..were there any actual changes to this block ?
Forgot to address this;
BLUF: If there were, they were not reported in the release notes and have not been confirmed/denied by FAS.
The long version: I don't know if there were any changes directly made to this block; if there were, they were not announced in the release notes and when I initially expressed my disappointment about that, our worries were never assuaged; it was more or less stated that it wasn't possible to achieve the Axe Fx III's pitch block algorithm on the FM3 due to CPU, and furthermore, it wasn't received as a super high priority wish list item since, again, I and a few others are a vocal minority and most people don't notice or care about the VC.
All that said, while there may not have been any changes made specifically to the pitch block, there were obviously SOME changes made somewhere whose net effect was an improved pitch block; and this circles back to speculation on how the machine processes pitch and what degree the actual pitch block plays a role in how good it is. Again; it was stated that the FM3 can't run the Axe's pitch algorithm, but that statement, possibly just simplified for the unwashed masses, may have been referring to the way the device manages pitch globally; as clearly, adding a pitch block doesn't immediately soak up all available resources and ability to run any other blocks like it does with something like the Helix. It could be similar to global blocks and the RTA and other things the FM3
can't run because of 'overhead' processing requirements (before a single block is even placed on the grid). NOTE: I don't believe it's ever been confirmed that the FM3 can't run the RTA or global blocks; this was just as a possible example.
This is all pure conjecture, of course. I don't know jack about programming or electronics. But the net result is that the effects in the pitch block - the Virtual Capo, since that's all I care about - has been effectively improved an objective, measurable, and
noticeable degree (noticeable to someone like me that uses it every day).
Of course I can't speak for the company and I do hope they eventually speak out about this, but again; it may be one of those things they just don't notice. I mean, who am I? I'm quite literally a nobody. Just because I post about the VC (what feels like) all the time doesn't mean my posts ever get noticed by the powers that be; being the whole 'vocal minority' and all. Perhaps they're watching this discussion and our
bemusement play out with
amusement.
I just love this machine so much and, I guess even more, now, I love the mystery that surrounds this unannounced, unplanned-for, unexpected, yet ultra satisfyingly awesome, improvement
