FM3 Firmware Version 10.0 public beta

[Paul Bradshaw]

Hey thanks for this massive update!

I have a simple question.

My presets are 99% done for my 2025 tour.
I use exclusively the 59slp and the deluxe for clean. And that’s the best tone I’ve ever had in my life lol.
Is there any changes on the algorithm on those amps? Any change in feel, dynamic etc ?

I spent so many hours tweaking the advanced parameters on the 59 to create my personal dream of this amp that I’m really afraid to update for the first time lol.

And finally another question:
I use just a small amount of reverb in my main preset, mainly to avoid that too much cab in your face feel and give just a little space.
Does the updated room in the cab block could replace it ? And how cpu hungry is this room option now?

Thanks again for all this wonderful work.

i just tried the ROOM + HALL in the cab block for you, looks like 3-4% depending on settings

i think given the tweaks in the amp modelling it will affect your amp as well

i'm finding the gain/saturation to be tighter/clearer and more defined so far

 

[Joshua_L]

i just tried the ROOM + HALL in the cab block for you, looks like 3-4% depending on settings

i think given the tweaks in the amp modelling it will affect your amp as well

i'm finding the gain/saturation to be tighter/clearer and more defined so far

I just watched your vid, there really seems to be an improvement, the tone seems more direct, fuller and more defined!

Great vid as always.

 

[Paul Bradshaw]

I just watched your vid, there really seems to be an improvement, the tone seems more direct, fuller and more defined!

Great vid as always.

thanks yeah there's this extra definition that i can't quite properly explain, definitely an improvement in any case

 

[xykhron]

I'm not a beta guy and I prefer to wait until the stable one, but since the last stable firmware was too long ago, I decided to backup everything, install the beta firmware and factory presets. On my main preset I noticed that my CPU usage is now even lower than before (average 68% with Pitch, Flanger, Tremolo, Amp, Dyna-Cab, Chorus, Delay, Reveb and Enhancer on a Mk.I FM3 non-turbo) and sounds better, fuller and richer. I tried many other presets I had created myself from scratch and they are now below the usage they were before.

The new pitch in the reverb block is a fantastic add to that block. It increments only a 5-6% of CPU but worths it.
As always, FAS provides absolutely the BEST to their customers. Thank you.

 

[unix-guy]

Thanks, it's not a subject of rolling back for sound quality reasons, just that I won't have time and possibilities for retweaking and adapting other impacts (compressor blocks, exp input behavior) at band level until end of August and cannot for that same reason redo any patches in case of CPU problems if any. So either rolling back will be easy (I fear difficulties for rolling back with the Dynacabs file), either it is not. I just want to give this FW a short try and dig it further later. Otherwise, no sweat, I can wait until september.

Reload the previous firmware.

Reload the previous DynaCabs if prompted.

As long as you haven't saved any presets under the new firmware, that's all there is to do.

 

[sol]

Thanks for this awesome feature packed update. I can't wait to try this out today. Just one question regarding dynacabs.


***The DynaCabs storage section of the FM3 is currently at full capacity. As a result, the new 1x12 Scholz cab

from the Axe-Fx III/FM9 has not been included in this release. However, the 1x12 Scholz is available as a Dyna

Cab Pack, which can be loaded into Cab-Lab. You can then export your mix and send it into the FM3 as a User

Cab.***

Does this mean, we will be required to purchase all the future dynacabs? Meanwhile FM9 and FX3 users get it for free?

 

[unix-guy]

So am a bit confused about the Dynacabs:-

=> from FW 9.x to FW 10.x has the sound and audio quality of the Dynacabs been improved ?

or

=> are the "improvements" to the Dynacab UI - based ?

UI only in regards to DynaCabs...

But also changed in the Cab block:

● Improved Room modeling in the Cab block. The simulation is now louder, and this will change the sound of existing presets that use this feature. Audition your presets accordingly. “Mic Spacing” was also changed to distance in cm, with a default of 17 cm (ORTF standard).

 

[unix-guy]

Wasn't expecting this but my reported CPU usage went down - 74.5 --> 70.5% on my main preset ,
a test preset i made went from 50% to around 46% , i'm not complaining

What firmware did you update from?

That seems odd...

note : when doing the update the input pad was changed to 6 from 12 , not sure why, i changed it back to 12 as it was clipping

You're not the first person to report this.

Probably a good idea for everyone to check their setting.

