Behringer Virtualizer 3d Fx2000 Multi Effects Processor Review
A low-cost multi-effects unit of measurement with a huge repertoire of effects.
Although software plug-ins have made huge inroads into studio recording, hardware furnishings and processors shown no sign of becoming extinct. Indeed, some of the lower-cost units tin cost significantly less than an equivalent set of furnishings plug-ins, which makes them attractive in a number of areas, including hardware-based studios, live sound rigs and software studios with sufficient I/O to suit them. The proper name Virtualizer may not be new, but this Pro model, which can run both its channels independently, claims 71 new event types, including improved reverberation adequacy.
To simplify editing, each algorithm has no more than than 7 editable parameters (not counting high- and low-pass filters) and there are 100 user memories for patch storage as well as 100 factory presets. It's also practiced to meet that the user patches come filled with effects that are not simply copies of the manufactory patches. All the familiar effects types are available, from reverb and delay to pitch-shifting, modulation and rotary-speaker simulation, but, as you might expect, at that place are lots of other treatments in at that place including enhancers, stereo width manipulators, bass enhancers, equalisers, distortion furnishings, speaker simulators, vinyl emulators so on.
The 1U unit of measurement uses 24-scrap converters running at a 46.875kHz sample charge per unit, providing a 20Hz to 20kHz bandwidth (±3dB) and a signal-to-noise ratio of 91dB unweighted. As in that location's no digital I/O, it doesn't affair that this is non-standard. Analogue I/O (stereo, both in and out) is provided on both balanced jacks and XLRs, with buttons for selecting -10dBv or +4dBu operating levels (independently for each aqueduct). MIDI In, Out and Thru connectors are fitted to permit remote patch selection, real-time parameter control and, co-ordinate to the manual, even patch editing via PC software (not included, nor indeed mentioned again elsewhere in the manual). Patches may be saved and restored via MIDI SysEx using any external MIDI recording device that tin handle SysEx.
Surfacemount engineering science is used both to expedite manufacturing and to meliorate reliability, and, dissimilar some devices that utilize regular potentiometers as input devices, the Virtualizer Pro features 5 small rotary encoders and 1 large encoder equally the main data entry bike. Power is provided through an IEC mains socket, so there are no wall warts or carpet carbuncles to worry about.
Using The Virtualizer Pro
The only sign that this is a budget product is that it uses four alpha/numeric LED read-outs rather than an LCD, so patches can merely be numbered, non named, though abbreviated parameter names are visible when editing. Several status LEDs to the left of the numeric read-out depict the furnishings type (there are eight algorithm groups) and also the units of the values being adjusted (percent, decibels, hertz or seconds). Every patch has at least iv editable parameters, which are adapted via the four rotary edit controls. Upwardly to two pages of issue parameters tin can exist accessed, with a farther level addressing mix, MIDI and I/O settings. Iii LEDs evidence which folio the controls are currently addressing, and the edit modes are conspicuously marked. The principal wet/dry mix is set using the fifth small encoder, which also doubles as a featherbed control courtesy of an integral push switch, though when an EQ algorithm is loaded, where mix would have no meaning, the command functions instead as a proceeds adjustment.
| Behringer Virtualizer Pro £114 | ||||||
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Presets are dialled up using the big information bicycle after first selecting the Preset button, which is one of the six buttons to the left of the data bike. New effects are based on the 71 effect algorithms — pressing Issue and using the data bike scrolls through them. The Edit button gets you into Edit mode while Shop saves the edited patch into any desired user patch location. While the Store LED is blinking pending a concluding jab at the push, the Compare key allows the original and edited patches to be compared. The Setup key gets you into the utility mode, more of which later.
Going back to the result algorithms, many of these are based circular a single effect, but in that location are also a number of combination programs, such as baloney fed via a flanger, or modulation fed through a reverb. The algorithms also decide the betoken routing, where some patches are dual mono-in, mono-out, some are stereo-in, stereo-out, and others allow the two channels to operate as independent mono-in, stereo-out devices, where the 2 stereo outputs are summed. The Mix parameter accessed using the small encoders sets the signal balance inside the algorithm when multiple effects are in use, while the main Mix control sets the overall wet/dry mix. Additionally, the setup carte du jour enables the unit to be configured every bit mono/stereo in and also provides for a global 100 percent wet mix setting for where the unit of measurement is to be used in a mixer effect send loop. This is a real blessing, equally at that place's nothing worse than having to adjust the mix setting on every patch. Setup too allows certain dual effect programs to be configured as series or parallel. MIDI setup allows any MIDI channel to be selected, and you tin can decide whether MIDI controller information is sent and received. The MIDI Continuous controllers used past the Virtualizer Pro run from 102 to 116, and their destinations vary depending on the effect selected.
Loading a new algorithm takes roughly i 2d after you terminate turning the information cycle and, as you lot'd expect, all the usual reverb types are bachelor, from stage and ambient upwardly to plates, halls and cathedrals. At that place's even a spring reverb simulation for guitar players who can't live without the 'sproing'. On elevation of that at that place are gated and reverse options, as well as stereo, record and ping-pong delay variants, where tape creates progressively duller sounding repeats.
