Fractal Audio Systems VP4 - Virtual Pedalboard

[spawnofthesith]

Which you'd think would be an easy distinction

If you want modeling pay the extra $400

 

[spawnofthesith]

Don't know what it is about this product that has caused people's critical thinking skills to go out the window, but I'm totally here for the lulz.

Reminds me of all the outrage about the HX One when it came out

 

[Desertdweller]

I should have paid the extra $20 for faster shipping.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Reminds me of all the outrage about the HX One when it came out

It's honestly with every company nowadays to one degree or another. Exacerbated by the absolute GLUT of killer products out there already where the "need" for something new is tough to justify sometimes.

 

[Mongillo19]

It's honestly with every company nowadays to one degree or another. Exacerbated by the absolute GLUT of killer products out there already where the "need" for something new is tough to justify sometimes.

I'm actually happy fractal seems to be going down the different product route than just hammering away at next gen. I know things could be improved on the current lineup but imo, I can't imagine the leap from say the axe III to IV would make much sense at this point.

However, launching products such as FX only, amp only, etc may be a good introduction to fractal

 

[Orvillain]

I'm actually happy fractal seems to be going down the different product route than just hammering away at next gen. I know things could be improved on the current lineup but imo, I can't imagine the leap from say the axe III to IV would make much sense at this point.

However, launching products such as FX only, amp only, etc may be a good introduction to fractal

That's how I feel. TBH I'm not terribly interested in an Axe FX 4, unless it is a real paradigm shift. I don't want a rack unit for a start, it would have to be a full powered floor unit. I wouldn't want the same user experience in terms of having to build shunts manually, and I would want a real move away from the editor application being the main way to interface with the unit to create patches.

I want less computer reliance. Not more.

 

[fetishfrog]

Don't know what it is about this product that has caused people's critical thinking skills to go out the window, but I'm totally here for the lulz.

I made an observation about this in another thread a month or so ago. For whatever reason, the modelling forums, whether it's here or TGP or wherever, are just nutty.

Companies are making product that 10 years ago we could barely imagine sounding so good and do so many things so well. I can't understand why there's so many 'big feelings'.

 

[JiveTurkey]

The Axe stuff, as far as modeling goes; I fire it up and I sincerely don't know how you could use anything else (modeling wise) if sound is your main concern. It's that good. That's where we/the conversation tends to get in the weeds here and elsewhere.

Editing experience and onboard controls of the VP are a great improvement now. I'm honestly circling the IR-D super hard at this point and using the FM3 as a routing box for a bit

 

[Orvillain]

I made an observation about this in another thread a month or so ago. For whatever reason, the modelling forums, whether it's here or TGP or wherever, are just nutty.

Companies are making product that 10 years ago we could barely imagine sounding so good and do so many things so well. I can't understand why there's so many 'big feelings'.

I think some of it is really just boredom. Speaking for myself as well as everyone else.

 

[Orvillain]

That's how I feel. TBH I'm not terribly interested in an Axe FX 4, unless it is a real paradigm shift. I don't want a rack unit for a start, it would have to be a full powered floor unit. I wouldn't want the same user experience in terms of having to build shunts manually, and I would want a real move away from the editor application being the main way to interface with the unit to create patches.

I want less computer reliance. Not more.

Oh, and contrasting this with how many times I've opened Cortex Control since getting the QC.

Twice.

Just twice.

 

[Mongillo19]

The Axe stuff, as far as modeling goes; I fire it up and I sincerely don't know how you could use anything else (modeling wise) if sound is your main concern. It's that good. That's where we/the conversation tends to get in the weeds here and elsewhere.

Editing experience and onboard controls of the VP are a great improvement now. I'm honestly circling the IR-D super hard at this point and using the FM3 as a routing box for a bit

When I had the IRX, while it sounded great, there wasnt anything unique I couldn't get out of a modeler so it just seemed redundant but it does add a different user experience I guess?

 

[Rock Chalk]

I bet an Axe-Fx IV would fly off the shelves just as fast as any other Fractal product......just sayin'..........

