Fractal Audio Systems News

scarr

scarr

Experienced
Subscribe to this thread as a kind of "email list" and we'll notify you of firmware releases, new products and anything else big like that which you might want to know about but might not see if you aren't always on here.

To keep it clean & on topic, this thread will be locked so only moderators can post to it.

The credit goes to Guitar-Tiz for this great idea!
 
Product Announcement time!

Fractal Audio Systems and Atomic Amps shared a room at the L.A. Amp Show this past weekend. They revealed the Atomic Reactor FR, a tube-based FRFR solution optimized for guitar tone and getting that "in the room feel".

Get the details direct from Tom King in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1531
 
FIRMWARE 6.0

http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/ultra6_00.zip



*****************************************************************************

6.00

NOTE: THIS IS A MAJOR RELEASE. YOUR PRESETS MAY SOUND DIFFERENT. AUDITIONING YOUR PRESETS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Added the following cabinet models:
- 1x12 E12L: Based on EV 12L 1x12
- 1x12 STUDIO: Based on Mesa Studio 22 1x12
- 1x12 OPEN: Based on open-back Eminence 1x12
- 1x12 BLUES: Based on open-back Fender 1x12
- 1x15 BLUES: Based on Peavey Delta Blues 1x15
- 2x12 BOUTIQ: Based on Matchless 2x12
- 2x12 GOLD: Based on Celestion Gold 2x12
- 2x12 G12H: Based on Celestion G12H 2x12
- 4x12 RECTO: New IR from Mesa Oversized 4x12
- 4x12 V30: Based on Framus 4x12
- 4x12 T75: Based on Marshall 4x12
- 4x12 GERMAN: Based on Bogner 4x12
- 4x12 METAL: Based on Engl 4x12
- 4x12 JM2000: Based on Marshall JCM200 4x12
- 4x12 SOUTH: Based on Peavey 6505 4x12
- 8x10 BASS: Based on Ampeg SVT 8x10
- 1x15 BASS: Based on SWR 1x15

Reprocessed all cabinet IR’s to 1024 samples. Cabinet block can now be run in three modes:
- MONO HIRES: Mono 1024 sample convolution
- MONO LORES: Mono 512 sample convolution
- STEREO: Stereo 512 sample convolution

Mono Lores can be used to decrease CPU requirements as processing load will be cut roughly in half.

NOTE: Any presets using user cabs will be affected. The cabinet type will incorrect and require adjustment. Also, user cabs will need to be reprocessed and reloaded to support the new IR length.

To load user cabs now the location is determined by the selected user cab in Cabinet1 block. To load an IR into a user location select the desired user cab location, i.e. “USER 2” and then send the sysex file. The IR will load into the USER 2 cabinet location.

Reworked several amp models slightly. Adjusted final output gain.

Added “Thump” modeling to power amp simulation. This models the output transformer interaction with the speaker impedance. The amount of thump is adjustable from 0 – 10. Value is set to a default value when amp type is selected. When using a tube power amp you may want to set this to zero as the tube power amp will produce it’s own thump. To facilitate this the global power amp bypass has an additional mode that deactivates the thump modeling.

Reworked Hiwatt (HIPOWER) models. Refined cathode cap values, tone stack and tone stack placement. Be sure to reselect amp type to load new values.

Added new tone stack position: MIDDLE. This places tone stack midway between gain stages.

Added bass amp model SV BASS. Modeled after Ampeg SVT.

Added Slew Rate limiting modeling to drive block. This models the slew rate limiting produced by early op-amps. Increasing the SLEW LIMIT parameter limits the large signal frequency response of the virtual op-amp. Adjust to taste. Set to zero to deactivate.

Added 2nd-order mode to phaser.

Added “Pedal Style” compressor. The compressor now has a new pedal-style compressor based on feedback topology. Set the type to “Pedal” to select (set to “Studio” for the original compressor algorithm). This type is more responsive and may be more suited to certain guitar styles.

Fixed compressor CPU load changing when activated vs. bypassed.
 
FractalAudio said:
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/Version6_00/ultra6_06.zip

The factory presets have been updated as well to reflect the addition of the Master Feedback control in the Delay Block:

http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankA.syx
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankB.syx
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankC.syx
Click to expand...


6.06

Improved anti-aliasing filter performance by tuning window coefficients.

Added Master Feedback control to Delay block Stereo and Dual types.
***NOTE***: Existing presets may be affected by this addition. Audition your presets for proper operation. Set Master Feedback to 100% if not already. Updated factory presets are available on the website.

Improved pitch tracking for Synth block.

Re-worked Tube Drive model.


*****************************************************************************

6.05

Fixed crash when selecting Trapeziodal type for LFO.

Tuned CA3+ LD model.

Tuned Energyball model.





******************************************************************************
 
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... ra7_00.zip

The presets have also been updated:
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankA.syx
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankB.syx
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankC.syx

*******************************************************************************

7.00

NOTE: IF UPGRADING FROM 6.07 OR EARLIER THE NEW INPUT VOLUME CONTROL WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE RESET AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE FIRMWARE. SET TO “NONE” TO DEFEAT THIS FEATURE. YOU MAY NEED TO POWER CYCLE THE UNIT AFTER RESETTING THIS PARAMETER.

