Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM

[Heavy Dude]

Just wanted to give all B|AMP owners a quick update on a soon to be released firmware upgrade, version 4.50 and 4.50B. Based on some very helpful and insightful feedback from @Dragonlord and further input and testing from @husky123, all three effects, O/D, Dist1, and Dist2 have been updated. Also, as stated a while back, all menu timeouts have been increased by at least a factor of 2, giving the user more time to experiment with different settings without having the screen time out back to the home screen.

In addition, we have updated the Bluetooth firmware to now work with the newly released Airturn BT200S-2 and BT200S-4 pedals. These 2 and 4 switch pedals now have real foot switches, which will address those who felt the PED pedals membrane switches didn't exude confidence as to whether or not the switch was engaged. The 2 switch model will perform exactly like the current pedal in that pressing and holding the left and right pedals will toggle Mem3 and Mute respectively. The 4 switch version will assign Mem 3 to the 3rd switch and Mute to the 4th. So now Mem3 can be switched instantaneously like Mem1 and Mem2, giving a total of 4 scenes (including the home screen) for quick, on the fly switching between saved settings. If you already have our Dongle, you can purchase either of these pedals direct from Airturn or from one of their many dealers and just re-pair your dongle to the new pedal. Your PED pedal can easily be reallocated to a page turner for you or a band member by re-paring it to an ipad or similar device. And finally, some of you who liked to keep the dongle in the USB port when not using the pedal, experienced a "motorboat" type of sound, which was basically the dongle continuously searching for the pedal. With these latest firmware updates, the attempt to pair will time out after 1 minute of no pairing, eliminating this artifact.

Here's a link to the BT200S-4: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Hi Jim, looking forward to the new firmware and Footswitch, just a few questions.

Have you been testing the new footswitch with your dongle as it says on the bottom of the page you are linking to "Not compatible with Bluetooth Dongle devices" ?

I guess you will have to have firmware 4.50 to use it with the new footswitch, when will it be released ?

I`m just about to order the BT200S-4 so it would be nice to know.

I've got the old footswitch and dongle that I bought from you.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

Hi Jim, looking forward to the new firmware and Footswitch, just a few questions.

Have you been testing the new footswitch with your dongle as it says on the bottom of the page you are linking to "Not compatible with Bluetooth Dongle devices" ?

I guess you will have to have firmware 4.50 to use it with the new footswitch, when will it be released ?

I`m just about to order the BT200S-4 so it would be nice to know.

I've got the old footswitch and dongle that I bought from you.

My guess is that it's not directly compatible with BT dongle devices as is. We program our dongles and also have code in the B|AMP to communicate with these pedals via our programmed dongle. If you already have our dongle, you're all set. You would just need to re-pair your dongle with the new pedal as explained in our latest manual (it's available on our website for download if you need it). The 4.50 will be released very soon. If for some reason you get the pedal before I release the firmware, just email me at [email protected] and I will get it right over to you.

 

[Heavy Dude]

My guess is that it's not directly compatible with BT dongle devices as is. We program our dongles and also have code in the B|AMP to communicate with these pedals via our programmed dongle. If you already have our dongle, you're all set. You would just need to re-pair your dongle with the new pedal as explained in our latest manual (it's available on our website for download if you need it). The 4.50 will be released very soon. If for some reason you get the pedal before I release the firmware, just email me at [email protected] and I will get it right over to you.

Thanks Jim. I will.

Nils

 

[D Bowden]

I'm not quite sure what gave you that impression. It's a very versatile amp that can be used across all genres.There are certainly other amps that may be voiced towards one style that may get you there quicker, but I wouldn't look at the B/Amp, or forte' for that matter, as catering to any one particular style over another. Others can chime in here and share their experiences as well.

Agreed. I'm in a rock band, but I also play in a country band and a blues band. It sounds great in a 3 of those settings and I get a lot of compliments on my sound.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

Firmware versions 4.50 and 4.50B were emailed out today to all registered B|Amp owners. Please let me know at [email protected] if you did not receive them. Also make sure your amp is registered to be on the update list.
Thanks
Jim

 

[Kerplunk]

So the new firmware makes the first pedal redundant. Is that correct?

 

[Jim Bergantino]

So the new firmware makes the first pedal redundant. Is that correct?

Not sure what you mean by redundant. The new firmware will work with the first pedal as well as the newer BT200S series of AirTurn pedals. The newer pedals have the more traditional footswitches as opposed to the membrane switches of the original, which some players expressed concern about the lack of feel when engaging them. Both series of pedals will work with the new firmware combined with our dongle. Does this help or did I not understand your question.

