Fractal Audio has pulled back the curtains on its latest amp modeler and multi-effects unit, the FM9. ADVERTISEMENT The company's most powerful do-it-all floor unit ever, the FM9 is headlined by four DSP cores, thousands of amp models and cab sims, over 100 stompbox and studio effects, footswitching capabilities, and a whole lot more. There's a lot to unwrap here, so let's dig in. ADVERTISEMENT LATEST VIDEOS FROM GUITAR WORLD YOU MAY LIKE Fractal Audio AM4 Fractal goes up against IK Multimedia and Line 6 with the AM4 its most affordable and user-friendly amp modeler to date Fractal AM4 "Fractal's renowned amp modeling at a lower entry price": Fractal AM4 review Fractal Audio ICONS Fractal goes up against Neural DSP and IK Multimedia with ICONS its first-ever plugin Fractal Audio s new FM9 amp modeler and multi-effects pedal (Image credit: Fractal Audio) The FM9 is anchored by Fractal's Cygnus amp modeling technology, which is said to improve the response of amp models across all input levels (especially, according to Fractal, for amps with cascading gain stages), for more accurate voicing and better touch sensitivity. ADVERTISEMENT The unit's pair of amp blocks each contain four channels which can run any of its nearly 300 amp models which run the tonal gamut from the cleanest of cleans to the most aggressive of barking gains. Notably, it also includes the entire, thousands-strong cabinet collection from the pricier and larger Axe-Fx III, plus 1,024 locations where users can upload their own impulse responses. Moving on to effects, the FM9 boasts 57 overdrive pedal models, more than 50 reverbs, dozens of delays, and in addition to a two-minute looper a number of choruses, flangers, phasers, tremolos, wahs, EQs, filters, and pitch effects. Aside from sharing a cab collection with the Axe-Fx III, the FM9 also has the former unit's same signal path design and full-color main display. Physically, it features a 16-gauge steel chassis and protective endcaps that double as feet, plus a set of nine footswitches each with its own vari-color LED ring and mini LCD display. ADVERTISEMENT Get The Pick Newsletter The purpose of each of the tap/hold footswitches can be customized via a Layouts feature that provides nine different sets of tap and hold functions, while a FASLINK II port for connecting up to two Fractal Audio FC-12 or FC-6 foot controllers also comes standard. ADVERTISEMENT There are plenty of inputs and outputs on hand as well, with a 1/4 instrument input, two separate stereo pairs of balanced 1/4 jacks, a main stereo output equipped with both XLR and 1/4 outs, and a headphone jack. On top of those, there are two additional independent stereo outputs one XLR and one 1/4 three on-board jacks that allow users to connect an external switch or expression pedal, and digital I/Os including 48k SPDIF in and outs, and 5-pin MIDI ins and outs. YOU MAY LIKE Fractal Audio AM4 Fractal goes up against IK Multimedia and Line 6 with the AM4 its most affordable and user-friendly amp modeler to date Fractal AM4 "Fractal's renowned amp modeling at a lower entry price": Fractal AM4 review Fractal Audio ICONS Fractal goes up against Neural DSP and IK Multimedia with ICONS its first-ever plugin The unit can also serve as a USB audio interface with 8-channel recording and 8-channel playback capabilities. Last but certainly not least, the FM9 comes with Fractal's FM9-EDIT software editor free, and is compatible with the Fractal-Bot app for preset sharing, backups and restoration, and firmware updates. So! How will this impressive-sounding floor modeling unit compare with the likes of the Neural DSP Quad Cortex, the Line 6 Helix and Kemper Profiler Stage? We can't wait to get our hands on it and find out... The Fractal FM9 is available now for $1,599. For more info, stop by Fractal Audio.

Packing next-generation processing power in a pedalboard-ready form factor, the Helix Stadium marks a bold step forward in the art of amp and effect emulation, complete with the company's groundbreaking Agoura modeling methodology, enhanced DSP, and streamlined touchscreen navigation. This boundary-pushing processor raises the bar on modeling accuracy with 16 Agoura-powered guitar amps and six Agoura bass amps. Meanwhile, Line 6's innovative "Hype" knob takes your model's tone from lifelike precision to a perfectly polished and produced sound. Next, the addition of a high-resolution 8-inch touchscreen, 12 footswitches, and a robust collection of physical controls ensures intuitive navigation of the Helix Stadium's myriad functions. You can even completely automate entire tracks with Helix Stadium's Showcase engine, while Focus View supplies an in-depth, context-based editing for your selected model. Did we mention that the Helix Stadium's Proxy cloud-based gear cloning lies just on the horizon? It's all finished off with a comprehensive array of stage- and studio-ready features, including increased headroom, improved sound, reduced weight, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Preset Audition, and more. Whether you're eyeing a portable rig replacement, a stage-ready workhorse, or a limitless sonic canvas to realize the tone of your dreams, the Helix Stadium delivers grand-slam performance, pushing the boundaries of floor-based processing to the stratosphere.

