Fractal Audio Systems mystery product speculation

[JiveTurkey]

Matt's not here aka Matt Schmatt

 

[SillyOctpuss]

All will be revealed next week.

It does have channels and scenes and presets, etc. but in a simplified approach. It's primary application is live performance and the UI was designed with that in mind.

It sounds very good. It has the analog path from the Axe-Fx III (which evolved from the FX-8). Beta testers report that it "plays nicely" with difficult fx loops.

I, personally, would release the manual but Matt would probably kill me.

Here's a teaser:
View attachment 30551

Well I already know I'm buying this.

@FractalAudio is the audio path from the axe-fx iii different from the fm3?

 

[Orvillain]

I hesitate to post this.... but now I need to consider whether this can do everything I need, versus my Meris LVX and MercuryX....

Assuming it gives you all of the Axe3's delays and effects, and assuming I can load multiple of them at once...... that might be a good trade off.

 

[Whizzinby]

I hesitate to post this.... but now I need to consider whether this can do everything I need, versus my Meris LVX and MercuryX....

Assuming it gives you all of the Axe3's delays and effects, and assuming I can load multiple of them at once...... that might be a good trade off.

Up to 4 effects simultaneously, per Cliff a few pages back

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I never really thought about the fractal drives before. Anyone who already owns a fractal want to chime in? How do they stack up against analogue pedals in front of an amp?

 

[Mongillo19]

I never really thought about the fractal drives before. Anyone who already owns a fractal want to chime in? How do they stack up against analogue pedals in front of an amp?

You won't like my answer but I prefer analog drives. They are fine though!

I still don't think a digital device has nailed fuzz just yet.

I sub to @JiveTurkey analog up front digital in the loop

 

[fetishfrog]

It sounds very good. It has the analog path from the Axe-Fx III (which evolved from the FX-8). Beta testers report that it "plays nicely" with difficult fx loops.

I know there was an issue with the FX8 and the Fryette Power Stations not playing nicely, due to incompatible design decisions. Do you know if anyone tested this with a Power Station?

Can you play Doom on it?

If you can't, you have no business dooming.

 

[Desertdweller]

Up to 4 effects simultaneously, per Cliff a few pages back

I’m wondering if that includes gates. You can put a gate on the input block in the Axe FX, I wonder if you can do the same here. That would save 1 effect block if so.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

You won't like my answer but I prefer analog drives. They are fine though!

I still don't think a digital device has nailed fuzz just yet.

I sub to @JiveTurkey analog up front digital in the loop

It's the answer I was expecting. I think the ODs in the Helix are decent but like you I've never heard a digital solution that's come close to nailing a fuzz face or tone bender.

 

[fetishfrog]

I never really thought about the fractal drives before. Anyone who already owns a fractal want to chime in? How do they stack up against analogue pedals in front of an amp?

In the AxeIII they sound great. They clean up well too, even the fuzzes when you use the variable input impedance. Fingers crossed for variable impedance on this.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

In the AxeIII they sound great. They clean up well too, even the fuzzes when you use the variable input impedance. Fingers crossed for variable impedance on this.

Is that with the amp models in the axe fx or into the front of a valve amp?

 

[Mongillo19]

In the AxeIII they sound great. They clean up well too, even the fuzzes when you use the variable input impedance. Fingers crossed for variable impedance on this.

Yes I will say the clean up on the volume roll back is very nice!

I just don't think they capture the chaotic, richness/fullness of an analog fuzz

 

[Frankencat]

All will be revealed next week.

It does have channels and scenes and presets, etc. but in a simplified approach. It's primary application is live performance and the UI was designed with that in mind.

It sounds very good. It has the analog path from the Axe-Fx III (which evolved from the FX-8). Beta testers report that it "plays nicely" with difficult fx loops.

I, personally, would release the manual but Matt would probably kill me.

Here's a teaser:
View attachment 30551

I still think this is the greatest troll thread ever.

 

[duzie]

Oh my

 

[fetishfrog]

Is that with the amp models in the axe fx or into the front of a valve amp?

I've only ever used them with the models.

 

[JiveTurkey]

@SillyOctpuss and @Mongillo19 ; I think the FAS drives are as good as you are going to get in the digital world. Lot of people preach on the HX stuff but the disembodied notes are real on those, imo. I still prefer analog drives but if I am keeping it in the box (especially); FAS drives are awesome. Fuzz is particular and I definitely don't have a discerning ear on that front.

 

[FractalAudio]

It's the answer I was expecting. I think the ODs in the Helix are decent but like you I've never heard a digital solution that's come close to nailing a fuzz face or tone bender.

No digital device will do a fuzz properly because the input impedance is nonlinear. Digital devices necessarily have an input buffer. I will say our conventional, buffered, drive models are great.

 

[Orvillain]

Up to 4 effects simultaneously, per Cliff a few pages back

I looked and couldn't see this?!

 

[jellodog]

Well I for one have seen enough to believe that I'm gonna love this device!

 

[Frankencat]

Yes this is compelling for sure but as a happy FM3 user, why would I want this?