Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM

[chria]

We're acutally working with Airturn and utilizing their PED pedal, which we've programmed to work with our software via a bluetooth dongle, plugged into the B|AMP's USB port.

You mean Jim that we will buy the airturn ped as hardware?

 

[Dragonlord]

Actually, after further research, is there a reason why you chose the PED over the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] , other than cost and maybe size (which seems similar anyway)? I found this reply by AirTurn on the differences between the two pedals:


What is the difference between the ped and the duo?
Answer:
Both are Bluetooth wireless foot controllers with two foot switches that are assignable to many different functions depending on the app. The DUO works with just about any Bluetooth equipped computer/tablet and app that is written for it. It will work with most office type apps on PC and MAC. The PED is limited to computers and tablets with Bluetooth SMART READY feature or BLE or Bluetooth 4.0.
The DUO has a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that will last about 100 hours on a charge and can be charged over 2500 times. The PED uses a disposable lithium watch battery that lasts about 6 months to a year in use.
In general, the PED is our more entry-level, low cost controller that is recommended for practicing musicians. The DUO is our more durable pedal that we recommend for professional musicians or those who will be using the pedals very often.
By AirTurn SELLER on January 4, 2016


Personally, I do like the rechargeable battery on the DUO, and it also seems like it might have a more familiar feel... It is $30 more, but it might be a nice upgrade compared to the PED (which seems fine on its own right).

 

[husky123]

The Bluetooth pedal is up and running. I will be able to give a more accurate release date in the not too distant future. It took longer than anticipated since we had to work thru newer revs of the ucontroller's firmware which supported the bluetooth and then bring all our existing code up to the current rev as well. For bluetooth pedal users, I'm planning on adding a 3rd memory location which will only be switchable thru the pedal. BTW, this is not meant to slight non pedal users. There's just no user friendly way to implement it with the B|AMP's front panel controls. I know, we fell short...sorry to disappoint! ;-}

Wow, the extra memory slot is huge and a nice surprise. Thanks for that!

 

[Jim Bergantino]

You mean Jim that we will buy the airturn ped as hardware?

We will be selling the PED and Dongle together as a pre-paired "pair"

 

[Jim Bergantino]

Wow, the extra memory slot is huge and a nice surprise. Thanks for that!

Where planning on letting you create a 3rd tone "scene" and saving it by pressing the Mem1 and Mem2 buttons simultaneaously. Then you will be able to recall it from the pedal by pushing and holding the left pedal. Both the Mem1 and Mem2 Led's will illuminate to indicate you're in the 3rd memory scene.

 

[husky123]

Where planning on letting you create a 3rd tone "scene" and saving it by pressing the Mem1 and Mem2 buttons simultaneaously. Then you will be able to recall it from the pedal by pushing and holding the left pedal. Both the Mem1 and Mem2 Led's will illuminate to indicate you're in the 3rd memory scene.

I was just going to ask if there will be visual indication that you're in the third scene. Man, that's excellent.

 

[Edgar]

I have heard through John about this and given the amp was dropped and the Protect light comes on and stays on, I would highly recommend you send the amp back to us. The only part of the amp which would trigger the Protect light is the ICE module itself. Please don't attempt to fix it or open the amp up. I will turn it around very quickly for your friend.

Quick turn around?

The B|Amp was back on stage last night.

 

[bucephylus]

Actually, after exploring this further, I may be able to pull it off with the existing hardware. I will let you know...

Jim, this would be a killer update; IF you can figure out how to do it.

The ONLY pedal I have used in recent memory was the footswitch for the GK MBE150-112 combo. On that one, the two switches toggled a solo level and a nice chorus. Both were pretty useful. Being able to switch the effects loop in and out would allow that kind of choice. Having a third memory location would really open things happen.

What a fantastic amp. Thank you!

 

[Jim Bergantino]

Jim, this would be a killer update; IF you can figure out how to do it.

