Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III Now Supports NAM A2 Captures: What Guitarists Need to Know
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Fractal Audio Brings Neural Amp Modeler (NAM A2) to the Axe-Fx III
Fractal Audio has announced an exciting development for digital guitar processing: native Neural Amp Modeler (NAM A2) support is coming to the Axe-Fx III through its upcoming firmware 33 update.
Through a partnership with TONE3000, Fractal users will be able to load NAM A2 captures directly into their Axe-Fx III, combining the sound of neural amp captures with Fractal's extensive collection of effects, routing options, cabinet simulations, and processing tools.
This is a significant development for guitarists who use digital modelers, especially those interested in accessing the growing library of professionally captured amplifiers and pedal combinations available through the NAM ecosystem.
But what exactly does this mean, and how does it work?
Let's break it down.
What Is NAM A2?
Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) is an open-source technology that uses neural networks to recreate the sound and response of real guitar amplifiers, pedals, and other pieces of audio equipment.
Rather than recreating an amplifier by modeling its individual electronic components, NAM learns how the actual equipment responds to an incoming audio signal.
The result is a digital capture that can reproduce the character, gain structure, and response of the original equipment at the settings used during the capture process.
NAM A2 is the newer generation of this technology, offering improvements to the capture process and its ability to reproduce the sound of real equipment.
For guitarists, this opens up another way to access the sound of real amplifiers without needing to own or physically operate the original equipment.
What Is the New NAM Player Block in the Axe-Fx III?
The biggest part of this announcement is the introduction of the dedicated NAM Player block.
Previously, NAM users generally needed to run captures through compatible software or hardware platforms. With this integration, the Axe-Fx III will be able to load and run NAM A2 captures directly.
This means you can use a captured amplifier as part of a complete Fractal preset.
You can also combine NAM captures with Fractal's existing processing capabilities, including:
Fractal DynaCab speaker simulations.
Traditional cabinet impulse responses (IRs).
Drive pedals and other effects.
Modulation, delay, and reverb.
Fractal's flexible routing and scene system.
Additional amp modeling within the same preset.
The NAM Player also includes modeled analog tone stack controls, allowing users to adjust Bass, Mid, and Treble, along with Bright and Bright Cap parameters.
This gives you additional control over how a capture responds within your preset.
How Many NAM Captures Can the Axe-Fx III Run?
Fractal's announcement includes some impressive capabilities for the NAM Player.
With firmware 33:
Two NAM Player blocks can run in a single preset in A2 Full mode.
Each NAM Player block supports four channels.
This allows up to eight different captures in one preset.
The Axe-Fx III can store up to 256 captures.
Original and Mark I units can store up to 128 captures.
The Axe-Fx III can also combine NAM Player blocks with a traditional Fractal Amp block, allowing users to mix neural captures and Fractal's conventional amp models within the same preset.
For guitarists who like experimenting with different amplifier sounds, this creates a lot of flexibility.
How to Load NAM A2 Captures Into the Fractal Axe-Fx III
According to the announcement, there will be two ways to access NAM captures.
1. Load Your Own NAM A2 Capture Files
You will be able to load compatible NAM A2 captures into the NAM Player block.
The basic process is:
Update your Axe-Fx III to firmware 33.0 or newer.
Install Axe-Edit III version 1.15.03 or newer.
Open an existing preset in Axe-Edit III.
Replace the traditional Amp block with a NAM Player block.
Load your desired NAM A2 capture.
Configure your cabinet simulation or impulse response if needed.
Adjust the available tone controls and save your preset.
One important consideration is whether your capture includes a speaker cabinet.
If you're using an amp-only capture, you can pair it with Fractal DynaCab or a traditional cabinet IR.
If your capture already includes the cabinet and microphone characteristics, you may want to bypass the additional cabinet simulation to avoid running through two cabinet stages.
2. Browse NAM Captures Through TONE3000
Another major part of this announcement is the integration of TONE3000 directly into Axe-Edit III.
Instead of downloading captures from the TONE3000 website and manually transferring them, users will be able to browse the TONE3000 library directly through the editor.
The process will allow you to:
Search for different amplifiers and sounds.
Browse popular captures.
Explore individual creators.
Sign in to your TONE3000 account.
Install compatible captures directly into your Axe-Fx III.
This makes discovering and trying new NAM captures considerably more convenient.
Important: This library integration is separate from purchasing third-party capture packs. Professionally produced commercial packs can still be purchased directly from their respective creators.
