Behringer V-Amp 2 User manual

Version 1.0 August 2001
Users Manual
ENGLISH
V-AMP®

2
V-AMP 2
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts
you to important operating and
maintenan e instru tions in the
a ompanying literature. Read the
manual.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: To redu e the risk of ele tri sho k, do not remove
the over (or ba k). No user servi eable parts inside;
refer servi ing to qualified personnel.
WARNING: To redu e the risk of fire or ele tri sho k, do not
expose this applian e to rain or moisture.
DETAILED SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:
All the safety and operation instru tions should be read before the applian e is operated.
Retain Instructions:
The safety and operating instru tions should be retained for future referen e.
Heed Warnings:
All warnings on the applian e and in the operating instru tions should be adhered to.
Follo instructions:
All operation and user instru tions should be followed.
Water and Moisture:
The applian e should not be used near water (e.g. near a bathtub, washbowl, kit hen sink, laundry tub, in a
wet basement, or near a swimming pool et .).
Ventilation:
The applian e should be situated so that its lo ation or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation.
For example, the applian e should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surfa e that may blo k the
ventilation openings, or pla ed in a built-in installation, su h as a book ase or abinet that may impede the
flow of air through the ventilation openings.
Heat:
The applian e should be situated away from heat sour es su h as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
applian es (in luding amplifiers) that produ e heat.
Po er Source:
The applian e should be onne ted to a power supply only of the type des ribed in the operating instru tions
or as marked on the applian e.
Grounding or Polarization:
Pre autions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an applian e is not defeated.
Po er-Cord Protection:
Power supply ords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pin hed by items pla ed
upon or against them, paying parti ular attention to ords and plugs, onvenien e re epta les and the point
where they exit from the applian e.
Cleaning:
The applian e should be leaned only as re ommended by the manufa turer.
Non-use Periods:
The power ord of the applian e should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of
time.
Debris and Liquid Entry:
Care should be taken that debris and/or liquids do not enter the en losure through openings.
Damage Requiring Service:
The applian e should be servi ed by qualified servi e personnel when:
- The power supply ord or the plug has been damaged; or
- Debris or liquid has entered the applian e; or
- The applian e has been exposed to rain; or
- The applian e does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked hange in performan e; or
- The applian e has been dropped, or the en losure damaged.
Servicing:
The user should not attempt to servi e the applian e beyond that whi h is des ribed in the operating
instru tions. All other servi ing should be referred to qualified servi e personnel.
This symbol, wherever it appears,
alerts you to the presen e of
uninsulated dangerous voltage inside
the en losurevoltage that may be
suffi ient to onstitute a risk of sho k.

3
V-AMP 2
FOREWORD
Dear Customer,
Wel ome to the ommunity of BEHRINGER users and thank you for the trust you have shown us in buying
the V-AMP 2.
It gives me parti ular pleasure to write this to you be ause, after months of hard work, our engineers have
a hieved a highly ambitious goal: to improve on what is already an ex ellent virtual guitar amp whose highly
developed sound and remarkable array of fun tions offers you maximum flexibility and performan e. Naturally,
the task of developing our new V-AMP 2 was a great responsibility. At all times the fo us was on you, the
dis erning user and musi ian. Meeting these demands meant a lot of effort and late nights for usand a lot
of fun, too. A development proje t of this kind always brings a lot of different people together. That makes it
all the better when everyone involved is proud of the result.
Giving you a share in our enjoyment is our philosophy. Thats be ause you are the most important member
of our team. It is your ompetent proposals for new produ ts that have helped to shape our ompany and
make it a su ess. In return we an guarantee you un ompromising quality, ex ellent sound and te hni al
features at very reasonable pri e. All of this enables you to let loose your reativity, without the pri e getting
in the way.
Were often asked how we manage to produ e equipment of this quality at su h in redibly low pri es. The
answer is very simple: you make it possible! A large number of satisfied ustomers means high produ tion
volume. High produ tion volume means that we an get better pur hasing terms for omponents, et . And
isnt it only fair to pass on these benefits to you? After all, your su ess is our su ess too!
