Fractal Audio VP4: Taking on HX Effects and H90
A new multi-effect challenger appears!
3,3 / 5,0 | 
While Kemper, Neural DSP, and IK Multimedia all recently released smaller iterations of their popular stompbox modelers, Fractal Audio does things differently. With the Fractal Audio VP4, they’re packaging over 400 virtual pedal effects into one pedal board-friendly unit.
400-in-one – and more
Compared to the Kemper Profiler Player, the Nano Cortex, or the ToneX One, the Fractal Audio VP4 excludes an amp simulation. However, the multi-effect boasts over 400 effect emulations. Maybe just combine it with an IR-J?
If you’re a reader of the popular The Gear Page forum, you might have known about the VP4 at least since the beginning of August. Now, the manufacturer has officially unveiled it. It is positioned as an alternative to Helix HX Effects from Line6 and H90 from Eventide
The Fractal Audio VP4 contains over 400 effects, which can be combined into virtual pedal boards with four blocks and into 104 preset memory locations. For example, tje drive effects alone include 69 different models, plus 78 reverbs and almost 130 delays! With the quality of the effects, as we know them from AXE FXIII, there should be perfect combinations for almost every taste and genre.
Fractal Audio VP4: Sophisticated routing
The noise gate on the input and output settings for master EQ and level can be set individually for each preset in the VP4. The Fractal Audio VP4 also offers versatile routing options, both internally and for the connections. For instance, there are a pair of jack connections for input and output.
However, these do not necessarily have to be used in stereo. You can also set VP4 so that one input and output pair acts as an FX loop (then all in mono). Various virtual effect paths can also be created in series and parallel to create crazy effects. You switch between presets using the four foot switches.
Expression pedals and digital connections
You can also connect two additional expression pedals to the Fractal Audio VP4. This allows you to manually control wah-wahs and other effects’ parameters. In addition to the USB-C port for connecting to the computer, there are two S/PDIF ports on the back.
If you want to synchronize the VP4 with other pedals via MIDI, you can do so via a MIDI IN and MIDI OUT (mini jack, type A). A tuner is also integrated and visible on the LCD display to make it more suitable for the stage. Virtual pedal boards can be created on the VP4 or with the free VP4-Edit software, which can also be used to install future firmware updates.
How much will the Fractal Audio VP4 cost?
The manufacturer’s website lists the Fractal Audio VP4 at USD 699. This price applies to all customers in the USA and Canada who order the multi-effect.
The distributor G66 is responsible for the European market for Fractal Audio products. When asked, we were informed that the VP4 will be available there from mid-November 2024 for approx. 850 euros / 700 GBP (including VAT).
More on the new multi-effect from Fractal Audio
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2 responses to “Fractal Audio VP4: Taking on HX Effects and H90”
Only 4 blocks KEK
nice joke
No amp, no cab ? (ie : what people know fractal for).
After NeuralDSP and Kemper, it’s the third product with with really weird marketing decisions in a row.