FM9 Firmware Version 3.00 public beta 2

m_brown

Moderator
Fractal Audio Systems
Moderator
FM9 Firmware Version 3.00 public beta 2 is now available for download:
https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/firmware-presets/fm9/3p0/fm9_dsp_rel_3p00_public_beta_2.zip

The current version of FM9-Edit is required for use with this release:
https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fm9-edit-1-01-01-to-support-fw-3-00-public-beta-2.185882/


IMPORTANT NOTE: Starting with firmware 3.00, FM9-Edit 1.01.00 (or greater) is required to communicate with the FM9. Previous versions of FM9-Edit (versions 1.00.06 or less) are not compatible with firmware 3.00 or greater. FM9-Edit 1.01.00 (or greater) is not compatible with previous firmware versions 1.0 through 2.02.
 

VERSION 3.00 – August 9, 2022​

New Features​

  • Added new amp models: "PVH 6160 Block Crunch" and “Diamante Fire” (based on a Diamond Del Fuego.)
  • Added new Drive effect types “Klone Chiron”, "Esoteric Bass RCB", and "BB Pre AT".
  • Added new Setlists/Songs feature, which can be used with onboard footswitches or an FC Controller to access presets and scenes in custom order during live performance. A new area of the SETUP menu provides full access from the front panel, with a corresponding new area of FM9-Edit which also offers import/export and more. For additional details, please see the Setlists & Songs Mini-Manual, located at: https://www.fractalaudio.com/sss-manual
  • New “Block Mixer” algorithm results in faster/quieter scene and channel changes. This new algorithm allows placing Amp blocks in series without the concomitant sound bursts that would normally occur when switching scenes.
  • New Speaker Drive algorithm in Amp block. This new algorithm more accurately models the frequency dependent distortion of guitar loudspeakers. The default value (upon resetting the block) is 2.0 which gives roughly 1 dB of compression. Setting the value to 0.0 defeats the speaker drive modeling. Higher values give a smoother and more focused sound, rounding off the “sharp edges” and yielding greater compression.
  • Added Speaker Thump control to Amp block. Speaker Thump models the dynamic, nonlinear behavior of a guitar speaker. A value of 5.0 roughly corresponds to an amplifier running into a speaker rated at the same power as the amplifier, i.e., a 100W amplifier running into a 100W speaker. The reset value is a conservative 2.5 which represents, i.e., a 50W amp running into a 100W speaker. Note that the majority of the response is in the subsonic region and the effect is primarily tactile. Existing presets are not affected and the value will be zero
  • Added ability to use Pre-Delay in Reverb block as a simple echo. Pre-Delay now features Tempo, Feedback and Mix parameters. The pre-delay time has also been increased to 1 second. Several new types have been added to demonstrate these capabilities.
  • Added ten new speaker impedance curves in the Amp block.
  • Added Depth control to Authentic/Tone page for Brit Super, Brit 800 Mod and JMP-1 amp models.
  • Added “Scene Ignore” to most blocks. When set to ON, Scene Ignore causes the block to ignore scene changes. Scene Ignore is a per-channel parameter. This allows turning Scene Ignore to OFF on one or more channels which will then allow a scene change to set the block to a desired state if the block is on that channel.
  • Factory default FC Layout #8 now contains a new Setlist/Song layout. To load this layout, you can either re-load all of the factory layouts from in SETUP: FC Controllers: Reset, or download the layout and instructions a la carte from:
    https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/manuals/fas-guides/SSS-Sample-FC-Layouts.zip
  • Added “Aurora Delay” type to Multitap Delay also added new cross feedback to Quad Parallel type.
  • Support for new FM9 Turbo hardware. https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/announcing-fm9-turbo.185877/

