Fractal Audio Systems AM4 - Amp Modeler

[iaresee]

Overkill if all you want is to add an analog drive or two.

The loop on the AM4 isn’t where you’d want drives in the signal chain. Its post-blocks — after the amp and cab.

 

[timbuck3]

For me that would be my FM3 as a backup to the FM9. I guess maybe as a far less capable backup to an FM3? But at that point, maybe just get another FM3 for another $300?

Fm3 mk2 used is about that price thiugh

 

[Sascha Franck]

The loop on the AM4 isn’t where you’d want drives in the signal chain. Its post-blocks — after the amp and cab.

I got that by now. And it's a pity. When I looked at the unit I instantly thought the loop layout would be the same as with the VP4. But unfortunately it isn't.
Makes the AM4 the only modeler in this price bracket where you can't insert some external devices in the signal path. All other devices allow for that.

 

[bigmenace]

THEY DID IT! MY CHRISTMAS IS SAVED, F THE OTHER THING THAT JUST RELEASED - I NEEDED THIS AS SOON AS I SAW THE VP4!
Alright, when is it available in EU?

 

[jellodog]

Quoting Cliff:

"The idea is you put your pre effects before the unit and your post effects (should you need any) in the insert. The outputs of the AM4 are balanced and designed to be sent directly to FOH and/or monitors. If you just put your post effects after the unit you would then need a DI to go to FOH."

This is exactly what I'd want TBH. I might put my favourite external delay in the loop and I don't want any further conversions or latency.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

No... 4 blocks.

Amp and Cab are now a single combined block.

Yes. Only an idiot would assume it was anything other than 4 blocks.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Looks great.

If this was around years ago it would have been an easy buy for me (instead I went FM-3 -> AxeFX III).

I guess now I’ll wait to see what IV has, and then decide. AM4 is basically all I need in a modeller and may well even be preferable to me than a flagship

 

[Sascha Franck]

I might put my favourite external delay in the loop and I don't want any further conversions or latency.

Well, you wouldn't have to make use of it. But other folks would like to. Myself included. As said, adding other things pre-unit *and* have at least any kind of on/off programming would require quite some efforts.
I defenitely think that having no real insert point is a huge oversight. And as said, the AM4 is the only decent modeler not offering such a function.
No programmable inserting of dirt pedals, pre-dirt FX, no 4CM, no nothing.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

.
I defenitely think that having no real insert point is a huge oversight. And as said, the AM4 is the only decent modeler not offering such a function.
No programmable inserting of dirt pedals, pre-dirt FX, no 4CM, no nothing.

Then this one isn’t for you, and you go for one of the others. Everyone’s modelling needs are different. They already make products that cover those needs, this caters for a different niche.

 

[luckymethod]

Not including the virtual capo is a very weird choice for a product like this and makes it immediately a no go for me, if it had it I would have immediately replaced my HX stomp but the ability to tune down without retuning is too valuable for the context i use the stomp (rehearsals). Too bad.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Then this one isn’t for you, and you go for one of the others. Everyone’s modelling needs are different. They already make products that cover those needs, this caters for a different niche.

Of course. But I still think of it as a less than ideal decision. I mean, programmable insert points are a staple for plenty of folks. And a staple in each and every other modeler, too.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

So this is where everyone went. I thought the forum was pretty quiet yesterday FFS.

 

[James Freeman]

Finally!
Hence forth it will be very hard to justify another tube amp purchase.

 

[James Freeman]

The AM4 is pretty much exactly what I need.
This is my main preset for as long as I have an AxeFx:

 

[2dor]

Is the AM4 oversampling the same as the AXEIII or more like the FM3? IIRC these units were doing it differently due to processing power.
Unit looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
Congratulations @FractalAudio ! I have a feeling these will sell crazy well.

 

[2dor]

Finally!
Hence forth it will be very hard to justify another tube amp purchase.

 

[James Freeman]

It's true though.

Let's say you want the most accurate/authentic component based IIC+ model (and the other 300+ amp models), what are your options at the 700$? None.

 

[2dor]

It's true though.

Let's say you want the most accurate/authentic component based IIC+ model (and the other 300+ amp models), what are your options at the 700$? None.

I can still get a used FM3 over here (EU) for less than a new AM4 but I get what you're saying - it's a very attractive offering. I love that it has SPDIF - big WIN.

 

[laxu]

Absolutely. And also, the FM3 is 1100USD normally, so it's a 400USD difference in the US at least. An almost 60% price increase, a larger size, and a more complex interface can all be dealbreakers for various reasons.

And for a lot of people, even if the AM4's 4 block limit is too restricting, they might rather spend that 400USD difference on 2 or 4 other pedals (or use some they already have) to fill those gaps in. Which I def understand. There is a lot of appeal to having some dedicated pedals.

I always hated the form factor of the FM3. 3 switches was not enough, and it was big enough to overtake the entire pedalboard, while being inconvenient to put other pedals around it.

For me the AM4 would have been way more than enough. I just don't know if I want to buy one for likely about 1000 euros and not having the modern touchscreens and whatnot. If this came out a few years ago, I'd be all over it.

The thing that makes all the difference for me vs the VP4 is that "Amp mode" where it will show you the controls of each channel as you select them. I hate the "scroll, enter, turn knobs, exit, repeat" process of Fractal so, so much. Press a footswitch, turn knobs? That's fast!

Fractal needs to double down on this functionality and bring it as a mode for the VP4's 4 fx blocks, as well as the AM4 fx blocks on main screen so you can just press a footswitch to get to any effect's controls immediately.

 

[Orvillain]

So I'd run this a bit different to everyone else I suppose.

I'd go Volume -> Wah -> Fuzz -> VP4 -> AM4 - > MercuryX.

Could get a fuck ton of stuff done that way!