Fractal Audio Systems VP4 - Virtual Pedalboard

[FractalAudio]

We need a YouTube influencer dedicated to reviewing the hardware of guitar effects. I asked a question here how the tech specs of the VP4 compared to the SDE-3000EVH and got a very vague response from Fractal. When I started asking specifics they bailed.

EDIT: I just realized I'm not on Fractal's forum.

I have no idea what's inside that particular product so I can't comment on the components.

The published specs don't include any SNR or Dynamic Range specs so I can't compare.

 

[la szum]

It's time.... at the very least a timeout for some of the worst repeat offenders who
clearly have a PhD. in Miserable Fuckery from Asshat University.

Not sorry. They know who they are.

 

[jellodog]

The only other company that makes a comparable product is ESS and they aren't found in MI products to my knowledge. They're typically used in Hi-Fi gear.

Thanks for commenting on the subject of converters.

One small observation: I was shopping for a new audio interface last week and I noticed that ESS has started to show up in that segment.

For example the new SSL 2 MKII contains a 32 Bit / 192 kHz ESS AD/DA converter.
And the MOTU UltraLite-mk5 features the Sabre32 ES9026PRO DAC.

 

[FractalAudio]

Thanks for commenting on the subject of converters.

One small observation: I was shopping for a new audio interface last week and I noticed that ESS has started to show up in that segment.

For example the new SSL 2 MKII contains a 32 Bit / 192 kHz ESS AD/DA converter.
And the MOTU UltraLite-mk5 features the Sabre32 ES9026PRO DAC.

They have good specs. Good to see them getting some design wins.

The "32-bit" thing still irks me but they're all doing it. There isn't a converter made whose dynamic range is greater than 21 bits.

 

[jellodog]

They have good specs. Good to see them getting some design wins.

The "32-bit" thing still irks me but they're all doing it. There isn't a converter made whose dynamic range is greater than 21 bits.

Indeed. I admit that I was initially fooled by the 32-bit thing and totally reeled in.

I was excited at the prospect of 8 more bits being somehow... "obviously" better. just imagine the supreme quality of it all!

Then I looked into what that meant for digital audio in practical terms; and as you suggest, it's meaningless in real world use at present. Pure marketing BS.

 

[Orvillain]

They aren't idiots.

Says who?

 

[Orvillain]

The only other company that makes a comparable product is ESS and they aren't found in MI products to my knowledge. They're typically used in Hi-Fi gear.

Fairly sure RME were using AKM in the Babyface Pro until the fire, and they switched to ESS. I'm sure I saw that in a Julian Krauss video anyway.

 

[Antipodes]

Hotone mention ESS in their literature but it may be DSP chips rather than converters.

 

[Antipodes]

They have good specs. Good to see them getting some design wins.

The "32-bit" thing still irks me but they're all doing it. There isn't a converter made whose dynamic range is greater than 21 bits.

What specs are Cirrus claiming for their forthcoming products or is it too soon to say?

 

[Whizzinby]

Holy shit

 

[GTR37]

Hotone mention ESS in their literature but it may be DSP chips rather than converters.

Ya ESS sabres are what they use but that DSP I think they use Cirrus same as NDSP

 

[dk_ace]

PhD. in Miserable Fuckery from Asshat University.

So… how many of us are adding this to our bios?

@la szum wins the internet today.

D

 

[2112]

How 'bout those factory presets

 

[Whizzinby]

Nice vid LT. Thats where it eats, post in stereo. Throw a dart with some combo of Multi-Delay, Pitch, Plex, and Reverb and it goes hard.

Guitar straight in to the JC120, onboard chorus engaged, VP4 in the stereo loop, stunningly badass clean tones…

 

[State of Epicicity]

The "32-bit" thing still irks me but they're all doing it. There isn't a converter made whose dynamic range is greater than 21 bits.

Do you have any idea how they're spinning the specs to come up with 32-bits? I remember Dave Pensado talking about ProTools having some 48-bit conguration years ago, but that sounded like nonsense to me. It seems like companies can come up with ways to justify saying anything.

 

[FractalAudio]

Do you have any idea how they're spinning the specs to come up with 32-bits? I remember Dave Pensado talking about ProTools having some 48-bit conguration years ago, but that sounded like nonsense to me. It seems like companies can come up with ways to justify saying anything.

The digital I/O is 32 bits. I.e., the TDM data stream has 32 bits per time slot.

It's disingenuous to advertise the converters as "32-bit" though because only 19-20 bits are usable. The rest is noise.