Fractal ICONS Plugin

[Orvillain]

Isn't it all one plugin that will show all the amp models you eventually end up purchasing? Same as Cab-Lab 4, where it logs into your account and unlocks and downloads the cabs locally ?

 

[Sascha Franck]

That's not what I was saying. I'm saying when the packs have codenames like Fractal mentioned, at some point when you have enough packs you have to look up if "Monterey" had the Marshalls or Engls.

Hold on - are these packs supposed to be sold as *separate* plugins?

 

[Sascha Franck]

And btw, how much will they be in € and will there be taxes on top?

 

[MirrorProfiles]

That's not what I was saying. I'm saying when the packs have codenames like Fractal mentioned, at some point when you have enough packs you have to look up if "Monterey" had the Marshalls or Engls. "Fullerton" is still easy because most know that is related to Fender, but even then if it's separated into Vol 1-4 then you might have to check which had the exact model you were looking for.

I agree there - if Fullerton Complete was a single plugin then you wouldn’t load that up when you’re looking for a Marshall. I think it’s probably only going to be the Mesa, Marshall and Fender packs that have so many amps included. Having to remember a volume number isn’t really ideal - even some better naming would be better than just Fullerton 1-4.

Now, which one of those plugins contains the "Brit 800 #34" model you were looking for? You might know it's Monterey because you remember that's Marshall rather than Fender, but 1-4 is going to be a mystery unless you open each plugin one by one.

I agree with you, it’s not good. But when you’re dropping £300 on some plugins you’re probably more likely to force yourself to commit to using them and you’d remember over time. The packs should at the least have more distinguishable names/associations so it’s not just a number to guide you. Hanwell Mods is way more revealing than Hanwell 3. Fullerton Tweeds>Fullerton 2 etc.

These are all just things that point to Fractal being a bit out of touch with the plugin world - the lack of demo, high pricing, ugly GUI, half assed naming. The tones and functionality will be top tier but it’s all a bit out of step with what the vast majority of people’s expectations are in 2026. So much room to improve - I’m stoked it exists but the presentation is more like “good enough, I’m just happy it exists” than “these guys took their time but totally knocked it out the park”.

I think the container plugin can be useful if you treat it as a single effect you turn on/off, it's just built out of multiple separate plugins.

with guitar sim plugins, I almost never want to bypass everything.

I usually just want to bypass a block or two. I might want to quickly bring up the tuner and have it full screen. I might want to bypass a delay or a boost. I might want to bring up the cab window to adjust mic position. All way faster and more elegant to do with individual plugins than to load up a container and have to click around small areas and customise views with.

I like that the routing in these plugins is simple, because it encourages you to use your DAW to handle routing. I’d have happily seen them broken up more into pedals/amps/cabs/fx that can each occupy a plugin slot. But people will complain about standalone use and presets etc so this is a good middle ground.

 

[KFF]

Isn't it all one plugin that will show all the amp models you eventually end up purchasing? Same as Cab-Lab 4, where it logs into your account and unlocks and downloads the cabs locally ?

Man... I hope so.

Really don't want Fractal Audio == Fractured Audio.

I'm already struggling a little. Its a direct port, but incompatible presets with ANY hardware units. Expert Mode is stripped down. I would almost want MORE options in my studio rig/DAW.

Early days... a lotta runway to go. Watching with interest.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

@laxu FWIW, it’s Fullerton complete in the same plugin, so you wouldn’t have to navigate 1-4. Had to keep Leon in of course.

Man... I hope so.

Really don't want Fractal Audio == Fractured Audio.

I'm already struggling a little. Its a direct port, but incompatible presets with ANY hardware units. Expert Mode is stripped down. I would almost want MORE options in my studio rig/DAW.

Early days... a lotta runway to go. Watching with interest.

A lot I agree with here. Expert panel is pretty stripped down. There are definitely parameters I usually adjust to get the tones I like that aren’t available here. Maybe overall it’s for the greater good as most people probably don’t want that stuff. I’d certainly like to go as deep as possible.

