Fractal Audio Systems AM4 - Amp Modeler

[BROCKSTAR]

Finally sitting down to learn the ins and outs of Fractals various abstractions (channels, scenes, etc) and want to double check my understanding of effects usage.

I had originally (I think incorrectly) assumed I could rotate out effects blocks for channels or scenes so that as long as I never had more than 3 fx active I could potentially swap out a flanger for a phaser for the bridge or whatever.

From what I’m seeing behaviorally while constructing sounds, I’m limited to a specific block type (flanger, phaser) within a given block position and cannot swap out the fx type used within a block via scenes or channels.

Does that sound accurate?

Correct. Channels can only stay inside the same effect type / amp type. Like a Delay block can have 4 different delays and those you can use inside the channel / scene switching.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Correct. Channels can only stay inside the same effect type / amp type. Like a Delay block can have 4 different delays and those you can use inside the channel / scene switching.

Yeah the only bummer of it is that the modulations are all separate blocks. Otherwise it’d be cool if there was a “modulation” block that you could do chorus, phaser, flanger for example.

 

[StarF666]

What counts as an effect type? Amp, delay and reverb seem pretty clear. But can I have a mod block with a tremolo on channel 1 and a chorus on channel 2?

 

[StarF666]

Yeah the only bummer of it is that the modulations are all separate blocks. Otherwise it’d be cool if there was a “modulation” block that you could do chorus, phaser, flanger for example.

Now you were a few seconds quicker in answering my question. That's really a bummer.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Now you were a few seconds quicker in answering my question. That's really a bummer.

They’re otherwise extraordinary devices though, and the channel functionality makes it a far greater product in terms of flexibility.

 

[StarF666]

Now you were a few seconds quicker in answering my question. That's really a bummer.

If I think about it, you answered it before I even asked it. That's kind the latency of a plexi Marshall, isn't it?

 

[GTR37]

What counts as an effect type? Amp, delay and reverb seem pretty clear. But can I have a mod block with a tremolo on channel 1 and a chorus on channel 2?

No because Fractal does not put them under a modulation category so to speak
So you can have 4 tremolos
4 choruses. , 4 phaser
It fine with reverb and delay , but I can definitely see where just a MOD block would come in handy especially on a product like this
But that is the same even w the AXE 3
Maybe in the Next Gen they will do more of a consolidated Mod block

 

[StarF666]

They’re otherwise extraordinary devices though, and the channel functionality makes it a far greater product in terms of flexibility.

Absolutely. I'd wish for something like that maybe in conjunction with global blocks in Helix land.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

What counts as an effect type? Amp, delay and reverb seem pretty clear. But can I have a mod block with a tremolo on channel 1 and a chorus on channel 2?

Look up the block list (tremolo and chorus are separate blocks).

 

[StarF666]

No because Fractal does not put them under a modulation category so to speak
So you can have 4 tremolos
4 choruses. , 4 phaser
It fine with reverb and delay , but I can definitely see where just a MOD block would come in handy especially on a product like this
But that is the same even w the AXE 3
Maybe in the Next Gen they will do more of a consolidated Mod block

I guess it's only easy as long as the algorithm stays while changing channels. But the idea brings a lot of flexibility. For reverbs and delays this is even true while staying on the same algorithm.

 

[StarF666]

Look up the block list (tremolo and chorus are separate blocks).

I did. I just hoped I was wrong.

 

[EOengineer]

Yeah the only bummer of it is that the modulations are all separate blocks. Otherwise it’d be cool if there was a “modulation” block that you could do chorus, phaser, flanger for example.

Yup. I think of blocks like this because I’m used to Helix. Definitely my error.

 

[Melodioso]

Ah, okay, thanks. I was definitely confused.

My bad, sorry, I could have been clearer. That locking system for the power supply is on the RME UCX II, which I previously owned.

It makes it basically impossible to step on the cable and disconnect the power supply from the unit: it's locked in once the little wings are inserted. I understand that for a regular pedal it's overkill, but for these kind of devices that live on the floor, it should be a no brainer...

 

[Melodioso]

Is is possible to disengage the cab section (when playing through a real cab) BUT keep the reverb room from the amp block?

 

[GTR37]

Is is possible to disengage the cab section (when playing through a real cab) BUT keep the reverb room from the amp block?

No because the amp/ cab block are in one block if you bypass the cab you bypass all the parameters too
You would have to use the Reverb block Ambience or Studio will likely be able to get you in a similar ballpark

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

No because the amp/ cab block are in one block if you bypass the cab you bypass all the parameters too
You would have to use the Reverb block Ambience or Studio will likely be able to get you in a similar ballpark

Couldn't he put a null IR in the cab block?

 

[GTR37]

Couldn't he put a null IR in the cab block?

Maybe? That could work

 

[GTR37]

There are definitely some limitations as you dig in easy to overcome and work around but if you are used to the FM
Structure you should be aware , modifiers are one of them , modifiers apply to all channels you cannot select them for a specific channel
Also I don’t think there is a scene controller
So you cannot set scene 1 with 50% gain 20% delay mix and then scene 2 with 70% gain and more delay
It not an issue because gapless switching works so well you can just use presets
But it does IMO makes scenes a lot less ideal to work with .

 

[BROCKSTAR]

So you cannot set scene 1 with 50% gain 20% delay mix and then scene 2 with 70% gain and more delay

I think you could if you had 4 instances of the same amp/cabs for channel A,B,C,D and same as the delay or any other effect etc.. Then each scene gets its own channel with different parameter percentages etc.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Anyone running analog OD’s into the AM4? I never had much luck doing that with the FM9. Curious if the AM4 is the same/different.