Tone-wise I prefer the Iridium's clearer sounds and definitely prefer the simpler (knobs vs menu-diving) interface. Good & bad, the FM3 has a lot going on - As you said, somewhat different tools for different jobs. Thanks Rokz.
Do you think the Iridium can close the gap sound wise with higher priced units like the FM3 by using better quality IRs than the stock ones? I’m thinking of buying the Iridium and I was just curious, thanks.
It's all about what sounds good to your ears. For me, yes, 3rd party IR's helped out a lot with the Round and Punch amps. At the same time, for the Chime amp model, I still use the stock cab A position because it's really good. Also, Strymon does provide additional IR's from OwnHammer and Valhallir if you want to try other IR's before buying some.
My understanding is that the Iridium offers some of the highest quality IRs on the market, it's just that they may not have the tonal character that you prefer. I think the high resolution of the stock IRs is what makes the Iridium compare so well to other modelers.
Thank you Leon! That’s great video. For my ears FM3 sounds more fat ( also more gain). My FM 3 will arrive in the week after 3 years using Axe FX 3. I’m just little bit tired carry it to rehearsal/performances and back!))
Iridium is better in my opinion for one simple reason. The philosophy of the pedal is to get closer to the modeled amp. You do the coloring with pedals, or with a multi-effect. However you start with an almost perfect copy of the amp and so the effects actually do what you expect them to do. FM3 is too artificial and seems too pumped up. I have owned all three iridium modeled amps and am amazed at how faithfully it reproduces them. Iridium currently allows me to still use my old POD HD500 to a great extent. POD, Iridium in the effects loop, FRFR cabinet and with little expense I have an extraordinary setup, both for my vintage guitars and for my Variax.
On Vox the Strymon won. On others Fractal had a little more 3d air and quality but it is not that far apart. I think with some tweaking and downloading some other IR's plus pedals say a king of tone etc and it is Apples and Oranges. I think if you have a huge pedal board and just want to go to the house the Iridium is perfect..........If you want all in one Fractal is easy. It would be a huge dive to compare all FX on a very dialed pedal board to the Fractal so hard to say on that......Also going to the house these take on a new life too going through speakers...then I defy anyone to tell a huge difference. Personally I have a very high end pedal board with the Iridium and I just go right to my PA at home or live to the house and I prefer it to my Mark V. The pedals sound richer and clearer and the response is better the transients etc.....YMMV but I really have no desire to ever take a tube amp to a gig again and I actually prefer the sound of Iridium on many things through a PA , and recording wise it is incredible. Both a killer pieces that finally have made tube amps be able to be a thing of the past for many of us.
The FM3 will sound 10x better if you use the Ownhammer cabs instead of the factory cabs but I understand the idea you were going for... for me the factory cab selections for fractal do it a bit of disservice and it has a bunch of free Ownhammer cab built in :)
Great vid man... Greetings from Italy
Thanks Mirko!!!
Both do a god job but the Fractal unit sounds more real and less like a modeled preset. (IMHO)
Yep!
You did;nt adjust the input gain on the FM3 to compensate for using p90's..That prest was made for a strat or tele.
Thanks for the tip!
I like the tones from the FM3 and the Iridium. I find the Iridium is easier to use. Per its design.
Totally!
Tone-wise I prefer the Iridium's clearer sounds and definitely prefer the simpler (knobs vs menu-diving) interface. Good & bad, the FM3 has a lot going on - As you said, somewhat different tools for different jobs. Thanks Rokz.
Thanks for the comment!!!
Do you think the Iridium can close the gap sound wise with higher priced units like the FM3 by using better quality IRs than the stock ones? I’m thinking of buying the Iridium and I was just curious, thanks.
It's all about what sounds good to your ears. For me, yes, 3rd party IR's helped out a lot with the Round and Punch amps. At the same time, for the Chime amp model, I still use the stock cab A position because it's really good. Also, Strymon does provide additional IR's from
OwnHammer and Valhallir if you want to try other IR's before buying some.
My understanding is that the Iridium offers some of the highest quality IRs on the market, it's just that they may not have the tonal character that you prefer. I think the high resolution of the stock IRs is what makes the Iridium compare so well to other modelers.
I read others who say York Audio is best for Fender Deluxe Reverb IRs.
Thank you Leon! That’s great video. For my ears FM3 sounds more fat ( also more gain). My FM 3 will arrive in the week after 3 years using Axe FX 3. I’m just little bit tired carry it to rehearsal/performances and back!))
Thanks for the comment!!! Congrats on the FM3!!!
Dude.I just bought my fm3. And im having a hard time dailing anything that even comes close to my "shitty" boss Gt1. Helpppp
FM3 more dark, more bass, but that's the easy part. I'd go with Iridium.
Thanks for the comment!
On chime i felt like fm3 have more flub. Can it sound similar to iridium tho?
Yep, you can totally get rid of the "flub" on FM3 to make it cleaner like the Iridium!
Iridium is better in my opinion for one simple reason. The philosophy of the pedal is to get closer to the modeled amp. You do the coloring with pedals, or with a multi-effect. However you start with an almost perfect copy of the amp and so the effects actually do what you expect them to do. FM3 is too artificial and seems too pumped up. I have owned all three iridium modeled amps and am amazed at how faithfully it reproduces them. Iridium currently allows me to still use my old POD HD500 to a great extent. POD, Iridium in the effects loop, FRFR cabinet and with little expense I have an extraordinary setup, both for my vintage guitars and for my Variax.
Thanks for the feedback! The Iridium is indeed a magic pedal. ✌🏻
To my ears, the FM3 just sounds more real. The Iridium sounds more sterile and lacks organic character. Again IMHO and ears. Your mileage may vary.
Thanks for the comment! The FM3 does indeed have a 3D quality about it!!!
On Vox the Strymon won. On others Fractal had a little more 3d air and quality but it is not that far apart. I think with some tweaking and downloading some other IR's plus pedals say a king of tone etc and it is Apples and Oranges. I think if you have a huge pedal board and just want to go to the house the Iridium is perfect..........If you want all in one Fractal is easy. It would be a huge dive to compare all FX on a very dialed pedal board to the Fractal so hard to say on that......Also going to the house these take on a new life too going through speakers...then I defy anyone to tell a huge difference. Personally I have a very high end pedal board with the Iridium and I just go right to my PA at home or live to the house and I prefer it to my Mark V. The pedals sound richer and clearer and the response is better the transients etc.....YMMV but I really have no desire to ever take a tube amp to a gig again and I actually prefer the sound of Iridium on many things through a PA , and recording wise it is incredible. Both a killer pieces that finally have made tube amps be able to be a thing of the past for many of us.
Thanks for the comment man!!! Glad you're diggin' your Iridium!
Anybody ever tell you that you sound like Gary V?
haha!! nope... but I do follow him so anything is possible.✌🏻
Simple = Iridium Win!
Thanks for the comment!!! ✌🏻
The FM3 will sound 10x better if you use the Ownhammer cabs instead of the factory cabs but I understand the idea you were going for... for me the factory cab selections for fractal do it a bit of disservice and it has a bunch of free Ownhammer cab built in :)
I will for sure be using the Ownhameer IR's!
FM3
Thanks for the comment!!!
Let me know when Metallica, and U2 switch from fractal to the iridium. Otherwise.... FM3 is KING.
Thanks for the comment!