Fractal Talk

[laxu]

Interesting that they're jettisoning user IR space to make room for more DynaCabs. Wouldn't have thought that sort of thing was ever in the cards since it will undoubtedly break the experience for a tiny ammount of people. But I have to wonder how many people use more than a few IRs nowadays? Seems like the trend has shifted in the industry from IR wav files to freely positioning virtual mics.

I wish they had dumped the factory IR slots instead and made those available to e.g upload via Axe-Edit or something. But I understand why.

I don't think I've ever filled all the IR slots in any Fractal unit, and if you do...you probably have a problem if you can't find IRs you like with way less.

 

[deathbyguitar]

I wish they had dumped the factory IR slots instead and made those available to e.g upload via Axe-Edit or something. But I understand why.

I don't think I've ever filled all the IR slots in any Fractal unit, and if you do...you probably have a problem if you can't find IRs you like with way less.

Yeah I have my Axe maybe 40% full of IRs from packs that I've gotten but honestly, I only need like 2 IRs and I'm good. Maybe even just one.

 

[GTR37]

I wish they had dumped the factory IR slots instead and made those available to e.g upload via Axe-Edit or something. But I understand why.

I don't think I've ever filled all the IR slots in any Fractal unit, and if you do...you probably have a problem if you can't find IRs you like with way less.

This leaves me hopeful that they are likely looking at adding more Dynacabs in future and maybe another mic choice i would kill for the MD421

 

[jay mitchell]

Interesting that they're jettisoning user IR space to make room for more DynaCabs.

Why the hell were there ever 1024 user cabs? Who TF will ever max out 512?

it will undoubtedly break the experience for a tiny ammount of people.

If anyone ever complains about this change, they are to be avoided at all costs. If you're ever alone in a room with such a person, be afraid. Very afraid.

But I have to wonder how many people use more than a few IRs nowadays?

512 is a lot "more than a few."

Seems like the trend has shifted in the industry from IR wav files to freely positioning virtual mics.

Six of one, five plus one of another. They're all IRs, just named and called up differently. There's way more room for this shit than any sane person is ever gonna need.

 

[deathbyguitar]

Why the hell were there ever 1024 user cabs? Who TF will ever max out 512?

If anyone ever complains about this change, they are to be avoided at all costs. If you're ever alone in a room with such a person, be afraid. Very afraid.

512 is a lot "more than a few."

Six of one, five plus one of another. They're all IRs, just named and called up differently. There's way more room for this shit than any sane person is ever gonna need.

I honestly felt like the 10 user cab slots on the Axe-FX Ultra was a lot. I still do.

 

[synthpenguin]

Why the hell were there ever 1024 user cabs? Who TF will ever max out 512?

If anyone ever complains about this change, they are to be avoided at all costs. If you're ever alone in a room with such a person, be afraid. Very afraid.

512 is a lot "more than a few."

Six of one, five plus one of another. They're all IRs, just named and called up differently. There's way more room for this shit than any sane person is ever gonna need.

When I hear things like "512 IRs to choose from", it makes me finally understand the option paralysis thing people talk about. Sometimes we bring these things on ourselves... lol

 

[synthpenguin]

While still waiting for my FM9 (it WILL be here tomorrow btw! yay!), I'm thinking about accessories... as one does lol. What is everyone doing about expression pedals?

The Fractal EV-1 and EV-2 both look great (anyone have a preference between the two btw?), but I'm not sure how much I'll use it yet, so I'm looking at cheaper options (US market). I figure I can always upgrade later, if I feel the need, and can keep the cheap one as a secondary expression pedal.

The Paint Audio Foot Captain (50 to 60USD) has a slightly cursed name, but seems pretty solid and gets good reviews. The dual output could be useful too, maybe.

The Roland EV-5 (75USD) is a classic, and I remember using one a while ago and it seeming more sturdy than it looks.

I've used an M-AUDIO EX-P (29USD) with keyboards before, but I can't remember how sturdy it felt. It seems like the sweep was weird, but maybe I'm remembering wrong? The price is right for experimentation, but maybe you get what you pay for, and I don't want total junk.

Then there are the various SONICAKE, HOTONE, and Donner ones that are 30 to 60USD, and they all seem to get good reviews, but idk about build quality (I think the more expensive HOTONE ones are supposed to be good, but at that point I'd get a Fractal or nicer Boss)

 

[mattgreenrocks]

I have, for years, said I'd pay the price of an Axe-Fx III, FM9 or FM83 just to get the '59 Bassman model because it's _that friggin' good_.

