Fractal’s firmware 33 puts NAM A2 and TONE3000 inside the Axe-Fx III
The free update adds two NAM Player blocks, in-editor capture browsing, modeled tone stacks and storage for up to 256 captures.
· Edited by Peter Luha
Credit: TONE3000 (via source)
Fractal Audio and TONE3000 are bringing NAM A2 captures directly to the Axe-Fx III through the forthcoming firmware 33 update. Axe-Edit III will gain a built-in TONE3000 browser, letting players sign in, search the community library and install captures without moving files manually.
A new NAM Player block can host A2 captures alongside Fractal’s existing effects, routing and DynaCab system. Firmware 33 supports two NAM Player blocks per preset in Full mode, four channels per block and as many as eight capture choices in one preset. Turbo models can store up to 256 captures; original and Mark I units are limited to 128.
Fractal is also adding modeled Bass, Mid and Treble tone stacks plus Bright and Bright Cap controls to make fixed captures easier to shape. The update includes Cygnus X-4 amp modeling, revised drive models, 13 DynaCabs, a faster pitch block with formant controls and further changes to modulation, delay and reverb effects. It will be free to Axe-Fx III owners.
The integration joins a broader move toward open capture libraries already seen in other modelers. Here the notable difference is coexistence: a preset can combine NAM Player blocks with a traditional Fractal Amp block, rather than forcing players to choose one modeling method for the whole rig. A compatible Axe-Edit III release will be required when firmware 33 becomes available.
Credit: YouTube
Why it matters
It brings an open capture ecosystem into one of the most established high-end modelers while preserving Fractal’s component-modeled amps and deep routing in the same preset.
From Guitar News to Guitar Progress
Discover it here. Learn how it works. Practice it until it's yours.
“What did you work on last time? Play one thing from that session as your first notes today.”
Related
Fender confirms NAM A2 captures are coming to Tone Master Pro
The planned update will place captures in the normal signal chain with touchscreen, app and custom-graphic support, although Fender has not set a date.
EarthQuaker Devices gives Plumes Jr and Blumes Jr a limited MOSFET makeover
The compact overdrives trade their familiar asymmetrical silicon voice for a more open MOSFET mode, with only 3,000 pedals planned between the two models.
Underdog CHUCK firmware 1.6.0 expands seven presets into seven banks
The matching STUDIO update adds bank and matrix views, steeper IR-loader filter slopes and safer preset management to the analog-tube floorboard amp.
Fender and Pokémon turn Red and Green into two playable 8-bit guitars
The Japan-made Stratocaster and Telecaster pair pixel-art finishes with custom pickups and a volume-knob switch that layers game-like tones over the guitar signal.