Setup: Four Cable Method ("4Cm") - Fractal VP4 Owner's Manual

VP4 OWNER'S MANUAL

Setup: Four Cable Method ("4CM")

Four Cable Method, or "4CM," allows you to run two separate mono signal paths through
the VP4: one between your guitar and amp for "PRE" effects like wah or drive, and a second
through your amp's FX loop for "POST" effects like delay and reverb, which can sound
clearer and more defined in this position. For more about pre and post effects, see p. p. 19.
Factory preset bank T is ready to use with 4CM setups.
SPECIAL SETTINGS AND PRESETS REQUIRED!
The VP4 requires both a specific global setting and custom presets
to function properly with 4CM. Using default settings or presets may
cause to your amp to create loud feedback.
Before setting up 4CM, open SETUP > Global Settings > 4CM Routing and set it to
ENABLED. Only presets configured specifically for 4CM will work with this setup.
Using a preset that IS NOT configured for 4CM will switch the VP4 to BYPASS
and defeat all processing. If global 4CM Routing is DISABLED, any preset that IS
configured for 4CM will switch the VP4 to ANALOG BYPASS.
CONFIGURE A PRESET FOR 4CM
 Press HOME and then Page Right 4 times to the Mix/Routing page.
 Turn SELECT counterclockwise to highlight "4CM Mode."
 Turn Knob A to select the preferred configuration of Pre and Post effects
(options range from 0 Pre / 4 Post to 4 Pre / 0 Post).
When a preset is configured for 4CM, this is shown in the
title bar of the home page (Ex: "4CM 2/2".) This note turns
orange when the VP4 is bypassed because of a mismatch
between the global and preset 4CM settings.
 Save the preset to store your 4CM setting.
4CM IS MONO ONLY
When using the VP4 with 4CM, keep in mind that it is mono only. Global settings for Input Mode and Output Mode (except "MUTE") are IGNORED when 4CM Routing is set to
ENABLED, and only the left channel of the last Pre- or Post effects is passed to the respective output. As explained in Mono vs. Stereo on p. 11, this means you will only hear half
of stereo effects like ping-pong delay or panning. Mono effect types and settings are therefore recommended for a 4CM rig. Remember also that many stereo effects have controls
like Stereo Spread or Master Pan, which can be used to eliminate differences between right and left channels. Expert Edit options (p. 25) may allow greater control in this area.
In a 4CM preset, the Input Gate is applied at the Pre input, which also feeds the tuner. The master Preset EQ, Main Levels, and Scene Levels are applied at the Post output.
The Input Pad setting (p. 45) affects both the PRE and POST inputs. If your Amp's send level is particularly hot, this might require a higher pad setting than your guitar.
SETTING UP YOUR RIG
4CM RIG SETUP
Use standard guitar patch cables for each
connection. Always connect all four cables
when using 4CM or it won't work.
 Turn your amp off and all the way down.
 Change SETUP > Global Settings >
4CM Routing to "ENABLED"
 Connect your guitar to VP4 Input L/Mono.
 Connect VP4 Output L/Mono to
the main input of your amp.
 Connect the FX Send of your amp to VP4 Input R.
 Connect VP4 Output R to the FX
RETURN of your amp.
 Load or create a 4CM preset (instructions, left).
 Turn your amp on and turn up gradually to test.
 Remember to turn off your amp or re-wire your rig FIRST if you want to change the
4CM Routing setting back to DISABLED or use "Reset System Parameters".
See the previous page for notes on Series vs. Parallel FX Loops.
PRE SIDE
IN L GATE PRE FX IF ANY
TUNER
If your modeler has the ability to
simulate both an amp's front input
and a send/return loop, you can use it
in a 4CM setup. However, connecting
the VP4 as only PRE or POST is
typically a better option.
POST SIDE
OUT L IN R POST FX IF ANY LEVELS/EQ
19
OUT R