Compare · which one to buy · which Fractal?

which Fractal should you buy?

three current-generation Fractal devices and the previous one. Scenes and channels work the same on all of them. The grid, the amp count and the footswitches do not.
modelers
4
lines that differ
8

The short answer

Fractal Audio
Axe-Fx III

Axe-Fx III

The deepest of the four, and the one to choose for a studio or a rack rig. Remember the footboard is extra.

open the Axe-Fx III guide Fractal Audio
FM9

FM9

The Axe-Fx III's grid and limits with nine switches under your feet. It needs no controller, which makes it the usual choice.

open the FM9 guide Fractal Audio
FM3

FM3

The compact option, with a trade: one amp pair and a smaller grid. Channels are how you get variety out of it.

open the FM3 guide Fractal Audio
Axe-Fx II

Axe-Fx II

Still gigged widely and still capable, with a Tone Match block the newer devices lack. Buy used with open eyes: Ares, X/Y, and no path to Cygnus.

open the Axe-Fx II guide 

Where they differ

4 modelers

Only the lines that differ are here. The model library, the way presets are built and the cab block rule are the same on all of them, and each guide covers them.

generation

01

amp modeling

Presets do not move between the generations, and most current advice online describes Cygnus devices.

Axe-Fx III
Cygnus
FM9
Cygnus
FM3
Cygnus
Axe-Fx II
Ares — the previous line, with no upgrade path
Axe-Fx III Owner's Manual · Fractal Audio: Axe-Fx II product and support pages

per-block variants

Axe-Fx III
Four channels, A to D
FM9
Four channels, A to D
FM3
Four channels, A to D
Axe-Fx II
Two: X and Y
Axe-Fx III Owner's Manual · Fractal Audio: Axe-Fx II product and support pages

how much fits

02

layout grid

Axe-Fx III
14 × 6
FM9
14 × 6
FM3
12 × 4
Axe-Fx II
Not stated by Fractal
Axe-Fx III Owner's Manual · FM3 Owner's Manual

amp and cab pairs per preset

The clearest difference between the FM3 and its siblings. Two pairs is what makes wet/dry/wet and two-amp rigs practical.

Axe-Fx III
Two
FM9
Two
FM3
One
Axe-Fx II
One pair
FM3 Owner's Manual

scenes per preset

The same on all four, so scenes do not decide the purchase.

Axe-Fx III
Eight
FM9
Eight
FM3
Eight
Axe-Fx II
Eight
Axe-Fx III Owner's Manual · Fractal Audio: Axe-Fx II product and support pages

what you stand on

03

footswitches

Both racks need a controller to gig. Budget for it.

Axe-Fx III
None — an FC-6 or FC-12, sold separately
FM9
Nine, with nine layouts
FM3
Three, with switchable layouts
Axe-Fx II
None — an MFC-101, sold separately
Axe-Fx III Owner's Manual · FM9 Owner's Manual · FM3 Owner's Manual · Fractal Audio: Axe-Fx II product and support pages

instrument and line inputs

Axe-Fx III
One instrument, three stereo line
FM9
One instrument, two stereo line
FM3
One instrument, one stereo line doubling as an FX return
Axe-Fx II
One instrument (front or rear), one stereo line
Axe-Fx III Owner's Manual · FM9 Owner's Manual · FM3 Owner's Manual · Fractal Audio: Axe-Fx II product and support pages

analog outputs

Axe-Fx III
Three stereo
FM9
Three stereo
FM3
Two stereo — XLR, and quarter-inch
Axe-Fx II
Two stereo
Axe-Fx III Owner's Manual · FM9 Owner's Manual · FM3 Owner's Manual

where next

the guides

the other families

if you own one

pick it once and its presets, setup and fixes follow you around the site.