Fractal Audio VP4 Compact Multi Effects Processor

Controls

The Main Display

Footswitches & GIG Mode

A convenient master footswitch setting called GIG MODE is enabled by default. It allows you to access Presets, Banks, Scenes, Effects, Channels, Tuner, and Tap Tempo.

NOTE: The default press and hold options in “Gig Mode” cause effects and other footswitches to fire when you release the switch instead of when you press it down. To disable or customize press and hold, use the SETUP>Footswitches page. See your Owner’s Manual for more.

SETTING UP

THE VP4 CAN BE USED FOR “PRE” OR “POST” FX IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SETUPS. THE UNIT HAS POP SUPPRESSION BUT AMPS AND SPEAKERS SHOULD STILL BE TURNED ON LAST, AND OFF FIRST.

Input Levels

The VP4 comes set for a typical guitar with hot pickups. If the IN CLIP warning appears in the display, it means the input levels are too high. To adjust, go to SETUP > Audio > Input Pad and turn the A knob to increase the pad setting until clipping stops. If the VP4 still clips at the maximum pad setting of 18 dB, reduce the output level of the connected guitar or device. See your Owner’s Manual for more, including how the VP4 makes automatic Input Pad adjustments.

Output Levels
With no effects or custom settings, the VP4 outputs a unity gain signal. However, overall output levels can vary based on the settings of your effects, presets, and scenes. If output clipping occurs, an OUT CLIP warning will be displayed, indicating that you need to lower the levels of your effects, preset, or scene. See your Owner’s Manual for more on Output Levels.

Setting up

MONO vs. STEREO

The VP4 defaults to “MONO” Input Mode. In mono, use only the L/Mono input. For stereo input signals, connect to both L/Mono and Right inputs and change SETUP > Audio > Input Mode to “STEREQ.”

The VP4 defaults to “STEREO” Output Mode which is also compatible with mono setups. For more on Mono vs. Stereo, see your Owner’s Manual.

BASIC EDITING

First, select any preset by entering Preset Mode.

SELECT OR CHANGE FX BLOCKS 

• Change to FX Mode.
• Turn ABC or D to change the corresponding Block Type (for example Chorus, Delay, Drive)
• Press ENTER.

EDIT FX SETTINGS 

• Turn SELECT to highlight any effect.
• Press ENTER to show the Basic Editor
• Use knobs ABCD to adjust settings. Turn SELECT to change rows.
• Use PAGE buttons for FX with more options. The left-most page allows you to change Effect Type.

SAVING CHANGES 

• Press SAVE. Use ABCD and SELECT to choose a location and edit names. Press ENTER to confirm.

FAQ:

Block Type vs. Effect Type? 
Effects on the VP4 are organized as high level “Blocks” like “Reverb” or “Drive” Blocks contain an “Effect Type” picker for sub-types like “Deluxe Verb” or “Face Fuzz” The TYPE PICKER appears automatically the first time you edit a new effect. To change Effect Type later, edit the effect and Page Left to the type page. The VP4 uses many different types of page layouts allowing you to edit effects and other settings.  Use SELECT and ABCD knobs to navigate and make changes.

What is a Preset?
Every preset is a complete virtual pedalboard with its own four effects. In every preset, you can choose FX, dial them in, and save your settings. Every preset in the VP4 can be customized or even overwritten. Some players may use only a single preset. Others might create one preset for every gig, every guitar, or even parts of a song. Every preset also contains extra settings. Press HOME and use the PAGE buttons to find the Noise Gate, Levels, EQ, and more.

What is a Scene?
A SCENE is like a traditional pedalboard at a particular moment: effects are either ON or OFF and can even have different “channel” settings. To learn more about Scenes, see the VP4 Owner’s Manual.

What is a Channel?
A channel is one of four independent sets of settings within a block, labeled A,B,C, and D. Channels allow you to switch between different configurations of the same effect block without needing multiple instances. For example, a Drive block could use Channel A for a clean boost, Channel B for overdrive, Channel C for distortion, and Channel D for fuzz. This provides a greater range of tones while saving CPU by using one block with multiple settings. For amenu of channels, press and hold the footswitch for any effect.

