Living With A Vampire
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ม.ค. 2024
- Hey everyone! Here's the next episode of Brewster's Millions Of Rants with Living With A Vampire - 20 Years Of V-Amps. In the five years since I've started the LNL channel, I've had countless people appear in the comment section asking or complaining about my rig. I've noticed lots of confusion, but also lots of praise for my sound, so since this is technically the 20th year since I started using Behringer's Vampire/V-Amp series, I decided to do a deep dive on myself and explain why I'm using this equipment - so let's dive in!
I originally bought a Behringer Vampire LX112 combo to teach with in 2004 when I was living/teaching in the Evansville, Indiana area and after the amp performed great for private lessons, I found myself bringing it along to various gigs, recording sessions, guitar clinics, and much more! I used the amp for gigging with two different bands in the Evansville area from 2004-2009, and recorded the album 'Ladies & Gentlemen' using the amp with the group Bosko in 2007.
Fast-forward a few years, and I was eventually endorsed with Behringer/Bugera from 2008-2009, and they sent me a Vampire head and a Bugera 6262 half-stack, which was a great amp, but I really only liked the clean channel, so I eventually got rid of it.
Anyway, this episode revolves around my history of using the Behringer V-Amp series of amplifiers, and aside from plenty of jamming and tone searching in this rant video, I'm really just celebrating the 20th year of using these outdated and VERY cheap amplifiers, but they have a surprisingly good tone! Give this episode a view, leave some comments and feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU! - เพลง
Dave, if I were you.... I'd keep using EXACTLY what you have. It sounds great, and obviously works for you. 98% of "musicians" I know seem to go down the rabbit hole of gear and tone chasing and then start practicing less, and gear hunting more. They become guitar & amp collectors, but their skills suffer. You have seen hundreds if not thousands of these guys over your years on the scene I'm sure.
remember 20 years ago when nobody wanted those Johnson Millenium hybrid amps? yeah, now they ALL want them, and the same guys that dogged it all those years ago now won't shut up about how great the tone is.
it does sound great but it does not translate well over TH-cam. a simple usb interface with a line out from the amp would help this audio immensely . its not the amp. before you all flame me... I have done all this on my own it's just a suggestion- it sounds like a cell phone mic and there are better ways to convey the amp sound. we are not hearing what David is hearing sitting next to the amp.
That opening jam was ridiculous 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻Robin Trower would be proud
🤘😁🤘 Yep! Really enjoyed that! Tone envy! Ha
Song title?
......One of the reasons I started watching your channel was the fact that I was really impressed with the sound of the V-amp;,.so much thatbI purchased one myself...;thanks Dave!...
Same here!
I have always liked your sound. And I have always wondered how it sounded so good!! Your not just great at teaching guitar, but your great dialing in FANTASTIC sounds with a rig that certainly isn't the best of breed. Well done!
Bravo! I primarily use a variety of tube amps in most situations, but also use certain solid state amps depending on the type of music and gig. The Marshall Valvestate and MG series in particular are very usable and capture the dynamics of a tube rig pretty accurately, but without the weight and maintainence, or the resentment you'll experience sometimes if you drag out a nice older tube amp to a local jam or whatever. It seems like other players aren't nearly as likely to give you some attitude, but more likely respect, when you make a cheap older s.s. amp sound really good. They can't just say, "Oh, it's that expensive equipment" that sounds good, it's actually your playing (and what you're saying with it) that they can hear, provided the equipment is of reasonable quality and you've got it dialed in to, as you said, "sound like you".
I have the V-AMP 2 pod unit. Looks like a little guitar. It is small and sounds fantastic , very portable and can use with headphones.
I have a V amp Pro. I bought mine when they came out. I used mine on two albums from 2008-10 I still think it has awesome sounds..
I am 110% in agreement with you. I have used these V-amps for nearly 20 years as well. It’s ironic how ppl will compliment your tone until they find out I was plugged into. I used mine direct into a PA system and into any other combo kicking around. Either way it never let me down! After using it to the point of wearing it out.: I’m now using Fender Mustang GtX 50.
Note I loved the Behringer V-Amps because I can not use foot switch’s due to paraplegia . I could change on the fly with my pick hand. With my GTX 50 I switch my sounds with a swipe of my finger with my iPhone or IPad. In the end compared to dozens of rigs I’ve owned The GTX gives me exactly what I need for tone, ease of use, versatility and ease of use as well the ability to carry my own rig in my wheelchair…
BTW, Great tone and playing!
