FM3 Firmware Version 12.0 public beta

m_brown

m_brown

Moderator
Fractal Audio Systems
Moderator
FM3 Firmware Version 12.0 public beta #1 is now available for download:
https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/firmware-presets/fm3/12p0/fm3_dsp_rel_12p00_public_beta_1.zip

An updated version of FM3-Edit is required for use with this release:
https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fm3-edit-1-07-13-to-support-fw-12-00-public-beta-1.216937/

A Dyna-Cab update is required
The required Dyna-Cab file is included in the 'zip' file for this release.
Please follow the instructions in the Firmware Update guide PDF that is included to install the firmware and Dyna-Cabs.

IMPORTANT: This update adds new DynaCab™ models to the FM3, bringing it in sync with the Axe-Fx III and FM9. To make room for these, the number of User Cab slots has been reduced from 1024 to 512. If you have any User Cabs stored in slots 513–1024, please back them up using FM3-Edit. Those slots will be removed, and any cabs in them will be permanently lost after the update.

Preset CPU and Factory Presets
This firmware version includes major improvements to sound quality and performance. As a result, some presets now require more CPU. Older Factory Presets may exceed 80% CPU usage, especially on the standard (non-Turbo) FM3. To address this, new Factory Presets have been created for firmware 10.0+. These are not installed automatically and must be downloaded separately:
https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fm3-factory-presets-for-firmware-10-0.213091/
 
NEW FEATURES & UPDATES


IMPROVED AMP MODELING


● Improved Preamp Modelling delivers more accurate harmonic response and better feel.


NOTE: The Preamp Tube Hardness parameter functions differently now. Existing presets are automatically updated to the default value for the selected amp model.


● Improved Power Amp Modeling brings a more controlled low end, especially for non- Master Volume amps.


● Added Suhr Reactive Load Speaker Impedance Curve.


NEW DRIVE PEDAL MODELS


● New “PI Fuzz – Bass” model based on a Deluxe Bass Big Muff Pi.


● New “NoAmp Bass DI” based on a SansAmp™ BassDriver DI.


● New “NoAmp Bass Pre” based on a SansAmp™ BassDriver DI with the speaker emulation bypassed. This can be used into a Cabinet block or as a boost into an Amp block.


● New “Royal Bass DI” based on a Noble™ Bass Preamp DI. The model has been modified with more gain so that it can be overdriven. With the Drive knob at 5.00 the gain is the same as the actual preamp. Also, instead of a Low Cut switch, the model uses an adjustable Low Cut control.


NEW GRAPHIC EQ MODELS


● Added “7 Band Pedal” Graphic EQ type based on a Boss™ GE-7.


● Added “7 Band Bass Pedal” Graphic EQ type based on a Boss™ GE-7B.


NEW SURROUND DELAY


● Added “Surround Delay” type to the Delay block. This type produces “rotating” echoes that seem to move around the listener. The Rotation parameter determines how rapidly the echoes rotate. With Rotation at 100% the echoes will rotate 180 degrees each time (front, back, front, etc). At 50% the echoes will rotate 90 degrees (front, right, back, left, front, etc.). Negative values will cause the echoes to rotate in the opposite direction.NEW DYNACABS & CAB BLOCK IMPROVEMENTS


● Added “1x12 Scholz” Dyna-Cab. This is a subset of the 1x12 West Coast Classic Dyna-Cab available in our store, based on a MojoTone™ West Coast cabinet with a 12” Scholz SugarCone™ Classic speaker.


● Added “1x8 Princetone” DynaCab™ captured from a 5F2 Tweed Princeton w/ a very nice sounding 8” Jupiter speaker. Added corresponding Speaker Impedance Curve.


● Added “1x12 Black Magick” DynaCab captured from a Supro Black Magick with a Jensen P12Q speaker. Added corresponding Speaker Impedance Curve. Thanks to Supro for their cooperation on this official release!


● Added “8x10 SV Bass” DynaCab captured from an Ampeg SVT. Added corresponding Speaker Impedance Curve.


Thanks to Mike "Dr. Bonkers" Santasiero for the files from his DynaCab Pack, "Dr. Bonkers 8x10 SBB Bass". If you like the factory DynaCab “sampler” you can purchase the pack for Cab Lab at https://shop.fractalaudio.com


● NOTE: Updated auto-impedance mapping in the Amp block to use the new DynaCabs where appropriate.


