I think this is a really smart move. mk.1 users ( I got my FM3 last July) who see this release, won't panic too much. still no 2 amps, and the 10% allows two more blocks or maybe 3. So worthwhile for new FM3 buyers, but still makes for future firmware updates for the mk.1 viable. great job guys!
Great stuff Cooper, I always enjoy your videos. As a MK I FM3 owner, my biggest frustration is that the CPU peaks and shuts down at 83%. Can you take back to the engineers, why we can't get the CPU to peak at 92%? It has always seemed to me that peaking at 83% is weird. 93% I can understand. Thanks man!
While you were demonstrating how one can reach a limit on the processing power of the unit, I immediately thought of my Quest 2 headset, and how by linking it to my PC I can get more processing power for it. I understand the comparison is apples and oranges, but I wonder if in a future Fractal unit, they will make it possible to borrow some of the processing power of your PC for home and studio use.
I’m already on the waiting list for the FM3!!! Whoohoo!!!! Love my FM9 but for practices I would love to have something a little smaller without compromising my tone!!!!
@@adam_michael540 Not true. I bought a FM9. It is much closer to the AXIII then to the underpowered FM3. There is a spec sheet out there that also shows several other differences. For basic tones though, sure, the FM3 is still great. If it suits your needs, it is a great value as well. FM3 MkII Turbo is not bad. I will replace my FM9 when Cliff updates the aging UI. Editing on the unit=not fun. Not plugging in a PC everytime either.
@@MOAB-UT you literally just clarified my point. “For basic tones.” I said if you don’t need “complex tones” it does the same thing 😂. One overdrive, one reverb, one modulator. You can play 90% of rock music with that setup.
@@adam_michael540 Correct Adam. I did not disagree with you. I also clarified my point. FOR ME, and when I pay nearly $2k for a FM9 "I" expect more. I got to play it for months and sold it for the same price- it was a win. When Fractal updates their UI, I will buy another one. Hopefully they have a smaller form factor, say FM6 with totally revamped hardware/UI and gobs of power. That would be amazing. If Fractal wants to stay competitive, they will have to. They are missing out on a big chunk of the casual market. A market that requires an easy to use UI. Sadly, Fender will sell many of these despite being mostly inferior. The New FM3 MkII Turbo is decent. It will cover 90% of most rock tunes easily- I agree.
I only started looking into Fractal today, Im a Helix Stomp XL user and looking at other options so this is great timing, however should we expect a FM9 MkII anytime soon?
Just bought one. Sounds good so far, not overwhelming but quite good. I ran into one issue immediately.. when I switch a Presets with the footswitch, it takes between 1-3 seconds to load the other one. Is that normal? I mean, if yes, it is practically useless if you want to switch live. Can you tell me what I am doimg wrong? Thx!
Guys has anyone had a chance to compare (I mean used)Fractal Audio FM3 MKII vs Quad Cortex? PS:currently I have QC and Mooer 1000LI. Not very happy with the presents though.
The Mark 1 does everything I need it to. I can see the scribble strips completely fine. Even if I didn't, I can still remember what the three buttons do... While the extra 10 percent may be useful in really rare scenarios, overall, the changes are way too minuscule to justify an update for most people, so, if you just bought the mark 1, don't worry about it. To me, Maybe if it could do two amps, it would consider it... And specifically just because of the audio gap when switching amp channels, which is the only notable issue i have with the FM3... Still, i wonder when they will enable the USB A, because that thing could be a huge advantage over the FM9 and Axe FX 3 when enabled... So much potential there. It has been YEARS, and even a mark 2 announcement, and that port still does nothing!
@@Steve-qn8gn There are plenty of ways it could be used... For example, connecting a flashdrive to it for porting or backing up presets, or even loading firmware, without using a computer. It could be used to store backing tracks, that could directly play on the FM3... Or for the simplest thing: Provide 5V to charge a phone, or to power a lamp, or other devices that take 5V on your pedalboard...
I plug a hotone ampero mp100 threw my pa mixer and sounds absolutely pathetic. And the mg30 .so how doze it work for one of these doze any one no on RUclips thk
The FM3 came out in 2019, so after 4 years the best we can get in this footprint is a 10% bump in CPU? Hardly worth the effort to promote it. Fractal should just make a slightly larger unit (like 4 switches instead of 3) that allows for a bigger processor and better cooling... call it the FM4 or something.
My own personal feeling about these "Mark II" and "Turbo" versions of existing products (particularly for the Axe-Fx) is that while their very obvious aim is to milk more money from what's essentially an existing product, it also allows them to very deliberately delay what everyone really wants - a new product. The Axe-Fx 3 launched over 5 years ago...come on Fractal, where's the Axe-Fx 4 ? !!!
