FM3 + Tube Amp - 4CM Tutorial 

Im using this on my FM9 and it's a truly great option. Same cabling for either use case but vastly different tone options, just depending on the gig. Thank you so much for posting this. I was new to the Feedback Send and Return blocks so at first I wasn't getting any signal when I went to the 4CMB preset. But then adjusted the return block level and YAY ...big success.

Everytime I think "I wonder if I can do this with the axefx", you've got a vid for it! Great easy video to follow, keen to start kitting out a new rig with the FM3 and a Peavey Invective MH

Amazing stuff!! I'll test it next week with my JCM800 2210 from 1986! Cheers from Portugal and thanks for the video

Great as always Leon. Wow! you stack your Ceriatone amp on top of another amp like a Jenga block and topping it off with an FM3 and a pedal. Life is good!

Incredibly useful. Thanks for all the great Guidance you give . This is how I intend to use with my BE 50. This will give me a Dirty Shirley Channel. Very stoked.

Perfect video. I have a Two-Rock amp and plan to use the Axe FX3 in a 4CM to have effects but also have the option to use Axe Preamps in the Two-Rock Power section.

Good one Brother! Helpful to many I'm Sure! Be Well and Thanks for Sharing Leon!

Great Stuff and good explaination about the different possibities. Tanks!

Just saw this video. Such great content.thanks leon

Great intro... very metal sounding! 🤘

Love this tutorial. Recently received an FM3 and was just going through the manual and FAS didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement for using the 4CM, which is my intention. Also, you showed that I can use just the power amp of my tube amp and utilize amp modelling from the FM3. Good stuff and thanks for lifting my spirits.

Thanks for all your great info, your are amazing! love your videos, so helpful!

wow very interesting. I just acquired an FM3. Great tutorial. Very interesting an choices. Thanks

Leon....you are such a boss. Keep it up good sir!

Great video as always. New to the FM3, finally got one after a long wait on the list. Owners Manual says "NOT TRS" for the XLR cable. Tried this on a Randall RM100 (what I have at home currently) which has separate loops Series and Parallel. Needs more experimenting. Thanks for all the videos. Great help.

I remember my first time experiencing the 4CM. It was with my DHP55/Studio 5000 harmony processor from Digitech/IVL in the late 90's. Very underrated MFX unit IMHO.

oh and you & your band rocks! Love watching you play guitar, you got another fan 4 sure!

Holy fucking hell I was lost at the beginning with all the routing, but thankfully you explain everything for a complete idiot like me. Magical. Superb, sir.

Exactly how I plan to hook my FM3 up when I get my purchase invite. Currently using my old trusty Boss GT5 in this way now with my 5150 and Marshall into a Suhr Reactive Load and then into my interface. Looks like the FM3 pairs well, can't wait, will be a major upgrade for me! 👍

I’m so glad I found this, I want to set my FM9 like this. Thanks for this.

Excellent step by step video, thank you! I agree with some of the other posts, throwing in some other amp models would have been great also. Any way you can take this one step further with a multi channel amp and show setup and how to program a VooDoo Lab channel switcher inside presets?

Man that amp sounds glorious! I just got a Friedman be 50 dlx a few days ago and it kills man. I’d love to add the fm3 to my arsenal though. That would be the ultimate rig using it for it with a tube amp and getting all those other preamps and effects.

4:43 "...and if I hold it I can get the tuner, so I can line up my delays in this preset" Lining up delays using a tuner...you are seriously a wizard at this! :D

I would like to see a video of the 4 cable method with the atomic amplifire.thanks and your videos are always helpful

Hi Leon. This is awesome. Thanks for posting. I am thinking about getting FM3 and want to use it for both effects and also hear the amp models from FM3. If I understood you correctly, cabling is the same for both methods but you had to change the amp blocks in FM3 to hear the amp models. It is not clear how you made that happen in the video. Appreciate if you can explain. thanks!

this is great ... thanks for it

Great video Leon! I was wondering if you could make a video about using the FM3 with your Synergy preamps. Wondering if you can use the Synergy to be your 'amp', while using the cab block from the FM3 to go direct to the board.

I got my Molecular a few weeks ago and hated it at first. Come to find out the tubes I installed weren't in good shape. I switched them out and have been really happy. I'm having to move so I'm downsizing. I sold a 5150 and a modded 2204. The Mark IV and the Molecular are staying. Now trying to figure out if I'm going to keep my KSR Orthos or my Ceres.

Great video Leon!! Do you think I could achieve similar results with my old Peavey Classic 50? I tried the 4CM about 10 years ago with a Line6 XT and it didn't sound very good at all.

