octoruss
New member
Interesting thought chessrock---I'm going to try this out. Thanks.
Markd102
New member
They hiss here whether you've got a cord pluged in or not.
B
blipndub
New member
I've found that the master volume defaults to painful levels and pulling that down brings background noise down considerably.
I use mine mostly as an effects loop in my mixer/pc board and it's fine, but sometimes if that volume (or one of them or both or whatever) sneaks up it's really really loud. Louder with my Tele than my humbucking Hamer too.
I use mine mostly as an effects loop in my mixer/pc board and it's fine, but sometimes if that volume (or one of them or both or whatever) sneaks up it's really really loud. Louder with my Tele than my humbucking Hamer too.
octoruss
New member
I find that I needed to keep the master volume up high to get a decent signal, even when I run it into my dbx386 preamp. If you keep the master down, how do you get an adequate signal?
B
blipndub
New member
I guess it's probably not the master, it's the left on on the front of the vamp, maybe it's like a post-gain more than a master.
In any case I balance out the volume with boosts from my mixer if it's short.
In any case I balance out the volume with boosts from my mixer if it's short.
G
gelon
New member
The V-Amp really isn't noisy at all, not if you diddle the parameters correctly. In fact, the noise floor on the sucker is way lower than it is on most, if not all, of the tube amps modeled.
I'd read some other complaints on noise, but after working with mine, with very little effort, I'd have to conclude that the problems are attributable to either some bad units or operator error. Spend some time with it. Experience with real tube amps is also a help in setting parameters. Gelon
I'd read some other complaints on noise, but after working with mine, with very little effort, I'd have to conclude that the problems are attributable to either some bad units or operator error. Spend some time with it. Experience with real tube amps is also a help in setting parameters. Gelon
B
blipndub
New member
gelon said:
Interesting. What kind of lessons have you learned?
G
gamut1
New member
I have an upgraded Vamp1... and it was very noisy... but I moved it across the room and away from the monitor like a few others said... made a big difference.... its noise levels are passable now... I think it has some great tones.... can't beat it for the price... good luck.
G
gelon
New member
Is that a serious question? Shall I list the tube amps I have owned/do own, and problems/benefits, or are you just trying to take the piss outta me? The biggest plus I see is that the sucker is easier on your back (my Twins weigh around 100 lbs each). Used to be that studio players had to hire a U-Haul to schlepp their amps to a session - many still do - and this is a very acceptable, economical alternative. For 130 bills, I can't understand why anyone's bitchin'!blipndub said:
And in reference to an earlier post on this thread, about Rip Rowan saying something to the effect of the need to move cardboard, it was Jimmy Page who said you "need to move some air" - probably back when Rip was in diapers...G.
darrin_h2000
Banned
This is the rack forum isnt it.
Get a noise gate?!?!
Get a noise gate?!?!
G
gelon
New member
It's got one...
B
blipndub
New member
No offense bro,
I just wondered if you meant experience with eq-ing, post-gain, etc. Just hoping you would clarify and share your insights a little more.
I just wondered if you meant experience with eq-ing, post-gain, etc. Just hoping you would clarify and share your insights a little more.
G
gelon
New member
No offense taken. (I just sometimes find less-than-serious responses to posts on this BB - think we've all found more of that than we'd like...).
Yeah, EQ on tube amps would be part of what I was talkin' about - like where to set the presence levels to shape tones, especially on the British amps (I think the JTM 45 model on the V-Amp is VERY convincing), or cutting back on highs when using the dual rectifier models. It's stuff you learn on the amps that help you when you're trying to simulate their sounds on boxes like the Pod or V-Amp.
I think anyone with an ear will get good results, but having played different types of tube amps (with lots of cabs and speaker combinations) gives you a great reference point. My point was, that someone without that experience may be missing something and may not be giving the unit (V-Amp) a fair review, and is probably being overly critical of its noise floor. (Most of the amps I've used were pretty noisy mothers, especially when pushed for gain with single coils under stage lights.)
If someone doesn't have much time on tube amps, then they'll have to have an ear for tone. As an example: try to cop Jimmy Page's tone on "Good Times, Bad Times" (which I believe he did with an old, small Supro and a Tele) - it's there; I found it pretty quickly (don't ask me what the parameters were...); or Eric Clapton's tone on "Crossroads", or his sound when he played with Mayall (JTM 45 with the Paul); or Eric Johnson's tone on "Cliffs of Dover" (think most of that was his Dumble and 335 - and the two Dumble models on the V-Amp are pretty good, considering that probably no two sound alike).
