Using the VIRTUALIZER DSP 2024 to it's fullest potential.


An old adage states that you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, lest you fumble said basket and produce something of an impromptu sidewalk omelet. Wise, to a point, but I think it's OK to carry all your eggs in one basket as long as you do so cautiously and thoughtfully. This will also save you the time and energy that could have been spent on multiple trips to the chickenhouse; it's all about efficiency.

The VIRTUALIZER rack-mount multi-effect processor is a prime example that lays this old adage to rest. Featuring no less than 71 different effect algorithms, this device is a one-stop-shop for studio effect processing needs; eliminating the need to purchase multiple specialized rackmount effects.

I recently took a VIRTUALIZER home for a couple days (Thanks, Leanne!) and put it through its paces. My favorite aspect of the VIRTUALIZER is not in regards to any particular effect, but instead the device's intuitive ease of use. My rule of thumb regarding User Interface is this: if I want the machine to perform feature "X," the first effort I intuitively take to get "X" to happen should be the one that works. That's exactly how this device performs, every time.

Not like some of the competition's "hidden feature" layouts - "Hold this button, then tap that one, then stand on one leg and pray," know what I mean? The large control knob on the right selects presets/user patches and effect categories, and then the smaller 4 controls are used to modify effect parameters like delay time, gain, and EQ. Once you have dialed in a sound you really like, the "Store" button writes it to a user section with a single touch. The next step? Create another patch and store it, too! Repeat x 98.

The VIRTUALIZER is a piece of rack-mount gear that is perfectly at home in the studio or on the stage. It features an array of bread-and-butter effects like delay (echo), reverb, compression, and distortion, but also features even more esoteric special effects like psychoacoustic processing, a wave designer, and a ring modulator! Many of these effects can be combined upon one another for truly innovative sonic possibilities.

For live applications, the best locale in the signal path for the VIRTUALIZER is in the effects loop of your guitar amp. For studio use, I recommend placing the VIRTUALIZER in the channel insert stage if you are using its compression, gate, or expansion settings. Otherwise, it will be right at home in the FX send path of your mixer.

MIDI implementation is a breeze - which, as any MIDI junkie would know, is a rarity in the MIDI world. Simply connect your FCB1010 to the Virtualizer's MIDI IN port, and program its pedal buttons to match the patches you have saved in the VIRTUALIZER. Then you can call up your stored settings with a quick stomp. This is a great way to save multiple settings for different songs - enough for an entire setlist! Variable settings like delay rate and filter cutoff can be assigned to the 2 expression pedals on the FCB1010 as well.

When it comes to bang-for-the-buck, the VIRTUALIZER is hard to beat. Dedicated reverb units from the competition can soar in cost to several times the VIRTUALIZER's price point - and you're only getting reverb! I mean, reverb's cool and all, but with the VIRTUALIZER 2024, you're getting a lot more functionality for a lot less cash.

Labels: behringer, DSP2024, FCB1010, midi controller

Hey, I just wanted to call your attention to this really thorough review/run-through of our FCV-100 Volume pedal on Youtube.com.



"TheMadMusicMan" did an awesome job on this thing and really put the FCV-100 through its paces. Thanks, man, keep 'em coming!

I simply never tire of watching people demo our gear.

Labels: behringer, FCV-100, volume pedal, youtube

Who wouldn't want $500 of free professional audio equipment? Have you been eyeing some new portable PA equipment? Maybe dreams of powered mixers or DJ mixing equipment have been dancing in your head. Luckily, I am happy to be able to help fuel your gear lust.

I am excited to announce BEHRINGER's "I Rock BEHRINGER" flickr photo contest. From now until August 15, 2009, anyone who adds four photographs of themselves with their BEHRINGER gear to the "I Rock BEHRINGER" flickr photo group is entered to win $500 worth of the BEHRINGER gear of their choice. A panel of distinguished judges (read "BEHRINGER employees") will select the winning group of four photographs as the winner!

Who knows, your gorgeous mug shredding on your GM-108 modeling amplifier might just be the picture that sends our judges over the top. So, be creative and have fun with it, but be sure to read the complete contest rules below! Good luck!

OFFICIAL RULES FOR I Rock BEHRINGER flickr Contest

No purchase necessary to enter the I Rock BEHRINGER flickr Contest.

These are the Official Rules that govern how the BEHRINGER I Rock BEHRINGER flickr Contest contest promotion will operate. This promotion will be simply referred to as the “Contest” throughout the rest of these rules. In these rules, “we” “our” and “us” refer to BEHRINGER, the sponsor of the Contest. “You,” “yourself,” “I,” “me,” and “my” refers to an eligible Contest entrant

1. CONTEST DESCRIPTION:

This is a skill-based Contest. The object of this Contest is to create 4 photographs that depict BEHRINGER products being used. For purpose of this Contest, each 4 photos you create and submit in the Contest will be called an “entry.” Entry eligibility will be determined using the criteria in Paragraph 4. All eligible entries received will be judged using the criteria in Paragraph 7, and the judges will select 1 person who will each receive the prize described below.

