Fractal AM-4 Amp Modeler

S

scratch17

Well-Known Member
Fractal says the AM-4 has the same amp and cab models as the Axe FX-3. Plus a "curated" set of effects and drives from the product line. The VP-4 already covers most of the drives and effects found in the Axe FX-3. But it has no amp or cab modeling.

Having looked at the owner's manual, it looks like the AM-4 paired with a VP-4 will be a real power house. The two units connect digitally via S/PDIF and MIDI to act in multiple ways as if they were one unit.

AM-4 is exactly the same size and form factor as the VP-4 effects modeler. In fact, they look exactly the same from the top, with the same screen, knobs and buttons. The AM-4 has more back panel I/O than the VP-4. The limited analog I/O on VP-4 was a serious limitation when connecting VP-4 in a 4CM setup. There was no way to do a mono path in front of your amp and stereo effects after it in a WDW configuration.

Combing both however will solve this problem. Plus you double the blocks, switches and knobs and both units work together.

Ron, if I am interpreting the AM-4 description correctly, the AM-4 and VP-4 use the same block architecture and the editors can work for both units. So since you are working on full support of the VP-4 already, could you potentially get full support working on the AM-4 as well?
 
This is the first I've heard of this product, but if it appears to be the same hardware, then I would guess that it has the same MIDI firmware as well. That would make it relatively easy. I'm still waiting on some clarifications from Fractal on the VP4, I'll ask them about this new one when I talk to them next.
 
Just for the record, I saw a post from Leon Todd who is an official Fractal reviewer, where he says that the AM-4 actually has a somewhat more powerful DSP than VP-4 so it can run the amp / cab blocks. That said, the MIDI implementation is likely to be similar, if not identical. Hope this is any easy port for RJM!
 
It's not going to be for a few weeks, at least. And, it'll probably be basic support, like we have for the VP4. There are still some things we need to work out with Fractal regarding communication.
 
Hey Steven, I can't speak for Ron, but I think "full" two way support is probably still a ways out. It really is dependent on Fractal and I'm sure Ron will chime in here at some point soon with a better update.

Have a great weekend!
 
Hi. I saw that the VP-4 is now partially supported with a few required setup procedures. Will the same MIDI CC and PC commands work with the AM-4? And if so, are the same setup procedures required?
 
AM-4 support hasn't been added yet, and I haven't used either it or the VP-4. But you should be able to review their manuals to check for MIDI similarities. It'd make sense to me that they would be similar, but you never know.

Or perhaps someone else with experience with both will chime in.
 
Thx Mario.

I already have the VP-4 (which I love) and am seriously considering the AM-4 for a number of use cases. I am trying to see how it can work with my current gear to analyze its overall usefulness.

Fractal has integrated the two devices in a way that allows both to share data as if the UI was a single platform with two way MIDI control over both simultaneously. That's a real plus. Also, connecting the VP-4 via coaxial S/PDIF to the AM-4 allows me to use the VP-4's pitch blocks in front of the AM-4's amp models. The AM-4 cannot load pitch blocks; the VP-4 cannot load amp models. But connected digitally, these limitations are overcome. And the digital connection eliminates added latency between the two devices.

Of course at some point I am hoping that RJM and Fractal will work out plug and play two way control over both devices.

But based upon some talk from the Fractal CEO, I suspect that Fractal may be about to release a new version of the FM3 with the ability to load full NAM 2.0 captures. I'm thinking Winter NAMM show. In which case I'd rather buy the new FM3 than an AM-4. Or they might release a a firmware update that allows the AM-4 to load a NAM capture instead of the amp block. So I am in wait and see mode at this point. I just saw that VP-4 had a basic control setup included in the latest release, so I thought I'd ask about AM-4.
 
Can someone send me a list of all the CCs on an AM4? I can't find them online, so the setup menu (or an editor app) is probably the only place to find them.
 
Like the Axe-Fx 3, FM3 and FM9, the VP4 and AM4 do not pre-assign MIDI CCs.

The menus where the user can assign CCs, and switches/pedals, are below.

Let me know if you need more info.


1.png

2.png

3.png

4.png

5.png
 
Mario said:
Thank you!

I'm sure @rjmmusic will see this soon.
Click to expand...
Yes, thanks very much for that! Until we get sysex support from Fractal, I'll make up my own CC numbering scheme like I did for the VP4. It will be in the next release (which is in progress, but tied up with the ongoing MacOS 27 issues)
 
Thanks, Mario.

I think Fractal engineers are pretty busy right now. This will be of interest to all Fractal owners.

Cliff Chase posted a pic on the Fractal Axe-FX III Facebook page wof a screen with a NAM block on it. That blew up all over the net.

His subsequent posts in the thread added some details. The FX III will be able to host any two amp blocks simultaneously. One or both can be full NAM 2.0 blocks. Same goes with the regular Fractal amp modeling blocks.

Apparently Fractal has added a NAM server to Axe Edit. You just drag the NAM file into the editor and it transcodes the file into Sysex. That becomes the amp block. The pic did not include the Cab block, which normally would be included on an Axe FX, FM-9 or FM-3. Interestingly, the AM4 incorporates the cab IR into the amp block.

Of further interest is the September 2nd firmware update version 2.02 which brings AM4 into 'sync' with the latest Axe Fx II releae. Apparently this means that amp blocks in the AM4 are the same code, and require the same DSP resource as the same block in Fx III. That strongly infers that AM4, FM-3 should be able to run at least one full NAM capture. Possibly two in FM-9.

However the VP4 may have too few resources. Fractal said it couldn't run an AM4 amp block. Of course, that may have been a marketing decision.

All of this potential is pure speculation on my part. But I am hoping AM4 and FM-3 get a NAM block option by early 2027. And if FM-9 gets the two block option, I may just sell my Kemper and Tonex and go with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top