Fractal Audio Systems VP4 - Virtual Pedalboard

Bruce said:
Just shouting into the vastness of the internet and didn’t read 46 pages. As a FAS Wh*re myself, I do not understand why someone wouldn’t just buy an FM3. Sorry if this was discussed for 20 pages and I’m late. The FM3 is only a few bucks more and just has more of everything. Plus it’ll serve as a great backup for your amp should you need it in a pinch.
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The backup for the amp thing can be nice, but other than that I have zero interest in amp modeling. My Bogner XTC is all I ever need.

For me the VP4 was much more appealing than the FM3. It's smaller and fits nicely on my board, can be powered with my board's power supply and has a simpler interface which is good for live use.
Because the device is designed for effects only, all the CPU power is used for that and it allows you to run more instances of the same block - you can run 2 Pitch blocks (virtual capo + dual detune, for example), 2 ultra-high reverbs, 4 multi-delays, 4 delay blocks, etc.
Even if the price was the same as the FM3 I'd still buy the VP4.
 
udi9 said:
The backup for the amp thing can be nice, but other than that I have zero interest in amp modeling. My Bogner XTC is all I ever need.

For me the VP4 was much more appealing than the FM3. It's smaller and fits nicely on my board, can be powered with my board's power supply and has a simpler interface which is good for live use.
Because the device is designed for effects only, all the CPU power is used for that and it allows you to run more instances of the same block - you can run 2 Pitch blocks (virtual capo + dual detune, for example), 2 ultra-high reverbs, 4 multi-delays, 4 delay blocks, etc.
Even if the price was the same as the FM3 I'd still buy the VP4.
Click to expand...
Interesting. THANK YOU.
 
Bruce said:
I was actually happy with your answer and attempted further dialog. No one is reasonably digging through 46 pages of discussion for a few answers, but really in the grand scheme of things, who cares? A couple of you gave answers and I just wanted a little more substance so I asked. One douchebag got snarky. Life goes on. I have my 3/9/III and love them already. I was looking for why the VP4 which is 3/4 the price of my 3 may be a consideration down the line for my tube amps above and beyond my 3 from users who may know. Mea Culpa, I asked.
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I don’t know about “optimized” for 4CM or any of that. It would have been cool to be able to run mono into the front of an amp and stereo in an amp loop simultaneously. It’s either mono 4CM or stereo in one spot of the chain. (I use the latter)

It fits nicer in pedal format alongside other pedals than the FM3 if you have a pedalboard, and you can stack a couple of the more CPU intensive effects blocks on it that you can’t on the FM3, (multiple Plex blocks for ex) which is cool. It’s also much easier to use on-device.

I run mine in a stereo loop with my amp setup as a FAS Stryfecta type super pedal and it’s pretty badass in that regard. If someone said it’s the best delay/reverb/ambient pedal on the market, I wouldn’t argue with them. I think most already in the Fractalverse though kind of know what to expect tonally. Just depends if you have a use case for it.

That said, they need to add:
  1. Block reordering
  2. User-defined Type defaults (and after that, favorites)
 
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Maybe if the VP4 sells well they'll release a VP8 that does relay switching like the FX8 did years ago. If they added a mixer for analog dry through for each effect it would be the greatest multi-fx unit ever made IMO.
 
Boudoir Guitar said:
And this is where Gear Nerds get stupid. If one is considering using an FC-12 with a VP4...one should just get an FM9.
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I have a FM9 good sir.

My question was out of curiosity more than any perceived practical need. If I do get a VP4 it would be to use with my tube combo for Jazz gigs with the desire to keep my effects pedal small and light. I really don't need more than four footswitches in that situation.
 
The VP4 gets some love here from both Andy Wood and Friedman. Earlier in the episode Friedman rants about some gear being way too hard to dial in and I assumed he was talking about a Fractal unit, but once this portion came up, I’m assuming it was the H90 he was talking about.

1:32:00, fuckindamnitshitfuckstupidfucker, it won’t let me embed the video because it was a live stream.

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.
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DrewJD82 said:
The VP4 gets some love here from both Andy Wood and Friedman. Earlier in the episode Friedman rants about some gear being way too hard to dial in and I assumed he was talking about a Fractal unit, but once this portion came up, I’m assuming it was the H90 he was talking about.

