Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
The Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, released in 2018, is the flagship modeler and effects processor from Fractal Audio Systems. Building on the success of its predecessors, the Axe-Fx III introduced unparalleled processing power, advanced amp modeling technology, and a user-friendly interface, solidifying its position as one of the most advanced digital platforms for guitarists and bassists. It remains a top choice for professional musicians and tone enthusiasts.
Amp Models
PORTA-BASS (Ampeg B-15NF Portaflex)
The Ampeg B-15NF Portaflex is one of the most iconic and influential bass amplifiers in music history, renowned for its innovative design, warm tube tone, and e…
SV Bass 1, SV Bass 2 (Ampeg SVT)
The Ampeg SVT (Super Vacuum Tube) is one of the most iconic bass amplifiers in history, celebrated for its unmatched power, tonal versatility, and enduring lega…
Euro Blue, Euro Blue Modern, Euro Red, Euro Red Modern (Bogner Ecstasy 101B)
The Bogner Ecstasy 101B is a renowned guitar amplifier that has made a significant impact on the music industry, particularly among rock and metal musicians.
Shiver Clean, Shiver Lead (Bogner Shiva)
The Bogner Shiva is a celebrated guitar amplifier known for its versatility and tonal richness, making it a favorite among musicians across various genres.
Euro Uber (Bogner Uberschall)
The Bogner Uberschall is a highly acclaimed guitar amplifier known for its powerful sound and versatility, particularly favored in the metal and hard rock genre…
Herbie Ch2+, Herbie Ch2-, Herbie Ch3, Herbie MK3 (Diezel Herbert)
The Diezel Herbert is a high-performance guitar amplifier head renowned for its immense power, tonal versatility, and innovative features. Below is a synopsis o…
Dizzy V4 Blue 2, Dizzy V4 Blue 3, Dizzy V4 Blue 4, Dizzy V4 Silver 2, Dizzy V4 Silver 3, Dizzy V4 Silver 4 (Diezel VH4)
The Diezel VH4 is a highly regarded guitar amplifier known for its versatility, high-gain capabilities, and exceptional sound quality.
Mr Z HWY 66 (Dr. Z Route 66)
The Dr. Z Route 66 is a highly regarded guitar amplifier known for its rich tonal characteristics and versatility, making it a favorite among professional music…
ODS-100 Clean, ODS-100 Ford, ODS-100 Ford Pab, ODS-100 Ford Pab Mid, ODS-100 Hrm, ODS-100 Hrm Mid (Dumble Overdrive Special)
The Dumble Overdrive Special (ODS) is one of the most iconic and sought-after guitar amplifiers in history, celebrated for its unique tone, meticulous craftsman…
5153 100W Blue, 5153 100W Green, 5153 100W Red (EVH 5150)
The EVH 5150 is a prominent guitar amplifier that has become synonymous with the sound of rock and metal, particularly due to its association with legendary gui…
59 Bassguy Bright, 59 Bassguy Jumped, 59 Bassguy Normal, 59 Bassguy RI Jumped, 65 Bassguy Bass, 65 Bassguy Normal (Fender Bassman)
The Fender Bassman is one of the most iconic amplifiers in music history, known for its versatility, tone, and influence on amplifier design. Here's a synopsis…
Jr Blues (Fender Blues Junior)
The Fender Blues Junior is a compact 15-watt tube combo known for fitting familiar Fender clean and edge-of-breakup tones into a portable, gig-ready package.
5F1 Tweed, 5F1 Tweed EC (Fender Champ)
The Fender Champ is a legendary amplifier with a storied history, known for its simplicity, portability, and distinctive tone.
105 Deluxe Tweed, 106 Deluxe Tweed Jumped, 107 Deluxe Verb Normal, 108 Deluxe Verb Vibrato (Fender Deluxe)
The Fender Deluxe is a legendary guitar amplifier with a rich history, renowned for its tonal versatility and enduring popularity among musicians. Here's an ove…
Prince Tone 5F2, Prince Tone AA964, Prince Tone Reverb (Fender Princeton)
The Fender Princeton is a highly regarded guitar amplifier with a rich history, known for its compact size and warm, versatile tone.
Super Verb Normal, Super Verb Vibrato (Fender Super)
The Fender Super is a celebrated guitar amplifier with a rich history, known for its warm tones and versatility.
