Stuff

[Frodebro]

His was largely a straw man argument. He didn't rebut anything I said, he just waved his hands and screamed "100000x this.. " or something.

Paying for a domain name and posting a few frequency graphs does not make him an expert, does not mean his information is correct, and does not mean what he is posting translates to what can or can't be heard. Its just not worth getting into a detailed debate with a patzer who does not respect rules of debate and is making ad hominem attacks.

My decision process was guided by many factors, conversion quality was not the highest on the list. However, converter specs and audio performance are measurable things. Also anecdotes about "colored loop" also carry some weight, but it was not the reason I disqualified Fractal from consideration. None of the devices were disqualified because of quality of conversion.

Again, thanks to the half of posters who provided useful feedback with their experiences to help in my decision making.

It's not a big deal, really. Some people dove headfirst into digital technology, some are dipping their toes cautiously in the water, and some are simply not ready to let go of what they're used to. That's just human nature, most people tend to resist change as it removes us from our comfort zone.

You're obviously at the point where you're cautiously taking those first steps, and the best that the rest of us can do is try to give you honest, objective answers. Such as when you said that the Fractal UI is bad, a few of us responded based on our personal experiences. Not to say "You're full of shit," but more to give you more accurate information with which to make your final decision.

 

[Frodebro]

Putting the Fractal in the comparison made me really consider all the strengths/cons. If they released a FX One pedal in the 600-700 range that had a simple interface like a Strymon Iridium, I would get it immediately.

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if they released something using the VP4 platform. Maybe an amp block, cab block, and just a couple of effects blocks. Basically their answer to a ToneX, only with their modeling instead of captures. I passed on the VP4 for the time being as it doesn't fill any gaps in my requirements, but a compact and very basic amp+effects unit would be a hard one to look away from.

 

[TubeStack]

I'm sure you can do the things you need at a gig. But did you create the patches on the FM9 or did you do it in the software?

You're really overblowing/stating this. I'm primarily an amp+ pedals guy with very limited tech ability, and had no problem doing everything on the FM9 and FM3, including creating patches. You speak in pretty certain terms without ever trying one.

 

[Frodebro]

All it would need is a parallel routing. Each path would have a boost / amp / cab. And a way to toggle between the paths and turn the boost on/off.

Fractal can do that in a single path with channels.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

I worked with Boss UI for years, so I know I could make the Fractal work. After using the G11 and then getting a GT1000, it was too much of a step backwards in the UI (IR handling) that I couldn't do it, even if I thought it sounded better (it didn't).

If I knew that UI design was frozen and there would never be an updated Fractal, I might be more inclined to get on board, but I suspect their next gen will be much improved. I can wait.

Actually, I've been in the home recording space since late 90s, putting all manner of rigs together. Someone who is newer to the game might have the perception that conversion doesn't matter, because it was all largely quite good over the past decade.

Putting the Fractal in the comparison made me really consider all the strengths/cons. If they released a FX One pedal in the 600-700 range that had a simple interface like a Strymon Iridium, I would get it immediately.

if you’ve been in the home recording space since the 90s, have owned many modelers going at least as far back to HD500 and STILL don’t know what amp you want, I honestly don’t know what to say. Talk about analysis paralysis.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Fractal can do that in a single path with channels.

On a loopswitcher based board, it'd likely be a better idea to have them physically separated, though. As you can do with, say, an HX Stomp. That way you can place two different amps in two loops, which is my prefered way of working with such setups.

 

[Sascha Franck]

if you’ve been in the home recording space since the 90s, have owned many modelers going at least as far back to HD500 and STILL don’t know what amp you want, I honestly don’t know what to say. Talk about analysis paralysis.

Well, while I almost second that, it's really just almost.
Thing is, to this day, all modelers have huge shortcomings regarding one or the other aspect (even more so once you start using things live), so there's plenty of things to consider beforehand. And as we live in "good times", there's lots of options and even more options in case you're willing to combine things.
Personally, I ended up with a setup that really never seemed to become a likely combination of things before I actually could fool around with it. Wouldn't have happened in case I didn't wade through at least somewhat comparable thought processes as the OP.

I absolutely don't get some of the OP's statements, though. But hey, might be personal preferences. Some of it is nonsense, though.