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The Modern Family

Choose from three fantastic products, each based on the same leading-edge technologies by Fractal Audio Systems.

 

axe fxfm9fm3

Product Comparison Table

   Axe-Fx III Mk 2  FM9 FM3 
Form Factor   19″ 3U Rackmount unit.  Floor unit. Nine footswitches.  Compact floor unit. Three footswitches.
Power  The world’s most powerful dedicated guitar processor, by far. Capability to build large, complex rigs of the utmost quality.  The most powerful floor unit we’ve ever created. Four-core DSP architecture places it in a sweet spot between Axe-Fx III and FM3.  Compact but capable! Two DSP cores to run full presets including an amp and cab sim, plus enough effects to build exciting virtual pedalboards.
Signal Path    Every Fractal Audio processor is designed and built to our proven high standards, without compromise, for audiophile level sound quality that professionals around the globe have come to rely on for Stage, Studio, and Standalone applications. Ultra low noise and harmonic distortion, extremely high quality converters, and more.
User Interface    All products in this family are easy to use, with a simple, common interface that is fast, intuitive, and consistent.
Dedicated hardware controls and a large, rich-color display are designed for comfort, clarity, and control.
In addition, our best-in-class software editors provide an enhanced experience comparable to that of the world’s best pro audio software.
“Performance Controls” allow you to assign knobs to your choice of controls for adjusting on the fly like a real amp or pedalboard.
Amp Models    289+ models. Industry-leading Cygnus Amp Modeling recreates analog circuits in painstaking detail, down to individual components to create virtual tubes, tone stacks, transformers, and more. Separate Preamp and Power amp modeling provide unmatched realism and incredibley accurate tone and feel even as you adjust controls.
Amp Blocks   TWO amp blocks with four channels each. (Up to eight models per preset.)
Allows layered tones, stereo amps, instant switching, and more.		  ONE amp block with four channels that can be set to any model with extremely fast channel switching.
Speaker Simulation    UltraRes™ offers enhanced resolution/resonance in the critical low end without intolerable latency.
All current products contain a library of 2,048 cabs, plus 189 “legacy” cabs from the Axe-Fx II/AX8.
Cab Blocks per Preset Two blocks allow you to blend and phase-align four IRs each, plus two mini “IR Player” blocks with one IR each. Two blocks allow blending and aligning two IRs each (including stereo mode). One blocks allow blending and aligning two IRs (including stereo mode).
Factory/User Cabs 2237 factory / 2048 user 2237 factory / 1024 user 2237 factory / 1024 user
Reverb per Preset 2 Reverb blocks 2 Reverb blocks 1 Reverb block
Delay Blocks
per Preset		 4 Delay blocks 2 Delay blocks 2 Delay blocks
Delay Types 30+ including mono, stereo, digital, analog bucket brigade, tape, Sweep, Lo-fi, Quad Tap, Ten Tap, Megatap, Rhythm Tap, and many more.
Drive Blocks
per Preset		 4 Drive blocks 3 Drive blocks 2 Drive blocks
Drive Technology Drive pedals on Fractal Audio products utilize the same ultra-detailed techniques used in our amp blocks.
The current lineup includes almost 60 different classic vintage and cutting edge models; fuzz, overdrive, distortion, boost, and more.
Mod FX 2 x Chorus, 2x Flanger, 2x Rotary, 2x Tremolo/Panner, 2x Phaser, and more.
Pitch FX Detune, Virtual Capo, Intelligent/Diatonic Harmonizer, Fixed Shifter, Crystals, Octave Divider, Dual and Quad Detune, and more.
Other FX A LOT!! Wahs, EQs, Filters, Compressors, Gates, Plex/Shimmer, Looper, and many more. (Link to Blocks Count Chart).
