Fractal Audio Systems VP4 - Virtual Pedalboard

[Mikael Dez]

I had forgotten about him.

He’s easy to forget, he deleted every post he made before he rage quit

 

[synthpenguin]

Helix verbs are not as good as the VP4. But honestly, the VP4 verbs are either not as good - or not as easy to dial in - as the Golden and the RV5 are. Those are such simple pedals. The RV5 is like... just stupidly good.

Interesting! I know you know your reverbs, so I’m kinda curious now… price, tweakability, and other features aside, how would you rank these three (and maybe one of the Source Audio options, if you’d like) for just basic, realistic / natural, stereo room and plate reverb? Ties allowed!

 

[- ★ - BROCKSTAR - ★ -]

VP4 Firmware V3.00 Release

The VP4 Firmware V3.00 Release is now available for download: VP4 Firmware V3.00 This firmware is a major release, and as such we strongly urge you to back up your system settings as well as your presets before installing this firmware. The supporting VP4-Editor can be downloaded here...

forum.fractalaudio.com

 

[Orvillain]

Interesting! I know you know your reverbs, so I’m kinda curious now… price, tweakability, and other features aside, how would you rank these three (and maybe one of the Source Audio options, if you’d like) for just basic, realistic / natural, stereo room and plate reverb? Ties allowed!

Honestly, they're all really good. I'll throw in the MercuryX too.

If we're talking realism:

- Ventris + VP4 tied
- Golden
- MercuryX
- RV-5

If we're talking oodles of character and inspiring to play:
- RV-5 (specifically the modulate mode and hall mode)
- Ventris + MercuryX tied
- VP4 + Golden tied

If we're talking specifically plate reverbs:
- Ventris + VP4 tied
- Golden
- MercuryX
- RV-5

If we're talking creativity and expansive sounds and we include the Plex Delay, which can do reverby sounds:

- VP4
- MercuryX
- Ventris
- Golden
- RV-5

If we're talking ease of use and instant gratification:

- Ventris + RV-5 + Golden all tied
- VP4 takes a fair bit of work
- MercuryX is a bit more effort than the VP4 is IMO


On that last point, if the Fractal stuff allowed you to save block presets on the hardware itself, without relying on software or a connection to a computer, I could probably put it just as even as the others. But the fact it doesn't means that dialing in sounds becomes a bit of a slog.

The sounds ARE THERE though.... it is a fantastic bit of kit. I love it lots. But when I'm in the mood for the other categories, I generally prefer the other pedals.

 

[synthpenguin]

Honestly, they're all really good. I'll throw in the MercuryX too.

If we're talking realism:

- Ventris + VP4 tied
- Golden
- MercuryX
- RV-5

If we're talking oodles of character and inspiring to play:
- RV-5 (specifically the modulate mode and hall mode)
- Ventris + MercuryX tied
- VP4 + Golden tied

If we're talking specifically plate reverbs:
- Ventris + VP4 tied
- Golden
- MercuryX
- RV-5

If we're talking creativity and expansive sounds and we include the Plex Delay, which can do reverby sounds:

- VP4
- MercuryX
- Ventris
- Golden
- RV-5

If we're talking ease of use and instant gratification:

- Ventris + RV-5 + Golden all tied
- VP4 takes a fair bit of work
- MercuryX is a bit more effort than the VP4 is IMO


On that last point, if the Fractal stuff allowed you to save block presets on the hardware itself, without relying on software or a connection to a computer, I could probably put it just as even as the others. But the fact it doesn't means that dialing in sounds becomes a bit of a slog.

The sounds ARE THERE though.... it is a fantastic bit of kit. I love it lots. But when I'm in the mood for the other categories, I generally prefer the other pedals.

Thanks, I really really appreciate the response and detail!

I feel like I'm at a major crossroads with what I'm even after as far as gear haha, so this helps more than you know.

 

[Frankencat]

So 70+ pages….
Can someone give me a rundown on how well this works in a 4CM setup with tube amp? My main concerns are transparency and how the pedal models work into the front of the amp. Muchas gracias!

 

[king_wombat]

So 70+ pages….
Can someone give me a rundown on how well this works in a 4CM setup with tube amp? My main concerns are transparency and how the pedal models work into the front of the amp. Muchas gracias!

It works great in 4cm. I detect 0 tone suck and I ran a couple drives and wah in front, and a Bbe sonic stomp and basic always on verb at the end of the chain. Vp4 drives are also excellent, and imo far more realistic than the line 6, boss gt1k offerings.

 

[Aleksi]

Well, I just ordered a VP4 from G66! Apparently they're having a sale, since it was 839€ (incl. Finnish VAT) instead of 949€. Or did I just get scammed

 

[laxu]

Well, I just ordered a VP4 from G66! Apparently they're having a sale, since it was 839€ (incl. Finnish VAT) instead of 949€. Or did I just get scammed

Seems like they've just finally adjusted the pricing considering the Euro is more valuable than USD now.

US retail price converted to Euros + Finnish VAT would be ~750 € so still plenty of extra cost crossing the pond.

 

[Aleksi]

Seems like they've just finally adjusted the pricing considering the Euro is more valuable than USD now.

US retail price converted to Euros + Finnish VAT would be ~750 € so still plenty of extra cost crossing the pond.

Maybe, I was just very surprised to see the price and thought I'd go for it. I was just looking at a B-stock VP4 this week for a whopping 3% off

I guess we'll see how I get on with it. I'm still disappointed by it not having two pairs of stereo IO.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Seems like they've just finally adjusted the pricing considering the Euro is more valuable than USD now.

US retail price converted to Euros + Finnish VAT would be ~750 € so still plenty of extra cost crossing the pond.

Looks like it's dropped to £699 in the UK too.

 

[Mikael Dez]

Looks like it's dropped to £699 in the UK too.

It’s $699 here, £699 is equivalent to $942 - first off yikes lol but is that because of import fees and the T word?

 

[Mongillo19]

It’s $699 here, £699 is equivalent to $942 - first off yikes lol but is that because of import fees and the T word?

Fractal products have always been significantly more expensive outside the US. They also have to go through a distributor, G66, I believe.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong

 

[SillyOctpuss]

It’s $699 here, £699 is equivalent to $942 - first off yikes lol but is that because of import fees and the T word?

No it was £749 long before the T words were happening. The increase cost for us will be importing and the wedge that G66 adds as the importers.

 

[laxu]

It’s $699 here, £699 is equivalent to $942 - first off yikes lol but is that because of import fees and the T word?

In Europe it's typically just + VAT and customs taxes rather than Ts specifically.

If I were to buy a VP4 direct from Fractal, and if we assume shipping costs nothing then after the hideous 25.5% Finnish VAT + 3.7% customs tax, importing the VP4 would cost 768.53 € = ~$902.

 

[- ★ - BROCKSTAR - ★ -]

I believe it's always been the same $699 since launch here in the U.S.

 

[Aleksi]

Just got an email from G66. I guess part of the high cost is having Dario work on a sunday in Germany Their customer service does make me feel appreciated

 

[Mikael Dez]

You’ll love the pedal - I’m reminded by its quality every single time I press a footswitch - it’s so smooth and solid.

 

[Aleksi]

You’ll love the pedal - I’m reminded by its quality every single time I press a footswitch - it’s so smooth and solid.

I've been wanting to try one ever since I sold my FM3. Four fx simultaneously in one chain is often overkill for my needs, which is why I'd prefer two independent stereo paths.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Just got an email from G66. I guess part of the high cost is having Dario work on a sunday in Germany Their customer service does make me feel appreciated

I think you'll enjoy it.