Fractal VP4 & Friedman IR-J | Rig Ideas & 4CM Tutorial

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  • Опубліковано 7 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 112

  • @BobGuido
    @BobGuido 2 місяці тому +1

    Super Juicy Tone with this setup Leon! The VP4 + Friedman amp pedals seems like the pinnacle of modernized/miniaturized Tube amps & Bradshaw studio effects + pedals rack. Something about Friedman's real tube preamp circuitry in his otherwise digital amp pedals has a more immediate and present sound, that feels closer to real amplifiers than digital models or even captures feel to me. I'm curious to hear your personal experience on this Captain Leon.
    Dave Friedman's IR pedals are a very refreshing take on the whole amp-in-a-pedal style product. I really hope that Friedman make a stereo IR series pedal with a Vox AC30TBX foundational clean to edge of breakup tone. This would make the ultimate pedal platform amp-in-a-box with the ability to place the VP4 in front of it as well as after it, while maintaining the full stereo imaging of the VP4 effects. Such exciting times for attaining massive tones from tiny packages!

  • @peterharvin2775
    @peterharvin2775 2 місяці тому +2

    From your first demo of the VP4, I knew this would be a marriage made in heaven. What LT hath brought together may never be put asunder.

  • @eBagJones
    @eBagJones 2 місяці тому +3

    I've had an H90 since they came out but recently took possession of a VP4 and have been very impressed. Great device.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +3

      The VP4 is a great unit, it sounds awesome and is super powerful. Congrats!

    • @88Nikoli
      @88Nikoli 2 місяці тому

      Leon Vp4 or H90 which do you prefer if only to have one with real amps ?

  • @jonathankvex
    @jonathankvex 2 місяці тому +2

    This is exactly what I did with my IR-X and it’s glorious. I have a few extra drive pedals that I use constantly in front, then everything else I could possibly need in the VP4. It’s the perfect rig. I can use it with an amp into its power amp, I can play it directly into monitors or FOH, or I can practice with it directly into headphones. Having so much fun with it.

    • @mikec8815
      @mikec8815 Місяць тому

      Are you using the balanced out of the IRJ into the input of the VP4?

    • @jonathankvex
      @jonathankvex Місяць тому

      @ if im going into my computer yes. If im going into my amp I’m going out of the IRX send into the VP4, and then into the return of my amp.

    • @mikec8815
      @mikec8815 Місяць тому

      @jonathankvex thanks. That's what I am also doing.

    • @stiffmeister0hYeah
      @stiffmeister0hYeah Місяць тому

      Can I run two VP4's plus the IR-J? I only have a Koji compressor, Boss SDE-3 dual digital delay and IR-J at the moment. Was going to get a switcher/pedals but these really save on pedalboard real estate.

  • @adminag1
    @adminag1 2 місяці тому +2

    Thanks so much for demonstrating this combination. I commented on your VP4 review 12 days ago that you should try this and you did. Much appreciated.

    • @rivalson23
      @rivalson23 2 місяці тому +1

      Same! Thanks for this @LeonTodd! Just ordered a VP4 to run in stereo with my IR-X and IR-D. I have an FM9 doing this with the Friedmans, but makes for a huge pedalboard and I only use a few effects at a time, so giving the VP4 a shot. Cheers!

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +2

      The pleasure is all mine!

    • @MKRISING75
      @MKRISING75 2 місяці тому

      @@LeonTodd I vouched for this video also thank you so much LT!!🤟🏻

  • @rmp5s
    @rmp5s 2 місяці тому +1

    It's pretty cool that you can have an entire setup of GREAT tones all with so little gear. That's barely a pedalboard's worth of stuff!

  • @stevekatz5685
    @stevekatz5685 2 місяці тому

    Awesome Leon thanks!! I’m a huge QCortex user and fanboy -so the nano was a no-brainer for me! Love the fractal effects but was worried about pedal order - this answers my questions and is prefect did a marriage of the VP4 and nano! Appreciate the tutorial!!