Thanks
Once you find the tone you are hearing in your head its over that is your soul keep it and fly the vampire flag my friend. I'm also jealous cause I'm still searching for mine. Great channel by the way love it
I am really enamored with Headstrong amps right now. A lot more expensive but I love the tone and build quality. But for the price, you have done amazingly well with the V amps.
I bought the Vamp Pro in 2003, I just sold it a couple of years ago and purchase the Line 6 Helix rack. It's a lot more expensive but sounds great. Check it out if you haven't already.
Opening jam kicked ass!
Been waiting for you to cover this. 🎉 Oh man Moore music is where I first got to try out the original 5150 when it released back in the day.
This is a video I’ve been hoping that you would make. I’m one of the people who keeps commenting on how great you sound and how you nail sounds for your demos and LNL.
Thanks 👍
I think anyone thats in the endless pursuit of finding the newest and greatest gear should watch this video. To see such a great player playing very cheap and affordable equipment and not getting hung up on the gear, is extremely refreshing and puts it all into perspective. Thanks man.
In the early to mid 2000's I used the v Amp pro rack mount with the berhinger foot switch in a praise and worship band. I dialed in all my own presets and ran it right to the board. Always awesome sounds. From clean to rock to metal it worked great!
I stand by the V-Amp!! I recorded some of my best stuff through a V-Amp. It's a GREAT tool.
I Used to have a V-amp pro rack mount, with the big FB1010 pedal board I bought separately I loved it. Was and still is my favorite tone I've ever had. Long story short it was stolen and i never found another one for sale at the time so I've just settled for my rig I'm currently using, after years of several amps, pedals, multi effects..... Still chasing that tone!!
Great to see the old combo! It did really well tonight before getting tired. 😁 When I first started watching your channel I thought your tones were killer. The full on metal to the chimey strat tones were all amazing. They added so much to the great lessons. I remember when you changed it and wondered “what!? Why!?”. Nice to see the old classic make a showing. Thanks David. Have a good one.
Also best $200 ever spent. I like my Katana practice amp OK but it does not sound near as good as your 20yr old combo.
Really dig that intro jam!
I gigged in my metal band with an '87 Fender The Twin combo for years. People thought it was weird, but it was a great pedal platform. Worked for me.
Dave you rock, you sound terrific I'm with everybody else that says keep doing what you're doing. Showing people how to dial a terrific, usable, versatile tone with inexpensive equipment is an invaluable resource 🙏🏼 Keep up the good work 🤘🏼
There’s lots of gear snobbery these days, it doesn’t matter if it’s berhinger or fractal if it sounds good and you sound awesome
Hi Dave, Tejas was a special sounding collection of songs. Love it. Thx
Tenas is one of my favorite albums
So many good songs
It sounds good and serves the purpose, great video David, have a great weekend 🤘
I have the V-Amp Pro rack unit. I obtained it 4 years ago, $100 delivered, new-old-stock, unopened factory fresh box. Not a bad sounding unit at all.
You're the best Dave. Love the channel, Keep up the great work!!!!
I’ve always loved your tone - don’t ever change that!
Happy to have subscribed, enjoy the energy and ideas from other players.
So tasty, Dude. I keep coming back for that intro. You definitely have a sound🤘🤘🤘🎸
I’ve been using a Vamp Pro since it came out running it through power amp into 4x12 stereo cab never really felt the need to change sound just works for me I’ve done 100’s of shows still has the original battery love your channel I learn so much from every thing you post
That 2B preset sounds awesome!
Really enjoyed this breakdown! I was rocking the Vamp Pro back in the day, well for one gig anyway. I enjoyed the great computer editor that came with it and using a midi pedalboard alongside.
Yet another Great video from you !! That intro was Killer , and I agree with you 100% when you said you didn’t want to sound like someone else , but wanted to sound like YOU! For my own personal uses ( just a 64 year old guy )“ Noodling”at home now , I have an early ( 2005 I think ) Fender Blues Deluxe amp & a Vox “ Valvetronics” 50 watt , both with 12” speakers . My pedal board is a Morely Wah, into an old and Abused TS-9 , then into a DOD Overdrive orange DS-1, then into a DOD “ Grunge “ ( yeah , I know , not a real popular pedal 😏😉) and into a looper and then an amp splitter to run either or both amps simultaneously and choose which amp is “ Lead “ & “ Follow “ for some really outrageous tones & such . Finding your own sound is a beautiful thing , and yours is one of the main reasons I’ve been a subscriber since I first found you on TH-cam . Having really expensive equipment but sounding “ Meh” verses having a rather inexpensive setup but sounding outrageous is just icing on the cake , so to speak , and your cake is “ Iced “ rather well…. Thanks again for all you do & share , and take your time & choose wisely for your future gear , it is after all “ Your tone “ 😎👍
that was quite an opening jam Dave - stopped me right in my tracks to catch some really tasty skills on display
I have the VAMP PRO pod unit . Have used it for dang near 20 years and it does exactly what I need it to do !! It sounds great and performs perfectly ! I don't care what ppl think of it cause I didn't spend a fortune to get a good sound and they always ask me "What is that amp you're using?" Keep doing what you're doing , Dave !!! Great video !!
