Good to know, thanks!
I hope the next gen Bass V-AMP Pro is USB equipped and can update itself when connected to a PC. You never know?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Behringer Bass V-AMP Pro
- Thread starter CharlieC
- Start date
- Status
Good to know, thanks!
I hope the next gen Bass V-AMP Pro is USB equipped and can update itself when connected to a PC. You never know?
Tip #9: Charlie's Quick Start Guide
I created a PDF document for all of you who own this unit and who have yet to hear how good it can sound when un-cluttered!
http://www.zinfanus.com/vamp/guide.pdf
All I ask in return is that if you like what you hear (or not) to please post about it on this thread
Cheers!
I created a PDF document for all of you who own this unit and who have yet to hear how good it can sound when un-cluttered!
http://www.zinfanus.com/vamp/guide.pdf
All I ask in return is that if you like what you hear (or not) to please post about it on this thread
Cheers!
For me the symptom of a dying battery was I would lose all output. The unit would power up and look like it was working fine but I would get nothing out of it regardless of the signal path (headphones, DI, etc.). Put a new battery in and it all comes back. Weird.
Tip #10: Built-In Tuner
The Bass V-AMP Pro features a built-in chromatic tuner that you may have previously written-off for various functional reasons (or non-functional reasons as the case may be.)
Provided that you followed my advice from the "Tip #1: Master Input Gain" post on Page-1 of this thread, here are some tips for your now-functional tuner
1. The tuner supports both silent + quiet operation modes. With the tuner engaged, the VOLUME knob will allow you to either completely mute or hear what you are doing
2. The tuner's chromatic operation will assist you with both standard and non-standard tunings, and it additionally supports slight variations from A-440
3. The LED display is great on dark stages, but not so much for very bright outdoor gigs
... and finally
4. Should you still dislike the built-in tuner, have a bright outdoor gig, or just want to use your own tuner, the Bass V-AMP Pro has you covered!
The Bass V-AMP Pro features a built-in chromatic tuner that you may have previously written-off for various functional reasons (or non-functional reasons as the case may be.)
Provided that you followed my advice from the "Tip #1: Master Input Gain" post on Page-1 of this thread, here are some tips for your now-functional tuner
1. The tuner supports both silent + quiet operation modes. With the tuner engaged, the VOLUME knob will allow you to either completely mute or hear what you are doing
2. The tuner's chromatic operation will assist you with both standard and non-standard tunings, and it additionally supports slight variations from A-440
3. The LED display is great on dark stages, but not so much for very bright outdoor gigs
... and finally
4. Should you still dislike the built-in tuner, have a bright outdoor gig, or just want to use your own tuner, the Bass V-AMP Pro has you covered!
a. Connect your tuner to the rear jack marked SEND/LINE OUT (under the PRE DSP INSERT section)
b. Press the TUNER button on the V-AMP to mute your rig
c. Use your external tuner
d. Press the TUNER button again to un-mute your rig
b. Press the TUNER button on the V-AMP to mute your rig
c. Use your external tuner
d. Press the TUNER button again to un-mute your rig
Tip #11: The Compressor
Bassists either love or hate compression and the Bass V-AMP comes with a very effective compressor on-board should you choose to use it. I highly suggest that you use a little bit of it, as it really adds some extra thickness to the tones provided by the V-AMP. As with any effect, moderation is key.
The COMPRESSOR knob controls the density, or amount of compression. With higher settings the threshold is lowered, while the ratio is augmented in six steps from 1.2:1 - 4.5:1
The ATTACK parameter, however, lies underneath the TAP button on the same knob. ATTACK determines the rate by which the compressor responds to the signal. The attack time can be adjusted within a range from 0 to 127 ms. Fast compressor settings will reduce the dynamics of the entire signal, while slower settings will ensure that the first attack transients remain unaffected. Slow compressor settings are recommended in order to achieve a crispy and punchy signal.
Love it or leave it, the V-AMP handily provides a compressor to use, just like it does with its built-in tuner. This means less to bring to the gig and I wish more manufacturers similarly provided these two necessities in their bass products!
Bassists either love or hate compression and the Bass V-AMP comes with a very effective compressor on-board should you choose to use it. I highly suggest that you use a little bit of it, as it really adds some extra thickness to the tones provided by the V-AMP. As with any effect, moderation is key.
