Makes me want a black LPC
Fractal Audio Systems AM4 - Amp Modeler
- Thread starter BROCKSTAR
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Makes me want a black LPC
PorcinePicker
Roadie
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Funny. I’ve done the math several times, and I’d still take FM3 over the AM4 any day. The only thing that gives me a slight bet of AM4 envy is the consolidation of some amp models that have multiple models for switch positions on the earlier hardware.No, it had to go once Helix Stadium got announcedI really enjoyed how that box sounds, but the UX, while improved since the last time i tried it, is still terrible, to the point i spent more time fighting it than playing.
The streamlined UX on the AM4 & VP4 seems to be heaps better thou.
EOengineer
Rock Star
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I have to imagine these changes arrive in the rest of the current gen stuff at some point?
Karl Houseknecht
Roadie
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Agreed. The only way the AM4 makes sense to me is if you have a pedalboard investment of drives and other effects that you don’t want to change and want to just add amp modeling to. Otherwise the FM3 makes way more sense for only a couple hundred more. Like the price of a pedal.
metallica86
Groupie
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I have both FM3 and AM4. I still bought AM4 not for backup, my FM3 is rock solid for past 50+ shows outdoors and indoor. Some bars we play here is very tiny stage and AM4 with a wah is perfect for that kind of gigs!
Boudoir Guitar
Rock Star
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It can take a 100dB boost, as long as you pad it down to below 20dB
EOengineer
Rock Star
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It can take a 100dB boost, as long as you pad it down to below 20dB
The FM3 is overkill for me. My most CPU intensive patches on it use about 40%, (and I don’t have the Turbo version). I’m an amp guy and have went through about fifty of them over the years. Most of the time, I would plug straight in and be done. That’s what I love about the AM4. I get a variety of amp sounds that I really enjoy with a smaller footprint without all the bells and whistles that I won’t use. If Fractal made something that only had amp models and reverb, I’d be all over it.
I am talking Fractal here, who have an Input Sensitivity control [may not be the exact name] that you set to tickle the reds with the loudest signal you are gonna use. If you keep it lower it does not make the signal anemic, you'll just have more noise.
Input Level is another control on the amp itself, IIRC.
IOW, you set the former one to tickle the reds with the strongest boost pedal you are gonna use for your hottest pickup. I would not say you can or should "push" the front end of a modeler -- you have to respect the AD converter's limit unless you crave digital clipping.
If you mean you want to push the Input Level setting, your Input Sensitivity should still never clip.
That's my understanding anyway...
If you do think or see you can push a strong boost through the red LEDs then maybe there is special headroom sauce, but not AFAIK.
GTR37
Rock Star
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Agree w this
There are not many things life that over deliver IMO
I figured that they would do an amp box eventually based on the VP4 as it had been asked for a million times
I was keeping my fingers crossed that there would just be a limited reverb in the cab block
The fact they put almost all of the wahs/drives/delays/verbs/mod fx
Far exceeded my expectations and was an instant buy
Karl Houseknecht
Roadie
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- 579
The AM4 is 1.1 inches narrower than the FM3. How small are those stages that an inch matters?
AM4 - 10” x 6.3”
FM3 - 11.1” x 9.3”
The floor space difference is negligible. 1 inch in width and 3 inches of depth. Won’t you also need a direct box or two for the AM4?
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
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The AM4 is goldilocks imo. The 4th switch plus smaller size is a win. As minimal of a size reduction as it may seem to be? It's for me not going to be the difference between playing in a hole in the wall vs. full size stage set but it does allow for a more compact approach. I still like the idea of this a LOT:
BROCKSTAR
Shredder
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They're balanced output? Just get trs to xlr cables or trs to trs cables? No direct box needed?
sashimi
Roadie
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Makes a big difference on a pedal board.
dean701
Roadie
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The Am4 and vp4 units were designed to take pedals better and be part of a hybrid solution. I think they sound better in this regard. For complicated fm9 presets where the cpu is getting throttled, I use the am4 to lend a hand. It is also great on its own for more straight forward presets.
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Karl Houseknecht
Roadie
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That was my original point
PorcinePicker
Roadie
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Not wrong.
Me, when I see a wall wart, I run like a debutante from a redneck blind date.
Cactusprick
Roadie
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- 216
The best feature of AM4 for me is a combined amp+cab block. It is such a time saver and in no way it limits the workflow, yet providing the deep editing when you need.
Quick auditioning through the amps and caps is truly the ticket out of rabbit hole, which frankly I mostly wasted time on.
Quick auditioning through the amps and caps is truly the ticket out of rabbit hole, which frankly I mostly wasted time on.
BROCKSTAR
Shredder
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- 1,923
Thinking of getting one? Do it now or else you'll be twiddling your thumbs waiting... (source: email from fractal).
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