Future Impact V4

Bass guitar synthesizer and MIDI expander

NEW UPDATE

What's New in V4.5

The latest firmware update brings major new capabilities to Future Impact V4 and Future Impact VIP.

  • FM Sound Engine — 99 Yamaha DX7-compatible FM programs have been added to the existing 99 VA (Virtual Analogue) sounds.
  • Setlists — You can program any combination of VA and FM programs into an ordered performance list — no computer required. On stage, you can step through them one by one with a footswitch.
  • Zero Latency Pitch Tracking Priority Parameter — A new third option, Zero Latency, joins the existing Speed and Accuracy modes. It can be applied to most VA and FM programs for instant response.
  • Portamento — Now available in Bass/Guitar mode, in addition to the existing MIDI mode.
  • Copy and Swap VA Programs — Reorder programs or copy a single program to multiple slots to create variations of it. This can now be done directly on the Future Impact, without the Editor.
  • Automatic Input Mode Switching — The Future Impact now detects which input (audio or MIDI) you are using from the first note and automatically reboots into the correct input mode (BASS/SPLIT/GTR or MIDI).
  • Separate MIDI Channels — You can assign separate MIDI channels for Internal mode (keyboard or controller input) and External mode (VA programs driving an external synthesizer).
  • Restore Factory Defaults — Restore VA or FM programs to their original factory state at any time, without the Editor.

For a complete list of all factory presets, click here.

Future impact v4

How it began

The Future Impact is the subject of one of those heartwarming stories of the internet as a force for good. It began life back in late 2014 when an enthusiastic member of the Talkbass forum tracked down Andras Szalay to ask him if he'd be able to reissue the discontinued Deep Impact, which he had designed for Akai. However, Andras had much more ambitious plans: the Future Impact was conceived of not as a reissue, but as an entirely new and vastly-improved pedal.

Future impact v4 top

From grassroots support to global recognition

The project garnered tremendous support from forum members who funded the first batch of 100 pedals in late 2015. From there, the FI's popularity and reputation grew; ever more people clamoured to own one, including notable players such as Chris Wolstenholme (Muse), Doug Wimbish (Living Colour, The Rolling Stones), Mohini Dey and Bootsy Collins. Thanks to the generous input of members of the online bass-playing community, the FI continued to go from strength to strength.

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Pushing the limits: transitioning to the FI4 for future growth

With each successive update, we gradually added more and more features and refinements. With the v3.60 update of June 2021, we had to admit that we had finally squeezed every last drop of juice out of the pedal: we had completely exhausted the available code space. In order to continue developing our ideas further, we have thus had to move to new hardware and implement a new firmware structure. While the FI4 can load patches from all the previous versions of the FI, unfortunately v3 users cannot run the V4 firmware or V4 patches on their device. However, the good news is that our new platform gives us the breathing space to develop well into the future. We already have big plans, so stay tuned!

New Features for V4

  • CV/Gate output - Simultaneously play a 1V/octave analog synth using the pedal
  • Detented Parameter dial with extended range - More variations on each sound
  • Sturdier knobs - The potentiometer shafts are now made from solid metal
  • Long Release - Audio-triggered sounds now use the full release time of the ADSR
  • Oscillator sync - VCO2 can sync to VCO1 for more harmonically complex sounds
  • Improved audio fidelity - Via an ultra-low-noise CoDec and noise-reduction coding
  • Overwrite programs - On-pedal edits can be saved to patch data before uploading
  • Superior pitch tracking - Greatly reduced latency and increased sensitivity to input instrument dynamics. Pitch detection can now be set to prioritize speed or accuracy
  • Octave transposition - Two new MIDI CCs to transpose the pitch by ±2 octaves
  • 63 new Flexi curves - Create a split point between any two adjacent semitones
  • Robust firmware update process - Now any MIDI interface can be used
  • Alternative quick access to Global Menu - Enter/exit menu without power cycling
  • Better Global Menu layout - Items are repositioned and more meaningfully labelled
  • Fresh Editor look - An updated color scheme with a clearer and more logical layout
  • Onscreen Mod Wheel - Send out MIDI CCs or Aftertouch directly from the Editor
  • midiBeam 4Control integration - MIDI signals from expression pedals and switches are automatically passed to the FI4 when connected to the Editor

Product videos

Product support

Firmware updates, user manuals, presets, and other useful downloads and links