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Behringer Bass V-AMP Pro

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#101
vamp_knobs.jpg


All but one knob on the Bass V-AMP Pro feature nicely-implemented LED rings around the individual controls to indicate their current setting.

The red glow from the LEDs is especially nice on dark stages, but they actually provide an additional benefit. When you recall a preset or power on the unit, the LEDs move to the current settings of the current patch. This also means that subsequent turning of a knob begins where its LED is currently set at, so there are no wild jumps! This is a feature that surprisingly not many other programmable preamps have and to me it is a pet peeve when I operate those other units.
 
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#102
CharlieC said:
vamp_knobs.jpg


All but one knob on the Bass V-AMP Pro feature nicely-implemented LED rings around the individual controls to indicate their current setting.

The red glow from the LEDs is especially nice on dark stages, but they actually provide an additional benefit. When you recall a preset or power on the unit, the LEDs move to the current settings of the current patch. This also means that subsequent turning of a knob begins where its LED is currently set at, so there are no wild jumps! This is a feature that surprisingly not many other programmable preamps have and to me it is a pet peeve when I operate those other units.
Click to expand...

in fact it's one of the reasons I would favour the V-Amps over others. Amazing other manufacturers don't try. Bonus point sto Behringer, it's not just "cloning" ;)
 
#103
I had a V-Amp Pro a few years back and got rid of it because it was becoming unreliable. The unit would power up just fine and then sometimes the volume would fade then soon cut out completely. Could this have been the battery thing? Who knows. The other thing was the slight delay when switching patches. If I had to change patches during a song there was a dropout while going to the next patch. I'm wondering if the firmware update addressed this.
All in all I really did like this unit. I thought it sounded good and had everything one could want in a modeler/ effects unit. I liked that you could edit it with your computer through the midi ports. I always think about getting another and maybe just using it in the studio.
 
#104
Edwcdc said:
I had a V-Amp Pro a few years back and got rid of it because it was becoming unreliable. The unit would power up just fine and then sometimes the volume would fade then soon cut out completely. Could this have been the battery thing? Who knows. The other thing was the slight delay when switching patches. If I had to change patches during a song there was a dropout while going to the next patch. I'm wondering if the firmware update addressed this.
All in all I really did like this unit. I thought it sounded good and had everything one could want in a modeler/ effects unit. I liked that you could edit it with your computer through the midi ports. I always think about getting another and maybe just using it in the studio.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it could have been the battery issue after all, that's too bad.

The ever so slight delay between patch changes (< 0.5 sec) still exists even on my newer unit, but I find that to be an issue more so for lead guitarists rather than bass players, who switch around multiple times during a song.

Good luck should you take the chance again on another V-AMP!
 
#105
I probably will grab another eventually. Also from what I remember the delay time between patches wasn't as bad if you stayed with the same amp model. I had patches set up with the same amp, eq, and comp settings just turning on the chorus or wah. This was done with the Behringer midi foot controller which I also sold.
 
#106
Edwcdc said:
I had a V-Amp Pro a few years back and got rid of it because it was becoming unreliable. The unit would power up just fine and then sometimes the volume would fade then soon cut out completely. Could this have been the battery thing? Who knows. The other thing was the slight delay when switching patches. If I had to change patches during a song there was a dropout while going to the next patch. I'm wondering if the firmware update addressed this.
All in all I really did like this unit. I thought it sounded good and had everything one could want in a modeler/ effects unit. I liked that you could edit it with your computer through the midi ports. I always think about getting another and maybe just using it in the studio.
Click to expand...


Your fault sounds just like a battery needing replacement... sorry to say.

The delay when switching patches... ah, yes. Annoying. The delay occurs mostly when changing patches that use a different amplifier model. If you write two patches that use the same amp/cab model, the delay is minimal.
ON the guitar version, a few amp models went from totally clean to very dirty, so it was easy to set up suitable patches that would switch reasonably well.
 
#107
The Bass V-AMP Pro features 16-distinct bass amp tones that are modeled after the following amplifiers:

  1. '68 Marshall Super Bass
  2. '69 Marshall Major
  3. Trace Elliot (80's)
  4. Vox AC-100
  5. Behringer Thunderbird
  6. Ampeg B-15
  7. Ampeg SVT
  8. Ampeg SVT Pro II
  9. '67 Fender Bassman
  10. Gallien-Krueger 800RB
  11. SWR SM-400
  12. Eden Traveller WT-300
  13. Mesa Boogie 400+
  14. Polytone A101
  15. Justin Meldal-Johnsen Style
  16. Classic Tube Preamp
Ever have one of those days where you just want to play through something new? Well, spin the knob!