I would like to thank all of those who have made the V-AMP 2 possible. They have all made their personal
ontributions, starting with the designers and in luding the many other employees in our ompany (many
thanks to Volker, Thomas, Jan and Oliver).
Friends, it was worth it!
Thank you,
Uli Behringer

4
V-AMP 2
V-AMP
V-AMP®
Virtual guitar amplifier with tube simulation and digital multi-effects processor
sAuthenti virtual guitar preamp with 32 amp and 15 speaker simulation models
sDedi ated sele tors for amp models, speaker abinets and digital effe ts
sTransparent user interfa e with dire t display of all essential settings
s32 simulations of popular guitar amps, ranging from lean to run h to tube distortion sounds
s15 speaker simulations dire tly sele table and freely ombinable with any amp model
s24-bit high-resolution stereo multi-effe ts pro essor with first- lass algorithms like horus, flanging,
phasing, rotary, auto-wah, e ho, delay, ompressor and various effe ts ombinations
sAdditional effe ts parameters now dire tly a essible on the unit
sNew preamp bypass fun tion allows use as a stereo effe ts unit without amp model
s125 presets, in luding 50 original artist presets, organized in 25 banks for easy editing
sDedi ated reverb ontrol adds 1 of 9 stereo reverb types to any amp, speaker or effe ts setting
sSeparate wah-wah effe t an be ontrolled manually or via MIDI and is available in addition to any other
effe ts ombination
sEffe tive 3-band EQ with amp model dependent hara teristi s
sNew presen e ontrol adjusts a high-frequen y filter, simulating the negative feedba k of tube amps
sExtremely low-noiseS/N ratio now 90 dB
sAdjustable stereo aux input for line-level signals (CD, drum box, sound ard, MIDI ba king et .)
sStereo line output with virtual speaker simulation for re ording and live appli ations
sFive new, pra ti al onfiguration modes for various studio and live appli ations, some with additional
global 3-band EQ
sMaster volume ontrol and stereo headphones output
sExtensive MIDI implementation allows omplete real-time remote ontrol and automation, data transfer
and a ess to additional parameters
sBuilt-in auto- hromati tuner
sTap-tempo fun tion allows real-time adjustment of effe ts speed parameter
sProfessional noise redu tion system on board
sGig bag and dual footswit h for preset sele tion and tuner ontrol in luded
sThe V-AMP is prote ted by US patents No. D444,169 and D444,493
sManufa tured under ISO9000 ertified management system

5
V-AMP 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 The new fun tions of the V-AMP 2 ................................................................................................. 6
1.2 Before you begin ............................................................................................................................ 7
1.2.1 Serial number ....................................................................................................................... 7
1.3 Control elements ............................................................................................................................ 7
1.3.1 User interfa e ....................................................................................................................... 7
1.3.2 Conne tions on the V-AMP 2 side panel .............................................................................. 9
2. EXAMPLES OF USE/CONFIGURATIONS ............................................................................ 10
2.1 Sele ting CONFIGURATION modes ............................................................................................. 11
2.2 Standard set-up with guitar, footswit h and external playba k .......................................................11
2.3 Re ording ..................................................................................................................................... 12
2.4 Live set-up with an external guitar amp ........................................................................................ 12
2.5 Live set-up with P.A. system and your own monitor amp on stage................................................ 13
3. V-AMP 2 PRESETS ................................................................................................................ 13
3.1 Calling up presets ......................................................................................................................... 13
3.2 Editing presets .............................................................................................................................. 14
3.3 Storing presets ............................................................................................................................. 14
3.4 Dis arding an edited preset/re overing a fa tory-programmed preset ......................................... 14
3.5 Restoring all fa tory-programmed presets .................................................................................... 15
4. AMP/SPEAKER SIMULATION .............................................................................................. 15
4.1 Amp des riptions .......................................................................................................................... 15
4.2 Speaker des riptions .................................................................................................................... 17
5. EFFECTS PROCESSOR .......................................................................................................18
5.1 Effe t des riptions ........................................................................................................................ 19
Reverb and delay algorithms ........................................................................................................ 19
Modulation effe ts ........................................................................................................................ 19
Combinations of effe t algorithms (multi-effe ts programs) .......................................................... 19
Spe ial effe ts .............................................................................................................................. 20
5.2 The separate reverb effe t ........................................................................................................... 20
6. TUNER ................................................................................................................................... 21
6.1 Tuning your guitar ......................................................................................................................... 21
6.2 Setting referen e pit h A ............................................................................................................ 21
. INSTALLATION ...................................................................................................................... 22
7.1 Audio onne tions ........................................................................................................................ 22
7.2 MIDI onne tions .......................................................................................................................... 23
7.2.1 Sending/re eiving MIDI-Sysex data .................................................................................... 23
8. APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................. 24
8.1 MIDI implementation .................................................................................................................... 24
8.2 Default abinets/amp models ....................................................................................................... 25
9. SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................. 26
10.WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................... 2
CAUTION!
+Please note that high loudness levels may cause permanent damage to your hearing. Turn the
VOLUME control do n all the ay before s itching on the equipment. Be sure to keep the
volume at an appropriate level.

6
V-AMP 2
1. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations! The V-AMP 2 you have pur hased is the revised version of the V-AMPa state-of-the-art
virtual guitar amplifier that has set new standards. Our ultimate aim in developing it was to reate the authenti
sound of lassi amplifiers by means of physi al modeling and to ombine this with the latest DSP effe ts.
The V-AMP 2 has a number of de isive advantages over its prede essor, the V-AMP: the number of amp
simulations has been doubled, there are now five globally adjustable operating modes, and you an also use
this devi e purely as an effe ts unit thanks to its innovative Preamp Bypass.
On e again we took up the hallenge of reating a devi e that would still be talked about for years to ome.
The V-AMP 2 is an all-purpose devi e that offers 32 authenti amplifier soundsand, in fa t, even spe ial
speaker soundswithout ausing you any transport problems! In addition, it has all the versatility of sound
provided by state-of-the-art multi-effe ts pro essor te hnology. In short: the V-AMP 2 gives you a sound tool
that has everything on a musi ians wish-list today.
BEHRINGER is a ompany with its roots in professional re ording studio te hnology. For many years now
we have been su essful in developing produ ts for studio and live use. These in lude mi rophones and
19" devi es of all kinds ( ompressors, enhan ers, noise gates, tube pro essors, headphone amplifiers,
digital effe ts devi es, DI boxes, et .), monitor and P.A. speakers and professional live and re ording mixers.
Our entire te hni al know-how has gone into your V-AMP 2.
Flexibility is the name of the game in the musi business. A guitarist today has to be able not only to offer a
wide range of sounds, but also to adapt at short noti e to different environmentshome re ording, studio,
live gigs. For that very reason, enormous amplifier sta ks have be ome a thing of the past. The V-AMP 2
offers you the maximum number of features in su h a ompa t form that you an set up and pa k up in
se onds and you an master it with ease.
The V-AMP 2 will still be state-of-the-art years from now be ause we have equipped it with an EPROM that
an be repla ed without the slightest diffi ulty. This means that we an keep on working on new algorithms,
taking your ideas and suggestions into a ount. We will then make these software updates available to you
free of harge on the Internet, thus ensuring that the V-AMP 2 remains state-of-the-art in the future too.
But enough of this talk. Nothing we say will onvin e you as readily as what you hear and feel when you test
your V-AMP 2 for the first time. Then you will experien e a new generation of virtual guitar amplifiers with
some amazing features:
sKno k-out sound options that will blow away any onventional guitar amp.
sPerfe t tube sound emulation without the typi al tube amp drawba ks (short lifespan, heat generation,
me hani al sensitivity).
sLatest DSP te hnology, giving you a wide range of lassi and modern effe ts sounds.
sRugged, indestru tible build, allowing you to use the V-AMP 2 in the toughest onditions on the road.
