The Fractal Audio Systems FM3 is an Amp Modeler/Multi-FX: a compact digital floor unit that puts the amp modeling and effects of Fractal's flagship Axe-Fx III into a pedalboard-sized box with three onboard footswitches12. Announced in April 2019, it runs ARES Amp Modeling, the technology Fractal developed for the award-winning Axe-Fx III, with 265+ amp models covering everything from clean tones and "edge of breakup" to warm overdrive and modern distortion13.
For a player, the FM3 is an all-in-one rig: amps, drive pedals, delays, reverbs, compressors, EQs, modulation effects and a looper in one steel chassis, with a precision fullscreen tuner, two global equalizers and Tap Tempo built in3. MusicRadar's review called it compact and portable enough for a gigging musician to use as a complete rig, and "a little more approachable in price" than Fractal's larger units4.
Axe-Fx III amp modeling in a compact floor unit
The FM3 is built on the company's flagship Axe-Fx III and features the same range of modeled amps9. It carries the same full-color display and the same familiar, easy-to-use front panel controls as the flagship unit1. Under the hood it is powered by a 3-Core "Griffin" DSP with one ARM and two SHARC+ cores, which Fractal describes as providing superior power in a compact format1.
MusicRadar notes it is all digital, "but it helps to think of it as a physical signal path": presets are constructed from blocks arranged on a 4x12 grid, so you build a signal chain the way you would wire a pedalboard and amp47. A later review perspective adds that the FM3 runs the same Cygnus-X3 modeling as the Axe-Fx III and FM9, with only a slight reduction in processing power, so it delivers the same core tones Fractal is known for10.
The effects selection spans Fractal's effect algorithms: drive pedals, delays, reverbs, compressors, EQs, modulation effects, a looper and more3. Speaker simulation comes from cab choices stored onboard: 2,200+ "Factory" options plus 2,000+ "User" locations for custom sounds from free or commercial packages1.
The controls and footswitches
Three onboard footswitches, each with a variable-color LED ring and a mini LCD display, provide both tap and hold functions, customizable across eight different switch layouts12. The front panel carries the same style of controls as the Axe-Fx III1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level 1, Level 2 | Instant volume adjustment for the left and right outputs8 |
| 3x footswitches | Tap and hold functions, each with LED ring and mini LCD1 |
| 5x soft knobs (A, B, C, D, E) | Context-dependent editing4 |
| Value knob | Adjusts the selected parameter4 |
| 4-way cursor | Navigates the grid and menus4 |
| 4x buttons | Page and function access4 |
| Ground lift switch | Addresses ground-loop hum4 |
Presets and Scenes do the heavy lifting at your feet: 512 onboard presets with variations for each, and eight "Scenes" per preset that can engage or bypass effects, switch effect "Channels" and adjust levels41. The rear panel adds two expression pedal inputs (Pedal 1 and Pedal 2), two onboard switch/pedal jacks, and MIDI In and Out/Thru14.
A FASLINK II port allows the FM3 to be connected with up to two Fractal Audio FC-12 or FC-6 foot controllers for expanded switching3. The unit is the same form factor and footprint as the FC-6, so the two fit side by side as a matched pair8. Fractal has also sold the FM3 bundled with an FC-6 and an EV-1 expression pedal as a package deal113.
The FM3 runs on an IEC mains supply rather than a conventional pedalboard power adapter4. It plugs straight into a wall socket, so it does not share a daisy chain with standard pedals.
History and versions, including the Mk II Turbo
The FM3 was announced in April 2019 as a small portable Amp Modeler/Multi-Fx floor unit based on Axe-Fx III technology123. At launch it was priced at $999.99 direct, $1,399.99 list, with availability to be announced35.
The current version is the FM3 Mk II Turbo, an Amp Modeler/FX Processor that boasts over 10% more DSP power than the original FM32. Its footswitch displays are larger and easier to read, with the height of individual characters of text doubling and presented in a bolder, more readable font2. Like the FM3, it is a compact floor unit with three onboard switches2.
Fractal's floor-unit line has since grown around it, including the larger FM9 Mark II Turbo and the compact AM4 amp modeler pedal, both also built on Axe-Fx III technology.
What reviewers said
The review found the FM3 to be "another exceptional offering from Fractal," compact and portable with enough functionality for the gigging musician to use as an all-in-one rig, and a little more approachable in price overall4. The one criticism at the time of going to press was that audio recording and playback was glitchy, which Fractal was addressing via a firmware update4.
"Compact and portable but packing enough functionality to for the gigging musician to use it as an all-in-one rig, the FM3 is another exceptional offering from Fractal."
Guitar World's review, by Trevor Curwen, noted the same form factor and footprint as the FC-6 controller for a side-by-side fit, and listed the unit's origin as the USA8.
Videos
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Worship Tutorials
Ed Struijlaart
Questions
Can the FM3 work as a USB audio interface?
Yes. The FM3 offers 4x4 USB audio, so it can record and play back audio over USB, alongside FM3-EDIT software for editing from a computer. At the time of MusicRadar's review, audio recording and playback over USB was glitchy, and Fractal was addressing it with a firmware update.
How many presets does the FM3 hold?
The FM3 has 512 onboard presets with variations for each, and each preset contains eight Scenes that can engage or bypass effects, switch effect Channels and adjust levels. Presets are built from blocks arranged on a 4x12 grid.
Does the FM3 work with the FC-6 and FC-12 foot controllers?
Yes. A FASLINK II port on the rear panel lets the FM3 connect with up to two Fractal Audio FC-12 or FC-6 foot controllers. The FM3 itself shares the same form factor and footprint as the FC-6, so the two units fit side by side.
Where is the Fractal FM3 made?
Guitar World's review lists the FM3's origin as the USA. Fractal Audio Systems is an American company, and the FM3 is housed in a durable steel chassis with protective endcaps.
Does the FM3 use an internal power supply?
Yes. The FM3 runs on an IEC mains supply rather than a 9V pedal-style adapter, so it plugs straight into a wall socket and needs no external power brick or daisy chain.
What is the difference between the FM3 and the Axe-Fx III?
The FM3 is based on the flagship Axe-Fx III and features the same range of modeled amps, the same full-color display and the same style of front panel controls, in a compact floor unit. It runs the same core modeling with only a slight reduction in processing power, using a 3-core Griffin DSP with one ARM and two SHARC+ cores.
Sources (12)
- FM3 Announcement, Fractal Audio Systems, 2019-04-23
- FM3 Mk II Turbo, Fractal Audio Systems, 2024-02-13
- FRACTAL AUDIO SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES THE FM3: Amp Modeling and Multi-FX in a Compact Floor Unit, MusicPlayers.com, 2019-04-26
- Fractal Audio Systems FM3 review, MusicRadar, 2020-12-24
- Fractal Audio Systems Announces the FM3, Premier Guitar, 2019-04-26
- Fractal Audio FM9: Can the new mega-modeller get Fractal back in the game?, gearnews.com, 2021-08-27
- Behold, Fractal Audio's New FM3 Compact Amp Modeler/Multi-Effects Pedal, Guitar World, 2019-04-24
- Fractal Audio Systems FM3 Amp Modeler/FX Processor review, Guitar World, 2020-11-16
- Boss GT-1000Core review, Guitar World, 2021-04-13
- "It's the full power of the Quad Cortex, just in a smaller box": Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini review, MusicRadar, 2026-02-09
- FM3 Reviews, Fractal Audio Systems, 2021-12-17
- About Us, Fractal Audio Systems, 2019-04
