Future Impact now available!! WAS: deep impact reissue!!! interested?

[Quatschmacher]

It sounds like the big thing the FI update will have over the C4 is the mod matrix?

Mod matrix, full ADSR envelopes are the main things. Lots of cool sources and destinations; pretty much any modifier can be routed to any parameter.

I need to crack on and write some more v3 patches; I’ve been a bit busy with life stuff and (for the last week) the C4.

 

[Quatschmacher]

With all the C4 chatter, I find my willpower waning and am really hoping the Impact update gets here soon. Has there been any news on a possible release date? Getting a bit antsy!

5sg.

I’ve not had any communications for about a month (though we’re not privy to a release date and, even if we knew, we wouldn’t be able to disclose that anyway).

 

[BurningSkies]

Mod matrix, full ADSR envelopes are the main things. Lots of cool sources and destinations; pretty much any modifier can be routed to any parameter.

I need to crack on and write some more v3 patches; I’ve been a bit busy with life stuff and (for the last week) the C4.

Seems like I'll probably end up with a C4. Things like polyphonic and arpeggiation, etc.

 

[Quatschmacher]

Seems like I'll probably end up with a C4. Things like polyphonic and arpeggiation, etc.

I’m keeping both as both are great. Sure, there’s some overlap but I think they do enough things differently to warrant having both. (C4 can’t do a three oscillator sawtooth patch and the lack of full ADSR means that lots of sounds are out of reach.) The possibilities in v3 of the FI are astounding.

 

[Adamixoye]

Seems like I'll probably end up with a C4. Things like polyphonic and arpeggiation, etc.

The synthesis (i.e., pitch detection into oscillator generation) in the C4 is not polyphonic, only the pitchshifting is. And the polyphonic pitchshifting (I'm told) is similar to what you find a lot of pitchshifted delays.

 

[loveandbass]

thinking about adding on either a C4 or a boss SY1.....cant see myself getting rid of the future impact because of either of those but they will be nice in addtion to it.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Yep. Agreed. Some of the features in the C4 are really attractive looking. I'm holding out to see what the 'big' update is all about, but when it comes to synths on my board 'There can be only one.'

Same here. I'm holding out for the update as well, and looking forward to reports from people that have both. Hopefully the update lives up to the hype, and crossing fingers that the editor will be a little more user friendly as well.

5sg

 

[BurningSkies]

Same here. I'm holding out for the update as well, and looking forward to reports from people that have both. Hopefully the update lives up to the hype, and crossing fingers that the editor will be a little more user friendly as well.

5sg

Well, I'm not sure that any of these synths have terribly user-friendly editors, just too much going on to keep it simple. After having the FI on my board for 6 months I have yet to find a place or patch to use it effectively live. Part of that may be tracking but generally speaking, it's fair amount of real-estate to hold if I'm not going make effective use of it. I'm not sure that the C4 will be the end fit either but would be nice to have something happening in the synth world.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Well, I'm not sure that any of these synths have terribly user-friendly editors, just too much going on to keep it simple. After having the FI on my board for 6 months I have yet to find a place or patch to use it effectively live. Part of that may be tracking but generally speaking, it's fair amount of real-estate to hold if I'm not going make effective use of it. I'm not sure that the C4 will be the end fit either but would be nice to have something happening in the synth world.

I agree, they probably all have to find a balance between "user friendly" and "cramming everything and the kitchen sink" in. I got used to it once I spent some time with the current FI editor, I guess I'm just crossing fingers that it doesn't get "worse" with all the additional stuff.

I've had really good luck with tracking on the FI after I really spent some time dialing it in, along with making some adjustments to bass setups and focusing on being even more clean with technique. I thought I had clean technique until I really started focusing with the FI... ha ha. Now I don't even need to adjust bass EQ settings or use a FretWrap when I turn it on.

Hopefully you can find a use for it. The FI has been a great addition to my rig for my two main projects, a 14-piece cover/variety band playing everything from 70's funk/rock to modern pop, and an 80's cover band. Gets enough regular use and positive feedback whenever I use it that I bought a backup at their last Christmas sale just in case something happened to one or if Panda stops making them.