It might be interesting to hear the CeriaTone preamp section into the power amp, vs the FM3 Atomica preamp into the CeriaTone power section. Just to see how close they are. Not that it matters in the long run if they sound somewhat different, but more so out of curiosity. (I say this as I recall that model of CeriaTone is based off the Atomica.)

I would really love to see you change tube head channels at the same time with in the scenes in the method you have shown.....please and thank you....im thinking of getting a mark v 35 and setting it up this way but don't know if i need their Midi Matrix Controller or not. The head has a 5 pin din on the back for their footswitch.

Leon, love your vids. I’m trying this 4CM with my Mark IIC+; can you demonstrate how to use another cable from the FM3 to the footswitch jack so the FM3 can control the heads channel switching? Thx ✌️🤘

Hey Leon thanks for this great video. I have a mesa California tweed and i have the axe 3 running through it the way you described the cabling. When i put delay after the preamp tje delay gets distorted if i have a pedal in front. so guitar into input of axe. Output 3 to front of amp, effects loop send into input 2, and output 4 to return of fx loop. I did the i/o settings but i cant get a clean delay with distortion tone.. any help is appreciated

Brilliant, as per usual. However I do have a question (as per usual). As you know I'm hoping to run an FM3 as a pre-amp on my ENGL. Since I last bent your "ear" I discovered that the ENGL has 3 (yes 3) FX loops, two series. So my plan is to connect the FM3 to the second loops return. What changes would you suggest I make in that "set up" menu you showed? As ever, many thanks, bud:)

Great video, works great. I have a special question. We can disable the power amp in the Fm3, but can I do the reverse and disable the preamp of an amp block? I would like to use the preamp of my amp and the power section and cab of the Fm3 for recording!

Thank you this great. So I’m still at the level deciding whether I should go with a fractal. I do have two amps a Marshall and an Hughes and kettner kettner. Can I do the four cable method identically to what you showed with these two amps in stereo? Thank you.

Great Video....still using the ax8 until my name comes up on the list! Is it possible to do this with a mesa Mark iv and an ax 8. How does the send and return system on the mark iv work with this?

Hey Leon, love your videos on the FM3, lots of amazing info! I am using this method with my Marshall JCM 900. Regarding the effects loop in, is it bad to run a low signal back into the amp and then raise the master volume on the amp to compensate? I find this lets the power section tubes work without blasting my ears or needing an attenuator. What are your thoughts? Thanks!

Excellent tutorial ! Leon, How do you record this ? Are you using the second output ? because I didn't see in your fm3 a cab.

I wouldn’t have thought to use a TRS plug into the amp FX return jack. I’ll have to try that.

Sounds awesome dude! You always give me #fractalgas

Hello Leon from Spain and Happy 2021!. How connect or subject fm3 to the temple audio pedalboard?

Hey Todd! , is this setup is possible to the Axe fx 3?? If i use out 3 to OD pedal to in 3. Does the signal will interupt if i leave the pedal on while not using the fxloop in the preset???

Is there a way to save the input and output settings as scene versions? I want to use my FM9 to run as a model direct to FOH and also have presets for 4cm with my tube amps but don’t want to have to constantly be tweaking the input and output page back and forth. Is there any better way to go about switching the settings back and forth based on what rig I’m running?

Great demo Leon, as is always the case. I currently have and Axe FX III that I love in 4cm mode with my SLO-30. Only issues it is a pain to drag in and out of the studio and also have to bring a midi board and stand for the Axe FX. Just got my invite and am thinking of picking it up so I can leave the Axe FX in the "studio" and just take the FM3 to Practice (and hopefully someday gigs. While I know it won't be able to run the same number of effects the III does , any reason it would not sound just as good as the full III when used in 4cm method?

Great stuff Leon! I just tried 4CM with my Axe III coupled with my JP2C. I still need to do a preset like the second one in your vid to just use the power section of the 2C. So many possibilities, so little time.

Hey Leon, does the 4CM work with a series or parallel fx loop? Does one work better than the other?

Leon question for you. I run this live with my band. I use Iem and split to foh. The channel you have this plugged into on the board do you run dry? Any gain on the channel at all or do you just use levels to taste? When I used it live for the first time it sounded kinda thin and tinny.

Video Suggestions: Making this on some of my favorites as well as yours which may be my favorite. REAL player. The RU-vid "GAS" confusion effect. I seem to have gotten myself into a Rut where I have so much "GEAR" I'm just confused. "Probably" why I for years and still do reach for my Taylor (y it's me) . Good news front. Landed a 12 Martin When they Zig, I ZAG. But really want to become a better Electric player in 2020. I'm just geared out. Two whole setups. One pure digital. One mostly analog. Both have their flavors. Neither is unique to me. Whereas I pickup my Taylor it's me, every time. Have a fantastic Summer.