To those disbelievers, these simulations are not simply the same sound with a different EQ on them. These tones truly have a totally different feel + sound quality that resemble the selected amplifier!

Welcome to the world of amp modeling and be sure to give each model a fair shot at becoming your favorite.

Even if the V-AMP offered you just one tone, it would be a bargain for all it accomplishes as a preamp, but to offer more than one fundamental amp tone is insane at its current retail price.

My favorites include the SVT, Fender Bassman, Gallien-Krueger + Marshall Super Bass.

Under a microscope, the simulations are really quite good, but in a live setting, just watch as other bass players wonder, "What the hell is that glowing red tone monster in your bass rig?" :-)

Edit: Give all the models a listen @ http://www.zinfanus.com/vamp

To those of you who own the Bass V-AMP Pro, what are your favorite amp models?
 
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#108
The Bass V-AMP Pro, released in 2003, is now in its 7th year of production and with a little luck, a version 2.0 successor may currently be in the works at Behringer.

Despite being a little long in the tooth now, I think the unit was slightly ahead of its time upon release, and even now to some extent, as it has features + touches that still surpass the competition's follow-up products.

I would really like it if each manufacturer learned from the others' mistakes, as well as successes, because those resulting products would really benefit all of us in the long run.

To be fair, I've pointed fingers at a few other products' shortcomings in favor of the V-AMP throughout this thread, but I am here to say Behringer still has a bit left to resolve as well regarding their actual unit (let alone the owners manual.)

In all honesty, my only major gripe with the V-AMP is in accessing the hidden, less-used parameters under the "TAP (2nd PAR)" button. It is not so much that they are hidden, but the fact that I need to hold the TAP button down with one hand while tweaking the knobs with the other. This leaves me with no hands left on my instrument to play a few test notes. It would be much better if the same button acted like a CAPS LOCK on a keyboard, i.e. press it once to engage the 2ND PAR, then press again to disengage the mode. Then I'd be able to hear the effects of my 2ND PAR tweaking in real-time.

Should they fix the above problem, and maybe improve on the now-outdated aesthetics, then I will be more than happy to take a chance on a new Bass V-AMP 2.0.

Behringer, just like your ad slogan, JUST LISTEN!
 
#109
The Bass V-AMP Pro features 15-distinct bass speaker/cabinet simulations that are modeled after the following equipment:

  1. '97 Ampeg SVT 8 x 10"
  2. Trace Elliot 4 x 10"
  3. SWR Goliath 4 x 10"
  4. Ampeg 4 x 10"
  5. Gallien-Krueger B120
  6. '68 Marshall 4 x 12"
  7. Ampeg B15 1 x 15"
  8. Polytone A101 1 x 15"
  9. Vox AC100 2 x 15"
  10. Mesa/Boogie 2 x 15"
  11. Fender Bassman 2 x 15" w/JBLs
  12. Leslie 760 1 x 15" + HF
  13. SWR 1 x 18"
  14. Ampeg SVT-18E 1 x 18"
  15. Sunn Coliseum 1 x 18" + 1 x 12"
Although not listed above, the V-AMP has an additional set of cabinet models traditionally used for electric guitar. Those are also included in the unit as the Bass V-AMP Pro can serve as a full-service guitar preamp, the quality of which is rather impressive.

Tone chasers who love mixing and matching amps with cabinets can do so with great satisfaction on the V-AMP and the results are very plausible.

What is very interesting to note is that when the V-AMP is switched into an operating mode meant for a real/live cabinet as a destination, support for the cabinet sims is globally removed from the signal + disabled across all patches (as it should be.) Other competing products at this time to not do this and kudos to Behringer for offering this logical, necessary functionality!
 
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#110
vamp_led.jpg


The Bass V-AMP Pro's face panel employs dozens upon dozens of individual red LEDs around its knobs, under buttons and in the center bezel area.

In a previous posts I mentioned how valuable these were to me both functionally and cosmetically. I also have stated that I think a future Bass V-AMP successor would really benefit aesthetically from a modern day face-lift. I am now rethinking this!

