Fractal FM9 Pedalboard Build

Ben Rubino
4 days ago
4 min read

If you've been around here long, you know I’ve been playing guitar for a good while now. Since about 2006, give or take. I’ve owned everything from Line 6 modelers back in the day to classic tube amps, including some Fender favorites. So, when I say that the Fractal Audio FM9 has been a game changer for me, I mean it.

Now, before we get into it, let’s address the age-old debate:

Tube amps vs. modelers. Honestly? I think that whole argument is missing the point. It’s not one or the other. It’s not “either/or.” It’s “and.” They can totally work together, whether you’re running 4-cable method or just plugging straight in. What matters most is the end result. Your sound, your workflow, and what inspires you.

For me, the FM9 has delivered big time. It’s built like a tank, packed with tones, and the effects are downright beautiful. I’m talking studio-quality verbs, lush modulation, killer drives, and everything in between. I’ve A/B’d some of the effects with standalone pedals, and honestly, the FM9 holds its own in a big way. I know that does ruffle a few feathers, but hey, tone is subjective. And this is what’s been working for me.

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My Setup

I built this rig primarily for worship at my local church, so I needed something that could handle ambient tones but still be flexible enough to take anywhere. The goal was to create a grab-and-go rig that’s powerful, reliable, and direct-to-FOH ready. Mission accomplished.

I’m running everything on a Temple Audio Duo 34 board. That gave me plenty of space to build out my rig without feeling cramped. Here’s what’s currently on the board:

* Fractal FM9 Mark II Turbo – The brain of the whole setup. Enough said.

* Shure GLXD16+ Wireless – Reliable, clean, no drama.

* Digitech Drop – I use this in place of the FM9’s pitch block. In my experience, the pitch block just doesn’t quite keep up especially with softer, cleaner tones. None of these pitch-shifting tools are totally transparent, but the Drop gets closer to what I’m after. It colors the tone less in a live setting and just sounds a bit more natural to my ear. That said, I don’t keep it in the chain unless I’m actually using it. Most of the time, my signal goes straight from the Shure wireless into the FM9. If a singer needs to drop a key last minute, I’ll kick the Drop in. I explain a little more about how that works in the YouTube video linked here: https://youtu.be/2y0nze7RryY?si=G9T3QuUvgfo5Lvzy).

* Saturnworks TRS Tap Tempo – Assigned to pedal 3 on the FM9. Works flawlessly.

* Dunlop DVP3 Volume Pedal – Going into pedal 1.

* Fractal EV-2 Expression Pedal – Assigned to pedal 2 for various expression controls.

All three expression pedals are assignable per preset, which gives me a lot of control when I need it.

Under the Hood

Powering the board is a CIOKS DC7, which had the juice I needed for everything, especially the Drop pedal and wireless system, which are a little hungrier than usual. I’ve got a Y-splitter running from the Temple Audio IEC AC Mains Module that powers both the DC7 and the FM9 from a single plug.

At the moment, all my ins and outs come straight from the FM9. I haven’t wired everything underneath the board yet with patch points, but that may come later. For now, it works and keeps things clean.

I used the D’Addario Accessories DIY Solderless Cable Kit with Mini Plugs to wire the board. This kit’s been rock solid for me over the last few years, and I’ve used it on multiple builds. It’s a super clean solution and makes changes easy if I ever need to move things around.

The Only Thing Missing…

The only thing I haven’t figured out yet is a proper case. I ordered the Temple Audio soft-shell case, but as of writing this (late July 2025), they’re on backorder. I’m considering a Pelican-style hard case instead, just for the extra protection. If you’ve got any suggestions, let me know in the comments.

So, that’s the rundown! If you’re looking into building an FM9 rig or just curious how other people are using theirs, I hope this post helps you out or sparks a few ideas. This setup has been working perfectly for me. Clean, flexible, and gig-ready.

Got any questions or suggestions? Drop them in the comments. I’m always down to chat gear.

Gear List

* Fractal FM9 Mark II Turbo – https://shop.fractalaudio.com/fm9-mark-ii-turbo-amp-modeler-multi-fx-floor-unit

* KNK FM9 Protective Shield – https://www.knkshields.com/products/FM9)

* Fractal EV-2 Expression Pedal – https://shop.fractalaudio.com/ev-2-expression-volume-pedal

* Temple Audio DUO-34 Templeboard – https://amzn.to/44OKOMF

* Temple Audio IEC AC Mains Micro Module – https://amzn.to/3GK7N3t

* CIOKS DC7 Power Supply – https://amzn.to/3GurhZU

* Y-Splitter Power Plug – https://amzn.to/4lV5Wrt

* Digitech Drop (Limited Black Edition) – https://amzn.to/4nOX9cb

* Dunlop DVP3 Volume Pedal – https://amzn.to/44Ld7eL

* Stomp-Knob Protectors – https://amzn.to/4lXPyqi