Fractal Audio Systems mystery product speculation

[DLC86]

FM3 is £1169 here, inclusive of VAT.

I'd say around 700£ then
I wasn't up to date on EUR/GBP rates, it seems brexit wasn't that bad after all

 

[Orvillain]

I'd say around 700£ then
I wasn't up to date on EUR/GBP rates, it seems brexit wasn't that bad after all

All Hail Quitaly !!!

 

[HotRats]

there's no amp switching outs,

ouch, really?

 

[sleewell]

Is it only 4 effects at once tho....


That could be limiting

 

[sleewell]

ouch, really?

Not great for 4cm

 

[HotRats]

I went through the 70+ Axe-Fx presets that I created for specific songs. Conclusion: 4 effects pretty much suffice, for most of them.

Exceptions fall in the ‘special’ category where multiple effects are being used, eg. to construct an organ simulation, for custom synth sounds, extensive parallel chains, special effects etc.

If the posted effects list is correct, the Multiplexer is not included. This means having to use other tricks to switch an expression pedal between multiple uses within a single preset.

while 4 effects are usually enough for any song I usually use more than 4 blocks in a single patch because some of them are "service" blocks like volume boost/eq for leads, FX send/returns, volume blocks used for balancing volumes between channels (I use an amp in 4cm), etc.

And I surely need more than 4 swtiches.

So far the Helix floor is still the king for my user case.

 

[HotRats]

Not great for 4cm

a 100% deal breaker for me

 

[yek]

while 4 effects are usually enough for any song I usually use more than 4 blocks in a single patch because some of them are "service" blocks like volume boost/eq for leads, FX send/returns, volume blocks used for balancing volumes between channels (I an amp in 4cm), etc.

And I surely need more than 4 swtiches.

So far the Helix floor is still the king for my user case.

All a matter of perspective. Nobody claims that the VP4 is a 'flagship' or a 'master control center'. It's four world class effects in a row.

P.S. Volume Boosts can probably be accomplished using Scene Level controls or modifiers, so no dedicated block required.

 

[HotRats]

All a matter of perspective. Nobody claims that the VP4 is a 'flagship' or a 'master control center'. It's four world class effects in a row.

P.S. Volume Boosts can probably be accomplished using Scene Level controls or modifiers, so no dedicated block required.

yeah, yeah. I understand that.
I just hoped it was a more capable device, just in case I wanted to dip my feet in the FAS world.

 

[Orvillain]

An FM9 MKIIT is £1899 here in the UK, and I've danced around getting one in the past, to use with valve amps. It is objectively WAY more capable than the VP4, but on one level... the VP4 is more flexible precisely because it is a simple device you can pair with other things.

Like having a bunch of lego, as opposed to these huge all-in-one devices that try to trap you in an eco-system on some level.

 

[DLC86]

Don't know if this is covered in the manual, I need to re-read it, but I was wondering what happens to the spdif out signal when the 4CM mode is turned on? Maybe it still outputs the stereo out signal?

 

[PorcinePicker]

Like having a bunch of lego, as opposed to these huge all-in-one devices that try to trap you in an eco-system on some level.

I'm so used to Fractal's usual vulgar display of power approach, and this is obviously a different paradigm. I had set my expectations for "honey, I shrunk the FM3". Personally, I can't picture seeing the VP4 and the FM3 side by side on the virtual store shelf and picking the VP4. Cheers to those who are looking forward to the VP4, though....

 

[OrganicZed]

a 100% deal breaker for me

You're probably aware, but I thought I'd mention it just in case. You can get MIDI controlled boxes that do amp channel switching. I own the Voodoo Labs Control Switcher and there are a few other boxes on the market that accomplish the same thing. As I understand it, the VP4 can send MIDI commands and thus could change amp channels with one of these devices as the go between.

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

You're probably aware, but I thought I'd mention it just in case. You can get MIDI controlled boxes that do amp channel switching. I own the Voodoo Labs Control Switcher and there are a few other boxes on the market that accomplish the same thing. As I understand it, the VP4 can send MIDI commands and thus could change amp channels with one of these devices as the go between.

That was my plan!!!!!

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I'd say around 700£ then
I wasn't up to date on EUR/GBP rates, it seems brexit wasn't that bad after all

Yeah I was thinking £699 comparing the prices of the FM3 between Thailand and the UK. If it is then I'm about £100 better off than I thought I was going to be. This morning I was assuming about £800 for a VP4.

If its £700 for all of the fractal effects including being able to use two reverb engines and two delays at once seems a pretty good price to me. Certainly compared to strymon and meris.

 

[HotRats]

You're probably aware, but I thought I'd mention it just in case. You can get MIDI controlled boxes that do amp channel switching. I own the Voodoo Labs Control Switcher and there are a few other boxes on the market that accomplish the same thing. As I understand it, the VP4 can send MIDI commands and thus could change amp channels with one of these devices as the go between.

Of course I'm aware of that but having the switching outs in the unit is soooooo much more practical.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Compressor, drive, EQ, delay, reverb. Absolutely common FX chain for yours truly, used for pretty much any lead sound since ages. Impossible with this guy. And I may even add another drive here and there (especially when running into clean pedal platform amps). Or a wah/filter.

As said before, IMO this could be a fantastic device (and perhaps even a bargain) for those looking for a spatial/modulation FX unit. But as the main device to run into either a pedal platform amp or using it in 4CM, I think there's better alternatives around.

 

[Sedaxel]

As said before, IMO this could be a fantastic device (and perhaps even a bargain) for those looking for a spatial/modulation FX unit. But as the main device to run into either a pedal platform amp or using it in 4CM, I think there's better alternatives around.

Agree. I find it VERY lacking for a 4cm intended use device.

I mean... VERY VERY lacking.

I couldn´t use it, for instance, since I need to change amp channels, and I usually need more than 4 effects (even when I don´t use complex signal chains). Also, four footswitches are too few.

I´m a little surprised by this product, honestly.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Agree. I find it VERY lacking for a 4cm intended use device.

I mean... VERY VERY lacking.

I couldn´t use it, for instance, since I need to change amp channels, and I usually need more than 4 effects (even when I don´t use complex signal chains). Also, four footswitches are too few.

I´m a little surprised by this product, honestly.

See for me using a JVM and analogue drive/fuzz pedals this is great. It looks like I'll also be able to change the channels, modes, effects loop and reverb via midi with this.

 

[Orvillain]

My typical chain is:
Tuner
Volume Pedal
Wah Pedal
Drive Pedal
Delay 1
Delay 2
Reverb

.... this, my crybaby, and my lehle volume pedal.... I mean, add my JVM to the mix... or my Dual Rectifier with the midi doohicky box I have... that's a rig dudes.

If I'm honest, I was really hoping for more than 4 blocks at once. But a huge chunk of that is just block "GAS" ... I probably don't even need more than 4 blocks at once for the majority of the time.. and I can add other pedals to the setup.

I don't think this product is meant to be an all-in-one. I think it is meant to play nicely with your other stuff.