New FM3 MKII Turbo vs. Used MKI - Advice needed for a future user

[Spina]

Hi everyone,

In the next month or two, I'm finally planning to dive into the digital world, and I've set my sights on the FM3. After some research, I believe it will be powerful enough for my needs, especially since I plan to use an external footswitch (like the OCD QUAD+).

I'm based in Italy and facing a dilemma. I've already seen a similar thread discussing this choice, but it seemed to focus more on the value of the warranty. While that's important, my main concern is performance. My options are:

1. A brand new FM3 MKII "Turbo" for €1379.
2. A used FM3 MKI (the revision with the headphone jack) for about €500 less.

My question is: how much of a game-changer is the "Turbo" CPU? I play in a couple of bands (a Toto tribute and a prog/math metal project). I plan to keep the unit for several years and want to make a future-proof choice. Is the MKII Turbo worth the extra €500 in real-world use?

On the topic of warranty, a specific question for my fellow Italians here: how is the warranty service from G66? Is their support reliable enough to be a major reason to buy new, or is going without it for a good used deal a reasonable option?

P.S. Quick follow-up: Is the headphone output the only hardware difference between the very first MKI and the later MKI revision?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[danwei]

Although i love my OG and don’t plan to upgrade i’d go MKII Turbo if i needed to buy now.

 

[wesleyamltd]

Turbo bc it has more power for future updates and better resale value.

 

[ApocalypticKatana]

considering your genre and "future" proofing , I'd just go with the turbo.

G66 has their return policy if you find it's "too powerful"

https://www.g66.eu/en/money-back?srsltid=AfmBOopWoMGOa7ZdJvcyiSuvZyzyHsntGoI3jGaLWG3OurXtjmdRDk61

 

[unix-guy]

My question is: how much of a game-changer is the "Turbo" CPU? I play in a couple of bands (a Toto tribute and a prog/math metal project). I plan to keep the unit for several years and want to make a future-proof choice. Is the MKII Turbo worth the extra €500 in real-world use?

That really depends... The extra 11.11% CPU is critical for some users and not so much for others.

On the topic of warranty, a specific question for my fellow Italians here: how is the warranty service from G66? Is their support reliable enough to be a major reason to buy new, or is going without it for a good used deal a reasonable option?

I'm in the US but I've been active on this forum since 2013 and I've never heard anything but the highest praise for G66.

P.S. Quick follow-up: Is the headphone output the only hardware difference between the very first MKI and the later MKI revision?

Yes.

 

[skolacki]

10% might not sound like much but it would make a big difference to me being on the original.

 

[Ka_Status]

No. You can absolutely use the original MKI version as well as the new Turbo revision with great results. The gapless switching between presets and scenes means you can enjoy almost the same experience with both devices. Given the price difference, I think it's reasonable to go for the OG revision. I use the original MKI myself (with the headphone output) and don't plan to upgrade to the Turbo version. I'm waiting for the next generation of units to appear. If you need real processing power and don't mind the size and price, it makes more sense to look at the FM9 IMO

 

[DJD100]

This shows what a old FM3 Mk 1 can do...



...though the FM3 Turbo can do 11% CPU more, and has larger scribble strips.

 

[vangrieg]

I never had the non-Turbo FM3, so can only assume things based on my Turbo experience, so take it with a grain of salt, but if you’re not going to use a lot of reverbs you should be fine with the original version.

 

[Odibrom]

This shows what a old FM3 Mk 1 can do...



...though the FM3 Turbo can do 11% CPU more, and has larger scribble strips.

... so, OUT2 is going for a guitar amp while OUT1 is going for a PA / mixer /whatever? like a Wet-Dry-Wet setup?

how are you using the Synth block? as a sound/note generator?

 

[unix-guy]

... so, OUT2 is going for a guitar amp while OUT1 is going for a PA / mixer /whatever? like a Wet-Dry-Wet setup?

how are you using the Synth block? as a sound/note generator?

Output 2 / Input 2 looks like a typical external effect loop.

 

[linshunghuang]

I don't have a Turbo but I read it has larger scribble strips (larger text on button displays).

 

[holgar]

The Turbo gets hotter and the fan will run more often. The MKI stays quiet.

 

[DJD100]

... so, OUT2 is going for a guitar amp while OUT1 is going for a PA / mixer /whatever? like a Wet-Dry-Wet setup?

how are you using the Synth block? as a sound/note generator?