5150® ICONIC® SERIES 40W 1X12 COMBO The EVH® 5150® Iconic® Series satisfies the needs of gigging and recording guitarists craving that powerful EVH tube tone, but at a more affordable price. Evolving from the revered EVH 5150III® amplifiers, the Iconic Series delivers the searing sound and growling gain that Eddie Van Halen made famous throughout his groundbreaking career. Designed by renowned amp engineer, James Brown, the 5150® Iconic® Series 40-watt 1x12 combo is powered by two 6L6 power tubes and voiced by a complex, multi-stage hybrid preamp section anchored by a duet of ECC83 tubes providing all the fire power the modern guitarist needs. The cabinet is constructed out of MDF with special internal plywood baffling for tight and increased bass response, and houses a custom designed EVH 12” Celestion® speaker voiced specifically for this preamp circuit, so that the pristine cleans and searing high gain tones are tight, clear and articulate. Punching above its weight, this combo features two channels with an extra voicing on each for even more versatility. The Green channel boasts an overdrive button to run from clean tones to increased gain, while the Red channel’s burn button adds fiery crunch that’s ideal for blistering leads. Each channel houses its own gain and volume controls, allowing for level-matching the volume when switching between the clean and high gain channels. The channel two noise gate’s quick attack suppresses any hiss while ensuring all staccato riffing is articulate and crisp, not choked and choppy. The Boost control allows you to add another 10Db of foot-switchable volume to your tone — perfect for ensuring your solos cut through the mix. The control panel also includes shared EQ (Low, Mid and High), global resonance and presence knobs to adjust the low- and high-end aspects of your tone, and a global reverb control to add the perfect amount of bounce and decay for any room. Other features include a two-button footswitch, effects loop, dual parallel speaker output jacks, ¼ power switch to reduce wattage—allowing you to crank the amp and still preserve tone but without destroying your neighbor's solitude, and a speaker-emulated DI XLR with power amp mute for accurate all-tube EVH tone for recording direct or using through any PA system. Sporting sophisticated and distinctive EVH style, the 5150 Iconic Series 40-watt 1x12 combo is wrapped in either Black or Ivory textured vinyl with a black cloth front grille and features silver and black 5150 and EVH logo badges in the upper left and lower right corners. This all-tube combo is finished off with a brushed aluminum top panel, vintage-style chicken-head knobs and molded black plastic top handle. A high-quality fitted cover is available as an EVH Accessory. https://www.evhgear.com/gear/amplifiers/combo/5150-iconic-series-40w-1x12-combo/2257100010

ToneX UNLIMITED TONE. FOR REAL. AI Machine Modeled tones live on stage * AI Machine Modeling pedal brings your TONEX Tone Models live on stage * Perform with sounds indistinguishable from the real gear, no computer required * Play through hundreds of amps, cabs, pedals and full rigs, including 1000 downloadable premium Tone Models and unlimited user downloads * Doubles as a high-quality USB audio interface * Ultra-low noise 24-bit, 192 kHz converters, 5 Hz–24 kHz frequency response and 123 dB dynamic range offers incredible sound quality * Exclusive VIR™ multi-IR cabinets and custom IR Loader, Noise gate, EQ, compressor and 5 stereo reverbs for powerful on-stage tone shaping * Full MIDI control and expression pedal input integrate into any rig * Includes TONEX MAX software all-in-one player, modeler and librarian and AmpliTube 5 software * List Price around $450 https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/tonexpedal/#nl_form_area

HeadRush Prime® Featuring an advanced multi-core processor with a huge library of on-board guitar FX, amp, cab and microphone emulations, smart amp/pedal cloning and IR loading, best-in-class looper, and a full suite of vocal FX (including the industry-standard Antares Auto-Tune), the HeadRush® Prime is the most powerful, versatile, and realistic-sounding floorboard FX processor ever. The high resolution and ultra-responsive 7-inch display enables you to touch, swipe, and drag-and-drop to instantly create and edit your rigs in an unprecedentedly easy-to-use way. Prime Features * 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen with intuitive interface * Realistic and responsive amp, cabinet, and microphone modeling including all new models by Revalver, the recognized innovator of software guitar amp modeling * Guitar and Bass presets by ChopTones * Expansive library of guitar and vocal FX, including Antares Auto-Tune® * Amp Cloner captures the sound of your favorite amp, preamp, distortion pedal, overdrive pedal, or fuzz pedal * Direct Wi-Fi connection to the HeadRush Cloud for clone sharing, preset sharing, and firmware updates * Wi-Fi streaming music practice tool makes learning songs easier than ever before * Bluetooth audio connectivity for playing along with mobile devices * Powerful custom-designed multicore DSP system with gapless preset switching * Road-ready steel chassis with durable built-in expression pedal and universal power supply * 12 footswitches with customizable color LEDs and OLED scribble strip display screens * Import virtually unlimited guitar and bass cabinet IR files * Stereo FX loop for integrating external FX pedals and 4 cable method connectivity * Best-in-class looper with save/load functionality and MIDI Sync * Record and re-amp via the built-in USB Audio interface (up to 24-bit/96KHz) List Price $1299 https://www.headrushfx.com/products/