Occasionally I actually watch KZfaq and I end up on your channel, it's a pure bliss to listen to you both talk and play. Thank you.

Thanks for having me Tim! I could talk about this stuff all day.

That’s an older Def Leppard rig in the pic. We’re currently using the AxeFx 3 for everything (amp modeling and effects) for both guitars and bass. The older rigs had Marshall JMP-1s for amp tones and the AxeFx 2 for fx. The AxeFx 3 has been amazing - A, B, and C rigs all over the world and the tones are the same wherever we are. Rock solid reliability as well.

This is a tremendous review of an amazing product, and Tim’s playing is, as always, fantastic. I agree with Cooper, the goal is to play more. Thank you!

Tim, I love your channel! I almost exclusively use my Fractal gear now. I keep a few tube amps that are special to me, but the portability, consistency, and diversity are hard to argue with when the model sounds just as good as the original gear. And then using headphones while kids sleep is just magical. When you factor cost of those capabilities it’s almost no contest.

Great overview of the latest and greatest from Fractal. As a bass player, I toured for years using a Fractal AX8. It just made things simple to emulate my Ampeg V-4b with an 8x10 cab without having to haul 400 lbs of equipment. Great to see the next level of evolution from Fractal.

Just bought a Mesa Mark V 25 and gigged with it a couple of weeks ago. Halfway up with the volume. Too loud. Ended up on 10w mode with the volume on 2-3. Sounded great. Light and has a built in load for silent/direct out. Just a couple sounds from that worked for me. Now to try and replicate it with my modeler, a Zoom G11, and see how it goes. Nice job with the video. Inspiring.

The little piece Tim plays at the 5:00 minute mark on the baritone guitar with the alternate tuning is MAGICAL.

Fractal user since 2013 and now beta tester. I still use pedals and amps too. Rhett nailed it. The argument of what is better than what is silly. Theyre all great tools and all sound great!

it took me years to come around.. it started with me asking Burgs his opinion back in 2018.. he said he was totally happy using the Axe Fx live and there was no looking back for him.. so earlier this year I took the plunge with latest Axe Fx and the FC-12 running through a pair of FRFRs (currently QSC10.2 x2) on stage.. I've done a bunch of gigs with the Axe Fx and I'm totally happy with it.. my 1981 Boogie Mark II-B has been resting comfortably on the shelf enjoying a well earned retirement.

Fantastic video! Thanks for having me on!

Everything Tim plays is just so wonderful and creative.

Fun interviews, Tim. Cooper’s classes are great, and I really appreciated discovering Roslin’s KZfaq channel and his generosity with wisdom during the pandemic. Cheers gentlemen! Best, Daniel

Logged in to my computer, saw a new Tim Pierce video....I'm set for the next 15 minutes. Thanks Tim!!!

Sublime playing, Tim! Love your phrasing and choice of notes. More, please!

Tim is so incredible charismatic and charming, and it is genuine too. Rock on.

I got an old Axe Fx II about two years ago and I love it. I use a Fender model for my super clean sounds then I use the Dirty Shirley model with varying degrees of boosts in front for my dirty sounds and it works for 90% of the gigs I do. If I need anything heavier, I just switch the DS model to the BE model and it works great!

Tube amp guy here but I've been playing modelers since the 2.0 version of the kidney bean. Guitarists are blessed by the number of great options available to them at the moment. I love using my amps, both mic'd and using my Captor X. I carry an HX Stomp for fly gigs and use it for both guitar and bass. Fractal, Line6, and Kemper are amazing companies in the industry and are doing a lot to drive things forward. I think the guys that will only play tube amps are missing out on some amazing tools.

Great review and never knew there were fractal gurus helping top guitarist musicians to dial in their rigs 👍

I’ve been using my FM9 live all month and it’s been incredible. I toured the entire summer with just my FM3 and didn’t regret keeping the Mesa half stack at home one bit. I get almost the exact same tone that I would’ve dialed in with the amp, but it’s exactly the same every night and it’s a lot less gear to bring around.

