Leo Gibson AM4 review

Lolo-G

Lolo-G

Experienced
Despite the acclaimed sound quality shown in this video and other qualities listed by Leo Gibson, he doesn't recommend buying the AM4...
The main reasons are:
In this price range, a chain with a maximum of 4 effects is too limited.
It needs a touchscreen.



I'm not looking for unnecessary controversy, just the opinions of AM4 users.
 
What about your needs not his opinion?
Anyway my opinion is I don’t find 4 blocks limiting and the AM4 is for me the best unit I’ve had sound quality and usability wise.
(Yes I also find his channel utter rubbish)
 
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I don't understand why this thread is necessary.

The price was set, the features were specified and it's your choice whether you want to buy it or not.
I am personally more than happy with the features of the unit and actually got more than I expected from what was shown on the initial release videos.

"I'm not looking for unnecessary controversy, just the opinions of AM4 users."
This seems to be a minority of users that are more than welcome to return the item or sell it to someone who is desperately waiting (as Fractal have more demand than they thought they would) and would be able to use all the heavily explained uses in their personal scenario.
 
It's just clickbait strategy..
In the FM3 I use 6 blocks 99% of the time; they translate as 3 blocks in the AM4.. so I could have 1 free block for fx.

Youtubers try to gain visibility in every possible way, we cannot blame them for that... sometimes we agree, sometimes not.
It's just an opinion, not a fact

Screenshot 2026-01-16 at 09.46.49.png
 
My opinion, the AM4 is the best tube amp replacement modeler under 1000 bucks I've tried. I bought & returned 4 modelers & 3 pedal amps in 2025 to get a stand alone live rig & the AM4 is the one I kept, It sounds and plays like a real amp. If you want/need 2-3 amps & 10 effects in your chain don't buy an AM4. If you want the best digital reproduction of real amps buy an AM4.
 
Lolo-G said:
I'm not looking for unnecessary controversy
Click to expand...
Sure Jan GIF
 
I like Leo's videos where he addresses latency and specific tone characteristics (like how different modelers act when rolling off the volume). I think he provides good insights when he is technical. His opinions are his own regarding touchscreens or whatever.
 
My opinion is I love the thing
If it was stolen , I would buy another one in a heartbeat
The amp tones and FX are the best in the business in my personal opinion
If you want to see what people think just go to the product page and read the reviews
 
IMO the AM4 makes more sense as a product
option than VP4 for fractal’s product line up

I would have instantly bought it if I didnt have the AX3 already

The AM4 value is in the fractal amp modelling at a cheaper price range + 3 effects is a rock solid foundation

drive (i think you can choose to have a boost switch in the the amp block anyway) > amp+cab > delay>reverb

The vp4 well … it’s not for me

Touchscreen on a product that goes on the floor is odd personally
 
NewToTheseParts said:
Touchscreens are handy on units that don't have great sound and you constantly need to tweak it. The AM4 is so good I just turn it on and play. No more endless hours of fiddling, more guitar playing.
Click to expand...

I played a friends Quad Cortex yesterday for a bit just to see how it is as I've never tried one. Big NOPE for me. I liked the touch screen and what not, but the sound was NOT doing it for me.

When I first plugged into a FM3 last year, I felt the magic (i now have axe-fx 3, fm9, am4 and vp4). There's some sort of connection between you and the modeler, even if that is weird to say but hard to describe. Whatever it is, it's in all of the fractal units and that is what makes it sound so much realer. Perhaps it's @FractalAudio's secret sauce that is the magic...

The point is, Quad Cortex does NOT have this and I was put off by it fast. OG Helix never had this either and I didn't know what I was missing until I switched to Fractal. BOSS amps definitely doesn't have this magic either.
 
2Link2 said:
My opinion, the AM4 is the best tube amp replacement modeler under 1000 bucks I've tried. I bought & returned 4 modelers & 3 pedal amps in 2025 to get a stand alone live rig & the AM4 is the one I kept, It sounds and plays like a real amp. If you want/need 2-3 amps & 10 effects in your chain don't buy an AM4. If you want the best digital reproduction of real amps buy an AM4.
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing your experience.
 
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