V-Amp PRO (rackmount).....user's/owner's please give me a practical review?!

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superspit

superspit

idiots unite!
.....or just some comments? (anti Behringer?.....hey!! that's coooool!!!
post at ........www.giva5hit.com.au)
anyways........
Hi players......
I've been mashing around with the X V-amp for a 3 months now........and....well.............I just farking love it!!
I bought the 'pedal' version (X-Vamp) simulator as it wasn't expensive and I wanted to try (after some 10 years of close micing) some direct git recording...now I'm hooked!! (after some experimenting)
I believe that the rack mount version will give me more 'studio' flexibility (I don't play live anymore) and will have the same (and more) incredible tones of the pedal version....(don't really use the wah anyway!).

I don't plan on using it's (V-amp pro) midi?/interface capabilities, just as a mixing desk interface only, as I am with my current version...so...
is it overkill to upgrade to the rackmount version on that basis?

I also believe that I would have more direct access to the parameter's on the front panel (I have a bad back!!) than I would with the pedal version.

Please tell me your thoughts, prior to me buying, on the extra sounds/sims of this unit....and if you could justify going from an $180.00 unit to a $499.00 (Australian retail)? (I actually paid $138 for my X-Vamp, so I'll get a proportional discount on the Pro version.)
These sounds (pedal) are a part of my 'structure' now....just looking for a case of keeping or upgrading...(?)

I thank you for your time! :)
Regards,
Superspit!
 
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AFAIK, the Pro model has exactly the same sound generation as the non-pro. The difference is that it has digital outputs, a set of both wet and dry balanced outputs, and a sturdy rack mount enclosure.

I have mine connected to a Behringer foot pedal setup (one pedal for VCF/wah, one for volume), and it works quite well, IMHO. I picked the Pro model because I wanted the sturdiness of a rack mount unit and the ability to go direct digital and avoid the extra conversion.

I don't know about the whole "more direct access" thing, since I've never used the pedal version. It does have a ton of controls, though....
 
dgatwood said:
AFAIK, the Pro model has exactly the same sound generation as the non-pro. The difference is that it has digital outputs, a set of both wet and dry balanced outputs, and a sturdy rack mount enclosure.

I have mine connected to a Behringer foot pedal setup (one pedal for VCF/wah, one for volume), and it works quite well, IMHO. I picked the Pro model because I wanted the sturdiness of a rack mount unit and the ability to go direct digital and avoid the extra conversion.

I don't know about the whole "more direct access" thing, since I've never used the pedal version. It does have a ton of controls, though....
Click to expand...


that was good!!! very practical!!
I must consider this.......
I'm hoping that the 'impedence' of it's outputs lend themselves more to direct recording than that of it's 'non-pro' sibling.
One small issue that I had with the X V-amp originally was that it 'boomed' (<>75hz) when playing my Tele thru it with overdrive.
....yes...I set the parameters up in the program mode so it wasn't set to 'headphones'....learnt that one pretty quickly!!
I had to eq that boominess' out of the mix on every take.
Do you think the outputs may be a little different, (one's more live work, the other more suited to direct recording?????......anyone???

As far as 'direct access', I mean that I noticed there is a (eg.) mid-range control, ...and maybe that can be accessed without pressing 19 buttons at once (like on the XV-amp), ....for example?

Thanx dgatwood!!
Regards............
 
sorry......also......wots up with the 'software upgrade/chip upgrade for the V-amp Pro?
Is it a necessity.? What functions would this change/add.
Thanx guys.
 
I don't think you are going to get a huge difference in tone with the V-AMP Pro, over the other V-AMPs. Now you DO get easier (and more) control over EQ, and cabinet selections which can directly effect things like boominess.

But the primary difference is the connectivity options the V-AMP Pro has. If you have S/DPIF inputs available, then it would be a big plus. IF you have a MIDI interface to connect to it, you get a whole host of options to change that you can't control from the front panel. Also, you can store and edit patches, move them around, save them on your PC, etc. You hardly have to touch the knobs on the thing.

Now if all you are trying to solve is your boominess problem, you can probably do that by changing cab models to something like the 2x12 custom, and then turning the bass down to about 3 or 4. But if you need the other stuff, then it might be worth it for you.
 
Ive found my V-amp Pro to be unexciting recorded direct. Once I ditched the cab sim and hooked it up to a power amp and cab though the harmonics and grit came back and livened up my recordings.

Recorded direct everything sounds soft, muffled, boomy, bass heavy, muddy and lots of other words that refrence 'low end bad' and lacked edge or sparkle.
 
I don't own one but I have used one and I can't get past the "processed" sound. I've heard some decent tones from them but nothing to write home about. I prefer a mic'd tube amp but that's just me. :D

If going direct is a must then it's a cheap way to get good (not great) tones.
 
