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.