Added “Auto Align” switch to the Cab block for DynaCab mode.When ON, individual DynaCabs at any distance are automatically time-aligned to ensure proper phase. When OFF, increasing mic Distance also adds the corresponding delay, simulating real-world microphone behavior where delay increases with mic distance. With either setting, the individual alignment Delay parameters can still be used to add additional delay.

Note that the actual delay can be less than the displayed delay as all IR delays are normalized to the shortest delay (so as to minimize overall latency). The Align tab has been changed to display the delay in ms rather than mm to reduce confusion with the Distance parameters. NOTE: Existing presets will have Auto Align set to ON as this was the prior behavior.


PITCH SHIFTER UPDATES


● A new Tracking Mode parameter has been added to the Synth and Ring Mod blocks. It has two options:


Guitar – Default behavior, optimized for standard guitar range.
Bass – Shifts detection down one octave. In this mode, tracking works down to approximately F♯0.


● Increased upper range of the pitch detectors to approximately F♯6 (High E, 24th fret, whole step bend).


OTHER UPDATES


● Added On/Off switch for the Metronome. This can be controlled remotely by setting the desired control source in the MIDI/Remote -> Other menu.


FIXES


Changed name of “1x12 Brit G12M” impedance curve (obtained from a 1x12 CJ11) to “1x12 Div13 CJ11”

Fixed wrong value in Deluxe Verb Normal model. Remastered model as a result.

Fixed a wrong value in Deluxe Verb, Double Verb, Super Verb, Vibroverb, Div/13 FT37, and Double Verb Silverface.

Moved "Mix" tab after "Advanced" tab in Drive and Delay blocks.

Improved accuracy of Sustain control vs. position in PI Fuzz models.

Fixed a resistor value in the Blackglass 7K model. Remastered model as a result.

Fixed incorrect gain in Colortone Booster and Colortone OD models.

Fixed Modern Gate type can get stuck closed if input above threshold during boot.

Disabled preset changes while the STORE page is displayed to prevent “behind-the-scenes” preset changes
 
Based on what you said above, and what I am quoting at the bottom of this post, I have a question. Please don't flame me as my question is well intended, and I have no complaints about my non-turbo FM3. I just want to know the following:

I almost exclusively use presets I created, not the factory installed ones. With the last non-beta release I have been running into a lot of cpu exceeded notifications rendering the presets unuseable without modifications to remove blocks. Seems reverb definitely has a negative impact there.

So my question is at what point does a user like me say they are happy with the FM3 (non-turbo) and while the new features are desireable, loading the new firmware starts to create more cpu issues and as a result I should just accept the limitations of my product given time that has passed since I purchased it, and no longer update the firmware.

Again, please don't flame me. I am not complaining, I just don't want to degrade the performance of my FM3 to add new functionality that while desireable, is really more advanced than the capabilities of my unit.

"This firmware version includes major improvements to sound quality and performance. As a result, some presets now require more CPU. Older Factory Presets may exceed 80% CPU usage, especially on the standard (non-Turbo) FM3. To address this, new Factory Presets have been created for firmware 10.0+. These are not installed automatically and must be downloaded separately:
 
One hell of a productive day at FAS - amazing. Can't wait to try this out.

I've only had an FM3 since about May, and Fractal have already provided more updates, and significantly more added quality in aggregate, than probably all the other modellers I've used since ~2017 combined.
 
SpudMan said:
Based on what you said above, and what I am quoting at the bottom of this post, I have a question. Please don't flame me as my question is well intended, and I have no complaints about my non-turbo FM3. I just want to know the following:

I almost exclusively use presets I created, not the factory installed ones. With the last non-beta release I have been running into a lot of cpu exceeded notifications rendering the presets unuseable without modifications to remove blocks. Seems reverb definitely has a negative impact there.

So my question is at what point does a user like me say they are happy with the FM3 (non-turbo) and while the new features are desireable, loading the new firmware starts to create more cpu issues and as a result I should just accept the limitations of my product given time that has passed since I purchased it, and no longer update the firmware.

Again, please don't flame me. I am not complaining, I just don't want to degrade the performance of my FM3 to add new functionality that while desireable, is really more advanced than the capabilities of my unit.

