For decades, the name Fractal Audio Systems has been synonymous with industry-leading hardware modeling, found in the touring rigs of the world’s biggest artists. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the digital guitar community, the company has officially announced its transition into the native software market with the launch of ICONS.
The debut release, ICONS: Fullerton, brings the legendary amp-modeling algorithms previously exclusive to the Axe-Fx III, FM9, and FM3 directly into the DAW for the first time.
The Fender Canon Reimagined
ICONS: Fullerton is a comprehensive tribute to the “Golden Era” of American tube tones. The suite features 36 meticulously modeled amplifiers inspired by the most iconic designs from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s.
Guitarists can now access a massive digital museum of vintage gear, including:
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Deluxes and Princetones for classic edge-of-breakup grit.
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Double-Verbs and Vibrato Verbs for lush, cavernous cleans.
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Bassguys and Champlifiers for raw, tweed-style saturation.
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Supers and many more legendary “Fullerton” staples.
Component-Level Realism
At the core of the ICONS series is Fractal’s proprietary modeling technology. Unlike standard digital emulations, Fractal recreates analog circuits at the component level. This ensures that every virtual knob behaves exactly like its physical counterpart, allowing players to dial in tones using the same intuition they would use on a real stage.
To complement the amps, Fractal has integrated its DynaCab technology. This allows users to visually position virtual microphones on virtual speakers, providing real-time audio feedback without requiring thousands of static IR (Impulse Response) files.
Streamlined Effects & Pro Workflow
While ICONS uses the same high-fidelity algorithms as the flagship Axe-Fx, Fractal emphasizes that it is a purpose-built software experience.
“ICONS is not an Axe-Fx in software,” the company stated. “Its effect blocks feature streamlined types and controls that make it fast and natural to create great, complete tones.”
The suite includes:
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Authentic Spring Reverbs and Tremolos.
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12+ Drive Pedals based on classic stompboxes.
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Studio-grade Delay, Compression, and GEQ.
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Modern Preset Manager with tagging and metadata for easy organization.
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Input Calibration System to ensure consistent gain staging across different audio interfaces.
Pricing and Availability
The ICONS: Fullerton suite is now available for an introductory price of $299 (regular price $396) and includes the complete collection of 36 amps. For those looking for specific tone eras, individual volumes are also available for $99 each. The software runs as a standalone application or as a VST/AU/AAX plugin for Mac and PC.
Our Thoughts: A New Era for Fractal Audio?
The release of ICONS marks a pivotal moment in the “Analog vs. Digital” debate. By unchaining their world-class modeling from proprietary hardware, Fractal Audio has democratized high-end tone for bedroom producers and pro-studio engineers alike.
Whether you are seeking the chime of a vintage Blackpanel or the sag of a ’50s Tweed, ICONS: Fullerton delivers the most authentic “Fractal” experience ever seen on a computer screen. As the line expands, will Fractal become just as dominant in the software plugin market as it is on the stages of world tours?
The pricing is quite high, and the competition is stiff, so we will have to wait and see.
For more information and to download a trial, visitFractal Audio’s official website.
#Fractal Audio #ICONS: Fullerton,
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