Why I'm Selling My Fractal FM9
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- Опубліковано 20 чер 2023
- Hey guys! Thank you so much for the support! Today I wanted to share with you why I'm selling my fractal fm9. I hope you find it informative and also if you have any suggestions for what I should get next let me know in the comments below!
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Gone are the days of pod xt live…the fractals actually nailed tube amp tone in a way I could never have expected. I switched over to fractals last year and it was such a scary thing for me. I was an avid tube amp purist (ac30/fenders) for years and I have to say…for what I do…I’ll never go back
Thanks for the information.
Hey @Jordan, I did a similar thing I had the FM3 and the FM9. I sold the FM3, and I picked up a captor X and I can pair that with my victory, carol ann, or my Diezel. I like the flexibility of the virtual cabs and the IR's. The dual tracker is kinda gimmicky, but it's good as a speaker sim or an attenuator
If you like playing real cabs like i do using the fm3 , i found the KSR PA50 sounds absolutely awesome, Seymour PS 200 was second, Orange pedal baby on 3rd, owned all three and compared them back to back
I came to the same realization after spending a lot of money on the rack unit and FC6 controller. I used like 10% of the thing's capabilities. Having a mountain of I/O was great but I really only needed 2. I only used like 1 or 2 amps and a hand full of basic effects.
I downsized to the FM3, loaded my presets from the rack unit and had plenty of CPU to spare.
Only having 1 reverb block kinda stinks because I run my vocal mic into the unit also for acoustic shows and put the reverb block on that signal path and use the plex delay on my acoustic signal path. It works but I feel like if there's CPU power to spare, we should be able to use it for another reverb.
Now that the Turbo is out with more power, I feel like it's the real sweet spot for the vast majority of players and undercuts every other modeler on the market and 4 more switches can be added if needed or the FC6.
For the $900 I paid for my FM3, I'm 100% satisfied.
Please do a vid on your fm3 layouts / switches.
I have the older Captor (not X), and it’s great for what it is, I use it as an attenuator and as line in into my DAW (Logic Pro X) and apply IR’s using IR plugin.
The captor X is great. I’ve only had one issue with using it stereo which I’ve been trying to figure out, but otherwise it sounds great and is durable enough to take on the road. Just has more options than the UA.
One of the best live albums ever recorded in the background. Strangers In The Night. Michael Schenker is on fire on that album. We have Fractal, Helix, Kemper etc, when Schenker probably only used a single channel Marshall and a Wah Wah on that album!
Watch from 3:50 to 5:00 to get a synopsis
As an owner of both the Captor and Captor X (8 ohm variants), I can tell you that if you are used to using the Torpedo Wall Of Sound plugin with your Captor, you will pretty well know how to use the Captor X. 2 differences to be aware of are that the Captor is 100% analog, where the Captor X is DSP based, so you will incur a minimum of 2.2 msec latency when using the Captor X (per the manual). Also, I feel like I lose just a bit of low end when using the Captor X, but I just use the EQ with a low shelf +3 at 160 Hz and that seems to even it out.
For what it's worth, my current outboard amp setup uses one of the FX loops on my L6 Helix to go to the amp, then the analog captor coming back to the FX return, and I just stick an IR in with the IR 2048 block. I do enjoy messing with the Two Notes DynIR cabs though. I think they sound much better than the L6 cab emulations, even since the big cab update.
I don’t know if you have considered this,but I use a load box with my amp,(Fryette PS2 or Fractal X-Load)and insert my amp into the AxeFXIII…this way,you are using the Fractal for IR’s,FX,Routing,etc,which sounds much better than the Captor X or OX,and is way more flexible…..I own,and have owned the TAE,OX,Captor X,Suhr Reactive Load IR……running my real amp into the Fractal is the best sounding solution I have found….
I've heard good things about the Fryette Power Station. It might be something to put on your list of things to consider.
I forgot to mention that one. The power station sounds great and works as a tube power amp which is cool. Doesn’t have built in effects which sucks but I think it simply sounds better than other products
the Fryette power station (and the entire range of Fryette power amps) is simply the best option. bridges that gap between modeling flexibility and the classic interaction between tubes and guitar speakers. I have two Fryette products and they bring the Fractal products to life through a traditional cab
Love the Shirt. My friend is on the tour.
Useful video, but should have been at most 3 minutes 🙂
I have a Boss TAE and it is awesome. I would recommend it over the OX if you want to play live. It is not really an attenuator. It takes the signal from the amp and runs it through a solid state power amp (the Fryette Power Station does the same thing, but with a tube power amp). You can adjust the reactive load to fit the amp you’re using, so it doesn’t sound or feel digital at all. It has built in Compression, Delay, Reverb, EQ. It also uses a standard power cable.
