Fractal Audio Systems AM4 - Amp Modeler

[Los-D]

To it's credit; it was pretty much perfect form factor. And it sounded great. But talk about a device you PRAYED didn't need adjusting on the live front. I'm getting PTSD thinking about it

True story at rehearsal back then:
- “Sounds great, can you add another delay?”
- “Nah dog, you’re on your own”

 

[JiveTurkey]

True story at rehearsal back then:
- “Sounds great, can you add another delay?”
- “Nah dog, you’re on your own”

Lord I had many many times of that same experience

 

[BROCKSTAR]

UPDATED RIG: Ok got some expression pedals connected. 1 for boss vg-800, 1 for boss gm-800, 1 for empress effects zoia and 2 for fractal axe-fx 3. Still need 2 more for AM4 and VP4, but I have no idea where to put them now lol. I do have 2 boss fs-5u switches I may use in them too.

Also secured 2 rack mount metal things on the top of Axe-fx 3 and secured a piece of super hard long foam behind the AM4 and VP4 to prop them up to see better and edit from the hardware when needed.

 

[R590]

Regarding the ‘sameness’ of the models, are you running all of the models through the same cab?

Ime, that is what drives sameness, the cab is way more responsible for the sound and feel than most people realize. If you keep the cab constant, different amps start to feel really similar and the differences between them get subtle.

I haven’t run that test with real amps as I don’t have a switching rig that would allow me to do it the right way (simple blind switching of heads at matched volumes and the same listening position uninterrupted), so I can’t say with 100% certainty that this is exactly how it would be with the real amps. I have found it to be the case with all modelers though.

D

I have found this to be the case with my own amp collection. I use an 8 head/4 cab switching system and it is quite interesting how similar everything can sound with the same cab. Combine that with the fact that I tend to dial in similar tones regardless of the amp (you like what you like I suppose) and I find that I have a lot of redundancy in my collection.

Maybe I’m just more of a cab guy than an amp guy!

Also, loving the AM4. It’s a nice streamlined take on all the sounds I enjoy on the AxeIII.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Guitars and pickups of course will also make a huge difference and of course the way someone plays.

 

[R590]

and of course the way someone plays.

This is where I find the majority of my own tone problems

 

[bloodoff]

Cancelled my Non-XL stadium preorder and ordered a Fractal AM4

I am very far from being a pro player, won’t become a rock-star either, I do like composing and guitar noodling though. And just like with any hobby, a good or great equipment makes a big difference, and I think AM4 will be perfect! Something that’s always available, compact size, and ready to go!

 

[GTR37]

Cancelled my Non-XL stadium preorder and ordered a Fractal AM4

I am very far from being a pro player, won’t become a rock-star either, I do like composing and guitar noodling though. And just like with any hobby, a good or great equipment makes a big difference, and I think AM4 will be perfect! Something that’s always available, compact size, and ready to go!

the more time I have with it the more I like it , honestly if anyone is interested in modelling or the Fractal tone and FX I think its a no brainer , I think Fractal knocked it out of the part

 

[EOengineer]

I really like some of the tones I’m getting out of the AM4, but I think I hit a deal breaker today. It seems the best Fractal space echo option is the 4 head delay in the multi-delay block. That’s unfortunately not available in the AM4.

That one’s on me for not identifying that ahead of time, as it’s an essential tool. Bummer.

 

[GTR37]

I really like some of the tones I’m getting out of the AM4, but I think I hit a deal breaker today. It seems the best Fractal space echo option is the 4 head delay in the multi-delay block. That’s unfortunately not available in the AM4.

That one’s on me for not identifying that ahead of time, as it’s an essential tool. Bummer.

True , your best option for that stuff is going to be the multi delay block
You never know though that may come over , I have seen at least 3 or 4 things end up in FM3 that took a while to get there , spring reverbs
New Dynacabs , new preamp modelling algo etc etc

And Tim i see you there don’t worry about the multi delay block being a possible deal breaker

 

[Los-D]

And Tim i see you there don’t worry about the multi delay block being a possible deal breaker

 

[yek]

I really like some of the tones I’m getting out of the AM4, but I think I hit a deal breaker today. It seems the best Fractal space echo option is the 4 head delay in the multi-delay block. That’s unfortunately not available in the AM4.

That one’s on me for not identifying that ahead of time, as it’s an essential tool. Bummer.

