Virtual Capo issue

jaycal6

jaycal6

Experienced
Reposting here, originally posted in the FM9 forum. This is my Axe FX III, latest firmware. Virtual capo at -2. Original pitch, then notes setting, chords setting, then pitch tracking off.

I’m getting so many warbles and artifacts. Is this what should be expected?



EDIT:
New recording and preset in post #11
 
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jaycal6 said:
Is this what should be expected?
Click to expand...
Sigh…

Depends on who you talk to, history shows. For whatever reason people here tend to argue that either the problem doesn’t exist or that competition is worse so all is good or that if you’re not happy you should go get some pedal.

In my experience (albeit on the FM3), the VC is very finicky and behaves differently with different intervals, some dissonant ones exhibit a lot of “warble”, others don’t. And it’s also very sensitive to tuning; since my guitar isn’t awfully stable due to construction peculiarities, the warble also increases and decreases as I play it.

And of course it’s much more prominent with clean tones.

How much CPU is your preset using? If you try to remove some blocks to lower CPU consumption, does the situation improve?
 
jaycal6 said:
Reposting here, originally posted in the FM9 forum. This is my Axe FX III, latest firmware. Virtual capo at -2. Original pitch, then notes setting, chords setting, then pitch tracking off.

I’m getting so many warbles and artifacts. Is this what should be expected?

Click to expand...

Can you post the preset and a DI so we can reproduce the exact results locally with the exact settings you are using.
 
Just tried it with my Axe III, FW 31.02, and didn't have the same issues. VC -2, Detector Source 'Input 1' (I usually set this to 'Block In'), Tracking Adjust '4.20'. Pitch Tracking; 1st 'Chords', 2nd 'Notes', 3rd 'Off'. Playing isn't great but there really isn't any warble in any of the clips.

 
Virtual Capo sounds similar in my unit. A warbly mess, even with single notes. Different settings have little impact.
So the VC has always been and still is not usable for me (I don't know any other pitch shifting products for comparison).
 
Del Pedro said:
Virtual Capo sounds similar in my unit. A warbly mess, even with single notes. Different settings have little impact.
So the VC has always been and still is not usable for me (I don't know any other pitch shifting products for comparison).
Click to expand...
But that really does not explain why jokers clip above does not sound like it has any warble.
So it got to be something different in the settings , guitar intonation etc
 
Randalljax said:
But that really does not explain why jokers clip above does not sound like it has any warble.
So it got to be something different in the settings , guitar intonation etc
Click to expand...
No, it doesn't. I just wanted to mention that jaycal6 is not the only one for who the VC does not work well.
I don't know why it works fine for most but is not good for a few.
It can't be intonation as even single notes sound bad here.
 
mr_fender said:
Is your guitar in tune with the Axe III tuner?
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I tried the riff being out of tune/off pitch, both sharp and flat as well as the strings being out of tune with each other, and it didn't make any difference in the performance of the VC.

I played the riff using the preset posted by @jaycal6 and did not experience any warble on any of the Pitch Tracking settings. I tried different Input 1/Instrument and Input 1 Gain settings, increased and decreased the Input 1 Gate but could not replicate the issue with my gear.

This is definitely a head-scratcher, I have been extremely pleased with the performance of the VC but completely understand the frustration since it's clearly heard on jaycal's recordings. It's really odd that the same preset yields different results. I'm playing a Reverend Tricky Gomez RT into a Sonic Research Turbo Tuner into the front input of the Axe III.

Just for kicks and giggles; I am using an Axe III Mark 1 (original), curious if those experiencing the issue are using a Mark 1 as well, or using a Mark II (Turbo or non-Turbo)? Cable or wireless into the Axe III?

EDIT: I just got the VC to warble a bit by using INPUT 2 (L) on the back of the Axe III. I pretty much only use the front Instrument input but thought I'd see what happens using a rear input.

EDIT 2: Setting the 'Detector Source' to 'Block In' seems to help a little bit.
 
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The main issue I have had with it is that it seems inconsistent. This may be due to setting tuning based on usage. It is, however, far less "transparent" with clean tones. Complex chords make it even worse. It is at least as good, or better than any other product I have used. In the mix of a full band it doesn't cut through quite right for me, so I have resorted to bringing more guitars. First world problems.
 
I am fw30 mk1 and got a dash of warble and latency in a new preset, depending on settings. I tried -3 with all track options and 8/3 tracking and +3 with a little more playing around. I used my tele. Only tried clean with the band commander.

Curious to see how it goes going forward.
 
Del Pedro said:
Virtual Capo sounds similar in my unit. A warbly mess, even with single notes. Different settings have little impact.
So the VC has always been and still is not usable for me (I don't know any other pitch shifting products for comparison).
Click to expand...

Strange that there are so many complaints about VC. Should be plug and play. I am still on Axe fx II so I can’t test it myself.
 
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