2. What are the start and end dates?

This Contest starts at 12:01 AM Pacific Time on July 1, 2009 and ends at 11:59 Pacific Time PT August 15, 2009. This will be referred to as the Entry Period throughout the rest of these rules. Entries must be received within the Entry Period to be eligible. Any received outside of those dates will be disqualified.

3. Can You enter?

You are eligible to enter this Contest if you meet the following requirements:

• You are at least 18 years of age or older at the time of entry
  
  


• You are NOT an employee of BEHRINGER


• You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child


• or household member of a BEHRINGER employee

This Contest is void wherever prohibited by law.

4. What constitutes an eligible entry?

To be eligible for judging an entry must meet the following content / technical requirements:

• The four photos must be added to the “I Rock BEHRINGER” photo group at http://www.flickr.com/groups/irockbehringer/


• The four photos must prominently and positively feature at least one BEHRINGER product in use.


• The four photos must be tagged with the name of the BEHRINGER product being featured.

In addition:

• your entry must be your own original work;


• your entry cannot have been selected as a winner in any other contest;


• you must have obtained any and all consents, approvals or licenses required for you to submit your entry;


• your entry must not otherwise violate the rights of any other person or company by using their trademarks, music, logos, names or images without their express written consent.
  
  

5. How will my entry be potentially used?

Other than what is set forth below, we are not claiming any ownership rights to your entry. However, by submitting your entry, you:

• are granting us an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide right and license to: (i) use, review, assess, test and otherwise analyze your entry and all its content in connection with this Contest; and (ii) feature your entry and all its content in connection with the promotion of this Contest in all media (now known or later developed);


• agree to sign any necessary documentation that may be required for us and our designees to make use of the rights you granted above;


• understand and acknowledge that we may have developed or commissioned materials similar or identical to your submission and you waive any claims you may have resulting from any similarities to your entry;


• understand that we cannot control the incoming information you will disclose to our representatives in the course of entering, or what our representatives will remember about your entry. You also understand that we will not restrict work assignments of representatives who have had access to your entry. By entering this Contest, you agree that use of information in our representatives’ unaided memories in the development or deployment of our products or services does not create liability for us under this agreement or copyright or trade secret law;


• understand that you will not receive any compensation or credit for use of your entry, other than what is described in these Official Rules

Please note that following the end of this Contest your entry may be posted on a website selected by us for viewing by visitors to that website. We are not responsible for any unauthorized use of your entry by visitors to this website. While we reserve these rights, we are not obligated to use your entry for any purpose, even if it has been selected as a winning entry.

6. How do you submit your entry?

To submit your entry add four photos that show a BEHRINGER product or products in use to the “I Rock BEHRINGER” flickr group at http://www.flickr.com/groups/irockbehringer/. The four photos must prominently and positively feature at least one BEHRINGER product. Furthermore, the photos must be tagged with the name of the product being featured.

We will only accept one entry per flickr account. In other words, two people may not enter using the same flickr account – you each must enter using a unique flickr account. We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason.

We will automatically disqualify:

(1) Any incomplete or illegible entry; and

(2) Any entries that we receive from you that are in excess of the entry limit described above.

7. How will entries be judged?

A panel of judges will review all eligible entries received and select one winner based upon the following criteria:

[50%-] Creativity and originality;

[25% -] Prominence of product in image;

[25% -] Uniqueness of each image in the set.

The decisions of these judges are final and binding. If we do not receive a sufficient number of entries meeting the entry requirements, we may, at our discretion, select fewer than [number] winners. In the event of a tie between any eligible entries, the tie will be broken by an additional judge who will judge the tied entries based on the criteria listed above.

8. What is/are the prize(s)?

The winner will receive $500 (US) worth of BEHRINGER gear of their choosing.

The total Estimated Retail Value (ERV) of all prizes: $500.00 (US)

If for any reason the advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value. We will only award one (1) prize per person. If you are selected as a potential winner of this Contest:

(1) You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services;

(2) You may not designate someone else as the winner. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we will award it to an alternate potential winner.

(3) If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize.

9. How will you know if you’re a winner?

On or around August 30, 2009, we, or a company acting under our authorization, will complete judging and one potential winner will be determined based on the criteria stated above. If you are a potential winner, we will notify you by sending a message to the flickr account used to enter, the phone number, or mailing address (if any) listed on your entry within seven (7) days following the selection. If the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may award the prize to an alternate selected winner. If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the flickr account used to enter the Contest, or the person residing at the mailing address listed on your mail-in entry. If you are a potential winner, we may require you to sign an affidavit of eligibility, liability/publicity release and any other necessary forms. If you do not sign and return these required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select an alternate randomly selected winner.

