Just when i thought i was out, Fractal pulls me back in...

[Lysander]

Man, i'm really happy with my Helix gear these days, but those glorious sounding VP4 clips floating around these days have me wondering if i should give the FM3 another go.

I still much prefer Helix for stompbox models, but i'm lusting those rack-sounding Fractal effects now...

Please lie to me and tell m the UX gotten better since release!

 

[paisleywookiee]

The interface is a breeze. I don’t even use the computer to edit anymore. People that complain are babies.

 

[Lysander]

The interface is a breeze. I don’t even use the computer to edit anymore. People that complain are babies.

So, i like Fractal a lot, but i'll believe that to be true once i stop seeing people showing up at gigs with a laptop next to their Fractal gear.

 

[mbenigni]

Man, i'm really happy with my Helix gear these days, but those glorious sounding VP4 clips floating around these days have me wondering if i should give the FM3 another go.

I still much prefer Helix for stompbox models, but i'm lusting those rack-sounding Fractal effects now...

Please lie to me and tell m the UX gotten better since release

Isn't the answer to all of this, "buy a VP4"?

Or do you need to keep amp sims and effects in the same box?

 

[paisleywookiee]

So, i like Fractal a lot, but i'll believe that to be true once i stop seeing people showing up at gigs with a laptop next to their Fractal gear.

I’m simply doing what you ask. I’m trying to make you happy, even if it’s for a very short period of time.

 

[Lysander]

Isn't the answer to all of this, "buy a VP4"?

Or do you need to keep amp sims and effects in the same box?

If i'm dipping my toes in the Fractal universe, might as well go all the way. Fractal amp modelling is

 

[OrganicZed]

The VP4 does have an updated / simplified UI that looks pretty good. The FM3, FM9, and Axe-FX III all have the same UI that they've always had. If that was the reason you sold yours before then you will probably be disappointed with it again.

Once you dial in the sounds you like and are actually playing your guitar the device UI becomes a lot less of a concern. Just take the time to configure the foot switches to do what you need and play. If you need quick access to a set of parameters then assign them to the performance pages or tie them to an expression pedal and you're golden.

 

[mbenigni]

If i'm dipping my toes in the Fractal universe, might as well go all the way. Fractal amp modelling is

I can't argue with that.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

might as well go all the way

AFX3 inbound!

 

[JiveTurkey]

So, i like Fractal a lot, but i'll believe that to be true once i stop seeing people showing up at gigs with a laptop next to their Fractal gear.

FWIW; I've gigged the FAS stuff a TON. Never taken a laptop with me because yuck. I am openly hostile toward the footswitch configuration process, generally speaking.

 

[mikah912]

FWIW; I've gigged the FAS stuff a TON. Never taken a laptop with me because yuck. I am openly hostile toward the footswitch configuration process, generally speaking.

Same for me @Lysander. You do the work ahead of time to get your patches dialed in with the computer editor (just like I would make sure I have fresh strings and a back up pack, etc.), then you should only need the performance page parameters if you have to tweak in the venue or during the recording session.

No matter how intuitive a UI is to tweak or move things around, it's generally bad form to be tapping/knob turning/whatevs when it's go time. That goes for any piece of gear.

 

[DrewJD82]

First couple gigs I brought my FM9 to I had my laptop in my truck, but after not using it once I stopped bringing it.

 

[Lysander]

AFX3 inbound!

I'm not made of money, kind sir!

 

[la szum]

I have an FM3 and want for nothing. Seriously! Got the VP4 FX and all the amp and cab modeling
for a few hundred more.

I think it's the best value Fractal offers.

 

[Joshual-L]

The most important point is that there have been a lot of wonderful updates that have drastically change the tones for the better.

When I bought my fm3 (2/3 years ago) I was like "yeah that's great for a modeler but so much improvements possible.
Now honestly, it's heaven for me.

here's a sample I recorded this morning for the fractal forum.

 

[Hapless]

I have an FM3 and want for nothing. Seriously! Got the VP4 FX and all the amp and cab modeling
for a few hundred more.

I think it's the best value Fractal offers.

I have both FM's. I really don't need anything else. But I have a VP4 on the way because reasons.

 

[la szum]

I have both FM's. I really don't need anything else. But I have a VP4 on the way because reasons.

Nice!

I can, conceivably, see myself snagging a VP4 at some point. Just seems too damn nice to
pair with an amp, existing pedalboard, or another Fractal unit like the FM3.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I'm going to live with it a little while. I will end up sidecar'ing to my FM3 when the mood strikes most likely

 

[la szum]

Loop of the Mrak V?? Out front of the Super Reverb or Bassman??? I could see a lot of cool
use case scenarios. Saving the 4 Cable Method for the bedroom, though.

 

[Elric]

If i'm dipping my toes in the Fractal universe, might as well go all the way. Fractal amp modelling is

If the UI is your issue, this may be a shock; but it hasn't changed on the FM3, so your issue is still gonna be there. So, your choices are:

1. FM3: the sweet sweet Fractal quality amp+FX but old crufty UI
2. VP4: sucky Helix amps, Fractal FX, two different but good UIs
3. Skip it all, miss out, and limp along with inferior L6 quality toanz but great UI.