1.1 The new functions of the V-AMP 2
The V-AMP 2 was designed to be an evolutionary improvement on our popular virtual guitar amp, the V-AMP.
Alongside the popular features of its prede essor, the V-AMP 2 offers many new features whi h will make
this unit an indispensable part of your equipment:
s16 additional amp soundsin total, 32 authenti virtual amplifi ation models plus amp bypass available.
s5 basi onfigurations an be sele ted for different studio and live situations (see hapter 2).
sPRESENCE ontrol an now be set for ea h amp.
sAn additional effe ts parameter an now be set dire tly on the devi e (see hapter 5).
sGlobally adjustable 3-band EQ an be set as required in the live modes to mat h the V-AMP 2 sounds
with different amps/ ombos.
sTotal preset ompatibility for existing V-AMP sounds.
sEditor software available free of harge at www.behringer. om/V-AMP 2.
1. INTRODUCTION

7
V-AMP 2
1.2 Before you begin
Your V-AMP 2 was arefully pa ked before it left the fa tory to prote t it from damage in transit. If there are
signs of damage on the pa kaging, we re ommend that you immediately examine the devi e itself for further
signs of damage.
+In case of damage, do NOT return this device to us, but immediately notify your dealer and the
transport company, as any entitlement to damages may other ise be lost.
A power supply unit whi h meets the ne essary safety requirements is en losed for onne ting the V-AMP 2
to the mains. When the V-AMP 2 is onne ted to the mains via the power supply unit it is automati ally
swit hed on.
+Never connect the V-AMP 2 to a po er supply unit that is already plugged into the mains!
Al ays connect the V-AMP 2 to the po er suply unit first and then plug it into the mains.
The MIDI onne tions (IN/OUT) are for standard DIN onne tors. Data is transferred at zero potential via an
opto oupler. Please read hapter 7 INSTALLATION for further information.
1.2.1 Serial number
The V-AMP 2s serial number is lo ated on the rear side. In order to qualify for extended warranty entitlement,
please return the ompleted warranty ard to us within 14 days of pur hase, or simply register on-line
(www.behringer. om).
1.3 Control elements
1.3.1 User interface
Fig. 1.1: Control elements on the user interface
1. INTRODUCTION

8
V-AMP 2
1The MASTER ontrol determines the overall volume of the V-AMP 2.
+Apart from the AUX LEVEL control this is the only conventional control on the V-AMP 2.
All the other controls are encoder-type rotary controls.
2The VOLUME ontrol is for the volume of the sele ted preset.
3The ASS ontrol in the EQ se tion is for raising or lowering the low-frequen y range.
4The MID ontrol is for raising or lowering the mid-range frequen ies.
5TRE LE ontrols the high-frequen y range of the a tivated preset.
+If the TAP key is do n, theTREBLE control changes to a PRESENCE control. This enables
you to boost/cut a high-frequency filter tuned to hatever amp model is active, thus simulating
the frequency-sensitive coupling of tube amps.
6The GAIN ontrol determines the distortion level.
7The AMPS ontrol is for sele ting one of 32 different amplifier simulation models. The ontrol is
surrounded by a ring of 16 LEDs. Ea h LED orresponds to two types of amplifier. The first 16
simulations an be sele ted by turning the AMPS ontrol (marked on the housing in: white).
To sele t the simulation models 17 - 32 (marked on the housing in: gray), press down the TAP key
while making your sele tion by turning the AMPS ontrol.
+The LED 17 - 32 in the bottom left-hand corner of the DISPLAY indicates that one of the
simulation models 17 - 32 has been selected.
In adddition you an a tivate a PREAMP BYPASS by pressing the key ombination TAP and TUNER.
If PREAMP BYPASS has been sele ted, none of the LEDs on the AMPS ontrol lights up.
8These five keys are for sele ting a preset (A - E) within one bank.
In EDIT mode (a tivated by simultaneously pressing the arrow keys des ribed in ) the keys perform
the fun tion printed dire tly above them:
sA: A esses the MIDI fun tions. Use the arrow keys to set the MIDI hannels for transmitting and
re eiving (1 through 16).
sB: Sele ts the DRIVE fun tion. This noti ably raises distortion and volume. Use the arrow keys to
swit h DRIVE on and off. The DRIVE fun tion is wired before the GAIN ontrol.
