Skip to content

Bass V-Amp Pro Setup Tips

The Bass V-Amp Pro is a rack mounted effects and amp modeler that gives out some great clean tones that can be used for Bass, Guitar, Keyboard or even Vocals. I’ve recently started playing with mine more and after looking around online I found two guides from a guy named Charlie that have some awesome tips and tricks for setting up and using the V-Amp, and it’s much easier to go thru his steps then to use the manual that comes with the preamp.  You can find links to the original documents below, I just cleaned them up and organized them a little better.

http://www.zinfanus.com/vamp/guide.pdf

http://www.zinfanus.com/vamp/tips.pdf

Bass V-Amp ProBass V-Amp Pro

Tip #1: Master Input Gain

The default master gain for the unit is set at 50%. This is very inadequate for most basses. The built-in tuner will work poorly and the amp models will be gain-starved if this problem is not corrected. If you use passive pups or if you have relatively low-output active tone controls then fix this immediately! Your basses (like mine) may be ones that require a +12 dB boost in order to adequately feed a signal to the unit.

To set the master input gain, enter CONFIG mode, hold TAP and turn GAIN knob all the way up: Low = -6 dB, Mid = 0 dB, High = +12 dB

Tip #2: Operating Modes

Like any modeling pre/amp, the Bass V-AMP must be configured to output the best signal for use with your other gear. By default, most are set to connect straight into a mixer/recorder and unfortunately, most people connect them to some type of real bass/guitar amp, never change the operating mode, and then they are quick to proclaim that, “Modeling devices sound horrible! Nothing compares to a real amp!” My Bass V-AMP is set to “Live 3” (L3), where cabinet simulation is off (because I’m using a real cab) and the XLR DI jacks output Behringer’s ULTRA-G cabinet simulator, which is actually quite good. Unlike other modelers, like Line 6 Pod X3, the Bass V-AMP totally removes cabinet selection functionality from the user when it is set to L2 or L3, which I think is how it should be.

Tip #3: Getting Started

The user manual is horrible, but it is a necessary evil. The built-in presets are equally horrible, but they had to pre-load it with something. The good news is that it is quite possible to overcome all of this, figure out how to work the unit, create your first few patches, and you WILL get the tones you want! Looking back now at the manual, I totally get it! It’s all in there for sure, but laid out terribly, things are confusing, omitted, and inadequately explained. There is a lot hiding and to be discovered in the Bass V-AMP. Some people or persons at Behringer really put some thought into this unit and it shows. Even if you don’t care to get all nerdy with it, the tones are impressive! Start by taking a single preset, de-crapify all the hidden parameters that may be enabled in it, construct a basic, effect-free tone, learn how to save it, and then go from there. If it sounds right to you then it is right, and although some of the available amp models are very realistic and musical, it will only sound as good as you play your bass!

Tip #4: Undocumented Stomp Boxes

The manual tells you the Bass V-AMP has 4 renowned stomp box models, but nowhere does it tell you what they are. I contacted Behringer and they actually replied back the next day! DRIVE Simulations:

  1. Electro-Harmonix Hog’s Foot
  2. Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi Fuzz
  3. Pro Co Rat
  4. T.C. Electronics Booster + Line Driver + Distortion

Effect parameters are DRIVE, BOOST, SPLIT, TONE SPLIT sets distortion bypass crossover (Left = Off, Turning Right = 41-600 Hz)

  • Press both arrows <- -> (between tuner and tap) to enter the edit mode.
  • Press the “B” button for drive. Use the arrows to select the stomp box.
  • The stomp box controls will be the knobs lit up on the lower left
  • Press “exit” to close.

Tip #5: Patch Creation

Besides the basic parameters assigned to each knob on the Bass V-AMP (e.g. Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, etc.) there exist a bunch more under the TAP button. Additionally, there are other parameters imparted by the DRIVE, CABINETS, X-OVER, DE-NOISER sections on the pre (should they be enabled on the current patch) as well as EFFECTS and COMPRESSOR. In other words, you may not easily be able to see what is on or not, and what may be affecting the tone of the current AMP model. My tip is to create a virgin patch for yourself, free of all extraneous sonic contaminants, except for a base AMP model + flat EQ, and then USE THAT patch to help you create new ones or to experiment. If that SVT Model doesn’t quite sound like an SVT or sounds strange, I bet something is turned on elsewhere that is spoiling it all.

Tip #6: Internal Battery

The Bass V-AMP has an internal battery that is used to retain your settings in memory when the unit is off or un-plugged. Should this battery die or loosen from the battery holder then you will most likely experience sporadic or consistent memory loss issues, as well as other operational side-effects. Open the unit, replace the easily locatable CR-2032 button type battery, and you should be back to normal once again.