Thanx Guys.....guess I'm still going to go with the Pro version, if nothing else but for the practicality and neatness and conectivity, compared to xv-amp.
I'm certainly surprised about comments concerned with the quality of the sound that one gets when directly recorded.....I personally get the cleanest chorusy, ambient sound I've ever recorded, but I agree that the overdriven/heavy stuff needs some practise with the unit to get right.!!
I've changed the 'program-mode' of the unit's outputs (now set to A3), and the 'boominess' has gone!!! ...cool!!
Geeeeess....I love direct recording,.....it's just so practical and clean.....and easy to monitor!!
Regards,
Superspit.

Thanx guys!!
 
Some times the tuner works pretty good. The only time I ever use mine is when I want to practice electric guitar and every ones sleeping. I think it's pretty much a waste of money IMO. I have about 6 pcs of their equipment and it's the worst of the lot.
 
RandyW said:
Some times the tuner works pretty good. The only time I ever use mine is when I want to practice electric guitar and every ones sleeping. I think it's pretty much a waste of money IMO. I have about 6 pcs of their equipment and it's the worst of the lot.
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Hi RandyW......
wot are the things u dislike about this unit, inparticular...
Appreciate your comments!! :)
Regards,
Superspit
 
Well it's true, some people cant get a good sound out of any kind of modeler.
If you think modeler's have no place in recording and music, then oh well - that's your right. Move along please. Nothing for you here.

As far as the complaints listed on this thread, if you are stuck with boomy, muddy sounds recording direct, you are not doing it right, that or the rest of your equipment really sounds boomy and muddy. You can get decent, even pretty good sounds out of a V-AMP Pro if you take the time to figure it out.

ALL of these were recorded direct, using a V-AMP Pro and no external effects:

Trying for a nice dirty, gritty sound:


Trying for a nice drive-ey, tubey kind of sounds like the black crowes have:


Trying for a nice heavy "southern metal tone" like Corrosion of Conformity or Down:


Similar as above with a "modern rock" preamp model


Here is me just riffing around with a mostly clean setting, lightly driven, and some 'verb:


Fooling around trying to get something close to that 80's George lynch tone:


Not saying these are ready for prime time - but it works great for recording ideas, and for scratch guitar tracks, some of which could have a place in a recording layered with mic'ed amp guitar tracks.

peace
 
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amra said:
Well it's true, some people cant get a good sound out of any kind of modeler.
If you think modeler's have no place in recording and music, then oh well - that's your right. Move along please. Nothing for you here.

As far as the complaints listed on this thread, if you are stuck with boomy, muddy sounds recording direct, you are not doing it right, that or the rest of your equipment really sounds boomy and muddy. You can get decent, even pretty good sounds out of a V-AMP Pro if you take the time to figure it out.

ALL of these were recorded direct, using a V-AMP Pro and no external effects:
Click to expand...
amra said:
__________________________________________________________________
hey man............thanks a million.....this is a great response....and I'm definately getting one now!!! (If I was unsure before!!)
I think you're right about 'user' rather than 'unit' issues....I just love my X-Vamp tone!!!
...hell...some people get a great sound from a 57 and an acoustic guitar!!
absolute respect AMRA......peace.
Click to expand...
 
hey guys...me again..
I just heard some interesting news on V-amp., and it concerns me a little!
With my X V amp pedal, I can call up/program chains of effects (cab sim, delays, verbs, modulations, compression etc), all to be used at the same time, should u wish.
IS IT TRUE THAT ONLY ONE EFFECT CAN BE USED AT A TIME with the pro?
Man....trippin!!!
(oh yeah...sorry about yelling!!)
 
amra said:
No, thats not true, you can use a bunch of different effects together, and of course cab sims and preamp models. Here is screenshot of the MIDI Controlled program that you use to control the V-AMP Pro or V-AMP :

http://www.texasimedia.com/michaelc/files/v-amp_screenshot.jpg
Click to expand...

woah!! that looks like hours of fun for the whole family!!
Seriously, thankyou man.....so I can use multi FX (as per my last thread) but without using this software? I mean, I won't be interfacing with midi, but I can still do the multi fx thang..right?
Again, thanx.
 
superspit said:
woah!! that looks like hours of fun for the whole family!!
Seriously, thankyou man.....so I can use multi FX (as per my last thread) but without using this software? I mean, I won't be interfacing with midi, but I can still do the multi fx thang..right?
Again, thanx.
Click to expand...
I don't believe that you can access all of the FX parameters without using midi. Trying to edit from the front panel is a button pushing nightmare. You will save yourself alot of time and grief by using the V-Amp Editor software. If you have a soundcard with midi then all you will need is 2 midi cables and you are good to go.
 
I have used a V-Amp Pro in my church rack for some years now. For me, it works well. I like the clean sounds better than what I got from my POD Pro, which I had before.

I also use other effects in the same rack and mostly use the V-Amp for overdrive and basic tone. Reverb and other delay effects come from a separate unit.

One good thing is that each know is lighted to show the current setting. That makes stage visuals much easier to understand.

Ed
 
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