Next Gen Fractal Speculation Thread

[DrewJD82]

Well, I’d have to think that the next Fractal unit’s design will be the one that determines which specific market Fractal has been aiming at since the start. No one working for Fractal is unaware of the UI complaints, but I’ve said before I’m not certain that Fractal’s goal was to make a general-consumer product. I do not believe Cliff is motivated by the money it could bring in, which is what 99% of the people cite as the reason he should make it more user-friendly, but that’s as parasocial as I care to get.

That said, I’m unsure where else Fractal can go with the tone aspect of things, so I can definitely see it being a possibility that the next unit is maybe incrementally “better” on the tone front while being massively better on the UI side of things.

 

[Funk Soul Brother]

Maybe improve dynamics/response to more readily match the feel & input response (e.g. fuzzers) of *real* amps?

I'd be if Line6 makes a *big* jump in that dept. with the Stadium, too many input routing plates-in-the-air to *focus* on that, without compromises...

But, like I said, I'll wait for the adequate user feedback before deciding which product represents the best bang-for-my-

 

[AZG]

FAS doesn’t have to win the UI wars, they just need to have enough modern conveniences to keep letting the tones do the talking. Build in wireless so we can use a tablet editor, do wireless updates and cloud sharing, then add the file space/structure for on-device favorites/defaults.

Then integrate plugins.

Pretty much my thoughts. Make the UI/hardware design relatively competitive with QC, TMP and Helixes and then let the tones do the talking.

 

[mikah912]

I swear if Fractal doesn't lead on the next device with "Yes, you can finally keep/easily access your block library on the device now".....

The lowest hanging of fruit, and I was always amazed Dynacabs made it as a feature on the current hardware before this. I'm expecting that to be table stakes for whatever is next.

 

[Sascha Franck]

In case the next device is supposed to make others look like a gameboy, it'd rather not be a tight spaceship taking you to Mars when all you want is to spend a nice weekend on the moon, including a most comfortable journey.

 

[fetishfrog]

Maybe they'll name it:

Axe FX Tour (instead of Four).

And then....

Axe FX Tour Arena
Axe FX Tour Club
Axe FX Tour Cafe
Axe FX Tour Pub

I'd be happy with an Axe FX Two Drink Tickets

 

[paisleywookiee]

FM9T with a touchscreen and better UI, or an iPad app. Less reliance on connecting to a computer is all I’d be asking for, except for keeping block library on-device would kill.

 

[Mongillo19]

FM9T with a touchscreen and better UI, or an iPad app. Less reliance on connecting to a computer is all I’d be asking for, except for keeping block library on-device would kill.

And more dynacabs! Although I only really use the TV and Mesa

 

[GTR37]

FM9T with a touchscreen and better UI, or an iPad app. Less reliance on connecting to a computer is all I’d be asking for, except for keeping block library on-device would kill.

Smaller version like AX8
With touchscreen
No USB printer port
Library on unit
Dyna cabs suite all on unit
Current AX3 power in compact floor
I would be in

 

[mikah912]

Smaller version like AX8
With touchscreen
No USB printer port
Library on unit
Dyna cabs suite all on unit
Current AX3 power in compact floor
I would be in

That would be pretty savage, indeed.

 

[the swede]

View attachment 46547

Ahh the game changer dude… always in the middle of something…

Why isn’t he here though…

 

[James Freeman]

a super computer?
i barely use 15% cpu on the current axefx3.

what i want from next gen is a more graphical full amp/model experience

 

[- ★ - BROCKSTAR - ★ -]

Ahh the game changer dude… always in the middle of something…

Why isn’t he here though…

Matt is on this forum too i believe

 

[paisleywookiee]

Smaller version like AX8
With touchscreen
No USB printer port
Library on unit
Dyna cabs suite all on unit
Current AX3 power in compact floor
I would be in

You’ll be in regardless.

 

[banned]

At the end of the day - I want the best amp, drive and FX models. That's factor number 1 for me. All the gadgets in the world won't do it if the model accuracy / fidelity isn't there.

That said:

a) I don't care for the Fractal on-device UI experience - it can't be this hard to sort out at this point - just copy what everyone else is doing. But I suspect that their existing architecture / routines may not be easily conducive to a better UI experience.
b) I don't think the Helix is further behind on amp or OD models - in fact, I like the Helix more on certain amp models where I find it compares better to the physical amp when played through a guitar cab. Helix could use some better reverbs (or reverb presets) compared to Fractal's glorious sounds.

At the end of the day, I find that the main difference between these modelers is when played through "FRFR" with some companies incorporating additional speaker modeling & compensation.

To that end, the main frontier to me isn't amp modeling - but rather audio reproduction. I don't mind playing through monitors or headphones but guitar speaker cab is still king and nothing comes close on that front.

So yeah - as far as I'm concerned, modern amp models are great across many platforms - but especially Fractal and Helix - no qualms using either here as they stand today. Where things could improve:

a) Speaker Modeling
b) Audio Reproduction (actual sound reproduction in room) - "FRFR" (Powercab, Headrush, FR12 etc. are no good)
c) OD modeling
d) Reverb modeling (Helix)

 

[dk_ace]

a super computer?
i barely use 15% cpu on the current axefx3.

what i want from next gen is a more graphical full amp/model experience

My suspicion is that he wants the extra power to do modeling approaches that require more dsp than his current methodology.

Speak for yourself though. I can max out an fm9 turbo without breaking a sweat. I’d have no problem maxing out a 3 either….

How much dsp do I need? 20% more than <insert device> has. Always…

D

 

[AlbertA]

• Loadable dynaCAB packs, complete with SIC curves
• One core dedicated to Reverb (make it stereo input capable)
• On device block libraries
• User editable amp circuits and pedal circuits
• Sub-grid for feedback loop of Delay based effects (yeah I know we can do a lot already with feedback send/return in the main grid, but It would be nice to keep all at a block level)
• Arbitrary control points for modifier curves (like in a DAW)
• Looper with multi-track support (or at the very least A/B loops)
  • Global looper with configurable input source
• USB-c port
• USB Audio with fully assignable inputs and outputs (i.e. let me chose the sources for ALL USB inputs and outputs)
• Independent headphone output control
• Support to power up to two FC-12s
• Amp block UI where knobs match the amp (range, name) (the "Tone" vs "Ideal" page started it but take it to the next level
  • Avoid multiple models like PVH 6160+ CRUNCH, PVH 6160+ CRUNCH BRIGHT - etc - instead present appropriate switches, knobs, etc within the selected model (PVH 6160+)
• MIDI 2.0 support
  • Over Wi-fi and/or Bluetooth
  • Over USB
• NAM support

 

[Whizzinby]

I swear if Fractal doesn't lead on the next device with "Yes, you can finally keep/easily access your block library on the device now".....

The lowest hanging of fruit, and I was always amazed Dynacabs made it as a feature on the current hardware before this. I'm expecting that to be table stakes for whatever is next.

100%. Block libraries on-device are a must.

Honestly, I don’t really expect FAS to do some magical next gen UI. That’s not really their thing. Coin flip if even a primitive TS implementation is even a possibility with their in house folks. But, I don’t really think they have to have some ultra modern UI overhaul. They can significantly improve the on-device UI without it. But, what they absolutely have to do, imo, is make sure it has a robust wireless feature set. Wireless tablet version of AxeEdit. Wireless updates. Cloud sharing of presets/blocks. Etc.

Will be really cool when this allows us to run plugins from the AxeFx IV vs reamping.

 

[dws2384]

I’ll bet Cliff uses the additional CPU power to great effect. Always has.

To what effect? Nobody can tell the existing amps from real ones in a blind test 5 years ago. I’m sure there’s another percent or two but maybe time to focus elsewhere. The reverbs and effects are already world class. I guess you could make massive patches with multiple ultra high quality reverbs and stereo amps but how many people are asking for that? I’d like to see Axe 3 power in FM3 and FM9. Although I think 3 foot switches would be limiting on such a powerful device.

 

[dws2384]

Given the choice, which would you want:

A. Best digital amp models with great I/O + UI focused on just Amps/FX/Speaker config & tons of storage + great expression control implementation

B. Best workstation, with adequate digital amp models et al.

What makes you think the new modelling or capturing will only be adequate? I’m sure no matter what comes out lots of fractal fans will poopoo it but I doubt it’s going to be a disappointment.