EFFECT EDIT PAGES
The VP4 uses many different types of page layouts allowing you to edit effects and other settings. Use SELECT and ABCD knobs to navigate and make changes.

Gear Nerd? Expert Tweaker?

The VP4 was designed to be easy to use, with minimal options like those you would expect from traditional pedals.  Fractal Audio is also known for extensive depth and flexibility, however, allowing creative players and FX nerds to dive deep into sound design. If this sounds like you, then Expert Edit may be of interest. This special mode reveals expanded options for editing effects, modifiers, and the noise gate. To open Expert Edit, press PAGE LEFT and PAGE RIGHT at the same time while editing. Press EXIT at any time to leave Expert Edit.

Connect Pedals and Switches

The VP4 has two jacks for expression pedals or switches. When you first connect a pedal or switch it needs to be configured:

SET UP AN EXPRESSION PEDAL

• Expression pedals should have a linear taper and max resistance in the range of 10-100kQ. The Fractal Audio EV-1 and EV-2 are ideal.
• To Connect using a TRS-to-TRS cable. Guitar patch cables will not work!
• To configure a pedal, open SETUP
• For the desired pedal (#1 or #2), set Pedal Type to “Expression”
• Select the Calibrate line, press ENTER, and follow the prompts.

SET UP A SWITCH

• Instead of a pedal, you can connect one switch to one Pedal jack.
• To configure a pedal jack to work with a switch, open SETUP > Pedal and set Pedal Type to one of the “Switch” options. (Choose “Virtual Toggle” to change the action of a momentary switch to latching. Switches do NOT require calibration.)

USING PEDALS TO CONTROL SOUND

Modifiers provide an easy way to use a connected pedal or switch to control sound settings like the sweep of a Wahior Whammy, the rate of a Rotary, the mix of a Delay or Reverb, or hundreds of other settings. To set up a modifier, look for the Modifier symbol while editing any effect. It appears as a small yellow circle in the center of a knob, or near a dropdown or menu parameter. Select the desired knob/control and press ENTER to open the modifier screen. Choose a Source, such as “PEDAL 1” to assign it. You can set the range and more. Press EXIT when you’re finished, and don’t forget to save the preset. See your Owner’s Manual for more on Modifiers and other ways to use pedals or switches using the SETUP > MIDI Remote menu.

BYPASS THE VP4 5

The VP4 features buffered analog bypass. This passes signal directly from the input to the output with no digital conversion, latency, or processing. If you want analog bypass to turn on automatically whenever all four effects are by passed, enable SETUP > Global Settings > Automatic VP4 Bypass.

CPU
As you add effects or use settings that are more demanding, the CPU level will increase. A meter in the upper right shows the current CPU level. The normal limit is about 80%. If the limit is exceeded, the VP4 will switch to Bypass and show a warning, “CPU LIMIT: By passed” See your Owner’s Manual for more on CPU.

USB
The VP4 can connect over USB to a Mac or PC. This offers capabilities including audio recording, playback, the use of VP4-Edit with Fractal-Bot, and direct MIDI integration with a DAW.
NOTE: Windows requires a driver, available at https://www.fractalaudio.com/vp4-downloads

USB INPUTS (RECORDING)

Hum with USB Connected?
Computers can create a ground loop with a guitar amp, causing hum when the VP4 is connected to both. To address this, consider a USB Audio Ground Loop Eliminator (Type C > C) between the VP4 and the computer, or an audio isolation transformer between the VP4 and the amp. Changing your computer between AC power and battery may also affect hum.

PRESET EXTRAS
Every preset has additional features besides effects. From Home, use the PAGE buttons to navigate. Remember, the title bar shows where you are.

The Noise Gate reduces noise when you’re not playing. Increase Threshold to close the gate on louder noise. Setting it too high may gate your playing. Ratio adjusts how powerful the gate is — from no effect to extreme.
Note: Some gate types rely on a global setting. For Europe, Australia and other regions with 50 Hz AC power, change SETUP > Global Options > AC Line Frequency to 50 Hz.

