Fractal FM3 - INSERTING OUTBOARD GEAR

37
4 SETTING UP
INSERTING OUTBOARD GEAR
Global Settings: As per your usual setup, check I/O Mono/Stereo Settings
Presets: Custom
The typical “direct” setup (p. 28) uses just Input 1 and Output 1 on the FM3. This leaves Input 2 and Output 2
available for a “send-and-return” insert for outboard gear. Custom presets are required for this setup, with output
and input blocks added for the send and the return (see illustration below).
FM3
Main
Out
INPUT
2L
OUTPUT
OUTPUT
2L
INPUT
2R
OUTPUT
2R
INPUT
OUTPUT
1L
OUTPUT
1R
Optional
for Stereo
OUTBOARD GEAR
(PREAMP, PROCESSOR, PEDAL, ETC.)
INSTR IN
PEDALY THING
Knob Oddy Nose
IceZine
DatRubble
CONNECTIONS
 Connect your guitar to FM3 Input 1 (Instrument).
 This example assumes Output 1 is
connected to a PA or FRFR monitors.
 Connect Output 2 L as a “send” to the input of
your outboard device. Use Output 2 R for optional
stereo. Adjust output levels using the front panel
OUT 2 knob, remembering that Output 2 provides
unity gain when the knob is fully clockwise.
 You can also adjust the levels of any individual
Output block, or on your outboard device.
 Connect the output of your outboard device to
Input 2 L as a “return.” Use Input 2 R for optional
stereo. Adjust levels on your outboard device or
pad Input 2 of the FM3 under SETUP: I/O: Audio.
IN1 CMP WAH
Serves as a SEND Serves as a RETURN
AMP CAB OUT1DRVOUT2IN 2DLY
Notice that the Out 2 block IS connected to the In 2 block. This is because IN 2 is specially designed to work as
a bypass for the entire loop, allowing signal to flow from In 1 to Out 1 even when the outboard gear is not in use.
You can operate this with a footswitch, or control it with scenes.
One nal comment: don’t jump to the conclusion that an insert is the best way to use 3rd party gear. You can
achieve great results simply by connecting things in series like traditional pedals. The FM3 works great when
used with pedals between your guitar and its input. Similarly, you can connect its outputs to the inputs of other
processors. One advantage of using an insert, however, is that outboard gear can be controlled by an FM3 presets
scenes, or even recorded via USB.
The FM3 can send MIDI to control 3rd party devices. Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI Out of the
FM3 to the MIDI IN of the connected device. Then program the required MIDI messages using either a
“Scene MIDI Message” or a Control Switch MIDI Message.