Ultra Firmware Version 9.00 Released

ITS ALIVE!!!!
its_alive-fstn.jpg


Thanks a bunch! Loading it asap!!
 
Awesome Cliff!!!!!!!

Thank You!!!!
Thank You!!!!
Thank You!!!!
Thank You!!!!
Thank You!!!!
Thank You!!!!
Thank You!!!!
Thank You!!!!

I'm still at work... :D
 
For those who can't open it from work... here are the release notes:

9.00
Improved preset switching times.
Changed log tapers in Volume block to more accurately model actual audio taper pots. Also changed Amp block tone control tapers accordingly.
Improved power amp modeling. Power amp compression is now more apparent but also more natural, especially with high Master and/or Sag settings. Improves note clarity and touch sensitivity.
New pre-amp modeling accurately simulates “cold-biased” stages. Models using this will now have much more “crunch”. Even when playing light an underlying crunch will be evident. This also has the desirable side-effect of making some high-gain models feel “tighter”.
Euro 1 & 2 models have been totally reworked.
Tweaked Depth frequency of Fryette models.
Corrected incorrect coupling capacitor value in Plexi 1 and Plexi 2 models.
Reworked CAA models and corrected incorrect bright cap value in CAA 3+ LD model.
Reworked X99 models and corrected math mistake on bright cap for Rhy model.
Fixed incorrect treble peaker value on Boutique 1&2 models. Also tweaked tone-stack for these models.
New Rotary Cabinet algorithm. New algorithm has independent motors for LF and HF rotors along with separate time constants. The LF rotor will change speed slower than the HF rotor. Rate control now goes to 0.0 allowing “braking” of the rotors. Virtual microphone positions have been changed to 90 degrees (previously 180 degrees). The new algorithm results in a more realistic and intense effect.
Added Horn Length control to Rotary block. This parameter adjusts the length of the virtual HF horn. Larger values increase the amount of doppler shift and result in a more intense effect.
Added ability to chose realtime sysex messages sent: None, All, Tuner Only or Tempo Only.
Reverb block has been reworked. Separate pre-delay and tail delay controls now allow precise control over the delay of the initial reflections and tail portions of the reverb. The reverb “tank” algortihm has been rewritten to provide a more natural sound. The new reverb algorithm has also been ported to the standard Axe-Fx.
The following parameter changes have been made to the reverb block:
-
“Early Delay” parameter has been removed.
-
“Pre Delay” now controls time to initial reflections and is adjustable from 0 to 250 ms. Default value varies with type
-
“Reverb Delay” sets the start of the decay portion of the reverb relative to the initial reflections. Range is 0 to 250 ms. Default value varies with type.
-
“Echo Density” sets the density of the decay portion of the reverb. Range is 2 to 8. Lower values result in a more sparse and coarse sounding tail. Higher values give a smoother sound.
The Spring type has been removed and replaced with a “Cathedral” type. The Vintage type has been renamed to Spring.
Fixed bug in Vintage (now Spring) reverb corrupting global vector.
***NOTE***: Presets created with firmware prior to 9.00 are incompatible with the new algorithm so the reverb block is reset upon recall. The preset will sound similar but many of the parameters will be reset by necessity. You should audition your presets carefully after upgrading as unexpected changes can occur.
Reworked Phaser block and particularly the Vibe mode. The Freq. control in the Phaser block now controls the center frequency of the sweep range (as opposed to the start frequency previously). The range of this parameter has been changed accordingly. Existing presets will probably sound the same but auditioning them is reccomended.
A new Vibe algorithm has been written and accurately models the classic Univibe sound. A new parameter, BULB BIAS, has been added to the Advanced menu. This parameter allows you to control the quiescent current of the virtual light bulb used in the algorithm. Real Univive pedals have an internal poteniometer to control the quiescent bulb current. Varying this parameter controls how “lumpy” the frequency sweep beahves. Unlike a real Univibe, the Axe-Fx compensates so that the center frequency doesn’t change with the bias (the bias affect on the center frequency parameter is calculated and removed) allowing easier control of the sweep range. This parameter has no effect in the normal phaser modes.
***NOTE***: Existing presets will need to be auditioned as the sound of the Vibe mode has changed significantly. Furthermore, the LFO type is required to be SINE for the vibe mode (previously it was EXP). You can use other LFO types for the vibe mode but it will not replicate the vintage effect then. When selecting the Vibe type the LFO is automatically changed to SINE. You can override the LFO type afterwards, if desired.
 
@ Cliff,

Also changed Amp block tone control tapers accordingly. Does that mean that 8.09 presets will sound different now ?
 
VegaBaby said:
@ Cliff,

Also changed Amp block tone control tapers accordingly. Does that mean that 8.09 presets will sound different now ?

Yes. Hence the 9.xx designation. Not a huge change but it may alter the fundamental tone of your presets slightly. In my experience the change was minor and for the better.
 
9.00
Improved preset switching times.

Changed log tapers in Volume block to more accurately model actual audio taper pots. Also changed Amp block tone control tapers accordingly.