The ONLY pedal I have used in recent memory was the footswitch for the GK MBE150-112 combo. On that one, the two switches toggled a solo level and a nice chorus. Both were pretty useful. Being able to switch the effects loop in and out would allow that kind of choice. Having a third memory location would really open things happen.

What a fantastic amp. Thank you!

It can be done. Just need to allocate the time but it shouldn't be too long. Hopefully with the release of the pedal or soon there after.

 

[chadds]

2 years ago I was enjoying my IP310. I did last night as well it is still the bomb

I'd never hold a musician to just playing his older work nor would I want that for a great designer like Jim! Meanwhile the IP series continues to amaze and fulfill my needs. I've mentioned elsewhere that engineers keep wanting to mic the IP310. I never thought I could use one cab outside without FOH support and deliver clarity and warmth and punch. In the past at best I'd compromise with loud enough but distorted tone. With FOH it's onstage tone rocks my fellow musicians so that we all are enjoying delivering our best.

What do they say here on TB? Jim has discontinued more great designs than other companies have made. (Paraphrase)

 

[Dragonlord]

So... will we be able to use the pedal like a regular AirTurn for other applications too, or will it be modified and "locked"?
Any chance of being able to order/use the Duo instead?

 

[husky123]

Heeeeeelloooooo everyone, just wanted to check in and update the thread. My honeymoon phase with the B|Amp is officially over and married life has never been better baybee! Something that I never thought would happen, happened after running from the alter.

The B|Amp has ousted all my other amps (and have a lot...not quite @tombowlus a lot, but a lot) and currently sits on top of the mountaintop. The B|Amp has really spoiled my ear with its unbelievable clarity. Not sterile clarity mind you, I'm talking crystal clear, ringing notes the slice and cut through like greased butter. Amps that, a couple weeks ago were seemingly clear, suddenly sound murky when directly A/B'd to the mighty little B|Amp.

The OD circuit is turning out to be a super useful tool as well for adding just more the right amount of hair/grit/grind to liven up the tone. I could really go on and on but most in here know what I'm talking about. I'm just giddy with excitement.

I guess one potential downside is this amp has the ability to expose poor technique. Thank goodness Jim has given me 4 semi-parametric bands to attentuate that if need be.

The B and I are off to a couple of gigs this weekend. My biggest decision is NV212 or 412 because I definitely know what amp is getting the call.

 

[husky123]

Hey there everyone,

I wanted to share some exciting news. I've had the fortune over the last couple of weeks to work very closely with Jim, lend him my ear and help him develop the next set of drive circuits. First off, why was I chosen? Simply put, I asked. Being in 4 bands (1 original and 3 cover) I have the opportunity to practice, rehearse and gig out very often. I'm also a firefighter which translates into…I have a lot of time on my hands and, I think, Jim wanted to take advantage of that.

Jim really gave me complete liberties to start from scratch. One thing I didn't want to change was his overdrive circuit. I'm a tube guy and I really think his existing OD does an incredible job of capturing that vibe….from soft clip purr of a push preamp to the sag of power section at song. However, the approach to the two distortions were somewhat different.

For the first circuit (I'll call it Dist1 for now), we wanted to capitalize on the clean punch of the fundamental not getting lost when you engage the distortion. So that's really what it emphasizes…the clean. As you turn up the drive the harmonics continue to get louder and well as the clean. There is a balance that you can definitely get with the drive and volume but think of distortion 1 as really emphasizing the clean tone much like a good studio two track on bass engineer may in a recording scenario. You have all that fundamental and the "dirt" just adds some nice life and harmonic complexity to the tone. An example of this would be the bass tone in this video. I think it captures perfectly what Dist1 can do at a mild setting. It can get much hairier though if needed, trust me.

Distortion 1 example:



I've tested this numerous times in the band context and, the way Jim has designed this drive circuit, you lose ZERO low end when you add the dirt…..as in nada.

For the second circuit, we wanted to get a little more in the fuzz territory without going full fuzz. More of the high end of the gain being like a Beastie Boys "Sabotage" style. The lower drive setting of (we'll call this Dist2) 2nd circuit can sound more like this P bass in this Big Data song. Just wanted to give you these songs for frames of reference.

