I'll keep it simple. If you want an FM3 as a audio interface and you don't play guitar and don't want an external hardware FX box (chorus, reverb, delay, overdrive, fuzz, etc.) Do not buy it. Buy a dedicated audio interface with mic pre's.

If you already have a FM3 then if you want to use a mic you do need a mic pre. Fractal's audio interface is as good as my Focusrite - the FM3 is an excellent 4x4 audio interface. And if you already have an FM3 you already know it's probably the best piece of guitar modeler and FX kit made.

I have an Axe FX3 (8X8 audio), a FM9 (also a 8x8 audio), and two VP4'S (only 2x2 audio) and they all function flawlessly as audio interfaces.

However, truth in advertising, I almost always use my Focusrite Scarlett Gen 2 18i8 since it has a few mic pre's and I actually feed the FX3 and FM9 + VP4 into it. Easier to use a single audio interface then switching back and forth. The 18i8 is good enough for my uses - I almost never use a mic - I don't sing and have yet to record acoustic guitar even though I have many acoustics.

BTW - I'm not a Fractal shill just really like their FX and modeling. I gave up all my floor stompers except a few for sentimental reasons and all but few small amps also for sentimental reasons.

Larry

Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20