There was a 7 year gap between the axefx2 and the axefx3. Keep in mind, digital can only get so good. Once it’s identical to analog, the only upgrades from that point will be the UI itself. Not really much point to release an axefx4 when the axefx3 is already so close. From here, is just pushing processing power and overal user experience versus “better” tonal quality.
Sorry man, but during your demonstration you're comparing apples to bananas. It didn't make clear what's the actual dsp difference between the units, because you exchanged this for that and then add another this while removing another that, etc. The new lcds are cool, but it seems to me that the dsp is more a manufacturer convenience (for the availability of parts) than an upgrade. Anyway, Fractal rocks, it's a cool unit.
@@JonGUK Good move. At this point though, I would hold tight until they release the MKII version. Even the MKI FM3 will hold good value. Near me they are selling used MKI's on Reverb for 20%+ over list price. I was on the wait list for one year, then finally bought the FM9- LOVED it but did not love the UI. I sold it after a few months of playing around with it. I did not lose a dime. I will definitely replace it once Cliff updates that antiquated UI. The FM-9 Edit software works well but editing on the unit was not fun. I am not a pro. I mostly play at my coffee table so to me that mattered. To others it may not. By contrast, the UI's on both the Ampero II and MG-30 are very nice- very intuitive. Ampero II has a beautiful touchscreen and both units are dirt cheap. Paid $200 for my MG-30 used via GC and it is actually quite decent- especially the cleans with some light reverb/delay. I prefer it over the Ampero II- very low DSP and the dirt sounded bad. My plan is to use the MG-30 to tie me over until Fractal updates that UI. I just can't live with paying nearly $2k, $1845 delivered/tax and hate the UI every time I turn it on. The full Helix and Helix Native PI is very decent- but not quite the same league as Fractals- especially in the effects department. It also has a superior UI. When you have to pay $99 for a 15+ hour course by Cooper Carter just to learn how to use the thing (FM9), you know the UI is not intuitive. IMHO Cliff & Co. spent the last ten years of their time developing world-class tone on the FM3 (way underpowered), FM9 and Axe-Fx III. They succeeded in that area but neglected the hardware/UI side. Either way- these are great middle class problems to have. I still say it's a great time to be a guitar player in 2023. I anticipate 2024/2025 will be an even better time...Bluetooth on most modern units, full color, touchscreens and AI e.g., built in song presets named after real songs- easier way to dial in those tones. The set list feature Fractal introduced was a nice touch- do you use that much? Cheers!
@@MOAB-UT I've never used the setlist function. I generally set up one patch for a gig with one amp and cab and all the pedals that I might need, and the rest of it is switching pickups and riding the volume pots on the guitar etc to get clean sounds. I approach it in the same way that I do when I use a real amp...one core sound and a couple pedals and that's it. You are right, it is a great time to be a guitar player with all the equipment that is available to us now.
FAIL. 10% more DSP is not nearly enough. Larger fonts is nice but should have been there from the get go. Nothing much to see here. A FM9 Turbo still easily beats this. A FM9 TURBO MKII with more DSP, Larger display and a NEW UI would be compelling. FM6 MK II Turbo would be even better as we would all enjoy a smaller form factor. And what is the deal with these ongoing and annoying Fractal waitlists? Market and sell a product when you have said product ready to go.
damn, mine just arrived and i’m stoked!
Damn nice playing bro!!! Informative demo!!!
❤ 🔥 🙌🏼
Mine is in the mail to me. Can't wait. I'm planning to make some Orville Redenbacker microwave popcorn when it arrives.
I think this is a really smart move. mk.1 users ( I got my FM3 last July) who see this release, won't panic too much. still no 2 amps, and the 10% allows two more blocks or maybe 3. So worthwhile for new FM3 buyers, but still makes for future firmware updates for the mk.1 viable. great job guys!
My 1998 Johnson Millennium JT150 has 2 amps at a time😂
Thought the same. I was a few clicks from ordering the fm3 when I saw this announcement.
Great stuff Cooper, I always enjoy your videos. As a MK I FM3 owner, my biggest frustration is that the CPU peaks and shuts down at 83%. Can you take back to the engineers, why we can't get the CPU to peak at 92%? It has always seemed to me that peaking at 83% is weird. 93% I can understand. Thanks man!
Very cool. Sounds great! And the additional power is always welcomed…
While you were demonstrating how one can reach a limit on the processing power of the unit, I immediately thought of my Quest 2 headset, and how by linking it to my PC I can get more processing power for it. I understand the comparison is apples and oranges, but I wonder if in a future Fractal unit, they will make it possible to borrow some of the processing power of your PC for home and studio use.
I’m already on the waiting list for the FM3!!! Whoohoo!!!! Love my FM9 but for practices I would love to have something a little smaller without compromising my tone!!!!
FM3 will not have the same complex tones as a FM9. It is just not capable of that- sorry.
@@MOAB-UTif you don’t need “complex tones” then they can absolutely do the same thing.