Distortion 2 examples:





With Jim's Dist2, both these tones are easily achievable. It can go from very mild to flat nasty and killing small animals at 50 feet, etc. The exciting thing about this drive as well is there is really no loss in low end. Dist2 definitely does emphasize the distortion leg more but there is plenty of clean tone mixed in so when you "step on it" it's not a "bass be gone" situation. Plenty of presence and fundamental in the mix.

I'm super excited for all three circuits. You really have 3 distinctly different circuits that go from mild, pushed tube to wild all out jagged gnarliness. But all 3 of these circuits have a workmanlike approach to being totally useable in the mix. The over the top fuzz, etc. is going to have to be attained by using a pedal, etc. Remember, we're talking about the simplicity of a 2 knob overdrive. Certainly some compromises had to be made but I cannot wait until you guys hear these new distortions.

That in concert with the other firmware upgrades like bluetooth footswitch, 3 memory slots, overlapping semi-parametric EQ, etc. just make the B|Amp such a winner. The pedalboard has been staying at home lately. Bass>Amp>Speakers

Again, I'm very honored to have participated in this project and really hope you guys like the direction that the new distortion circuits went. I tried to play them with as many passive and active basses that I could (J's, P's, Spector's, Yamaha's, etc on and on) through a variety of different cabinets and headphones. Realize all basses react a little differently to drive but there should be enough adjustability to get some great tones from every bass on the planet.

I'm sure Jim can chime in on the more technical stuff if he wants. I pretty much just lent him my ear and thoughts over the last couple of weeks. The process was just mind blowing actually. I'd give him feedback, either via email or phone and I have another file to try in about 5 minutes. At one point, when something wasn't quite right, Jim sent me another in the middle of a gig and I did a "hot swap". Just amazing. Jim has been such a pleasure to work with. As most of you know (and I found out), he lives, eats, sleeps and breathes this stuff…..weekends, late night, it didn't matter…he was tweaking. It was honestly like having my own personal distortion wizard on retainer.

 

[Trailight]

I had the pleasure of playing through the Bergantino products last year at NAMM. The cabs were by far the nicest not to mention lightest cabs I've played through. Some cabs are made with some extra mojo and these ones definitely do! Looking forward to hearing what you guys are developing.

 

[husky123]

Hey there everyone,

I wanted to share some exciting news. I've had the fortune over the last couple of weeks to work very closely with Jim, lend him my ear and help him develop the next set of drive circuits. First off, why was I chosen? Simply put, I asked. Being in 4 bands (1 original and 3 cover) I have the opportunity to practice, rehearse and gig out very often. I'm also a firefighter which translates into…I have a lot of time on my hands and, I think, Jim wanted to take advantage of that.

Jim really gave me complete liberties to start from scratch. One thing I didn't want to change was his overdrive circuit. I'm a tube guy and I really think his existing OD does an incredible job of capturing that vibe….from soft clip purr of a push preamp to the sag of power section at song. However, the approach to the two distortions were somewhat different.

For the first circuit (I'll call it Dist1 for now), we wanted to capitalize on the clean punch of the fundamental not getting lost when you engage the distortion. So that's really what it emphasizes…the clean. As you turn up the drive the harmonics continue to get louder and well as the clean. There is a balance that you can definitely get with the drive and volume but think of distortion 1 as really emphasizing the clean tone much like a good studio two track on bass engineer may in a recording scenario. You have all that fundamental and the "dirt" just adds some nice life and harmonic complexity to the tone. An example of this would be the bass tone in this video. I think it captures perfectly what Dist1 can do at a mild setting. It can get much hairier though if needed, trust me.



I've tested this numerous times in the band context and, the way Jim has designed this drive circuit, you lose ZERO low end when you add the dirt…..as in nada.

