Fractal ICONS Plugin

[dean701]

USD $299 Sale price for 4 amps once they release all the amps how much would that be for all the amps?

This is where I see pricing as a challenge. Someone could get an AM4 for $700 US and have almost all amps.

 

[Whizzinby]

USD $299 Sale price for 4 amps once they release all the amps how much would that be for all the amps?

If I’m reading correctly, the $299 has all 12 amps.

 

[AlbertA]

I'm still confused - Is that saying that while it isn't a "true" graphical representation of an amp, it has knobs you can tweak?

Yes.

A full skeuomorphic UI would be like a replica of the amp front face where you tweak the knobs as if you were in front of the amp- more like UAD.

This one has a reference picture on the side and the knobs on the right pane. The Right pane is similar to what was in Axe-Edit or AM4-edit but the knobs look skeuomorphic for amps it seems.

 

[paisleywookiee]

and a PC with an audio interface does ? Don't get me wrong, FAS releasing plugins is fantastic, nothing less.

In a standard laptop backpack? Uh, yeah. Do you know how big and heavy a Dingbat large loaded with a power supply and pedals is? Why would I want to bring all that shit with me, just so I can jam on my lunch break?

 

[AlbertA]

 

[Mongillo19]

Alright, digging in a little more.

I wish it was the full delay/reverb blocks. Pretty small offering of those effects, fully noting that the average plugin generally only has one of each. Would still be cool to not to have to reach elsewhere for a delay/reverb, when you know FAS already has the goods in those domains.

If they are going to release these in bundles, then it would at least be cool to have a way to integrate the amps/effects into a single wrapper, versus having to stack multiple instances. Particularly if it’s just to grab say a Tape Delay from the Marshall plug, but to use with the Fullerton amps or vice versa. That’s a PITA.

It would also be cool to have some mechanic for people that have purchased one plug to get a price break on subsequent releases. I don’t mind paying a premium for any bundle, IT FINALLY HAPPENED, but it would be cool to not be in the “Spend 2k to get the Full FAS Native” camp. But now is not the time to be a cheapass.

I had a make believe scenario where the plugin was going to be $500 for all the goodies. I mean if the cheapest hardware is $700 and includes them all, remove any hardware/manufacturing cost, etc, $500 seems reasonable.

I just didnt expect this method and it definitely lowers the excitement for me, especially for what it could have been and imo what seemed pretty obvious? Clear disclaimer that I don't get paid the big $$$ to make those decisions.

 

[Whizzinby]

It can't be ported to the current hardware because they don't have enough memory. DynaCab HD has higher temporal and spatial resolution and uses a LOT more memory. There's also 11 mics vs. 4.

That’s killer having all those extra mic options.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

If I look at "amp / dollar" this is objectively better value than competitors who sell individual amps. Still, I can't help but wonder what all of them would add up to.

I’m totally happy to buy à la carte, there are so many Fractal models I can skip past, and if I eventually need them desperately enough they’re always ready to go.

From a re-amping perspective I see the plug-ins as a favorable option.
However, it all depends on how they wish to carve up their 300+ model offerings.
I see the first batch are carved up at $99 each and even then they DON'T include all cabs in each package. This would be very expensive for someone seeking the whole collection. Probably more than an fm3 or even perhaps an fm9

It would, but how many people actually need every single amp and cab Fractal offer? If having them all is the most important thing, HW maybe makes more sense.

I’m happy to pick and choose, and anything I don’t desperately need can wait. I’d much rather this approach than a single £3000 plugin. I’m generally less interested in the cabs and FX, although they’re nice to accumulate.

 

[DrewJD82]

That’s killer having all those extra mic options.

Yeah, that got my eyes and ears perked up more than amps/effects. I’d LOVE to see more mic options in that area.

At this point, anything outside of AxeEdit, IE- loading CabLab and makin a custom IR w/ the DynaCabs, is so outside my workflow that I’ll never get around to making the custom IR’s. I need those mics in the AxeFX!

I’d kill for the option to ditch IR’s for anything DynaCab related!!

 

[Whizzinby]

I had a make believe scenario where the plugin was going to be $500 for all the goodies. I mean if the cheapest hardware is $700 and includes them all, remove any hardware/manufacturing cost, etc, $500 seems reasonable.

I just didnt expect this method and it definitely lowers the excitement for me, especially for what it could have been and imo what seemed pretty obvious? Clear disclaimer that I don't get paid the big $$$ to make those decisions.

