FM3 Firmware Version 5.00 beta 1

Status
Not open for further replies.
Dialing in tones from the front panel is ridiculously fast now thanks to the new double-press function. Aside from blocks libraries, preset/cab loading and organizing, I see no reason to use the software editor. Absolutely brilliant!
 
I appreciate you bothering to find those old deep cut quotes. Other folks seemed to swear they said it would always be the same
I have too much time on my hands (that could be a song!). The only thing ever stated that would be the same is the sound of the amps. That's it. Fractal has always been very careful in how the say things but no matter how careful they are and how clear they are, once it hits the forum all bets seem to be off. Someone misinterprets or misunderstands a comment and it spreads like wildfire, then someone tries to correct it and everything hits the fan.
 
Dialing in tones from the front panel is ridiculously fast now thanks to the new double-press function. Aside from blocks libraries, preset/cab loading and organizing, I see no reason to use the software editor. Absolutely brilliant!
When that feature hit the Axe III it sounded kind of cool but I typically use Axe Edit so I never really messed with it. Had to edit on the Axe one night and discovered it's a game changer for editing on the unit. It's the bee's knees.
 
Dialing in tones from the front panel is ridiculously fast now thanks to the new double-press function. Aside from blocks libraries, preset/cab loading and organizing, I see no reason to use the software editor. Absolutely brilliant!
I would not go that far but it's a definite improvement. It's a very simple thing that makes workflow more straightforward.

I would like to see Fractal do even more to streamline working with the unit from the front panel.
 
I would not go that far but it's a definite improvement. It's a very simple thing that makes workflow more straightforward.

I would like to see Fractal do even more to streamline working with the unit from the front panel.
I dial in my tones exclusively on the front panel. So for me, it’s a huge improvement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: J-V
I dial in my tones exclusively on the front panel. So for me, it’s a huge improvement.
Same here. I thought it was pretty good to begin with, having developed the muscle memory for it, but now it's even better. Once I rewire said muscle memory, that is.
 
I, for one, don't use the VC. But I won't dismiss any single complaint on the matter, they are as valid as any other. As Fractal solved the burden of carrying amps to the gig, if it helps people to avoid bringing multiple guitars then more power to them!!!

As I always said, if the most common answer to a "Wish" is "buy something else" or "add this or that pedal" then that just validates said wish, don't you all think?

I think it is more about offering people a present day workable solution, than invalidating
the wish. Clearly, banging on about what the VC lacks in the FM3 is not a workable solution.
In other words, it doesn't solve the issue. :)
 
Last edited:
If the Digitech drop pedal is the answer (I have the Whammy V)...honestly it feels the bar is set pretty low. Don't get me wrong, I love my Whammy V and have kept it for many years vs using pitch effects within multi units when doing what it does as the tracking is solid and it sounds great (again for what it does) but the latency it adds is noticeable and it doesn't sound completely natural moving beyond a few semitones. I just spent 10 minutes comparing them and honestly, the current virtual Capo IMHO is pretty darn close, maybe a slight bit more latency, the difference being a subtle "beating" in the VC when playing chords vs a slight emphasis of some atonal harmonics in the Whammy V both of which get worse the further you move from your guitar's tuning.

I have a Whammy DT an EH Pitchfork, a Ricochet, and could not agree more. Not a single one
of them sounds as authentic as a real guitar tuned down with heavier strings. But I deal with it. :)

Also, some folks could keep in mind that the FM9 received a Virtual Capo improvement/update and
that Beta firmware has significantly more issues reported than Beta 5 of the FM3. Just something to
consider. :)
 
Beta noob questions:
As bugs are found and fixed, are the downloads for firmware or editor updated?
What's your educated guess as to when the official release will happen based on the first 48 hours observations?
 
Not updated in real time. Bugs and issues are fixed en masse, and then a new release is
made afterwards. Rinse and repeat if needed.

I have to say this release seems to be working really well for most people. :)
 
Thanks for the amazing update!

I found a bug when trying to use the FAS Buttery. Selecting this model and trying to edit the parameters led to reproducible crash with black screen. Only through a reboot the machine was again working normally
 
Thanks for the amazing update!

I found a bug when trying to use the FAS Buttery. Selecting this model and trying to edit the parameters led to reproducible crash with black screen. Only through a reboot the machine was again working normally
Had the same bug, it’s been acknowledged and should be fixed for the next beta!
 
I dial in my tones exclusively on the front panel. So for me, it’s a huge improvement.
I have done this with some presets, and I'd recommend everyone do this.
I did NOT do this with my AX8 and found myself wanting to make tweaks at a gig, and it was extremely difficult to not f'k up my preset.
Getting to know the front panel is a great practice.
 