+While editing the DRIVE function, you can also activate and adjust the ah- ah effect by turning
the EFFECTS control. The LEDs surrounding the EFFECTS control indicate the position of the
pedal. If none of the LEDs lights up, the ah- ah is bypassed.
sC: This key a tivates the CA INETS mode. Use the arrow keys to sele t the type of speaker or
ombination of speakers you want. You an also swit h off the speaker simuilation ompletely (-).
For further details, please refer to hapter 4.2 Speaker des riptions.
sD: Use this key to sele t the REVER fun tion. The arrow keys an be used to sele t one of nine
different types of reverb in addition to the multi-effe ts pro essor. For further details see hapter 5.2.
sE: Here you an a tivate the NOISE GATE fun tion. Use the arrow keys to adjust the noise redu tion
level.
+CONFIGURATION: If you press the B and D keys simultaneously in Play mode, you can select
the V-AMP 2s general operating modes allo ing adjustments to different studio and live
situations (see chapter 2).
9If an effe t has been sele ted via its part of the overall sound an be set using this EFFECTS
ontrol. If you sele t the Compressor effe t, you an use the EFFECTS ontrol to adjust the
ompression intensity. If you turn the ontrol to the left until all the LEDs are off, the effe t is disabled.
This is known as an effe t bypass.
+By pressing the TAP key you can set a second effects parameter using the EFFECTS control
(see tab. 5.1).
1. INTRODUCTION

9
V-AMP 2
10 This ontrol is for sele ting an effe t or a ombination of effe ts. This en oder-type rotary ontrol is
also surrounded by a ring of 16 LEDs. Ea h LED orresponds to one spe ifi effe ts preset.
11 Using the REVER ontrol, you an add the reverb ontent of your hoi e to your overall sound. By
turning it to the left until all the LEDs are off, you dea tivate the reverb. To fade out the original signal,
turn the ontrol to the right until only the last LED lights up.
+The LED rings around the VOLUME, BASS, MID, TREBLE, GAIN, EFFECTS and REVERB controls
each have nine LEDs. On each ring either one LED or t o neighboring LEDs ill light up at a
time, indicating a total of 17 different positions.
12 The TAP button performs three fun tions:
sTap the rhythm of a pie e of musi on the TAP button and the sele ted effe t automati ally adapts to
the tempo of the pie e of musi .
sHolding down the TAP button, you an use the TREBLE ontrol to hange the PRESENCE setting of
the amp simulation model youve sele ted.
sYou also an a ess the se ond effe ts parameter set by the EFFECTS ontrol by holding down the
TAP button (see tab. 5.1).
13 The TUNER button is for swit hing on the tuner. In addition, this button an also be used to leave the
EDIT mode.
14 Use the two arrow keys to sele t a different bank ( ANK DOWN and ANK UP). You an skip banks
by holding ea h of the keys down. To a tivate the EDIT mode, press both keys simultaneously. If you
press one of the keys A - E ( ) in that mode, the arrow keys an be used for setting parameters.
15 The DISPLAY shows you what preset bank you have sele ted and gives you information on parameter
hanges when you are editing. In TUNER mode the DISPLAY shows the pit h of the instrument
onne ted to the unit. If the amplifier simulations 17 - 32 have been sele ted, the LED in the bottom
left-hand orner of the DISPLAY lights up.
1.3.2 Connections on the V-AMP 2 side panel
Fig. 1.2: Connections on the V-AMP 2 side panel
16 Conne t the stereo ja k plug of your FS112V footswit h to the FOOTSWITCH so ket. This will enable
you to re all the presets from one bank. To swit h on the tuner, hold down the DOWN button on the
footswit h for more than two se onds. You an also swit h the tuner off again using the same button.
17 The V-AMP 2 has MIDI inputs and outputs to whi h you an onne t a MIDI foot pedal, e.g. the
BEHRINGER MIDI FOOT CONTROLLER FCB1010 or a PC.
