Next Gen Fractal Speculation Thread

[MirrorProfiles]

If there's something I quickly learned about Fractals system, it was that I am not capable of making a better amp than what the model's maker figured out.

I’ve found it pretty intuitive, honestly. “I love this amp, but I want to trim more lows in the preamp, add a gain stage, and adjust NFB”.

What’s nuts is I’ve been able to match amps that aren’t modelled purely by finding a similar circuit, finding similar tone stacks and adjusting other parameters to “build the amp”. The same goes for building your own Jose - you can basically configure it to the spec you like best.

Granted, a lot of amps in there are already doing those things but there’s only so many ways to approach designing an amp. It’s a bit like OD pedals, there’s only so many things you can tweak, and many will have a very similar structure overall.

I’m definitely a big fan of instant gratification too - NAM/ToneX/Bogren One Knob etc have all carried the torch on from Kemper with that. Often they work pretty well and even have some advantages as far as cutting distractions and having a very concise vision for what it’s supposed to do.

 

[ChordInversion]

I've been avoiding floor units because crouching down sucks and it sucks even more with hietal hernia issues. Even my pedalboard is a desktop board controlled via MIDI. If I get the Helix Stadium, that's going to be mostly a desktop unit too. Plonk it on top of an amp if going to a jam or gig.

Which of course then takes away the foot switching. But I totally get why you would do that.

I'd love to see a purpose build remote knob unit, where those knobs can change based on what you are editing but with no configuration needed to work with a modeler. I think with something like that it would be easier to move the touchscreen to a phone or tablet because you could just put them next to each other or however you prefer.

The other way to go is an item intended to be cabinet-top, though I suspect the demand wouldn't be there, just as it wasn't there for purpose designed desktop units.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I didn't say I didn't like what Fractal offers now. I also didn't say I wanted tweaked amps.

If you're trying to tell me I'm wrong for liking what I'd like, will you stop countering if I say you win?

I’m not implying that, I just think what you’re asking for is by and large already there. I can’t see what’s missing. I’m not saying what you’re asking for is wrong or incorrect

 

[ChordInversion]

I’m not implying that, I just think what you’re asking for is by and large already there. I can’t see what’s missing. I’m not saying what you’re asking for is wrong or incorrect

I think I've made clear what I'd like. If I haven't, then I failed, but I'm done justifying myself. I have and like the FM9 as it is.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Great thing about the Internet




And I'm not hounding you dude. You gotta stop playing that card when people challenge your ideas or call you out. It's just very easy to call out.

I don't care what you buy but it is low hanging fruit to say "what the hell are you talking about" when you say things like the new Line 6 isnt a serious level up or that any Line 6 model is only worth $1200. Now THAT is brand bias. If I photoshopped a fractal emblem on the stadium and said it was the new FMFractal I would bet you would have been all about it.

I have absolutely no stock and swap around my digital rig often. Again, I just find the inconsistency of your posts amusing and with this being a forum, I can reply to your post!

I’ve never “ played that card.” I never said the new Helix isn’t a serious level up. You seem to enjoy repeating what you interpreted rather than what was said. That filter says it all really.

 

[KingsXJJ]

No. Reading rants/complaints about Line6 from folks that obviously haven’t used a Helix - at least not in the last five years or so - is just not that entertaining. I will go ahead and tag @KingsXJJ to because same applies to him. I’ve got my complaints about Helix, and 5-6 years ago amp modeling would have been one of them.

It is ALMOST entertaining to read someone so out of touch as to not realize that the reason Line 6 has been eating everyone for lunch is because of all of its workstation features. As if Neural would be surviving, much less thriving, if workstation features weren’t wildly important.

I don’t give a shit about workstation features. But it takes a truly myopic moron to not recognize that this preference is in the very very small minority.

I never complained about Line 6’s modeling. I simply stated my opinion that it’s not the best available. I played Line 6 less than two months ago. It’s not for me but that’s ok. Feel free to quote anything that I’ve said that warrants you mentioning me as you did.

 

[laxu]

Which of course then takes away the foot switching. But I totally get why you would do that.

Footswitching is always much easier to replace with proprietary controllers or MIDI controllers. Why not just use rack then? Because that's not a very desktop friendly format either and takes a good chunk of space.

The other way to go is an item intended to be cabinet-top, though I suspect the demand wouldn't be there, just as it wasn't there for purpose designed desktop units.

Yeah I can totally understand why they prefer making floor/rack units. I think QC is the only one that truly seems like it was designed to be a desktop unit before anything else, considering it's a bit tight for footswitch spacing.

 

[[Nathan]]

Y’all enjoy the new Helix stuff being drooled over. I’m good to wait for a SERIOUS level up.

I never said the new Helix isn’t a serious level up.

 

[ChordInversion]

Footswitching is always much easier to replace with proprietary controllers or MIDI controllers. Why not just use rack then? Because that's not a very desktop friendly format either and takes a good chunk of space.

Totally agree. And you need a rack case, and to angle it up, and so on.

Yeah I can totally understand why they prefer making floor/rack units. I think QC is the only one that truly seems like it was designed to be a desktop unit before anything else, considering it's a bit tight for footswitch spacing.

Agreed on understanding why they chose the product types they chose. I'd prefer something else, but I know I'm unusual.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I stand corrected. But you’ll note, again, I never said the Line 6 wasn’t a serious step up. I implied it.

Bottom line, if you like Line 6 and enjoy the gear go for it. If you think the price is fair, pay it. And I’ll do as I want and I am free to post my opinions and reasons for doing so. I’ve tried Line 6 many times. It isn’t for me and I don’t think it’s the best.

Crimes against some code I suppose.

 

[KingsXJJ]

 

[DLC86]

Crimes against some code I suppose.

Don't ever say that FOR YOU something sounds better than something else, never!

A forum exists just to let people say in choir that "in 2025 all sound the same and the real differentiator is the UI/UX", ok? Got it?

 

[Mongillo19]

But you’ll note, again, I never said the Line 6 wasn’t a serious step up. I implied it.

You are such a dumbass

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Don't ever say that FOR YOU something sounds better than something else, never!

Tbf, people are making assumptions on sound and feel on products that aren’t even released yet, and that they certainly haven’t played. So IMO it is pretty shortsighted to say they think the modelling is worse. Fractal IMO has the least room to improve because it already sounds so good. So while someone might have a preference on current products, the gap will surely narrow on the next generation.

 

[Mongillo19]

Tread lightly my friend, you have triggered the great monglian 19......the greatest Barney Fife gatekeeper there ever was! When he gets it in his mind that you are brand biased, right or wrong, he will stop at nothing to bring you to justice! Just a friendly warning to you and yours......View attachment 46627

You two deserve each other

 

[DrewJD82]

Perhaps Cliff can add a legacy boot mode for the people that don’t give a shit that the new AxeFXIV boots much faster. That way they can still have plenty of time to continue scratching their nuts.

Nobody said a thing about not focusing on other things as well. I want a Fractal that boots faster. There’s not a damned thing wrong with that desire and I don’t think anyone would argue it’s not an area that couldn’t be improved upon. I don’t give a shit who doesn’t give a shit about it.

Did you even read my post before replying to it?

 

[KingsXJJ]

I’m definitely hoping Fractal employs touch screens in their product line from top to bottom. If implemented well it’s just such a time saver for me.

I’d like to see onboard storage increased… not simply to hold more patches or DynaCabs as currently implemented but perhaps in such a way that the DynaCabs have enough space to be stored in such a way to forego the uncompressing stage. I’m sure there’s a lot of details involved that I don’t fully understand but storage is so cheap nowadays. Maybe additional capacity can be leveraged cleverly. Just a thought.

I’d also like to see the current USB port retained because it’s relatively rugged for use on the road. Adding USB-C to it would be nice for use at home though. A dedicated stereo aux-in would be a pleasure for me as would music streaming via recent gen Bluetooth. Which could also be used for phone and tablet apps.

I’d still love to see a desktop friendly FM0. Nano-cortex sized or so. No touch screen necessary if my iPad or iPhone has an app and is also on the desk.

 

[DrewJD82]

Just back from a self-inflicted enforced holiday - got the message loud and clear Mods :)

My personal view is that his post was snarky and a bit F.U.D'y .... but its his forum and his world .... however the forum is publicly viewable.

Maybe trying to keep the "vibe" up amongst his people / minimize defections ? ... I don't know .... deliberately or not (?) it also came across as somewhat arrogant.

To my knowledge, D.I or the head of YGG have never publicly posted anything like this ever - in fact the L6 gang are always overtly complimentary of Cliff's / Fractal achievements.

Imagine the shit-show on the forums / community if the head of YGG had come out in the live stream and said something like "Stadium is going to leave all the completion in our dust"

But, here we are .... 8 pages, 145+ posts and 2K+ views about a possible "thing" that is, by the very quick follow-up post, probably at least X years away.

I missed posting my rants, but this is a day that ends in a " Y " so ..... you're all welcome

Just an FYI, you now hold the title as the first person temp banned at TGF.

 

[Mongillo19]

Did you even read my post before replying to it?

Dude, I don't think he can read. He glazed over my reply to him and then said "I stand corrected" when someone posted the same thing.

 

[Mongillo19]

Just an FYI, you now hold the title as the first person temp banned at TGF.

Title inbound?