Next Gen Fractal Speculation Thread

[Stone]

Well I love my FM 9 dont see any reason to change to anything else, Sure the new Helix is awesome and I'm sure it will be a big success for them
But Eric said it we focus on what our customers want, makes sense, Fractal users are usually more tone and tweaking oriented I can't be sure but I dont think the next gen Fractal will incorporate a Touch screen and def no capture technology.

 

[Jarick]

Biggest thing I want to see is a streamlined/simplified UI. I want to see key parameters for each effect on one screen as much as possible, and strive for 1:1 of key parameters with the amount of rotary knobs.

Helix Stadium increased the number of rotary knobs to eight, which allows for much quicker and easier editing of parameters. It's a little closer to the experience of a pedal. Fractal I would love to see have more knobs, and then make the primary screen more meaningful.

For instance with the stereo delay, the first five parameters make sense (time, tempo, feedback, mix, level). The next five do not (master time, master feedback, L/R time ratio, LFO rate, LFO depth). I'd love to see a tone knob here, maybe ducking control, maybe stereo width spread. Just quick access to parameters you'd want to use. That would get you a lot closer to the pedal experience.

Touchscreen to build and edit presets would be great too, for navigating the signal chain and selecting effect blocks, etc.

 

[ian_dissonance]

I want to see something from Fractal that can go on floor and not be the size of an economy car. When I finally had the opportunity to play around with an FM3 and an FM9 everything was impressive except they were both MASSIVE for what they offer footswitch-wise.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I think continuing to not have DC in the power amp modeling would be a no-brainer.

 

[Tanax]

When do people here realistically think the next-gen (i.e. AxeFX IV, not a possible VA4) will be announced?

 

[GTR37]

When do people here realistically think the next-gen (i.e. AxeFX IV, not a possible VA4) will be announced?

Probably 2026 or 27

 

[FuzzyAce]

When do people here realistically think the next-gen (i.e. AxeFX IV, not a possible VA4) will be announced?

Hopefully Christmas, 2025.

 

[James Freeman]

To me the AFX3 still feels way ahead of anything on the market right now.
In my opinion a nicer more graphical editor with realistic looking models can completely negate the need for hardware updates until the DSP processors are no longer in production.

 

[TSJMajesty]

When do people here realistically think the next-gen (i.e. AxeFX IV, not a possible VA4) will be announced?

Right after everyone buys a Stadium.

 

[Jarick]

When do people here realistically think the next-gen (i.e. AxeFX IV, not a possible VA4) will be announced?

Honestly with import taxes and general economic uncertainty I wouldn’t bring a new flagship hardware device along for a couple years. I could see it getting delayed for a couple years.

 

[Rock Chalk]

Funny thing is, I think a lot of the people that say a new one isn't needed will be right in line with the rest of us to get one as soon as they come out

 

[Mongillo19]

Funny thing is, I think a lot of the people that say a new one isn't needed will be right in line with the rest of us to get one as soon as they come out View attachment 51804

A new one isn't needed imo

Doesn't mean I won't get one

 

[mbenigni]

Funny thing is, I think a lot of the people that say a new one isn't needed will be right in line with the rest of us to get one as soon as they come out View attachment 51804

See also: "I don't want touchscreens and WiFi on my FX unit. Useless baubles! Doomed to fail at the slightest provocation! Woah, check out that shiny new Stadium. Sign me up!"

 

[TSJMajesty]

A new one isn't needed imo

I sure as hell don't need it. Even if I didn't already know my way around it, and have everything I need set up the way I want it, I just can't imagine enough new features, including an easier-to-use interface, that it would justify the overall net cost of the difference btw selling the III, and buying a IV.

I'm just not the target market. The III does everything I need.

I enjoy new guitars far more than new gear.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I sure as hell don't need it. Even if I didn't already know my way around it, and have everything I need set up the way I want it, I just can't imagine enough new features, including an easier-to-use interface, that it would justify the overall net cost of the difference btw selling the III, and buying a IV.

I'm just not the target market. The III does everything I need.

I enjoy new guitars far more than new gear.

JP Sig Axe IV?

 

[Mikael Dez]

JP Sig Axe IV?

 

[Whizzinby]

AxeFX IV

• Wireless updates and backups
• Bluetooth tablet editor
• Cloud preset and block sharing
• On device favorites
• SPDIF gets its own dedicated output
• Enough horsepower to run what has thus far eluded us:
• 

The End Game v1

• 1U rack device that runs FAS as PLUGINS
  • Or just add that functionality to the AxeFX IV

 

[TSJMajesty]

JP Sig Axe IV?

Truth be told, I wouldn't be surprised. With as many products JP has his name on, he'd probably be open to it. Cliff though...?

There might be some other artists that'd be like, WTF? Am I a joke to you?

Actually, if it had a feature that could get me playing JP's stuff faster, I'd be all over it!

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

"Don't care; don't need it"

signed: the guy that upgraded from an FM3 to an Axe III to go from one to two reverb blocks, and for better spring reverb.

 

[Tanax]

For me, and it might seem weird, but one of the things I'm hoping for most, is the consolidation of amp "channel-models" into single models where you just switch channel and various other switches in the same model. This might sound like a software change, and it is, but on Fractal forum they confirmed that this just simply wasn't possible on current architecture and will require a rework/next-gen.

I don't currently have any Fractal device and I don't need it right now either, that's why I'm waiting for next gen. 2026-2027 is fine IMO. Though a 2025 Christmas announcement would be awesome.

Do you think they will update all devices at the same time? Axe FX 4, FM3 2 and FM9 2 (or whatever those will be called)? Or a gradual roll out?