My Fractal FM-3 thread.
- Thread starter Mark Wein
- Start date
I’m a bad influence
So they make such a big deal about dropouts when changing presets or scenes with different amp models and cabs so I've been working around a paradigm of one amp model or cab per preset and trying to juggle gain through adjusting volumes or using the drive block for virtual pedals but this morning as I've been putting together sounds for a new gig I discovered that there isn't any dropout if you are changing between amps or cabs with scenes within the same preset. I have a preset with two channels of the Cameron Atomica for light and heavy dirt (think hot rodded Marshall), a PRS Archon for a clean and the Morgan AC20 for a Vox sound with no dropouts.I don't know if this is better because of the last firmware upgrade or I have just been misunderstanding how this thing works but I'm stoked. This pretty much negates my need for an FM9.
Game changer.
Game changer.
micwalt
Too Controversial To Have An Athleisure Line
Whoa! Excellent!
Yeah. I'm pretty stoked. It also means fewer preset changes during sets which will make my life easier, too. I guess this will be my next video
ugameus
inbetween
I’m a bad influence
You are, lol. Not really, you have been providing great info. This info led me to a decision that will benefit me in the long run. I won't speak for others but I do appreciate it!
I have been playing the fm3 a bit but not a lot because life has been happening, family in town, etc.
I thought I was going to get lost in tweaking everything and I will, for sure. This is a powerful tool. The cab lab app scares and titillates me at the same time, lol. However, this thing has some really really good tones out of the box. In fact, the issue I have with tweaking settings is simply getting the levels proper so I can control the gain with my volume on the guitar. I was NOT expecting this and it is a little different with each amp, as it should be. It's kind of like I just got 50 new amps, lol. Higher gain tones are tough for me because I hear a thing in everything with higher gain that annoys the shit out of me. I think it may be my headphones in combination with tones being too "wet" by default for my taste. I believe this is just a case of needing to learn the tech. I am using closed back headphones right now and I believe with extended use I need open backs to remain physically comfortable and this thing will have extended use. I have found my favorite tones to be clean bassman or plexi's and the trainwreck stuff at edge of breakup. I am running the levels on these where they are physically uncomfortable then roll off the volume on my guitar. This makes exquisite clean tones. I am very very surprised by this. So far, I am not really surprised by what it can do but how it does it. This is a truly impressive piece of gear I have not begun to understand.
For me, all of the presets are too wet, but I find that with most modelers. I just prefer drier sounds. It took me a little bit to internalize the idea that these models all behave more like themselves than just a sound on a device so I've been changing a lot of my working tones around to sounds that I like as opposed to "it would be rad to have this model fender for my clean, this model Marshall for crunch and the Morgan for the in-between sounds". All of the models sound great but managing 2-3 different amps on the same preset can be a chore. I'm still learning about it. This week I went down the JMP rabbit hole because much of the music that I play was recorded in the 80's and the Plexi 2201 is the JMP model that I think quite a bit of that music was recorded with. It sounds rad, but not as usable as me using the FAS crunch and lead sounds. I might end up replacing my deluxe sound with one of the FAS clean channels just for continuity.
I'm also working my sounds around how they sound in the room through my EV monitor, which also affects things.
ugameus
inbetween
Yes! I may love amp "X" in real life but the model of it sounds and reacts a bit different than the real thing. Not worse, just different. The plus is that it does react with similar type amp characteristics and the familiar touch sensitive control with your fingers does actually apply. It's not exact but it is there.
Check your DM's. I sent you a sound to play with. It's not "exciting" as much as it is useful onstage, I think.
I changed the mid-crunch a little since I uploaded. It was too clean once I cranked it at drumset volume so here it is now:
telecaster911
Kick Henry Jackassowski
“Drumset volume”
ugameus
inbetween
It's a thing. I crank up the levels to the point of hurting my ears THEN use the volume on my guitar to tame it to tolerable levels. Most of the models sound better to me when jacking up their level then using my guitar volume to make it not painful. This is how amps behave for me though, most sound best when about to blow up. I am also not playing live trying to fill a room. I am only using headphones right now. This whole modelling thing to me is about feel. I think they have had the tones down for a while but the feel is where I am really appreciating the evolution.
I think this is a thing that many people don't realize. This stuff sounds different loud than it does at bedroom volume, just like a real amp. I wasn't very aware of that and my first few gigs were kind of confusing until realized that this was an actual thing.
ugameus
inbetween
Ok, I finally unplugged everything and moved the FM3 over to my computer so I can load up the preset. I have been super busy recently and have just enjoyed being able to have good tones at decent volumes which has kept me satiated for the time. Honestly, this thing is the best low/no volume amp I have ever touched and it has been a blessing. I can play at 3pm or 3am and the cops don't come no matter what, lol. I have just been cycling through all the stock presets and it's kind of staggering what is available.
So, your preset you sent. I don't like all of it but like you said it's useful onstage. I am still only playing through headphones so I am assuming some of those settings sound very very different when filling a room. There are good tones in there. That basic clean tone. I like it a lot. I just jammed on it for about an hour without ever wanting to change anything so, yeah, good stuff.
I have mentioned in other posts that may or may not have been read by others that I am embracing the digital thing in both music and photography. There is a fairly steep learning curve it seems to really really understanding how all this stuff works. For example with the photo stuff, I am learning how to do things in software I used to do in a darkroom
. It's foreign and frustrating sometimes but I feel it's worth the effort on both sides.It's also great that there are people like Mark who are willing to put out there what they have learned to help push the rest of us through. I will definitely be re-watching some of Mark's videos in the near future.
Thanks again!
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Since then I have tweaked it many times and then thrown it out. I'll send new stuff soon.
I did download and install this: https://austinbuddy.com/shop/1000-live-gold/
I haven't had much time to play through them but its a nice starting point for live presets.
I haven't had much time to play through them but its a nice starting point for live presets.