If you've got a picker whose tone you really admire, pull one of their tracks up on your monitors (or through the V-Amp's Aux In jacks - great idea!) and see if you can cop it. It's good to know what kind of pickups and amp were used, but let your ear do the rest. Forget the effects until you've got the tone (you may need some compression to shape the tone, but most over-driven tube circuits do that anyway, so if you're working on that kind of sound, don't compress too much, if at all). Apropos compression, a lot of players will compress the guitar signal before the tube amp (i.e. pre pre, ya know?), which doesn't allow the tubes to do the "musical", overtone compression that makes tube amps so sweet.
This has gone on too long and probably hasn't contributed anything to the BB. Hope it gives someone some ideas.
Gelon
Yeah, EQ on tube amps would be part of what I was talkin' about - like where to set the presence levels to shape tones, especially on the British amps (I think the JTM 45 model on the V-Amp is VERY convincing), or cutting back on highs when using the dual rectifier models. It's stuff you learn on the amps that help you when you're trying to simulate their sounds on boxes like the Pod or V-Amp.
I think anyone with an ear will get good results, but having played different types of tube amps (with lots of cabs and speaker combinations) gives you a great reference point. My point was, that someone without that experience may be missing something and may not be giving the unit (V-Amp) a fair review, and is probably being overly critical of its noise floor. (Most of the amps I've used were pretty noisy mothers, especially when pushed for gain with single coils under stage lights.)
If someone doesn't have much time on tube amps, then they'll have to have an ear for tone. As an example: try to cop Jimmy Page's tone on "Good Times, Bad Times" (which I believe he did with an old, small Supro and a Tele) - it's there; I found it pretty quickly (don't ask me what the parameters were...); or Eric Clapton's tone on "Crossroads", or his sound when he played with Mayall (JTM 45 with the Paul); or Eric Johnson's tone on "Cliffs of Dover" (think most of that was his Dumble and 335 - and the two Dumble models on the V-Amp are pretty good, considering that probably no two sound alike).
If you've got a picker whose tone you really admire, pull one of their tracks up on your monitors (or through the V-Amp's Aux In jacks - great idea!) and see if you can cop it. It's good to know what kind of pickups and amp were used, but let your ear do the rest. Forget the effects until you've got the tone (you may need some compression to shape the tone, but most over-driven tube circuits do that anyway, so if you're working on that kind of sound, don't compress too much, if at all). Apropos compression, a lot of players will compress the guitar signal before the tube amp (i.e. pre pre, ya know?), which doesn't allow the tubes to do the "musical", overtone compression that makes tube amps so sweet.
This has gone on too long and probably hasn't contributed anything to the BB. Hope it gives someone some ideas.
Gelon
B
blipndub
New member
Thanks G for the tips and good advice. the ear is always the best judge!
I've been experimenting with processing before going into the Vamp. I've found that running a signal through a gain boost such as a ProCo Rat or an old Tube Screamer (without distortion) provides a fine rounded sound, but does introduce some noise. Nice for guitar/bass.
I've been experimenting with processing before going into the Vamp. I've found that running a signal through a gain boost such as a ProCo Rat or an old Tube Screamer (without distortion) provides a fine rounded sound, but does introduce some noise. Nice for guitar/bass.
G
gelon
New member
Why not? I haven't had a chance to try anything before the unit, but it's on my list. So, how do you think the V-Amp models compare to amps you've used? I'm not sure I understand why so many people seem to dislike it - maybe just because "Behringer Bashing" is popular on this BB...Sure, you can find faults with anything, but for the money, it smokes the competition. And the complaints I've read about Behringer's reverse-engineering, though, perhaps, ethically justified, miss an important point about free-market capitalism. How long do think Line 6 will be able to keep the $249-price tag (wasn't it $299 not too long ago?) on the Pod now that Behringer has a product arguably as good for $129? Does an on/off switch and a metal case (w/o gig bag and pedal...) justify such a price difference? Probably not.
G.
G.
Bass Master "K"
New member
I love my V-amp2.
It rocks and kicks ass. A great value.