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      Perfect setup!

  • @TrumpetsInMy4x12
    @TrumpetsInMy4x12 2 місяці тому +1

    Great sounds. The TS circuit is a HUUUUUUUGE difference between this preamp and the IR-D. The IR-D is pretty bloated and you are not getting that kind of sizzle out of it. Different pieces certainly but both good at what they do. I worked with the IR-D and VP all last week in prep for last weekend's gig. In 4cm and IR-D up front/VP in post. I love FAS drives in the box but up front of an amp; I prefer analog dirt quite a bit. The FM3 won out for gigging purposes and the IR-D is going back.

  • @70mcnevin
    @70mcnevin 2 місяці тому

    There is no denying that Fractal is one of, if not the greatest modeling company. Their effects are studio quality on par with Eventide and anything you can find in a Strymon pedal.
    If only that VP4 had Neural style touchscreen functionality. It would be the greatest release this year or in the 2020's even.
    The H90, Stomps and anything Headrush would instantly crash and burn regarding sales.
    This was Fractals opportunity to grab ALL of the market share. "Newbies" and old users of Fractal like myself would be all in on the Fractal ecosystem due to the simplicity.

  • @adminag1
    @adminag1 2 місяці тому

    Another great video. I would love to do the MIDI channel switching of my IR-D from my VP4 presets. The video demonstrates the channel switching, but for a MIDI newbie like me, I could benefit from a video showing the step-by-step setup on both devices in order to make this happen.

  • @roscoepcoltrane23
    @roscoepcoltrane23 2 місяці тому

    I wasn’t using this but you definitely got me thinking. The older I get the heavier my amps seem to get and this would be a great solution. Thanks.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      It's funny how that works!

  • @florisvanlingen
    @florisvanlingen 2 місяці тому +1

    I've been thinking of doing this with the Tsakalis Audio Mothership.

  • @jcipriano87
    @jcipriano87 2 місяці тому

    The perfect rig for the modern player, besides the portability❤

  • @lbarj
    @lbarj 2 місяці тому

    The drives are amazing btw in the vp4. My tube amps have never sounded so good !

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      I'll do a video focused on them into a tube amp soon :)

  • @donlee5722
    @donlee5722 2 місяці тому

    Big thanks for doing this Leon, sounds great!

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      You're very welcome! Super fun rig.

  • @rocketsauce5067
    @rocketsauce5067 2 місяці тому

    I use my IR-X in conjunction with my Tonex with my TC Plethora X5 for a wet dry wet set up. I also could do the 4 cable method with the IR-X and the Plethora X5, I need to try this.

  • @heavybrett-al4082
    @heavybrett-al4082 2 місяці тому

    Man! That's a power house combo! Brilliant idea!

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +2

      This combo is truly a beast!

    • @heavybrett-al4082
      @heavybrett-al4082 2 місяці тому

      @@LeonTodd pure gold I'm my opinion 🙏🤘

  • @saarangnarayan123
    @saarangnarayan123 2 місяці тому

    Dream rig for X-MAS 2024 right here. I have the IR-X already but really GASing for the IR-J. And of course the VP4 is the stuff of dreams!

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      The IR-J is a little less filtered and more "old school" sounding to me. A little savage!

  • @matthewearl9824
    @matthewearl9824 2 місяці тому

    Thanks so much for this video. Your set up video for the Soldano Astro and the Axefx 3 was awesome. This one is just as awesome and I have my IR-J set up similar to this. I wish they would come out with a universal connector like a DIN plug that would automatically do the four cable method between products.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      The four cable method is such a pain! I wish everything worked like that too.

    • @matthewearl9824
      @matthewearl9824 2 місяці тому

      @@LeonTodd Especially when you have two pieces of gear that are far from each other, like rack mounted gear. Long cable runs introduce noise and complications and potential issues. One reason I still use my TC.Electronics G system is that it is rackmountable. G-system does not play well with the IR-J however. Working on line level issues with it.