The Main Levels page lets you adjust the overall levels of the current Preset and each Scene in it. If you set levels too high, a “clipping” warning may appear. Lower the levels of effects, the preset, or the scene to address this. The Preset EQ page provides a 10-band EQ which can be set differently for every preset — a great tone shaping tool. If you make dramatic boosts, you may need to lower the overall level of the preset to avoid clipping.

The Preset Mix/Routing page provides a central place to adjust Mix, Level, Bypass, Channel, and more for every effect in the current preset. Since these options are also found in the regular FX edit pages, most people will probably never need to use this area, but it is still a convenient tool to make adjustments, dial in scenes, etc. You can also change effect Routing, Kill Dry, Bypass Mode, and more. See your Owner’s Manual for additional details. The Controllers page is actually the gateway to another menu. In the same way that an expression pedal can be used as a modifier (p. 5), you can also assign an Envelope Follower, ADSR, LFO, and Sequencer to make creative sound changes in real time. Also included are a Tempo page and a Modifiers overview. All settings in the Controllers sub-menu are part of the preset and can be dialed in and saved. See your Owner’s Manual for more.

Use the Tools page to RESET any channel of any effect in the current preset to its default settings— useful for a fresh start or during troubleshooting. You can also reset the Noise Gate, Preset EQ, or the Controllers menu for the current preset. Remember to save if you want any changes to be permanent.

WARRANTY

Fractal Audio Systems warrants that your new Fractal Audio Systems product shall be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase directly from Fractal Audio Systems. During the warranty period, Fractal Audio Systems shall, at its sole option, either repair or replace any product that proves to be defective upon inspection by Fractal Audio Systems. Fractal Audio Systems reserves the right to update any unit returned for repair and to change or improve the design of the product at any time without notice. Fractal Audio Systems reserves the right to use reconditioned parts and assemblies as warranty replacements for authorized repairs. This warranty is extended to the original retail purchaser for units purchased directly from Fractal Audio Systems or one of its authorized distributors or resellers.

This is your sole warranty. Fractal Audio Systems does not authorize any third party, including any dealer or sales representative, to assume any liability on behalf of Fractal Audio Systems or to make any warranty for Fractal AudioSystems. Fractal Audio Systems may, at its option, require proof of original purchase date in the form of a dated copy of original authorized dealer’s invoice or sales receipt. Service and repairs of Fractal Audio Systems products are to be performed only at the Fractal Audio Systems factory or a Fractal Audio Systems authorized service center. Fractal Audio Systems may require advanced authorization of repairs to authorized service centers. Unauthorized service, repair or modification will void this warranty.

DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF WARRANTY

THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS THE ONLY WARRANTY GIVEN BY FRACTAL AUDIO SYSTEMS AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EXCEEDING THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THIS WARRANTY ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED AND EXCLUDED FROM THIS WARRANTY. UPON EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE EXPRESS WARRANTY PERIOD (1 YEAR), FRACTAL AUDIO SYSTEMS SHALL HAVE NO FURTHER WARRANTY OBLIGATION OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. FRACTAL AUDIO SYSTEMS SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SUFFERED BY THE PURCHASER OR ANY THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR BUSINESS, OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT ORIN TORT. FRACTAL AUDIO SYSTEMS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY EXPENSES, CLAIMS, OR SUITS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties so some of the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary, from state to state. This warranty only applies to products sold and used in the USA and Canada. Fractal Audio Systems shall not be liable for damages or loss resulting from the negligent or intentional acts of the shipper or its contracted affiliates. You should contact the shipper for proper claims procedures in the event of damage or loss resulting from shipment.

BY ACCEPTING, INSTALLING OR USING ANY PART OF THIS PRODUCT YOU ARE CONSENTING TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS ENTIRE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (“EULA”). IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING COMPLY WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, YOU MUST DISCONTINUE USE OF THE PRODUCT IMMEDIATELY AS YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY OR LICENSE TO USE THE PRODUCT.

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Documents / Resources

Fractal Audio VP4 Compact Multi Effects Processor [pdf] User Guide VP4 Compact Multi Effects Processor, VP4, Compact Multi Effects Processor, Multi Effects Processor, Effects Processor, Processor

References

• User Manual