5sg.

 

[Adamixoye]

I agree, they probably all have to find a balance between "user friendly" and "cramming everything and the kitchen sink" in.

This would just be the new Boss unit, no? It seems to me that most people would either want something like that where you basically have a bunch of presets that you can still tweak in a limited way (semi-set it and forget it) like the Boss or you would want the full enchilada of creating and tweaking like the C4 and FI.

 

[matt thompson]

Benn playing w the C4 and FI the past few days- I think they both have their respected place. Some overlap but I have one sound on the FI that I can't recreate on the C4..also the C4 has some filter sounds that aren't FI'able

Pumped for the update!

 

[Subscript]

Just because the FI can do a lot doesn't mean the interface can't be better. Even reordering some of the settings on the right side might make things a lot more intuitive. I don't fault the program or the pedal, it's made by a small operation that's obviously very focused on functionality, but let's not pretend there's no room for improvement.

 

[loveandbass]

I’m not a tinkerer. I just want usable sounds. Would be cool to have an easy way to just scroll through a ton of sounds and order them nicely

 

[Quatschmacher]

Just because the FI can do a lot doesn't mean the interface can't be better. Even reordering some of the settings on the right side might make things a lot more intuitive. I don't fault the program or the pedal, it's made by a small operation that's obviously very focused on functionality, but let's not pretend there's no room for improvement.

I did mention about the interface (mainly in the area of auditioning and saving patches) and it was acknowledged that this could and should be improved in future, though likely after the next update.

I’m not a tinkerer. I just want usable sounds. Would be cool to have an easy way to just scroll through a ton of sounds and order them nicely

I used the example of Nord’s drag-and-drop interface to point out ways that it could be improved upon.

 

[BurningSkies]

I’m not a tinkerer. I just want usable sounds. Would be cool to have an easy way to just scroll through a ton of sounds and order them nicely

Agree. Strymon has this down in their editor/interface. I use that for my Timeline and it really is a drag-and-drop to reorganize or add/remove stuff.

 

[maisbass]

The editor isn't the greatest in the FI for sure, but it is relatively easy to use and get very useable sounds out of it. I think most people are confused/intimidated by the layout but if you just focus on one oscillator at a time instead of trying to soak it all in as a whole, I think that would help. Then move slowly from there really listening to how each control in the chain affects the sound. Sure it's great to understand all of the technical background of synthesis, but if you take it slow and just use your eyes and ears, you can accomplish a lot with this pedal. Patience is key. Have fun with it.

But I understand some want a clearer and more simplified approach. Also, I don't know that much about programming. I know some. Speaking for myself, tinkering can be very creative and enlightening. I enjoy just using my ears to achieve sounds. That may not work for some, and I get it, but it definitely works for me. I would love an iOS interface. It's a PITA for me to have to sit down at the computer and program only because I really don't use a computer at home anymore. I am pretty much iPad dependent now.

As for the FI itself, it is a BEAST. I couldn't imagine doing any of my gigs without it. I rely on it for a very large percentage of my performances with various bands and it has become integral to my setup... Even though I use a Korg R3 live as well and multiple iOS virtual synths, I still love using the FI for quite a bit of material. The sounds are sooo phat and rattle the subs in a PA. And for me, the tracking is awesome. Granted I'm not playing super fast lines with it, but I don't need to, that isn't what I do. For grooving, it is superb. It is the pedal I have been waiting for a long time once my Deep Impact died. Buying the FI pedal when it was released a few years ago was the best investment I made for my setup. Happy camper here and yes a fan boy as well, pom poms out, etc. Call me what you will. I don't care LOL. LOVE my FI!

 

[SirTarquin]

Benn playing w the C4 and FI the past few days- I think they both have their respected place. Some overlap but I have one sound on the FI that I can't recreate on the C4..also the C4 has some filter sounds that aren't FI'able

Pumped for the update!

From my (albeit limited) experience, even in the overlap they both sound different. You could program a sound they’re both capable of with the exact same settings, or at least as close a possible, and there are still going to be tonal differences. This was my experience in trying to replicate Deep Impact settings on the C4 at any rate.

