Fractal Talk

Warning: going through big time zone change and possibly overthinking.

A while back, I wanted to move away from USB recording with the FM3. The idea is to have the FM3 permanently connected to be able to use as an insert, while keeping Input1 free to connect my guitar.

I hooked up my FM3 to my audio interface just now, in the following manner:

Guitar --> Input1
Audio Interface Line Out to Reamp Box --> FM3 Input2L
FM3 Output1L --> Audio Interface Line In 1
FM3 Output2L --> Audio Interface Line In 2

This way, I could monitor the effected mono signal of Output1 in my DAW, and get a clean DI signal using a split to Output2 (set to line level). I can later reamp into Input2 and have the Option of going either Output1 or Output2 depending how the patch is set up.

I needed to to do all sorts of level gymnastics, but I think having the FM3 connected this way this the way to go for me for recording. With FM3 USB recording, the sample offset issue along with having to change audio interfaces on PC has been too cumbersome so far.

I need to boost my signal by ~2.5dB for true unity gain going from Input1 to Output2L. From the Input calibration thread, the typical observed input of Input1 is about 17.5-17.75dBu. The FM3 manual says that the Output2 jacks are rated 20dBu. I think this is the level difference I'm experiencing. Or maybe I'm doing something wrong along the way.

There also seems to be about a 5dB difference between Input1 and Input2, which is also documented in the Input Calibration thread.

Just slight level differences of a few dB, but enough of a difference in amp response to make me investigate instead of trying to sleep. I think I can now record a DI at Helix levels, and switch between Helix Native and the FM3 as a hardware insert somewhat quickly through a template.

Anyone else run their FM3 this way? Or figure out a workflow for reamping without USB?
 
His avatar tag should be changed from "aint bought shit" to "mr. nothingburger"........has a certain ring to it.......
laugh.gif
 
While everyone is sad because they really need 5 effects to play in their bedroom, FAS dropped a stealth FM3 update with improved pitch shifting and other stuff!


VERSION 9.01
October 11, 2024

IMPORTANT: If updating from a firmware version prior to 9.0 you will need to upgrade to the current Dyna-Cab models which requires you to install two separate files:
1) the main firmware, and 2) a separate Dyna-Cab file. To install both files using automatic download, please use the version of Fractal-Bot that is built into the latest release of FM3-Edit. https://www.fractalaudio.com/fm3-edit

NOTE: FM3 Firmware 9.x and subsequent versions are a different size compared to 8.x and earlier versions.
Should you ever need to downgrade from 9.x or newer to 8.x or older, a special process is required. See this article:

NEW FEATURES & UPDATES

EFFECT BLOCK UPDATES

o Filter Block Updates

Added a Touch Wah type to the Filter block. This is similar to the Envelope Filter but uses a different type of
detector and voltage-to-frequency converter. This type can be used to create interesting touch-sensitive filter
sounds. It can also be used to replicate the Korg A3 Touch Wah sound as follows:
Set Mode to MIX
Set Start Freq to maximum. Set Stop Frequency to minimum.
Start with a fairly high Attack Time, around 500ms.
Set Release Time to around 200ms.
Adjust Sensitivity to taste.
Added the Auto-Wah type to the Filter block. This is based on the same "circuit" as the Envelope Filter but
replaces the detector with an LFO.
Added LFO Tempo control to the Filter block.

o Improved the Auto-Swell type in Volume block. Added Release time and Hysteresis controls to allow fine-tuning to playing style. Hysteresis controls how much extra the signal must fall below the threshold before the detector releases.

o Changed the Envelope Follower in the Megatap, Multitap, and Plex blocks to use the same algorithm as the improved Auto-Swell algorithm in the Volume block. The purpose of the Envelope Follower is to generate volume swells.

o Added Crossfade Time control to the Crystal Echoes type in Pitch Block.

o Improved pitch shifting.

o New Sample/Hold Delay Plex Delay type added.

OTHER UPDATES

o Added a Send MIDI Clock option.

o Added a Receive MIDI Clock option. This can be configured to receive MIDI beat clock messages or ignore them.

o Added activity sensing to internal pedals, FC pedals and external controllers. This stops Auto-Engage from activating an effect if the pedal/controller is not connected. This prevents, for example, a Wah being engaged if Auto-Engage is on but no pedal is connected (i.e., you left your expression pedal at home).

o Improved tuner. The new algorithm is faster and more accurate.

o Added selectable Tuner color theme.

o Added date and time to the version information returned to FM3-Edit. This obviates the need to manually select "Refresh After New Firmware" if updating from beta releases (requires updated FM3-Edit).

o Now when loading a preset that was created using a previous firmware version the preset number will be shown in inverted text on the large font home GUI. This indicates that the preset needs to be saved under the current firmware to update it for compatibility with "Gapless Changes – ALL". Presets created and saved with the currently running firmware also load faster in general.

FIXES

o Fixed LFO Phase not working for Vibe modes in the Phaser block.

o Corrected the VU meter display operation for Out2 on the routing grid view, zoom mode
 
Testing the pitch shifter right now. Default settings: cleans could work in a live mix and high gain actually sounds pretty good! I wonder if there's still a difference compared to axe III and fm9 or if the new algorithms are just much more efficient?
 
Damn, the gap between updates on all 3 units has gotten considerably smaller in the last several updates. While I've never owned an FM3, it's already surpassed what I assumed the limits of it were, specifically with the pitch block. Fractal is killin' it, as usual!
 
Damn, the gap between updates on all 3 units has gotten considerably smaller in the last several updates. While I've never owned an FM3, it's already surpassed what I assumed the limits of it were, specifically with the pitch block. Fractal is killin' it, as usual!
Not gonna lie; I’ve got FM3 on my watch list. It’d be a nice addition to my man-purse. Either that or the requisite HX Stomp.
 
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