The ONE DOWNSIDE Of Fractal Audio || (Axe-Fx III, FM9 and FM3)

Today we revisit the Fractal Audio Axe-FX III and see how the Pitch Shifting Algorithm has improved since my last demo in 2021.

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My name is Zachary Seif, and I am a professional guitarist from the NYC Metro Area. I teach private lessons, perform in multiple bands, do session work and am the Artist Relations Manager for Quantum Industries. Come join me as I show you what being in the music industry is like on a regular basis.

All preset purchases can be made via email or direct message on Instagram or Facebook.

All video shot on my iPhone 12 Pro Max

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro and Setup
1:20 Distortion Demo
7:19 Clean Demo
11:19 Conclusion

GEAR USED:
Musicman Majesty Artisan
Fractal Audio Axe-FX III
Dunlop Picks
Dunlop Strings
Mogami Cables
Audio Technica AT2020
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20

FOLLOW ME BELOW:

Stream my latest single “upside down” below:

* All music performed belongs to the original copyright owners
* Background Music provided by Bensound and Regression

[ZackSeifMusic]

***Thoughts on the Fractal Pitch Shifting?***

[medf]

If you have not yet, please post this on the wish list part of the fractal forum. Would love an improved vc

[simonwilliams]

Interesting. I've noticed similar artefact issues with a preset/scene that uses the expression pedal to vary phaser depth.

[Peaceful_Romancer]

100% agree. I love my FM9; I purchased it last year and already there’s been so many improvements in the firmware, but the VC is still lackluster compared to everything else in the unit. The latest firmware made the noise gates awesome, would be superb if they could improve the pitch block in a similar vein.

[philiphopper]

Would be interesting to hear your thoughts now that Fractal updated the Pitch Block algorithm. Im on an FM9 so I haven't gotten to use the new algorithm yet.

[charlesm]

The digitech drop is way better than my fm9 for virtual capo

[zvonimirbaljak]

it's the same problem with the harmonizer. i tried harmonizer for some lead parts but it sounds awfull.

[jimmynorris]

Any reason you are on FW 23.05, as opposed to the 25.02 release? Just curious.

[Behemoth]

Agreed, I also own the Digitech Drop and it's weird how it performs better than the virtual capo on my very expensive and otherwise perfect rack unit, I hope there will be an update one day but it's been that way for years.

[musicplayersnow]

Have you brought this to Cliff and the teams attention? - Bruce

[mickbuffalo]

Totally agree! I thought is it just me that thinks the VC is not up to the job? Even half a step and it just doesn’t seem “in tune” I have recorded both standard and real detune half step and VC side by side comparisons and it’s not convincing enough for me. Im sure the Fractal VC could be improved seeing as Fractal does everything else perfectly.

[misterringer]

after revisiting this, the virtual capo sounded better on distortion, but the dual chromatic sounded better on cleans. dang it fractal! 🤣

[theiranxican]

Thats why i ended up buying a L6 hx one for the sole reason of having the drop tune technology at my disposal because i love using octaves and I play in many different tunings. There are other uses for the pedal but the reason being used is primary. Some might scoff at the idea which is fine lol but its been the utmost powerful way in getting the results I want.

But hey, if either modeler can up their quality in pitching, then im all eyes and ears.

[DustinRadtke]

Preach! People always ask why I still use my Drop Pedal with my Fractal units and it's because the Virtual Tuner is unusable on clean. I first noticed it when I'd play Say It Ain't So and that one note hangs...warble and tremlo city!

My Quad Cortex does it flawlessly...but I don't like the tone of that unit as much.

[schlagdog]

The Capo Poly also on the Line6 Helix works like total garbage compared to the old original Simple Pitch that’s in the helix. It sounds like the Fractal has the same problems. I don’t know why poly seems to be an issue.

[Rrouthmusic]

Yeah it’s not great… this is why I prefer having a few guitars with different tunings. It’s a pain to carry extra gear but it’s worth it to not sacrifice the tones you are after.

[brianangiel]

Why are you hiding comments that link to Cliff’s response to your observations?

[denniskrottje]

I play a lot clean/cleanish, virtual capo is really unusable 😢

[JoeJaeger]

This has been a problem with Fractal since they introduced the pitch years ago. Compared to the other effects it's a joke, not sure how anyone could argue that it's not a weak point. The problem I'm seeing on the forum is they're in denial that it sucks compared to the other effects.

[misterringer]

I think the virtual capo worked better. Just had a small volume dip compared to the other one. virtual capo did seem to track better. Maybe adjust for the volume dip and see if you like it more?

Of course if it has boat loads of latency nothing can fix that. Sucks because I'm so close to pulling the trigger on axe fx after they got gapless switching working, but it seems like helix still has the better pitch shifter. Come on fractal you can do it! 🤣