Fractal FM3 - FIRMWARE UPDATES

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14 ADDITIONAL TOPICS
FIRMWARE UPDATES
Our products are upgradeable, and we are committed to continual improvement. These highly anticipated updates
add new amps, cabs, effects and features, x issues, and more. We recommend keeping the rmware in your FM3
up to date as new versions are released. Firmware is technically software — the “operating system” of your FM3 —
tracked using version numbers: 1.00, 1.01, 2.00, etc. Every FM3 is shipped from the factory with the latest version
installed. You can check your version any time by pressing the SETUP button (Push-knob E) on the Home page.
The version is displayed at the top left of the SETUP menu.
UPDATING
Updating is safe, easy, and quick with Fractal-Bot (see previous page). Before you begin, please QUIT any other
applications which might interfere, including FM3-Edit and any DAW software or audio/MIDI applications.
1. Download the latest rmware for your FM3 from https://www.fractalaudio.com/fm3-downloads/
2. Unzip the download le. The archive may contain various documents in addition to the actual rmware le,
which is a MIDI System Exclusive or “SysEx” le. Extract the .syx le to a location you can easily nd when
required. Do not double-click the .syx le. Fractal-Bot will prompt you for its location when it is needed.
3. Please read the Release Notes included with the rmware download. They’ll let you know what’s new and
alert you to anything you may need to be aware of before updating to the new version.
4. Before performing a major rmware update, it is recommended to back up your FM3 (see previous page).
5. Launch Fractal-Bot and proceed through three self-explanatory steps.
6. Firmware updates will occasionally be accompanied by new versions of the FM3 Factory Presets. These will
be available on our web site support page and can also be installed using Fractal-Bot.
FIRMWARE Q&A
: Q How do I know the upgrade worked?
: A Check your rmware version anytime by pressing the SETUP button (Push-knob E)
on the Home page. The version is displayed at the top of the SETUP menu.
: Q Can I skip versions to go from a very old rmware version to a much newer one?
: A You can upgrade from any version to any other version. When you skip versions it is recommended that you
also read the Release Notes for all interim versions, all of which are included with every rmware release.
: Q Will updating my rmware erase, modify or “upgrade” my factory presets?
: A Firmware updates do not erase customized presets. However, rmware updates may
alter the sound of existing presets. Always read Release Notes before updating. Saving
presets after a rmware update can render them incompatible with previous versions. It
is always wise to create a full back up using Fractal-Bot before a major update.
Firmware updates do not upgrade Factory Presets. Updated Factory Presets, when offered, are released as a
separate update on our web site support page. Fractal-Bot can be used to transmit this update in the same
way it is used to update rmware.
: Q The rmware update failed mysteriously. What should I do?
: A If the FM3 still boots normally, just try the update again. If successive failures occur, please delete and
re-download the update le before trying again. Trying a different USB port or cable can also solve issues.
: Q After updating, my FM3 will no longer boot normally.
: A See “Recovery” on the next page.