Good to know. I’m going to look into the TAE a little more. It’s got the most options for sure
Hey man. You're a wonderful player and beautiful soul. Huge fan and hope you're well.
Thanks a lot man!
I would get the full Fractal Axe FX III with pedal and good FRFR monitors. I will wait until my HX Stomp unit dies before that however.
If you already have a clean interface and you want to reamp that signal to your guitar modeler (which you should if you're recording) you really want the FM9 and not the FM3. This is because if you are recording a clean signal which you want to reamp (allowing you to change the settings on your modeler without having to rerecord your take) and keep your already converted signal digital (saving extra conversations) you will want to send your clean signal out of your interface digitally to your modeler and back, via spdif connections. The FM3 does not have spdif input, only output. The FM 9 has both.
This kid's opinion seems solely focused on live use. If your situation is recording and mixing the fm9 may be of major advantage to you over the fm3. Make sure you fully consider your use case before pulling the trigger.
Me too I feel more creative when I have only the smallest setup possible. An amp, one pedal or 2 and a guitar, that’s all you need 99% of the time.
The best pick is either of the Dunlop Stubbies depending on the string gauge you use. I prefer the heavier pick. Much better than the Jazz III, which I used for decades. The Jazz III has a plosive at the attack stage and grips the string more. If you like sweeping or economy picking the Stubbie to the go.
Good video , The Fractal FM 9 has been in my mind , but in reality I'm more of a minimalist , I don't need all of the bells and whistles , and I'm too ADD 😬But maybe a used FM 3 would be a good idea , anyway what is wrapped around your Les Paul headstocks on the wall ?
Bandages from when they broke off lol.
I have the FM3 and seriously considering the FM9. I feel like I would use more of the awesome stuff in there if I could put it right there on a foot switch. To me having to do multiple presses or holds mid song at a gig, is pretty daunting. I had the Ax8 and really likes 3 scenes with 3 or 4 effects right there. Your video does have me reconsidering what I really need though! Maybe you could share your layout.
I think the FM9 is a bit big so I'd have the FM3 however, the FM3 does let you do dual amps.
FM3 will not do dual amps- FM 9 will
Good to hear, im in the same boat. On a waiting list but thinking of not bothering with a FM9. I have a FM3 with FC 6 joined and a Axe fX 3 in studio.. so not really getting anything more but spending a load of cash. I do hit the FM3 CPU DSP overload or close to it.. Just have to be a bit more precise with presets. The load box im using is the Fractal X Load , pretty good for what it does. Not much of a attenuator though but using it by going out of fractal with drive pedal into JCM 800 input (no effects return) then back into LOAD box then Axe FX 3 with speaker cab and FX gets some good results .. cheers
Cool. That’s an interesting rig setup. If you’re hitting the CPU on the FM3 it might be beneficial to upgrade to the FM9. But I think the fm3 is unbeatable considering how portable and convenient to travel with it is.
@@JordanSteele The JCM rig and X load is only home studio..im done lugging that thing around. Live gigs FM3 + FC6 and on stage 2 x 12 Redsounds speakes .. I agree convenience becomes a big part of it.
Tone King Iron Man gives you a line out which you can process any way you like. Insert into your FM3 if you like.
Do you think the 3 buttons will be enough for me? I need buttons for rhythm, lead, clean, loop rec, loop play, and flanger. It looks like I'd have to do some tap dancing changing pages.
You definitely could. I’m not sure if you’d like using it in that way that’s personal preference but definitely possible. Just get really creative with the 3 buttons on the fm3 using the hold function and toggle function. Rhythm, lead, clean could be one button on the fractal. You could have clean toggle to rhythm then hold for lead. Then a button could be the flanger on and off then the other could loop record, hold for loop play. Lots of possibilities with fractals switching it’s almost endless when you sit down and strategize your foot switch layouts
Captor X 🤘🤘👍👍👍A must!! What would you get FM3 or Quad Cortex? Please help!!!
Depends. I very much like how the fractal modelers sound and operate. That would be my pick. The fm3 is much cheaper than the quad cortex but you only get 3 buttons so you have to be very strategic with footswitching.
I love fractal Unit its my dream one day ive got one ⭐⭐⭐🎸🎸🎸🎸🌞🌞🌟🌟🌟🌟 I hope one day my dreams it comes true
I have both the Quad Cortex and the FM9. The workflow on the QC just works better for me. There’s more effects and options on the FM9 but I don’t need that much.
I had a QC for a year and agree on the workflow, but on day 1 the FM9 sounded better with a random preset I downloaded than anything I ever got with the QC. And ithe FM9 is not plagued by a garbage power supply/internal power and horrible headphone output.