Improved power amp modeling. Power amp compression is now more apparent but also more natural, especially with high Master and/or Sag settings. Improves note clarity and touch sensitivity.

New pre-amp modeling accurately simulates “cold-biased” stages. Models using this will now have much more “crunch”. Even when playing light an underlying crunch will be evident. This also has the desirable side-effect of making some high-gain models feel “tighter”.

Euro 1 & 2 models have been totally reworked.

Tweaked Depth frequency of Fryette models.

Corrected incorrect coupling capacitor value in Plexi 1 and Plexi 2 models.

Reworked CAA models and corrected incorrect bright cap value in CAA 3+ LD model.

Reworked X99 models and corrected math mistake on bright cap for Rhy model.

Fixed incorrect treble peaker value on Boutique 1&2 models. Also tweaked tone- stack for these models.

New Rotary Cabinet algorithm. New algorithm has independent motors for LF and HF rotors along with separate time constants. The LF rotor will change speed slower than the HF rotor. Rate control now goes to 0.0 allowing “braking” of the rotors. Virtual microphone positions have been changed to 90 degrees (previously 180 degrees). The new algorithm results in a more realistic and intense effect.

Added Horn Length control to Rotary block. This parameter adjusts the length of the virtual HF horn. Larger values increase the amount of doppler shift and result in a more intense effect.

Added ability to chose realtime sysex messages sent: None, All, Tuner Only or Tempo Only.

Reverb block has been reworked. Separate pre-delay and tail delay controls now allow precise control over the delay of the initial reflections and tail portions of the reverb. The reverb “tank” algortihm has been rewritten to provide a more natural sound. The new reverb algorithm has also been ported to the standard Axe-Fx.

The following parameter changes have been made to the reverb block:
- “Early Delay” parameter has been removed.
- “Pre Delay” now controls time to initial reflections and is adjustable
from 0 to 250 ms. Default value varies with type
- “Reverb Delay” sets the start of the decay portion of the reverb relative
to the initial reflections. Range is 0 to 250 ms. Default value varies
with type.
- “Echo Density” sets the density of the decay portion of the reverb. Range
is 2 to 8. Lower values result in a more sparse and coarse sounding tail. Higher values give a smoother sound.

The Spring type has been removed and replaced with a “Cathedral” type. The Vintage type has been renamed to Spring.

Fixed bug in Vintage (now Spring) reverb corrupting global vector.

***NOTE***: Presets created with firmware prior to 9.00 are incompatible with the new algorithm so the reverb block is reset upon recall. The preset will sound similar but many of the parameters will be reset by necessity. You should audition your presets carefully after upgrading as unexpected changes can occur.

Reworked Phaser block and particularly the Vibe mode. The Freq. control in the Phaser block now controls the center frequency of the sweep range (as opposed to the start frequency previously). The range of this parameter has been changed accordingly. Existing presets will probably sound the same but auditioning them is recommended.

A new Vibe algorithm has been written and accurately models the classic Univibe sound. A new parameter, BULB BIAS, has been added to the Advanced menu. This parameter allows you to control the quiescent current of the virtual light bulb used in the algorithm. Real Univive pedals have an internal poteniometer to control the quiescent bulb current. Varying this parameter controls how “lumpy” the frequency sweep beahves. Unlike a real Univibe, the Axe-Fx compensates so that the center frequency doesn’t change with the bias (the bias affect on the center frequency parameter is calculated and removed) allowing easier control of the sweep range. This parameter has no effect in the normal phaser modes.

***NOTE***: Existing presets will need to be auditioned as the sound of the Vibe mode has changed significantly. Furthermore, the LFO type is required to be SINE for the vibe mode (previously it was EXP). You can use other LFO types for the vibe mode but it will not replicate the vintage effect then. When selecting the Vibe type the LFO is automatically changed to SINE. You can override the LFO type afterwards, if desired.
*******************************************************************************


Wow. Win. This looks fantastic.
 
what? no mesa EQ block?!

just kidding. this looks excellent and i can't wait to update, audition and tweak my patches! it already sounds phenomenal and this is making it even better.

thank you so much, cliff.
 
FractalAudio said:
VegaBaby said:
@ Cliff,

Also changed Amp block tone control tapers accordingly. Does that mean that 8.09 presets will sound different now ?

Yes. Hence the 9.xx designation. Not a huge change but it may alter the fundamental tone of your presets slightly. In my experience the change was minor and for the better.
Thanks for the heads up. Just needed to know how much time I should have on my hands before upgrading :) .


Could you tells us which models use 'cold-biased' stages ? Is that also affected by where one sets the bias in the advanced tab ?
 
mortega76 said:
For those who can't open it from work... here are the release notes:

9.00
The reverb “tank” algortihm has been rewritten to provide a more natural sound.

Ha! I defiinitely need to test this one.

That's a pretty huge update. Raca will have a lot of work with updating his Old Editor xml file :mrgreen:
 
Separate pre-delay for early reflections and reverb. YES!!!!

I've always wanted to put a pre-delay on the long reverb but NOT the initial reflections. Thanks!!!

Stephen Cole
 
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