The COMPRESSOR knob controls the density, or amount of compression. With higher settings the threshold is lowered, while the ratio is augmented in six steps from 1.2:1 - 4.5:1
The ATTACK parameter, however, lies underneath the TAP button on the same knob. ATTACK determines the rate by which the compressor responds to the signal. The attack time can be adjusted within a range from 0 to 127 ms. Fast compressor settings will reduce the dynamics of the entire signal, while slower settings will ensure that the first attack transients remain unaffected. Slow compressor settings are recommended in order to achieve a crispy and punchy signal.
Love it or leave it, the V-AMP handily provides a compressor to use, just like it does with its built-in tuner. This means less to bring to the gig and I wish more manufacturers similarly provided these two necessities in their bass products!
Tip #12: Preamp Bypass
Even though the Bass V-AMP Pro offers 32 available AMP models to choose from, there may be situations where "none" would be best.
To bypass the pre-amp section and remove all tonal coloring imparted by it, press the [TUNER] + [TAP] buttons simultaneously. This state could be considered the 33rd available AMP model and the one most truthful to the signal you are feeding the V-AMP. Pressing the same keys again will bring back the pre-amp section.
When the pre-amp is bypassed, you may still use the other effects and features provided by the V-AMP, and best of all, the resulting configuration may be saved to a user patch.
Even though the Bass V-AMP Pro offers 32 available AMP models to choose from, there may be situations where "none" would be best.
To bypass the pre-amp section and remove all tonal coloring imparted by it, press the [TUNER] + [TAP] buttons simultaneously. This state could be considered the 33rd available AMP model and the one most truthful to the signal you are feeding the V-AMP. Pressing the same keys again will bring back the pre-amp section.
When the pre-amp is bypassed, you may still use the other effects and features provided by the V-AMP, and best of all, the resulting configuration may be saved to a user patch.
These are good tips. I actually have one for sale right now, but you're making me think about hanging on to it. Are you going to keep the PDF file updated with the latest tips?
Thanks,
MX
Thanks,
MX
Thanks for the compliment!
I plan on keeping all tips plainly listed on this thread as they are now, as well as offering the PDF as a separate attachment as it is now.
Please be sure to comment on the tones the V-AMP is now able to make for you with the help of my PDF + other tips.
I, myself, was more than impressed when I was finally able to take control of this unit, de-crapify the presets and really hear it deliver the goods. So much so, that it won the top spot in my main bass rig instead of being sent back to the dealer!
All this talk of the V-Amp Pro has me desiring one now. I don't use that many FX when I play -- usually none -- but I could see compression and a sometimes using chorus, echo or reverb fitting the gospel songs I play. All in one convenient package.
I use only a small handful of V-AMP bass models, with a touch of compression, zero effects, and the built-in tuner. I am 110% happy for the little money I spent on it.
My next choice in similar pre's was the Line 6 Pod X3 Pro, but it cost $699 and took-up 3 rack spaces. I purchased a Pod X3 bean ($399) prior to the V-AMP and its tones and functionality for bassists are only marginally better. I still own the X3 bean, but the V-AMP is more than enough for me, fits in my rack, sounds great, no wall wart, and to this day, no problems at all and I'm not too worried anymore!
+1,
I've wanted one of these for a while now. I have a Bass Pod XT but have wanted to compare them. The Bass V-Amp Pro looks more like the 1st offering of Bass Pods though.
B
When I am playing at the synagogue, I don't have an amp. I am DI to the house, but I do at least have a nice Kustom full range monitor that does very well to let me know of my bass playing.
Some of the worship leaders have been wanting to make more use of the various things the digital piano can do, additional sounds and FX. I am guessing that if I could muster $170 for a V-Amp Pro, they would be asking for me emulate the songs more closely, as well.
This would then mean, of course, needing to become a better bass player.
So, maybe I shouldn't consider the V-Amp.
Some of the worship leaders have been wanting to make more use of the various things the digital piano can do, additional sounds and FX. I am guessing that if I could muster $170 for a V-Amp Pro, they would be asking for me emulate the songs more closely, as well.
This would then mean, of course, needing to become a better bass player.
