Behringer V-Amp Pro Guitar Amp Modeling and Multi-Effects Processor Review

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(More customer reviews)With the V-amp line, Behringer guns for Line 6 modeling products market share in a big way. If more people find out what fun little boxes the V-amp and V-amp Pro are, they might become a serious threat.

The V-amp Pro is not quite as feature-packed as the Pod rackmount unit, but it's flexible enough and budget-priced.

To sum it up, the V-amp Pro is a modeling guitar pre-amp featuring 32 amplifier models, 16 cabinet models and 16 digital effects algorithms. It works in one of two "studio" modes or one of three "live" modes.

The interface is not particularly friendly, nor is it that terribly frustrating. The readout is a simple LED unit, and, as with many Behringer products, many functions are tucked behind a modifier button. Here it's "Tap/2nd Param". You also have to push the two bank select buttons simultaneously to access Edit mode. The knobs are "endless", that is, they can be spun limitlessly in either direction, but the settings can't be incremented/decremented past their highest/lowest settings, but their current levels can be stored in presets.

The amp models range in style from Fender-type clean/semi-dirty to face-melting high-gain. I consider the models reasonably faithful to their targets, but it's better to just think of the offerings as different types of tones, rather than expecting to get the equivalent of an Engl Savage for under two c-notes. The cabinet emulations offer a new set of tonal possibilities in conjunction with the amp models, and very noticeably affect the character of the sound you're sculpting. Pluses include the option to access a Presence control by pressing Tap/2nd param and turning the Treble knob. In Edit mode you also get a "drive" option which acts rather like a boost pedal (pre-gain).

The effects are not arbitrarily selectable nor are they infinitely tweakable, but you can get some useful sounds out of the sixteen algorithms (by algorithm I mean an effect or combination of two effects, such as Chorus+Compression, that you can choose, all others then being unavailable on that particular preset). I used the American Blues amp model and "Chorus+Delay1" to get a pretty dang lush clean tone. Of note here are the TWO effects loops: one pre-effects, one post-effects. You could, for example, run your dry pre-amp tone to a noise gate and EQ unit to get a basic tone, then run your sound-with-effects to additional effects units or something like a BBE Sonic Maximizer to add punch to your final output. There's even an option to bypass the pre-amp and use the V-amp Pro as simply an effects processor. Output options are generous and include stereo, unbalanced TRS (1/4 inch) outs and stereo, balanced (XLR) outs with ground lift switch. You also get a single stereo 1/4" AUX IN jack, two speaker outputs (120 watts mono @ 4 ohms or 2x60 watts stereo at 8 ohms), and ... S/PDIF and AES/EBU(digital) outputs (!). Wait, did you need a wordclock input? Got one FO ya, booyah. Oh yeah, and MIDI In and Out/Thru jacks (check out the Behringer FCB1010 Midi Foot Controller Board for a MIDI controller pretty much tailor-made for this gizmo).

Naturally, there's a headphone jack for private listening. And grouchy neighbors, hehe.

Get this, and a cheap, solid-state 15-watt practice amp with a CD Input jack to use a monitor/speaker, and jam on. It's a whole lotta fun for not a whole lotta bucks, and I'll bet one or two of those bucks that you'll a find a sound or two that you like.

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Product Description:
If a lack of money and floor space is all that's been standing between you and a collection of vintage guitar amps and effects pedals, get ready to love the rack-mountable V-AMP PRO. It comes loaded with 32 amp models, 15 speaker cabinet models and 16 classic effects.