@@JGorg8 I've never had power supply issues. It's always been powered by a Cioks Crux. I also don't use the headphone out, ever, on any of my units (QC, FM9, HX Stomp)
I have a Torpedo Reload, Ox and Power Station. The PS is the best if you are going to use a cabinet. The Ox sounds killer if you use the built in cabs etc. As an attenuator into a cab it's not so great. If I was going to play out without a cab I would rack the Ox, I think it's better than IRs...just IME.
Bang for buck Captor X is the one to get hands down. Ox sounds great, but its bigger has the weird PS and the only way to control it is a dodgy wifi connection.
I changed my ox for a captor x because the wifi annoyed me so much 😂
Wow. That’s good to know. I’m definitely considering the captor x
@@JordanSteele sorry for the long text upcoming in advance ^^
One thing worth noting is, that the Captor X officially needs a 12V DC PS to work. While troubleshooting a problem I had with mine the TwoNotes Support (which is nothing less than brilliant I must say) instructed me to try a normal 9V DC (Like every pedal PS) with at least 500mA. worked just fine. So when Push comes to shove you could use any old pedal PS as long as it delivers more 500mA or more out of the outlet you're using.
Soundwise, while the DynIRs from TwoNotes are not as "amp in the room" feeling as what the OX does, they have sooo many of them that you can all test before buying the ones you like (or stick with the ones that come on the CapX). and in a mix and or live scenario no one will hear a difference. In a strictly studio setting the Ox might have a slight heads up soundwise (especially when it comes to vintagy sounds, less with modern sounds).
Do you use the looper on the FM3?
I would not sell it! You can have so much fun creating sounds and Cliff will never stop evolving the unit.
I have gone to Victory v4 amp pedals, now, my fractal and kemper are gone
Perfectly reasonable reason to sell. But, and chances are its already gone...I would not have sold it. I tried to get a fm3 when they were new. I waited on a list for near a year, gave up and got an axe3 with fc12 on a black friday deal. I knew what I was getting was serious overkill for my needs, but that extra headroom, cpu etc "should" buy me extra time and updates for a while longer. If I were to get something now, knowing what I actually use...I would get the 9, not the fm3. On a side note, I still wish they called them FN3 and FN9. Just say it out loud and you'll know why lol
Torpedo two Notes has awesome Cabs in it. Everyone in it was better than the Line 6 Helix. I also conpared them to Guitar Rig and a few other software solutions for computer and it beat those too. Neural DSP has some plugins that are great and the cabs are good, But I still felt the Two Notes was better. I also have a H&K Grandmeister Deluxe 40 and the built in cab (Red Box) is great too, But overall Torpedo still wins.
I am speechless watching your Mafia style leather sofas. Where did you get those? What was the price? Name and model? Thank you.
PS. I love the color on the walls. The glass door etc. Very nice room.
Haha thanks dude! I got em at a store called “at home”. They’re called chesterfield couches or something like that
@@JordanSteele Thank you Jordan!!! I will definitely look those up. Did you design your home interiors yourself? If so, you have talent in home design for sure!!!
I agree with Jordan. I sold my FM9 Turbo too. It was too big and heavy and like him, I only used a few of those switches. It sounded GREAT- amps and effects, etc., but I also really did not like the on unit UI. For $1800 including shipping, I wanted more. I did not lose a dime. I am now patiently waiting until they *update the UI and hopefully release a FM6* so again, like he said, get a nicer smaller form factor, ideally more DSP power and 6 switches. I would even pay $1,999 for it. The online editor is fine but the current UI feels like 1980's tech. I could not live with that.
FYI, The FM3 is very inferior to the FM9- it is not the same. There is a list online where you can compare side by side. It' not just the extra 6 switches and DSP. Even the editor is better on the FM9- it share more of the AxeFXIII DNA.
How is the FM9 big and heavy? I was surprised after hearing people say this that when mine came I thought it was small.
@@JGorg8 Not sure how to quantify. To me, it was because I never used a board that big. If you have or you don't mind the size, more power to you. I did not return it because of it's size. I hated the dated UI. Clearly Cliff & Co. spent the last 10 years very successfully focusing on tone. They hit it out of the park. That said, everytime I went to use it, it frustrated me that I paid $1,845 for an 80's display. When they update that to become more competitive against Line6, I will go back.
Be careful with Dynamix cabs- especially with headphones. Some have reported HUGE volume spikes.
Thanks!
Should sell the FM3 and keep the more capable FM9. As you grow musically, you can tap into more creativity.
Many people think the FM3 is good enough, the FM9 is not absolutely necessary!