"This firmware version includes major improvements to sound quality and performance. As a result, some presets now require more CPU. Older Factory Presets may exceed 80% CPU usage, especially on the standard (non-Turbo) FM3. To address this, new Factory Presets have been created for firmware 10.0+. These are not installed automatically and must be downloaded separately:
Click to expand...
It really depends on your needs and style of preset.
I have simple kitchen sink since the beginning, (about 72/78%).
And the more the update the firmware the less I have to use cpu to get the tone I want.
The basic amp/cab is so great that all the things that I needed to get there are useless.

The more they update. The more I can fit in.

Basic preset it in-pitch-wha-comp-amp-cab-filter-chorus-delay-reverb-out.

That’s still quite a lot and couldn’t do that much before fw10
 
Joshua_L said:
It really depends on your needs and style of preset.
I have simple kitchen sink since the beginning, (about 72/78%).
And the more the update the firmware the less I have to use cpu to get the tone I want.
The basic amp/cab is so great that all the things that I needed to get there are useless.

The more they update. The more I can fit in.

Basic preset it in-pitch-wha-comp-amp-cab-filter-chorus-delay-reverb-out.

That’s still quite a lot and couldn’t do that much before fw10
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for a really logical and kind response. It really makes sense. You are saying that the advancements in the amp and cab blocks have enabled you to get the sound you seek without adding lots of other blocks. This makes a lot of sense, and I will work a bit on creating some presets following that process. It really makes sense to me anyway as so much of the parameters for me just add confusion. I know the sound I want and if I can now get it with more simple presets, but with the advancements in sound quality, then I am very satisfied.

Thinking about it, I guess that even for a home player like me, and I think for someone like you, the AM4 might make sense. Especially given that I have my FM3.
 
Last edited:
SpudMan said:
Thinking about it, I guess that even for a home player like me, and I think for someone like you, the AM4 might make sense. Especially given that I have my FM3. I wonder if there is a use case for buying an AM4 and using it with a non-turbo FM3 to add some effects over the 4 blocks?

The only feature I wish I had that the FM3 (turbo or non-turbo) doesn't have is two amp blocks.
Click to expand...

Maybe start a new thread on this topic and keep this one dedicated to the new firmware.
 
yek said:
Maybe start a new threads on this topic and keep this dedicated to the new firmware.
Click to expand...
I can, but I actually think it is topical for the firmware update as I would think other users have the same issues as me and might want to discuss and understand the options to addressing the cpu/firmware update issues through either preset modifications, or other hardware.

But if you feel strongly that it doesn't belong here, I can move it.
 
SpudMan said:
Based on what you said above, and what I am quoting at the bottom of this post, I have a question. Please don't flame me as my question is well intended, and I have no complaints about my non-turbo FM3. I just want to know the following:

I almost exclusively use presets I created, not the factory installed ones. With the last non-beta release I have been running into a lot of cpu exceeded notifications rendering the presets unuseable without modifications to remove blocks. Seems reverb definitely has a negative impact there.

So my question is at what point does a user like me say they are happy with the FM3 (non-turbo) and while the new features are desireable, loading the new firmware starts to create more cpu issues and as a result I should just accept the limitations of my product given time that has passed since I purchased it, and no longer update the firmware.

Again, please don't flame me. I am not complaining, I just don't want to degrade the performance of my FM3 to add new functionality that while desireable, is really more advanced than the capabilities of my unit.

"This firmware version includes major improvements to sound quality and performance. As a result, some presets now require more CPU. Older Factory Presets may exceed 80% CPU usage, especially on the standard (non-Turbo) FM3. To address this, new Factory Presets have been created for firmware 10.0+. These are not installed automatically and must be downloaded separately:
Click to expand...
My solution is to extend the original FM3 with mini pedals including the ToneX One for reverb and a second amp/cab block, plus a EHX Pitchfork for a pre virtual capo while leaving the pitch block for post pitch shift duties.

These external pedals can even be powered by the FAS Link connector if it's unused (which requires some fabrication and knowledge of course).

This method adds functionality and saves CPU while barely increasing the FM3's footprint.
 
SpudMan said:
I can, but I actually think it is topical for the firmware update as I would think other users have the same issues as me and might want to discuss and understand the options to addressing the cpu/firmware update issues through either preset modifications, or other hardware.

But if you feel strongly that it doesn't belong here, I can move it.
Click to expand...

No worries, I meant the question about FM3 versus AM4.
 
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