I also had the V-Amp 2 (the Pod unit) back then (actually it's still somewhere in my storage). I really liked it, it kinda had this bad reputation of sounding shitty and cheap but I never really got that impression. It did a good job.
I dig that ZZ --t shirt - they give ya an edge in tone da' secret sauce!
I own a Marshall JMP Halfstack and a Tubemeister 18, but still play my Line 6 Flextone II regularly. Love it.
I still have my original Vox Valetronix from the early 2000’s. It’s the first generation modeler from Vox and the best one they ever made. Like the Vampire you need to spend time with the amp and find the nuggets of greatness buried in the options. This thing has a built in compressor which is awesome for the clean channel. Built in tube screamer with hits the front of the amp model. Everything from heavy rock metal blues. It’s friggin amazing.
Awesome..dude..now you are teaching authenticity...hard to explain..but you have no problem...and yes you are authentic...thank you
Well done!!
You have proved you don't need expensive gear to sound great! You have proved you do not need a wall of amps, 20 guitars , a fractal, etc to be a valid player / instructor. You have been published in magazines so you have credentials, but you keep your setup simple and get to the point of great content !! By doing this you are making your content more accessible to guitarist wanting to learn. They ae not caught up in 'they have all that stuff, I must need all that stuff to sound great also " trap. I use an eleven rack and I did add an Ir pedal to give me more cab options, but I also added a "latest greatest pedal " that everyone was going crazy for. Within a month I was going back to the eleven raclk !!
Great opening jam, David! It has never crossed my mind that you would need to upgrade your rig! It always sounds great!
My main rig, for at least 15 years, is a DeArmond 7-String electric guitar (from Musician's Friend, closeout for $130- I should have bought two) and a little Vox Brian May Recording Amp I bought for $199 from Guitar Center (I recently did buy a second one, used, for $212, from eBay). That's been my sound (and it isn't particularly Brian May, though I love him). I use the amp's gain for distortion. Great lean, raw, overdriven sound!
For studio use my basic rig is a Digitech GSP1101 with an ISP Theta in the FX loop. The ISP gets the dirt I like. Out from the GSP1101 into a Marshall 9000 series stereo amp to a 4x12. The sounds from this rig are perfect for me. The portable rig I use has a BluGuitar Iridium as the core of it with a few various pedals. Very small, light rig with NO menu stuff and its reliable. Behringer makes some good equipment at good prices. I like their FS300 Fuzz a lot.
It's great, sounds great. If it didn't I dont think I would have stuck with listening to you. The truth is, you sound great! I bought one after watching you, had to replace the encoders.
While I have a 90s Carvin Nomad that can sound really good turned up, I also have and use FAR more is a Line 6 Flextone 3.Man its it beyond fine to get close to all the usual tones one needs.
I have had a V amp 2 for many years. Still use it. Do not regret my purchase.
That sounds really good !!!!
People don't have to spend a lot of money to get a Great Tone. I used to have. Burgers Plexi Stack. It sounded great !!!
Great video, as always! I understand you like the sound of this dinosaur preamp... I am not sure if it sounds that good, but it's not too bad, and it's your sound for sure! That said, I am sure you would be soooo ecstatic to play with something a bit more... modern maybe? The day I tried a Fractal FM3 it changed my life, and I am sure you'd be able to dial something similar in terms of sonic qualities... but BETTER than the Vampire.
Of course it matters what kind of equipment you use, but... You make music with your ears 🤩
I had a v-amp 212 combo. Loved the sounds but it didn't have enough volume to be heard over my hard hitting drummer. I sold it and bought the little v-amp guitar shaped pod thing. I ran it into the effects return of a solid state 100 watt Randall head and a Marshall MG 412 cabinet. I really liked their version of the jcm 800. But I've switched to cheap tube amps, a Bugera G20, a Blackstar HT club 50, and a Monoprice Stage Right 15 watt combo. I also still have an old discontinued Vox Tonelab and a Zoom g3xn for headphone playing. The funny thing is I always recieved compliments on my sound, then when someone asked what I was using I'd get weird looks when they heard the brands. 😏
I have a V-Ampire combo too.