I also wish more love went into the design. Only the amps have knobs, which is really minimal vs what can be done. All the FX are just generic knobs and background colours.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

I'm sure I can persuade them to add a few more delays and reverbs. I lost that battle the first time but since I sign their paychecks...

I want some more Drives too.

A token 4x12 in dyna cabs would go a long way.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Also, will presets created within the plugin be directly compatible (as in kinda drag'n'drop-able) with future FAS hardware?
For me, that's one of *the* main great points of HX Native and (partially) the Tonex ecosystem.

Plugin uses different extension .fasxp compared to hardware that uses .syx so not compatible.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Plugin uses different extension .fasxp compared to hardware that uses .syx so not compatible.

IMO that should be changed (or there should be a kinda converter).
Seriously, for me that's one of *the* USPs of the HX ecosystem.

 

[KFF]

They're not. Plugin uses different extension .fasxp compared to hardware that uses .syx

They need to bridge it somehow.

The AM4 was released what... three months ago? They can both only do one Amp... two Cabs. Both have stripped down Expert Modes. I have a hard time believing the two weren't planned to work together... being released in such quick succession.

REALLY hoping we're in a VERY soft-launch phase.

 

[BenIfin]

I think purely re: relative pricing, these new Fractal Plugs are massively better value than the NDSP offerings - and thats not because I hate NDSP Corporate.

On thinking more since their release, the current pricing does seem on the quite high side for offerings in 2026 / competitors ... but it must be noted that Fractal does not have the economies of scale of L6 or even NDSP.

The [current] lack of a demo is, well, extremely mystifying to say the least - this alone needs to change for these plugins to "fly off the shelves". The GUI and naming is not ideal either - and at the moment, the bundling and what is in what etc... is quite confusing.

PS:... bring on "Stadium Native" I say

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

And btw, how much will they be in € and will there be taxes on top?

Yup...313€ or 373$ in Germany.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I think purely re: pricing, these new Fractal Plugs are massively better value than the NDSP offerings.

IMO NDSP plugins are too expensive to start with already.

Yup...352€

Oh wow. I see myself out. Especially without any option to demo these (that really needs to be changed IMO).

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

I think purely re: pricing, these new Fractal Plugs are massively better value than the NDSP offerings.

The [current] lack of a demo is, well, extrmely mystifying to say the least - the GUI and naming is not ideal either - and at the moment, the bundling and what is in what etc... is quite confusing

Bring on "Stadium Native" I say

I gotta tell you value for you or not, a plug that's a third of a manufacturer's hardware, and 1/8 of the amp models, is a hard sell for me.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

IMO NDSP plugins are too expensive to start with already.



Oh wow. I see myself out. Especially without any option to demo these (that really needs to be changed IMO).

It's 313€ I hadn't switched it from.hungary. But that sill doesn't compute.

 

[[Nathan]]

IMO NDSP plugins are too expensive to start with already.

They do half price sales 2-3x a year ontop of intro prices.
Mayer was the one exception where it launched at a new high price but everything before that was cheaper.

 

[2dor]

They do half price sales 2-3x a year ontop of intro prices.
Mayer was the one exception where it launched at a new high price but everything before that was cheaper.

Yeah - they're good value if you buy them during the sales.

 

[BenIfin]

I gotta tell you value for you or not, a plug that's a third of a manufacturer's hardware, and 1/8 of the amp models, is a hard sell for me.

Yeah - look I agree.

It makes you realize that even at the current full asking price of US$399, Helix Native is an astonishing package - the whole hardware-unit-in-software for ~ 1/3 / ~1/4 the hardware price - and even bucketloads cheaper if you have the hardware.

Once Stadium Stomp lands - I will be all over it like a fat man at an all you can eat buffet breakfast on Day 1 .... and then when [inevitably] Stadium Native Lands, it will also be a Day 1 buy.

But not wanting to side-track this Fractal Plug discussion .....