Setup: Vp4 + Fm3 (Pre Or Post) - Fractal VP4 Owner's Manual

VP4 OWNER'S MANUAL

Setup: VP4 + FM3 (Pre or Post)

VP4: PRE-FX
The VP4 can be used just like traditional pedals in
front of an FM3 or other amp modeler. The setups
on this page also apply to the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx,
FM9, and legacy products like the AX8.
 Follow the instructions at the top of
to connect the VP4 in front of the FM3.
 Connect the FM3 as usual to your
monitors, FRFR, or amp.
BENEFITS: This setup gives you a flexible virtual
pedalboard in front of the FM3. This allows you to
offload CPU hungry "Pre-FX" like Drives. Meanwhile,
using a "Whammy" or "Virtual Capo" on the VP4
leaves the FM3 pitch block free for other things.
Factory banks A–O are well suited for use in
front of a modeler like the FM3.
SETTING UP YOUR RIG
VP4: POST-FX, ANALOG
The VP4 can be used after the FM3 for post effects.
 Connect FM3 outputs to VP4 inputs
using cables that end in standard
1/4" connectors (not TRS).
p. 17
 When connecting in stereo, use two cables
and change VP4 SETUP>Audio>Input
Mode to "STEREO".
 For FM3 Out 2, use the Out 2 block in your
FM3 presets, or change SETUP>I/O>Audio>
Output 2 Copy to "OUTPUT 1".
BENEFITS: This setup gives you a lot of power
for effects after the FM3. It also adds additional
instances of effects in cases where the FM3 only
offers one per preset (Pitch, Plex, Reverb, etc.).
VP4: POST-FX, DIGITAL
The FM3 and many other modelers have SPDIF
digital outputs. Remember that the VP4 has a fixed
clock rate of 48KHz.
 For FM3 Out 1 digital, connect a SPDIF cable
from FM3 SPDIF OUT to VP4 SPDIF IN.
◽ On the FM3, set SETUP>I/O>Audio> SPDIF Out
Source to "OUTPUT 1".
◽ On the VP4, set SETUP>Audio>Input Source to
"DIGITAL". SPDIF is always stereo regardless of
the setting for VP4 SETUP>Audio>Input Mode.
 Connect the output(s) of the VP4 to your
monitors/speakers using standard guitar cables.
BENEFITS: SPDIF digital interconnection creates a
unified rig without the latency of extra conversions.
Use ONE Noise Gate
When using the VP4 with a modeler like the FM3,
you'll typically need a noise gate only on whichever
device your guitar is directly connected to. You
can disable the VP4's gate per preset (p. 29)
or globally lower its threshold by up to -40 dB,
effectively minimizing its impact (p. 50).
FAQ: VP4 + FM3 + MIDI
Any FM3+VP4 rig allows you to use the two units
independently or linked via MIDI. Most users will
likely have the FM3 control the VP4, but it's also
possible to connect in the other direction.
To use the FM3 to switch the VP4, connect the
FM3's MIDI Out to the VP4's MIDI In. For simple
Program Change (PC) messages, set the FM3's
SETUP > MIDI/Remote > General > Send MIDI PC
to the channel your VP4 uses under SETUP > MIDI/
Remote. For more complex messaging, use the
Scene MIDI Block in your FM3 presets.
To use the VP4 to switch the FM3, connect the
VP4's MIDI Out to the FM3's MIDI In. Although the
VP4 has more limited outbound MIDI capabilities, it
can send Program Change. To do this, set the VP4's
SETUP > MIDI/Remote > Send MIDI PC to match
the channel that your FM3 is set to under SETUP >
MIDI/Remote > General.
Factory banks P–R, and any preset marked ">"
are well suited for use in post-modeller setups.
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