Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Axe-FX III Preset: axechange.fractalaudio.com/detail.php?preset=11677
FM9 Preset: axechange.fractalaudio.com/detail.php?preset=11678
Guitar: au.fender.com/products/american-ultra-ii-meteora
A couple of weeks ago I demoed the very formidable Ethos 60's Harmonic Bias Trem, probably the best sounding tremolo pedal I've had the good fortune to use. I used a Fender 6G4 Super combo model for that one. It's a great sounding amp, kind of vintage sounding with a grainy quality and it makes a killer pedal platform. I wish Fender would reissue it actually, I'd probably buy one. I digress. That Ethos demo exercise made me wonder if I could replicate the Ethos' tones in the Axe-FX III, so I set about writing this preset, with quite a few extra bells and whistles, and that's what I'm demoing here. One great thing (there are many) about the Fractal firmware is its tweak-ability. For example, I was able to adjust the LFO phase on both the bias and harmonic tremolo types from 0° to 90° - a simple tweak - in order to give both wide, stereo fields. It'll be hard to miss in the demo. If you'd rather they were mono, just back that LFO Phase control back to 0°. There are plenty of other fun Scenes in this one. The video should tell the story - and I know it's probably about 8 minutes too long! 😅 Have a good one. See ya.
This preset requires FW: 28.06 or later for the Axe-FX III and FW: 9.02 or later for the FM9.
The guitar:
The Fender American Ultra II Meteora® came to me earlier this year, at my request, for a demo. The moment I picked it up I knew it was something different and special. It's light and resonant with a quartersawn neck - three of my favourite things. Then there are the Haymaker™ humbuckers with S1 Switching to split the coils. Also great. The look is a bit different and the sublime Texas Tea finish completes the picture for me. I've used it in quite a few demos since it's been here and I plan to take it on the road for some stage love as well. Highly recommended.
The Ethos pedal demo that inspired this preset: youtu.be/0-3nQUgIRAY
Today's tools:
Guitar: 2025 Fender American Meteora Ultra II in Texas Tea.
Amp: Axe-FX III Turbo running Cygnus X-3 FW. 28.06. 1960 Brownface Fender Super, 6G4 model.
Cables: Various
Strings: Ernie Ball Paradigm 10-46
Pick: Signature Honey Pick honey-picks.com/collections/all/brett-kingman
Mic: Audix USA A231 - audixusa.com/products/a231
Camera: GoPro HERO10 + Sony ZV-1M2 x 2
Soundcard: PreSonus Quantum 26x32
Desktop Monitors: PreSonus R80 R-Series Active AMT Studio Monitors - presonus.com
Monitor Control: SPL 2Control - https://spl.audio/en/spl-produkt/2control/
Headphones: Audix A152 - audixusa.com/products/a152
All Stands: Gravity Stands - gravitystands.com/en
Computer: 2025 Apple M3 Ultra.
All backing tracks courtesy of, written and recorded by Elevated Jam Tracks unless otherwise noted. See: youtube.com/elevatedjamtracks
Axe-FX III Preset: axechange.fractalaudio.com/detail.php?preset=11677
FM9 Preset: axechange.fractalaudio.com/detail.php?preset=11678
Guitar: au.fender.com/products/american-ultra-ii-meteora
A couple of weeks ago I demoed the very formidable Ethos 60's Harmonic Bias Trem, probably the best sounding tremolo pedal I've had the good fortune to use. I used a Fender 6G4 Super combo model for that one. It's a great sounding amp, kind of vintage sounding with a grainy quality and it makes a killer pedal platform. I wish Fender would reissue it actually, I'd probably buy one. I digress. That Ethos demo exercise made me wonder if I could replicate the Ethos' tones in the Axe-FX III, so I set about writing this preset, with quite a few extra bells and whistles, and that's what I'm demoing here. One great thing (there are many) about the Fractal firmware is its tweak-ability. For example, I was able to adjust the LFO phase on both the bias and harmonic tremolo types from 0° to 90° - a simple tweak - in order to give both wide, stereo fields. It'll be hard to miss in the demo. If you'd rather they were mono, just back that LFO Phase control back to 0°. There are plenty of other fun Scenes in this one. The video should tell the story - and I know it's probably about 8 minutes too long! 😅 Have a good one. See ya.
This preset requires FW: 28.06 or later for the Axe-FX III and FW: 9.02 or later for the FM9.
The guitar:
The Fender American Ultra II Meteora® came to me earlier this year, at my request, for a demo. The moment I picked it up I knew it was something different and special. It's light and resonant with a quartersawn neck - three of my favourite things. Then there are the Haymaker™ humbuckers with S1 Switching to split the coils. Also great. The look is a bit different and the sublime Texas Tea finish completes the picture for me. I've used it in quite a few demos since it's been here and I plan to take it on the road for some stage love as well. Highly recommended.
The Ethos pedal demo that inspired this preset: youtu.be/0-3nQUgIRAY
Today's tools:
Guitar: 2025 Fender American Meteora Ultra II in Texas Tea.
Amp: Axe-FX III Turbo running Cygnus X-3 FW. 28.06. 1960 Brownface Fender Super, 6G4 model.
Cables: Various
Strings: Ernie Ball Paradigm 10-46
Pick: Signature Honey Pick honey-picks.com/collections/all/brett-kingman
Mic: Audix USA A231 - audixusa.com/products/a231
Camera: GoPro HERO10 + Sony ZV-1M2 x 2
Soundcard: PreSonus Quantum 26x32
Desktop Monitors: PreSonus R80 R-Series Active AMT Studio Monitors - presonus.com
Monitor Control: SPL 2Control - https://spl.audio/en/spl-produkt/2control/
Headphones: Audix A152 - audixusa.com/products/a152
All Stands: Gravity Stands - gravitystands.com/en
Computer: 2025 Apple M3 Ultra.
All backing tracks courtesy of, written and recorded by Elevated Jam Tracks unless otherwise noted. See: youtube.com/elevatedjamtracks