Yeah I think now that the euphoria is wearing off (How cool is this shit though dude lol) Cliff will need to find a way to reconcile the offerings in a way that doesn’t work us over.

We’ll need to be able to stack bundles into a single wrapper, and there should be some kind of notable price break for people that want to buy a second, third or fourth bundle. $299 is fine for a single comprehensive plug, but it should go down to $199 on the second etc. Ive got not problem letting FAS make some well earned cash, there just needs to be a graceful way to do it for the dudes that are interested in stacking multiples bundles.

 

[Jkist7]

Do Fractal hardware owners get a discount, like Line 6 did for the Helix Native? I bought it for $99 and this was probably the best plugin deal ever.

It would be a great option... not to feel having to pay "twice". Re-amping does exist, so I wonder how many Fractal owners will buy these products ?

Seeing as there is no link between them (i.e., you can't make presets on one and save them on another), I doubt it.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I think the price is about as smart as it can be. Plenty of stuff in a single $99 bundle but if you add it up; it eventually still leads to hardware sales if you're trying to get it all.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Is there such a thing as its being too great a time to be a guitarist?

ITGATTBAG

 

[Elf]

I had a make believe scenario where the plugin was going to be $500 for all the goodies. I mean if the cheapest hardware is $700 and includes them all, remove any hardware/manufacturing cost, etc, $500 seems reasonable.

I just didnt expect this method and it definitely lowers the excitement for me, especially for what it could have been and imo what seemed pretty obvious? Clear disclaimer that I don't get paid the big $$$ to make those decisions.

Same here, and no demos? A big gamble for me to drop that kind of money before trying them out.

 

[Jkist7]

Pricing is whack to me. I would have expected to pay $500 for the whole shebang, all amps, all effects, everything. Maybe $600. $500 for a "pack"? Makes more sense to just buy the hardware for most people.

EDIT: First pack is $400, not $500. My point still stands though.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

We’ll need to be able to stack bundles into a single wrapper,

This is literally the whole point of plugins inside a DAW. The need for “we need a wrapper” is so exaggerated IMO. It all goes so shit as soon as you want to mix and match various brands of plugins regardless of whether some of them are contained together. I’d much rather the plugins were kept slick and if you need to add another plugin or two, then you can.

Being able to build a chain of Fractal, UAD, Lexicon, Eventide, NDSP, Line 6 and WHATEVER ELSE YOU LIKE is so much cooler than having to do it all inside some megabloated plugin.

And if you only use a small amount of features from a plugin it’s just more waffle that gets in the way. I think Fractal have picked a pretty solid compromise here of gear that belongs together.

 

[deathbyguitar]

It can't be ported to the current hardware because they don't have enough memory. DynaCab HD has higher temporal and spatial resolution and uses a LOT more memory. There's also 11 mics vs. 4.

Thanks for the info. I figured as much so that's no biggie. Will it be implemented with CabLab and existing DynaPacks or would those have to be re-shot to obtain additional resolution?

 

[Melodioso]

Same here, and no demos? A big gamble for me to drop that kind of money before trying them out.

The demo is the AM4.

 

[2dor]

This is literally the whole point of plugins inside a DAW. The need for “we need a wrapper” is so exaggerated IMO. It all goes so shit as soon as you want to mix and match various brands of plugins regardless of whether some of them are contained together. I’d much rather the plugins were kept slick and if you need to add another plugin or two, then you can.

Being able to build a chain of Fractal, UAD, Lexicon, Eventide, NDSP, Line 6 and WHATEVER ELSE YOU LIKE is so much cooler than having to do it all inside some megabloated plugin.

And if you only use a small amount of features from a plugin it’s just more waffle that gets in the way. I think Fractal have picked a pretty solid compromise here of gear that belongs together.

To be honest you can argue for this both ways. IMHO there's value in how Genome and Helix Native do it. I agree that as a producer, having smaller, light-weight plugins works better but then again with FAS being top of the heap in terms of amp modelling & effects, there's a legit point for having a consolidated "wrapper".

 

[JiveTurkey]

Plug-in demo is NEVER going to be 1:1 with a dedicated hardware experience. If you want the cheap way in to see if you are in the ballpark of liking FAS stuff, drop the $99 on the amp bundle you would most generally like. Once it is available. Otherwsie; get the AM4.