Now you can have it for $699

It is unreal how responsive it is. Everything is immediate in a way that is hard to describe.

 

[AlbertA]

While still waiting for my FM9 (it WILL be here tomorrow btw! yay!), I'm thinking about accessories... as one does lol. What is everyone doing about expression pedals?

The Fractal EV-1 and EV-2 both look great (anyone have a preference between the two btw?), but I'm not sure how much I'll use it yet, so I'm looking at cheaper options (US market). I figure I can always upgrade later, if I feel the need, and can keep the cheap one as a secondary expression pedal.

I have the EV-1 and EV-2 which are very well built - I did end up selling EV-2 recently since it was a bit too small for my taste (but that's what makes it enticing for people, specially on a custom pedal board). EV-1 is massive relatively to the EV-2. But no complaints on either.

The Paint Audio Foot Captain (50 to 60USD) has a slightly cursed name, but seems pretty solid and gets good reviews. The dual output could be useful too, maybe.

The Roland EV-5 (75USD) is a classic, and I remember using one a while ago and it seeming more sturdy than it looks.

I've used an M-AUDIO EX-P (29USD) with keyboards before, but I can't remember how sturdy it felt. It seems like the sweep was weird, but maybe I'm remembering wrong? The price is right for experimentation, but maybe you get what you pay for, and I don't want total junk.

Then there are the various SONICAKE, HOTONE, and Donner ones that are 30 to 60USD, and they all seem to get good reviews, but idk about build quality (I think the more expensive HOTONE ones are supposed to be good, but at that point I'd get a Fractal or nicer Boss)

Just remember to check, 10kΩ to 100kΩ pot, linear taper, TRS output, wiper-to-tip polarity and it should be compatible.

 

[iaresee]

While still waiting for my FM9 (it WILL be here tomorrow btw! yay!), I'm thinking about accessories... as one does lol. What is everyone doing about expression pedals?

The Fractal EV-1 and EV-2 both look great (anyone have a preference between the two btw?), but I'm not sure how much I'll use it yet, so I'm looking at cheaper options (US market). I figure I can always upgrade later, if I feel the need, and can keep the cheap one as a secondary expression pedal.

The Paint Audio Foot Captain (50 to 60USD) has a slightly cursed name, but seems pretty solid and gets good reviews. The dual output could be useful too, maybe.

The Roland EV-5 (75USD) is a classic, and I remember using one a while ago and it seeming more sturdy than it looks.

I've used an M-AUDIO EX-P (29USD) with keyboards before, but I can't remember how sturdy it felt. It seems like the sweep was weird, but maybe I'm remembering wrong? The price is right for experimentation, but maybe you get what you pay for, and I don't want total junk.

Then there are the various SONICAKE, HOTONE, and Donner ones that are 30 to 60USD, and they all seem to get good reviews, but idk about build quality (I think the more expensive HOTONE ones are supposed to be good, but at that point I'd get a Fractal or nicer Boss)

1. For cheap: Moog EP-3
2. For "just like my Dunlop wah": Mission EP-1
3. For top shelf, compact: Fractal EV-2
4. For the Cadillac: Fractal EV-1
5. For non-standard but surprisingly useful: Chase Bliss exp

 

[dk_ace]

I honestly felt like the 10 user cab slots on the Axe-FX Ultra was a lot. I still do.

Take the Dyna-Cabs away, and I can still easily be completely happy with only 10 ir slots. I probably won’t even fill them all up…

I use the dynacabs though, that’s the easiest way of finding your ir/cab tone I’ve seen so far.

D

 

[dk_ace]

While still waiting for my FM9 (it WILL be here tomorrow btw! yay!), I'm thinking about accessories... as one does lol. What is everyone doing about expression pedals?

The Fractal EV-1 and EV-2 both look great (anyone have a preference between the two btw?), but I'm not sure how much I'll use it yet, so I'm looking at cheaper options (US market). I figure I can always upgrade later, if I feel the need, and can keep the cheap one as a secondary expression pedal.

The Paint Audio Foot Captain (50 to 60USD) has a slightly cursed name, but seems pretty solid and gets good reviews. The dual output could be useful too, maybe.

The Roland EV-5 (75USD) is a classic, and I remember using one a while ago and it seeming more sturdy than it looks.

