Behringer V-Amp 2

Very self-explanatory! You have to be dumb to not be able to figure it out. The onlt thing kinda difficult would be MIDI if you don't have training or prior experience with running MIDI.

I think the secondary parameters have better tones than the first. Effects are very clean and adjustable. (Speed, depth and rate adjustments)

Never had a problem...... And I've owned mine for over 2 years.

? Never had to call

I'd buy another if I had to. I recommend it and have had 4 friends of mine buy it as well because of the impression it's made when they heard it.

With the Behringer V-Amp 2, it's fairly easy to get a good sound out of it without reading the manual. However, after reading the extensive manual, it will become second nature. The manual has everything you could possibly need to know, and editing patches is a snap. It is kind of a 'geek' processor, meaning that there is a bit of a steep curve at first, so newbies will find themselves overwhelmed.

Two words for you: holy crap.

Considering that this unit costs only $100, a mere fraction of the competition, I was of course skeptical. I figured I could get a fairly decent sound to get me by, but I had no idea what this sucker could do. Now, I'm using this in my home studio so I could plug directly into my computer without the need for an amp. I'm not trying to get my favorite artist's sound; I'm using this so I can get MY sound without an amp.

Before I got the V-Amp 2, I wasn't 100% sure what "my sound" was. Folks, I believe I have found it. I use this with a modified B.C. Rich Bich Platinum Series with Seymour Duncan pickups (read my review elsewhere on this site). Whatever my evil little heart desires, I can pull from this unit. You want a slightly overdriven bluesy sound? The V-Amp will give it to you. You want face-melting metal distortion that still has note clarity? Just ask and you shall get it. The modulation, delay, and reverb effects are everything you could possibly ask for, too. It'll take me years just to see what this little marvel can do.

Honestly, I'm actually using my second V-Amp 2 because the input jack on my first one failed me after only a couple of days. Thankfully, it was still under Musician's Friend's warranty, so it was nothing to send it back for a new one. Just a pain in the a$$ to have to wait. The second one is treating me pretty well, though, but I'm being extra gentle with it.

Frankly, I wouldn't use it for a gig at all, but then again, I wasn't planning to. If you want to gig with the V-Amp 2, you're better off either getting the V-Amp Pro rack unit or even the V-Ampire, which is essentially an amplifier with the V-Amp 2's brain (I plan to do the latter, actually).

Behringer was very helpful with any questions that I had, usually responding to my emails within 24 hours. When I approached them about my input jack problems, they essentially told me to ship it back and get a new one, which is exactly what I did.

GET THE WARRANTY!

I am in an experimental metal band, so I need to have a versatile amp modeler. The Behringer V-Amp 2 delivered what I needed in spades. I've been playing for 16 years and have used many different amps and effects units, including a Korg AX-3000G, which I still kinda miss like an old girlfriend even though I'm now happily married to my Behringer. I've also used Crate and Peavey amplifiers, which I'm turning my back on when I get the Behringer V-Ampire head and an Ultrastack cabinet.

When shopping around, I was flip-flopping on the V-Amp 2 or a Line 6 Pod XT. When I got a gift certificate to Musician's Friend which put the V-Amp 2 within my price range, I went to that and I'm so glad I did. This has everything I can possibly want and at $100, I'd feel like a greedy little b!tch if I were to ask for anything more. I DO wish it were sturdier, though.

If it were lost and stolen, I'd just get a new one no sweat. Not before putting a curse on the soul of the ba$tard who stole it, though.

Very easy to setup, i got a good sound out of it after a bit

i got a few guitars with good pickups and the Ultimate V Amp settings r rubbish, i found the best tone 4 metal is surprisingly the Numetal Head despite not liking nu metal and playing death metal. i bought this 4 uni so i dont have 2 take my pedals and amp (boss metal zone and other various things) and using the Numetal head amp i can get a tone as full as the metal zone. clean tones and effects r very nice.

pedal tht came with it is very sturdy, annoyingly when changin between presets theres a delay before the preset takes effect.

never dealt with them

good enuff for uni, 4 me it wasn't bought as my only effects processor as i have my proper setup. but it could take tht place but switchin live between clean and distortion would b an issue cos of the delay.

I LOVE THE PRESETS OF SMOLSKI AND BEYRODT.

EXCELLENT. THE V-AMP 2 SOUNDS EQUAL TO POD 2 FOR ME. THE PRICE IS VERY LITTLE FOR THIS BEAST.

This thing is pretty easy to use, i dont think ive even looked at the manual yet.
I have used this on almost every song i have recorded and released with my band in the last 2 years, i have also used this thing a few times on stage connected to a direct box for a good live sound with no problems at all.

This box sounds pretty good, some of the effects are quite useable such as the tremelo and delays although i wish there was a little more control one could have over effect parameters, maybe its possible but im just too lazy to open the manual and have a look.

its made of plastic so its not really that roadworthy, i have used it live without a backup

It hasnt broken yet but if it did id probably just throw it away without even checking if it could be repaired, its probably better and cheaper to just buy a new one.