 

[JiveTurkey]

When I had the IRX, while it sounded great, there wasnt anything unique I couldn't get out of a modeler so it just seemed redundant but it does add a different user experience I guess?

Here goes....


I have replaced pretty much all my analog components with digital then found out I want the analog stuff back. I can live with digital effects in the loop because you know why but tubes and guitar speakers and with the IR-D a "lower gain" tube preamp combined with the VP FXis completing that circle again for me. Whether or not it makes a difference to the "audience(?)" or myself

 

[JiveTurkey]

That reads Gasp AF

 

[DrewJD82]

I think the aspect of ‘create your own adventure’ with modeling, along with an ‘unproven track record’ in the context of historical gear, plays in heavily with the modeling battleground.

IE- Someone buys a JCM800 and it’s cheers all around. Sure, some people don’t dig 800’s, but they do what they do and there’s no questions about a JCM800 not being able to handle a job it’s given.

Then you get into modeling and the floor is opened up to “Well, is the JCM800 modeled as well as it possibly can be? I tried _____ before and their DRRI model sucked so their 800 model probably does, too”, “Oh their 800 model is so good, unfortunately you have to be an engineer to make it sound good”….and the plethora of other things modeling introduces because you’re not just plugging into an actual 800.

Then the price of things where people use all kinds of mental gymnastics to justify/speak down to others regarding their purchasing decisions.

Then ya add in some previous experiences with certain brands; one guy gets a Fractal unit and can’t spend 10 minutes figuring out how the jog wheel works and when it doesn’t work the way he thought it should, he becomes a Camp Survivor and every post he makes after for the next 5 years is how Fractal is too complicated and everyone who owns a Fractal just likes believing they’re superior.

Then you get the people that actually DO believe they’re superior because of the modeler they picked, despite the fact they have absolutely zero music they’ve made with it posted anywhere or a single shred of evidence they even play guitar.

It’s a fun world out there.

 

[Mongillo19]

despite the fact they have absolutely zero music they’ve made with it posted anywhere or a single shred of evidence they even play guitar.

 

[fetishfrog]

I think some of it is really just boredom. Speaking for myself as well as everyone else.

I think it's also due to people misunderstanding how digital tech works and thinking features and such can be easily added and/or changed because it's 'just code'.

The answer to 'why can't I get amps on my virtual pedalboard' might be quite complex. It also might be simple, but not easy or even possible to overcome.

 

[gearJunkie]

The eagle has landed, but I have to wait until I wrap up my work day to play.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I think the aspect of ‘create your own adventure’ with modeling, along with an ‘unproven track record’ in the context of historical gear, plays in heavily with the modeling battleground.

IE- Someone buys a JCM800 and it’s cheers all around. Sure, some people don’t dig 800’s, but they do what they do and there’s no questions about a JCM800 not being able to handle a job it’s given.

Then you get into modeling and the floor is opened up to “Well, is the JCM800 modeled as well as it possibly can be? I tried _____ before and their DRRI model sucked so their 800 model probably does, too”, “Oh their 800 model is so good, unfortunately you have to be an engineer to make it sound good”….and the plethora of other things modeling introduces because you’re not just plugging into an actual 800.

Then the price of things where people use all kinds of mental gymnastics to justify/speak down to others regarding their purchasing decisions.

Then ya add in some previous experiences with certain brands; one guy gets a Fractal unit and can’t spend 10 minutes figuring out how the jog wheel works and when it doesn’t work the way he thought it should, he becomes a Camp Survivor and every post he makes after for the next 5 years is how Fractal is too complicated and everyone who owns a Fractal just likes believing they’re superior.

Then you get the people that actually DO believe they’re superior because of the modeler they picked, despite the fact they have absolutely zero music they’ve made with it posted anywhere or a single shred of evidence they even play guitar.

It’s a fun world out there.

To be fair; I have my own Camp. I just picked up my tent and pitched it here instead

 

[Hapless]

The eagle has landed, but I have to wait until I wrap up my work day to play.

View attachment 31437

I'm sitting here watching FedEx sit on my package an extra day because I chose standard, while it's sitting at their facility 45 minutes away.