Tip #7: Multiple EQ’s

The Bass V-AMP makes EQavailable to you in three distinct areas:

  • The tone controls used by the AMP model (Bass, Mid, Treble, Deep, Mid-Shift, Presence) This is most likely where most users will tweak their tones.
  • Bass + Treble under the Cabinet model If you are running Cabinet Simulation, you have  the ability to further EQ your tone here, but I suggest you leave these flat (less is more)
  • LIVE EQ: Bass, Mid + Treble when you set the Operational Mode to “Live” modes 1, 2, 3. This is a global EQ that affects all of your patches, over and above what you’ve stored.

This is helpful for when you move your rig to a gig and need to compensate for overly dead or bright rooms. With one quick-fix you can compensate all of your saved patches so they sound right without having to re-tweak every patch. Sure, brand reliability may be suspect, but the Behringer folks who designed this unit really put some thought into it!

Tip #8: More Than Bass

The Bass V-AMP Pro does more than just bass guitar. If you play electric guitar, acoustic guitar with a pickup, keyboards, or even do vocals then there are tools in the V-AMP for you. The built in Tube Preamp simulator can warm-up just about any signal you throw at it and provides some very decent effects.

Tip #9: Pure Clean Tone

Select Patch 1A as the current patch:

  1. Press the [<] button until numeral 1 is displayed on the front panel.
  2. Press the [A] button.

Completely Pass Thru All Tone Settings:

  1. Spin the AMP knob and select ROCK CLASSIC (Ampeg SVT)
  2. Set GAIN to 2 o’clock
  3. Set VOLUME, BASS, MID, TREBLE to 12 o’clock
  4. Turn off COMPRESSOR + EFFECTS, spin them all the way down
  5. Press and hold the [TAP] button to access the secondary parameters *
  6. Spin BASS, MID, TREBLE + EFFECTS to 12 o’clock
  7. Release the [TAP] button

* Secondary params are DEEP, SHIFT, PRESENCE, ATTACK, 2ND PARAMETER Turn-off everything that would secretly spoil the quality of the current patch:

  1. Press [<] + [>] buttons simultaneously to enter EDIT mode
  2. Press [A] button (MIDI) and then press [<] until numeral 1 is displayed
  3. Press [B] button (DRIVE) and then press [<] until “–“ is displayed
  4. Press [C] button (CABINETS), turn both BASS + TREBLE knobs to 12 o’clock
  5. Press [D] button (X-OVER) and then press [<] until “–“ is displayed
  6. Press [E] button (DENOISER) and then press [<] until “–“ is displayed
  7. Exit EDIT mode by pressing the [TUNER] (EXIT) button

Test drive the ROCK CLASSIC amp model:

  1. Plug in your bass guitar, start playing, set MASTER volume
  2. Ride the BASS knob until you’re moving some air
  3. Tweak GAIN, BASS, MID, TREBLE, + COMPRESSOR knobs until satisfied
  4. Save tone to Patch 1A (Press and hold the [A] button for about 3-seconds)

Tip #10: Built-In Tuner

The Bass V-AMP Pro features a built-in chromatic tuner that you may have previously written-off for various functional reasons (or non-functional reasons as the case may be.) The tuner supports both silent + quiet operation modes. With the tuner engaged, the VOLUME knob will allow you to either completely mute or hear what you are doing. Should you still dislike the built-in tuner, have a bright outdoor gig, or just want to use your own tuner, the Bass V-AMP Pro has you covered!

  • Connect your tuner to the rear jack marked SEND/LINE OUT (under the PRE DSP INSERT section)
  • Press the TUNER button on the V-AMP to mute your rig
  • Use your external tuner
  • Press the TUNER button again to un-mute your rig

Tip #11: The Compressor

Bassists either love or hate compression and the Bass V-AMP comes with a very effective compressor on-board should you choose to use it. I highly suggest that you use a little bit of it, as it really adds some extra thickness to the tones provided by the V-AMP. As with any effect, moderation is key. The COMPRESSOR knob controls the density, or amount of compression. With higher settings the threshold is lowered, while the ratio is augmented in six steps from 1.2:1 – 4.5:1. The ATTACK parameter, however, lies underneath the TAP button on the same knob. ATTACK determines the rate by which the compressor responds to the signal. The attack time can be adjusted within a range from 0 to 127 ms. Fast compressor settings will reduce the dynamics of the entire signal, while slower settings will ensure that the first attack transients remain unaffected. Slow compressor settings are recommended in order to achieve a crispy and punchy signal. Love it or leave it, the V-AMP handily provides a compressor to use, just like it does with its built-in tuner. This means less to bring to the gig and I wish more manufacturers similarly provided these two necessities in their bass products!