They both have their different strengths. There’s certainly enough reason to warrant having both, but if there’s only room for one on your board, it’s going to come down to what is most important to you as well as personal preference. For instance, like others have said, the C4 has a more streamlined interface and much more, almost overwhelming, filter options, while the FI has more flexibility and control over ADSR settings, pending update not withstanding. I’m also convinced the basic waveform oscillators on one sound different than the other. I’ve said before, there is no clear winner here. If you’re trying to decide on just one, it all comes down to what it is you want the most out of a synth pedal. I was extremely (over)hyped for the C4 and bought it first, but despite being a great pedal, it fell short of what I was wanting and I ordered a FI instead.

 

[maisbass]

So as for the C4, I guess those of you that own one or looking to buy one have the Source audio Soleman pedal as well? The C4 sounds cool and has a nice small footprint, but I don't like that it doesn't have visual feedback as to what program you are accessing. That is a bummer. Am I missing something here?

Also, listening to the demo that Nathan did and a few others, speaking strictly tonality wise, I don't think this pedal has anything on the FI at all. The arpeggiator feature for sure is a nice added touch for those who need it. Pretty slick.

The new Boss SY1 that is based off of the SY-600 looks pretty cool too. But no presets. I guess they dont want to take away from their SY600 sales.

 

[BurningSkies]

So as for the C4, I guess those of you that own one or looking to buy one have the Source audio Soleman pedal as well? The C4 sounds cool and has a nice small footprint, but I don't like that it doesn't have visual feedback as to what program you are accessing. That is a bummer. Am I missing something here?

Nope. I'd most likely use it with my Boss ES-5 and my Disaster area DMC-3XL, which is the same setup I use with the FI I currently have on my board.

 

[Chace90]

So as for the C4, I guess those of you that own one or looking to buy one have the Source audio Soleman pedal as well? The C4 sounds cool and has a nice small footprint, but I don't like that it doesn't have visual feedback as to what program you are accessing. That is a bummer. Am I missing something here?

Also, listening to the demo that Nathan did and a few others, speaking strictly tonality wise, I don't think this pedal has anything on the FI at all. The arpeggiator feature for sure is a nice added touch for those who need it. Pretty slick.

The new Boss SY1 that is based off of the SY-600 looks pretty cool too. But no presets. I guess they dont want to take away from their SY600 sales.

I have both. I switched out the FI for the C4 after owning the C4 for a week. I agree with people above that they both have their strengths, and I don't see myself selling the FI. But, for what I've been using the FI for, I found the C4 equivalent patches that I programmed myself to be fatter and the tracking to be a lot better, at least for my technique.

I would wait to judge the sounds of any pedal until you try it for yourself. Youtube, etc is never going to be fully representative of what something truly sounds like to you.

I'm not using the Soleman, nor do I own one. Many different MIDI controllers have screens. In my case I'm using an HX Effects to send CC preset changes to the hub/C4. I've labeled my switches so that I know what preset I'm recalling. I agree it'd be nice to have some sort of visual reference on the C4, but not a big deal for me. Knowing the HX is preprogrammed and knowing what to expect is enough for me.

FWIW, if one goes the C4 and Hub route (as I did), the 2 together are roughly the same footprint size as an FI. Granted they are separate units and don't have to be mounted right next to each other. But keep that in mind, you're not necessarily saving any space with a C4 if you also want to be able to use MIDI with it.

Super excited to see what the new FI firmware and editing software will offer. I personally am not a big fan of the current FI editor. As a non-synth savvy person, I haven't found it to be nearly as intuitive as the C4's editor is, and has been a big reason why I didn't integrate the FI more fully into my rig. Just having to keep a compatible MIDI interface and 2 MIDI cables handy just to program it was enough for me to rarely hook it up for experimentation and programming. With the C4, it's a USB cable straight to the computer. Or, for programming on the go, the Neuro editor on a phone with the provided cable (and dongle since more and more phones don't have headphone jacks anymore).