Double Verb Normal, Double Verb Vibrato, Double Verb Silverface (Fender Twin)
The Fender Twin is one of the most iconic guitar amplifiers in music history, known for its powerful sound and versatility.
Friedman BE 2010, Friedman BE C45, Friedman BE V1, Friedman BE V1 Fat, Friedman BE V2, Friedman BE V3, Friedman HBE 2010, Friedman HBE C45, Friedman HBE V1, Friedman HBE V1 Fat, Friedman HBE V2, Friedman HBE V3 (Friedman BE-100)
The Friedman BE-100 is a highly regarded guitar amplifier known for its exceptional tonal versatility and high-gain capabilities, making it a favorite among roc…
Hipower Brilliant, Hipower Normal, Hipower Jumped (Hiwatt DR-103)
The Hiwatt DR-103, also known as the Custom 100, is one of the most revered amplifiers in rock history, celebrated for its exceptional build quality, tonal clar…
Brit 2204 High, Brit 2204 Low, Brit 2203 High, Brit 2203 Low, Plexi 2204 (Marshall JCM-800)
The Marshall JCM-800 is a legendary amplifier that has become synonymous with the sound of hard rock and heavy metal since its introduction in the early 1980s.
Brit JM45, Brit JM45 Jumped (Marshall JTM-45)
The Marshall JTM-45 is a legendary guitar amplifier that has played a pivotal role in the development of rock music since its introduction.
1959SLP Jumped, Brit Studio 20, Brit Brown, Plexi 100W 1970, Plexi 100W High, Plexi 100W Jumped, Plexi 100W Normal, Plexi 50W 6550, Plexi 50W 6CA7, Plexi 50W 6CA7 Jumped, Plexi 50W High 1, Plexi 50W High 2, Plexi 50W Jumped, Plexi 50W Normal (Marshal Plexi)
The Marshall Plexi is one of the most iconic guitar amplifiers in rock history, known for its powerful sound and significant influence on the music scene.
1959SLP Jumped, Brit Studio 20, Brit Brown, Plexi 100W 1970, Plexi 100W High, Plexi 100W Jumped, Plexi 100W Normal, Plexi 50W 6550, Plexi 50W 6CA7, Plexi 50W 6CA7 Jumped, Plexi 50W High 1, Plexi 50W High 2, Plexi 50W Jumped, Plexi 50W Normal (Marshall Super Lead)
The Marshall Super Lead, officially known as the Model 1959, is one of the most iconic guitar amplifiers in rock history, renowned for its powerful sound and si…
Matchbox D-30, Matchbox D-30 EF86 (Matchless DC30)
The Matchless DC30 is a highly regarded guitar amplifier known for its exceptional tone and versatility, making it a favorite among musicians across various gen…
USA Bass 400 1, USA Bass 400 2 (Mesa/Boogie Bass 400+)
The Mesa/Boogie Bass 400+ is a legendary all-tube bass amplifier head, celebrated for its immense power, tonal versatility, and durability.
Recto1 Orange Modern, Recto1 Orange Normal, Recto1 Red, Recto2 Orange Modern, Recto2 Orange Vintage, Recto2 Red Modern, Recto2 Red Vintage, Thordendal Modern, Thordendal Vintage (Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier)
The Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier is an iconic guitar amplifier that has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of rock and metal since its introduction.
Texas Star Clean (Mesa/Boogie Lone Star)
The Mesa/Boogie Lone Star is a renowned guitar amplifier celebrated for its versatility and tonal richness, making it a popular choice among musicians across va…
USA MK IV Lead/Rhythm, USA MK IV Lead Bright, USA MK IV Lead Mid Gain, USA MK IV Lead Mid Gain Bright (Mesa/Boogie Mark IV)
The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV is a legendary guitar amplifier that has become a staple in the world of high-gain music, known for its versatility and powerful sound.
AC-20 12AX7 Bass, AC-20 12AX7 Treble, AC-20 EF86 Bass, AC-20 EF86 Treble (Morgan AC20)
The Morgan AC20 is a highly regarded boutique amplifier known for its exceptional tonal versatility, vintage-inspired design, and ability to handle both studio…
Citrus Bass 200 (Orange AD200)
The Orange AD200 is a flagship bass amplifier head celebrated for its simplicity, powerful tone, and versatility across genres.
