Fractal VP4 Effects

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Killcrop

Killcrop

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I have not had much interest in amp modeling but the Fractal VP4 looks interesting for dedicated FX. It gets great reviews and $699 isn't a bad price for seemingly every effect known. I am sure there is a learning curve to dialing it in. Which I have to admit, I am not one to read a manual. Is there any downside?
 
Not many downsides to Fractal products IMO outside of the cost. Their delays and reverbs are stellar. The updates are released frequently with bug fixes and new stuff constantly added.
I don't have first hand experience with the VP4 but their other products are much easier to tweak using the PC editor than the unit's interface. The VP4 supposedly is improved in this regard.

Being tied to only four effects at a time may be limiting for some folks.

They have a trial period so it's easily worth it to check one out for the cost of return shipping if you don't like it.
 
Cool unit. Just understand what it's trying to achieve at its price point. Requires some manual reading as it has more than just the 4 effects built into it, too. Gate, Volume/Input/Output level, EQ, and Tuner are always available for every preset making it more versatile than it appears at first glance.
 
Shipping charges may be a surprise, along with extended warranty charge.
 
It’s easily the best multi effect pedal on the market in terms of form factor, price range, and breadth of effects. It basically does everything.

The only thing it can’t do is mono pre-effects and stereo post-effects at the same time. But if you run a mono rig like 99% of players, that doesn’t matter.
 
I love my FX8, which does a bit more for me than the VP4 would. If you can use a computer through USB to program it, it's a breeze.
 
What I don't like about it....

1) As mentioned, no post-stereo jacks if running FX to the front of the amp (jacks are shared)
2) No bluetooth and/or Tablet support for the PC editor. Breaking out a 10' USB cable & Laptop in 2025 is laughable. COMM is already obsolete.
3) No analog dry through. If Boss can do it, so should Fractal.
 
Fantastic unit! I have 2 of them. One is for my backup board and what I take to rehearsals. The other is for my Soldano X88-IR that I use for live.

Very easy to program on the unit. Very intuitive. Don't need the editor if you don't want to.

FX sound fantastic and all works great via 4CM. It is the easiest FX unit I have used to date.
 
Killcrop said:
I have not had much interest in amp modeling but the Fractal VP4 looks interesting for dedicated FX. It gets great reviews and $699 isn't a bad price for seemingly every effect known. I am sure there is a learning curve to dialing it in. Which I have to admit, I am not one to read a manual. Is there any downside?
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you can get an fm3 used for the same price and its exponentially more capable
 
Not very good in 4CM though, the fm3... problematic seems to be the term.

Been down this rabbit hole before.
 
Code001 said:
Cool unit. Just understand what it's trying to achieve at its price point. Requires some manual reading as it has more than just the 4 effects built into it, too. Gate, Volume/Input/Output level, EQ, and Tuner are always available for every preset making it more versatile than it appears at first glance.
Click to expand...
So you could run 4 effects plus have the Gate and EQ for each preset then? If so that would be epic. I've taken a step back and realize i'm just going to only play in mono at home given the amount of space I have. This could be the ideal solution.
 
Killcrop said:
I am guessing I can turn off the amp mod and just run the FM3 as effects into my tube amp?
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The vp4 would suit you better. Seriously.

To run the fm3 in 4cm, you need an XLR to 1/4" adapter and it can be a nightmare, for some.
 
simonfrewler said:
Not very good in 4CM though, the fm3... problematic seems to be the term.

Been down this rabbit hole before.
Click to expand...

Why do you think the FM3 was "problematic" in 4CM?

edit: So you need a single XLR-to-1/4" adapter, a $5 part? How exactly is that a "nightmare?"
 
TheGreatGreen said:
Why do you think the FM3 was "problematic" in 4CM?

edit: So you need a single XLR-to-1/4" adapter, a $5 part? How exactly is that a "nightmare?"
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It adds noise, and can create issues with ground loops and hum.

If one is to defeat amp and can sims anyway, why go the fm3 route?

All one has to do is research the 4cm issues with the fm3. This cannot be the first time you have heard this.

I have already been through this myself, and even had cliff tell me that for 4cm the vp4 was more ideal.

I'm just trying to help someone find the right tool for the job, not sell them an unnecessary one.

I really don't care, just trying to help someone. The issues have been well documented. Not saying the device is bad, just not the right one for the job.
 
simonfrewler said:
It adds noise, and can create issues with ground loops and hum.

If one is to defeat amp and can sims anyway, why go the fm3 route?

All one has to do is research the 4cm issues with the fm3. This cannot be the first time you have heard this.

I have already been through this myself, and even had cliff tell me that for 4cm the vp4 was more ideal.

I'm just trying to help someone find the right tool for the job, not sell them an unnecessary one.

I really don't care, just trying to help someone. The issues have been well documented. Not saying the device is bad, just not the right one for the job.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Ground loops can definitely be an issue with any two powered devices with at least two sets of in/out connections to each other, yeah. Although that can be solved with as little as a ground lifted guitar cable, meaning basically any cable with the ground connection cut. Or with a $20 iso box. The VP4 is more suited to 4CM routing though, you're right about that. I read the same statement from Cliff.

But as much as ground issues are documented with 4CM setups for various Fractal gear, the solutions are just as well documented, simple, effective, and cheap. In other words I don't see those issues as deal breakers. Anything Fractal makes can still work flawlessly in just about any rig provided you know how to deal with ground issues, which btw are not exclusive to Fractal gear.
 
TheGreatGreen said:
Gotcha. Ground loops can definitely be an issue with any two powered devices with at least two sets of in/out connections to each other, yeah. Although that can be solved with a lifted guitar cable, meaning basically any cable with the ground connection cut. Or with a $20 iso box. The VP4 is more suited to 4CM routing though, you're right about that.

But as much as ground issues are documented with 4CM setups for various Fractal gear, the solutions are just as well documented, simple, effective, and cheap.
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This... problematic, and anti productive.

You are kind of making my point for me.

It's cool. I don't really care. Go ahead add a hum x or a reverse trs cable( hum buster) that they will also charge you for.

This is exactly what I was talking about...why is that hard to understand?🤣

FM3 is an excellent choice. No issues at all.

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simonfrewler said:
This... problematic, and anti productive.

You are kind of making my point for me.

It's cool. I don't really care. Go ahead add a hum x or a reverse trs cable( hum buster) that they will also charge you for.

This is exactly what I was talking about...why is that hard to understand?🤣
Click to expand...

Seriously, what are you talking about? These issues are inherent to any single piece of AC-powered gear that can do pre and post effects and will therefore use at least two sets of ins and outs to another single piece of gear.

The VP4 works better for this kind of setup because it runs on a non-grounded DC connection.

Again, however, the solutions for the ground issues are simple, cheap, effective, and the knowledge about how to solve them is everywhere. If you think a simple ground loop problem is a "nightmare" then maybe you'd be better off sticking to acoustic guitar.
 
TheGreatGreen said:
Seriously, what are you talking about? These issues are inherent to any single piece of AC-powered gear that can do pre and post effects and will therefore use at least two sets of ins and outs to another single piece of gear.

The VP4 works better for this kind of setup because it runs on a non-grounded DC connection.

Again, however, the solutions for the ground issues are simple, cheap, effective, and the knowledge about how to solve them is everywhere. If you think a simple ground loop problem is a "nightmare" then maybe you'd be better off sticking to acoustic guitar.
Click to expand...
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