  • @FullCircleguitar
    @FullCircleguitar 2 місяці тому

    I played my first show with this exact rig (plus a GM-800) Saturday. Worked very well. The only issue is trying to figure out how to run 4CM without using the balanced out on the IR-J since I run into the return of a Marshall DSL40CR most of the time and I don't want the IR or power amp in the chain.

    • @alanparkinson4568
      @alanparkinson4568 2 місяці тому

      Can’t you use the send & return on IR-J?
      Guitar > VP4 input > FX send to IR-J input > IR-J FX send to FX return of VP4 > VP4 output to FX return of amp.
      That should cut out the IRs on the IR-J.

    • @FullCircleguitar
      @FullCircleguitar 2 місяці тому +1

      @@alanparkinson4568 probably. I hastily assembled everything on Friday for gig on Saturday so I didn't really try much. I just wanted something fast that I knew worked. Now that I have more time I'll do some tweaking and figure it out. I'm also running a loop switcher to keep the GM-800 and the regular guitar signal separate which wasn't helping with the confusion.

  • @Burkhimself
    @Burkhimself 2 місяці тому

    I though of running these 2 together as a rig as soon as the VP4 came out 🤘🏼

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      Best of both worlds!

  • @harleyhexxe9806
    @harleyhexxe9806 2 місяці тому

    That is an extremely powerful small pedal rig, Leon! You're making me re-think the whole amp-less pedal rig with something like this.
    A question or two comes to mind:
    If you were running this as an amp-less live rig, are you getting just two channels in stereo, or can you also have a dry center channel with it? (I'm hooked on the W/D/W setup).
    Also, can you run this same thing with a 2nd Freidman preamp like the IR-X, and still have the MIDI switching?
    Thanks for sharing, this is a very eye-opening video.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      Just stereo, but you could use an analog splitter before the VP4 to get W/D/W

  • @Concorde1992
    @Concorde1992 2 місяці тому

    What an awesome video, great stuff bro!!! By the way, is there a full song for the outro somewhere? 🔥👊😊

  • @JimmyGallowayGuitar
    @JimmyGallowayGuitar 2 місяці тому

    HUUUUGE tones man! Sweet

  • @khalilhabib9607
    @khalilhabib9607 2 місяці тому

    Wow. Speechless 🔥

  • @chriskocher1469
    @chriskocher1469 2 місяці тому +1

    I love this, looking for opinions here. Looking to transition to something digital. Do I do something like this (which feels like a middle group) or just take the plunge and get the FM3? FM3 is less money and more versatility?

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      I'd jump in the deep end and get an FM3. Then if you miss knobs/tubes you can add something like the IR-J to that setup

    • @stiffmeister0hYeah
      @stiffmeister0hYeah 2 місяці тому

      @@LeonTodd I just ordered the IR-J five minutes ago. The FM3 MK2 appears to have price drop to $1000 USD right now. Do the combo?? The price difference of $200 is not much from VP4 to FM3.

  • @communitykyle
    @communitykyle 25 днів тому

    @leontodd My VP4 is on the way. Thank you for all of your VP4 content and especially your Friedman/vp4 content. I plan to use the VP4 for stereo wet effects after my Friedman IR-D with a few analog drives/boosts in front of IR-D. I will have a stereo direct box/Line isolator to run direct to FOH at church. Any specific settings for stereo output to maximize this setup?

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  25 днів тому +1

      That's a fantastic rig. Should be pretty much plug and play - get the Ursa Major reverb type and some Multitap Delay and you'll have a great worship tone!