Can You Use Commercial NAM A2 Captures With the Axe-Fx III?
Yes. The new NAM Player is particularly interesting for people who purchase professionally created NAM A2 capture packs.
Not all NAM captures are created the same way.
While there are thousands of free community captures available, professionally produced packs can offer a more curated selection of amplifiers, gain settings, overdrive combinations, and recording-ready tones.
For example, a professionally captured metal tone pack might include:
High-gain amplifier captures.
Different gain and EQ variations.
Amplifier captures with and without overdrive pedals.
Direct amp captures for use with your own cabinet IRs.
Full-rig captures with cabinet and microphone characteristics already included.
This gives players more options than simply downloading a random amplifier capture and hoping it works for their particular sound.
For modern metal guitarists, having access to carefully selected high-gain amplifiers and professionally captured tones can make a significant difference when building presets.
What Does This Mean for Modern Metal Guitarists?
This is particularly exciting for players who use the Axe-Fx III for modern metal, hard rock, and heavier styles of music.
Many of the most sought-after guitar tones come from specific amplifiers, modifications, speaker cabinets, and overdrive combinations.
NAM captures provide another way to access the sound of these real-world rigs.
Instead of relying exclusively on traditional amp modeling, Axe-Fx III users will have the option to build presets around captured amplifiers while continuing to take advantage of Fractal's effects and processing.
For recording guitarists, this also opens up additional possibilities for experimenting with different amplifier sounds without having to change physical equipment.
Does NAM A2 Work With the Fractal FM3 and FM9?
The announcement specifically covers the Axe-Fx III.
Although NAM A2 compatibility is expanding across different hardware platforms, the TONE3000 and Fractal integration described here should not be assumed to work on the FM3 or FM9.
For now, Axe-Fx III owners are the ones specifically covered by this announcement.
Check Fractal Audio's official firmware documentation for future compatibility updates.
Where to Find Professional NAM A2 Captures
With NAM A2 becoming available on more hardware platforms, finding quality captures is becoming increasingly important.
At Strange Angles Music, we specialize in professionally captured guitar tones designed for modern metal, recording, and live performance.
Our NAM capture packs feature carefully selected amplifiers and gain structures designed to deliver aggressive, mix-ready tones without spending hours searching through hundreds of random captures.
Whether you're after tight rhythm tones, aggressive high-gain amplifiers, or versatile tones for different recording situations, professionally curated captures give you a great starting point.
Explore our NAM A2-compatible capture packs and bring professionally captured amplifier tones into your setup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Fractal model supports NAM A2?
The announced native NAM A2 integration is for the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III through firmware 33 and compatible Axe-Edit III software.
Do I need TONE3000 to use NAM A2 captures?
No. TONE3000 provides an integrated way to browse its capture library, but you can also load your own compatible NAM A2 capture files.
Can I use my own purchased NAM A2 capture packs?
Yes. Compatible NAM A2 capture files from commercial creators can be used with the NAM Player. You do not have to obtain your captures exclusively through TONE3000.
Can I use cabinet IRs with NAM A2?
Yes. Amp-only captures can be paired with traditional cabinet IRs or Fractal DynaCab. Full-rig captures that already include a cabinet may not require an additional cabinet simulation.
Can I use NAM A1 captures?
The announced Axe-Fx III integration specifically describes NAM A2 support. Do not assume older A1 captures will work in the new NAM Player without confirmation from Fractal or TONE3000.
Does the Axe-Fx III support multiple NAM captures in one preset?
Yes. The announced implementation supports two NAM Player blocks with four channels each, allowing up to eight different captures in one preset in A2 Full mode.
Is NAM A2 compatible with the Fractal FM3 or FM9?
The announcement does not include native NAM Player support for these units. The announced integration is specifically for the Axe-Fx III.
Final Thoughts
The addition of Neural Amp Modeler A2 to the Fractal Axe-Fx III is an exciting step forward for digital guitar processing.
Combining neural amp captures with Fractal's extensive effects, routing, and cabinet processing gives guitarists another way to build detailed, versatile guitar rigs.
For players who already use NAM, this opens up another hardware platform. For Fractal users who have never explored NAM captures, it introduces an entirely new collection of amplifier tones to experiment with.
And as NAM technology continues to expand into more hardware platforms, the possibilities for guitarists will only continue to grow.
Ready to explore professional guitar captures?
Check out Strange Angles Music for professionally captured tones built for modern guitarists.