Fractal Audio Systems AM4 - Amp Modeler

[Ed DeGenaro]

Ok resistance was futile. Got the email and confirmed my order.
I’m actually excited about it.

 

[Los-D]

Just came to say that FAS Stealth Blue is

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

Ok resistance was futile. Got the email and confirmed my order. [...]

me too
(Although I‘m still a bit torn because of Helix Stadium. And I think that G66's markups are really over the top this time... almost 26% before VAT!!!).

 

[sashimi]

So much power? How does the AM4 compare to the FM3?

According to Cliff its 2x the power of FM3 and equal to the FM9

 

[BROCKSTAR]

According to Cliff its 2x the power of FM3 and equal to the FM9

" AM4 uses the same family of CPU as in the Axe-Fx III. It is a 1 GHz processor with an ARM A15 CPU and a C66x DSP. Therefore it has half the power of a standard Axe-Fx III."

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

I hear its shipping same timeframe as the mythical Blug thing....

 

[PhilA]

me too

Are you guys UK or EU?
Hoping I get an email soon registered for waitlist prettty quick on the first day., just sold some unused modular synth stuff which has paid to add an AM4 to my toys.

 

[AlbertA]

Man, I’m telling you guys: the reason it’s got so much power but with a four block limit is because a new flagship is coming at some point soon, and this will get it. It’ll then peg the CPU capabilities.

I’m willing to bet (not real) money on that.

 

[AlbertA]

Also, gen IV of fractal is "right around the corner".

I bet that corner is in 2027 at least.

 

[EOengineer]

Why is the AM4 so jacked processing wise? Is that a big point of conjecture now?

 

[Richard_G]

What do you mean, @EOengineer? Could you please elaborate?

 

[dean701]

I won't say it's under powered as it hasn't locked up on me. It's also really more than just 4 blocks (more like 7) since it has a built in gate, eq in the amp, a conjoined cab block in the amp, advanced amp and cab controls, an eq per preset in the output block, and things like an echo plate. However I can hit the warning message pretty easily.

If you just need a grab and go with drive, amp, reverb, delay and chorus, that'll do pig.

 

[EOengineer]

What do you mean, @EOengineer? Could you please elaborate?

The AM4 is as powerful as an FM9, as per statements from Cliff.

 

[dean701]

The AM4 is as powerful as an FM9, as per statements from Cliff.

It's apples and dill pickles though.
The architecture and the available blocks differ. The fm9 has 4 cores and there are dedicated cores for reverb/delay. It is intended to be an all in one solution. The am4 was developed to play nice with others.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

Are you guys UK or EU?
Hoping I get an email soon registered for waitlist prettty quick on the first day., just sold some unused modular synth stuff which has paid to add an AM4 to my toys.

EU

 

[Allexi]

I’ve had the AM4 for almost a week now and I’m feeling really good about it. Perfect size, perfect capabilities.

It might not be the main use case for most people, but I’m actually using it also as a “tube amp into AM4” setup. The DynaCabs plus the room/air controls and mic preamps sound very good. I run an Amp block with the amp disabled and the cab enabled, then add 3 effects after it.

Loving this thing so far.

 

[EOengineer]

I’ve had the AM4 for almost a week now and I’m feeling really good about it. Perfect size, perfect capabilities.

It might not be the main use case for most people, but I’m actually using it also as a “tube amp into AM4” setup. The DynaCabs plus the room/air controls and mic preamps sound very good. I run an Amp block with the amp disabled and the cab enabled, then add 3 effects after it.

Loving this thing so far.

Great idea. I’d wondered about sending my Suhr RL into it just for kicks. In reality I’m not sure I’d even bother. The amps sound great.

 

[Los-D]

I’ve had the AM4 for almost a week now and I’m feeling really good about it. Perfect size, perfect capabilities.

It might not be the main use case for most people, but I’m actually using it also as a “tube amp into AM4” setup. The DynaCabs plus the room/air controls and mic preamps sound very good. I run an Amp block with the amp disabled and the cab enabled, then add 3 effects after it.

Loving this thing so far.

I agree. This thing is amazing. It’s so versatile and definitely a keeper. I have used it standalone, as a pedal platform (1 AMP block + 3 Fx, like a VP3) and as an effects unit post-real amp or preamp pedal (4 Fx blocks only). Size-wise it reminds me of my old Line 6 M9 (which I loved), but with FAS amp models and effects.

Also, I moved it to my desk and hooked it up via USB to my computer to use it as a sound card for YouTube, Spotify, etc. (instead of my Motu M2), and performed really well. Likely moving back to my pedalboard though but good to know it could be used that way as well.

 

[2112]

Just came to say that FAS Stealth Blue is

God tier

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

Are you guys UK or EU?
Hoping I get an email soon registered for waitlist prettty quick on the first day., just sold some unused modular synth stuff which has paid to add an AM4 to my toys.

EU (Germany).

Oh, and regarding wishes/requests:
One thing I would like to have is an option to decouple the SPDIF output level from the physical encoder, as is the case with the other Fractal devices.