Should You Buy a Fractal FM9 [if you can, Yes]

Let me know if you managed to get one, if you dig yours, if you're waiting for one?

[johnnathancordy]

So - of course, it's kind of....difficult....to get hold of an FM9, which as far as I can see is one of the very few drawbacks to what I think might be potentially Fractal's most gigging appropriate product ever?

[thehumblepundit]

Nice video! I'll be honest, I had an Axe Fx II for a decade and loved. I never even touched how much was in that box. i sold it for a variety of reasons, and recently got the itch again. I was on the wait list for the FM9, but quickly realized that the Fm3 was all I ever really needed. I'm a home hobbyist, so don't gig and my presets on the Axe Fx II were very basic. I never double amped, and rarely even came close to touching the top of the CPU usage issue. I'm so happy with the FM3. It does everything I need in a small little package. The tones are outstanding. YMMV.

[JasonWadeGuitar]

I was one of the first to receive my link to buy from the waitlist. But in fact, had already bought one via Reverb (pre insane prices). Already owning the FM3 as well, I sold the FM3 and kept the FM9 for a season.
Something to keep in mind is even though one company comes out with the newest flavor of the month/year. Doesn't mean a product made in previous years doesn't hold its weight even still. Most Modeling user settle with the likes of 10-15 presets for everyday use if not less.

Furthermore, no many nerds can close their eyes and listen to a mixed/mastered/over produced track and tell you which modeler the musician used, or if it was a modeler or real amp at all. So, it's all subjective and relevant to individual taste and opinion

Beers all around and Keep playing and Learning! Cheers

[EoinNoonan]

I just picked up fm9 turbo and i am a tube amp pedal guy for years . This thing is 100% mind blowing .i love it .

[jorgea]

I’m going on 2 months with my fm9, have used it approximately 5 times live and absolutely love it. I admit I still have to acquaint myself better in tweaking on the fly as opposed to laptop fm edit. I wish the window was larger for us older guys. What impresses me most are the gain presets, they are dialed in ready for live right out of the box if need be.

[aviator_bryan]

I was fortunate to get an FM9 from the first batch. I love it! It’s the first modeler I’ve used that I don’t feel the need to use any additional outboard gear. It’s a standalone solution for me.

[mrdoomsy]

Man, you're one of my favorite reviewers. You seem sincere and upfront with your feelings of whatever you're reviewing. I appreciate that.
I purchased the QC and I didn't like it. I thought my bass tracks sounded better than any other modeler Ive used but outside of that - it was not what the hype said it was. Honestly, Rabea sold me on it and I was almost immediately disappointed. It captured great but the second you tried to eq a capture it fell apart... I sold it.
I have now been on the FM9 wait list since they announced it.
Now its the FM9Turbo so I am sort of glad I wasn't at the top of the list.

Currently, I use the AXE2 for all studio work. I love it and I almost never chain multiple amps and cabs. My question is this. Do you think its on par with the rack units (AXE3) You mentioned that most of your presets on Axe3 carried over... Is there anything that didn't?
I am hoping to replace my Axe2 with the FM9
I am trying to upgrade my MacBook Pro to a loaded MacBookPro and I can't afford to buy an Fm9 and an Axe3 with the cost of the MacBook ($3800)
So do I upgrade my Axe2 to a Axe3 or can I do away with the Axe2 for an Fm9?
I forgot to mention... I recently moved and my Axe2 since the move has a nasty hum. I have talked with Fractal and its a repair issue. To repair it (Shipping, plus repair cost) it doesn't make sense.
This is my situation.
Thanks for making videos that are honest and helpful. I watched your QC videos and appreciated your honesty - even in the face of NDSP fans.
Thanks again, and keep making awesome videos!

Sam L

[michaelgregory]

I have almost all the modelers for studio work and am on the wait list for the FM9. The tonal spectrum and routing options available make it a no-brainer for me.

[MOAB-UT]

Glad to you see finally got on the Fractal train. That tone nicely compliments your playing. FM9 is the one to get! It's a great time to be a guitar player!

[_billion_suns]

This is the thing that bugs me most about Fractal. When I bought my Helix, I was strongly considering an FM3… but at the time, it was waitlisted. Now with the FM9, it’s another Fractal product I would be interested in… but again I can’t buy one at any time in the foreseeable future. Maybe some people like such exclusivity, but it makes me move on and buy other brands.

[vauroux]

Got on the wait list on 23/10/22, Fractal sent me their purchase offer on 07/02/2023, made the purchase on Feb 8 and the unit was delivered to me in Canada on Feb 13.. pretty efficient I would say..

[willbradley]

I owned the stomp but sold it to go for the FM3. I use my modelers through a SD PowerStage 200. Eventually I went back to the Stomp for a couple of reasons. I got lost in the infinite tweakability of the FM3. I felt like I would sit there and just keep adjusting every small parameter but never landed on a sound I could leave and be satisfied with. Secondly, I found the Stomp to sound better in that particular set up going into the power amp and real cab.

[glennmartin]

I’m in Australia and you can’t even order one.
What’s the use?

[anastav]

Thank you for the video and by the way, you are an amazing musician dude. Great phrasing .. and no need to talk about your "feel". I will totally try to learn some of your phrasing :D

[nobodyimportant]

I think the FM9 is a great form factor and definitely something I’d like to try - I think I’ll get on the waitlist. I do think that as far as right now is concerned a Helix family product is a good solution for gigging just because backup units are readily available

[DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

After using Headrush for 4 years I got an older AX8. Though the tones may be 10% better on the Fractal the Headrush wins hands down for ease of use and being able to load as many drives, delays and reverbs without the issue of running out of CPU. Mind you there are only 11 blocks but If I want 3 reverbs, a shimmer and auto swell I can easily do it. I am not getting that much mileage out of the AX8.

[brianangiel]

Granted, I'm in the US, but I have an FM9. I got on the waitlist a couple hours after the announcement and ordered, as far as I understand, from the end of the first batch Fractal received.

[alefenili]

´The FM9 is a beast! Great playing John! Your phrasing /tone reminds me Allen Hinds in some moments. Cheers!

[edruiz]

I use headrush PB and it has lots of options on one rig as far as scenes go. For my purpose I can use one rig for entire night. Not entirely sold on this yet. Love my headrush.

[fastfinger]

I'm still digging my kemper stage... sounds amazing!!