Added Input Diffusion and Diffusion Time parameters to Reverb. The input diffuser can be used to thicken the reverb tail and delay the onset of the decay. This improves intelligibility and reduces clutter while improving overall reverb sound. Diffusion has been renamed “Wall Diffusion” as this more correctly describes its function

Increased Tuner display filtering slightly.

Fixed active tonestack midrange controls not working properly for some models.

Fixed Mixer not responding properly to Enter button.

Added code to clear Delay block if previous preset was looper and Delay Spill is on.

Totally reworked power amp modeling. New power amp model is tighter and more defined than before with more “character” and responsiveness.

Added Power Amp Bias control (PWR TUBE BIAS in Advanced menu). This parameter can be used to fine-tune the virtual power tubes’ bias points. A value of zero corresponds to full Class B operation. A value of one corresponds to full Class A operation. Values in between are therefore Class AB. For traditional Class AB power amps (i.e. Marshall, Fender, etc.) a value of 0.35 is considered the “optimum” bias point. For traditional Class A amps, (which aren’t really true Class A, i.e. Vox, Matchless, etc.) a setting of 0.75 corresponds to the typical bias value these amps are run at. Lower values of bias increase the amount of crossover distortion, add “hair” to the sound and make the power amp more “explosive” since the transfer function slope increases with input level. Higher values of bias yield less distortion, “rounder” sound, more linear response and a more compressed feel. At high Master Volume settings the effect of bias may be subtle. As the Master Volume is turned down the audible effect is more pronounced. Increasing the Damping increases the linearity of the power amp and also serves to reduce the audible effect of the bias control.

Added “USA MIIC+” models. Both are lead channel models. First model is with pull bright off, second with it on.

Added “Fryer D60” amp models. The “L” is with the gain switch in the Less position, “M” in the More position.

Added “Mr. Z 38 SR” amp model.

Added “Euro Uber” amp model.

Added “PVH 5105” amp model. High-gain input, lead channel modeled.

Tweaked Recto models slightly. Tightened up bass slightly.

Added “M-Zone Dist” drive model.
**********************************************************************
 
ULTRA FIRMWARE 7.03 Released
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... ra7_03.zip

The presets have also been updated:
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankA.syx
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankB.syx
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankC.syx
*******************************************************************************

7.03

Fixed wrong treble peaker cap value on Fryette D60 models.

Added “Solo X99” models. All three channels modeled.

Reworked Solo 100 model. Now has a bit more gain and “heavier” sounding.

Reworked Recto 1 model. Now more accurate. Renamed “Recto Orange”. Sounds fuller and grittier.

Reworked Recto 2 model. Now more accurate. Renamed “Recto Red”. Model now defaults to no Damping as in the original Dual Rectifier Solo head. You can turn the Damping up if desired.

Reworked Class A and Top Boost models. Minor tweaks.

Changed Delay drive to emulate tape overdrive. Makes overdrive sound more natural and pleasing.


*******************************************************************************

7.02

Added Input Diffusion to Vintage Reverb types.

Fryer models renamed to Fryette with permission from Fryette Amplification.

Improved Power Supply modeling in Amp blocks.


*******************************************************************************

7.01

Fixed bug in Intelligent Harmonizer and Arpeggiator where shifting down more than an octave caused dropouts on very low notes.

Added code to detect if Delay Type was Looper in source and destination preset and allow spillover of Looper data.



*******************************************************************************
 
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... ra7_06.zip




*******************************************************************************

7.06

Fixed Master knob in Amp block not moving if modifier attached.


*******************************************************************************

7.05

Fixed garbage in Compressor input detector if selecting a null sidechain source.

Improved variable delay algorithm (chorus, flanger, etc.). Sidelobe clutter now reduced to immeasureable levels.

Improved interpolation filters (again) by fine-tuning window.

Removed “4x12 V30” IR and replaced with Marshall V30 IR.

Removed “4x12 Recto2” IR and replaced with new Oversize Mesa IR.


*******************************************************************************
 
7.15 up!




http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... ra7_15.zip

The presets have also been updated as of 7.15 JUNE 3 2009 :
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankA.syx
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankB.syx
http://www.fractalaudio.com/Documents/V ... _BankC.syx
*******************************************************************************

7.15

Changed Noise Gate algorithm. New algorithm has less “chatter” near threshold and faster release, if desired.


*******************************************************************************

7.14

Added “Reset on Program Change” to Modifier parameters. When set to ON the controlled parameter will be reset to the stored value upon loading the preset. The modifier will not control the parameter until the controller has changed from its previous value. Once the controller has been changed, i.e. pedal moved, the modifier then has control of the parameter.

Increased power detector filtering in Compressor block. This reduces distortion when Attack and Release values are set to very high values. The range of the Release rate parameter has been changed. Existing presets should be auditioned.

Improved Noise Gate by changing filtering and increasing available ratio.

Improved Intelligent Pitch CPU usage.




*******************************************************************************
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom