🔥Introducing the new AM4 Amp Modeler

I said something like what I'm about to say previously, when the VP4 originally came out... but now , at least to me, it makes even more sense. Of course there may be something I'm overlooking that wouldn't make it possible...

What would REALLY be cool, is if the hardware of the AM4 could be loaded with either VP4 or AM4 capabilities. Let the user choose which way they want to use the hardware. If this is technically possible, ( and I think it should be )... a person could potentially buy two of them, run one as a VP4, the other as a AM4 and use them together to get more effects to work with and an AMP modeler . If something should happen to one of them ( say the AM4 ) and the user really needed an Amp modeler to finish their gig(s) , they could potentially re-flash the VP4 firmware to AM4 firmware and finish their 'tour' or gig... This could be a sort of backup hardware in a pinch.

Anyway, I think it would be awesome if the same hardware could perform as either a AM4 or VP4 depending on user's desires/needs.
 
Joe_Nowhere said:
I said something like what I'm about to say previously, when the VP4 originally came out... but now , at least to me, it makes even more sense. Of course there may be something I'm overlooking that wouldn't make it possible...

What would REALLY be cool, is if the hardware of the AM4 could be loaded with either VP4 or AM4 capabilities. Let the user choose which way they want to use the hardware. If this is technically possible, ( and I think it should be )... a person could potentially buy two of them, run one as a VP4, the other as a AM4 and use them together to get more effects to work with and an AMP modeler . If something should happen to one of them ( say the AM4 ) and the user really needed an Amp modeler to finish their gig(s) , they could potentially re-flash the VP4 firmware to AM4 firmware and finish their 'tour' or gig... This could be a sort of backup hardware in a pinch.

Anyway, I think it would be awesome if the same hardware could perform as either a AM4 or VP4 depending on user's desires/needs.
Click to expand...

Can't. Cliff has mentioned "The processor in the AM4 is faster than the VP4."
 
For a while, I've felt Fractal needed a smaller unit for all the guitar players who use a more traditional pedal board with a compact modeler pedal. AM4 takes up 39% less real estate on a pedal board than the FM3 (63 sq in vs 103 sq in). Still a good bit bigger than other units out there, but I think people could make it work if they think about replacing their amp modeler + 3 other pedals. I do feel that offering multiple effects brings a lot more value to the table than those compact amp modelers, especially at this price point.

As far as the FM3's place in the world... as a guitar player, 3 buttons were never enough for me and the FM9 was better than the FM3+FC6. Bass guitar, however, is a different story as I don't need as many buttons there. I recently bought an FM3 for my church to use as a bass guitar rig and I would not trade it for an AM4. I am doing several things on the FM3 that I couldn't do on the AM4:
  • Customizing the button layout.
  • Using a synth block.
  • Routing synth block on a parallel path that bypasses the amp.
  • Using 6 blocks (Comp > Drive > Amp/Cab > Chorus > Comp, + Synth in parallel)
  • Routing stage monitor mix into Input2 and creating a separate IEM mix in Out2.
Now if I were getting a modeler for the church to own that under-geared guitarists might use, I would probably get the AM4 because it is simpler and more intuitive. The AM4 would also be great as a travel rig or for taking public transit to gigs (I could see this being very popular in Europe).
 
I have to ask...the UI changes in the AM VP edit....is that a sign of things to come for Axe or FM Edit? Will we ever see updates there?
 
This looks like a great product at a great price. I imagine this will be a frequent first step for getting people into the Fractal ecosystem (though given the capabilities, they may not need to upgrade for a loooong time).
 
yek said:
AM4's SPDIF OUT goes into VP4's SPDIF IN.
The VP4 would then connect to FOH through its analog output(s), or SPDIF OUT.
Click to expand...
Could you go out of the VP4 into the AM4 Insert... and use the balanced O/P of the AM4 for FOH?
 
KFF said:
Could you go out of the VP4 into the AM4 Insert... and use the balanced O/P of the AM4 for FOH?
Click to expand...

Some notes from Cliff

"A freely positionable loop would require another stereo A/D and D/A which would increase power consumption, latency when the loop is active, noise, etc.

It's purpose is simply to get your post effects before the DI. A typical pedal board might be something like:
Wah -> Fabled Unicorn Devices (FUD) Dry Hump III Overdrive -> AM4 -> Lunar Electronics Space Echo Plus

The Space Echo Plus is your typical pedal with unbalanced I/O. You put in the insert loop on the AM-4 and the outputs of the AM-4 are balanced for FOH/Monitors."
 
I'm thinking this makes loads of sense for me. At the moment I switch between FM9 and HX Stomp - FM9 is my main but sometimes for rehearsals I need something portable (don't drive). Stepping back to Helix at that point is not ideal. The AM4 with a couple of drive pedals ahead could be an amazing home solution, with a fly-rig preset set up in the AM4 fully (i.e. using 1 drive block, plus the pre-amp boost and saturation for big solos). Tempting...
 
Hi! Do you guys think i can use the AM4 with my FM3 standard in a setlist scenario? Switch songs on the FM3 and switch 4 scenes on the AM4, using amps and effects from both?
 
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