Thank you Tim, this was a real down to earth simple explanation of the Fractal 9 for the working musician or home studio hobbyist, its definitely on my list , I was at a Fractal seminar /demo a few years ago and was very impressed by the tones , but out of my budget

It's always amazing to watch you play. Nicely done Tim.

Cooper, you're spot on find what makes you happy and just play

those little example interludes were lit Tim 🔥🙌

Really interesting, thanks Tim, and your guests

Spot on, Tim… super informative and practical. And stuuupidly beautiful playing and tones (as usual)!

Tim, all I can say is Thank You for talking to all of us as if we are in the midst of gathering our gear up for our next tour!

Cover band club warrior here. Touring has always been a glamorous fantasy but I weep at the thought of in-ears for my guitar. In the honky tonks I play as long as the bar staff can hear the drink orders we can be pretty loud. I am most at home when the instrument can hear its own amp. I'll be extra mindful of how blessed I am at tonight's gig.

The best thing about watching Tim’s channel is seeing the joy of playing on his face.

Great playing. Love your dynamics.

Sounds great, and I LOVE how you feel everything you do, as ir shows on your face... I want one too!

So great to see Rosh and Cooper on your channel Tim!🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

Axe-Fx makes a great church rig. Multiple players can dial in their tone and it sits in the mix so well.

Long-time Fractal user, going back to the AxeFx Ultra. I'm set with my AxeFx III, but I was glad to see Fractal release the FM9 because I know how useful it will be for people who regularly gig.

So helpful Tim and Co.. thank you so much

Lovely tones and a very good presentation, thank you! :) The power today to mix analog with the digital domain is mind blowing and I think you haven't seen the end of it.

Im always amazed by things TIM does.

Great video! I just got my Axe-Fx III a couple of weeks ago. I absolutely love it. I also have a Helix and an HX Stomp which I love too. I look at them like you would having different amplifiers. Even though they're modelers they sound different. On thing that wasn't addressed in the video is pedal emulation. We all have our favorite pedals but building a pedalboard can be a real headache. All pedals don't play well with each other, then there's the cable routing and power supplies and if you're like me you make all your own cables. Maybe you need a buffer and maybe you don't. I put a small board together and it took me three days. With the Axe-FX (and other modelers) these are built in so there's no problem with cables, routing and what goes where in the signal chain because if you don't like the positions you just change it with Axe-Edit. There's no extra power supply to worry about. Another thing is that all pedals don't sound good with all amplifiers. Again this is a mute point with the Axe. While you might like one emulator over the other they all work with all the amps and sound good. I think as time goes on more and more people will be switching to modelers. They're getting so good now. At present I'm running my Axe into two Quilter Steelaire amps ( similar to a Fender Twin Reverb with JBL's) so I'm getting the best of both worlds.

Amazing tones. Truly. Great video. So convenient to bring to gigs. Seeing a ton of these in Nashville now.

I had a nice conversation with Cliff way back before I bought my 1st AXE-FX (an Ultra). We talked for about 15 minutes on dedicated hardware vs software VST type plug ins, and I suggested using multiple dedicated processors for amps, effects, reverb, and storage. Also developing a hexaphonic pickup system to work with the units (like Roland). Great products and success. I'm still rocking Fractal, waiting on my FM9!

I'm an AX8 user...and have been for about 6 years. Love it, built like a tank, never let me down. These FM9 presets that are being showcased are really really good. Most manufacturer presets are looking for mostly high gain tones. For me, those are the last tones I go for...so I appreciate having lots of tonal variations. I'm sure I'll upgrade to the FM9.

Great playing Tim!! Really enjoyed listening to you.

I love how, when you "interview" someone, you allow them to talk and don't interrupt them. You can tell that you're interested with what they have to say, and leave your talking to your guitar. 👍🎸🇦🇺

Such useful info and always great playing and sounds!!

Thanks for the great content Tim!! This community rocks!!

Great video Tim!

Excellent summation of how modern tech can work to complement your rig. Great to see some familiar faces make a cameo!

Great video Tim (and company)!!! I appreciate the overall message of not getting lost in the weeds. ✌🏻

Tim...you make it all sound good but, this was extra impressive. Really great video as always!

I have a couple of amazing tube amps at home, and when I am home, they’re what I play. I travel for a living, and I pack an FM3 in my carry on bag. It’s the perfect hotel room practice unit, and I record right into my DAW with it.

Lovely opening solo Tim. Tim.for President. Oh the Runaway solo. Still gives me goose bumps.

It's already a winter wonderland here in Winnipeg. Looks pretty warm in California!

I started playing guitar back in the late 50s. I got my first electric guitar in 1965, a Gretsch Corsair with a pickup. I have never liked loud stage volume. And as a lead guitar player I would usually get as far away from my amplifier as I could. So when these processors came out I really liked them. The first one that I ever personally owned was an SGX 2000 Xpress. I put in my order for one while they were still in development. I still have serial number 12. And it has since been updated to an SGX 2000 E. When I retired I sold my vox AC 30. I just had nowhere I could use it. But I still record and I use a variety of different processors. And as for loud age volume, I have had my ears tested regularly and my hearing is still excellent even at the age of 70

Tim, please an episode talking about and playing parts from One Desire. Thank you for that beautiful performance and hope we can see you go through some of it!

Very cool and informative video. Thank you very much sir !

With your talent and the ears that feel it, what I see is missing, you and Acoustic. Look forward to that. Happy Thanks Giving. Don

Thank you Tim. Always great videos. You're an extremely talented musician. Enjoy all your posts. A few years ago you were very gracious in allowing me to check out your home studio when I visited your home with my friend Sergio Vallin of Mana. You also let us test drive that Cadillac CTS-V in your drive way. Thank you. I'm planning on buying one of these Axe Effects FM-9's.

Great to hear so many different perspectives.

I have been using modelers for the about the last five years and love them. I have one go-to distorted and one go-to clean sound that I use for probably 80% of my playing as various versions of those sounds. Then I have a good handful of other sounds that are more specific to particular songs or if I am just looking for a particular sound in my head that cover everything else. I love being able to easily access whatever it is I need and to be able to control at will with a touch of a button or assigning it to an EP (my favorite way to do it). All within a compact and light package that I can easily carry around. That being said, I am using a tube amp to record in the studio. That's where tube amp still shine. And I don't have to carry it. All I need is to bring my guitars. But my amps never leave my house unless I absolutely have to take one somewhere. And then you are going to hear me cry and moan about all night. lol

Playing since the mid 70s, gigging most of that, still have and love ten tube amps. But I’ve been gigging Fractal Audio gear since 2011 and there really is no beating it for me. If you’re a big time artist with roadies playing in big places or a home player that can play as loud as you want, choices are wide open. But if you’ve got to gig with others, deal with quiet or silent stages, face lots of dodgy power or festival generators, then this gives you everything in an uber-portable setup. I use the Axe Fx III Turbo these days, but will get a FM9 for tight travel gigs when I can. Fractal Audio is not only the best sounding digital gear, it’s the best supported… by far. After a decade of real use, I’m still sold.

Great video, love Fractal gear. Thanks Tim!!!

This has been my favorite and the most useful video on the fractal FM9! Thanks Tim!

New tools bring new ideas and sounds, the sky is the limit. Could tell you were having a blast. Rock on Mr. P!

I had my 100 watt tube amp blow up at a huge festival gig after 3 songs into a 12 song set list. After a short panic attack I thought, well there's only one way to finish the gig, I plugged into a Digitech rp pedal, dialed up a 70's Marshall amp sim into a 412 cab sim and went direct into their massive sound system. Was surprised at how good it sounded! Lol. That modeling pedal saved me that day. Now there are so many better sounding modeling pedals, so even while using real amps there's always a modeling pedal ready to go just in case. 😊

What a great and helpful video. Tim interviewed the absolute right people to explain the reality of using a Fractal…

Good lord, how did I miss this channel for so long? That is some awesome playing!

