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Fractal Audio Systems

Artist Presets

We are very pleased to introduce the Fractal Audio Artist Preset Series! Enjoy this collection of Presets from members of the incredible Fractal Audio Artist Community that we will be continually updating. To install them, you will need to connect your equipment to your computer and install either FM3 Edit, FM9-Edit or Axe-Edit III. For detailed instructions, please consult your FM3, FM9 or Axe-Fx III Owner’s Manual or contact our support.


Neal Schon

By far this year’s most requested Gift of Tone, today’s release is from Neal Schon of Journey. The man is an institution and literally needs no introduction.

🎁 Neal’s Gift of Tone is a preset from his live rig containing four scenes from clean to lead. You might look at it and say, “Wow, that’s so simple. Is this really his preset?” Yes, this preset is what he plays through, but to truly get Neal’s fantastic tone you’ll need to learn to play like him. (We wish you the best in this endeavor!) 

REQUIREMENTS: Axe-Fx III firmware 23.05 or newer. FM9 firmware 5.0 or newer. FM3 firmware 7.0 or newer. (To import a preset, use Import Preset in the top level Preset menu of your product’s editor.)

NOTE: This preset requires two expression pedals: one for wah through “External 1”, and the other for Delay and Reverb levels through “External 2”.
The EV pedals are available in our Shop.


Justin Derrico

In the electrifying world of live performance, the spotlight shines brightest on center stage, but there’s an unparalleled talent out there every night with P!NK that shines brighter than any pyrotechnic. Justin Derrico is the exceptional guitarist who powers P!NK’s sensational shows from stage right. His guitar mastery is more like guitar MONSTER-Y. You can also catch him and his Fractal Audio gear on NBC’s The Voice, where he is the guitarist in the house band—one of the most recorded in history, where he learns and performs 75+ songs every week.

🎁 Justin’s Gift of Tone is a Preset-Cab Bundle containing the scenes used in his live rig heard across the world’s biggest stages. It features a clean, a rhythm, and two leads — one based on his coveted JMP tone! There’s a whammy and a wah, and multiple effects (fewer FX on FM9 and FM3 versions).

REQUIREMENTS: Axe-Fx III firmware 23.05 or newer. FM9 firmware 5.0 or newer. FM3 firmware 7.0 or newer. (To import a preset, use Import Preset in the top level Preset menu of your product’s editor.


Chris Baseford

Chris Baseford is a Canadian record producer, engineer, and mixer. He has worked with some of the most renowned talents in the industry including Nickelback, Shinedown, Daughtry, Rob Zombie, Tommy Lee/Mötley Crüe, Avril Lavigne, and many globally-recognized producers and songwriters. With an obsession for creating great sounding records across a wide array of genres including rock, metal, pop and country, Chris’ passion for making music continues to evolve as he strives for every next project to be his best work yet.

🎁 Chris’s Gift of Tone is a Preset with EIGHT SCENES of great tone using four amp models each with its own dialed-in DynaCab from the onboard selections. Chris is loaded up for the Axe-Fx III Turbo, so look for lighter versions included for FM9 Turbo, FM9 Original, FM3 Turbo, and FM3 Original.

REQUIREMENTS: Axe-Fx III firmware 23.05 or newer. FM9 firmware 5.0 or newer. FM3 firmware 7.0 or newer. (Notice that there are different versions for Axe-Fx III, FM9 Turbo, FM9 original, FM3 Turbo, and FM3 original.) To import a preset, use Import Preset in the top level Preset menu of your product’s editor.

FROM CHRIS

Since I’m a self professed studio rat, I use these sounds exclusively for recording. My philosophy with my presets is to have a block for anything I might want, even if it’s not on, it’s there with a good starting point on each channel, ready to go. I like to build presets based on an overall sound, with the scenes used for different options. For instance, I have various presets for clean, dirty, heavy and special effects. Within those presets I’ll have a different sonic option on each scene so I can quickly audition different sounds depending on what part I’m recording. These are all starting points and once I find something I like, I’ll save to a new preset number and start tweaking for the record I’m working on. This preset combines a few of those scenes into one preset:AC-20 – Clean, AC-20 – Breakup, Tucana – Clean’ish,Tucana – Drive
JVM – Rhythm, JVM – Drive, Revv Gen – Heavy, Rev Gen – Lead
This gives a variety of sounds to use when producing a rock type track. Obviously guitars/pickups can have a major effect on these sounds, which is why I’ve built in EQ’s in front of the amp block and after the cab block. Don’t be afraid to tweak it here to make it work for your setup.
PS: although I still use traditional IRs quite a bit, I’m loving the ease of use of the new DynaCabs, so I’ve included those here. Again, don’t be afraid to grab those controls and quickly shape the sound to your liking.


Wes Hauch

We’re happy to welcome back to the Fractal Audio family of artists… Wes Hauch!

