Fractal FM3 vs FM9 vs Axe FX 3 - Which one would I buy?

Let folks know the ones they are missing out on in the comments if you're a Fractal person?

00:00 JCM800 #34
3:24 Quick version
4:09 The most important part of the video
6:25 What the User Interface is like on each of them
8:10 Stuff that is different
10:21 The longer version
20:00 Summary I think

[Deep_Jimpact]

Hey John, hope you’re well. I’m assuming you will be able to help because as a guitarist you must have accidentally dropped your pick, or plectrum, into the body of a guitar before so you may be able to assist. You know when the pick falls through and you can see how it got in but you can’t get it out and you’ve only got the one and a gig is coming up, well anyway, long story short, I took my nephew to a grain silo this morning and could use some advice.

[SonnetGomes]

I just made an impulse purchase today. Went with the FM3 due to it's compact size. I dont like going crazy with effects so FM9 would have been an overkill. I would love the hear the difference between the FM3 and HX Stomp! It took me a while to tame the Helix and get rid of the fizzy/harsh sound. Would love to see how the FM3 plays out. What an era we live in. 300 amps on your desktop and TONS of studio quality effects sitting on your desktop!

[smellytele]

Your vid about never needing to buy delay and reverb pedals again because the FM3 effects were so good was what pushed me gently into buying my FM3. It has proven to be the most flexible and useable and fun piece of gear I think I've ever bought.

[kylehowdy]

I agree. If someone said they wanted a fractal my first question is for what purpose. Gigging -> FM9, Studio -> Axe FX 3. like you said, if cash is no issue that's where I would recommend the Axe fx 3 plus FC, but I really think the FM9 is such a sweet spot right between them, and for the extra cost you get so much for a gigging/mobile player while still obviously getting a wonderful studio tool.

[michaelarthurmusic]

I have the AXE-FX3 and have never had such a great set of guitar tones, and I have been playing professionally for 30 years. I bought your FM3 preset pack and found it very useful. Thanks!

[weststudio]

I’m on the list for an FM9. I picked up a FM3 and have realized the CPU limitations. My AXE-FX III arrives this Monday. I’ll be selling off the FM3 and FC6.

[paulcuban]

i was a very happy FM3 /MC8 User until last month when i was able to get my hands on an AXE3 Mk2 .Sold my Helix and now gigging with the AXE3 and loving it

[SausageFingers]

I have the FM3 and I'm on the wait list for the FM9. Not sure yet if I will grab the FM9 because I've been extremely satisfied with the FM3. I like simple rigs and I have not ran into a situation where the FM3 wasn't powerful enough to run my presets. I'm also loving the form factor, it's small and lightweight but packs a serious punch. I guess we will see what happens once the wait for FM9 is over. Until then I'm more than happy with the FM3.

[chrisdavies]

I got an Axe-FX III as a sort of indulgent home studio and rehearsal tool and I'll be honest I've found it to be utterly inspiring and completely sold me on the Fractal eco system. I got on the wait list for FM9 day one and as soon as it's available, I'll be replacing my gigging rig with one, that way the tone I record with can be consistent with what I'm using live. I have considered an FM3 but a lot of what I'm doing blends two amps, requires two reverbs (a shorter conventional room/Hall into something much bigger) and I just feel I would hit limitations with the FM3 too frequently.

[azzazelo]

I got the axefx 3 a while back mostly out of curiosity and other things are magically disappearing. It's really an all in one unit if I've ever seen one.

[erikhartley]

All these comments and not one referring to the shred licks in the intro 😱 Such a legato master!

I just got an FM3 and plan to use a midi controller (to mimic fc6 sorta) and an Ml5 looper with external drives. I’m hoping I can get the best of both worlds as well as save some cpu this way.

[heut]

For me, my last band (or now only practicing and recording), the FM9 is the best out of them for gigging. The FM9 gives me more FXs and flexibilities to control my sound (and more portability). I've always NEEDED to use the full (9 controls) pedal board: 1) at least, 3 Effects (reverbs, delay, phaser, harmony, and Other), 2) Acoustic tone, 3) Electric Clean, 4) Med - Hi Crunch (for Plexi: Van Halen, Rush, Zeppelin, etc.), and 5) Hi-Gain (Soloing or heavy metal). These are required. However, since I don't really gig anymore, I will save alittle more money to buy AXE-Fx III and add the 12 Foot Control so I can still have fun. This will be a lot better for my taste in my studio/bedroom.

[nuxxpcd]

came for the axe fx but your playing is so amazing Mr.!

[hansgruenweg]

By a fortunate circumstance I have both, FX-III and FM-3.
In my sparetime band I played A- and E-guitar (thanks to the current 2-year thing it broke up this month).
After equipping the E-guitar with additional Graphtec Piezos I used the Fractals as "dual guitar in" devices
with an expression pedal to blend between E an A.
In front of the FM-3 I have a TC Electronic BodyRez due to limitation of one amp block only.
I am on the FM-9 wait list just to get two amp blocks in a portable device.
The FX-III is fixed mounted under Desktop.

[noslang]

Hi John
Very good and you may have brought the Axe FXII in the discussion which stays an amazing choice, as used equipment, specially with the last software version which mimics very well the recent evolution of Fractal and at a very interesting price today.

[robertpaten]

I am on the waitlist for the FM9 but decided to pull the plug on a FM3 and couldn't be happier. I think getting into the Fractal world it has been nice to have at least one limiting factor (cpu power) so I can make simple patches and start playing. No doubt as time goes on it might be nice to make more elaborate presets but for now I prefer a simple set up.

[Polletross]

I think I would’ve preferred if it was the FM4 and stretched a bit and had the top knobs spaced out a little more… but other than that I love my FM3. Really perfect for my own needs.

[sacredgeometry]

Axe FX 3 Clearly. How can less be more? More is more!

[BurntMcgurnt]

If I was gonna upgrade I wouldn't compromise I'd definitely get the 3

[misterbeane]

FM3 v FM9 is personally where I'm at, as the FX3 is overkill for what I need. I've had a Kemper for years, but I'd definitely like to go to Fractal, for a variety of reasons. I'm a single amp, main clean type of player, but I'd still REALLY like the extra horsepower of the FM9, but I still can't really justify the FM9 because of the lack of availability. Unfortunately, I've only just recently joined the waitlist, so it sounds like I'll be waiting until the end of 2022 or even early 2023 for an FM9, and honestly, they'll probably be an updated version by then. Obviously, the better choice between the 2 is the FM9, but I mean the FM3 is available right now, vs. the FM9 which is a 6-12 month wait at this point.