  • @truescotsman4103
    @truescotsman4103 2 місяці тому +1

    You do awesome work. Most of this gear sounds fabulous and you're an amazing player. I can't get past how fake all of these units sound. And now much alike they sound. Don't get me wrong I can hear differences but digital modeling gear all sounds very similar in character and overall EQ. Tube setups integrated really help but that digital overdrive sucks. I can't stand this digital distortion thing. I'm about pushing the preamp to overdrive organically and how that sounds and most of all feels. The digital stuff sounds amazing but it's not the same at all. I got the GT1000 because it has a 32bit digital signal path which none of these other units have. Everything is 24bit. 32bit D/A opens up the high end a lot so you have to adjust to that. The clarity in clean sounds is incredible. To me the solid-state modeler is ideal for clean sounds. Trying to eliminate the power amp and the speakers is just not acceptable. I'll always play amps if given the chance.

  • @johnerodz7
    @johnerodz7 Місяць тому

    yBrother thank you for the video , How do you connect the VP4 to the IR j in stereo where the cables go thank you for your help in advance

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  Місяць тому +1

      Take the main output of the IR-J into IN L of the VP4, then take the VP4 stereo outs to your powered monitors or interface

    • @johnerodz7
      @johnerodz7 Місяць тому

      @@LeonTodd Gracias Amigo God bless you Thnx

    • @johnerodz7
      @johnerodz7 10 днів тому

      @@LeonTodd Thank you Happy Holidays Amigo

  • @seven8time
    @seven8time 2 місяці тому

    oh HELL yeah, sounds amazing and so TINY

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      This is all I ever wanted growing up.
      Well, maybe a stereo power amp and some 4x12's too :p

  • @florisvanlingen
    @florisvanlingen 2 місяці тому

    You could also do this with the Eventide H90

  • @johnerodz7
    @johnerodz7 2 місяці тому

    OK, I found the video. Thank you for that this video answer all my question. Thank you so much.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      You're welcome! Glad it helped!

  • @jamesglaubitz3574
    @jamesglaubitz3574 2 місяці тому

    Gonna have a deep dive into this but the fractal just seems to be a bigger newer version of the boss ms3. It's great that other brands are doing the multi effects less amp models though. I wish there were more. Love my ms3, just wish it had more loops so I could run 4cm as well as having 3 pedals into it.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +2

      The FX in the VP4 are A-grade, studio quality stuff.

    • @jamesglaubitz3574
      @jamesglaubitz3574 2 місяці тому

      @LeonTodd does it have loops for external pedals like your favourite drive etc

  • @davemax4673
    @davemax4673 2 місяці тому

    Trower for the win 👏👏

  • @jeffmruth
    @jeffmruth 2 місяці тому

    Sounds awesome Leon! Minus the price, you could do the same 4-cable method w/ an FM3/9 as an alternative of course...any pros/cons of doing the VP4 over FM3/9?

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      You can run more instances of some blocks than the FM3 (reverb, pitch, MTD, Plex) and it's a bit smaller too

  • @88Nikoli
    @88Nikoli 2 місяці тому

    Hey Leon , can you use the scenes like in the end ( to midi switch my Synergy channels and have like four different channels ) with fx , then somehow put the Vp4 into stomp mode to turn individual fx on and off , as with Helix ? So I could have in each group of 4 scenes ( or whatever they're called in fractal) to have four different amp tones into a group of 4 fx , that I could then bring in and out individual fx instead of what you did with the 4 fx either on or off as a group . Hope you understand what I mean . Great video as always !

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      Yep, use change presets as here but then assign one of the VP4 hold functions to access effects mode

  • @joeywilder9708
    @joeywilder9708 2 місяці тому

    Sweet mother of god and all that is holy! The tone lord Davis Friedman himself has spoken once again with a new piece of gear from the dark depths of the fiery hell that is known as the guitar kingdom. I see sir Leon Todd has partaken in the forbidden evil pleasures that have been dangled before him and is now in the fiery pits of hell

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      I'm just the messenger! 😂