So, maybe I shouldn't consider the V-Amp.
How does it compare to other bass preamps, used solely as a preamp, without all the bells and whistles ? I've always been tempted by it, but have no use for all the effects and modeling features, and frankly, have tried a few of their bass amps and was very underwhelmed.
If you just want a pre-amp, then the V-Amp Pro is probably not the product for you. It seems to me, a non-owner, that whole point of getting one is for the FX and modeling.
Otherwise, a SansAmp Bass DI might be a better option. More expensive, yes, but focused on one task. Or maybe an EQ/Tone-Shaping FX pedal like a Boss, Behringer or Seymour-Duncan.
Otherwise, a SansAmp Bass DI might be a better option. More expensive, yes, but focused on one task. Or maybe an EQ/Tone-Shaping FX pedal like a Boss, Behringer or Seymour-Duncan.
I own/use 3 preamp options right now: Line 6 Pod X3, Tech 21 VT Bass, and the Behringer Bass V-AMP.
The V-AMP is right up there with the other units as far as good SVT tones and it offers other quality amp models as well.
I use only a small handful of the V-AMP bass models, with a touch of compression, zero effects, and the built-in tuner.
Give one a test drive one day using my Quick Start Guide + Tips found on this thread and you may be very impressed with what you hear!
my three pre amp choices currently are the BVAP, Line6 Bass Pod XT Live, and a vintage Peavey TB Raxx. The TB Raxx is currently in my live "rock" rig and the BVAP was in my country rig. I got the Line6 to use with the country band so I could have the BVAP avaialble to go back into the rock rig.
I find that for basic quick tone shaping, the BVAP is much eaiser than the Line6 to dial in a good sound quickly.
And if you really dig into the BVAP, there is a lot of stuff in there and some of it is barely documented in the (not great) manual.
For example. there are some things you can only access if you have a midi controller pedal (like the FCB1010), like the built in Midi-Synth and the Looper.
I was always emailing Behringer asking them to make a Bass Vamp Pro "lite" version. Single rack space, no effects. Just the amp and speaker models, compressor, tuner, DI out (with the Ultra G cab sim) midi control, and the effect loops. But they never did.
I find that for basic quick tone shaping, the BVAP is much eaiser than the Line6 to dial in a good sound quickly.
And if you really dig into the BVAP, there is a lot of stuff in there and some of it is barely documented in the (not great) manual.
For example. there are some things you can only access if you have a midi controller pedal (like the FCB1010), like the built in Midi-Synth and the Looper.
I was always emailing Behringer asking them to make a Bass Vamp Pro "lite" version. Single rack space, no effects. Just the amp and speaker models, compressor, tuner, DI out (with the Ultra G cab sim) midi control, and the effect loops. But they never did.
I think I know why they've not listened yet. Let's say they in fact spent time, effort, money, etc. and now we have the "Lite" version to market at $129... I think most shoppers would say for $40 more I can get the "PRO" version, have all these effects + it's bigger and better. Additionally, Behringer would be very concerned that they are no longer competing with Line 6 PODs that do more and that may cost them in the long run. Although I like the "Lite" idea, the trend for these units always seems to be, "more + better" on the next version.
IMHO the bottom line is that the current Bass V-AMP is, and functions as, a great simple bass preamp, plus it has the other stuff "should" you choose to use it. I simply pick an AMP model, dial in some EQ and light compression, then I'm ready to play, but it's nice to know it does a bunch more
yawn.
V-Amps don't have a record of unreliability. Not everything Behringer is bad, you know?
The amazing thing with V-Amps is that... the manuals never mention the internal battery. A CR2032 like on motherboards in PCs. When it dies... the V-Amp dies too. Well, first it starts losing presets and sonding rubbish... then it dies. Lots of V-Amps thrown away when all they needed was a cheap battery change... incredible.
I understand, I have no problems with what you said. Constructive input is fine, but just to FLAME something because its a Behringer, espically when the flamer never owned one, is pointless. Thank you.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
+100
+1000 from what I have gotten out of their "bean" version.
Plus you get STEREO outputs/effects if wanted.
Still play with the L6 BPXTLive but there is a rack here with space SCREAMING for the Behringer. Just waiting for the right amount of pocket change....
- Status