I've used an M-AUDIO EX-P (29USD) with keyboards before, but I can't remember how sturdy it felt. It seems like the sweep was weird, but maybe I'm remembering wrong? The price is right for experimentation, but maybe you get what you pay for, and I don't want total junk.

Then there are the various SONICAKE, HOTONE, and Donner ones that are 30 to 60USD, and they all seem to get good reviews, but idk about build quality (I think the more expensive HOTONE ones are supposed to be good, but at that point I'd get a Fractal or nicer Boss)

My advice, buy once - cry once. Get the fractal flavor you like and be done with it.

Getting something cheaper is false economy when you buy the fractal later anyway.

Avoid the ev-5, it’s response is not a flat line and you will hate yourself for buying it.

D

 

[- ★ - BROCKSTAR - ★ -]

While still waiting for my FM9 (it WILL be here tomorrow btw! yay!), I'm thinking about accessories... as one does lol. What is everyone doing about expression pedals?

The Fractal EV-1 and EV-2 both look great (anyone have a preference between the two btw?), but I'm not sure how much I'll use it yet, so I'm looking at cheaper options (US market). I figure I can always upgrade later, if I feel the need, and can keep the cheap one as a secondary expression pedal.

The Paint Audio Foot Captain (50 to 60USD) has a slightly cursed name, but seems pretty solid and gets good reviews. The dual output could be useful too, maybe.

The Roland EV-5 (75USD) is a classic, and I remember using one a while ago and it seeming more sturdy than it looks.

I've used an M-AUDIO EX-P (29USD) with keyboards before, but I can't remember how sturdy it felt. It seems like the sweep was weird, but maybe I'm remembering wrong? The price is right for experimentation, but maybe you get what you pay for, and I don't want total junk.

Then there are the various SONICAKE, HOTONE, and Donner ones that are 30 to 60USD, and they all seem to get good reviews, but idk about build quality (I think the more expensive HOTONE ones are supposed to be good, but at that point I'd get a Fractal or nicer Boss)

I have a handful of these and they work great! Use them with fractal and boss stuff!

Nektar Expression Pedal (NX-P)​

These work fine too

M-AUDIO EX-P​

And they're cheap enough!

 

[synthpenguin]

I have the EV-1 and EV-2 which are very well built - I did end up selling EV-2 recently since it was a bit too small for my taste (but that's what makes it enticing for people, specially on a custom pedal board). EV-1 is massive relatively to the EV-2. But no complaints on either.



Just remember to check, 10kΩ to 100kΩ pot, linear taper, TRS output, wiper-to-tip polarity and it should be compatible.

Great to know! Did the EV-2 feel too small to you just as far as like comfort / preference, or did you feel like it was too small in a way that made it less precise or less smooth? If that makes sense lol

And thank you for the advice on specs!

1. For cheap: Moog EP-3
2. For "just like my Dunlop wah": Mission EP-1
3. For top shelf, compact: Fractal EV-2
4. For the Cadillac: Fractal EV-1
5. For non-standard but surprisingly useful: Chase Bliss exp

Thanks I’ll check all of these out! I know the EP-3 is one Strymon always recommended too. I don’t think they make it anymore, but it seems pretty cheap to grab used.

My advice, buy once - cry once. Get the fractal flavor you like and be done with it.

Getting something cheaper is false economy when you buy the fractal later anyway.

Avoid the ev-5, it’s response is not a flat line and you will hate yourself for buying it.

D

I’m with you, but my only justification is that if I did upgrade, I’d keep the cheaper one for some other uses too, whether for the second pedal port on the FM9, or for some synth related stuff. But yeah, that’s good advice, and I’ll def take it into consideration. Thanks!

And good to know on the EV-5!

I have a handful of these and they work great! Use them with fractal and boss stuff!

Nektar Expression Pedal (NX-P)​

These work fine too

M-AUDIO EX-P​

And they're cheap enough!

Thanks! The Nektar NX-P looks pretty good for the price, and like a better size than some of the other cheaper ones.

 

[AlbertA]

Great to know! Did the EV-2 feel too small to you just as far as like comfort / preference, or did you feel like it was too small in a way that made it less precise or less smooth? If that makes sense lol

Not at all - I used it as my wah controller pedal for years just as smooth and precise as the ev-1 - so mainly just personal preference.

In fact I’m already regretting selling the EV-2.

And thank you for the advice on the specs.

And good to know on the EV-5!

@yek uses a couple of EV-5’s I think maybe he can give you his opinion.