Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM

[Jim Bergantino]

Just wanted to let all B|AMP owners know they should have received firmware release 4.28C last night with the new distortion circuits. Also in the email you can respond and receive version 4.30G with the new Blend feature for mixing the clean and distortion signals. If your amp is registered and you did not receive this, please email me at [email protected] . If you're amp is not registered please do so, and you will receive the firmware upgrade very quickly. Understand there's no way for us to email anyone new firmware if we have no record of your email as a B|AMP owner.

I would also be remiss if I didn't thank Lee (husky123) and Greg at Rocket Music for their incredible support and commitment to this upgrade. Thanks again guys!

 

[Admiral Akbar]

I can't get this hooked up to my computer fast enough ..!

Too bad it's only 7:20 and everyone else is asleep in my house -- they will be awakened to the sound of my pbass with these new firmware updates!

 

[Jazz Ad]

I guess the 2 versions come because it wasn't possible to have a software setting to choose between fixed and variable blend ?

 

[husky123]

I guess the 2 versions come because it wasn't possible to have a software setting to choose between fixed and variable blend ?

Yes, if you choose 4.28 your aux input will continue as it always has to function as a volume for whatever device is hooked in.

If you choose 4.30, your aux knob will now become a blend (clean signal vs. distortion) on all 3 drives (overdrive, Dist1 and Dist2). Your aux input still functions but you'll have to rely on your device for input volume.

 

[Worldeeeter]

I have not been able to get any kind of overdrive from the O/D setting. With the drive at 13 and the volume at 10, it sounds completely clean. Dist1 and Dist2 both produce some breakup at those levels.
Is anyone else experiencing this, or any suggestions on what I can do to make the overdrive "overdrive"?

 

[Worldeeeter]

Where's the Aux/ Blend knob? If it's fully CCW then 100% clean is what you will get! ;-}

I just installed 4.28C, so the aux knob shouldn't matter, should it? That being said, it's at 1:00; far from fully CCW.

 

[Worldeeeter]

Also, don't mean to be redundant, but make sure the effect is turned on in the screen of the effect you are trying to use. The format hasn't changed at all in verions 4.28C, and in Version 4.30G you just have the added benefit of a blend.

Hope this helps!

It seems to give me a little bit of OD when I turn up the gain, but the limiter is lighting up. I may try version 4.30G to see if it yields different results. Thanks, Jim!

 

[Jim Bergantino]

It seems to give me a little bit of OD when I turn up the gain, but the limiter is lighting up. I may try version 4.30G to see if it yields different results. Thanks, Jim!

In version 4.30G, with the Blend fully CW, you will get the original O/D with some minor tweaks. In version 4.28C, the O/D will seem a bit more subtle because it has some clean mixed in with it and maybe that's what you're hearing. I probably should have been more clear on the changes. Sorry about any confusion.

 

[CryingBass]

In version 4.30G, with the Blend fully CW, you will get the original O/D. In version 4.28C, the O/D will seem a bit more subtle because it has some clean mixed in with it and maybe that's what you're hearing. I probably should have been more clear on the changes. Sorry about any confusion.

Jim, being a software guy I can really appreciate your guy's work. What a great product. Looking forward to using one thru my 2xNV115's! However, I personally would be willing to pay $500+ more for a model with a couple of more assignable knobs and less importantly maybe a little more umph.
Are you thinking about a BonSteriods model for the future?

 

[Jim Bergantino]

Jim, being a software guy I can really appreciate your guy's work. What a great product. Looking forward to using one thru my 2xNV115's! However, I personally would be willing to pay $500+ more for a model with a couple of more assignable knobs and less importantly maybe a little more umph.
Are you thinking about a BonSteriods model for the future?

To be honest, I haven't had time to think that far ahead. Time will tell though! ;-}

 

[CryingBass]

To be honest, I haven't had time to think that far ahead. Time will tell though! ;-}

Chill and think about it. Over a cold beer, I suggest... ( no doubt you've earned one )

 

[only4]

I love this amp anyway but after installing firmware 4.30 the added blend control is the icing on the cake, brilliant!

 

[husky123]

I love this amp anyway but after installing firmware 4.30 the added blend control is the icing on the cake, brilliant!

I felt the same way. It's given my drive tone so much more control. With the flexible EQ section, I can pretty much get any drive tone I need. In fact, now I leave my drive "on" with the blend control full CCW for my clean tone. When I want drive, I just dial up the right amount via the new blend knob.

If I need drive in the middle of a song, I can always use the footswitch for that. So many options on which way you can personally set your amp up.

 

[RocketMusic]

Just wanted to let all B|AMP owners know they should have received firmware release 4.28C last night with the new distortion circuits. Also in the email you can respond and receive version 4.30G with the new Blend feature for mixing the clean and distortion signals. If your amp is registered and you did not receive this, please email me at [email protected] . If you're amp is not registered please do so, and you will receive the firmware upgrade very quickly. Understand there's no way for us to email anyone new firmware if we have no record of your email as a B|AMP owner.

I would also be remiss if I didn't thank Lee (husky123) and Greg at Rocket Music for their incredible support and commitment to this upgrade. Thanks again guys!

I got to use the new distortion effects at an outdoor festival last night. Holy Guacamole!!! I play a Lull P4 w/ La Bella flats, and I was thrilled to hear myself with such clarity and authority.

Prior to this most recent version, I used to have my B|Amp setup with 3 different settings: pure clean on the "home" settings, a mild overdrive in Mem1 and a heavier distortion in Mem2. In reality, I never used the distortion live. I tended to flip between the "home" clean sound and the overdrive/Mem1 setting.

In the days running up to last night's gig, I was getting more and more excited about the new blendable distortion effect as Jim worked on a variety of tweaks to it. I loved the general character of the distortion effect, it really sounded great... but I wasn't feeling as much low end power and punch as I had hoped when blending in some clean with the distortion. The low end was there, but it was a little mushy/indistinct sounding. Jim and I went round and round trying different things in different parts of his circuit, and we finally nailed it after two half days of constant contact.

As soon as I hung up the phone for the last time on Friday, I changed my Mem1 settings to Dist1 with Gain @ 1 and Volume @ 12 or 13. That's my new "overdrive" sound. Mem2 got Dist1 with Gain @ 7 and Volume at 7, and that's my new grungy/really dirty sound. I run the new blend control around noon or 1 o'clock.

On the gig last night, I just went back and forth between those Mem1 and Mem2 settings all night long. This band is doing Allman Brothers/Little Feat sort of stuff, so having a little hair (or a lot) on the signal is perfect for these tunes.

My two new settings sound like an incredible tube amp being pushed a little or a lot. I got a lot of rave reviews about my tone last night from guys in the band and complete strangers in the crowd. And I know that I was personally smiling the entire 2 hours I was playing.

Many thanks to Jim for his time and talents, the B|Amp, the software tweaks, and the NV-610 cab. I love it all!

 

[Jim Bergantino]

I got to use the new distortion effects at an outdoor festival last night. Holy Guacamole!!! I play a Lull P4 w/ La Bella flats, and I was thrilled to hear myself with such clarity and authority.

Prior to this most recent version, I used to have my B|Amp setup with 3 different settings: pure clean on the "home" settings, a mild overdrive in Mem1 and a heavier distortion in Mem2. In reality, I never used the distortion live. I tended to flip between the "home" clean sound and the overdrive/Mem1 setting.

In the days running up to last night's gig, I was getting more and more excited about the new blendable distortion effect as Jim worked on a variety of tweaks to it. I loved the general character of the distortion effect, it really sounded great... but I wasn't feeling as much low end power and punch as I had hoped when blending in some clean with the distortion. The low end was there, but it was a little mushy/indistinct sounding. Jim and I went round and round trying different things in different parts of his circuit, and we finally nailed it after two half days of constant contact.

As soon as I hung up the phone for the last time on Friday, I changed my Mem1 settings to Dist1 with Gain @ 1 and Volume @ 12 or 13. That's my new "overdrive" sound. Mem2 got Dist1 with Gain @ 7 and Volume at 7, and that's my new grungy/really dirty sound. I run the new blend control around noon or 1 o'clock.

On the gig last night, I just went back and forth between those Mem1 and Mem2 settings all night long. This band is doing Allman Brothers/Little Feat sort of stuff, so having a little hair (or a lot) on the signal is perfect for these tunes.

My two new settings sound like an incredible tube amp being pushed a little or a lot. I got a lot of rave reviews about my tone last night from guys in the band and complete strangers in the crowd. And I know that I was personally smiling the entire 2 hours I was playing.

Many thanks to Jim for his time and talents, the B|Amp, the software tweaks, and the NV-610 cab. I love it all!

Made my day. Actually weekend!;-} It's one thing to hear it in a controlled setting, but to hear that it translated into a live setting and sounded like an "incredible tube amp being pushed..." is great to hear! Thanks again for your's and Lee's patience and enthusiasm in helping fine tune the distortion. You both have been a big help in making a lot of B|AMP owners very happy!

 

[Juan Lauda]

I'm finding this new assignment for the AUX volume dial very handy. As for the new tweaks to the distortions... wow! The Overdrive was my default choice for a bit of 'hair' in my sound, but now the Dist 1 is incredibly useful now I can blend some clean into it on the fly.
And thanks Jim for the quick update to get the tuner back up and running with V4.31!

 

[husky123]

The new distortions have a nice edge to them. They are bright, focused and punchy as they sit but can be dialed back for some nice old school whoop ass too. That's the great thing about having so much EQ power, your tone is really up to you and your tweaks.

BTW, if you run tweeters and like drive, try Dist1. It may be better suited for that sound. If you like the NV series or tweeterless cabs, Dist2 may very well be your flavor.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

I'm finding this new assignment for the AUX volume dial very handy. As for the new tweaks to the distortions... wow! The Overdrive was my default choice for a bit of 'hair' in my sound, but now the Dist 1 is incredibly useful now I can blend some clean into it on the fly.
And thanks Jim for the quick update to get the tuner back up and running with V4.31!

Glad to hear you're enjoying the new distortions. And sorry about the turner issue in 4.30. I inadvertently changed the tuner gain in the DSP when redoing the distortion circuits.

This also effected version 4.28C and I will be getting version 4.29 out shortly to all registered B|AMP owners. If you're using 4.31 you can just ignore it. If you're using 4.28C and plan on continuing to use 4.28C, please install 4.29. If you would like Version 4.31 with the Aux knob as a Clean/Effects blend, just respond with "Version 4.31" in the subject line and I will email the file to you.

 

[kjones]

I had a cool demonstration of the effect of gain on the OD on the B.

In the show I'm doing right now, for the majority of the time I'm mostly using a pretty typical setting for me, which is a middling setting on the OD, and I get a fairly clean sound with just a little bit of growl underneath. Now, I do play with a lot of control during the show, and pull it back a lot when the actors are singing.

After the show, this young up and coming actor came up out of the audience and felt compelled to high five everyone in the band (8 pieces). He then wanted to sing something with us, and of all things he chose "Another One Bites the Dust." Because we were just having fun rocking out, I played much harder and it was hilarious how much more overdrive there was in the sound-I mean really driven tube kind of sound (like when I was a kid and turned my Bassman 100 up to 10).

Yet it had sounded so clean-ish with just a bit of a lighter touch for the show. It's a brilliant tool that I'm still thrilled to be using every time I turn it on.

 

[rodl2005]

Yep. I found this with the previous "dirty-up" drives and distortions that @Jim Bergantino and @husky123 sent me to upload. They're sweet. ..nicely touch sensitive etc. .. I've got the new ones from Jim's email ... but haven't loaded them into the B|Amp yet. Well, I haven't even put em into my USB drive either yet. Busy week. Looking forward to doing so tho.