Bought it in 2007. Really nice amp.
I haven't really used it a lot lately, after a bought a Peavey Classic 30 in 2015.
I used a Behringer combo for teaching in the nineties and noughties. 15w with a copy of a SansAmp built in. It was loud enough, had one reasonably good tone and weighed nothing. It cost less than a hundred brand new and still works. I now use a BluGuitar Amp1 with a Blug neo speaker cab, which has just about any tone you can think of...
opening jam was lit af
I have the blue rack unit too, Used it for years. The non top boost vox setting is my favorite tone. The fuzz is really good too.
your rig sounds perfect i love it. i use the behringer fcb 1010 midi foot controller, i dont remember where or when i bought it!
I still have the V-ampire head that I got over 20 years ago for $160 used. I have always thought it was underrated. With tweaking there are some great tones. I used the midi functions to connect to a computer with their deep editing software that opens up more options to have multiple effects and get some really good core sounds. I also used the behringer midi controller which allowed having a volume and wah on every preset. I have gone into more high end tube amps since but still keep the behringer around as a backup and plug it up every now and then. The compression on it makes it more forgiving to play whereas through a tube amp sloppy playing is put on full display. It has great sounds just I find whether plugging in a strat or humbuckers or whatever you get the same sound whereas a tube amp can really highlight the characteristics of a particular guitar. Both have their uses.
I find that if you find something that you like and you keep if for a long time, you learn all it's quirks and idiosynchaeies and you get more out of it. Also, if you are not trying to copy one of your hero's or get a sound just like someone specific you find something more special to your tone. Keep it up because your lessons and your sound are great Good for you my friend.
I always wondered what the heck you were using. It definitely is unique; you have your own tone for sure. Seems like it really works well to recreate different tones as well.
if it ain't broke, don't fix it. those old behringer v-amps still sound great to my ears.
I used tube amps for many years and have recently been trying various solid state amps over 30 years old all under $100. There is something immediate and percussive about solid state that I like. My current fav amp is a Fender M-80 1-12 with the furry grey cover and only use clean channel. Not saying it is best but it works for me.
You have some big hands. I never had a Line 6 or the Vamp. These days I’m more into battery operated amps. I have the Roland Micro Cube, a Pignose 7-100, Spark 40 and the Spark Go. I enjoy all of them but at the same time none of them are perfect. I would like something portable with an effects loop that’s battery powered. Nobody makes anything like that. Your playing skills are amazing 👍🏻
That solo was sooo tasty and on top of that you hit us with some sweep (hybrid?) picking runs? Is there anything you can't do? Thanks for all the videos and sharing of info, you rock.
I have the head and found a matching 4x12 cab. I think it sounds dope!
I have always wondered what you were using. There is a ton of great gear that is extremely well priced. Like you said it’s not the best but it’s the price of a pedal and it works!
I’ve had a handful of these ever since your first video on the LX112. It’s worth noting that the kidney bean shaped one that can be gotten for 50 bucks is exactly the same in terms of a preamp interface. I do a similar sound to you’d but I use the chorus & Delay to grease it up instead of flange and delay. My next goal with it is to get it to sound as good when it’s LOUD since I’m playing post metal and competing with big Sunn, Orange and Quilter amps. Maybe running it through a slave amp instead of the frfr will do the trick any way; thank you for making us all hip to these!
Proud V-Amp'er here! I bought one - fell in love - then snapped up 2 more.
My first "amp" was a vamp2 pod knockoff & headphones. Mom & Dad loved it, lol. Honestly, I'd rather sound like crap than use what everyone else is using. Best amp I ever had was a fender excelsior. Supposedly for harmonicas with a 15" speaker, volume knob, a trem knob, & a bright switch.
If you're wanting another teaching/recording combo, there is absolutely nothing that even comes close to Yamaha's THR/THRii lineup. I actually had the now-discontinued THR100HD dual head and it was my only amp for a decent while, and I did really enjoy it. But it was nowhere near as awesome as the little desktop amps. If Yamaha re-released the THR100 head with whatever black magic they've squeezed into the wee amps, I'd swap it for my JVM in a heartbeat.
Not to disparage the THR100s, though. That was and remains an outstanding amplifier and could very likely be a reasonably inexpensive and most excellent V-amp replacement for you if/when the time comes.
