Fractal Audio Systems VP4 - Virtual Pedalboard

[SillyOctpuss]

Great eye! Yes that is a PedalPCB Kliche build. I’ve started labeling the diodes used on the artwork when I build a Klone. I’ve got another that I haven’t built yet for a silicon diode version.

I've got some D9Bs in my favourite Klone. I haven't built a silicon version. Let us know what you think in the DIY section after you've built it.

 

[deadpool_25]

@iaresee @Fractal M@ @FractalAudio

Powering the VP4. I know the official advice is to use the included PSU, but what is the general required draw in 4-cable-method?? Can I power it from my Zuma?

Also, can I take the feet off easily enough and put dual lock on the bottom to attach it to my board??

I use a DC7 with parallel (current doubling) cable. No issues.

You can take the feet off but IIRC you don't want to put the screws back in as they could make contact with (and break) the circuit board.

 

[Orvillain]

I use a DC7 with parallel (current doubling) cable. No issues.

You can take the feet off but IIRC you don't want to put the screws back in as they could make contact with (and break) the circuit board.

Good to know, cheers!! Next time though, just post me a link to another forum or Google or something. Wouldn't want this place to be useful now would we?!?!

(sincerely, thanks!)

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

I'm selling my VP4. I had it for 3 months and realized that for my simple purposes (noise gate, pitch shifter, wah, overdrive, chorus and occasionally a phaser) I prefer the convenience of plugins over external hardware.

 

[Orvillain]

I'm selling my VP4. I had it for 3 months and realized that for my simple purposes (noise gate, pitch shifter, wah, overdrive, chorus and occasionally a phaser) I prefer the convenience of plugins over external hardware.

We know you hate Fractal gear, Rhett.

 

[Mongillo19]

We know you hate Fractal gear, Rhett.

That's Fluff to you

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

I have had many names.

 

[paisleywookiee]

We know you hate Fractal gear, Rhett.

Come to think of it, I've never seen Rhett and @TheTrueZoltan! in the same room at the same time.....

 

[Lysander]

I have had many names.

...Wrestlemania?

 

[Orvillain]

VP4 is here. I was quite impressed that it came with a SPDIF cable and a TRS>MIDI jumper cable. That is quite groovy!

 

[Orvillain]

I'm surprised at how easy it is use, out of the box. I didn't read any guides to get up and running.

 

[Orvillain]

I will give some rolling commentary. I'm still feeling pretty under the weather, so not sure how detailed I will get. But:

Plugged it in. Using the stock PSU until I can get a Cioks DC7 and Crux.
Turned it on. Very fast boot time.
Preset one. Went to effect 3. Switched to the Graphite Copy delay. Wondered where the EQ was, because I always tweak that when using the analog delays. Couldn't find it. Look at the two buttons HOME and SAVE... see that the lettering on top says to press both to access the mode selector. I figure I'd try it with the two page switches. Expert editing mode activated. I promise you 100% I didn't know this before hand. Just figured it out by a process of deduction. Very nice to be able to flip between each mode like that.
Tweak my EQ. Go back to simple mode. Increase the mix and feedback.
Go to effect 4. Change it to Cumulonimbus. Open the high cut, and up the mix.

Boom. There you go. The washy ambient tone I've been using on Fractal gear for the last year or more.

 

[[Nathan]]

View attachment 39824

VP4 is here. I was quite impressed that it came with a SPDIF cable and a TRS>MIDI jumper cable. That is quite groovy!

Keen to hear how it goes once you get around to using it with 4cm. I always had noise and gain staging issues with the fm3 and I know this is meant to be a lot better. Totally a “I don’t need it” pedal but that’s never stopped me before

 

[Orvillain]

Keen to hear how it goes once you get around to using it with 4cm. I always had noise and gain staging issues with the fm3 and I know this is meant to be a lot better. Totally a “I don’t need it” pedal but that’s never stopped me before

Will let you know!

I love this though:

So much more intuitive than the Axe FX III.

 

[Orvillain]

@[Nathan]

So 4-cable-method. Not as noisy as the Quad Cortex, but not as clean as the Axe FX III IMHO. If they gave you the boost/pad feature, maybe that would help. Not sure. @FractalAudio is that possible?

It is perfectly acceptable as it is, but could always be better.

I did have a ground loop. Humbuster cable didn't really address it. I used an Orchid Electronics Isolator box to break it. Worked fine.

I would say that when in 4-cable-method, an extra gate specifically for input R would not go amiss.

I don't really use 4-cable-method myself to be honest.

One cool thing - you CAN enable auto mute in the tuner. I was concerned about that, because from the videos it looked like every time you went into the tuner, it didn't mute.

I'm now pondering how to setup my patches. Right now I really just need delay and reverb. Once the band gets more heavily into writing and recording, I'm sure there will be more.

I have my Morningstar MC6 Pro which I was hoping to setup to activate tuner mode, tap tempo, and switch amp channels.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Not a complaint but enough blocks to worry about 4cm, imo. Though it does work fine on my amps.

 

[Orvillain]

Not a complaint but enough blocks to worry about 4cm, imo. Though it does work fine on my amps.

Well I can't play guitar anyway, so all effects up front into my gainy channels makes it sound like I can.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Well I can't play guitar anyway, so all effects up front into my gainy channels makes it sound like I can.

You and me both good sir. Except for that part about fx up front

 

[Someoldqueenorother]

You and me both good sir. Except for that part about fx up front

I cut out the FX and the gain. The lack of talent is on full display though.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I cut out the FX and the gain. The lack of talent is on full display though.

Laid bare, as it were