FRACTAL FM3 AMP MODELLER/FX PROCESSOR - €1266
Total Guitar|December 2020
Instantly stage-ready high-end amp and effect modelling
Trevor Curwen
FRACTAL FM3 AMP MODELLER/FX PROCESSOR - €1266

In terms of modelling amp and effects processors Fractal is pretty much at the top of the tree with their rackmount Axe-Fx III. That said, it’s probably also fair to say that it’s out of the financial reach of most of us, especially if you add in the cost of a FC-6 or FC-12 controller for a fully functional setup that’ll work on stage as well as at home or in the studio. Now, though, you can buy into the Fractal experience with their FM3, a relatively compact stage-ready floor (or tabletop) unit - still not exactly cheap but a lot more affordable than a full Axe-Fx III rig and competitive with floorboard rivals. The FM3 has about half the processing power of its larger sibling and less blocks in the signal chain from which to build your rig, (you are limited to one amp rather than two), but does feature the same ARES amp mo dell ing and algorithms so can have the same sonic clout when the settings are the same. Some of the less essential Axe-Fx III effects are absent (Vocoder, anyone?), but there’s still a massive variety of amps, cabs (including 1024 User Cab memory locations for your own IRs) and effects available to build rigs to fill the 512 onboard preset slots.

This story is from the December 2020 edition of Total Guitar.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2020 edition of Total Guitar.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TOTAL GUITARView All
Ihsahn – "Extreme music lends itself well to experimental arrangements"
Total Guitar

Ihsahn – "Extreme music lends itself well to experimental arrangements"

In an extraordinary double album, former Emperor guitarist Ihsahn delivers new material in two contrasting versions: metal and orchestral. "It was a perfect match," he says, “because my guitar had the same tuning as the cellos!"

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2024
Rosie Frater Taylor – "I Love Guitarists That Started in Jazz but Moved Into Pop"
Total Guitar

Rosie Frater Taylor – "I Love Guitarists That Started in Jazz but Moved Into Pop"

It's a bold claim, but one that we're prepared to make: there is no other guitarist in the UK right now who sounds quite like Rosie Frater-Taylor.

time-read
7 mins  |
February 2024
DIRTY SOUND MAGNET
Total Guitar

DIRTY SOUND MAGNET

Swiss psychedelic trio Dirty Sound Magnet have created a unique racket that's both thrillingly expansive and potently evocative.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2024
ELECTRO-HARMONIX PICO POG
Total Guitar

ELECTRO-HARMONIX PICO POG

You should be familiar with the Electro-Harmonix POG- it's the Polyphonic Octave Generator that set the standard for multistring, multi-octave layering and has graced the pedalboards of legends ranging from Jack White to Joe Satriani.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2024
BOSS KATANA AIR EX
Total Guitar

BOSS KATANA AIR EX

More Air, vicar? Boss pump up their popular wireless desktop amp

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2024
FGN BOUNDARY ILIAD BIL2MHS
Total Guitar

FGN BOUNDARY ILIAD BIL2MHS

With Japanese quality and top tones, could this be your next T-style?

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2024
THE 2024 GUITAR WORKOUT
Total Guitar

THE 2024 GUITAR WORKOUT

Smash your new year guitar goals with our 30-day technical workout

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 2024
"TAPPING IS THE MOST-USED WEAPON IN MY ARSENAL!"
Total Guitar

"TAPPING IS THE MOST-USED WEAPON IN MY ARSENAL!"

Jon Gomm's tips for getting more out of your acoustic guitar

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2024
"THE BEST GUITAR SOLO IS A SONG WITHIN A SONG"
Total Guitar

"THE BEST GUITAR SOLO IS A SONG WITHIN A SONG"

Ace Frehley: the guitar hero of KISS, and an influence for Tom Morello, Dimebag and many more

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
"THE SIMPLE PARTS ARE THE HARDEST TO GET RIGHT”
Total Guitar

"THE SIMPLE PARTS ARE THE HARDEST TO GET RIGHT”

Lzzy Hale's recipe for meaty arena rock and killer tone

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2024