Fractal Audio Systems mystery product speculation

[James Freeman]

I mean, is it THAT game changing compared to the existing FM line that he just HAD to gig with it?
Because a "gig test" is quite dangerous for professional acts if shit hits the fan.

 

[Piing]

Surely they give at least two shits?

T-shirts? Where can I claim mine?

 

[OrganicZed]

The "we don't need another FX8" crew already flipped

Not me. I’m an FX8 owner and I still think that releasing an effects only unit is not a winning idea. I could see it selling well if it s small, inexpensive, and innovative. We shall see.

 

[fiftyshadesofslay]

Just release the damn thing already! A small FX unit with Fractal effects would be a day one purchase for me.

Well, day one in the UK which would really be 6 months later and twice the price, but still, I’m in.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

I mean, is it THAT game changing compared to the existing FM line that he just HAD to gig with it?
Because a "gig test" is quite dangerous for professional acts if shit hits the fan.

Not game changing, but I would guess one doesn't build the kind of relationship he has with as many companies he has by drawing a line in the sand with "not gonna gig with it until others have".

 

[Los-D]

I mean, is it THAT game changing compared to the existing FM line that he just HAD to gig with it?
Because a "gig test" is quite dangerous for professional acts if shit hits the fan.

Oh, what if the UI/UX is worth it?

 

[James Freeman]

Oh, what if the UI/UX is worth it?

We are talking about a Fractal right?

 

[mbenigni]

If it’s an FX4, I will buy it in a split second. No hesitation, no questions asked.

What would an FX4 offer that an FM3 doesn't already offer? Apart from an extra footswitch? Wouldn't an FX unit be a subset of the functionality of an FM unit?

Or is this based on the assumption that an FX4 would be significantly cheaper?

 

[laxu]

What would an FX4 offer that an FM3 doesn't already offer? Apart from an extra footswitch? Wouldn't an FX unit be a subset of the functionality of an FM unit?

• Extra footswitch goes a long way. 4 gives you 4/8 scenes, 3 scenes + tuner etc. That's a significant convenience over having to deal with hold functions and a whole footswitch navigation system to do things.
• Smaller size is good. FM3 is quite tall and bulky to go nicely on a pedalboard IMO.
• Potentially easier usability. I tried using the FM3 as my fx box for a bit and just got frustrated working the effects from the onboard UI.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

What would an FX4 offer that an FM3 doesn't already offer? Apart from an extra footswitch? Wouldn't an FX unit be a subset of the functionality of an FM unit?

Or is this based on the assumption that an FX4 would be significantly cheaper?

All accounts are the FM3 isn’t the most transparent or easiest to use in 4CM with amps.

 

[mbenigni]

That's a good point, so maybe there's amps after all!

I will say this much: it's not a replacement for any of our current products.

People who would like to sell their used FM3s this month are pulling their hair out, trying to resolve these two observations...

 

[OrganicZed]

What would an FX4 offer that an FM3 doesn't already offer? Apart from an extra footswitch? Wouldn't an FX unit be a subset of the functionality of an FM unit?

Or is this based on the assumption that an FX4 would be significantly cheaper?

I would guess that they would include relays for amp channel switching and they would have the proper converters for use in 4CM. It has been stated by FAS that the FM3 is inferior to the Axe-FX III and FM9 for use in 4CM because the hardware is different.

 

[mbenigni]

All accounts are the FM3 isn’t the most transparent or easiest to use in 4CM with amps.

That's interesting, since I keep reading (here) that the QC sucks for 4CM leveling, etc., and the FM3 is the preferred solution. (Though "better" does not necessarily imply "good"?)

 

[Achilles]

What if it's just all bass amp models?

You know how TV commercials went 50 years before featuring a same sex or bi-racial couple in one?
And then once they finally did they started going overboard and making every 8 out of 10
commercial couples either same sex or bi-racial?

Maybe that's now FAS and how they plan on approaching bass?
Get ready for it......

Fractal Audio Systems BASS-AXE.

Nothing but bass stuff everywhere you look..... except for a few Marshall plexis tucked away somewhere.
And all updates for the next 18 months will be entirely dedicated to those long neglected low end algorithms.

And to kick things off a new ad blitz will commence featuring a true Mount Rushmore bass icon:

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

That's interesting, since I keep reading (here) that the QC sucks for 4CM leveling, etc., and the FM3 is the preferred solution. (Though "better" does not necessarily imply "good"?)

I think it’s the rare bird that people LIKE to use in 4cm. The FM9 and Axe III both have dedicated “unity gain” outputs specifically optimized for 4CM.

 

[Jarick]

FM3 also has a big chunk of DSP dedicated to amps. That’s one cool thing with HX Stomp, if you run effects only you can take advantage of the DSP. Depending on what the product is, more flexibility may be a draw.

Honestly even if it was just an FM3 in smaller housing with four switches I’d be pretty interested in it. FM3 has enough power for almost anything I need but it’s awkward to incorporate with other devices.

 

[Achilles]

Honestly even if it was just an FM3 in smaller housing with four switches I’d be pretty interested in it. FM3 has enough power for almost anything I need but it’s awkward to incorporate with other devices.

Stay focused on the facts people!

 

[Orvillain]

What would an FX4 offer that an FM3 doesn't already offer? Apart from an extra footswitch? Wouldn't an FX unit be a subset of the functionality of an FM unit?

Or is this based on the assumption that an FX4 would be significantly cheaper?

It would doubtless have the secret sauce I/O stuff from the Axe3. Which means it would play nicer with other bits of gear. That in itself is a highly valuable thing.

It must surely have some workflow improvements and a user experience that has been thought carefully about. But we'll have to see.

FM3 is too big to put on a pedalboard.

 

[Orvillain]

That's interesting, since I keep reading (here) that the QC sucks for 4CM leveling, etc., and the FM3 is the preferred solution. (Though "better" does not necessarily imply "good"?)

I have covered this in the footage for my QC video review. I've compared the Helix, Axe3, and QC for their baseline noise floor performance. The QC is quite a bit poorer in this regard than the other two units. The FX loop sends boost the signal, but even when you account for that fact by turning down the send level, you still get a lot of noise.

 

[JiveTurkey]

It would doubtless have the secret sauce I/O stuff from the Axe3. Which means it would play nicer with other bits of gear. That in itself is a highly valuable thing.

It must surely have some workflow improvements and a user experience that has been thought carefully about. But we'll have to see.

FM3 is too big to put on a pedalboard.

Hold my Terra