Winter NAMM 2026 predictions

[Mongillo19]

You still got that surprise from Fractal to look forward to!

I can't imagine any hardware from Fractal that would make me want to move off my current setup. Even the IV (which I know isn't the "surprise").

Honestly, a nice free update would be pretty cool maybe a new leap from Cyngus

 

[GTR37]

NAMM seems very cool and innovative this year! It's strange I haven't seen anything yet that I "have to have!". I know it isn't necessarily the makers fault but I just feel priced out on a good amount of these new things. Still super cool to see though.

Ya I thought there might be a few more things
Like new Two notes Genome hardware
IK ToneX full board

It’s all good though , it really does point out just how happy I am with AM4

 

[Stone]

Well Friday came and went and nothing from Fractal, honestly just curious as to what it will be, if by any chance its a new successor to my FM9 or obviously a new flagship i doubt id change anyways, YMMV

 

[sashimi]

I still think the post was too vague to assume a new fractal product is coming during NAMM

 

[Dez]

I still think the post was too vague to assume a new fractal product is coming during NAMM

Why even comment about a surprise on a NAMM thread then? If that’s the case it makes no sense lol

 

[GTR37]

Well Friday came and went and nothing from Fractal, honestly just curious as to what it will be, if by any chance its a new successor to my FM9 or obviously a new flagship i doubt id change anyways, YMMV

Maybe next week
IIRC Axe FX 3 or FM9 was initially announced the Monday after NAMM, people were still flying home , I am pretty sure it was the 3

 

[sashimi]

Why even comment about a surprise on a NAMM thread then? If that’s the case it makes no sense lol

I agree, but idk, just the pessimist in me afraid of being let down, lol. I’m still hopeful for Monday.

 

[Dez]

just the pessimist in me afraid of being let down

 

[ChordInversion]

I just ordered a VP4 to go with my AM4, so here's hoping that whatever is new doesn't make me reconsider my choices. I don't expect that it will.

 

[GTR37]

I just ordered a VP4 to go with my AM4, so here's hoping that whatever is new doesn't make me reconsider my choices. I don't expect that it will.

If it’s a VP 1/2 you could always just add that too

 

[ChordInversion]

Oh, I will have more than enough with the AM4 and VP4. In fact, I intend to use the AM4 alone most of the time, and the VP4 in front of amps. But I like having the option of putting the VP4 in front of the AM4 as needed.

 

[bucephalus]

just because for me hardware is for live, software is for my desk.

No hardware is for my wife, and software is... Oh man, this sounded better in my head. No one has hardware for the wife unless they're thinking of someone else's DSP

 

[Richard_G]

I have both the VP4 and the AM4. I may combine them for sure, but so far, the VP4 is on a board with my pedals (including a Tone King Imperial preamp pedal and a Tonex One), while I use my AM4 as is by itself.

 

[Elric]

Why even comment about a surprise on a NAMM thread then? If that’s the case it makes no sense lol

Agree... haven't seen any indication of what it would possibly be yet, so starting to assume it was just bullsh*t. If that does turn out to be the case it undermines trust in what is said on the forums, as it feels pretty self serving. Will give it a little more time, as I want to give benefit of the doubt. Maybe it is some update that was planned but hit a snag.

That said its not a good look. Only thing I have seen so far is a smart a** comment about an action figure.

 

[ispunk]

Well Friday came and went and nothing from Fractal, honestly just curious as to what it will be, if by any chance its a new successor to my FM9 or obviously a new flagship i doubt id change anyways, YMMV

Don't worry. We will all be rewarded soon enough with the Fractal Retrofit Touch Screen™ for AxeFX III, FM9 and FM3 with improved UI based on AxeEdit. You may now want to change your underwear and submit your credit card for further abuse.

 

[Stone]

Don't worry. We will all be rewarded soon enough with the Fractal Retrofit Touch Screen™ for AxeFX III, FM9 and FM3 with improved UI based on AxeEdit. You may now want to change your underwear and submit your credit card for further abuse.

Nah don't need or want a touchscreen, def not a selling point for me

 

[Orvillain]

Definitely not as excited by stuff announced this NAMM as I was in the past.

 

[Richard_G]

Yeah. So far, I'm interested in Friedman IR-Load and the Wampler Pedalhead. Those seem great, but I wanted more.

(Yes, I'm aware of the Neural QC Mini. Yes, I also want that one.)

 

[LCW]

Ironic that (IMO) the hottest product out of NAMM this year is the QC Mini.

Otherwise, it’s an absolute bust. The lamest one in a long while.

 

[Tanax]

I don't know. The Driftwood Atlas 180 sounds freaking brutal. Collab with Mark Lewis. Think that takes the cake for me but QC mini comes in on a close second.