This Fractal VP4 vs Strymon etc

I've been considering getting a VP4 for my Rivera Suprema Jazz Recording. I won't need amp modeling since I only plan to use that amp for Jazz gigs where 85% of the time I'm playing with a clean Jazz tone and the remainder of the time the drive blocks in the VP4 should be more than sufficient.

I thought about just using my FM9 but it's bigger and heavier. Given the weight of the Rivera vs. the Fender FR-10, keeping the pedal light is a help.

I'm still undecided though. How many times will I use the Rivera for gigs vs. the FR-10 and FM9 rig since I'll only use the Rivera for the larger (and better paying) venues. Will I use the VP4 often enough to justify the expense?

I'm not going to jump on the VP4 now because I'm currently getting V3 Archangel preamps installed in my Fender FR-10 and FR-12 but I keep thinking about it.

If like JT I sell some gear to fund it the decision will be a lot easier.
 
Orvillain said:
Yeah for real. I'm not sure I need both, but it was just a concept.

I think the main one I would want is the Fable, coz it does some really nice glitchy granular stuff that the Axe3/VP4 can't:
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I've played quite a few walrus pedals and they've all sounded great. Can't go wrong really.
 
Orvillain said:
keep. But primarily just for studio use. Don't think I'll ever gig or rehearse it. Not my favourite form factor.
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Can you trigger changes to the axe fx from your mc6? Is there anything the FC12 does that you can't do with anything else and might miss?
 
Both the VP4 and the three flagship Strymons are going to sound great and they'll be about as flexible as you could possibly want. So what are the pros and cons, feature-wise?

Strymon flagship pros:
- can route Mobius effects before the preamp while the Timeline and Bigsky can be routed after the preamp and work in stereo (if VP4 is routed for pre and post effects, you can't run the VP4's time based effects in stereo)
- physical knobs right there for most-used parameters, editing on the fly requires no menu-diving
- analog dry through

VP4 flagship pros:
- more economical than the Strymons (about a third of the price)
- smaller footprint on your board
- one unit, meaning fewer audio and power cables to worry about failing
- Fractal's UI and effects ecosystem means unbeatable flexibility for creating sounds
- more stuff (VP4 has EQs and Drive/Distortion pedal emulation plus other effects the Strymons don't have)
 
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SillyOctpuss said:
I put off getting one so I could divert my funds to a new les paul. The price going up 10% between the launch and now stung a little bit too. It's about £200 more in the UK vs the US now.
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Orvillain said:
Yeah that's putting me off a bit too.

(...)
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Perhaps an interesting data point:

As we speak, the price from Fractal directly (which I can't buy) for the VP4 is 699 USD, which is approximately 7850 NOK. And then I'd have to pay Norwegian VAT and some fees (plus transportation). The price from G66 is 780,67 EUR, which is approximately 9030 NOK. And then I'd have to pay Norwegian VAT and some fees (plus transportation). So comparable figures shows a 15 percent higher price for me buying from G66 tonight than if I could buy directly from Fractal.

The Axe-FX III Mark II Turbo is 2499.99 from Fractal and 2520.17 EUR from G66, which is approximately 28 060 NOK and 29 150 NOK respectively. So comparable figures shows a 3,9 percent higher price for me buying from G66 tonight than if I could buy directly from Fractal.
 
paisleywookiee said:
Yeah, Mobius never even sounded as good as the pedals it was emulating, and the Timeline is long in the tooth.
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I have a hard time with a lot of digital modulation pedals. I've never really heard much I really like. I'm hoping the Fractal changes that when I eventually get one.
 
Richard_G said:
Perhaps an interesting data point:

As we speak, the price from Fractal directly (which I can't buy) for the VP4 is 699 USD, which is approximately 7850 NOK. And then I'd have to pay Norwegian VAT and some fees (plus transportation). The price from G66 is 780,67 EUR, which is approximately 9030 NOK. And then I'd have to pay Norwegian VAT and some fees (plus transportation). So comparable figures shows a 15 percent higher price for me buying from G66 tonight than if I could buy directly from Fractal.

The Axe-FX III Mark II Turbo is 2499.99 from Fractal and 2520.17 EUR from G66, which is approximately 28 060 NOK and 29 150 NOK respectively. So comparable figures shows a 3,9 percent higher price for me buying from G66 tonight than if I could buy directly from Fractal.
Click to expand...

In the UK the VP4 currently costs £769, importing from the US and paying VAT and import duties would be approx £691.

Ax fx in the UK is £2499.99, importing again with Vat and duty is about £2469
 
SillyOctpuss said:
In the UK the VP4 currently costs £769, importing from the US and paying VAT and import duties would be approx £691.

Ax fx in the UK is £2499.99, importing again with Vat and duty is about £2469
Click to expand...

So for you, the VP4 price is 11.3 pct. higher buying from G66 than theoretically buying from Fractal.

And the Axe FX (III Mark II Turbo, I presume) price is 1.3 pct. higher buying from G66 than theoretically buying from Fractal.

Interesting differences...
 
SillyOctpuss said:
Can you trigger changes to the axe fx from your mc6? Is there anything the FC12 does that you can't do with anything else and might miss?
Click to expand...
BTW - Yes, you can do that. I don't think there is any functionality you lose. You just have to set it all up manually using program changes and control changes.
 
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