Joining the usual modulation suspects are auto-panning and pitch-shifting in both mono and stereo. Dynamics are represented past compressor/limiter, expander, gate, divide-band compression, denoising (which seems to exist based effectually an expander, possibly in conjunction with some dynamic filtering), de-essing, and something chosen Wave designer, which is essentially an input triggered envelope shaper. The psychoacoustic enhancement section comprises both exciter and enhancer working on different principles, a sub-bass process, two types of stereo-paradigm expander and even a binauraliser designed expand the stereo image using interchannel crosstalk cancellation.
Equally far as EQ goes, at that place'due south a choice of high or low-laissez passer filtering, parametric EQ or an eight-band graphic EQ, while for the guitarist (or dance producer into lo-fi), there are iv types of overdrive/distortion, speaker simulation (eight cabinet types), ring modulation and a dedicated lo-fi processor that adds both noise and hum. The special furnishings section offers more in that vein, with vinyl simulation plus a simple 5-second phrase sampler. Unusually for a budget effects box, there'southward too a rather not bad vocoder, a vocal canceller for taking out centrally panned mid-range sounds, plus a resonant filter. The combination furnishings offering the various modulation and pitch furnishings with reverb; delay with reverb; tremolo with reverb; plus a choice of chorus, flanger, pitch or tremolo with delay. Detailed cake diagrams are included for each algorithm.
Pro Sound?
This range of Behringer effects has always offered great value for coin, but I've never been convinced that the quality of effects lives up to serious studio expectations. Happily, the Virtualizer Pro does sound rather better, especially in the reverb section, where the reverb at present knits convincingly with the dry sound and exhibits a natural, warm decay feature. It'southward however not up there with the better Lexicon or TC units, merely then neither would y'all await that at the price. Notwithstanding, it would make an ideal main reverb in the budget-conscious project studio and could exist used in a supporting role for more serious recording work. It as well includes some useful ambience treatments for creating a sense of space without swamping the audio in reverb.
Of course, the furnishings don't stop with reverb — having a tape delay algorithm completes the repertoire of stock delay-based effects, while the chorus effects are warmer and more analogue-sounding than I recall from previous models. I was particularly taken by the vintage flanger preset, which reminded me of an original Electro-harmonix Electrical Mistress, simply without the dissonance, and, while the rotary speaker simulations wouldn't fool Hugh Robjohns or Gordon Reid for a moment, they are musically attractive and autumn somewhere betwixt a true rotary speaker and a tweaked flanger.
I've never tried a pitch shifter that I've been happy with that price less than a small car, only the one provided here is quite a bit smoother than you'd expect to notice in a budget unit, and is more acceptable for layering with other sounds or for fine detuning/chorus. And then there's the amp and speaker modelling, which again I don't recall rivals stand up-solitary preamps such as the Line 6 Pod or Behringer'due south own V-Amp, simply information technology is still more usable than I was expecting and doesn't have that awful gritty border that so many economic system amp simulators seem to. In combination with a little compression and EQ, yous can get a very passable blues or rock sound. The lo-fi effects sound only equally nasty every bit you'd expect them to and the vinyl scratches are, well, scratchy. The inclusion of a simple vocoder is a great bonus, every bit is the phrase sampler, but for me the decent reverbs and the warm modulated delay furnishings are the all-time reason to choose this unit.
In fact the merely existent dislikes I have centre around the lack of a proper display. Certainly the designers have done the best they can to make the system friendly — the knobs briefly display an abridged parameter name when you starting time turn them — but that's not the same as seeing a full and complete clarification of each parameter and its electric current value, as you'd expect to see when using a piece of gear equipped with an LCD readout. I don't know what a good display would take added to the price, simply it would probably have been worth it. The other feature the unit could usefully have incorporated, given its better-than-boilerplate amp and speaker emulation capabilities, is a loftier-impedance musical instrument input, possibly with an amp voicing EQ excursion, but every bit it is yous'll need to utilise a DI box and a touch of loftier EQ to get the best results with electric guitars.
Verdict
The Virtualizer Pro is a smart-looking box that, in the primary, sounds good and has a unproblematic user interface. Perhaps it'due south because information technology looks more expensive than it is that I complained about the lack of an LCD readout, merely it really is more than awkward to program something using merely a 4 character display, not to mention finding your patches once you've saved them. I don't think I could remember what 100 user patches were from their numbers lone. That issue aside, at that place'due south petty to mutter about when you take the relatively low toll into consideration. Some users may prefer more programmability, merely, as the bones effects are good in the first place, you don't really need to change very much to customise them. In any issue, I'd rather have a simpler unit that I can be bothered to program than a more sophisticated one that intimidates you into sticking with the presets.
The Virtualizer Pro is a smart, easy-to-operate multi-effect processor that handles all the usual effects well and that manages to fit in a lot of less obvious effects likewise. Information technology tin can be used in dual-channel manner, if you need to treat two different aux sends at once, and the reverb quality is certainly a step up from before Virtualizer products. If you lot want good-quality multi-effects at a deal-basement price, this is a good identify to start looking.
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Source: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/behringer-virtualizer-pro
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