In this thread a forum member writes that the character of the delay trails in the "worn tape" type in the Delay block are closest to those of the Volante Space Echo.

Maybe post a wish on the forum for a Space Echo model.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I really like some of the tones I’m getting out of the AM4, but I think I hit a deal breaker today. It seems the best Fractal space echo option is the 4 head delay in the multi-delay block. That’s unfortunately not available in the AM4.

That one’s on me for not identifying that ahead of time, as it’s an essential tool. Bummer.

Don't you have the real thing on your board? Put that AM4 on there with it and go to town!

 

[mavrick102000]

I have found this to be the case with my own amp collection. I use an 8

head/4 cab switching system and it is quite interesting how similar everything can sound with the same cab. Combine that with the fact that I tend to dial in similar tones regardless of the amp (you like what you like I suppose) and I find that I have a lot of redundancy in my collection.

Maybe I’m just more of a cab guy than an amp guy!

Also, loving the AM4. It’s a nice streamlined take on all the sounds I enjoy on the AxeIII.

All so true. I do a bit better these days, but when I first had my Fractal or Helix units I'd slightly tweak all of them and they all sounded quite similar, without a cabinet change.

My preference for dirt most of the time is some flavor of Marshall - Hotrodded Marshall because of the sag it just feels good under the fingers. Greenbacks or V30's usually

For tight, filthy chug stuff I mostly used a Mesa or something like a FAS Modern flavor - we have endless options these days but Mesa is still a solid, familiar option. Mostly a Mesa Cab of some sort for a little more raspiness an Orange Cab with V30s.

Cleans are more Fender preference - Twin, Super, Deluxe. etc. Super Clean with swirlies- JC120 - Jensens, Alnico Blues

 

[JiveTurkey]

Dumb question that I probably missed in the manual. How do you control separate volume levels between L and R outputs?

 

[DrewJD82]

It's very powerful, but does also come with minor annoyances. That you can't adjust a parameter itself once a modifier is applied to it is frustrating.

It’d be cool if they applied the same thing Logic does with automation; you have Relative and Absolute options, Fractals currently work like Logic’s Absolute option does, once you select the parameter range it’s stuck there, but the Relative allows you to adjust the overall level while keeping the same automation in place.

IE- If you had a modifier attached to the Mix level of the delay block with a Min/Max of 15% and 30%, you could turn the Mix knob up 3% and the modifiers would adjust to 18% and 33% accordingly. I would absolutely LOVE to see that function added.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Dumb question that I probably missed in the manual. How do you control separate volume levels between L and R outputs?

Preset Balance control? Click page > twice until you get to the screen that shows amp level, preset balance, scene levels etc. If you're in the editor then click the output arrow at the end of the chain or click Levels/EQ button.

 

[EOengineer]

Don't you have the real thing on your board? Put that AM4 on there with it and go to town!

I do, but I’m really looking for an all in one solution for this particular device, as it’s primarily a gigging backup unit. If I’m throwing together a board I’ll just use the re-202 and Tonex with my preferred caps.

Unfortunately kind of a deal breaker so lm getting set up to send this back. I may revisit an FM9 or FM3 later. That will be dependent upon how Stadium’s trajectory looks over the next 6 months or so.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Preset Balance control? Click page > twice until you get to the screen that shows amp level, preset balance, scene levels etc. If you're in the editor then click the output arrow at the end of the chain or click Levels/EQ button.

Thank you sir! It allows for you to have separate output levels then for the left and right outs?

I do, but I’m really looking for an all in one solution for this particular device, as it’s primarily a gigging backup unit. If I’m throwing together a board I’ll just use the re-202 and Tonex with my preferred caps.

Unfortunately kind of a deal breaker so lm getting set up to send this back. I may revisit an FM9 or FM3 later. That will be dependent upon how Stadium’s trajectory looks over the next 6 months or so.

I can see that 100%. It sucks because if you're looking for Marks, um; FAS is where it's at by the largest margin that ever margined. Ever. Oof.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Thank you sir! It allows for you to have separate output levels then for the left and right outs?

I can see that 100%. It sucks because if you're looking for Marks, um; FAS is where it's at by the largest margin that ever margined. Ever. Oof.

It's just one control you turn left or right and tilts the sound either way, like if you turn it -30 to the left it'll off balance the whole level, causing the left side to be -30 more quiet etc. Both sides of Preset Balance does -100 / 100 and in the middle it's 0.0