Any Classic You Like
The V-AMP PRO's 32 amp models are organized into four groups: CLEAN, BLUES, METAL and ROCK. Just twist the dedicated dial to plug into unbelievably authentic simulations of the greatest British and American tube amps from the 1950s to today. You even get models of uncommon--yet renowned--boutique tube amps! When you select an amp model, a speaker cabinet model is automatically selected. But if you'd prefer a different model, just go to EDIT>CABINETS, then use the BANK UP/DOWN buttons to navigate through all 15 options.
Just like on an actual guitar amp, you've got a three-band EQ, GAIN, REVERB, VOLUME and MASTER VOLUME dials. By holding the TAP button, the TREBLE dial becomes a PRESENCE control. This enables the adjustment of a high-frequency filter that can add or remove a "shimmer" from the V-AMP PRO's tone.
Authentic simulations of the greatest British and American tube amps from the 1950s to today.
Stereo multi-effects including chorus, flanging, phasing, rotary, auto-wah, echo, delay, compressor and various effects combinations.
View rear connections. Click to enlarge.
Top Tone--In Full Effect
The V-AMP PRO gives you flanger, chorus, compression, delay and 12 other beautiful digital effects to apply to your sound. Adjust the effect's level in the mix via the EFFECTS dial. To adjust effect parameters, you can rhythmically press the TAP button to alter delay times or LFO speeds, or hold down the TAP button and twist the EFFECTS knob to access e.g. feedback or depth. By using a MIDI pedal, such as the BEHRINGER FCB1010, you can access an additional Wah Wah effect. You can adjust the filter characteristic by entering EDIT mode, selecting the DRIVE menu and turning the EFFECTS knob while holding the TAP button.
Presenting the Presets
All of these elements have been combined into 125 different presets divided into 25 banks, accessible through the BANK UP/ BANK DOWN buttons. Within each bank, you can press buttons A through E to explore its different presets. You can also create and save your own presets. Start by selecting a preset, then making any changes you wish: amp, EQ, effect, etc. The preset LED will begin to flash, indicating that the V-AMP PRO is ready to save your settings. To do this, hold the preset button down for about two seconds. Once the LED stops flashing, you have saved the modified preset. On top of all this, the V-AMP PRO also features a built-in tuner and noise gate. In essence, it's a Swiss Army Knife for the home recording enthusiast or gigging guitarist who can't seem to settle on one amp.
Stunning in the Studio
The V-AMP PRO features several configurations that make it an invaluable asset in the studio. Access the configuration menu by pressing the B and D buttons at the same time. Then use BANK UP and BANK DOWN to select a configuration.
When using headphones, the V-AMP PRO will switch into Studio Mode 1 (S1). This stereo mode works well for both monitoring and recording with effects, amp and speaker modeling. It doesn't apply the additional three-band EQ to the signal, but most recording programs--like energyXT2.5-- have their own EQ. In Studio Mode 2 (S2), the V-AMP PRO sends a signal with amp and speaker simulation, but only the right output has effects. You can either record both left and right outputs to separate tracks, or record the "dry" left output while monitoring the right output.
The V-AMP PRO features myriad routing options. It has a balanced XLR DI out with ground lift and switchable ULTRA-G cabinet simulation, post-DSP stereo inserts for connection o external effects, BNC wordclock input for externals sample rate synchronization up to 96 kHz. There are also AES/EBU and S/PDIF connectors so you can use the V-AMP PRO as an all-purpose audio-to-digital converter with 24-bit/96 kHz digital output.
Stellar on Stage
The V-AMP PRO has three live configurations. When performing live with this device, you can either run it to an amp on stage, run directly to the mixing board, or both. Live Mode 1 is the best choice for running the outputs directly to the mixer, because it applies amp and speaker simulation, effects and an additional 3-band EQ.
Use Live Mode 2 to run the V-AMP PRO into the effects return inputs of 2 different guitar amps. This configuration does not feature speaker simulation, allowing the amplifier's natural speaker sound to go unaltered. In this scenario, the amps would be mic'd on stage to get the sound to the house speakers, and having a dedicated monitor would be less important. In Live Mode 3, you can send the left output to an amp's eff ects return for onstage volume, while the right output sends signal to the main mixer for inclusion in the main house mix. Also note that you can press the TAP key while turning the GAIN knob to adjust the input sensitivity to match the output of your guitar's pickups. If the CLIP LED lights, the input's sensitivity should be reduced.
Veni, MIDI, Vici
The V-AMP PRO comes fully equipped to fit right into a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) setup. It can be controlled in real time from a computer, or via a MIDI foot controller during a live performance. Its MIDI connectors are international-standard 5-pin DIN connectors. You will need dedicated MIDI cables (not included).
The MIDI IN jack receives MIDI controller data. It can be adjusted in EDIT mode by pressing the A button and then using the arrow keys. MIDI OUT/THRU sends data to a computer. You can transmit both preset data and parameter changes. Some people even use the V-AMP as a remote control for parameters of their DAW or VST instruments, which is more handy than using the mouse alone. If set to MIDI THRU, the V-AMP 2 does not send its own MIDI information, but passes on the signal received at the MIDI IN connector.
What's in the Box
Behringer V-Amp Pro, Power Cable, User's manual

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