 

[unix-guy]

-'danger' of getting infinite feedback pitch shifted loops which will slam the output if you're not careful (this is more user/beware when trying out different settings)

Can you elaborate?

What part of the firmware updates contributes to that?

 

[unix-guy]

Does this mean, we will be required to purchase all the future dynacabs? Meanwhile FM9 and FX3 users get it for free?

Essentially, yes.

However, we don't know that there will be any further DynaCab updates or how many, or how much storage remains in the Axe Fx III and FM9 for future updates.

Also remember that DynaCab packs provide a lot more than the built-in versions.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Can you elaborate?

What part of the firmware updates contributes to that?

He's talking about the pitch shifting added in the reverb blocks. He mentions this in his video he posted in here as well.

 

[SpudMan]

this beta sent this preset of mine at more than 101% cpu!!! this happens when i switch to the 4th scene. is this a bug?

ps. i've narrowed it down to the sun plate reverb as the most probable culprit

Are you non-turbo? Mine is non-turbo and I am concerned that I can no longer safely update to newer firmware.

 

[SpudMan]

You can lower "Quality" and "Echo Density" in the Reverb block to reduce its CPU requirements.

So basically you can lower the value of the preset to use the new firmware? Again, this sounds to me like the newer firmware is making the non-turbo FM3 not upgradeable. So still useable, but not able to take advantage of the newer capabilities. Put another way, it is an obsolete product.

 

[Paul Bradshaw]

What firmware did you update from?

That seems odd...


You're not the first person to report this.

Probably a good idea for everyone to check their setting.

updated from 9.01 to 10.0 Beta, i'm not complaining in any case =)

Can you elaborate?

What part of the firmware updates contributes to that?

The exact settings from memory while I was experimenting was high or max Pitch shift feedback settings Rev-Fw direction and the Matrix setting


I still have it on video, can post if needed

 

[SpudMan]

Potentially: "This firmware version includes major improvements to sound quality and performance. As a result, some presets now require more CPU."

So my non-turbo is no obsolete? Useable of course, but no longer feasibly upgradeable unless one wants to degrade settings

 

[SpudMan]

Then adjust them... There's a price for progress.

Optionally, revert to your previous firmware and be happy.

Not progress for everyone, only those who have turbo.

 

[ConstantM]

Are you non-turbo? Mine is non-turbo and I am concerned that I can no longer safely update to newer firmware.

It's ok it was a weird parameter that somehow was set to 100% as default. The dispersion parameter for the plate reverbs and the drip for spring reverbs. Set them to 20-25 and it will be like before the update CPU wise

 

[sol]

1) Damn, this new firmware update is AMAZING! All my presets are using 5-6% less CPU after upgrading. GREAT JOB @Fractal team. Yes the new plate reverbs use a lot of cpu, but if your presets don't use any plate reverbs, you will see a 5-6% CPU improvements.

2) It would be good have the default Dispersion Knob at 20%, currently default value is 100% which hits CPU limit instantly. Other than that, everything seems fine, I will update if I come across anything unusual!

Thanks again!

 

[Joshua_L]

So basically you can lower the value of the preset to use the new firmware? Again, this sounds to me like the newer firmware is making the non-turbo FM3 not upgradeable. So still useable, but not able to take advantage of the newer capabilities. Put another way, it is an obsolete product.

I’m sorry but I tired of those posts about « blabla it’s obsolete »
I had to say it sorry.

Obsolete in what way exactly ??? Can’t you play guitar anymore?

I’ve not upgraded yet my « obsolete non turbo fm3 » and I’m asking myself if I really need to do it because in more than 20 years of doing gigs and tour professionally that’s the best and consistent tones I’ve heard of my guitar rig through foh (and I’m not talking about some pub gigs foh).

Fractal team makes wonderful works and efforts in bringing the latests firmwares releases in their older units!
Just reinstall the first firmware of the fm3 and this one or the 9 and tell me they wanted to make it obsolete.

Some of you are complaining because their 15 years old 1080p tv can’t do hdr and 4K!

Sorry for the grunt but come on, if you want more buy an axe3 or a fm9

 

[SpudMan]

Which makes statements that the FM3 is at its life cycle end nonsense. The features of the FM3 are up to par with the FM9 and Axe-Fx, with just a few exceptions. A missing DynaCab isn't that important. CPU constraints can be overcome through gapless preset switching. The factory presets demonstrate its capabilities. The value for money still is enormous.

But not the non-turbo FM3. It seem to be at its life cycle end.