude of amps and cabinets. In addition to that there are effects of all different kinds that deliver with outstanding quality and adjustability. Being able to develop the signal chain in just about any manner I wish is just the beginning. I use a pair of Fractal's EV-2 expression pedals, one for volume and the other for Wah and sometimes panning, time, speed, pitch, etc. It's really great to be able to assign expression pedals and switches to most any parameter. Also, to keep my pedalboard as small as possible, I opted for the Blackstar Live Logic midi switcher. It works very well and I can get at 6 of the 8 scenes/tones within a preset. I have a very minimal pedal board (see this in Post Your Rig) and still get everything I need or want.
How I use my FM3:
I gig but most of my time is spent at my recording desk (Roland VS2480, Crown D75, NS10m, Infinity subW, etc.) which has been a very capable rig for me. I count on FM3 Edit (on an i5 laptop) to build and edit presets on my FM3. I will force myself to edit on the FM3 directly sometimes to help build my chops there.
At home I run the FM3 balanced into my mixer's channel stereo inputs with its EQs, dynamics (compressor, etc.), effects all disabled. I do this as I’m really just trying to have a setup that mimics gigs where I’m direct into the PA/House system and am at the mercy of “The Sound Guy.” No FRFR powered speaker for me... I just want to be coming out of the House and have them drop me floor monitor or use in-ears if possible.
About that 1st month...
That first month I was stuck. I was trying to use what I knew about other modelers I've owned and applying that to the FM3... bad plan! The FM3 has quite a huge inventory of parameters, some that impact/influence others. The breakthrough happened when I realized the FM3 Global EQ needed to be dialed/setup (not be left flat) while the PA/House channel input EQs should be flat or bypassed. Once I worked this out the nasty sizzle was gone. There's a bit more to know on the "sizzle" topic but it instantly became a tiny concern. Getting a great sound at my recording desk (even on headphones, Sony MDR7506) meant on live gigs the engineer could start with a flat EQ (which they usually do) and hopefully wouldn't have far to go to dial in the guitar.
It's now much easier for me to build a new preset, layout or channel and it even gets a bit exciting when I'm working out a new idea for a sound. I also find myself editing sounds to help them fit into a part of a song (or live mix per se), So along with my all-up sounds I've been able to broaden my sounds with this in mind.
On gigs and rehearsals I just show up with my 24x14 inch pedal board (see this in Post Your Rig) plugin 2 XLRs and 1 A/C plug and I'm ready. Sound checks usually go well.
Cheers!
Short version:
Hated it for the first month... tons of nasty sizzle, so many places to edit tone, unfamiliar parameter names and workflows and way too much PDF and Forum to read. I was pretty close to selling it but stuck with it on the idea that there were some solid pro players having great success getting amazing sounds.
I am thoroughly impressed with the FM3. After continued learning of the unit I started getting my sounds. As it stands now (7 months in) I can get premium studio quality, world-class sounds that have wonderful playability (nuance of touch, response from whichever gtr/pups I'm playing).
FM3... Buy one, Learn it, Live it!
Long version:
Like so many, I've owned and sold a ton of gear, everything from stacks to racks and modelers too. This FM3 is my 1st ever Fractal Audio device and now 7 months in I figured I’ve got enough time in with it to review.
The FM3 is amazing! It can provide authentic tone and dynamics within the context of a multitude of amps and cabinets. In addition to that there are effects of all different kinds that deliver with outstanding quality and adjustability. Being able to develop the signal chain in just about any manner I wish is just the beginning. I use a pair of Fractal's EV-2 expression pedals, one for volume and the other for Wah and sometimes panning, time, speed, pitch, etc. It's really great to be able to assign expression pedals and switches to most any parameter. Also, to keep my pedalboard as small as possible, I opted for the Blackstar Live Logic midi switcher. It works very well and I can get at 6 of the 8 scenes/tones within a preset. I have a very minimal pedal board (see this in Post Your Rig) and still get everything I need or want.
How I use my FM3:
I gig but most of my time is spent at my recording desk (Roland VS2480, Crown D75, NS10m, Infinity subW, etc.) which has been a very capable rig for me. I count on FM3 Edit (on an i5 laptop) to build and edit presets on my FM3. I will force myself to edit on the FM3 directly sometimes to help build my chops there.
At home I run the FM3 balanced into my mixer's channel stereo inputs with its EQs, dynamics (compressor, etc.), effects all disabled. I do this as I’m really just trying to have a setup that mimics gigs where I’m direct into the PA/House system and am at the mercy of “The Sound Guy.” No FRFR powered speaker for me... I just want to be coming out of the House and have them drop me floor monitor or use in-ears if possible.
About that 1st month...
That first month I was stuck. I was trying to use what I knew about other modelers I've owned and applying that to the FM3... bad plan! The FM3 has quite a huge inventory of parameters, some that impact/influence others. The breakthrough happened when I realized the FM3 Global EQ needed to be dialed/setup (not be left flat) while the PA/House channel input EQs should be flat or bypassed. Once I worked this out the nasty sizzle was gone. There's a bit more to know on the "sizzle" topic but it instantly became a tiny concern. Getting a great sound at my recording desk (even on headphones, Sony MDR7506) meant on live gigs the engineer could start with a flat EQ (which they usually do) and hopefully wouldn't have far to go to dial in the guitar.
It's now much easier for me to build a new preset, layout or channel and it even gets a bit exciting when I'm working out a new idea for a sound. I also find myself editing sounds to help them fit into a part of a song (or live mix per se), So along with my all-up sounds I've been able to broaden my sounds with this in mind.
On gigs and rehearsals I just show up with my 24x14 inch pedal board (see this in Post Your Rig) plugin 2 XLRs and 1 A/C plug and I'm ready. Sound checks usually go well.
Cheers!
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