I was on the wait list, but then I just went with the fm3 instead. The Cygnus profiling is next level.

The best thing about this chanel is how happy old mate is after doing a cool riff. Love it 💯🔥💜

Great video for all levels of guitar players, tools and options for all situations, explore and use what makes you feel most comfortable, especially in live events were you need to adapt quickly and focus without mind restrictions! Ciao, Aldo

Thank you. Greatings from Poland.

That "chrystal echos" preset was quite impressive inspirational, thanks for the video.

The crystal echos preset, is unreal, i have never heard anything that beautiful on a preset ever. thanks Mr Tim and i always learn something new on your channel my good friend.....My number one Bass is a Music man 91 Bass guitar and my number one guitar is a ocean blue Charvel heavy metal flake ocean Blue T.Y and i am 60 Years old.......

Oh hey Tim , It blows me away how incredibly talented you are and your history . You are truly a legend .

Beautiful stuff as usual. Great players and subjects. I'm 72. Been playing out since early seventies. But I gotta say, if I walked into that studio you sit in, I would walk right out again. Yeah, four or five created sounds will do, But, that room presents about 3 or 4 million sounds. Bam! I would be gone to my room with one amp and my selected sounds. Whew! Now I can relax.....

I've been using my Atomic AmpliFire 12 almost exclusively for recording and touring since 2017. First-rate modeling and a simple, rugged stompbox format.

Great info,thanks 👍

Recently ventured into the Fractal world with an FM3. What a game changer! But even though it has amazing delays built in, when tracking I like to record dry for obvious mixing reasons and choices later etc. You have recommended the Echoboy on another vid. Just bought it this weekend (in Logic). Wow! What a great plugin! My new favourite thing to muck around with! Really liking Dirt Echo and the Revox. Very cool, thanks for the recommendation!

Love the lessons, the wonderful use of many different amps and effects, different guitars, tips and descriptions about being a pro and showing all of us how this looks and works with other pros - but WTF! The first Fractal unit came out in 2006. Yep, more presets, more models, more IRs, even more computing power - but these things - with the right approach, EQ, knowledge have been "game changers" since then; especially using with a few selected specific old-school pieces - weird pedals, speaker boxes, power amps. I watch these videos because of all of the above, and the tweaking/using/hearing all of the quality analog stuff that most of us either can't afford (for everything) and/or couldn't physically carry or use at small gig. But using one of these as a big revelation, a game changer? Purists (don't we all lean that way), big money folks (pros or just us wannabes), people with roadies might insist it's all worth it for a huge, complicated rig. But with Fractal, and many other companies that offer the same types of units now, a player with a good ear for what they want and the willingness to dive in, can get AT LEAST 90% of the exact same sound/feel through the digital stuff. True blind straight up comparisons have "fooled" thousands of people - which is it, tubes/transistors or digital? Just think it's a little funny about this eureka moment. This isn't meant to be a rag job, or criticism, just a personal observation. Given the choice with unlimited money, roomy stages, and a dedicated assistant/roadie/tech, I'd pick the roomful of stuff, because that part is cool. Pros with mad skills (like Tim) that show up with awesome boutique analog rigs are certainly no surprise. But given reality (at least my reality), playing with a guitar, a suitcase and MAYBE a speaker box is pretty efficient and can sound almost exactly the same (almost exactly). Hoping Tim works Fractal, or whatever else, into the mix of his awesome videos. One more way that someone like Tim could really rock with. As a long-time user of the digital stuff (along with my "must keep for whatever reason" pedals etc.), glad to see Tim putting his influencer stamp of approval on using the digital stuff as a valuable tool, and for some, all that's needed. Thanks, Tim, for all of it.

The smile on Tim's face when he plays something cool is just... inspiring. Thank you, Tim, for sharing the joy with us mere mortals. LOL

Great stuff as always Tim, and I know you wanted to demo the range of the unit, but doing the clean and light dirt tones with so much effects really disguises what that tone might actually sound like. As an amp guy, these are very tempting for the transportability, but I am pretty sure I would fall into the endless tweaking category - and I am very happy with my tone as is! Your playing is beautiful and awesome, and the expert insights was helpful! I did want to hear that AC/DC preset! 😄

A true pro! Very inspiring tone and playing Tim.