Tip #12: Preamp Bypass

Even though the Bass V-AMP Pro offers 32 available AMP models to choose from, there may be situations where “none” would be best. To bypass the pre-amp section and remove all tonal coloring imparted by it, press the [TUNER] + [TAP] buttons simultaneously. This state could be considered the 33rd available AMP model and the one most truthful to the signal you are feeding the V-AMP. Pressing the same keys again will bring back the preamp section. When the pre-amp is bypassed, you may still use the other effects and features provided by the V-AMP, and best of all, the resulting configuration may be saved to a user patch.

Tip #13: The Clip Light

When tweaking your Bass V-AMP tones, pay attention to the red CLIP indicator LED. Adding too much EQ or boost via GAIN or VOLUME knobs may push the output of the unit into un-desirable distortion. When this happens, turn down the amp VOLUME knob (which differs from the MASTER VOLUME knob) until the CLIP light no longer comes on when you play. This will ensure that you are working with an optimum internal signal level, which in turn provides the optimum output level for your power amp or other external devices. Bonus Tip: Instead of boosting frequencies, try reducing other complimentary ones. (e.g. turn down MID + TREBLE instead of boosting BASS)

Tip #14: Bi-Amping

The Bass V-AMP Pro features integrated bi-amping capabilities not even found in bass preamps costing 2 to 3 times more (e.g. Line 6 POD X3.) The cut-off frequency of the 18dB/octave Butterworth crossover is configured in EDIT mode under the X-OVER section. Adjustments are made using the Bank Up/Down arrow keys. The display shows the selected frequency divided by a factor of 10. The display will show “–” when the crossover point is not set/activated. Volume balance between the high pass and low pass are adjusted using the EFFECTS knob also while under the X-OVER section. All the way to the left = low pass signal only, all the way to the right = high pass signal only. After configuring the X-OVER, you must set the operating mode of the V-AMP to either S2 (Studio 2) or L2 (Live 2) so that the Left + Right outputs will individually send the high and low signals. See my other tips for how to set the V-AMP’s operating mode. Below is a chart of all the available operating modes that I cobbled together from Behringer’s after I corrected a few mistakes. The integrated X-OVER is so well-thought-out that… 1. Any EFFECTS you use are only sent to the high pass signal, leaving the low pass untouched 2. All X-OVER settings are stored at patch-level

Tip #15: Performing A Factory Reset

For various reasons, there may be times when you want to reset the Bass V-AMP Pro to factory condition.

  1. Make sure the unit is turned off
  2. Hold both the [D] + [E] keys and then turn on the unit
  3. The value “CL” should now be shown in the center display
  4. Release the [D] + [E] keys
  5. Simultaneously press both [<] + [>] keys to execute the reset

ALL USER PRESETS WILL BE ERASED as part of this process.

Other Information

The Bass V-AMP Pro features 16-distinct bass amp tones that are modeled after the following amplifiers:

  • ’68 Marshall Super Bass
  • ’69 Marshall Major
  • Trace Elliot (80’s)
  • Vox AC-100
  • Behringer Thunderbird
  • Ampeg B-15
  • Ampeg SVT
  • Ampeg SVT Pro II
  • ’67 Fender Bassman
  • Gallien-Krueger 800RB
  • SWR SM-400
  • Eden Traveller WT-300
  • Mesa Boogie 400+
  • Polytone A101
  • Justin Meldal-Johnsen Style
  • Classic Tube Preamp

The Bass V-AMP Pro features 15-distinct bass speaker/cabinet simulations that are modeled after the following equipment:

  • ’97 Ampeg SVT 8 x 10″
  • Trace Elliot 4 x 10″
  • SWR Goliath 4 x 10″
  • Ampeg 4 x 10″
  • Gallien-Krueger B120
  • ’68 Marshall 4 x 12″
  • Ampeg B15 1 x 15″
  • Polytone A101 1 x 15″
  • Vox AC100 2 x 15″
  • Mesa/Boogie 2 x 15″
  • Fender Bassman 2 x 15″ w/JBLs
  • Leslie 760 1 x 15″ + HF
  • SWR 1 x 18″
  • Ampeg SVT-18E 1 x 18″
  • Sunn Coliseum 1 x 18″ + 1 x 12″

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *