Fractal Audio Systems AM4 - Amp Modeler

[TheTrueZoltan!]

For my purposes, it's the almost perfect Fractal device. It fits nicely on my studio desk and offers everything I need in terms of sounds (which is usually not more than a drive, amp and cab, sometimes with a chorus or flanger added). The only thing I might miss occasionally is the virtual capo.

It seems I sold my Axe-Fx III at exactly the right time. I can now buy the AM4 and still have enough money left over to cover a large part of the cost of a non-XL Stadium.

Oh, and I just bought a bunch of really cool VI plugins and ordered a new guitar. I‘m in gear heaven right now (or in hell, if you ask my better half).

 

[PorcinePicker]

Both of the FMs are way too big to not have an exp attached for me, and the rack is (ew) a rack. This is like 3.5” from “Goldilocks” zone, so excuse me if I have ideas, lol.

We all have our own Goldilocks "just right" point. They're not all the same. The problem in having a discourse is when one guy insists that his "just right" has to be everybody else's.

The AM4 is not for me, but that's okay. Lots of other people love it.

 

[ejecta]

He’ll have to sleep some day.

Meth fueled pontification is a powerful drug.

 

[Baba]

I think some of you would probably live in Cliff’s ass if it was option, lol.

This is one of the funniest things I've ever read

 

[metallica86]

Please tell me you’re Hetfield in here like “oh shit I better figure out how to hook this up before the tour!”

Yes I’m doing Enter sadman riff since last 15 years

 

[EOengineer]

I’m genuinely excited for this thing to get here. The AM4’s limitations fit my usage profile like a glove. At most my presets will have amp/cab, harmonic Trem or phaser, space echo, MAYBE a shimmery verb sometimes. If this sees a stage, I’ll be looking to feed triaxis or Mesa Mark models into a Mesa 2:90 while sending a fully modeled version with IR to FOH.

This was a no brainer.

 

[ian_dissonance]

We all have our own Goldilocks "just right" point. They're not all the same. The problem in having a discourse is when one guy insists that his "just right" has to be everybody else's.

The AM4 is not for me, but that's okay. Lots of other people love it.

For sure, it’s weird when people act like you called their kid ugly because there’s no pitch block and the insert is weird.

 

[AlbertA]

Yes I’m doing Enter sadman riff since last 15 years

You mean 34 years right?

 

[Stratzrus]

The AM4 is going to be a great replacement for my FM3. I wanted something that would fit in the pocket of my gig bag and weigh a lot less.

And according to posts it has a better UI.

When not playing out it will be perfect as a modeler for my bedroom. I have a pair of Presonus Eris 4.5s on either side of my flat screen and the AM4 will sound wonderful through them at any volume.

The ability to use it with a Fender FR-10, which is quite lightweight, makes for an easy to haul grab and go rig. And as an added bonus it can serve as a backup when gigging with my tube amps and the FM9,

I'm going to see if I can juggle some stuff and pick one up.

 

[bucephalus]

I think some of you would probably live in Cliff’s ass if it was option, lol.

Only if it has spdif in AND out

 

[Baba]

I’m genuinely excited for this thing to get here. The AM4’s limitations fit my usage profile like a glove. At most my presets will have amp/cab, harmonic Trem or phaser, space echo, MAYBE a shimmery verb sometimes. If this sees a stage, I’ll be looking to feed triaxis or Mesa Mark models into a Mesa 2:90 while sending a fully modeled version with IR to FOH.

This was a no brainer.

Similar. I'm clean tone, crunch tone, and boosted crunch for heavier stuff and solos, with a little delay and some chorus thrown in once in a while.

Put this on a small board with a drop pedal and a wah, and that's an instant IEM rig that weighs less than 10 lbs.

 

[Richard_G]

A slight concern I have is how much attention this will receive from Fractal after the forthcoming next generation is released — with this being the current generation.

Fractal’s track record for support and firmware updates suggests this shouldn’t be an issue for years, but still…

 

[Mongillo19]

A slight concern I have is how much attention this will receive from Fractal after the forthcoming next generation is released — with this being the current generation.

Fractal’s track record for support and firmware updates suggests this shouldn’t be an issue for years, but still…

Perhaps Gen IV is a little further off than we think?

 

[EOengineer]

A slight concern I have is how much attention this will receive from Fractal after the forthcoming next generation is released — with this being the current generation.

Fractal’s track record for support and firmware updates suggests this shouldn’t be an issue for years, but still…

Just keeping in mind that I’m coming in at what I assume to be the final stretch of Axe III modeling, I’m not expecting this to grow or mature much from where it is.

Future development is welcome obviously but I’m also at the lowest price point in their product sheet. I don’t know how Fractal does things.

 

[Frodebro]

Good thing I don’t care about midi or those midi headphone jacks would be a big deal to me.

That’s one of the goofy things that are enticing me. I have a couple BOSS delays (DM101 & RE202) that use the same 1/8” MIDI jacks…

 

[Dimiguitar]

A slight concern I have is how much attention this will receive from Fractal after the forthcoming next generation is released — with this being the current generation.

Fractal’s track record for support and firmware updates suggests this shouldn’t be an issue for years, but still…

Perhaps especially considering how amp sim developments can meaningfully increase processing power.

But you would imagine this unit is ready for that, being released now.

 

[synthpenguin]

No need for another amp block. I laid it out both ways, and I could make the bigger rig work with either unit.

However, I wanted the am4 as a backup and travel unit, or a leave at home unit if my rig is packed up. So it makes more sense to get the am4.

In the live rig, I don’t think I gain enough to be worth it really. Adding an FC6 gives me some real utility in the live rig without making programming more time consuming. Adding additional dsp would be cool and I would put it to use, but I’m not sure I gain enough for the extra hassle it will be.

D

Yeah, then if anything besides another controller, I'd maybe just add a single function pedal you like or something and take a little bit of processing load that way, while having the potential fun benefits that brings.

 

[[Nathan]]

This is my analog board for my band that's practiced once in a 2 month time period. Imagine how much more productive we could get if I had an AM4 in the FM3's place
View attachment 55473

Thats an awesome setup. I irrationally want to collect the Ibanez 7 series line, might actually put that plan into action

Found this guy on reddit, glorious:

 

[timbuck3]

And you guy's favorite

Why does he always wear those floppy looking hats,? They make him look like he is a toddler

 

[timbuck3]

And you guy's favorite

Does he get this gear free?