Fractal Audio FM3 Demo // What it is, what it does, and why we love it

Fractal FM3 Preset build video: COMING SOON!

Table of Contents:
00:00 - Playing sample 1
01:22 - Info about modeling and intro to the FM3
05:29 - Playing sample 2
06:21 - More info about Fractal modeling
07:24 - Effects blocks and channels
11:11 - Playing sample 3
12:41 - Using controllers with the FM3
16:55 - Playing sample 4
17:31 - FM3 vs HX Stomp (and why it's closer to a Kemper)
27:44 - Playing sample 5
28:50 - Final thoughts

We got an FM3! You could think of the FM3 as a mini Axe-FX III, and it packs a huge punch in a small package. While we think most people assume this is Fractal's competitor to the HX Stomp, we feel like it's actually a lot closer to a Kemper.

GUITARS:
Red Jazzmaster style guitar: Shelton GalaxyFlite w/ Lambertones Ristrettos
Green JM style guitar: Jennings Voyager w/ McNelly Stagger Swaggers
White strat style guitar: Shelton SkyFlite IV
White tele: MJT Thinline Tele w/ Porter Vintage tele pickups

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Our vision is that every church in the world would experience worship that is both excellent and authentic. We are here to help you make that happen.

CURRENT GEAR (this is the stuff I currently use to create videos)

Cameras:

Lenses:
For the Blackmagic Pocket 4k:

For the EOS R:

Drones:

Lighting:
The Sun :)

Acoustic Guitars:

Capos:
G7th Performance Capos

Cables:

Amps/Pedals:

Bass Guitar:

Recording Interface:
Universal Audio Apollo 8

Microphones:

Software & Virtual Instruments
Recording software: Apple Logic Pro X
Video editing software: Adobe Premiere CC
Video editing - color correction: Davinci Resolve

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[scottpeters]

I just came from a Helix to a comparison...the Fractal is a different level sound wise...and feel wise....maybe not in a mix, but sitting in the room with both, the FM3 smokes the Helix in every used the Helix for 2 years, and pretty much fought it every minutes with the FM3, I couldn’t stop smiling....It’s a great unit..

[Darthhalitosis]

Hey Lads, Cliff from Fractal has posted in the Fractal Forums that if you want to make the Fractal models 'feel' more like the Kemper. To directly quote him: "The Axe-Fx III models are extremely accurate. The Kemper has it's own vibe which a lot of people like. It's characterized by lots of midrange compression. You can replicate this on the Axe-Fx by setting the Output Compression type in the Amp block to Feedback and dialing in ~6 dB of compression. Adjust to taste.
The distortion of the Kemper is smoother than a real amp as well. You can replicate this by decreasing the Power Amp Hardness." I've tried these tweaks and they do make the 'feel' more similar to how a Kemper feels (have compared to a Stage). These changes also work on AX8 and Axe-FX II. Cheers :)

[tperry]

Love this channel I’m not a praise and worship player, just wanted y’all to know I pray for your channel brothers keep going ! Thanks 🙏

[dylancraig]

More FM3 content. Been waiting for FM3 content.

[rodrigozamo]

I like high gain monsters but the real trial of these modelling units is doing the low to medium drive thing. Emualting cleans is the "easy" part, emulating high gain, is far more complicated but doing the medium gain and retain the tone, the feel and the sustain, that's where a lot of these modellers fall apart. This one definitly does that really well.

[robertreynolds]

Im not a worship player...but i admire the tones those guys get. My dad is in a Christian band...ive seen and heard many worship guitarists....some have the best tones I've ever heard

[aviator_bryan]

I love the FM3. I built my own board (12x20) with an Xotic Wah and a EV-2 and it’s awesome. I have the 3 buttons programmed perfectly and have no need for more buttons. It’s a nice small board that everything I need and sounds great. Also I tend to only use one amp at a time so there’s that. I also have had a Helix for close to 5 years and it’s great too. But I really feel Fractal hit a home fun with the FM3.

[NablusRain]

A Fantastic Piece of Gear out of this World guys really I am getting one today

[Wells]

Two things I think Line 6 has that the other two don’t have are extremely user-friendly interfaces and a massive support community. Under a microscope, the Kemper and Axe may be a bit better in sound quality and although prices may start to get even, it’s still tough to justify for most players imo. However, if Axe Effects ever comes out with something to compete with the Pod Go in the $500-$600 range, that would be intriguing.

[cdh]

got the email a few days ago, that mine will be ready in about a week or two... looking forward to it, as it's my first modeler..

[wolfnstrings]

I really enjoyed this video. I am going to get either an FM3 or AxeFX III and still am having trouble deciding. A video for that may help because the logic you two use is much like my own views. Please consider that as a video topic.

[alexm]

Thanks for revealing the most important weakness of this unit, no stereo signal chain.

[Polletross]

All the years of playing worship with a twin reverb in back room, pedalboard, and in-ears only to get an FM3 and not play at church anymore. But I can get incredible sounds on mine.

[maseratination]

I like looking videos of gear that I did not buy because it was missing something. This unit for me needed an FC6. Here comes the FM9 with more buttons, more power and dual stereo amps for only $100 more than the FM3 + FM6

[jensk]

That's the best Jazzmaster i've ever heard.

[joshuabenton]

Absolutely loved this! I have a Stage and will rock it for a year and then see how i feel. I came from the Helix and in terms of amp tone and feel, it is simply better on all metrics.
Weird thing to note: a lot of your videos have a consistent yet quiet click during the music recordings. I don't know what it is but it doesn't happen during other guitar channels I listen to, and this has happened on many of the vids I watch from you guys for over a year now. Is it perhaps a weird clipping issue when recording? Just thought you should know.

[gergonikk]

GREAT sounds guys, refreshing magical tones. However I do hear some clicks in the playing samples, not sure if there's something wrong with your recording tracks? Anyway, first time I came across your videos, I'm here to stay. Cheers!

[joeysteward]

Thank you guys so much for doing this! I’ve been on the wait list for 2 months for an FM3, and I’m tryin to hold out, but I’m tempted to just buy a kemper stage. All I here people do is metal with this thing, but ask Bradford if it would hold up to the kemper stage. I’m still on the fence between the two!

[dylancraig]

@worshiptutorials when will we get that preset build/run through video for the FM3?

[homeskillet]

Good stuff fellas. Thanks for doing this.