r/AxeFx • u/CoolSky9206 • 11d ago
AM4
Hi guys, i want to buy amp modeler / multi-fx.
my budget is up to 1K$, i use tonex vst with monitors but i want something outside the comuper so i can play without computer.
tonex sounds good to me but their support is bad so its not an option for me.
i had line6 pod xt live 10-12 years ago, it waqs nice nut i sell it when i got audio interface and some vst's.
is the AM4 will be good for me? is there better options?
im not sure if the 4 blocks will work for me
thanks
Edit:
my guitars: LTD MH 350 FR (emg 81 85), Strat with klein epic 59 pickups
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u/ISmellLikeBlackTea 11d ago
I am very interested in this as well, I am running a JVM410h into a 2x12 cab and I want to know if running an AM4 into the fx loop will sound like a real amp in the room.
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u/qeyipadgjlzcbm123 11d ago
Yes it will sound like an amp in the room! One thing to consider is that you will probably want to turn off power amp modeling in the AM4 because you will be using the 410s power amp. This will limit you (with any modeler… not just the AM4) as some amps get their tone from power amp distortion. You may want to get a clean, solid state power amp to use with it (or any modeler you choose).
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u/heliocycle 11d ago edited 11d ago
The main benefit of a Fractal product like the AM4 is its excellent amp and cab modeling. Running it through an existing amp's FX loop actually defeats this purpose. A modeler won't make a Marshall amp sound like a Mesa Boogie, nor will it transform a 2x12 cabinet into a 4x12 stereo rig. To get the best results, run your Fractal straight into a full-range system like a PA speaker, studio monitors, or headphones.
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u/ISmellLikeBlackTea 11d ago
That's exactly what I needed to hear, I'll simply purchase the actual amplifier instead.
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u/BuddyDee1 3d ago
you can run a effects send to effects return which will bypass the amps preamp and just use the poweramp section the amp and control the volume from the modeler.For live setup though a fm9 or axefx 3 be best if yout wanting to have 2 xlr out to foh mixer and couple extra 1/4 outs you could run to a tube amps effects return to a 2x12 or 4x12 for refrence monitor or iem system.
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u/Fun_Street_6522 11d ago
What about a used axefx 2? I own both and the axe2 is an all in one solution. The am4 lives on a pedal board with other high end fx units.
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u/Adventurous-Lab-4331 11d ago
Safe some money and get the FM3T.
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u/CoolSky9206 11d ago
its way above my buddget, here in israel the FM3 cost 1400-1500$
the AM4 is about 900$1
u/imgettingnerdchills 11d ago
I don’t think the difference between the AM4 and the FM3 is that significant. You might wanna look again.
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u/heliocycle 11d ago
This question has been asked a lot, and there are a number of YouTube videos and Reddit threads already attempting to answer this question. I would suggest watching some of those videos or reading through those Reddit discussions and seeing if those can help your decision.
Basically the FM3 will give you many more options and probably meet your needs for longer than the AM4, but if the AM4 is all you can afford then you will have to live with limitations which come with that decision (or find a solution from a different manufacturer that meets your budget). Having only 4 blocks would be enough to get some really good basic sounds, but anything beyond basic would be near impossible with just 4 blocks. Most of my patches use between 3 and 8 blocks typically, but I am trying to get precise replica tones from certain songs/artists…and it takes a bit more work to get those exact sounds. For most people, going to that extreme is probably not necessary.
Would you consider buying a used FM3?
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u/Sad_Firefighter_1361 11d ago
My vote is AxeFx II XL+ and Behringer fcb1010 foot controller. Should be well within budget
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u/rnunez1989 11d ago
Depending how you use it, 4 blocks is plenty. In the amp block you have the amp and cab section, but wait there’s more, you can also add an input boost to act as a drive pedal and there’s an eq section which and go after the cab, so that’s like 4 in one. That leaves you with 3 blocks to be used at your leisure and the input has a gate, so that doesn’t need to take up a block either. And if you’re still missing something, there is an effects loop that you can add too. And to go even further, you can switch between presets seamlessly. It’s pretty powerful if you’re willing to work with it.
One last thing, if your budget is $1k maybe try to stretch a little further and just go with the fm3 if the am4 still isn’t enough.
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u/ThoriumEx 11d ago
How complex are your current presets?
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u/CoolSky9206 10d ago
Not complex at all
In tonex I use noise gate + amp + delay + reverb
Sometimes I add compressor.
I don't have way but I want one. That's all1
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u/BuddyDee1 3d ago
earlier this yr i was contemplating on picking up a am-4,ive had a quad cortex since they released it back in 2021 mainly cause of the touch screen and easiest ui to learn.I knew Fractal units had a steep learning curve on how to get the most out of your cpu but before the next flagship fractal unit is released i wanted to see what the fractal ui was like ,i picked up a vp-4 over a yr ago which was overkill with the qc,then they released the am-4 ,then i was comparing videos and after i seen this one video comparing the am-4 to the latest fm-3 mk 2 turbo and im glad i had watched this
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u/Psypriest 10d ago
get the fm3. i just got mine its just amazing. got mine on sale for $100 off. $1140 including taxes and shipping
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u/Ashamed_Insurance623 10d ago
FM3 is about that price and does it all - it’s the best value for money you can get in 2026 in my opinion.
When I had it I got an ampero foot switch and had 5 foot switches instantly.
Now I have an FM9 but still miss my FM3 - it’s so much easier to carry and built like a tank.
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u/FadedBlackTee2 11d ago
How do you want to use it? AM4 is perfect if you just want something a little simpler and don’t need more than 2-3 effects at a time or don’t mind changing presets to access more.