Fractal Audio Club

[Challanger2]

I did a search for a fractal club and was surprised to see one doesn’t exist already, so I figured it might be worth starting one.

A place to discuss current and future fractal product offerings, share presets, and share tips/tricks for integrating the plethora of amp/effect options present on the modelers into bass rigs.

 

[Challanger2]

Little family photo to kick things off.

I had a helix floor and helix stomp prior to getting the Axe Fx 3, so I’ll be writing up a comparison of the two in the future, and the pros/cons of both platforms. Both are good modeling tools, they each definitely have their strengths and weaknesses though.

 

[Matt Dean]

Nice collection of Dingwalls.

 

[Jasmeece]

I’m in. FM3 here. Play bass and guitar thru it

 

[Challanger2]

I meant to be a lot more active in this thread but I’ve been getting over a case of De Quarvain’s tendonitis and minor carpal tunnel in my left wrist so I haven’t played much over the past few months. Hoping to start using my axe fx a lot more in the next few months.

 

[Jasmeece]

I meant to be a lot more active in this thread but I’ve been getting over a case of De Quarvain’s tendonitis and minor carpal tunnel in my left wrist so I haven’t played much over the past few months. Hoping to start using my axe fx a lot more in the next few months.

meow. I hope that you are feeling better!

 

[JRMK]

I’m in. FM3 here. Play bass and guitar thru it

How does it work for you? Are you able to get some decent clean/hifi tones? All I'm seeing on fractal is overdriven ampegy/Mesa vibes which are cool but nothing else

 

[Jasmeece]

Yes, you can get some great clean tones. You just have to pick and choose your amps and gains. There are several patches that you can buy that are very clean. I use it for church edge of break up stuff. But you are right most of the demos and patches show the higher gain stuff which the Fm3 does very well.

 

[JRMK]

Thanks, much appreciated feedback.

One more thing that makes me wonder is how does the effects suite match bass needs? I.e. can you get good oc-2 like clean octave sounds, synth-disco bass, funky envelopes? Again, due to guitar overload I have no doubt there are tons of delays and verbs to choose from ... But those more bass specific applications are something I couldn't find

 

[jimfist]

I've owned the AxeFx Ultra and the AxeFxII, and currently have my eye on the new FM9, which I may purchase if financial good fortune falls my way.

Many bassists, myself included, have been critical of Fractal's "token" consideration of bass players' needs, which are limited when compared to other fx/modeler units. Purchase of 3rd party preset packs (Austin Buddy seems to lead the way) is a consideration.

Fractal gear is excellent, and they're constantly updating firmware. If you have the patience, knowledge, and desire, there's not much you can't get, tonally or fx-wise, but you have to home brew in some cases. Of course, there are certain eclectic/boutique/vintage fx pedals that may be impossible to exactly replicate, but Fractal gear gives you a staggering number of tools to work with.

I've been a big fan of FAS, though not so thrilled with their bass support and the pervasive somewhat dismissive attitude their forum has toward bassists.

 

[Challanger2]

How does it work for you? Are you able to get some decent clean/hifi tones? All I'm seeing on fractal is overdriven ampegy/Mesa vibes which are cool but nothing else

The orange bass amp would be great for this, the real amp was designed to have as simple of a tube signal path as possible. The 65 bassman bass channel is also pretty solid. Other clean options without getting into hijacking guitar amps would be the portaflex model, as well as the generic tube preamp.

 

[Jasmeece]

I agree that the bass offerings with FAS are limited but I typically don’t use much on the bass side. Really I only use a handful of amps for both bass and guitar The one thing the fractal does let me do mix and match preamps with power amps and cabs. I just wish there we more discussion on the bass aspects of unit.

 

[JRMK]

And the FX side? Synth, octave, velcro fuzz, envelope filters? Any joy?

 

[Challanger2]

And the FX side? Synth, octave, velcro fuzz, envelope filters? Any joy?

I mainly play hard rock/metal so I haven't messed around with them much, might need someone else to chime in for those.

 

[Jasmeece]

All of the effects are top notch. Pitch based effects and synth tend to crap out below A on the bass. I have made several envelope filters but I really haven’t found one I like. Most of the effects are “off the shelf” but FAS is crazy tweakable. You have to make the envelope filter and you can tweak it to what u want.

 

[BZadlo]

I’m in! Just grabbed a FM3.
Downloaded the new 5.1 firmware today. Some cool new features but nothing really bass specific.

 

[2pods]

Me too.
Axe FX 3 and FC-6 arrived this week

 

[JRMK]

pls pls report! keep'em coming = i'm still on the fence of letting my long collected pedalboard go (but I would like to)

 

[BZadlo]

I haven’t been using many pedals or virtual pedals since getting the FM3. I’m mainly into different drives but I would rather just crank an amp up than get get my drive from a pedal.
The Rat, synth and OC2 sounds are great though. This is the first modeler I’ve owned where I don’t feel like something is missing. I test by and plugging into my cab at gig volume whenever I’m doubtful. Studio monitors and headphones are really a nothing like the feeling you get from an amp.

 

[JRMK]

Love to hear that oc2 is good there. You use octave divider for that purpose is that right?