Fractal FM3 vs. Line 6 HX Stomp

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TIMESTAMPS
00:05 Intro
02:24 Playing Examples
05:59 Pros & Cons
11:58 Take Aways

[HolgerStrunk]

Thanks for this direct comparison. I had both devices, first the HX Stomp and then moved to Fractal (Axe-FX III). The Fractal is more direct sounding and has a crispness that I was unable to dial in with the HX Stomp. After a learning-phase the interface and workflow became very intuitive ... and yes, I absolutely like the thousands of possibilities of tweaking the sound. Can get a bit overwhelming but is soooo cool 🙂

[eguilherme]

Great comparison, thanks for putting this together. Recently bought the FM3 and then the FM9. Pretty incredible pieces of gear.

[Azulnote]

Really cool you got the tabs on there. Great playing too!

[jammer]

I've owned the Helix Floor, Helix HX Stomp XL, HX FX, Fractal AX8 and now the FM3. What I still have and have found the most satisfying setup is the FM3 used along side of the HX FX. I sold all of the other units. When I had the Helix Floor and HX Stomp it just never felt quite there. I was not a fan of the overdrives and distortions in the Helix so I always ran individual dirt pedals with them. I find the FM3 distortions / overdrives completely satisfying with no need for additional pedals. Using the HX FX with the FM3 allows me to free up a lot DSP in the FM3. I am using the HX FX mostly for additional reverbs and delays which can be DSP hogs on the FM3. I am very happy with the "feel" now and I don't feel like there's always a little something missing like I did with the Helix. The Helix is more user friendly for sure if you're tweaking on the unit itself but the editing software on both are very good. I do like the "tweakability" on the FM3 to deep dive into all the parameters. The can either be a plus or minus depending upon how you look at that. As mentioned here the HX Stomp is definitely more portable but I don't see the FM3 being to big or heavy to easily pack up and go. I bought a hard case for it which is perfect for transport. So yeah, I have a small pedalboard with the HX FX and an EP Booster, SP Compressor and an EQ for quick adjustments when playing live. But having a small pedalboard and the FM3 is not that much to transport. Finally, I think the "feel" of the FM3 is probably one of the main things I noticed over the Helix. It's much more satisfying to me. YMMV.

That arrangement of Be thou My Vision is beautiful.

[musiccreation]

The FM3 wins for me...easily actually. Kinda surprised at the gap in performance.

[gianni.chiarello]

I'm exactly in the same predicament...I have found that using Custom IRs with the Helix fixed the feel thing quite a bit, but I must say apart for the extreme portability I feel that the helix is starting to become outdated in terms of sounds...unless they come out with a massive update soon (I doubt it)

[mjmason]

The HX Stomp is awesome, and I still love it. However, I just sold my HX Stomp to put the money towards and FM3 which I've owned for over a month now. HX Stomp is amazing and so compact, but if you want more flexibility and more DSP, then the FM3 is the way to go if you have the extra money to spend. I'm a bass player, and both are great for bass. I love that the Stomp fit in my gig bag, but the FM3 required it's own carrying bag since it's like 4 times larger and about 6 times heavier. HX Stomp gives you up to 8 blocks, but FM3 can easily do 16+ depending on what blocks you are using (I've maxed it out at 12 using some high DSP blocks). Stomp is easier to use for sure, but if you are willing to learn the Fractal Audio interface, there are way more customizable options to really customize your sounds, especially if you want to apply the "modifiers" to the effect blocks which lets you do things like auto adjust the effect based on how hard you play (envelope) or the pitch of the notes you play (like when you play higher up on the neck). These modifiers are not even an option in the Stomp if you really want to use them.

[Aaron-vfxm]

Forget about the comparison. Those licks were fire. You're a killer player 🔥

[UncleYoshi]

Great review video of both units. I have an AX8 - big like the FM9. Thinking of selling it & upgrading to an FM3 or HX Stomp. HX stomp 's portability & affordability probably will win out.

[CaryChilton]

Big difference with the FM3 in openness/ breath in the tones - dynamic range also very evident on the track featuring the blue track with the lady. FM3 all day

[solonasdeimezis]

I'm running an rc booster in front of the hx stomp or my helix. Always on. For that feeling thing. The first thing that your guitar heats is an analog signal on the rc booster, and that makes all the difference.
Give it a try.

[GS-uyxo]

Great comparison - no need to trade my stomp, a good comp or boost in front and it feels great to me.

[sniperv]

What is the Tonex set up to do in the Loop that it fixes the feel?

[StratsRUs]

You do get what you pay for.
The Helix Floor with all the updates I still love.Yet, I think the software companies like Softube are awesome too.
Careful tweaking of Helix is more than acceptable to me.That takes more diligence per song
All the 'better' hardware units cost more.

[rnrmfguitarworks]

+1 on the Sublime and Cars solos - two of the most underrated solos ever 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin]

Asked girlfriend for A/B testing and surprisingly HX was best most of the time… you should definitely have chosen same IR I guess

[scottcrist]

FM3 sounds way more dynamic. and clear. line six seems muddy and compressed, and more "digital" sounding

[mysticalmessengers]

Could you please tell me where you got the rhythm, drums backing tracks from ? It helps me judge each device for pros and cons. I'm been looking at a boss gt1 effects pedal btw. So a small similar device ish to those you reviewed. Great review by the way . Thank you! 🤘🎸

[MusicChannel-rfzz]

I have both the FM3 & Helix LT. The Helix to seems to sound good on most speakers while the FM3 sounds great on headphones or some classy studio speakers .Just my observation with my little experience on the FM3.Just getting a feeling that the FM3 presets amp tones all sound sim liar to each other.Maybe I should find tones that are beyond & better than the presets.Also the FM3 doesnt seem too practical on stage with just 3 foot switches without buying the extra switches that is pricey on the fractal site.No tap tempo switch, volume pedal or scene switching .I purchased the FM3 last Christmas but still haven't taken it to Church because of the lack of enough switches on board.