For the second circuit, we wanted to get a little more in the fuzz territory without going full fuzz. More of the high end of the gain being like a Beastie Boys "Sabotage" style. The lower drive setting of (we'll call this Dist2) 2nd circuit can sound more like this P bass in this Big Data song. Just wanted to give you these songs for frames of reference.





With Jim's Dist2, both these tones are easily achievable. It can go from very mild to flat nasty and killing small animals at 50 feet, etc. The exciting thing about this drive as well is there is really no loss in low end. Dist2 definitely does emphasize the distortion leg more but there is plenty of clean tone mixed in so when you "step on it" it's not a "bass be gone" situation. Plenty of presence and fundamental in the mix.

I'm super excited for all three circuits. You really have 3 distinctly different circuits that go from mild, pushed tube to wild all out jagged gnarliness. But all 3 of these circuits have a workmanlike approach to being totally useable in the mix. The over the top fuzz, etc. is going to have to be attained by using a pedal, etc. Remember, we're talking about the simplicity of a 2 knob overdrive. Certainly some compromises had to be made but I cannot wait until you guys hear these new distortions.

That in concert with the other firmware upgrades like bluetooth footswitch, 3 memory slots, overlapping semi-parametric EQ, etc. just make the B|Amp such a winner. The pedalboard has been staying at home lately. Bass>Amp>Speakers

Again, I'm very honored to have participated in this project and really hope you guys like the direction that the new distortion circuits went. I tried to play them with as many passive and active basses that I could (J's, P's, Spector's, Yamaha's, etc on and on) through a variety of different cabinets and headphones. Realize all basses react a little differently to drive but there should be enough adjustability to get some great tones from every bass on the planet.

I'm sure Jim can chime in on the more technical stuff if he wants. I pretty much just lent him my ear and thoughts over the last couple of weeks. The process was just mind blowing actually. I'd give him feedback, either via email or phone and I have another file to try in about 5 minutes. At one point, when something wasn't quite right, Jim sent me another in the middle of a gig and I did a "hot swap". Just amazing. Jim has been such a pleasure to work with. As most of you know (and I found out), he lives, eats, sleeps and breathes this stuff…..weekends, late night, it didn't matter…he was tweaking. It was honestly like having my own personal distortion wizard on retainer.

Looking at my post "I" sure did use "I" a lot and don't want to seem like I'm bigtiming this. I know there are a number of people that help test these circuits…just giving you my point of view.

 

[kevk]

Great to hear @husky123 ...

I just got back into the B|Amp family, and really liking the current OD...imo, it's spot on, as is! "If it ain't broke..." as they say, so glad to hear that's not being touched.

As to Jim...he's simply amazing with support! It's one thing to stand behind your products...but his eagerness to improve his product, and listen to players (seemingly 24/7)...is an entirely different level of incredible support!

Jim, I'm sure it's given you (more?) gray hair, but we do appreciate it!

 

[bebass]

Hey there everyone,

I wanted to share some exciting news. I've had the fortune over the last couple of weeks to work very closely with Jim, lend him my ear and help him develop the next set of drive circuits. First off, why was I chosen? Simply put, I asked. Being in 4 bands (1 original and 3 cover) I have the opportunity to practice, rehearse and gig out very often. I'm also a firefighter which translates into…I have a lot of time on my hands and, I think, Jim wanted to take advantage of that.

Jim really gave me complete liberties to start from scratch. One thing I didn't want to change was his overdrive circuit. I'm a tube guy and I really think his existing OD does an incredible job of capturing that vibe….from soft clip purr of a push preamp to the sag of power section at song. However, the approach to the two distortions were somewhat different.

For the first circuit (I'll call it Dist1 for now), we wanted to capitalize on the clean punch of the fundamental not getting lost when you engage the distortion. So that's really what it emphasizes…the clean. As you turn up the drive the harmonics continue to get louder and well as the clean. There is a balance that you can definitely get with the drive and volume but think of distortion 1 as really emphasizing the clean tone much like a good studio two track on bass engineer may in a recording scenario. You have all that fundamental and the "dirt" just adds some nice life and harmonic complexity to the tone. An example of this would be the bass tone in this video. I think it captures perfectly what Dist1 can do at a mild setting. It can get much hairier though if needed, trust me.

