Fractal Axe-Fx III as main/only audio interface?

[DigitalMan]

I’m looking at the Axe-Fx III primarily for guitar, which is not my primary instrument. It seems like a one-and-done type of guitar purchase I’d be hard-pressed to outgrow. It also would unburden my PC from running amp sims. I’m curious if anyone is actually using an Axe-Fx III as their home studio audio interface.

Axe-Fx III - Amp Modeler - Preamp - Effects Processor - Fractal Audio

It seems to have plenty of I/O for a hobby studio. I’m guessing that the quality is more than acceptable.

My two main questions would be:
- does the fact that it’s primary function is an amp modeler make it wonky to use as an interface?
- does it work well when doing double duty as a modeler and an interface at the same time?

Or do people who have the Axe-Fx III continue to maintain a separate, dedicated interface as the foundation for their home studio?

 

[silky smoove]

I’ve not used one for that purpose, but a friend runs a Helix as his studio interface. I’m guessing it would be comparably well-functioning. Does it have sufficient i/o and features for you aside from the amp modeling? If so I’m guessing it would work great.

 

[BZadlo]

I just got an FM3 and tried it as an interface the other day. I was directly comparing it to my MOTU Ultralite mk5 while playing the same song. While the FM3 works well as an interface, I found that it lacked some width and had an almost midrangey hump. I doubt you’d even notice without a direct comparison though.

 

[seamonkey]

It looks to have all the I/O. There's digital I/O to hook up to another interface that accepts the digital I/O if you need to.
I'd still suggest a second clean track that you could post process later if needed.