What can I do with the VP4 that I can’t do with FX8?

M

mikeyg

Experienced
I want to use it for 4CM.

Don’t I have more options with the fx8 in terms of number of simultaneous effects?
 
mikeyg said:
I want to use it for 4CM.

Don’t I have more options with the fx8 in terms of number of simultaneous effects?
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Yes, the FX8 can run up to 8 simultaneous effects, it would take 2 VP4's to do the same. The FX8 also has much more to offer with its switches and is also capable of switching channels on most amps. To the best of my knowledge, the VP4 can only do it with amps that uses MIDI to change channels.

Which is better for you depends on your needs as far as effects - Quantity or updated?

The quality of effects on both are great. The VP4 runs the current Fractal effect algorithms and will receive updates as effects are improved. The FX8 has the previous platform (Axe-Fx II) algorithms and will not be updated. If you need more than 4 effects, I wouldn't hesitate to get an FX8, the effects are that good.

I still have the FX8 to use with amps should the need arise and have been considering using it with the FM3. If push comes to shove, all of my other effects, that are collecting dust, will be sold before the FX8.
 
I like to stack ODs. Also like to have chorus, phase, univibe and flange on occasion but reverb and delay almost always on.

I’m not too concerned about effects quality the earliest fractal units were good enough for me
 
Lets not forget how easy it is to work on VP4 and of course it's beautiful too! Much better to get around then the other fractal products.
 
The block inventory on the VP4 is massive. Look at all those fours!

1751985491869.png

Here's the FX8 below for comparison. Many of the above blocks didn't even exist when FX8 was current.
These numbers don't even tell the whole story: the differences inside the blocks are massive.

1751986481199.png
 
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There are plenty of demos/reviews of both devices on YT, remember to check out reviews of the AX8 or Axe-FX II (XL+ will likely have the later versions of effects) to get an idea of the effects in the FX8. I'm not attempting to sway you to the FX8 or keep Fractal from making a sale, the VP4 is a beast, very well thought out and has a lot to offer. But if your modulation/reverb/delay needs are modest and the number of simultaneous effects is a main factor, the FX8 still holds its own and well worth consideration.

I used the FX8 in a Worship environment with a lot of ambient soundscapes so it is very possible to get some ethereal sounds. You mentioned stacking drives, the FX8 allows 2 drive blocks and a lot of the drives work well together- just like the physical pedals.
 
MackieFX said:
I still don't get the target market for the VP4... it seems so limiting to only have 4 FX at once...
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It would have fit my board perfectly and would have never considered it a complete multi FX solution. In my case, I already had the drives I wanted and a basic delay (Eventide Timefactor), I just wanted more delay options and reverbs.

I used a Line 6 M9 for a couple of years for this purpose, which only allowed 3 simultaneous effects. The VP4 would have been superior, offering one more effect and much better quality of effects. I would have jumped all over it.
 
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