Instead of a V-AMP tip to share today, I would like to share my thought process when I shopped for a bass preamp and show how ended up with the Behringer unit in my main rig.
My needs then and now are really pretty simple:
1. Classic, quality bass tones
2. Rack-mountable
3. Built-in compressor
4. Built-in tuner
5. XLR outs for DI
The Tech 21 SansAmp devices I currently own, and that I also considered, all had the classic, quality amp tones, most of which were Ampeg variety (which I love), but no real others. Their rack-mountable units started at $329 and featured XLR outs. No programmability yet at that price point and no tuner. It was a high-quality, no-frills pre for $329 and I would need to bring and string an external tuner at the gig, and a compressor, if I found I still needed one.
The Line 6 POD X3 devices I currently own, and that I also considered, all had just about every amp tone imaginable, all the greats are represented, and very realistically as well. Their one rack-mountable unit was $699 and every numbered requirement above was fulfilled generously. Interestingly enough, it had no bi-amping capabilities (they were dropped from their previous generation unit) and worst of all, next to the high-price, it was 3-odd rack spaces high! The odd size + cost were the deal-breakers for me. Their X3 bean costs $399. Couldn't they just put it into a normal aluminum rack chassis for $100 more?
With nothing to lose, I took a gamble on the Bass V-AMP Pro at $169, with every intention of sending it back for a refund, and here I am today supporting this thread, a happy owner of not only Behringer's V-AMP, but also owner of Line 6 POD X3 + Tech 21 SansAmp product technologies. It's just that the V-AMP unit earned, and has been reliably occupying, the top 2 rack spaces in my main gig rig for many reasons.
All numbered items 1-5 above, plus:
6. Numerous, various, quality amp tones
7. Ability to store + recall them
8. Numerous, various effects (chorus, envelope, synth, etc.)
9. Well-integrated bi-amping capabilites
10. Support for various connection/operation configurations
11. MIDI support for foot controller or external config/control
12. Digital outputs S/PDIF, AES/EBU for computer/DAW recording
13. Internal power supply, no wall-warts
Now, the bad news. None of these units are perfect!
The Behringer V-AMP's user manual is so horrible that it forces people to figure it all out on their own if they haven't already thrown the unit out the window by that time. This is where I come in by starting this thread
Additionally, the brand name reputation and low-price point automatically lose potential customers, and the aesthetics of the unit are a little lacking. But overlook all this for now and know that I could not be happier with my purchase of the Bass V-AMP and my decision to use it as my primary source of bass tone.
Until this unit, or any other gear I own, fail me, I will continue to sing their praises, especially when they deliver the goods. All the units mentioned above deliver in different ways and on different levels. All of them worthy of your consideration and hard-earned dollar, but for me, I am simply amazed with the Bass V-AMP and just wanted to share my 2-cents, and I hope you will do the same in return.
Thanks for reading!