Yeah that’s what I’ve found to be the case. I’ve probably only used half of what it could do
I'm one of those. Not that the FM9 isn't great, but the FM3 has always done everything I need (and it does it well). Fractal is great.
The FM3 is fantastic. If I’m going to upgrade I’m going to the AxeFX3 and an FC controller.
As far as I know, there's a gap on changing the presets in FM3, that's why I'm looking for an FM9. Is it a problem still? Or, is there something I can do to not have this little mute between a preset and another with FM3?
All modellers will have some latency when switching presets, especially with more complex presets. I never change presets during a song - instead I switch scenes. No noticeable delay in that case...
@@erpece It does make sense buddy, thanks.
This is dsp units delay :)
Just to let you know this gap issue has been FIXED as of version 8.00 beta! I have it loaded on my FM3 and can confirm there is no longer a gap. Happy to share the news!
Two Notes Captor X is the way
So if you get one of these you no longer play through an amp you just go through the loudspeaker system ?????
preferably FRFR cabs
I always have heard that the Suhr IR box (more expensive one) was the best……
all taste
Just use whatever you like and works. I'm FM9 dialed in just how I like. My only complaint is the weight.
So you use 9 buttons on the three button FM3 but you only use 5 buttons on the nine button on the FM9? WHat the hell dude?
Haha that sounds silly. Let me try to explain. Each button has a possibility of 3 options and because the fm3 has to have at least one change views. It limits what you can do and makes you have to use more buttons. On the FM9 I didn’t need that. For example I have 2 different delays I switch between. On the fm3 I had to use a button to change the delay channel and another button to turn it on and off. The FM9 I can do that on 1 button. Same thing for overdrives. I use 2 different ones and the FM9 can do it using 1 button. So that’s why. Basically because the FM9 doesn’t have to change views it allows you to do more with each button. I had both setup to do the same function. It just takes more to do that with the fm3
for my FM3 ans QC
I try to avoid anything with these crazy adapters. What a pain if you sell amps. They do this to save pennies rather than installing this stuff inside the amp chassis and it's so inconvenient to us all. Terrible especially on expensive products. If they do it right, we can rob a computer monitor cord for our amp in a pinch. It's really quite telling about a company's line of thinking imo.
Put some extra RAM, a nice keyboard and ... some new screen. Throw it on the second hand PC market then. Go on!
I have to disagree here… The Fm9 is already extremely light and small/travel friendly… But I guess if you want REALLY travel friendly lol
I’m perplexed on why a bedroom guitarist like myself would even need anything more than the FM3. I’ve never owned any fractal units, or any modeler, so what are your thoughts? Is there something better?
Try this.....
I am still with my SD-1 & ODR-1 & a Marshall with 2x12 cab.
Sell em! Fractal is the way to go!
I don't know why but Boss makes the Best multi effects with workable Amp modelling but has zero latency. Switch patch whatever.....it is cool. The Kemper has 7, Fractal 3-5 .....helix too at 5. GT-1000 has 1.5 you can't notice. I wish GT-1000 had 20 0 models, Delay and Reverb from Fractal and rest is good t0 Go. I used an AX-8 it was awesome and had latency that needed output adjustments and conscious effort to make it seamless.
Yeah but Boss pedals sound like ass so ...
@@PhilipGregory1981 They are not as impressive as Fractal, Kemper, Helix but GT-1000 and Katana amps do produce very usable Tones. I have seen Nuno,Nita Strauss and many professional musicians use GT-10, 100. GT-1000 is very close to Helix. Nowadays all modellers sound great. I had AX8 for 5 years I had GT-10, ME-50, Amplifire 6, NUX, Ampero......used POD units. All is well but I will buy a GT1000....gapless switching is a massive plus
If "useable" is "absolute garbage", then yes, they are useable.
@@PhilipGregory1981 Your are entitled to your opinion but the fact remains, People who understand tone, how each component impacts every other element....I am sure They can make anything sound Good. I have seen Opeth Using a GT10 with amps and Nuno sounds great. So does Nita Strauss. i have seen people sound great with a Fender Twin and all pedals straight to input, So tone is 80 on playing dynamics, rest is all hoops loops
Tone is 100% a result of gear, not technique or playing style. Tone is created by the guitar, pickups, pedals, and amps you are using - and that's it. The Boss stuff has some of the worst tone in the industry, hence why it's so cheap. You get what you pay for. @@TheRocknrolla12
Ok, oh right then. You just got a brand new Corvette with 750hp and you only want the Honda Civic with 125hp. Gotcha. 😅
Right!
I can't even get an FM9. Sold out everywhere. Ridiculous, for a professional company... don't even have product. And don't ever get a Boss. Boss sounds like garbage.
Way too long for the information given.
This video should’ve been like 2 minutes.. blah blah blah