FM3 Firmware Version 5.00 beta 1 is now available for download:
https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/firmware-presets/fm3/5p0/fm3_dsp_rel_5p00_beta_1.zip

A new version of FM3-Edit is required for this release:
https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fm3-edit-1-05-03-to-support-fw-5-0-public-beta.180080/

New and Improved FEATURES​

  • Improvement: The front panel now has various double-tap functions:
    • Double-tapping EDIT edits the previous block.
    • Double-tapping HOME enters the layout grid.
    • Double-tapping STORE prompts immediately.
    • In the Home or Layout menus, double-tapping the A-E push-knobs does the following:
      • A enters the Amp 1 menu;
      • B enters the Drive 1 menu (think “Boost”)
      • C enters the Cab 1 menu.
      • D enters the Delay 1 menu.
      • E enters the Reverb 1 menu (think “rEverb”)
  • Improved CPU performance of the Reverb block.
  • New Amp model: “FAS Buttery”
  • New Drive Block Types: “Valve Screamer VS9” and "Maxoff 808" including a new diode SPICE model “1S1588T” This is the Toshiba version of the 1S1588 and is reportedly the diode used in the “best” TS-808s.
  • New “Types” within the Flanger, Plex Delay, and Multitap Delay blocks provide instant access to exciting effect settings without the need to adjust or understand advanced parameters. Special thanks to Leon Todd, Simeon Harris and Cooper Carter for some of the new effect type contributions.
  • New LFO in the filter section of the Plex Delay block allows creative modulation effects.
    See the Blocks Guide for details.
  • Push-knob functions in the Block Edit have been simplified to a single page.
  • New “Modern Gate” type in the Gate/Expander Block. This type is similar to the Classic Gate except the gate opens in a constant linear-in-dB manner. This naturally makes the attack slower as the gate first opens and can be used for both traditional gating and for special effects like audio swells.
  • New “S-Taper” option in the Volume Block allows new and improved “Auto-Swell” sounds.
  • New “Max Loop Time” parameter to Looper. This sets the maximum recording time.
    This allows a loop time to be set precisely in advance of recording.
  • New Diffuser Modulation in the Multitap Delay.
  • New 'MUTE' option for OUTPUT 1 MODE. This causes only processed audio to be muted. USB audio will still be routed to and heard, enabling certain applications when using a DAW with input monitoring.
  • Changed Looper behavior so that if recording and time reaches the maximum recording time the mode changes to that specified by Record 2nd Press (for the first pass of a new recording.)
  • Overhauled the Compressor Block in line with the latest Axe-Fx updates:
    • Improved Auto-Makeup gain behavior.
    • Added Input Level switch. When set to INSTRUMENT the detector is optimized for guitar-level signals, i.e., before an amp block. When set to LINE the detector is optimized for post-amp level signals.
    • The Pedal, Optical, Tube, Analog, JFET and Dynamicomp types have been completely redone resulting in improved performance. These types now inherently perform automatic makeup gain.
    • Auto Attack/Release has been removed from the Pedal and Dynamicomp types as it is no longer applicable.
    • Added Emphasis frequency to the sidechain.
    • NOTE: Due to all these changes the behavior and output volume of the Compressor block may be different. It is recommended to audition any presets using the Compressor block and adjust as required.
  • New option “ALL” for “Spillover” in SETUP: Global Settings: Config. In addition to Delay and Reverb, this includes Plex Delay, Multitap-Delay, and Ten-Tap Delay blocks, allowing spillover when switching presets. See your Owner’s Manual for more on spillover.
  • Added “USB 3/4” to the input options of the Multiplexer block.
  • Added global Speaker Impedance Curve. When set to DEFAULT the speaker impedance curve used when selecting an amp model is the default curve for that amp model, otherwise it is the selected curve. NOTE: this does not affect existing presets. The selected curve is used only when selecting a new amp model.
    Also added several new Impedance Curves; thank you to Dr. Bonkers Soundlab for these.
  • Added “RCB Boost” to Amp block Boost types.
  • Added Master Bias Excursion parameter to the amp block. See the Blocks Guide for details.
  • Added red indicator line to the mini tuner.
  • Improved Tape preamp types in Cabinet block.
  • Improved accuracy of Drive block Drive control for low settings.
  • Improved accuracy of Master Volume in Amp block for low settings.
  • Improved Amp block cathode follower algorithm. Algorithm now uses higher order solution of nonlinear ODE for more accurate low frequency response.
  • Improved Amp block power amp algorithm. New algorithm more accurately models dynamic changes in speaker impedance resulting in more “complexity”.
  • Improved Stack/Hold in Delay block so that “texture” is applied to audio when Stack/Hold is on.

Foot controller changes​

Added “Bank Switch Limits” ENABLE/DISABLE to the FC Config menu. These allows the FM3 to ignore the limits set in bank switches, thereby allowing access to ALL BANKS by default.

Fixes​

  • Fixed the fan ‘chirping’ demonstrated on some units.
  • Other small fixes based on those made on the Axe-Fx III.
  • Fixed a crash when editing Bank and Effect Inc/Dec functions in certain circumstances.
  • Fixed a potential crash in the Multitap block time is set very low.
  • Fixed modifiers not working properly for some parameters (e.g., Plex Delay Rate parameter).
  • Fixed KVB not being updated correctly.
  • Fixed certain graphs disappearing after a banner display.
Hey rglr !

Thanks for the great update ! :) One minor thing ..... there's possibly a missing Speaker Impedance Curve (?)

In 4.01 there was a " 1 x 12 Deluxe Tweed " .

In 5.0 B1 this Curve is no longer there and there is only the " 1 x 12 Deluxe Tweed Eminence " (?)

Is this a minor omission or by design ?

I assumed that the previous 4.01 " 1 x 12 Deluxe Tweed " Curve was done with the original stock Fender speaker (?)

Any chance of getting it back (?) or was the previously " 1 x 12 Deluxe Tweed " Curve always done with an Eminence Speaker (?)

Thanks,
Ben
 
Maybe something got wrong but all my patches sound squishy, no dynamics whatsoever left. The new reverbs seem to be excellent, weren't it for this overcompressed amps sound whatever the patch. Switched back to 4.01 as I have rehearsals to prepare. Will give this another try in the coming weeks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom