Next Gen Fractal Speculation Thread

[FuzzyAce]

Load a schematic of an amp, use device to take measurements of amp, have it build a custom model from scratch.

I've always thought that would be an amazing feature. A "Game-changer".

 

[KingsXJJ]

Possibly even lower latency
I think it 3ms now or something .

Lower latency. Good call, it’s always welcome.

Unless you like extended latency so you can scratch your nuts between notes. We could have a legacy mode for that.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I’d like to see Fractal embrace AI.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I’d love to see properly distinct I/O. So using digital I/O doesn’t replace any of the analog options like it does currently. And to be able to designate mono or stereo in’s and outs and panning with more ease. Ideally less need for utility blocks and mixers and workarounds.

I love the idea of multichannel digital I/O, maybe on a bigger scale than we’re accustomed to. Maybe something like MADI or ADAT where it can be used as a genuine multichannel multi fx unit.

 

[DLC86]

Blocks library on the unit.

And I would add: combine that with global blocks (as I think headrush did it on their newer units), so that whenever you recall something from the library it also asks if you want to link it to global or just recall the settings.
And even better, make them global channels instead of (or in addition to) global blocks, cuz in different presets it's more common to need different combinations of those saved global channels rather than the entire same block.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Cool stuff I'd like to see in the future, from the straightforward to the ridiculous.

- FM0
- Blocks library on the unit.
- Number of channels per block = number of scenes per preset.
- Amp models consolidated a'la VP4 drives. E.g select Friedman BE model and then select desired channel/switch config etc.
- Ability to customise defaults per block. For example, have a reverb block load with desired type, mix, decay & EQ.
- Expand foot switch commands to include double tap & "long double".
- Multitrack looper.
- Expand the audio interface capabilities. Mic preamp. Matrix style I/O grid & mixer.
- Fractal loadbox with built in IR loading & fx.
- More measurement tools. Speaker impedance curves, amp capture, guitar pickup profiles.
- "Amp designer"that lets users build custom models using various design "blocks" from existing models e.g Soldano front end with a Plexi tonestack and an AC30 power amp. Storage space for users to save these/share as custom models.
- "Effect designer" that lets users build their own custom algos from a block based interface (Eventide Vsig but less clunky).
- Component/capture hybrid modelling. Load a schematic of an amp, use device to take measurements of amp, have it build a custom model from scratch.
- Facial imaging for use as external controller. So I can make awful faces but have them control various effects.
- Chatbot style preset building. "FracGPT, build me a VH1 preset designed to work with a Les Paul"
- FM0

You had me at FM0!

I would expect the kinds of things you mention (more channels per block; amp models rather than amp-channel models, etc.) are where more processing power would be VERY useful.

 

[deathbyguitar]

I figure since touring costs are increasing and there's less money to go around, why not use modern technology to make things even more efficient? I think it'd be cool to cram more mixer functionality and I/O into a future unit, along with the ability to use different FC's for different signal paths in a preset. My bands have been using my Axe-FX for 2 guitars, bass and e-drums at the same time and if I could ditch my Midas MR12 (which runs vox and IEMs) that'd be amazing. Mixing my band's setup in advance means that soundchecks are usually like 45 seconds at most and everything sounds great out front because I already mixed it.

I think integrating more stuff into one unit will only empower bands to put on better shows while bringing less stuff (perhaps even less people) and minimizing setup time and expenses. This may all sound delusional but I think about this kind of stuff constantly.

 

[ian_dissonance]

Assumptions and speculation can range anywhere from astute and logical to outright dumb.

BTW what’s with the relentless Star Trek gifs? Who are they for?

I’m just glad they’re coming in the original comment and not a self-quote.

 

[Whizzinby]

- Ability to customise defaults per block. For example, have a reverb block load with desired type, mix, decay & EQ.

Yes. Block and Type defaults need to be a thing.

I’d love to see properly distinct I/O. So using digital I/O doesn’t replace any of the analog options like it does currently.

This. This. This.

SPDIF basically locks down Out2 for any other use.

 

[GTR37]

Why take the USB port out? Nobody has to use it, and it may be preferable for firmware updates anyway. Some of us prefer editing on a big screen.

Sorry Change it the USB C

 

[GTR37]

One thing I loved about the amperium is that it had common mods as models inside the base model of the amp.

For example, the JCM800 had the Snorkeler mod (and a good amount more) as select various when choosing the JCM model

That’s actually super cool
And Fractal mods selection would be RAD

 

[Rock Chalk]

Full featured looper
More control switches
Ability to install purchased dyna cab packs

I know it'll have gobs more than this, but these are the big three I'm hoping for.

 

[OrganicZed]

Full featured looper
More control switches
Ability to install purchased dyna cab packs

I know it'll have gobs more than this, but these are the big three I'm hoping for.

I like all of those feature suggestions.

 

[Rock Chalk]

A few more if we're talking perfect world........

A FAS Freqout Block
A FAS Mimiq Block
Ability to run 3 amps
Screen Saver mode for hardware where RTA continues to show no matter what preset or scene you switch to
Ability to run any combination of blocks you wish without hitting a CPU limit

 

[Funk Soul Brother]

Ability to run any combination of blocks you wish without hitting a CPU limit

 

[Rock Chalk]

 

[Los-D]

You had me at FM0!

 

[LP59]

OTOH, you should be able to have as many of any type of effect you want, up to the limits of the cpu.

 

[laxu]

OTOH, you should be able to have as many of any type of effect you want, up to the limits of the cpu.

I'd like to see this for next gen too. That gives these boxes a lot more value as pure multifx units, rather than throwing away a pile of horsepower dedicated to amp blocks.

Maybe impose more limitations if amp blocks are present (as they likely want to run them on specific cores for performance and latency), and remove those limits if you don't use amp blocks.

I also want to see a more sensible system for telling the user what can and can't be added to a preset. If a Hotone can do it by disabling options in the menu when those can't fit into a preset, then so can Fractal. It shouldn't be "try to add effect - Fractal says no". It quickly becomes the Monty Python cheese shop sketch where the user is guessing which block they can add.

User: "Let's add a Reverb block, shall we?"
FM3: "Sorry! Fresh out of DSP, squire!"
User: "How about a Drive block, with a Tube Screamer?"
FM3: "Nope, all out of that!"
User: "What about a little Modulation? A juicy Stereo Chorus perhaps?"
FM3: "Ah, very good! Can do, sire! Oh, wait...can't do stereo chorus! Could do mono if you want?"

 

[saarangnarayan]

I'm guessing polyphonic synth has come up at least once? I'd like that, too. Most of all, tho, I'd like a "global" IR Player block assignable per output to use correction EQs etc. Can't think of much else but havnig consolidated amp models where the multiple channels are available within a single model instead of different models (so, just one CCV model instead of CCV 1A, CCV 1B, CCV 2A, CCV 2B, CCV 2C, CCV 2D, etc.)