Fractal Talk

[Frodebro]

am I missing something or is the max line output level of the FM3 relatively low?

I found I was having to run the class A/B Crown that I was using for a power amp louder than I thought I would to get a good rehearsal volume, but I chalked that up to putting it thru an 8ohm cab and my unfamiliarity with the amp. I was pretty happy with the sound and feel in the room though it really needs a 4x12 to feel real. Then I came across a Mesa Fifty-Fifty at a very decent price and jumped on it, but I'm pretty unsatisfied with how it's working - even with the FM3 turned up to levels where I'm getting output clip indicators, I'm having to run the Mesa at a much higher volume than I expected and it doesn't even seem to have the thump and dynamics that the Crown does. Turning off power amp modeling in the FM3 helps with the latter but the presets lose a lot of individual character. On both amps I've tried goosing the FM3s signal with an ART mic pre I had lying around and it seems to help with the slightly anemic feel of the output, but otherwise it's a pretty non-ideal solution.

So, that. Am I missing a magic button in the FM3 output stage, is it really kind of low-output, is this a problem with me trying to use 30-year-old power amp designs that want hot inputs...?

Go to settings and check to see if the output is set to -10 or +4. This will make a huge difference in the output. Also, check your gain staging through your signal chain. Make sure your preset isn’t attenuating the signal before it hits the output block.

 

[Tenebris]

Go to settings and check to see if the output is set to -10 or +4. This will make a huge difference in the output. Also, check your gain staging through your signal chain. Make sure your preset isn’t attenuating the signal before it hits the output block.

Just checking - by attenuating in this context, you mean I have one gain stage set rrrreeeaaallly low and then I have another cranked later, so that even though my overall output signal is high that's all headroom? That's what I think you're saying, I just want to make sure.

 

[AlbertA]

Didn’t sound very different to me - did a reamp and compared between 29 and 29.01 beta - it still warbles the same way in my small test case.

Actually, there's a slight improvement I noticed.

See the comparison I did here:
https://forum.fractalaudio.com/thre...-29-01-public-beta.214695/page-7#post-2696458

 

[Frodebro]

Just checking - by attenuating in this context, you mean I have one gain stage set rrrreeeaaallly low and then I have another cranked later, so that even though my overall output signal is high that's all headroom? That's what I think you're saying, I just want to make sure.

Gain staging, in very simple terms, just means making sure the signal stays consistent through the chain. If you have your output set to line, +4dB and the signal is still weak, that means that it is being dropped (attenuated) in one of the blocks in your chain. Most people set the overall volume of the chain at the amp block output, which typically defaults to -12dB. You might want to start there and see if it solves your volume issue. I typically use -6dB as a starting point.

 

[unix-guy]

Go to settings and check to see if the output is set to -10 or +4. This will make a huge difference in the output. Also, check your gain staging through your signal chain. Make sure your preset isn’t attenuating the signal before it hits the output block.

And use Output 1 or change Output from Unity Gain to Line Level.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Played the FM through my Archangel FR12 last night for the first time in month as I have been on modeler hiatus because amps. Still the best gear combo if you're doing modeling that there is

 

[mikah912]

Played the FM through my Archangel FR12 last night for the first time in month as I have been on modeler hiatus because amps. Still the best gear combo if you're doing modeling that there is

I've been doing more Helix stuff at home because I'm prepping myself for a switchover to the Stadium XL, BUT I just gigged the FM9 out a little while ago, and it was fantastic as always. All the tones are there, really. I'm in disbelief that there are still new pedals and amps being suggested in the Fractal wishlist subforums.

 

[iaresee]

Building a smaller board around my FM3 today because I feel like working with constraints and the smaller footprint would be good for me. Focus on playing, less on all the effects I can jam into a preset. Plus, who doesn't love less to carry?

 

[- ★ - BROCKSTAR - ★ -]

Made and shared a new block, because you know i love blocks! Nothing special but fun to me!

The Mother of All Effects Blocks Thread (Multi-Model Edition)

Ok I made a "freeze" block for my jazz preset I was making on my FM9 Turbo MKII. Should work fine for fm3/fm9/axefx3. I was trying to go for that old school dry and darker sounding ehx freeze type sound. You have to use a expression pedal in ext 1 / pedal 1 for the reverb mix and stack / hold...

forum.fractalaudio.com

 

[Dino334]

Been bouncing between my QC, ToneX, AxeFx3 and FM9...the AF3 has the latest FM and reverted back to 9.03 on the FM9 (I'll probably opt out of future FW's for the FM9 unless something spectacular comes along. This is the best FW this unit has had to date IMO). All I can say is I've gigged several times with the FM9 and get huge complements on my tones. For the size, form factor, switches, tones, effects, routing....nothing has topped my FM9 as of yet (QC would be a great contender if the form factor was a little better, namely the switches and their spacing). The AF3 is equally awesome but a lot more real estate to carry with the rack that has the Furman, wireless, matrix per amp, etc.

 

[iaresee]

Took the FM3 and an EV2 out to rehearsal tonight and daaaaamn so much fun to just stick on a simple preset on the FM3 and not dance around like I usually do. Might gig this next week now...

I have to resist my urge to throw a bunch of pedals on the FM3 "simple" setup and complicate the shit out of it.

 

[Stratzrus]

I have to resist my urge to throw a bunch of pedals on the FM3 "simple" setup and complicate the shit out of it.

I'm in the same situation with the Tone King Imperial Preamp.

Should I get a VP4 to use with it? Should I use my FM9 with it? If I'm using the FM9 what's the point of using the TKIP?

The beauty of the TKIP is it's simplicity and portability. Adding anything detracts from that.

I sold my FM3 because I thought having the FM3, FM9, and AxeFX III (plus a FX8 and Ultra) was ridiculous redundancy but the FM3 by itself is more than enough for my Jazz and R&B gigs. Would I miss the Fractal effects if I gigged with just the TKIP?

I keep saying to myself "Must resist the urge to build a pedalboard!"

 

[iaresee]

Should I get a VP4 to use with it?

Yes!

That said, I find I’m always happier having things mounted to a board. Even a small one.