Fractal VP4 Owners Discussion

[synthpenguin]

Yeah, I’ve almost gone for the VP4 several times as a replacement for how I use the HXS, but it always just barely comes up short for what I’d need without introducing another piece. I still think about it a lot though because I’m jealous of those FX haha

 

[SonVolt]

There are a few things I don't like, such as the limited (analog) I/O compared to the competition

What do you mean exactly? If it's the loss of analog-dry-through I agree. I had to pair the VP4 with a parallel mixer to make it work for my rig. VP4, SDE-3000EVH and an EventTide MicroPitch all running through dedicated stereo inputs of the Parallelizer sounds insane.

 

[Shask]

What do you mean exactly? If it's the loss of analog-dry-through I agree. I had to pair the VP4 with a parallel mixer to make it work for my rig. VP4, SDE-3000EVH and an EventTide MicroPitch all running through dedicated stereo inputs of the Parallelizer sounds insane.

View attachment 53772

Did you notice the tone/feel changing when you put the VP4 directly in line? Did the digital conversions have a negative effect to prompt using the Parallelizer?

 

[Aleksi]

What do you mean exactly? If it's the loss of analog-dry-through I agree. I had to pair the VP4 with a parallel mixer to make it work for my rig. VP4, SDE-3000EVH and an EventTide MicroPitch all running through dedicated stereo inputs of the Parallelizer sounds insane.

View attachment 53772

I just meant the amount of ins and outs and how you're forced into mono with 4cm.

 

[SonVolt]

Did you notice the tone/feel changing when you put the VP4 directly in line? Did the digital conversions have a negative effect to prompt using the Parallelizer?

Well I had to use a mixer b/c I'm using a center dry cabinet. If I didn't I would get phasing with the left & right wet cabs unless I ran them 100% wet, which I don't like.

 

[Whizzinby]

I’ve found the VP4’s lack of analog dry through not as big of a deal as something like the H90. I can run the VP4 in the loop in series no problem, but I always make sure to run the H90 in parallel with a dry mix, otherwise it gets that digital box thing going. Wonder if there is something different in how they handle the conversion or if it’s just that the H90 can lean into more exotic effects that make it more noticeable.

 

[Aleksi]

I’ve found the VP4’s lack of analog dry through not as big of a deal as something like the H90. I can run the VP4 in the loop in series no problem, but I always make sure to run the H90 in parallel with a dry mix, otherwise it gets that digital box thing going. Wonder if there is something different in how they handle the conversion or if it’s just that the H90 can lean into more exotic effects that make it more noticeable.

The H90 has pretty poor latency performance (~4 ms per algorithm) and IIRC running both algorithms in series will basically double the latency

Compared to the 1.2 ms of VP4

 

[Marco2073]

Can the vp4 be used as a MIDI control centre? I understand that it can transmit PC but not CC. Is that correct?

Can the noise gate only be placed at the beginning of the chain, so in 4CM it will never be after the Amp Send? Is that correct?

 

[yek]

Can the vp4 be used as a MIDI control centre? I understand that it can transmit PC but not CC. Is that correct?

Can the noise gate only be placed at the beginning of the chain, so in 4CM it will never be after the Amp Send? Is that correct?

You can send 4 MIDI commands incl. CC through scene switching (Scene MIDI). It's not mentioned in the manual yet, but it has been added in recent firmware.

 

[Aleksi]

Am I stupid or does the Feedback L control in the basic edit view of the delay block not do anything? It doesn't affect the value in the expert page and it doesn't actually increase feedback

I'm on FW 3.00

 

[Orvillain]

Penny for your thoughts folks.

When I activate my wah pedal, it really smashes the front of the VP4, and I quite often get the clipping indicator. Signal feels more compressed overall because of that.

But also I like to use my wah as a boost into the front of the amp at the same time as a wah - hitting the amp a bit harder. So how do I deal with this? Turn the boost knob on my wah down, turn down the VP4 input sensitivity? But won't that affect my regular input sensitivity, meaning I'll then be hitting my amp lighter in non-wah situations....


??

 

[Aleksi]

Penny for your thoughts folks.

When I activate my wah pedal, it really smashes the front of the VP4, and I quite often get the clipping indicator. Signal feels more compressed overall because of that.

But also I like to use my wah as a boost into the front of the amp at the same time as a wah - hitting the amp a bit harder. So how do I deal with this? Turn the boost knob on my wah down, turn down the VP4 input sensitivity? But won't that affect my regular input sensitivity, meaning I'll then be hitting my amp lighter in non-wah situations....


??

Isn't input sensitivity compensated, so you'd end up with the same signal level on the output regardless of input sensitivity (assuming no clipping)? You're clipping the input on the VP4 and not the output right?

 

[Orvillain]

Isn't input sensitivity compensated, so you'd end up with the same signal level on the output regardless of input sensitivity (assuming no clipping)? You're clipping the input on the VP4 and not the output right?

I think it is the input yeah. I'll double check.

 

[laxu]

It should automatically increase the input pad value if it clips, so check if you get the "Auto" setting when using the wah. If you do, set the input pad value to whatever the automatic pad setting was.

 

[Richard_G]

Is using a digital boost within the VP4 when you use the wah an alternative, or is it the specific boost of that wah you’re after?

 

[Orvillain]

Is using a digital boost within the VP4 when you use the wah an alternative, or is it the specific boost of that wah you’re after?

It is an alternative, but I don't want to have to hit two switches. The boost in the wah has a character for sure.

 

[DrewJD82]

Penny for your thoughts folks.

When I activate my wah pedal, it really smashes the front of the VP4, and I quite often get the clipping indicator. Signal feels more compressed overall because of that.

But also I like to use my wah as a boost into the front of the amp at the same time as a wah - hitting the amp a bit harder. So how do I deal with this? Turn the boost knob on my wah down, turn down the VP4 input sensitivity? But won't that affect my regular input sensitivity, meaning I'll then be hitting my amp lighter in non-wah situations....


??

First I'd rule out if the VP4 is actually contributing to the increased compression, or if it's the wah/boost and the clipping indicator is making you think it's a contributor. I figured you would have recorded this and graphed it out by now. I'll likely run into the same issue so I have a genuine curiosity in it.

For a quick fix I'd likely just stick a volume pedal between the wah and VP4, or get one of those JHS black boxes that's just a volume knob in a box and dial it back a bit for when you don't want the wah slammin' the VP4.

 

[Desertdweller]

Penny for your thoughts folks.

When I activate my wah pedal, it really smashes the front of the VP4, and I quite often get the clipping indicator. Signal feels more compressed overall because of that.

But also I like to use my wah as a boost into the front of the amp at the same time as a wah - hitting the amp a bit harder. So how do I deal with this? Turn the boost knob on my wah down, turn down the VP4 input sensitivity? But won't that affect my regular input sensitivity, meaning I'll then be hitting my amp lighter in non-wah situations....


??

I assume you’re using 4CM. What about running your guitar into the VP4, then to the wah, then the front of the amp?

 

[Orvillain]

I assume you’re using 4CM. What about running your guitar into the VP4, then to the wah, then the front of the amp?

Actually no, not using 4CM. Just in and out, series style.