When i bought this i really wanted one of those Line6 Pod thingies but i was broke at the time and this one was much cheaper, i use this thing mostly in my bands recording studio, i have recorded guitars, basses, harmonicas and even vocals through it and the results have been just fine, sure, i wish the effects section were a bit more advanced but for this kind of money i would say this is a real bargain.

It's very easy to get nice sounds, especialy distorted sounds.
Also very intuitive editing. Nice and clear manual.
I bought it 3-4 years ago, never upgraded the software.

Very easy to get Steve Vai, Queen, Van Halen, blues sounds. I think some sounds are unatural, but maybe occured after my unit was fixed ( i broke once ). I think some sounds are not as they were. I have to check that out but i'm vary lazy.
The effects are nice, mostly delays and echos. Others are ok. Auto Wah and Phaser not so good.

I think you can trust the unit. It's made of plastic, but look strong enough to get some abuse.
Better to bring a backup, it's so cheap.

Very friendly and helpful guys. Always answer very fast!

I mostly play from clean, almos jazzy, to metal stuff, depends on the music. I've been playing for almost 30 years now, and i have one Yamaha Pacifica modified and a Steinberger GL4T. Some acustics guitars too.
I would surely buy another v-amp, so easy to find sounds and very cheap.
I love the speed to mount it ( like 5 min ) and the sounds/flexibility at home, stage.
I hate Auto wah and Phaser, can't use them, and also no switch to turn it on.
I wish guys at Behringer could put nice effects, balance volume and delay from amps, which is annoying sometimes.
It helped me A LOT to practice and record.
Please listen the record i recorded some solos, EXCLUSIVELY using v-amp2 : http://musea.musearecords.com/ext_re_new_catselect.php?np=34170

Read the manual and you shouldn't have a problem using this. It is somewhat cumbersome, however, and takes some getting used to. The "tap" button seems to have been a bad idea overall; would have preferred a more regular dial for tempo features. Can be difficult to get a good sound out of.

I mainly play metal and bought this for practice and recording, mainly the latter. In both cases, I find the high gain amps are quite muddy, even with bright guitars (a Squier Telecaster!), and the only way I've been able to cure this is to put a Zoom Powerdrive before the unit, to boost the highs going in. Clears it right up, effectively, and keeps my ESP LTD EC-100 from being ruined.

For practice, this thing is exceptional, no doubt. I would buy this over a practice amp any day, especially considering they're about the same price. So many combinations of sounds that you can tweak this to suit even a very specific pair of headphones. Hook it up to a decent pair of PC speakers and you've already got way more than what you paid for. It's a good ear trainer, too. I wish I would've had this when I started out.

Recording is another story... I've been going at it for quite a few months now and have not found the right sound. Only about half the high gain amps have usable sounds, notably the Dual Rectifier, Savage Beast, and Brit High Gain. The others are either overdone, fizzy, or lack punch compared to these ones. Then there's the cab sims... oh boy. These things are very hard to judge, because they're quite misleading and not balanced too welI. The 4x12 cabs, especially the default (15), are pretty weak and brittle and require a definite volume boost over the others to have any effect at all. They also respond very poorly to post-recording EQ. Again, only about half the cabs you can really use; I'd say 3, 7, 10, 12, 15. Make that a third, plus dependency on amp types.

I've tried to use this for band practice with a tube amp (vamp into effects loop, no cab sim) and found it was totally impossible. The thing emitted a high-pitched squeal at every end of note. The noise suppressor did not help, nor did any of the settings on the unit. Perhaps a boss NS-2 before the unit might have helped, but in any case the high-gain amps sounded way too harsh and ended up having the same characteristics at high volumes. Not for high volumes in general.

Despite these two paragraphs, there is lots to love about the unit. The dedicated Reverb and Presence controls and a true blessing; can no longer live without and essential for recording. I don't use the effects much, but the delay is absolutely beautiful. Although only a fraction of them sound good, the sheer amount of combinations of effects/amps/cab sims you can pull off with this could keep you entertained for years.

Things it could have used:
-parametric EQ as global EQ (the global EQ is good only for practice/rehearsal as it is)
-presence control on global EQ
-decent noise gate and compression (compression should have been a separate effect, too)

Thing seems pretty shaky, sometimes makes crackling noises. But, it's held up so far.