@@adam_michael540 Not true. I bought a FM9. It is much closer to the AXIII then to the underpowered FM3. There is a spec sheet out there that also shows several other differences. For basic tones though, sure, the FM3 is still great. If it suits your needs, it is a great value as well. FM3 MkII Turbo is not bad. I will replace my FM9 when Cliff updates the aging UI. Editing on the unit=not fun. Not plugging in a PC everytime either.
@@MOAB-UT you literally just clarified my point. “For basic tones.” I said if you don’t need “complex tones” it does the same thing 😂. One overdrive, one reverb, one modulator. You can play 90% of rock music with that setup.
@@adam_michael540 Correct Adam. I did not disagree with you. I also clarified my point. FOR ME, and when I pay nearly $2k for a FM9 "I" expect more. I got to play it for months and sold it for the same price- it was a win. When Fractal updates their UI, I will buy another one. Hopefully they have a smaller form factor, say FM6 with totally revamped hardware/UI and gobs of power. That would be amazing.
If Fractal wants to stay competitive, they will have to. They are missing out on a big chunk of the casual market. A market that requires an easy to use UI. Sadly, Fender will sell many of these despite being mostly inferior. The New FM3 MkII Turbo is decent. It will cover 90% of most rock tunes easily- I agree.
I only started looking into Fractal today, Im a Helix Stomp XL user and looking at other options so this is great timing, however should we expect a FM9 MkII anytime soon?
Is helix stomp not good enough??
I have the same question. I am interested in the FM9, but wonder if an MKII will drop as soon as I buy an FM9.
Great unit. I am already extremely happy with my FM9 Turbo. When can we expect a firmware update for the FM9?
Just bought one. Sounds good so far, not overwhelming but quite good. I ran into one issue immediately.. when I switch a Presets with the footswitch, it takes between 1-3 seconds to load the other one. Is that normal? I mean, if yes, it is practically useless if you want to switch live. Can you tell me what I am doimg wrong? Thx!
Cool intro tune man!
Besides form factor, what's the difference between this and the Axe-FX III?
Sound is the same. There are differences in I/O, CPU, etc. Here is a comparison: www.g66.eu/en/family
The original FM3 for me is just fine!!!!!
Guys has anyone had a chance to compare (I mean used)Fractal Audio FM3 MKII vs Quad Cortex? PS:currently I have QC and Mooer 1000LI. Not very happy with the presents though.
The FM3 is its own audio interface...is there any reason to have it connected to a separate audio interface? Like a Focusrite?
Does the FM3 MkII Turbo support 2 cab blocks? For me that is the most important feature in the FM9 missing from the FM3 MkI.
The Mark 1 does everything I need it to. I can see the scribble strips completely fine. Even if I didn't, I can still remember what the three buttons do...
While the extra 10 percent may be useful in really rare scenarios, overall, the changes are way too minuscule to justify an update for most people, so, if you just bought the mark 1, don't worry about it.
To me, Maybe if it could do two amps, it would consider it... And specifically just because of the audio gap when switching amp channels, which is the only notable issue i have with the FM3...
Still, i wonder when they will enable the USB A, because that thing could be a huge advantage over the FM9 and Axe FX 3 when enabled... So much potential there. It has been YEARS, and even a mark 2 announcement, and that port still does nothing!
True- nothing much to see here. FM9 would be better.
Just curious, what would you use the usba port for?
@@Steve-qn8gn There are plenty of ways it could be used...
For example, connecting a flashdrive to it for porting or backing up presets, or even loading firmware, without using a computer.
It could be used to store backing tracks, that could directly play on the FM3...
Or for the simplest thing: Provide 5V to charge a phone, or to power a lamp, or other devices that take 5V on your pedalboard...
@@pauliusmscichauskas558 I can see a couple of those being useful to people that don’t have a computer nearby.
Could you please share the exact model of the Music Man guitar (not bass) that you are using?
just got my waitlist try to get the product
I was hoping for dual amp features. Bummer
the waitlist is definitely turning people away, it’s been way to long! I’m excited but also super frustrated. ship them out already!
I plug a hotone ampero mp100 threw my pa mixer and sounds absolutely pathetic. And the mg30 .so how doze it work for one of these doze any one no on RUclips thk
Does it go on sale for Black Friday by any chance?
They're $100 off on the fractal site right now.
What is the lead tone you're using?
Does anyone know if the FM3 Turbo and FM9 Turbo have the same processors?
Cool ! Missing just 1 footswitch
STILL waiting on FM9 dynacabs!
They are here. Where have you been?
@@MOAB-UT So you have the worlds only FM9 with dynacabs?
@@r.llynch4124 Do some research before looking silly. They are out for the FM9 and FM3. ruclips.net/video/hp0efcScdYs/видео.html&ab_channel=RoshRoslin
Do i have to have a laptop to use this? I only want to use the unit itself.
