Fractal Audio will add Neural Amp Modeler A2 capture support to its Axe-Fx III through a free firmware 33 update, making it the first of the Big Four high-end modeler brands to integrate the open-source amp capture technology, Guitar.com reported.
The update introduces a NAM Player block that lets users load A2 captures alongside the Axe-Fx III’s existing toolset, pairing captures with DynaCab speaker simulation or cab IRs and combining them with Fractal’s drive, modulation and other effects. Presets can run two NAM Player blocks in A2 Full mode, with four channels per block allowing up to eight captures per preset.
Users can search and install tones directly through the TONE3000 library inside Axe-Edit III, eliminating manual file transfers. The integration runs on the TONE3000 API, so new community uploads appear as soon as they are shared. Mark I owners should back up User Cab Bank 2 before updating, as firmware 33 repurposes it for NAM storage.
The update also brings a new Cygnus X-4 amp model, a reworked Drive block with remastered pedal modes, 13 new DynaCabs and upgrades to Pitch, Flanger, Reverb, Plex, Filter and Megatap blocks. Fractal has partnered with Amalgram Audio to supply a free starter bank of captures, and the companies are working on a NAM capture utility within Axe-Edit, though no timeframe was given, according to Guitar.com.
For more information, visit guitar.com.