1:32:00, fuckindamnitshitfuckstupidfucker, it won’t let me embed the video because it was a live stream.

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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They give a shot out to Leon around 1:38:50 too. @2112

VP4 is pretty straight forward to use. Such a great unit.
 
DrewJD82 said:
1:32:00, fuckindamnitshitfuckstupidfucker, it won’t let me embed the video because it was a live stream.
Click to expand...


I can do a complete pros/cons list for the VP4 vs H90 if anyone's interested, but Dave makes it sound like the H90 is an extremely complex device to use, which I don't think is really the case. There is a learning curve obviously, but it's not that hard once you get the hang of it and go over the quick start guide.
Pete Thorn doesn't know how to use it? are you fucking kidding me??
 
Mongillo19 said:
I thought he had them on his board? I recall a video with the QC and various post effects, including the H9
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To be fair, he said Pete doesn't know how to use it with the on-board UI, so I'm guessing he's using the computer editor....but still.
From what I remember he had a board with 2 H9s, but maybe he upgraded to the H90?
 
The H90 is straight up awful to use. Mine lasted only a few months before I got fucked off with it and sold it. Also it didn't sound anywhere near as good as the Helix and Axe3 do in 4-cable-method. Really noisy pedal, horrible in fact.

I really wanted to love it. Their algorithms are great. But I prefer their original 'Factor' series pedals.
 
forum.fractalaudio.com

VP4 V1.02 Beta2 Firmware

VP4 V1.02 Beta 2 can be found for download: https://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/firmware-presets/vp4/1p0/VP4_firmware_v1p02_Beta2.zip NEW FEATURES & UPDATES NEW! VP4 Custom Scene MIDI - Each scene within every preset can be configured to send up to four MIDI messages — either Program...
forum.fractalaudio.com forum.fractalaudio.com
 
NEW FEATURES & UPDATES
  • NEW!VP4 Custom Scene MIDI - Each scene within every preset can be configured to send up to four MIDI messages — either Program Change (PC) or Control Change (CC)—to external MIDI devices. This feature enables seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible equipment, allowing for automated changes when switching scenes. To set up Scene MIDI messages:
    • Open the Scene MIDI page - From Home, press PAGE RIGHT 6x.
    • The Scene MIDI page shows four scenes, each with four slots for MIDI messages.
      • Turn SELECT to the desired Scene and message slot.
      • Use Knob B to select the message type (PC for Program Change or CC#0-127 for Control Change).
      • Use Knob C to choose the MIDI channel (1–16) on which the message will be sent.
      • Use Knob D to set the specific value for the PC or CC message.
    • Press ENTER on the selected row to test a single MIDI message. Switch to Scene Mode and use the footswitches to test all four messages for any scene.
    • After configuring Scene MIDI, save the preset to retain your settings.
    • When a new preset loads, the MIDI payload for the default scene is sent automatically.
    • Note: Scene MIDI is sent only to the physical MIDI Out port. It is not echoed to USB MIDI.
  • NEW! Integral Pre drive block type based on the TC Electronics Integrated Preamp.
  • NEW! Multitap Delay models: Matterhorn, Centaurus X-3, Kilmanjaro, Strange Things, Camera Obscura
  • Improved the following effects based on the latest Axe-Fx III enhancements:
    • Delay: Sweep Delay is improved and offers new options.
    • Multitap Delay: “Diffusor” types now include Stereo Spread and Mod Filter options
    • Filter: Fine-tuned dynamic response for Envelope Filter and Touch Wah types.
  • Adjusted the mix curve for some time-based effects so the dry level decreases more gradually as mix is adjusted above 50%.
  • Fixed an issue with footswitch handling that could cause system lockups.
  • Fixed minor GUI issues in the Pitch Intelligent Harmony types.
  • Fixed footswitch mapping not updating correctly after the preset is changed remotely.
  • Plus additional updates and fixes.

BAM!!!!! Additional MIDI features in the first update! Specifically, the ones I wanted/needed so I could ditch an additional MIDI controller. Pretty certain I can make the VP4 the centerpiece of my pedal-based rig now! To the competitors- this is how it’s done!
 
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