The vamp pro has alot of great sounds. I like factory setting 18 with and without the effects on. It is the main sound on one of my rigs
Dave, I could care less what you use.
It's the magician, not the wand anyway and have no problems with what I hear at LNL. I'm here for the lessons, a paying patron, and wanting to play better.
Plenty of other channels and forums out there for the gear cork sniffers.
I JUST bought one on line and after about a week of learning, I’m really digging it. Any chance you would share some of your patches, I’m trying to build my own.
Thanks for the advice, love your channel!
I own a Seymour Seymour Duncan 100 watt convertible and modules. I modified the high gain module .
Man, that clean 2B sound is pretty good. Some spend thousands for a similar sound.
Thanks Dave for all the inspiration over the years .I've got a Vamp pro it sounds great through a 1000w stereo PA in my home studio 🤘 have you ever tried the red MK3 version Behringer made of this modler ?
If it sounds good, it is good.
THEY ARE AMAZING.....WE USED IT ON OUR NEW ALBUM
Hey I agree with use what you want. But if you want a great amp tech has improved a lot. I have a Katana MK. V1 & a Hughes & Kettner Ampman going into a 12” cab. And a Marshall Origin 50 watt. I always go back to the Kattana
I have heard they do brilliantly with more contemporary IRs - might be something to consider to leverage even more mileage out of them!
You always sound great. I'd say just keep using it until you get tired of it, then maybe something like that little Friedman pedal into the headrush would work and be simple, but you might hate that too, so there you go. ;)
Dave, I still have my original Vetta I … it’s 200w per channel solid state into 2x12 celestions… the coolest part is that it has essentially two Line 6 pods running simultaneously (or separately if you want to, but you never will)… everything is in stereo, it even has a unique double tracking feature that is the closest I’ve ever heard to having another guitarist or maybe closer to double tracking in the studio… it’s a great amp, even better with an FBX foot pedal (I have the “shortboard”, but still very big!) … if you ever get a chance you should try one out… if you’re ever in southern nh i’ll let you try mine!!!
If it sounds great it is great! While inexpensive it does sound very much like a Plexi-style or jcm800 i honestly can't believe it either i have nice gear and i totally would rock this i might pick one up !
You should do some songs with Pete thorn! You’re an amazing player Dave!
Nice jam Dave. U are a pleasure to listen to. Don't know why anyone would bother to rank on ur tone. They must be deaf. I heard a guy plug a les paul into a marshall once and sound very, very bad. Like it hurt. U play ur v amp and sound great. The player is most important but many forget that . Practice and learning new things and pushing to do the things u can not do is how u get better. Always a pleasure. Peace.
I have a VAmp 2 for yeara and I love
I almost bought that rack mount Behringer V-Amp about 10 years ago when they were like $169.
You should try the new Soldano astro. I know I have my eye on it
Check out the Universal Audio Ruby pedal amp. I got it for Xmas and I have it plugged in 24/7. It is amazing how much it feels like an amp. You might want the Dream if you like Fender style amps.
There always be gear snobs. They're in every hobby, sport or job you do. Some is due to ignorance of how things work and other is looking for confirmation of what they spent a ton of money on. Just use what pleases you. Like the video!
I had a Cyber Twin, it was a great amp in its day.
The only thing that matters with gear is that it speaks to you and that it helps you to chisel out your sound.
The amp sounds good because the the guitar player is awesome
If you went rack with analog preamp and power amp, using a digital modeller for effects, this might be of interest. Synergy Syn-2 with two modules, something like a Fryette PS-2A Power Station, and then an Axe FX II, Line 6 Helix or Pod HD rack (or other Line 6 Pod rack version). It would be a pretty versatile rig you can control with midi and cover a lot of tonal ground.
Love that opening jam. I really like the tone from the amp. Are you using a microphone ?
hey dave what about keely supro? its designed for pedals. i want one but its pricey for me . right now im using two headrush speakers the 108, into overloud thu plug in its great , but i would love a supro keely
I think you would get along with a Katana 50. They are versatile, easy to use, sound great, and inexpensive.
I actually have a 1st gen Katana 50 in my studio.
I think I bought that back in 2017-ish.
@@LateNightLessons OK, cool. I think that tone you use is really great btw. It's YOU. I wasn't saying you need to change it, just making a suggestion if you're looking for something newer and easier to find. Keep it up. Love your content.
What was that amp Terry Kath used with the chicken wire Faraday cage?
Whatever sounds good to you is right.
You should check out the Quilter Mach 3