I have electronics in my home that contain red LEDs and 7-segment LED digit displays that are 30+ years old. These clocks, games + appliances are still fully functioning today. My old Atari 2600 video game system also still functions should I be in the mood for it. These items, most likely were assembled using common, inexpensive (a.k.a. "cheap") electronic components that most folks thought would never see life past the Reagan Administration. I would hate for the Bass V-AMP 2.0 to drop LEDs in favor of some fancy, back-lit, "other" technology, given their success with the unit and LEDs thus far. Why spoil a good thing?

Since the Bass V-AMP is not my only preamp, nor do I see myself using it for the rest of my life, it is nice to know it has a good chance of still being functional in the future. And while Behringer continues to sell it, and hopefully improve it, and hopefully with many LEDs, I would like to point out the only LED that they and others like Line 6 keep forgetting to include:

I think any unit featuring a compressor should have at least one LED with varying brightness to indicate when threshold/s are crossed and the signal is undergoing compression. It is a necessary feature and it's not like they couldn't spare another LED!
 
#112
CharlieC said:
Tip #16: Use Your Ears!

Forget for a moment that the Behringer Bass V-AMP Pro is manufactured by Behringer and sells for only $169

Use your ears on my "Amp Model Demos" page :-)

http://www.zinfanus.com/vamp

Cheers!
Click to expand...


There are obviously some good sounds coming out of this, good work.
 
#114
rpsands said:
I'm pretty interested in picking up one of these to replace my BBE 383 :) This makes me more so, but it's too bad you aren't a fingerstyle dude. Pick tones always sound so different to me.
Click to expand...

If you record your finger-style bass riffs DI-style into your PC and send them to me, I maybe will use them on my site and give you full credit :-)

I am really pleased with the results I get from the Bass V-AMP

Buy with confidence and return for a full refund if not 100% satisfied!
 
#117
I recently recorded some audio samples of SVT-style bass tones from 2 other popular bass products along with the Bass V-AMP Pro and put them all together on one page for easy comparative listening.

I am very impressed results and I am sure you may be as well.

Have a listen @ http://www.zinfanus.com/svt

In particular, this page will allow you to hear the difference between V-AMP tones both with and without its available "cabinet simulation" effects.
 
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#118
Hi all,

Just got my hands on a mint V-AMP bass pro and I suspect it might be the best 55 pounds I've ever spent on gear.. Followed Charlies advice in terms of basic setup - you're right it goes from sounding thin and over-processed to really quite nice..


I'm starting to use it with an ART X15 ultrafoot controller (MIDI) and although I can change models with it neither the expression or volume pedals appears to make any sense to the V-AMP.. They're clearly talking on the same channel.. Both pedals (and all the buttons) work fine on my Yamaha Motif and the X15 has been reset to factory defaults.. (Irony mode on) Having gone through the exhaustive (Irony mode off) MIDI documentation in the manual and found nothing of use either there or on the Behringer web site I'm kind of stuck.. Any ideas anyone?

Cheers


Mark
 
#119
markstuk said:
Just got my hands on a mint V-AMP bass pro and I suspect it might be the best 55 pounds I've ever spent on gear.. Followed Charlies advice in terms of basic setup - you're right it goes from sounding thin and over-processed to really quite nice..

I'm starting to use it with an ART X15 ultrafoot controller (MIDI) and although I can change models with it neither the expression or volume pedals appears to make any sense to the V-AMP.. They're clearly talking on the same channel.. Both pedals (and all the buttons) work fine on my Yamaha Motif and the X15 has been reset to factory defaults.. (Irony mode on) Having gone through the exhaustive (Irony mode off) MIDI documentation in the manual and found nothing of use either there or on the Behringer web site I'm kind of stuck.. Any ideas anyone?

Cheers

Mark
Click to expand...

Congrats, Mark!

To clarify: The V-AMP Pro unit weighs 6-pounds, the 55-pounds Mark mentions suggests that he may be from the UK where he paid $88 USD for it. :-)

Sorry, I cannot assist with the ART X15, but perhaps some MIDI guys on this thread can be of help, as I am not one of them. The only things on the floor in front of my bass rig are my feet, and I'm barely able to handle those while playing.

All the best!
 
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