When I read here about people complaining that it was a noisy unit I was unsure if I should even look into them because I didn't want something that was going to be too noisy for recording. Well, after going down and test driving one the only noise I was hearing was on the high gain patches like the triple rectifier where the gain and volume were maxed. Well no duh....anyone who has stood in front of a high gain amp that was on while the guitar player wasn't playing can tell you....THOSE AMPS AREN'T SILENT! Sheesh...
I'm glad I went to have a look for myself rather than just listen to the negative stuff posted here.
It rocks and kicks ass. A great value.
When I read here about people complaining that it was a noisy unit I was unsure if I should even look into them because I didn't want something that was going to be too noisy for recording. Well, after going down and test driving one the only noise I was hearing was on the high gain patches like the triple rectifier where the gain and volume were maxed. Well no duh....anyone who has stood in front of a high gain amp that was on while the guitar player wasn't playing can tell you....THOSE AMPS AREN'T SILENT! Sheesh...
I'm glad I went to have a look for myself rather than just listen to the negative stuff posted here.
Tom Hicks
Well-known member
I have both the j-station and the v-amp2.The j gets the nod from me for recording because it has 24 bit s/pdif outs.The v is part of my live rig.Any midi pedal will do for random-access patch changes (unlike the included footswitch that lets you move within a specific bank only).It takes about a half second to change patches,unless you stay within a type.For example going from a clean twin patch to a distortion twin patch,or recto or marshall etc.
I especially like the little light show the unit puts on when you power it up!
I especially like the little light show the unit puts on when you power it up!
crawdad
Dammit, Jim, Shut Up!
gelon said:
No, but I did discover that if I use my V-amp around my computer, it picks up some kind of digital crap. The metal case would really help. My V-amp also gets its RAM scrambled if I leave it in the car when its really hot outside.
Oh, well. 129 is a damn good price for the thing.
B
blipndub
New member
Not sure a metal case would help your heat absorbsion problems if you're leaving it in a hot car. I wouldn't leave any of my equipment for too long under those conditions (remember those videotapes stores put out to remind you of the perils of hot dashboards?).
My Vamp is in close proximity to my pc and there is no interference.
yes a more rapid footswitching would be nice, but the Vamp is definately more suited for recording where such instant changes are not so necessary (as opposed to live settings).
I dont' have much experience with tube amps but my experience with "real" amps, (including Peaveys, and Fenders, Marshalls, and a cool old Dean Markley tube amp) was that the time and volume it takes to get a good tone is just not compatable with home (hobby) recording. The Vamp direct tones are way more controllable and sound great compared to the low-volume, bad room sound that my 57 gets on my cab.
Line 6 has got name recognition and mass-marketing on their side, so as long as people keep paying the price for the Pod, they'll keep the price up. Meanwhile the J and the V are great bargains and totally fun.
My Vamp is in close proximity to my pc and there is no interference.
yes a more rapid footswitching would be nice, but the Vamp is definately more suited for recording where such instant changes are not so necessary (as opposed to live settings).
I dont' have much experience with tube amps but my experience with "real" amps, (including Peaveys, and Fenders, Marshalls, and a cool old Dean Markley tube amp) was that the time and volume it takes to get a good tone is just not compatable with home (hobby) recording. The Vamp direct tones are way more controllable and sound great compared to the low-volume, bad room sound that my 57 gets on my cab.
Line 6 has got name recognition and mass-marketing on their side, so as long as people keep paying the price for the Pod, they'll keep the price up. Meanwhile the J and the V are great bargains and totally fun.
S
sucram
New member
To Tom Hicks
Tom,
Which device gives you more diversity of sounds, the J-station, or the Vamp?
I'm looking into a modeler for my synths and don't care how realistic the amps are since I don't know what they sound like anyway. S/PDIF would be great, but how do the two compare for a non-guitar player looking for a box to broaden his sounds as much as possible?
Thanks in advance. i appreciate it!
-marcus
Tom,
Which device gives you more diversity of sounds, the J-station, or the Vamp?
I'm looking into a modeler for my synths and don't care how realistic the amps are since I don't know what they sound like anyway. S/PDIF would be great, but how do the two compare for a non-guitar player looking for a box to broaden his sounds as much as possible?
Thanks in advance. i appreciate it!
-marcus