Axe-FX (A Love Story?) Rd.1

[DrewJD82]

I was actually getting close to pulling the trigger. Then our cat died. On my daughter’s birthday. So I spent about a million dollars on toys for her instead. As you do.

Sorry about the keek, man.
(I call all cats keek, don't even know why)

 

[SwirlyMaple]

I was actually getting close to pulling the trigger. Then our cat died. On my daughter’s birthday. So I spent about a million dollars on toys for her instead. As you do.

I’m really sorry man. Losing pets is tough, especially when you have to help kids through it.

 

[mbenigni]

I’m really sorry man. Losing pets is tough, especially when you have to help kids through it.

Thanks, man. It’s so true.

(Also true: this website needs a heart emoji sans a big stupid grin.)

 

[Whizzinby]

Is it me or is the FM3 quiet? I keep the volume knobs dimed on the unit, and still have to crank my speakers to get it to a decent level. Looks like the output defaults to -10db, I’m assuming I should raise that to get it to produce more output by default? What are you guys setting it to?

 

[unix-guy]

Is it me or is the FM3 quiet? I keep the volume knobs dimed on the unit, and still have to crank my speakers to get it to a decent level. Looks like the output defaults to -10db, I’m assuming I should raise that to get it to produce more output by default? What are you guys setting it to?

Set it to +4dB if your speakers can take pro level input. That may in fact be optimal for your speakers.

It's not quiet...

Also, is this with factory or custom presets?

 

[Whizzinby]

Set it to +4dB if your speakers can take pro level input. That may in fact be optimal for your speakers.

It's not quiet...

Also, is this with factory or custom presets?

Combination of both factory and custom. I’ll try to raise it to 0 and see if that works.

 

[Mongillo19]

Combination of both factory and custom. I’ll try to raise it to 0 and see if that works.

Yeah the QC is by far more quiet than the FM3 in my experience. Using output 1 or 2?

 

[Whizzinby]

Yeah the QC is by far more quiet than the FM3 in my experience. Using output 1 or 2?

Need to check but I use the main outs and I don’t think I’ve ever built anything not using Out1 but I can check some of the factory patches I’ve used.

 

[Mongillo19]

Need to check but I use the main outs and I don’t think I’ve ever built anything not using Out1 but I can check some of the factory patches I’ve used.

I think output 2 may be setup for unity gain so just wanted to make sure!

 

[unix-guy]

I think output 2 may be setup for unity gain so just wanted to make sure!

By default, it is... But there is an option for making it Line Level.

 

[Mongillo19]

By default, it is... But there is an option for making it Line Level.

Yeah for sure. Just wanted to make sure Whizz wasn't on output 2 and had default settings on

 

[TravisG406]

Combination of both factory and custom. I’ll try to raise it to 0 and see if that works.

Here's where you change to +4 on output 1:

Output 1 is ready to be connected to consumerline level inputs (-10 dbV). If you are connecting to professional-grade equipment operating at +4dBu, set the nominal output levels as follows: Open SETUP: I/O: Audio Adjust Output 1: Output Level to +4dBu

Output 2 has both LINE LEVEL and UNITY gain settings. Open SETUP: I/O: Audio to set Output 2 Type to the desired mode. In LINE LEVEL mode, Out 2 has -10 and +4 settings as described above for Out 1. For UNITY GAIN operation, set the top panel OUT 2 knob fully clockwise.

 

[luckymethod]

Channels. The blocks all seem to have A-D, I’m assuming I can save custom settings for each block under those channels?

• Looks like the cab blocks has four channels too, if so that’s badass to have four different settings of different cabs.

it's not just different settings of the same amp, you can have 4 different models loaded in ABCD. Think of the amp block as a 4 channel amplifier that you can load with whatever model and set it as you please. Same story for every other block type - except inputs and outputs, looper and some other special case I think? it's that kind of stuff that you use every day but if you don't have it in front of your face it's hard to remember.

 

[luckymethod]

Number of blocks and channels...

View attachment 11894

this is super useful, I never realized the FM3 didn't have the IR player and the vocoder for example since I have an Axe 3.