Great vid Tim. Your playing, phrasing and note choice are unparalleled. Appreciate everything you do for the community. I guess my only comment with regard to the Fractal is...I'd love to try one. Have been on the FM9 wait list for months and not a peep, but see them popping up on YT review channels all over the net. Very frustrating the average consumer.

We are very lucky to live in an age where we can play through such realistic simulations of all the classic real amps. It's amazing now and will only get better from here. Personally, at present, I use the Kemper. It's also awesome and keeps getting better with every software update. When I bought it, it was version 2 and we're currently on version 8. The support for this product has been beyond my expectations. I haven't tried the AxeFX, but, from what I've heard, it also sounds amazing.

Just subscribed, have watched and listened a few times now. Your playing as always is magnarvelous.

Bad power was just such a common thing from club to club. The Fractal (Axe-Fx II) was a huge help, and weighed about 1/100th of an old rig. Looking forward to trying the F9. Cooper's advice is the best. I found what maxes out what I do and that's mostly it. There are 100 patches I barely know about on what I use now.

I got a helix and a couple QSC K-10.2's a few yrs ago as Im over 60 and got tired of lugging a Marshall around and stage volume was an issue in small clubs , my old pedal board was huge and heavy and prone to connection issues sometimes plus Im the lead vox and guitar in a rock trio and also running a L=6 Voice Live 2 . I was just to friggen busy . The Helix , with its snapshots has made my life much easier . It did take awhile to get my sets set up in it but its pretty awesome being able to actually achieve the sounds of the Amps used in the songs we cover . At my age its all about light weight . My how things have changed .

Tim- an unrelated shout-out. I was introducing a friend to "Soul Driver" from Springsteen's Human Touch album. I recognized your name in the liner notes from seeing you on Beato's channel a few times. After looking over your resume, I had no idea how much of your work I already had in my library. Wow!! =D

Great video. Very informative and right on the money. Applies equally across modeling platforms of course (not just Fractal). I use an HX Stomp, and try to limit to 3 amps. I still have a problem with using different guitars though - the number of presets I have to maintain is equal to multiplying those 3 amps by the number of guitars (or broad categories). So, for example, Vox - P90, Vox - Tele, Vox - Hum, Dlx - P90, Dlx - Tele, etc, etc.

I have the FX 2 plus AND I DO HAVE COOPER MASTER CLASS THAT REALLY HELPS.. I really enjoyed the show

I've played through them all and I really feel that Fractal has the best sounds. I started with the AX8 and now I'm using that as well as the FM3. I play through FRFR monitors mainly (usually QSC K12's and K10's) and occasionally in-ears. I purchased the FM3 master course from Cooper Carter and it was very informative and helpful. Worth every penny in my opinion. I'm so happy to see the Fractal units getting attention on KZfaq. I live in Maryland where it's mandatory to play PRS guitars and I've been using mine through tube amps since the mid-80's until I got the AX8. From that point on it was Fractal for live and studio playing and nothing else. I'll never go back. The units are lightweight and rugged, the sounds are consistent wherever you go, there is never a problem with volume or mic placement or anything else that comes with loud tube amps. Thanks for all your videos Tim.

Great video. Two of my favorites.

Infinitas gracias Mr Tim Pierce. he disfrutado y aprendido mucho en esta reseña.

Great video, Love my FM9 and FM3. From the second i heard the first preset i was hooked. I still love and have my JCM800 50 from the 80's but use the FM9 w headphones into a DAW 95 percent of the time.

Thanks love the fusion

Enjoyed the video 🎸

Nice guitar playing my brother, very smooth and melodious👍

Thanks for playing so damned well!!!! I just really enjoy your playing!!!!!

Very enjoyable/interesting opening solo and the last note was the great big cherry on top!

yes Tim. You have really put your finger on what these boxes are about. well done.

Your amazing as always ❤