  • @someoneelse9271
    @someoneelse9271 2 місяці тому +2

    Bank account trembles in fear 😂

  • @jamproject9
    @jamproject9 2 місяці тому

    Damn man , strike me down for saying it but the stock amp sounds in the fm 9 and 3 just kill the Friedman pedals as far as I’m concerned . Great demo of the vp4💪

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      The IR-J does what it does very well - but that's all it does. The Fractal Marshall, Mesa and 5150's are hard to beat 💪

  • @Paul_Lenard_Ewing
    @Paul_Lenard_Ewing 2 місяці тому +1

    I am seriously considering getting the IR-D to replace my 50 watt PLEXI as I am 77 and ..., lol. I run my rig just shy of breakup and also an attenuator. I have gates in the loops of a Boss pedal switcher for my many pedals. Everything goes straight thru the front old school but it is noise free. My problem is how could I gate the IR-D as it would be going low impedance, XLR to a power amp. Any ideas would be helpful.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +2

      The IR-D is a great choice for straight up Marshall sounds - it can do the big fat JTM tones as well as more pushed Plexi stuff. I just built a board with some 80's BOSS pedals straight into the IR-D and the noise is pretty decent.

    • @dougappel5924
      @dougappel5924 2 місяці тому

      ​@LeonTodd Looking at this setup as well. Love the Friedman Dirty Shirley, and with my ridic boost pedal collection & my BOSS GX-100, I'd have a silly range of options! 😆

    • @Paul_Lenard_Ewing
      @Paul_Lenard_Ewing Місяць тому

      @@LeonTodd It is Black Friday and Friedman has a $50 discount but I got $135 door crasher discount from a local seller.

  • @algor8541
    @algor8541 2 місяці тому

    Amazing sounds! Ive been considering the exact same setup instead of just fm3.
    The 4CM setup sounds too noisy to my ears though. I wish that Friedman had a digital output..

    • @politoleo
      @politoleo 2 місяці тому

      It's the other way around, digital into any analog high gain cirucit (tubes, boost, OD, anything) will have noise. Digital can't still touch analog for that (noise and dynamic range) at human cost, so tube and analog pedals will still have a long life :)

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      I wish EVERYTHING had a digital output. Makes things so easy.

    • @algor8541
      @algor8541 2 місяці тому

      @@politoleo I only hear hiss when comp or anything else is engaged before the IR-J - it is a 4CM connection issue I guess

    • @stiffmeister0hYeah
      @stiffmeister0hYeah 2 місяці тому

      @@politoleo same question: for someone just starting to purchase more equipment. If you had a fly in guitarist (I live near Cabo Wabo Cantina, MX), what would you purchase for them to use on stage?

    • @politoleo
      @politoleo 2 місяці тому

      @@stiffmeister0hYeah that's very hard to answer, it depends first of all in guitarists preference and budget, there are so many product because there is no one solution that fits all! Usually a guitarists can adapt easily, however that doesn't mean it's the best possible solution! Everything is a tradeoff, but the best for audio performance, feel and latency is analog pedal board on front of a tube amp driving a 2*12 or a 4*12 with a digital fx unit in the loop. You can replace the cab with a good IR (big stages uses personal monitor anyway) and thus removing the need for the power amp and cab

  • @markbois1713
    @markbois1713 2 місяці тому

    Are you going direct? This would sound awesome though a Powerstation.

  • @jennojentsch8090
    @jennojentsch8090 2 місяці тому

    Hi Leon! Love Your vids! Always tasty tones an playing and big informations! Thx for that! I have one question: VP4 can send PC's, but can it send CC's to? Thx and have a nice day, Jenno from Germany! ;-)

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      Not sure off the top of head. The wiki should have the answers though!

    • @jennojentsch8090
      @jennojentsch8090 2 місяці тому

      @@LeonTodd I've read the manual and doesn't find anything! 😞
      But thx for Your answer...! ;-)

  • @ztevie.j
    @ztevie.j 2 місяці тому

    How does the ir-j hold up to the fractal amp modeling? I have a fm3 but basically only use the marshall models in there. If the ir-j does a better "marshall" I might consider it... Obviously I'd need some fx like delay and reverb so the vp4 would do all that.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      I wouldn't say it's better, as the Fractal Marshalls are incredible, but the workflow of having knobs and switches will suit some people better.