 

[luckymethod]

I’ve had enough good first impressions with gear to be cautiously optimistic when I dig something initially, but…


These may be the best clean tones I’ve gotten from any piece of gear I’ve ever owned.

yeah well, wait a few minutes and you'll find out you're getting also the best crunch and high gain tones from any piece of gear you ever owned. I was a pretty happy Helix user and I got an axe 3 cause someone local was selling one cheap and I thought to myself "worst case I'll just resell it".

The onboard UI repulsed me immediately and for a couple days I was just trying to figure out if I wanted to put it back in the box immediately or give it a try. Then I started making experiments... this thing sounds good. Then I tried going back to the Helix and the more I bounced between them the less I liked the Line6 unit.

In about 2 weeks the Helix was listed on Reverb (I still own a stomp, that thing is unbeatable as far as feature / size ratio goes).

 

[luckymethod]

• Does it immediately sound significantly better than my Helix Floor, without comparing them side by side in an A/B? Nope. The most noticeable thing to me is a slight difference in the attack, sustain and decay of amp distortion. It’s a bit smoother than Helix, and the decay of distortion on held notes tapers off in a more cohesive way. On some Helix amp models, the decay kinda hits a point where it falls off and gets brittle, making the “warts” sound more disconnected (e.g. ye olde squirrels of yore).

this confuses me, you say it doesn't sound better but then you go into how it actually sounds better in very specific ways (which I agree with completely). Another non obvious aspect is imho the grain of the distortion is a LOT more realistic on the fractal, it's hard to notice when you don't have a reference but when playing loud with someone with a real amp in the room the helix sort of vanishes while the fractal does a much better impersonation. I'm not sure WHAT is the difference but it's there and it's hard to ignore once you learn to hear it.

 

[Whizzinby]

Here's where you change to +4 on output 1:

Output 1 is ready to be connected to consumerline level inputs (-10 dbV). If you are connecting to professional-grade equipment operating at +4dBu, set the nominal output levels as follows: Open SETUP: I/O: Audio Adjust Output 1: Output Level to +4dBu

Output 2 has both LINE LEVEL and UNITY gain settings. Open SETUP: I/O: Audio to set Output 2 Type to the desired mode. In LINE LEVEL mode, Out 2 has -10 and +4 settings as described above for Out 1. For UNITY GAIN operation, set the top panel OUT 2 knob fully clockwise.

I’m confused re: “professional grade equipment”.

I run the FM3 to a Tascam Model 12 mixer which routes to a pair of Adam Audio T7V monitors.

 

[SwirlyMaple]

this confuses me, you say it doesn't sound better but then you go into how it actually sounds better in very specific ways (which I agree with completely).

Well, I had some important qualifiers in that sentence: “Does it immediately sound significantly better than my Helix Floor, without comparing them side by side in an A/B?” The point was, in isolation and not being able to A/B them, the differences I do hear would be less obvious. They’re real, but without a reference for comparison, it wouldn’t be as easy to notice them in the Helix. This is subjective of course, and is just my opinion. (I should also add that the more I’ve used the Fractal, the more apparent these differences have become to me.)

Another non obvious aspect is imho the grain of the distortion is a LOT more realistic on the fractal, it's hard to notice when you don't have a reference

I really like the word you used there: the “grain” of the distortion. I kept trying to think of a way to describe it, but grain is the perfect descriptor. I agree completely with you — the grain of Fractal’s distortion sounds very natural compared to real amps, and I hear it especially in the sustain and decay.

 

[Frodebro]

I’m confused re: “professional grade equipment”.

I run the FM3 to a Tascam Model 12 mixer which routes to a pair of Adam Audio T7V monitors.

Don’t worry about the word salad, just set your output to +4dB. If your interface doesn’t like it you’ll know, but chances are it will be fine.

 

[SwirlyMaple]

I’m confused re: “professional grade equipment”.

I run the FM3 to a Tascam Model 12 mixer which routes to a pair of Adam Audio T7V monitors.

Don’t worry about the word salad, just set your output to +4dB. If your interface doesn’t like it you’ll know, but chances are it will be fine.

Here’s the specs for your mixer inputs. +4 dBu is the nominal line input level for your mixer. That’s what the Fractal manual is calling “professional grade.”