Excellent unit FOR THE PRICE. Would never rely on for shows/rehearsal, and will probably not give you the exact recording sound you're after, but excellent for practice and getting a general feel for different amps. There are so many ways that you can incorporate this into your setup that you're bound to always find some use for it, whether it be a simple effects processor or full-fledged combo simulation. It's a master of nothing, but a good general help, as long as you don't expect the very, very best.

if you don't get this unit, then you're done! :P

i most certainly can get the sounds from my favourite artist out of this thing! i have played both line6 (even the pro version, THAT thing really disapponted me!) and the v-amp, and the v-amp blows the pod right out of the water, especially on the clean sounds! the only thing that bothers me with this kind of digital guitar-thing, is that the tone never fades out realistically, the noise gate drowns out that sweet, almost feedback-tone you get from real amp. but hey, that's just pickin'! lol

i use this in a recording enviroment, tried it live once, and it worked great there too.

i hear alot of people don't like the distortion-sounds from this thing, but i have to disagree! the dist sounds are killer, if you know have to dial them in. the clue is not the crank the distortion-knob all the way to 10. the way i do it is, i use the drive-function, set the distortion to around 5, and roll of alot of bass (as low as 2) many don't believe that it is behringer-distortion on my recordings! :) and remember, alot of the sound is in your picking-hand, it doesn't matter if the sounds are pristine unless you play loose and "jazzy"! play it like you mean it!

had it for 3 years, used it almost every day. never broke down on me once! that says alot...!!

never had to use them... :)

there is no better product than this if you're looking for a multi-thingy. it beats the crap out of line6, thats for sure. i can recommend this thing forever! the only thing, as i have seen others have mentioned, for recording, the effects don't quite measure up, but thats what plug-ins are for, right?

Pretty easy to get started but I highly recommend reading the manual. There are a lot of multi-function buttons and its not always clear as to how you access parameters just by looking at it. Having the midi/pc software for edits and backup is nice.

I use it for all kinds of sounds, even as an acoustic pre-amp. I'm using it with various guitars including a Yamaha RGX-TT and Washburn 7-strng. I use it direct for recording and also with a Mosvalve power amp or a Fender Deluxe 112 solid state.
To start with I was kinda so-so on this thing. But then I read the manual. VERY IMPORTANT- 1. Learn how to engage the "DRIVE" setting. This is basically a boost pedal function. Yes, it will be louder but more important it makes every sound (clean, distortion or otherwise) punchy and present. If you think your V-Amp recorded tones are wimpy this gives you more of that "speakers moving air" whoomp. 2. CHANGE THE SPEAKER MODELS. Each amp sim has a default speaker cab. Usually these are ok live but not the best studio choice. For example, the recto model has a 4x12 cab. Ok, but who mics all 4 speakers when they record (or live for that matter). I found the 4x12 to be kinda mushy and gray sounding. I changed it to one of the 1x12 models and it's awesome. Very clear and full. So take the time with these tweaks and you'll get some very usable sounds. Just keep tweaking. The wah isn't great but it's very usable if you have a controller like the FC1010. My only gripes are that there seems to be a "fizz" as the noise gate closes and patch changes between setting with different pre amp models are not seamless (if the models are the same then it is seamless). So far it hasn't been a problem, just an annoyance.

I've had it problem free for about a year and a half. It is my backup for live playing (I use a Digitech 2120/Mosvalve setup live) with my progmetal band Strange Land (www.strange-land.net). I use it with my blues band with just my amps built in distortion as backup. It's not as flexible or powerful as the 2120 but its as compact as a few stomp boxes for my blues gigs. Its plastic, don't throw it across the room.

Haven't dealt with them in this or any other stuff (I also have an FC1010 foot controller and a Mixer)

I play Prog metal, Satriani-esque instrumental rock, blues, jazz, acoustic. Its a great affordable way to record direct, especially if noise is a concern. It also plays well live if you need more than a few stomp boxes or if you're going direct to a PA. I can get almost all of the sounds I need out of it. The only thing I can't get are pitch shift/harmonizer/whammy sounds (which I need with the prog band). My dream gear would be a 2120 with a good built in amp/speaker sim. Overall its a handy compact toolbox to have around. Its nice to fire up my computer, plug in and go when I'm feeling creative. Try it on vocals, bass and other instruments, too. I also use the Amplitube plug in, which I like, but its a big drain on my computer power. I would likely buy another one if lost or stolen (I'm hoping for a next gen V-Amp soon)

Since it seems they have removed contact info (otherwise I would have emailed this) I thought to reach out to DAZZA... if you had read further down on the reviews here, I mention in my review (James Acker) that the problem you are experiencing is simply the backup battery worn down. You can search for my review where I describe how to repair it (takes all of about 10 minutes, one screwdriver, and you have to have the battery already...one of those flat "pankake" batteries, Lithium CR2032 3v batteries. They are sold all over, easy to find) Take out the screws on the back, carefully lift the cover and find the battery up on the top there. Carefully (EXTRA careful) remove it, replace it, button it up...good to go.

The problem seems to be when you have changed patches on any of them and the battery goes. It can't remember it's settings but knows it is not "default". Temporarily you can make it go to default (see the manual) but this only "holds" until you power down/up again. After that it STILL thinks the patch has changed, and same problem.

Changing the battery will fix this, and costs all of about 2 bucks I think.

Good luck.