10. What other conditions are you are agreeing to by entering this Contest?

By entering this Contest you agree and/or understand that:

(1.) To abide by these Official Rules;

(2.) To the extent allowed by law, to release and hold harmless BEHRINGER and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Contest or any prize won;

(3.) That BEHRINGER’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Contest;

(4.) That BEHRINGER may use your proper name and area of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Contest, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

(5.) This Contest will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of Washington courts (state and federal) for any disputes arising out of this Contest.

11. What if something unexpected happens and the Contest can’t run as planned?

If someone cheats, or a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Contest, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Contest. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Contest, we reserve the right to select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Contest. Computer “hacking” is a crime. If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Contest by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Contest, so please play fairly.

12. How can you find out who won?

Send us an email on or before November 15, 2009, and we will provide you with a list of winners that received a prize worth $25.00 or more.

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Will Boyd is the Social Media Coordinator for BEHRINGER. Will is into podcasting, songwriting, blues guitar, rock climbing, and bicycle commuting. Stop by and say "hi" to Will at http://twitter.com/BEHRINGER.

Labels: behringer, contest

What makes the best guitar amplifiers so good?  One word: tone.  So, if one piece of gear could deliver more than just a couple of sweet tonal variations, wouldn't that make it a valuable piece of your live sound equipment rig?  That's the beauty of owning a modeling amplifier.  It just doesn't get much better than showing up to a gig with the equivalent of a truck load of gear tucked into one package.  The BEHRINGER V-TONE GMX212 gives you just that.  With 99 user presets, this amp can go from clean-as-a-whistle to down-and-dirty to metal-face-melt without missing a beat.  Don't take my word for it, though.  Go over to Ultimate-Guitar.com and check out the amplifier review.  I think you'll be impressed.  

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Will Boyd is the Social Media Coordinator for BEHRINGER.  Will is into podcasting, songwriting, blues guitar, rock climbing, and bicycle commuting.  Stop by and say "hi" to Will at http://twitter.com/BEHRINGER.

Labels: behringer, gmx212, modeling amplifier, v-tone

Amazon.Com's customer reviews section can be something of a minefield. It's under the cover of anonymity that folks are most comfortable getting nitpicky, and sometimes downright cruel.

It's for that reason that I think it speaks very highly of us that our C-1 condenser mic currently has 5 OUT OF 5 STARS on Amazon! These are user reviews, mind you - not critics, and certainly not paid reviewers. These are the actual end-users who use the product in the real world.

The C-1 condenser is a perfect choice for home or pro studios. It's ideal for recording vocals or acoustic guitar, or any other instrument that will be up-front in a mix. The C-1 records a wide range of nuance and detail in crystalline clarity.

Go buy one right now!

Labels: behringer, C-1, microphone

I want to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Will, and I'm BEHRINGER's new Social Media Coordinator. I'm thrilled about the ways that BEHRINGER is venturing into the world of social media and excited to be a part of it. As we go forward, you'll be reading and hearing more of me everywhere from here at The EARBLOG, on Twitter, MySpace, and more. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you.

To start, let me tell you a bit about myself. I've been working in social media for over a year as a social media consultant and new media producer. My first foray into this new world was an audio podcast I produced about the local music scene in Central Georgia. From there, I began helping non-profits use social media and podcasting to tell their stories. Along with working professionally in social media, I also focused my bachelor's degree at Goddard College on social media. All in all, I feel like I've lived the last couple of years of my life online.

I think it is fitting that I'm here at BEHRINGER and that I got started in social media through music. I've always loved playing and recording music. I started writing my own songs at age 16 when my parents gave me my first guitar. As I hammered out three chord song after three chord song, I began to really get into home recording. As luck would have it, it was not long after that I got my first computer. It didn't take long until I had moved from my little 4 track recorder to computer recording. Suddenly, I was able to barrage my poor family with a non-stop flow of homemade demos. It was when I made this move to digital recording that I bought my first piece of pro audio equipment, a BEHRINGER preamp. Eventually, I moved to Nashville to chase my dream of being a songwriter. While I never "made it" in Guitar Town, I never lost the love of songwriting and recording -- and I still have that BEHRINGER preamp.

So that's a little about me. I'm excited to be here and to be a part of this new journey that BEHRINGER is on. I'm also excited to get to meet all of you! Stop by and say "hi" on Twitter or MySpace. Also, keep checking back here at The EARBLOG for more updates.

Take care,

Will Boyd

Labels: behringer, earblog, myspace, podcast, social media, twitter, will boyd