I have an older Carvin XV-112 combo. With 2 channels. Tried to connect it the way demonstrated and got a tiny signal with huge amount of noise...tried it on both channels...same thing... any suggestions?

Hello) Thank you very much for your helpful videos. Could you clarify one question? I am using a Laney TT100H amplifier. I used 4 cables as indicated on your video. I tried to put a heating pad in front of the Laney TT100H amplifier, but for some reason, when the heating pad is turned off, a clean guitar signal is heard at the output. There is no sound of the amplifier itself. Please tell me what the problem might be. Thanks!

What would you set the I/O levels to for a passive un-buffered insert loop? I’m using a Ceriatone Plexi and trying to use the fm3 for effects only.

Can I run a separate fx loop for my guitar pedals while using the fm3 in conjunction with my guitar amp

Hey Man, Is there any other way for the last connection used, which is instead of the xlr output 1 ?

Great video Leon! Can you do a video adding a regular pedalboard and maybe the fm9? I’ve been wondering how to use a regular crybaby, and other effects. I like my fm9 but I’m not in love with it yet. I really want to be but I can’t give up certain pedals. I’m maybe a little confused how to run my regular 4 cable board with the fm9. I will never give up my tubes either. The digital thing is a great tool but I feel some things are still lacking.

The Gibbo black tape mod? Lol love it!

Hey Leon, Another great video. Question? What's up with the tape over the Gibson logo?

Leon great videos and tutorials; what is that pedal board platform you have the FM3 and the EXP pedal mounted on? Thanks.

Is there another way instead of using the Xlr to TRS cable which was the last you connected ?? i made all but i am missing this, so can i use a normal instrument cable instead or can i use just a TRS to TRS cable ?

second preset where u use the axe fx as an amp... is that possible on an Axe Fx 2XL ? and if i get it right wont that be a problem with the amp and cab simulation since i have to have those set to OFF when i use a similar preset to your preset 1 where i use my marshall for the amp tone ?

Can I use the one cable method ? One instrument input and one output left mono to front of amp ??

wow great tutorial i didnt no it does all that. And that is what i want to do.my question leon is.....what lower price amp you recommend ....maybe a 50watt organe, blackface or Marshall,...but has to have like your ceritone has.......effects loops send etc.also how do you hook it up to presonus audiobox using studio one to use as effects or daw....bascaiily want to record direct into my desktop.....thanks

Hi Leon, Thanks for making all of these videos. I recently purchased the FM3 Turbo and am slowing woking my way into all of the endless features. I was hoping to get help on two questions I had: 1) is if there is a way to easily copy/paste blocks or effects you like from, say a factory preset, into a new present block you are making? and 2) if you are running the unit into your own amp (messa boogie), is there any way to use a factory preset still but just turn off the amp and cab modeling so you can take advantage of the effects you may have liked from a preset? I don't know if that would just sound bad and should be avoided. Thanks for any help. and if there are videos on these, please let me know.

Can you explain using the internal send return to bypass the pre amp, I have been struggling with this for weeks.

Does the I/O setting stay the same for both presets?? All you gotta do is use the send and return blocks?

Please help me out lol how can I use this connection method with also having my monitors and Cab connected ?

Hi Leon ! Thanks for all your videos ! Can i use my FM3 with only a cab ?

Hi León I have a FM9 T: Does the TRS cable have to be stereo? or it could be Mono... Thanks

Do you have to use 4 cable method ? What happens if you just plug in to the amp? Thanks!

Hey Leon, whats the best way to run the FM3 through a poweramp (solid state) with a real cab and send an other Signal to foh? Can I disable the cab sim only for one output? Thanks for all the great videos! Cheers from Germany

How do you recommend connecting an FM3 to a practice amp without an effects loop?

Hi Leon, love your vids! Listen, I have an additional question to this setup in your video. Using a tube amp will present the problem with the amp possibly going down live. Therefore another path using both amp and cab through a separate output to front of house "copying" the 4CM-setup so that the switches work in the same way would be very helpful. Could you elaborate on this? There are videos out there talking about cab on/off, but in this situation both cab and amp is on or off for the different paths. Cheers!

And can you make a video on how to set up a midi block to switch amp channels?!

Hello Leon.. having trouble getting the FM3 as preamp setup to work. Does the cable being TRS vs TS make the difference? I have these other setup working great when using the tube amps preamp with the FM3. Thanks is advance.

