I started my modeler journey about 5 1/2 years ago with a side-by-side between AX8 and Helix and ultimately went with Helix for its ease of use, especially directly on the unit. I thought about getting the FM3 but decided to stick with Helix. Tried the QC but, no thanks...
Now, I'm up for purchase on the FM9 waitlist but trying to understand a few things I use in my setup with Helix that I've grown accustomed to and gotten comfortable with over the past several years, to understand if/how they can be done on the FM9.
I'm in a gigging band and use the Helix live. I'd say about 85% of the time I use a snapshot to select the rig (amp/cab or IR/drive), and then Stomp mode for kicking effects on/off and for a solo setting (multiple effects assigned to a single fs). The other 15% I'm using snapshots exclusively within other presets. So, my questions are on how I'd apply this main use case to use the FM9 similarly:
1) Scenes vs. Snapshots - I use Snapshots a lot as mentioned above, and control parameters with them on the Helix. From what I understand that (parameter) is achieved with scene controllers and channels in the FM9. A bit more complex perhaps, but gets me the same results provided I need no more than the 4 scene controllers available in a preset. Does every block have channels, e.g. I could use channel B on a Delay to effectively change parameters from how they are set in the block's channel A? I rely heavily on the bypass function, turning blocks on and off in different snapshots. Is it accurate, as I think I read somewhere, that bypass isn't an option in scenes on the FM9? In other words, I cannot have an effect on in one Scene, off in another? I'm sure it's possible, Scene Ignore, Controller Switch?
2) Footswitch assignments. On the Helix, I mostly use my main preset with 4 snapshots to "select the rig", then switch to pedalboard mode to control effects as noted. In that case, I take advantage of the multi effects assignment to a single foot switch for my solo boost, effectively engaging 2 (or 3 in some cases) effects for the solo settings. Does the FM9 support this same type of multi assignment to its footswitches?
3) Footswitch mode. As noted above, I often switch between snapshot (or hybrid Snap/Stomp) and Stomp on the Helix. As I understand it, I can set the footswitch layout to be whatever I want in the FM9. Is that a per preset layout? Could I emulate my Helix setup and switch between a scenes mode and stomp mode in the FM9? Can the layout be set globally?
I'm eager to order my FM9 but need to wrap my head around some of its workflows and how I'd use it before taking the plunge. I realize this is all covered in manuals, FAQs, and the like but it can still be unclear without a unit in front of me, so hoping for some quick layman's explanations and info here. Thanks!
Now, I'm up for purchase on the FM9 waitlist but trying to understand a few things I use in my setup with Helix that I've grown accustomed to and gotten comfortable with over the past several years, to understand if/how they can be done on the FM9.
I'm in a gigging band and use the Helix live. I'd say about 85% of the time I use a snapshot to select the rig (amp/cab or IR/drive), and then Stomp mode for kicking effects on/off and for a solo setting (multiple effects assigned to a single fs). The other 15% I'm using snapshots exclusively within other presets. So, my questions are on how I'd apply this main use case to use the FM9 similarly:
1) Scenes vs. Snapshots - I use Snapshots a lot as mentioned above, and control parameters with them on the Helix. From what I understand that (parameter) is achieved with scene controllers and channels in the FM9. A bit more complex perhaps, but gets me the same results provided I need no more than the 4 scene controllers available in a preset. Does every block have channels, e.g. I could use channel B on a Delay to effectively change parameters from how they are set in the block's channel A? I rely heavily on the bypass function, turning blocks on and off in different snapshots. Is it accurate, as I think I read somewhere, that bypass isn't an option in scenes on the FM9? In other words, I cannot have an effect on in one Scene, off in another? I'm sure it's possible, Scene Ignore, Controller Switch?
2) Footswitch assignments. On the Helix, I mostly use my main preset with 4 snapshots to "select the rig", then switch to pedalboard mode to control effects as noted. In that case, I take advantage of the multi effects assignment to a single foot switch for my solo boost, effectively engaging 2 (or 3 in some cases) effects for the solo settings. Does the FM9 support this same type of multi assignment to its footswitches?
3) Footswitch mode. As noted above, I often switch between snapshot (or hybrid Snap/Stomp) and Stomp on the Helix. As I understand it, I can set the footswitch layout to be whatever I want in the FM9. Is that a per preset layout? Could I emulate my Helix setup and switch between a scenes mode and stomp mode in the FM9? Can the layout be set globally?
I'm eager to order my FM9 but need to wrap my head around some of its workflows and how I'd use it before taking the plunge. I realize this is all covered in manuals, FAQs, and the like but it can still be unclear without a unit in front of me, so hoping for some quick layman's explanations and info here. Thanks!