The FX Loop contains various tube preamps and analog pedals, or a Tonex One and analog pedals. That gives me two amps (along with the FM3's Amp Block), that can be cross-faded like the FM9/AFX3, but in the smaller form factor.

The Synth Block does a Freq-Out/Feedbacker effect. It could also generate notes, or synth sounds for playing.

 

[Paul Bradshaw]

I've had the mk1 for the last 3-4 years, works a treat for everything I need to do , and there are always ways/tweaks of either saving CPU or getting the same sort of effect as needed

that is a good price for a used unit to be honest, and it will serve you well, also potentially losing less on the resale further down the line
but with that in mind maybe there's a used Turbo unit that is worth looking out for, i'd keep my eye out, i've seen turbo units online around the 1k mark

I'll be getting a turbo soon due to some cool things coming up =) but i've never really felt the absolute need to have that extra 10% or so headroom on stuff, i've always found ways to setup presets to get what i need

 

[Spina]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. A lot to consider.

I'm leaning away from the used MKII for more €1000. Losing the warranty to save just a few hundred euros doesn't feel like a good deal to me. To be honest, I think the used prices are a bit steep right now. My personal benchmark for a used stuff is at least a 30% discount off new, otherwise it's just not worth it (In Italy we have a 22% tax on new products).

I'll be getting a turbo soon due to some cool things coming up =) but i've never really felt the absolute need to have that extra 10% or so headroom on stuff, i've always found ways to setup presets to get what i need

Hey, I'm curious about the "cool things coming up" you mentioned. What's on the horizon that's making you pull the trigger on the Turbo?

P.S. Quick connection question: Can I connect two external footswitches to the FM3, plus an expression pedal? One of the switches is a Hotone Ampero Control.

 

[unix-guy]

Hey, I'm curious about the "cool things coming up" you mentioned.

No details have been provided except it's related to bass players.

I wouldn't expect any extra CPU requirements, but you never know...

Can I connect two external footswitches to the FM3, plus an expression pedal?

Each pedal jack on the FM3 supports either an expression pedal or 2 switches.

One of the switches is a Hotone Ampero Control

Is that a midi switcher or just external switches?

 

[Spina]

Thanks for the clarification on the pedal jacks!

Is that a midi switcher or just external switches?

To answer your question: yes, the Hotone Ampero Control is a MIDI controller.

On that note, I'm assuming any standard MIDI controller should work fine with the FM3, correct? At the end of the day, they all just send standard MIDI messages. I'm asking because I'm also considering the Blackstar Live Logic as an alternative. To give you more context, my goal is to use the external MIDI controller primarily for switching between scenes within a preset.
For bank up/down functions, my plan is to connect a simple OCD 2+ to one of the onboard pedal jacks.

Thanks for the help!

 

[riceprF]

It's really a computer, if I could swing it, latest version. But I'm sure the MkI would be quite useable

 

[nicolasrivera]

Hi everyone,

In the next month or two, I'm finally planning to dive into the digital world, and I've set my sights on the FM3. After some research, I believe it will be powerful enough for my needs, especially since I plan to use an external footswitch (like the OCD QUAD+).

I'm based in Italy and facing a dilemma. I've already seen a similar thread discussing this choice, but it seemed to focus more on the value of the warranty. While that's important, my main concern is performance. My options are:

1. A brand new FM3 MKII "Turbo" for €1379.
2. A used FM3 MKI (the revision with the headphone jack) for about €500 less.

My question is: how much of a game-changer is the "Turbo" CPU? I play in a couple of bands (a Toto tribute and a prog/math metal project). I plan to keep the unit for several years and want to make a future-proof choice. Is the MKII Turbo worth the extra €500 in real-world use?

On the topic of warranty, a specific question for my fellow Italians here: how is the warranty service from G66? Is their support reliable enough to be a major reason to buy new, or is going without it for a good used deal a reasonable option?

P.S. Quick follow-up: Is the headphone output the only hardware difference between the very first MKI and the later MKI revision?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

The spring reverbs sound absolutely stellar, but they’re among the most DSP-demanding effects in the grid. If possible, go with the MKII Turbo — it has the extra processing headroom to handle them comfortably.

If you can live without spring reverbs and keep the other reverb types set to ECONOMY mode, the MKI will still serve you well.

I’m mentioning reverb specifically because it’s one of the heaviest DSP-consuming blocks in the Fractal ecosystem.