Citrus RV50 (Orange Rockerverb)
The Orange Rockerverb is a celebrated guitar amplifier known for its powerful sound and versatility, making it a favorite among musicians in various genres.
Citrus Terrier (Orange Tiny Terror)
The Orange Tiny Terror is the compact 15-watt tube head that helped establish the modern "lunchbox amp" category with a portable chassis, three controls, and a…
Archean, Archean Bright, Archean Clean (PRS Archon)
The PRS Archon is a powerful guitar amplifier known for its versatility and high-gain capabilities, making it a favorite among modern rock and metal musicians.
PVH 6160 Block, PVH 6160 Block Crunch, PVH 6160+ Clean, PVH 6160+ Clean Bright, PVH 6160+ Crunch, PVH 6160+ Crunch Bright, PVH 6160+ Lead (Peavey 6505)
The Peavey 6505, originally named the Peavey 5150, is a legendary guitar amplifier that has made a significant impact on the rock and metal music scenes since i…
Revv Gen Green 1, Revv Gen Green 2, Revv Gen Green 3, Revv Gen Purple 1, Revv Gen Purple 2, Revv Gen Purple 3, Revv Gen Red 1, Revv Gen Red 2, Revv Gen Red 3 (Revv Generator 120)
The Revv Generator 120 is a modern guitar amplifier that has gained acclaim for its versatility and high-gain capabilities, particularly in rock and metal genre…
Jazz 120 (Roland JC-120)
The Roland JC-120, also known as the Jazz Chorus, is a legendary solid-state guitar amplifier that has made a significant impact on the music world since its in…
Solo 100 Clean, Solo 100 Lead, Solo 100 Rhythm (Soldano SLO-100)
The Soldano SLO-100, known as the Super Lead Overdrive, is a legendary guitar amplifier that has significantly influenced the high-gain sound in rock and metal…
Wrecker Express (Trainwreck Circuits Express)
The Trainwreck Circuits Express is a legendary boutique guitar amplifier known for its unique tonal characteristics and touch sensitivity.
Class-A 15W TB (Vox AC15)
The Vox AC15 is a legendary amplifier celebrated for its rich history, distinctive tone, and enduring appeal among guitarists.
Class-A 30W, Class-A 30W Bright, Class-A 30W Brilliant, Class-A 30W Hot, Class-A 30W TB (Vox AC30)
The Vox AC30 is one of the most iconic guitar amplifiers in music history, celebrated for its distinctive "chimey" tone and association with legendary artists.
The Axe-Fx III features over 289 amp models, meticulously crafted using Fractal's Cygnus Amp Modeling technology. This system recreates analog circuits with extreme precision, down to individual components like tubes and transformers. Key amp models include:
- Marshall Plexi (Brit Plexi) and JCM800 (Brit 800) for classic rock tones.
- Fender Blackface Deluxe Reverb (Deluxe Verb) for sparkling cleans.
- Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (USA Lead) for modern high-gain sounds.
- Soldano SLO-100 (Solo 100) for saturated lead tones.
- Boutique amps like the Dumble Overdrive Special (ODS) and Trainwreck Express. ::
Effects
The Axe-Fx III offers an extensive library of effects, including:
- Studio-grade delays, reverbs, and modulation effects.
- Overdrives and distortions inspired by iconic pedals.
- Advanced pitch-shifting, harmonization, and dynamic processing.
- UltraRes speaker simulation with thousands of cabinet IRs, including user-imported options.
Features
Key innovations of the Axe-Fx III include:
- Dual DSP architecture with unmatched processing power for complex rigs.
- Support for up to two simultaneous amp blocks with four channels each.
- Tone Matching, which allows users to replicate the tone of recorded or live amps.
- A large color display and intuitive interface for seamless navigation.
- Regular firmware updates that continually enhance its capabilities.
Players
The Axe-Fx III has been adopted by some of the most renowned guitarists in the world. Artists such as Steve Vai, John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders), and Devin Townsend rely on it for both live performances and studio work. Its versatility also makes it a favorite among session players.
Legacy
The Axe-Fx III represents a pinnacle in digital modeling technology. With its Cygnus Amp Modeling updates (introduced in 2021), it continues to set industry standards for realism and flexibility. Its influence extends beyond the rack-mounted unit to Fractal's floor-based FM9 and FM3 processors, ensuring its legacy as a cornerstone of modern guitar tone.