Hi, i have soon a Fractal FM3, my guitar amp is a Boss Katana Artists combo 100 (first one, not MKII) and a pair of PRESONUS ERIS E5 Studio Monitors, i guess it's the best sound to just use studio monitors with connection of both XLR to each monitor directly? i mean, i will never use any effects from my amp anyway. i live in an apartment with neighbours and can't play with high volume anyway

I am very interested to get one of this FM3. Just a question though. May I place another multi fx pedal in the send and return and add it like an effects block? Thanks. Good vid instruction though

Is the example preset available somewhere for download?

Where do you set the output knobs on the fm3?

Hey Leon, your party about using the 2nd protest using a modeler amp, instead of ur tube amp... I did that exactly on my FM9 but the Fractal amp has no sound.. the tube amp works great, but can't switch it to a fractal amp like how u did.... any idea?

How do I set up my FM9 for using the FM9 effects with my Fender Deluxe Reverb Amp that has no effects end and return?

LT, any reference as to how you’d set this up for two amps (running in stereo)? Actually, thinking 2:05 is where you cover this. Suppose the second cable from Output 1 would just go to the effects return loop of the second amp….

Sounds killer! Is this still your favorite Marshall type amp? Raw open or compressed?

Hi Leon, need your valuable suggestions. Fm3 out to fx loop of Marshall SV 20c. For bedroom level practise + access all the different amp available in fm3 especially marshall jmp-1, Fender deluxe will it work. Especially at low volume.

Much tone suck from an FM3 in a tube amp fx loop? Of course all amps are a bit different, but general consensus? And anything that can’t be fixed by adding some EQ from the FM3?

Leon - I want to do exactly this but also be able to run to an FRFR or FOH. How can I do this so that I am not getting a cab Sim on my real cabinet?

Late to the party; but thanks for the informative vid, Leon \m/ I am generally good with these scenarios but the Fractal loop nomencalture/implementation always has me scratching my head. I am going to set up the GT Core and FM3 in 4CM and combine the chocolate and the peanut butter. With any luck.

Can the fm3 be used with a solid state amp with the send return inputs. My dsl15 doesnt Have it. But the cheaper mg50 does

Great Leon!! What i never understood. If you put a drive or eq from the digital unit in front of the real amp does it behave like using a pedal and boosting the input in the same way as a pedal would do?

Hey Leon. Why does it say in the manual, NOT TRS but you're using it? Which one should it be? Thanks.

Another question.. Is this setup possible in axefx 3 ??? In1 Guitar > axe3 Compression&PitchShifter > Out3 > Wah > In3 > Out4 > OD pedal > In4 > axe3 amp&cab > Out 1 > To PA In & Out 3 is always on in preset In & Out 4 Is just on in certain preset (in distorted tones only, it will be off in clean tones) Is this setup will cause latency issue?? Because i will run almost 50ft in out3 to in3..... Thanks for your reply😀

I hope it is ok to ask a question. 1. I use the 4CM to connect my ENGL with my FM9 - when I let the output level with + 4dBu I get feedback loops (not nice) but the volume is then like the ENGL without FM9.. when I use -10 it works fine but then the setup is definitely quieter than if I run the Engl without FM9 ... is it not a problem and where the lost power will be covered .. as I know it is not good for a tube amp. Not sure whether I could explain this problem properly and thanks in advance for your help

Leon, what did you set the physical output levels (1 and 2) on the fm3 at?

Do I have to change the settings in the I/0 section every time I use 4CM? Is there any way to save these settings permanently in this particular preset?

Can anyone explane the routing at 6:43? Like, disengaging the amp's preamp and use the FM3 as a preamp?

Hello Leon. What is the model yellow pedalboard? Temple audio? thanks for your videos

Hi Leon, does the FM3 have tube power amp models? might be nice to use my real tube preamps for the tone and use the FM3 for power amp and cab modeling to get it into my daw?

Hi leon! Great video as always! Little question: Is there any difference in using XLR-Female to TRS and XLR-Female to TS?. The manual literally says "(NOT TRS!)" , so why is that?. Greetings from Chile!

Leon, I am looking for a multi effects unit for my Soldano HR50+. I know the loop is Line level in the HR so pedals are a little weird with it. Would the 4CM method you demonstrate here work well with the Soldano? I’ve read that all Fractal gear is default Line level. If you can’t tell I’m pretty confused lol

Leon, when your just playing at home wanting to rock out do you just play the axe fx through some monitors and let the axe do all the amp simulating etc? or would you rather do the 4CM and get the full bore tone of a real amp? or do you find the fm3s amp/cabs fully satisfy through monitors?

using the 4cm and similiar cables Leon uses, I need to set input 2 noise gate to 100% to keep the rig super quiet. weirdly, there is no tone suck as far as i can tell. is this normal?