In Praise of the Virtual Capo ***FW 5.02b1***

Will Schut said:
When I use the VC (-5) I put a compressor just before it, max out the detection in the Pitch block and add a PEQ after to get the sound as close to my "uncapoed sound" as possible (taking out some lows, adding some 2K). The difference between my uncapoed low E and the VC A (-5) is really, really small. You can get great results if you're not just depending on the Pitch block to take care of business, but compensate in other blocks to. Use (multiband)compression, eq, change cabs, raise input trim in the Amp block, there are no rules!
Click to expand...
Wow! Very cool. Do you mind sharing a preset that you think demonstrates this? I'm always afraid to put anything before the pitch block, but I have read several times that, especially for clean, placing a comp block before it gets good results. I think I've always just left my tracking at 5, as I can feel the increased latency as I turn it up (not incrementally, but I can feel a difference between tracking at fully CCW vs fully CW). Never considered adjusting EQ or cabs. As much as I talk about it, I more or less just add the pitch block, change the type to Virtual Capo, and then ignore it and just expect it to do its thing lol :D
 
Hi Ugly Bunny,
What works for me might not work for you, however, here are some things I always do when engaging the VC.
Get the M-Comp block before (or after, what sounds best to you) the Pitch block and go to the Advanced page. There switch Auto Att/Rel on, this already makes a difference. Then it's up to you and your ears, dial away and especially experiment with crossover frequenties.
In the cab block, make a mix of two different soundig yet good compatible IR's and experiment with the balance between the to. Make the darker Ir louder when you play without VC and vice versa with the brighter one. Going for a different Speaker Imp. Curve in the Amp block can benefit you as well.
Put a PEQ block after the Cab and start with increasing the volume around 2K (works for me, I'm a Plexiguy-EV12L guy) when the VC is on.
Last thing to try, when engaging the VC dial down the gain in the Amp block and add a Drive pedal (if you haven't allready one on). TS models with the gain at 0 tend to make the attack a little more pronounced what might also be a welcome addition to the "VC thang".
Hope some of this might set you in the desired direction. For me, it works is all I can say.

Anybody out there with more tips, I'm all ears!
 
kocher said:
Is it just my tired head after a day at work or is there more latency with beta2 and the VC?
Click to expand...
Oh god... please don't say that... :grimacing:

Aw, man. I hope not. I'll check it out after work. If it feels any different (as the first beta was immediately noticeably better), then I'll run some measurements.
 
Ugly Bunny said:
Oh god... please don't say that... :grimacing:

Aw, man. I hope not. I'll check it out after work. If it feels any different (as the first beta was immediately noticeably better), then I'll run some measurements.
Click to expand...
I also found the amps to be lacking gain/body.
I turned the FM3 to get some food and turned it back on after a couple of minutes. Now latency seems to be on beta1 level and the gain/body problem also seems to be resolved.

Hopefully it was something that just happened once... strange...
 
kocher said:
I also found the amps to be lacking gain/body.
I turned the FM3 to get some food and turned it back on after a couple of minutes. Now latency seems to be on beta1 level and the gain/body problem also seems to be resolved.

Hopefully it was something that just happened once... strange...
Click to expand...
Well, if you remember, that's actually how I discovered it had improved: I went to use it and it was BAD. Like, worse than normal. I switched presets and switched back and BAM. It was good: better than normal, good... like a slingshot or something. In any case, I look forward to checking it out. Honestly, it's so good in 5.0b1 that even if it's a little worse in b2, I don't think I'd throw a huge fit.

Who am I kidding. I'll lose my mind lol!!
 
Justincase said:
I bet they haven't changed anything. Only thing changed is an outspoken opinion.
View attachment 95822
Click to expand...
Haha, nah, Cliff confirmed it was actually and intentionally improved in a thread over at TGP - but that was for 5.0b1, so we'll see about this one. I'll edit the title of this thread if it holds for this beta release as well. You make an interesting point, though; there have been quite a few people discussing this. I'm probably the most outspoken, but there's a bit of passion out there for this from professionals who rely on polyphonic pitch-shifting.

Also, as much as I want to, I can't do drugs or I'll get an Article 15 :D
 
Confirmed: It's still just as good in the latest FW beta (beta 4 as of this writing). Title updated to reflect this.
 
scott.frank.b said:
I had not yet used the Virtual Capo because I had heard so many people gripe about it on here. Well I decided to update my country patch with a pitch block and a virtual capo for a half step up, since that's what I actually use my capo for gigging. It sounds perfect with no artifacts!! I would say I'm shocked but it's just more fuel to convince people to switch to Fractal.
Click to expand...
Yes! A number of modern country tunes we are playing they tune to F on the record. I bought a G7th Capo specifically for this and it's very nice, but what's nicer is being able to step on a button, keep my guitars -- all of them -- in E standard and most importantly, play the licks and solos in the CORRECT position on the guitar neck.
It's easy enough to play cowboy chords and such with capo, but way different learning and memorizing solos especially if you are switching from E to Eb to F.
Had rehearsal last night and had a chance to test this closer to gig volume playing direct through PA but with live drums and bass... completely undetectable with the whole band going.
 
Gasp100 said:
Yes! A number of modern country tunes we are playing they tune to F on the record. I bought a G7th Capo specifically for this and it's very nice, but what's nicer is being able to step on a button, keep my guitars -- all of them -- in E standard and most importantly, play the licks and solos in the CORRECT position on the guitar neck.
It's easy enough to play cowboy chords and such with capo, but way different learning and memorizing solos especially if you are switching from E to Eb to F.
Had rehearsal last night and had a chance to test this closer to gig volume playing direct through PA but with live drums and bass... completely undetectable with the whole band going.
Click to expand...
Awesome! Yeah, I was wondering how that was going to work for you. It's okay as a self-practice tool, but it really shines in its usefulness as a tool in the full band. I like that now it's so good, I get inspired to play new and different things in pitch-shifted tunings that I couldn't before because it never felt right. They really nailed it in 5.0.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom