New FM3 Turbo, modelling differences between AFX3 and FM3

A

alethomantis

Inspired
I have just received the new FM3 MKII and one of the first things I noticed is that the amps sound different between the platforms (much more boomy bass on the FM3 vs my AxeFX3). I remember one specific update to the the Axe firmware which made dramatic improvements in that regard:
"21.03 Improved dynamic speaker modeling in Amp block.". Upon looking through the FM3 firmware release notes I haven't seen any mention of that update, which, I assume, leads to the discrepancy in amp response.

Is this something which is still to be implemented and updated?
 
Can you check that the presets are identical? Do you have any global options that are different? You are never going to have all the options of the Axe FX in the FM3, but they should be very close.
 
Quite sure they are, I built two simple IN-AMP-CAB-OUT presets to check. I remember the change in response quite well between pre21.03 and after on the AxeFX3, and the difference here seems to mimic that.
 
Create a preset FM3 and export it to Axe Fx III, then compare.

What firmware are you using on each?

Global options could affect things as already mentioned. In particular, global Output EQ is one that comes to mind.
 
alethomantis said:
I have just received the new FM3 MKII and one of the first things I noticed is that the amps sound different between the platforms (much more boomy bass on the FM3 vs my AxeFX3). I remember one specific update to the the Axe firmware which made dramatic improvements in that regard:
"21.03 Improved dynamic speaker modeling in Amp block.". Upon looking through the FM3 firmware release notes I haven't seen any mention of that update, which, I assume, leads to the discrepancy in amp response.

Is this something which is still to be implemented and updated?
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I move presets back and forth all the time, and they sound the same. The trick is to start on the FM3, which doesn't have the esoteric parameters, then push to the FX3. Also make sure their global settings match.

It's also important to make sure their output volumes are the same. Even a 2 dB difference will make the louder unit sound "better". And, compare using the same playback system and cables.
 
alethomantis said:
Thank you all for responding! After careful consideration and recording a DI on both devices, I now realize that they do indeed sound the same, and thus retract my statement.
Click to expand...
One of the things I periodically point out is that the algorithms that model the sound are the same in all three units, so if they're given the same input they'll generate the same output.

It's similar to a spreadsheet: what good would it do if the version that runs on a smart phone gave answers that weren't as accurate as the same spreadsheet running on a desktop computer? The algorithms are the same though the hardware is different.
 
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I'm glad you figured it out!

Quick 2 cents here for anyone else experiencing a perceived difference:

Although subtle differences do exist, remember to doublecheck that your Global settings are identical. I initially felt a little off after my mkII FM3 arrived, until I remembered that I had some Output EQ tweaks on the old unit!
 
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