Updates​

  • Improved Amp block transformer/speaker interaction modeling. The “Voice Coil Resistance” parameter has been repurposed/renamed “Speaker Impedance”. The various parameters work as follows: Transformer Matching: Sets the impedance ratio (square of the turns ratio) of the output transformer. Speaker Impedance: Sets the relative nominal impedance of the speaker. To simulate connecting, e.g., a 4-ohm speaker to an 8-ohm output you would set Speaker Impedance to 0.5. Conversely to simulate connecting a 16-ohm speaker you would set it to 2.0.
  • Improved speaker impedance curve fitting algorithm. This results in more accurate and more “colorful” modeling as the previous algorithm tended to damp box resonances somewhat. All the speaker impedance curves have been updated using the new routine. Existing presets are automatically updated to use the updated curves based on the new global setting option “Update Pre-3.x Presets Spkr Imp Upon Load.” If you have modified the stock curve, i.e., changed the LF/HF Resonance parameters, then you will need to re-enter those values into your presets if set to “YES.”
  • Update PI Bias Excursion parameters for many Amp models based on new measurement technique.
  • Improved Amp block output transformer modeling. This requires updated Transformer LF/HF values for the amp models. Existing presets are automatically updated to the new values upon recall.
  • Changed Compressor block so that times display actual milliseconds for the various pedal types.
  • Changed “Drive” to “Gain” for Amp block preamp gain control as this is more consistent with naming in real amps.
  • Muting algorithm improved around FM9-Edit operations such as Block Library, Cabinet download, Patch download.
  • Decreased minimum diffuser time in Delay block to 1%.
  • The DRIVE effect is updated to correspond with the latest Axe-Fx III firmware release.
  • Patch edited status is set to ‘On’ when an existing preset is loaded and the speaker impedance curve data has been updated automatically.
  • Preset store functionality is improved. Presets take less time to write to storage. “Level & Save” FC functions will no longer cause a gap in audio.
  • Presets created prior to version 3 will be loaded with updated default values for AMP Excursion Time and Recovery Time.
  • AC/RC Boost and BB Preamp models now use accurate bass and treble controls.
  • "PVH 6160 Block" AMP type is renamed as "PVH 6160 Block Lead"

Fixes​

  • FC: Layout Link will no longer unduly trigger when exiting the Tuner.
  • FC: Fixed an issue that prevented the Hold function from working for some Stand-in Switches.
  • FC: Preset: Select in Bank switches now stop flashing when the preset is changed by any means other than an FC footswitch (editor, front panel, etc.)
  • FC: Preset: Select in Bank switches now flash consistently when used with Bank: Select switches.
  • FC: Preset: Toggle in Bank switches now consistently and correctly load the "Primary" preset after changing the bank.
  • FC: The STARTUP VIEW of the FM9 will now behave appropriately in all circumstances when an external FC-6 or FC-12 is present.
  • Fixed wrong drive taper in Mr. Z Highway 66 model.
  • Fixed wrong capacitor value in Friedman Smallbox model.
  • Status messages on the main LCD will not immediately be cleared when viewing the Tuner GUI screen.
  • Status messages on the main LCD display and clear properly in all cases when viewing the Setup menu.
  • Text labels that would overrun the assigned text field on the LCD GUI are now truncated to fit.
  • Selecting output configuration "MUTE" no longer causes USB signals to be summed to mono.
  • Parametric EQ and Megatap blocks no longer cause a GUI hang if modifier attached to parameter and update rate is set to FAST.
  • Adjusting a Custom Scale value no longer causes the next value to be zeroed despite the value shown in the edit field.
  • Using the MLM switch combo on the FC-6 more than once changes between the MLM layout view windows.
  • The speaker impedance graph updates correctly when “Reset Current Channel” is selected in FM9-Edit.
  • Standard resolution cabinet graph data shows correctly in the “Align” interface.
  • Scene MIDI LCD GUI screen updates correctly on scene change.
 
WOW! Awesome.
I actually experienced the below issue last gig. Great that it is fixed.
  • FC: Layout Link will no longer unduly trigger when exiting the Tuner.
 
  • Improved Amp block transformer/speaker interaction modeling. The “Voice Coil Resistance” parameter has been repurposed/renamed “Speaker Impedance”. The various parameters work as follows: Transformer Matching: Sets the impedance ratio (square of the turns ratio) of the output transformer. Speaker Impedance: Sets the relative nominal impedance of the speaker. To simulate connecting, e.g., a 4-ohm speaker to an 8-ohm output you would set Speaker Impedance to 0.5. Conversely to simulate connecting a 16-ohm speaker you would set it to 2.0.
Just to be clear, to simulate using the 16-ohm output to a 16-ohm cab you would set it to 1.0?
 
I've installed FM9 firmware 3.00 public beta 2 and upgraded to FM9-Edit 1.01.01.

I can see the new drives on the unit itself. However, I do not see them in the drive list within FM9-Edit. Anyone else have this issue?
 
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