Fractal VP4 Effects

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Oh we’re still doing this? Look man if you want to make out or something, just ask.

The answer is no btw. Jesus man have some tact. Don’t be so direct about it, ask me to dinner first or something.
hole-dark.webp
 
For people that use the VP4 with tube amps, what do you think of the transparency?

I know my Axe II and FM3 in the loop of my tube stuff (or after a reactive load), I tend to notice it kind of takes some punch away. It kind of smooths the tone some. It is not as much of a tone thing as it is a feel thing. That is why I prefer to use them with a parallel mixer, because it is enough to bug me.

Do you notice the VP4 altering the feel or tone?
 
*Ahem*
FX8 for standalone effects. I 4CM two amps, control the channel switching, have MIDI, plenty of blocks, and it sounds great. What's worth the jump in to the next generation when they don't offer all that the FX8 does?
 
*Ahem*
FX8 for standalone effects. I 4CM two amps, control the channel switching, have MIDI, plenty of blocks, and it sounds great. What's worth the jump in to the next generation when they don't offer all that the FX8 does?

Smaller form factor. Updated effects algo. Dunno if the AD/DA converters are better/different. You do lose some functionality with the VP4, no analog relay channel switching etc, but I like the fact it fits on my pedalboard. The FX8 was ginormous.
 
For people that use the VP4 with tube amps, what do you think of the transparency?

I know my Axe II and FM3 in the loop of my tube stuff (or after a reactive load), I tend to notice it kind of takes some punch away. It kind of smooths the tone some. It is not as much of a tone thing as it is a feel thing. That is why I prefer to use them with a parallel mixer, because it is enough to bug me.

Do you notice the VP4 altering the feel or tone?
Great question because I'm ready to purchase myself. I had the FX8 and didn't notice any difference but the FX8 was just to much for me, fine product but damn the programming. Just watching the tutorials I pretty much have the VP4 figured out. And the VP4 could eliminate the Timeline and Mobius off my smaller board so very interested.
 
For people that use the VP4 with tube amps, what do you think of the transparency?

I know my Axe II and FM3 in the loop of my tube stuff (or after a reactive load), I tend to notice it kind of takes some punch away. It kind of smooths the tone some. It is not as much of a tone thing as it is a feel thing. That is why I prefer to use them with a parallel mixer, because it is enough to bug me.

Do you notice the VP4 altering the feel or tone?
Yes and no. Once I took the time to really figure things out no. It’s actually made mine super quiet too.
 
*Ahem*
FX8 for standalone effects. I 4CM two amps, control the channel switching, have MIDI, plenty of blocks, and it sounds great. What's worth the jump in to the next generation when they don't offer all that the FX8 does?

If you want all the new cloud and shimmer reverbs....
 
I have both the FX8 MKII and the VP4 - love them both, both sound great and transparent, however once you take some time with the VP4 it is a great unit. I love the footprint of the VP4. I have the FX8 mounted on a temple audio board with two EV1 expression pedals. It is huge, but different tools for different purposes. I would like the VP4 even better if it had the relay switches that the FX8 MKII has, but I can live with not having it. I didn't mount the VP4 to a board - I love just tucking it a gig bag vs. bringing out the the big FX8 setup. If I had one minor bitch about the VP4, is it is highly recommended to use the Fractal power cable - it's not IEC and won't work with a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power II+.
 

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I found the bit about the placement of the VP4, before the amp vs. in the loop, very helpful (around the 19:15 mark).

But also, that you can easily "place" the 4CM "split" in the chain, wherever you choose (as demonstrated in the same area of the video).

Most of you Fractal guys probably already knew this stuff, but I found it helpful ! (y)


 
I have a vp4, i think it sounds great and does not color my tone. Super easy to use and the editor is great. If you plan on using amps its a great way to go, i do not find it limiting, i wish it had a trs for channel switching and a iec power cable, would make it a great grab and go simple rig that covers a lot of ground.

If you need amp modeling go with a fm3,

i have zero interest in amp modeling so the vp4 works for me. And i find it odd people keep requesting amp modeling and don’t understand this is for those of us who play actual amps.
 