    • @ztevie.j
      @ztevie.j 2 місяці тому

      ​@@LeonToddOk. Yeah, I might order one from some place with generous return policy and compare them at home...

  • @giancarlopaolini7529
    @giancarlopaolini7529 2 місяці тому +1

    Come on ...that's exactly the idea I had in mind just yesterday 🙂

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      Do itttttt!

    • @giancarlopaolini7529
      @giancarlopaolini7529 2 місяці тому

      @@LeonTodd Just as soon as the Fractal lands in Europe and the waiting list moves a bit 🙂

  • @ivicapavlovic3879
    @ivicapavlovic3879 2 місяці тому +1

    Rig idea: H 90 with tonex!

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      Great idea!

    • @ivicapavlovic3879
      @ivicapavlovic3879 2 місяці тому

      👍 now that I ‚ve got both, H 90 in the front, after the effectsblock update strereo out into my gold marshall poweramp (made in 1992), 1922 cab and bob is your uncle,….

  • @marcparent5355
    @marcparent5355 2 місяці тому

    Great stuff as always Leon spent the money ….please help me plug it in…show me your routing…thanks
    😢

  • @rockstarjazzcat
    @rockstarjazzcat 2 місяці тому

    Brother Todorovich, have you discerned whether analog dry passes through on the VP4 a la the old Rocktron gear? I already have one, but you are way ahead of me in exploring it. Cheers mate, D

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому +1

      Only when bypassed. Analog dry through with drives wouldn't make much sense

  • @giuseppesangermano1163
    @giuseppesangermano1163 2 місяці тому

    Problem of VP4 is the send and return who don't have

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      That's what the 4CM setup does

    • @giuseppesangermano1163
      @giuseppesangermano1163 2 місяці тому

      Yes, of corse, but you lose the stereo, and fractal without stereo is not fractal

    • @mikec8815
      @mikec8815 2 місяці тому

      ​@@giuseppesangermano1163agreed . I would have bought this if it had 4 cable with stereo.

  • @mattwisemusic
    @mattwisemusic 2 місяці тому

    Thanks Leon, this is a great demo. However, you act like having the abilty to have stereo post effects is a feature and it is really a bug. Having the option of stereo fx is a common part of modern pedalboards. This product (which i have ordered btw) is positioned to be the perfect fractal for those of us that love amps, but yet when you run it with amps in 4CM you have to choose stereo or pre effects like drives. You can't have both like an h90 does. One of the best features of the fractal devices is the stereo options. This just seems like such a mistake to me. I have no experience with spdif, but can you have stereo outs at least in a studio setup with amps? The manual says the spdif out mirrors the other outs and if you are using one of those outs to go to amp then you are locked into mono right?

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      There's always trade-offs at this price point - the H90 can do stereo 4CM but it's more expensive, has double the latency per A/D conversion and runs 2 effects at a time vs 4 on the VP4. Neither unit has analog dry through like a lot of Strymon pedals, but then something like a Bigsky MX is nearly as expensive as a VP4 and just runs reverb (and some delays in Magneto mode).

    • @mattwisemusic
      @mattwisemusic 2 місяці тому

      @@LeonTodd Completely fair point. I look forward to getting it and hope it works well for me. Thanks Leon.

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      @@mattwisemusic keep me posted with how you end up using it!

  • @NaceK84
    @NaceK84 2 місяці тому

    I expected VP4 to sound better... oh well

    • @LeonTodd
      @LeonTodd  2 місяці тому

      I expected myself to sound better

    • @NaceK84
      @NaceK84 2 місяці тому

      @@LeonTodd y u trash 2 m8