Fractal FM3 - USB RE-AMPING

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3 USB
USB RE-AMPING
The FM3 USB Audio capabilities are perfect for “re-amping,” a method in which the raw, un-processed DI output of
a guitar is recorded and then re-processed later through the amp, cab, and effects of your choice.
Re-amping has many benets. First, it allows you to record when inspiration strikes, capturing a DI instead of
obsessing over the nal tone. Later, you – or a mix engineer – can redesign the sound as your track’s production
advances. Punches and edits made on the DI track are also made virtually inaudible by the re-amping process.
The FM3 allows you to dial in new tones while simultaneously listening to the track for context.
STEP 1: RECORDING
The following tutorial assumes that you have connected Output 1 L/R to monitors or headphones. The details
may vary from one DAW to another, but this guide should be easy to adapt to your own environment.
1. In your DAW, select the FM3 as the main audio interface. Set the main outputs to FM3 Outputs 1+2.
2. Create a new project in the DAW, and set its sample rate to 48kHz.
3. OPTIONAL: Record or insert any backing tracks and test their playback at FM3 Output 1.
4. Connect your guitar to the Instrument input of the FM3 and select any preset desired.
5. Now record the DI:
 Create a mono track. Name this track something like “Guitar DI”. Set its input to FM3 Input 3.
This will record the signal at the Instrument jack with no processing.
 Arm this Guitar DI track for recording, making sure that Software/Input Monitoring is NOT enabled.
 Hit RECORD and roll the track. You will hear the processed guitar but record the DI.
Note: You can simultaneously record processed guitar on a different track at the same time if you want!
 Be aware: while a processed track will show “hot” levels, the level of a DI track will appear to be very low.
This is NORMAL! You are recording the raw signal exactly as it comes out of your guitar.
 YOU HAVE NOW RECORDED YOUR DI!
STEP 2: RE-AMPING
Before re-amping, we must rst check some settings on the FM3. Press HOME and open SETUP. Navigate to the
I/O menu, and change Input 1 Source to “USB (CHANNELS 3/4)”. (Remember to change this back when you nish
re-amping!) Also make sure that you have not changed USB 3,4 Playback from its default setting of “INPUT 1”.
6. Change the output of your “DI” track to FM3 Output 3.
7. NOTE: You may wish to turn down the volume of the studio monitors before testing playback as follows:
Solo the DI track, then rewind and hit PLAY. You should hear the DI being processed by your FM3 preset.
8. Now prepare to record the processed output of the re-amp:
 Create a stereo track. Name it something like “Guitar Re-Amp 1”.
 Set its inputs to FM3 Inputs 1+2.
 Arm your re-amping track for recording, making sure that Software/Input Monitoring is NOT enabled.
9. Rewind, hit RECORD, and roll the track. The output of the preset is recorded!
Again, the method described here is basic, but it should serve as a guide to get you started.