What we need is a Pitch changing vibrato, if it is possible in a modeller.
Of course it is possible
I kind of see it as a Mk3 somewhat…the MK1 didn’t have a headphone Jack. Then they released a second version with it. 🤷🏻♂️
The FM3 came out in 2019, so after 4 years the best we can get in this footprint is a 10% bump in CPU? Hardly worth the effort to promote it. Fractal should just make a slightly larger unit (like 4 switches instead of 3) that allows for a bigger processor and better cooling... call it the FM4 or something.
Amazing!!
10%? Lol
LOL- exactly.
My own personal feeling about these "Mark II" and "Turbo" versions of existing products (particularly for the Axe-Fx) is that while their very obvious aim is to milk more money from what's essentially an existing product, it also allows them to very deliberately delay what everyone really wants - a new product. The Axe-Fx 3 launched over 5 years ago...come on Fractal, where's the Axe-Fx 4 ? !!!
There was a 7 year gap between the axefx2 and the axefx3. Keep in mind, digital can only get so good. Once it’s identical to analog, the only upgrades from that point will be the UI itself. Not really much point to release an axefx4 when the axefx3 is already so close. From here, is just pushing processing power and overal user experience versus “better” tonal quality.
No 2 Amp ! 👀
Only Fm 9
NOT in this lifetime.
No price increase I suppose... Am I wrong?
No price increase
Sorry man, but during your demonstration you're comparing apples to bananas. It didn't make clear what's the actual dsp difference between the units, because you exchanged this for that and then add another this while removing another that, etc. The new lcds are cool, but it seems to me that the dsp is more a manufacturer convenience (for the availability of parts) than an upgrade. Anyway, Fractal rocks, it's a cool unit.
That's annoying. I only just bought the FM3 2 months ago 🤬
I would be very annoyed. Bigger display is nice too. Sell it and get a FM9.
@@MOAB-UT That's exactly what I intend to do. 👍
@@JonGUK Good move. At this point though, I would hold tight until they release the MKII version. Even the MKI FM3 will hold good value. Near me they are selling used MKI's on Reverb for 20%+ over list price.
I was on the wait list for one year, then finally bought the FM9- LOVED it but did not love the UI. I sold it after a few months of playing around with it. I did not lose a dime. I will definitely replace it once Cliff updates that antiquated UI. The FM-9 Edit software works well but editing on the unit was not fun. I am not a pro. I mostly play at my coffee table so to me that mattered. To others it may not.
By contrast, the UI's on both the Ampero II and MG-30 are very nice- very intuitive. Ampero II has a beautiful touchscreen and both units are dirt cheap. Paid $200 for my MG-30 used via GC and it is actually quite decent- especially the cleans with some light reverb/delay. I prefer it over the Ampero II- very low DSP and the dirt sounded bad. My plan is to use the MG-30 to tie me over until Fractal updates that UI. I just can't live with paying nearly $2k, $1845 delivered/tax and hate the UI every time I turn it on. The full Helix and Helix Native PI is very decent- but not quite the same league as Fractals- especially in the effects department. It also has a superior UI. When you have to pay $99 for a 15+ hour course by Cooper Carter just to learn how to use the thing (FM9), you know the UI is not intuitive. IMHO Cliff & Co. spent the last ten years of their time developing world-class tone on the FM3 (way underpowered), FM9 and Axe-Fx III. They succeeded in that area but neglected the hardware/UI side.
Either way- these are great middle class problems to have. I still say it's a great time to be a guitar player in 2023. I anticipate 2024/2025 will be an even better time...Bluetooth on most modern units, full color, touchscreens and AI e.g., built in song presets named after real songs- easier way to dial in those tones. The set list feature Fractal introduced was a nice touch- do you use that much?
Cheers!
@@MOAB-UT I've never used the setlist function. I generally set up one patch for a gig with one amp and cab and all the pedals that I might need, and the rest of it is switching pickups and riding the volume pots on the guitar etc to get clean sounds. I approach it in the same way that I do when I use a real amp...one core sound and a couple pedals and that's it. You are right, it is a great time to be a guitar player with all the equipment that is available to us now.
@@JonGUK Very cool. Whatever works for you. You sound great.
Thanks you 👩🦱
Love fractal but have to call it as I see it……not impressed with this at all. And I mean that as someone having an FM3.
FAIL. 10% more DSP is not nearly enough. Larger fonts is nice but should have been there from the get go. Nothing much to see here. A FM9 Turbo still easily beats this. A FM9 TURBO MKII with more DSP, Larger display and a NEW UI would be compelling. FM6 MK II Turbo would be even better as we would all enjoy a smaller form factor.
And what is the deal with these ongoing and annoying Fractal waitlists? Market and sell a product when you have said product ready to go.
🤡