Fractal Audio Systems VP4 - Virtual Pedalboard

yek said:
Aha, weird.

Both aspects (high end, dynamics) can be easily more scientifically tested though.
Click to expand...
It’s what it sounds and feels like to me is what matters. I’ve never played through a DAC that I couldn’t tell the difference between it being there and not.
 
I did a null test. Recorded a loop in my looper. Then recorded it in Logic, Once thru the VP4 in in bypass, then directly to logic. The null test is not good....
 
The null test will probably fail because no device with a buffer (analog bypass has a buffer) will be exactly 100% identical to the completely bypassed not-buffered signal.
 
yek said:
The null test will probably fail because no device with a buffer (analog bypass has a buffer) will be exactly 100% identical to the completely bypassed not-buffered signal.
Click to expand...
It's the DAC that I am concerned about. Buffers can sometimes help DACs never do.
 
An interesting null test would be analog bypass vs. DSP bypass. I'm trying to decide if what I'm experiencing is signal loss or a bit of tone loss.
 
Shredder777 said:
You could try putting another pedal in front of the VP4 to use its buffer and you might get a closer result. Use that pedal in both chains.
Click to expand...
It’s the DAC on the dry signal. Some FX can’t avoid this but most can. H 90 is way worse , sent that back faster than you can say garbage.
 
Shredder777 said:
Like everyone else who has upgraded their gear over the past several decades, I have heard improvements every time I've upgraded conversion.

I have purchased two audio gear over past couple years. A couple years ago I got a Zoom G11 with 123db dynamic range which sounded better DA than my old original RME ufx 118db. It was an eye opener that a mid grade consumer device from Zoom would sound better than a ten year old high end interface. The zoom sounds especially good with headphones and is the first modeler that I could stand to play with headphoens.

This prompted me to upgrade to a Presonus HD8 124db dynamic range which also sounds fantastic (with better preamps as well), giving it the edge to the zoom, but mostly in usabilty and features. Just five years ago this would have been reference level conversion for pro studios, now its run of the mill prosumer gear.

Unknown what conversion the VP4 is using, but if they aren't using the latest gen (because reusing old design or supply chain or something) it would sound worse than good consumer conversion you get in zoom processors, phones, televisions, etc. I know there is much more to audio design than converter specs, but converter specs usually align with what I hear in terms of clarity and punch.

Anything prosumer made more than 2-3 years ago is probably sounding pretty shitty right now in terms of adda quality. The fractal reverbs are the best and most expensive outboard guitar reverbs, whever there is a reverb going, the fractal has the edge in room ambiance, but alot still depends on conversion quality.
Click to expand...
Bricasti M7 sounds better than my Axe 3 to me . Axe is by far the best guitar specific processor though and it’s incredibly versatile.
 
all grown up nicksplat GIF
 
Shredder777 said:
Against anything prosumer released in the past couple years. Even the toneX has 123db dynamic range. Even the $100 Zoom MS-70CDR+ pedal has 122db. Just over the past few years there was a big jump in quality.
Click to expand...

Dynamic range is not necessarily the same thing as "quality" though in terms of conversion though, is it?

Quality of conversion refers to how accurately the ADC represents the original analog signal in the digital domain.

An ADC can have a wide dynamic range but still fail to produce "pristine" quality. Obviously both are important, though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

jellodog
  • Locked
  • Poll Poll
Fractal Audio Systems mystery product speculation
257 258 259
Replies
5K
Views
214K
Lorne Malvo
Lorne Malvo
Back
Top