Wes Hauch is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is an extraordinary talent in the realm of metal music, known for both technical proficiency and artistic creativity. As a member of bands like The Faceless, Glass Casket, and now Alluvial, Hauch has consistently pushed the boundaries of the genre, blending technical metal with progressive elements to create a sound that is both ferociously intense and detailed.

🎁 Wes’s Gift of Tone is a Preset-Cab Bundle containing the Rhythm/Lead/Clean/Mid Gain sounds that he uses live with Alluvial. The bundle uses a Cab IR based on his preferred “USA” 4×12 and mic (also included separately). The preset was dialed in on an Ibanez RG 7 string in B standard tuning. For best results, use a guitar with humbuckers tuned to standard pitch.

REQUIREMENTS: Axe-Fx III firmware 23.05 or newer. FM9 firmware 5.0 or newer. FM3 firmware 7.0 or newer.
To import a preset, use Import Preset in the top level Preset menu of your product’s editor.


Greg Wells

Greg Wells is a Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter, musician, and mix engineer raised in Canada and based in Los Angeles, with songs on over 130 million albums sold and streaming numbers in the billions. His diverse credits include John Legend (2021 Grammys Best R&B Album), Adele, and Deftones; producing and mixing “The Greatest Showman” film and soundtrack album; Taylor Swift, Theophilus London, P!nk, Kid Cudi, Twenty-One Pilots, Carrie Underwood, Rufus Wainwright, OneRepublic, Timbaland, Otep, Celine Dion, Aerosmith, Weezer, Katy Perry, Keith Urban, Dua Lipa, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, and Mika. He lives in a daily pursuit of the best tone for the song being recorded.

Our mutual friend Dweezil Zappa introduced Greg to Fractal Audio, and Greg has fully embraced the quality and diversity of these sounds into his record production.

“I’ve tried every amp emulator made for the past 20 plus years and this is the only one that sounds like the real thing. I can’t believe it exists!”

🎁 Greg’s Gift of Tone is a preset featuring “Happy” and “Rawk” amp tones in a variety of settings, and also includes two custom user cab IRs. These are included separately but are also included in preset bundles for the Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3.

REQUIREMENTS: Axe-Fx III firmware 23 or newer. FM9 firmware 5.0 or newer. FM3 firmware 7.0 or newer.
To import a preset, use Import Preset in the top level Preset menu of your product’s editor.


Aaron Marshall

Aaron Marshall, acclaimed for his innovative guitar techniques and seemingly boundless creativity, is an influential figure in contemporary guitar — and a celebrated endorser of Fractal Audio Systems. Known for his work with INTERVALS, Aaron has captivated audiences worldwide with his seamless fusion of intricate melodies, progressive rhythms, and atmospheric tones. His use of Fractal Audio gear has been integral in shaping his distinctive sound, which has inspired a new generation of guitarists.

Of special interest to fans will be: A brand new Intervals record in early 2024, plenty of touring around the globe, and a new USA line of signature guitars + pickups from Aaron in collaboration with the Schecter USA Custom Shop.

🎁 Aaron’s Gift of Tone is an iconic 8-scene preset from his Axe-Fx III rig that has also been adapted to work on the FM9 and FM3. It contains a tightly gated heavy rhythm, a classic chorused lead, an atomospheric clean, and much more!

REQUIREMENTS: Axe-Fx III firmware 23 or newer. FM9 firmware 5.0 or newer. FM3 firmware 7.0 or newer.
To import a preset, use Import Preset in the top level Preset menu of your product’s editor.


Gift of Tone 2022

To get the Gift of Tone Presets of 2022, click here.

Artists: 

Dweezil Zappa, Larry Mitchell, Tim Pierce, Alex Lifeson, John Petrucci, Guthrie Govan, Tosin Abasi & Javier Reyes of Animals As Leaders, Tom Hamilton & Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Jason Richardson, Frank Steffen Mueller, Steve Vai, Phil Collen, Devin Townsend, Synyster Gates, Justin York, Fremen, Cooper Carter, AustinBuddy, Mark "Moke" Perry, Andy Wood, Mikko Logren, Chris Traynor, Marco Fanton, Ryan "Fluff" Bruce, Mark Day, Leon Todd. 


DEVIN TOWNSEND

These presets have been optimized for FM3 Firmware 1.03 and Axe-Fx III Firmware 12.07.


Steve Stevens

These presets require the following minimum firmware versions: FM3 Firmware 1.04 or Axe-Fx III Firmware 12.08.


Pete Thorn

These presets have been optimized for FM3 Firmware 1.03 and Axe-Fx III Firmware 12.07.


Larry Mitchell - 'Breakdown'

"I use this for a fun funky jam when I am talking with the audience. Check out Scene 5 for and 7 for some funky cool Synth Leads." Optimized for FM3 Firmware 3.02 and Axe-Fx III Firmware 15.01.


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