Control & Automation All products use Fractal Audio’s MODIFIER system of remote control and automation. MIDI, Pedals, Switches, LFOs, ADSRs, Sequencers, and more can all be used to operate countless sound parameter combinations in totally customizeable ways. A creative effect lover’s paradise!
Preset Translation Can run FM9 and FM3 presets Can run FM3 presets. Can run some Axe-Fx III presets within the limits of block inventory and CPU. Can run some Axe-Fx III and FM9 presets within the limits of block inventory and CPU.
# of Presets 1024 512 512
Preset Grid Size 14×6 14×6 12×4
IR Capture Yes. The Axe-Fx III has the capability to capture impulse responses of the tone of real cabinets, speakers, mics, and more. No, but FM9 can load IRs captured on Axe-Fx III. No, but FM3 can load IRs captured on Axe-Fx III.
Tone Matching Yes. The Tone Match block shapes the sound of a preset to match a reference signal, such as a recording or the feed from a mic, a live amp, and more. No, but FM9 can load captures exported from Axe-Fx III. No, but FM3 can load captures exported from Axe-Fx III.
Footswitches None, but supports connected FC controllers. Nine (9); Each with customizable Tap and Hold function, LCD Mini Display, and colored LED ring,
“Layouts” give you nine full sets of footswitch settings.
Change layout on the fly for incredible flexibility.		 Three (3); Each with customizable Tap and Hold function, LCD Mini Display, and colored LED ring,
“Layouts” give you nine full sets of footswitch settings.
Change layout on the fly for incredible flexibility.
FASLINK II Connect up to 4 FC Controllers Connect up to 2 FC Controllers Connect up to 2 FC Controllers
Expression Jacks Two, each supports one pedal or one switch Three, each supports one pedal or one switch Two, each supports one pedal or two switches
MIDI All current Fractal Audio products have a rich MIDI implementation. MIDI can be used to control the units, including preset/scene/channel changing plus hundreds of expression options, and they can also transmit MIDI messages to other connected devices.
Analog Ins (8)
Dual 1/4″ Instrument (front overrides rear)
In 2: Stereo XLR
In 3: Stereo 1/4″ (bal.)
In 4: Stereo 1/4″  (bal.)		 (5)
In 1: 1/4″ Instrument
In 2: Stereo XLR
In 3: Stereo 1/4″ (bal.)		 (3)
In 1: 1/4″ Instrument
In 2: Stereo 1/4″ (bal.)
Analog Outs (8)
Dual 1/4″ Instrument (front overrides rear)
In 2: Stereo XLR
In 3: Stereo 1/4″ (bal.)
In 4: Stereo 1/4″  (bal.)		 (5)
In 1: 1/4″ Instrument
In 2: Stereo XLR
In 3: Stereo 1/4″ (bal.)		 (3)
In 1: 1/4″ Instrument
In 2: Stereo 1/4″ (bal.)
Auto Input Impedance Yes. This changes the actual
analog circuitry of the INSTR input jack to interact differently with guitar pickups based on the first effect block in the preset.		 No
Works w. Amps All current Fractal Audio products are also designed to work with traditional amps in setups like the “four-cable method” hybrid rig. You can also use the power section of your amp or a standalone power amp to run models into a guitar cab instead of full range speakers.
Digital SPDIF In, SPDIF Out, AES In, AES Out SPDIF In, SPDIF Out SPDIF Out
USB 8×8: Playback, Record, and Reamp/Process
Plus USB-over-MIDI for DAW/phone control		 8×8: Playback, Record, and Reamp/Process
Plus USB-over-MIDI for DAW/phone control		 4×4: Playback, Record, and Reamp/Process
Dims 482.6mm W. × 131.1mm H. × 292.9mm D.
6.87 kg		 51.2cm W. × 10.3cm H. × 23.7cm D.
5.44 kg		 281mm W. × 103mm H. × 236mm D.
3.3 kg
Editor Axe-Edit FM9-Edit FM3-Edit
Introduced 2020 Axe-Fx III Mark II
2018 Axe-Fx III Original		 2021 2019
Learn More Axe-Fx III FM9 FM3
Buy Now BUY NOW Wait List Details BUY NOW

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