1. INTRODUCTION

10
V-AMP 2
18 Conne t the en losed power supply unit via the AC IN so ket.
19 The balan ed LINE OUT 1/4" so kets provide the audio signal from the V-AMP 2 in stereo, for example,
for re ording purposes.
+You can connect the LINE OUT outputs ith balanced or unbalanced jack plugs. The left line
output of the V-AMP 2 can be used to route the audio signal to a guitar amp ith a mono input.
Please note that the signal from the multi-effects processor ill then not be available in stereo either.
20 The AUX LEVEL ontrol is used for determining the volume of the signal re eived at the AUX IN input.
21 The AUX IN ja k so ket enables you to feed in additional stereo signals on the V-AMP 2 and play with
a drum omputer or play-ba k, for example.
22 The PHONES ja k allows you to monitor the V-AMP 2 audio signal with standard headphones.
+When you connect your headphones, the V-AMP 2 automatically activates studio mode 1 (S1).
If the current preset or setting does not have a cabinet model, the V-AMP 2 ill also select a
default speaker simulation automatically, as soon as you plug in your headphones. The standard
cabinet simulations are sho n in tab. 8.2. Ho ever, you can intentionally change or deactivate
the simulation hen using headphones by selecting - in the CABINETS mode.
23 The INPUT so ket is the V-AMP 2s 1/4" ja k so ket for your guitar. Please use a standard 1/4" mono
ja k able.
2. EXAMPLES OF USE/CONFIGURATIONS
To adapt the V-AMP 2 best to different studio and live situations, you have a hoi e of five modes
(CONFIGURATION). Regardless of the settings on the unit itself, these modes determine from where the
V-AMP 2s output signal is taken. And the left and right output signals an be used differently at the same
time, too. One look at the following table will learly show that you an optionally take the signal with or
without speaker simulation or sound ontrol at the V-AMP 2 output. The effe ts signal at the output does not
ne essarily have to be present on both sides either:
LINE OUT L LINE OUT R
Studio 1 (S1)
s
V-AMP 2 as practice amp, e.g. with headphones.
s
Recording situation: (V-AMP 2 is connected to stereo
line channel on the mixing console).
Studio 2 (S2)
Left
(dry signal, only
compressor plus
auto-wah).
Right
(with modulation,
delay and
reverb effects).
s Recording situation: with the left channel connected to the
recording device. The right channel is used for monitoring
only (with effect). Advantage: while recording, you don’t
have to specify the effect used during the mix-down, but
can still monitor wet signals.
Live 1 (L1)
s V-AMP 2 connected to a guitar amp with stereo input. The
additional EQ (BASS, MID & TREBLE controls) allows you
to match the sound to the amplifier used. The additional
EQ does not affect the settings of your presets.
Live 2 (L2)
s
Here, too, the V-AMP 2 can be connected to a guitar amp
with a stereo input. The additional EQ (BASS, MID &
TREBLE controls) allows you to match the sound to the
amplifier used. However, since no cabinet simulation is
enabled, the speaker sound is determined by the combo/
cabinet used.
Live 3 (L3)
Left
+ additional
3-band EQ with
modulation, delay
and reverb
effects, but without
cabinet simulation.
Right
with cabinet and
modulation, delay
and reverb effects,
but without
additional
3-band EQ.
s V-AMP 2 as a stage amp, with the left output connected
to a line input on the monitor amp. The additional EQ
(BASS, MID & TREBLE controls) allows you to match the
sound optimally to the monitor amp. The right channel (DI
Out) is connected to the mixing console or stage box and
is used for the FOH mix.
Operating mode Function Applications
Stereo operation with selected
effects and speaker simulations.
Stereo operation
+ additional 3-band EQ
(adjustable in
CONFIGURATION mode).
Stereo operation
+ additional 3-band EQ,
but without cabinet simulation.
Tab. 2.1: V-AMP 2 modes with examples of use
2. EXAMPLES OF USE/CONFIGURATIONS