 

[Kerplunk]

Wow. That was quick. You're awesome Jim. Yes, that was the information I needed.

Thanks. Loving the Bamp. It's a Bonza.

 

[iwearpumas]

Just wanna say that my Bamp and HDN410 sounded amazing last night.

 

[iwearpumas]

Just curious, do I need to use a brand new thumb drive to update my amp, or I can use one that already has data on it?

 

[tombowlus]

Just curious, do I need to use a brand new thumb drive to update my amp, or I can use one that already has data on it?

Feel free to re-use an old one.

 

[HD007]

I use a Forte amp and HDN112 cabinet, playing folk/bluesy-jazzy/"americana" music. Two guitars (one acoustic), mandolin/dobro, my elec. bass, no drums. The Forte/HDN112 amplify the sound of my bass: warm and clear. I don't use any distortion or effects other than a bit of compression (from the Forte).

Do you ever use the Forte as DI to a PA system? Sorry I'm sure this has been asked a lot but I haven't found it answered in my searches.

 

[jibass]

Yes a number of times. Sound people were very happy including pro sound team at Mondavi Center in Davis CA. My HDN112 was still in use on stage. Their PA system was incredible, board looked like a 747 instrument panel, some super duper stuff.

Do you ever use the Forte as DI to a PA system? Sorry I'm sure this has been asked a lot but I haven't found it answered in my searches.

 

[benhill1982]

Hi - late rejoining the BAmp party after a recent repurchase of a new one. Could someone please tell me the difference between 4.50 and 4.50B?

 

[Dragonlord]

Hi - late rejoining the BAmp party after a recent repurchase of a new one. Could someone please tell me the difference between 4.50 and 4.50B?

The B version asigns the aux volume knob as clean blend for the overdrive and distortion. If you don't use them then you don't need it, otherwise being able to keep the clean signal in the mix is a great feature.

 

[benhill1982]

Makes sense - I uploaded the B version and couldn't get any of the sounds firing (aux all the way down). Thanks for the info - pretty impressed with the voicing on the circuits so far.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

Quick update for B|AMP owners: We will be soon releasing a new firmware update with a VLPF in it. It will be on the filters screen next to the VHPF. What differentiates this from the VHPF is that it will also go to the DI, and the frequency will be saved as part of a memory/scene save. So, for instance, you can tame the upper harmonics of the distortions in one memory location by lowering the VLPF, and then for something like slapping, let the amp run higher up or even full range in another mem location. It will be variable from 1kHz to 9.5kHz in 500hz increments.

Based on some discussions with B|AMP owners, this feature will also come in handy, (similar to a cab simulator response), as it emulates the typical high end roll off of most speaker cabs given its rate, Q, and associated phase response. And given it goes to the DI, it can make it easier for the FOH to obtain a more realistic, mic'd speaker response, again similar to what one would get from a typical cab sim pedal. As for the headphones out, one tester found this feature invaluable in making the headphones sound more natural without hearing any annoying fret noises and other higher frequency artifacts.

If you're not registered, please do so, so you're on the list!
Jim

 

[husky123]

Quick update for B|AMP owners: We will be soon releasing a new firmware update with a VLPF in it. It will be on the filters screen next to the VHPF. What differentiates this from the VHPF is that it will also go to the DI, and the frequency will be saved as part of a memory/scene save. So, for instance, you can tame the upper harmonics of the distortions in one memory location by lowering the VLPF, and then for something like slapping, let the amp run higher up or even full range in another mem location. It will be variable from 1kHz to 9.5kHz in 500hz increments.

Based on some discussions with B|AMP owners, this feature will also come in handy, (similar to a cab simulator response), as it emulates the typical high end roll off of most speaker cabs given its rate, Q, and associated phase response. And given it goes to the DI, it can make it easier for the FOH to obtain a more realistic, mic'd speaker response, again similar to what one would get from a typical cab sim pedal. As for the headphones out, one tester found this feature invaluable in making the headphones sound more natural without hearing any annoying fret noises and other higher frequency artifacts.

If you're not registered, please do so, so you're on the list!
Jim

And the most versatile amp in the world gets even more versatile. Brilliant addition.

Guys, wait until you set and hear the new VLPF with the headphone out.

 

[SCT1422]

Looking forward to checking this out !!!

 

[Jim Bergantino]

One thing I want to mention regarding this firmware update is it will put the amp back to original factory settings. So if you have any special scenes saved in any of the memory slots or are using center frequencies and q's other than factory settings , please take a moment to write them down. This also includes compressor and effects settings. Sorry about any inconvenience but it shouldn't take too long to reenter your settings and the reward is the addition of the VLPF as described above.