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I have a vp4, i think it sounds great and does not color my tone. Super easy to use and the editor is great. If you plan on using amps its a great way to go, i do not find it limiting, i wish it had a trs for channel switching and a iec power cable, would make it a great grab and go simple rig that covers a lot of ground.

If you need amp modeling go with a fm3,

i have zero interest in amp modeling so the vp4 works for me. And i find it odd people keep requesting amp modeling and don’t understand this is for those of us who play actual amps.
Ya I agree. I have an Axe FX 3 and this would just be a simple solution to run a number of effects through my tube amp rather than running my pedalboard which takes up way too much space and tweaking. I'm a mono player through my tube amps anyways so I think this might be the best solution rather than constantly swapping pedals in and out and then programing presets into my RJM mastermind.
 
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been looking at this unit as well, seems competitively priced with boss or line 6 similar units,

and the fm3 used prices are higher than the new price of the vp4

so that's a bit of a no go for me at least

i've honestly thought and i know this is off topic a wee bit, but using a used lin 6 pod hd in 4 cable method

only reason for me to use the 4cm is to have the ability to run delays or other time based effects prior to the amp if wanted, and of course in the loop as well

i doubt i'll ever get any of the aforementioned units

and the fractal fx8 also seems to be a good unit among the others

blabalbal
 
I have both the FX8 MKII and the VP4 - love them both, both sound great and transparent, however once you take some time with the VP4 it is a great unit. I love the footprint of the VP4. I have the FX8 mounted on a temple audio board with two EV1 expression pedals. It is huge, but different tools for different purposes. I would like the VP4 even better if it had the relay switches that the FX8 MKII has, but I can live with not having it. I didn't mount the VP4 to a board - I love just tucking it a gig bag vs. bringing out the the big FX8 setup. If I had one minor bitch about the VP4, is it is highly recommended to use the Fractal power cable - it's not IEC and won't work with a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power II+.
I need to redo my board, so I'm looking at yours. Which board us that? I was thinking about another Pedaltrain, but that Temple looks nice. I need to do a breakout pannel too, but I need at least a dozen ports. I run two snakes to the amps with 4 cables a piece, and then the vocal in and through for IEMs and the headphone out... I need to go shopping.
 
I just got one. It arrived today. I also have an Axe FX III and have run it in 4-cable-method with my Diezel VH4, Marshall JVMJS, Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, and Mark V amps.

I am a big fan of the Axe FX III's delays and reverbs. But setting up the Axe III each time for practice and gigs is a pain. Having a pedalboard that I can just plug a few cables into and get going is just way more fluid and intuitive to me.

4 effects may be limiting, may not be. It depends what you want to achieve.

There are plenty of footswitch combinations you can use to access different presets, scenes, and effects block channels - you can have access to 4 reverbs all within one preset simply by using the ABCD channels on a reverb block. You've effectively got access to 16 channels across 4 effects. So plenty to be getting on with - provided you don't want to use them ALL in one song, coz that might be a pain.

You can setup an input noise gate without using a block. You can also setup an expression pedal to control either input or output volume, without taking up a block. Of course you can add other pedals to the setup too. Most people seem to add their own favourite drive pedals, and use the VP4 for modulation and delay and reverb effects.
 
I just got one. It arrived today. I also have an Axe FX III and have run it in 4-cable-method with my Diezel VH4, Marshall JVMJS, Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, and Mark V amps.

I am a big fan of the Axe FX III's delays and reverbs. But setting up the Axe III each time for practice and gigs is a pain. Having a pedalboard that I can just plug a few cables into and get going is just way more fluid and intuitive to me.

4 effects may be limiting, may not be. It depends what you want to achieve.

There are plenty of footswitch combinations you can use to access different presets, scenes, and effects block channels - you can have access to 4 reverbs all within one preset simply by using the ABCD channels on a reverb block. You've effectively got access to 16 channels across 4 effects. So plenty to be getting on with - provided you don't want to use them ALL in one song, coz that might be a pain.

You can setup an input noise gate without using a block. You can also setup an expression pedal to control either input or output volume, without taking up a block. Of course you can add other pedals to the setup too. Most people seem to add their own favourite drive pedals, and use the VP4 for modulation and delay and reverb effects.
This is exactly my thinking. Definitely allows me to downsize my board significantly and save presets. Seems like the best solution right now for my needs also having an Axe Fx 3
 
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