Distortion 1 example:



I've tested this numerous times in the band context and, the way Jim has designed this drive circuit, you lose ZERO low end when you add the dirt…..as in nada.

For the second circuit, we wanted to get a little more in the fuzz territory without going full fuzz. More of the high end of the gain being like a Beastie Boys "Sabotage" style. The lower drive setting of (we'll call this Dist2) 2nd circuit can sound more like this P bass in this Big Data song. Just wanted to give you these songs for frames of reference.

Distortion 2 examples:





With Jim's Dist2, both these tones are easily achievable. It can go from very mild to flat nasty and killing small animals at 50 feet, etc. The exciting thing about this drive as well is there is really no loss in low end. Dist2 definitely does emphasize the distortion leg more but there is plenty of clean tone mixed in so when you "step on it" it's not a "bass be gone" situation. Plenty of presence and fundamental in the mix.

I'm super excited for all three circuits. You really have 3 distinctly different circuits that go from mild, pushed tube to wild all out jagged gnarliness. But all 3 of these circuits have a workmanlike approach to being totally useable in the mix. The over the top fuzz, etc. is going to have to be attained by using a pedal, etc. Remember, we're talking about the simplicity of a 2 knob overdrive. Certainly some compromises had to be made but I cannot wait until you guys hear these new distortions.

That in concert with the other firmware upgrades like bluetooth footswitch, 3 memory slots, overlapping semi-parametric EQ, etc. just make the B|Amp such a winner. The pedalboard has been staying at home lately. Bass>Amp>Speakers

Again, I'm very honored to have participated in this project and really hope you guys like the direction that the new distortion circuits went. I tried to play them with as many passive and active basses that I could (J's, P's, Spector's, Yamaha's, etc on and on) through a variety of different cabinets and headphones. Realize all basses react a little differently to drive but there should be enough adjustability to get some great tones from every bass on the planet.

I'm sure Jim can chime in on the more technical stuff if he wants. I pretty much just lent him my ear and thoughts over the last couple of weeks. The process was just mind blowing actually. I'd give him feedback, either via email or phone and I have another file to try in about 5 minutes. At one point, when something wasn't quite right, Jim sent me another in the middle of a gig and I did a "hot swap". Just amazing. Jim has been such a pleasure to work with. As most of you know (and I found out), he lives, eats, sleeps and breathes this stuff…..weekends, late night, it didn't matter…he was tweaking. It was honestly like having my own personal distortion wizard on retainer.

WoW! This is great! Jim, you chose a really great player who knows his stuff about live tone.
@husky123, thanks for taking the time to add your ear to this development process. Exciting stuff!

 

[Jim Bergantino]

This latest effort has been a lot of fun and actually very enlightening! Lee was awesome to work with. In fact, I don't think he sleeps! ;-} He kept me up all night insisting I send him more firmware updates until I got it right, and then like a rooster in heat (if that's even possible ;-}), would wake me up at the crack of dawn looking for more updates...what a slave driver!

Anyway, I hope B|AMP owners enjoy the efforts that went into making these 2 new distortion patches. I would also be remiss if I didn't say a big Thank You to all the others like JoeP, Mungi, Greg (Rocket Music) - he's such a PITA btw, doesn't tolerate any of my excuses!, Steve, KJones and all others who helped make the B|AMP the amp it is today with your enthusiastic support and your incredible sense of pride in being part of the process!

 

[Ryan L.]

Well, that does it. After reading this thread (yes, all of it), exchanging PMs with Greg, and watching the YouTube videos, I need one of these.

Now to decide on which cab(s).......

 

[Dragonlord]

Quick question, the friend who's shipping it to me says it was marked 120V, whereas the manual states it's 110-240V safe without any change. Was this just to indicate what cable is included? I can just replace it with a european cable and turn it on, right?