I can tell a lot of attention went in to this review. It's easy to just blast the Darkglass distortion and call it done, but I really appreciate your honest review here. Great job Chris!
If they had released this one before the ADAM, I wonder how that would have changed things. This pedal really realizes this platform/form factor's full potential, where the ADAM felt super narrow in it's uses.
@@TheBassChannel I think the 'gear review' format is back (moreso than the last year or so) - it got lost a bit once all the new faces were introduced as well. Regardless, it feels good again to get lots of honest gear reviews - Cheers
Nice job as usual Fellas! :) If Darkglass releases a Vintage Microtubes/B7K combo in this new format...take my money please !:) Stay healthy y'all- Brent
Totally agree on the "small Darkglass pedals sound better" sentiment. I recently upgraded to a Vintage Deluxe after using a Vintage Microtubes for years, and after several days of testing & trying out the bigger, better-featured Deluxe, I just could not get the same kind of sound that I felt the VM did perfectly. Depending on the settings, I felt the Deluxe either gave me barely enough distortion or way too much of it, and in those moments I sorely missed the VM's compression circuit. Plus the VM just stacks SO WELL with a B3K (another smaller Darkglass pedal) in front of it.
Thank you for this review. I already have a tuner, compressor and b7k. So with all that I went with the alpha omicron. And it was the best decision I could've made. So at least you know 1 alpha omicron was sold this year lol.
This video was awesome and so glad I watched til the end. It made so much since about the bigger the unit the less punch. Thanks guys for the video. 🤘😎
Awesome demo. 😎🎸🤘🏻This preamp sounds killer. I personally liked how it sounded with the jazz bass, the stingray basses, the pj bass, the Gibson grabbler, and the active basses like the specter euro, the Warwick streamer, and the Ibanez k5. I do wish you demoed it with the schecter stiletto bass.
Alright, if you keep on like this, I'll have to comment on every video you post : I said it already but I'll say it over and over again if asked (and even if it's not) : THIS is the best bass-related channel in all of the YT world! Damn, that kind of honesty and dedication... Ultimate respect! Now, prove your point about the smallest, the punchiest, and give us that comparison video the world of Darkglass maniacs needs. Oh, and one last thing : what is the bass used in the segment where you change between presets (big bass dub-like sound / huge drive)?
Always appreciate your kind words. The Darkglass comparison is in the works as of now. And the bass your asking about is a Warwick Adam Clayton RockBass with an EMG PAX pickup.
I'd love to get one of these little things for live playing. I've got an AO pedal and a B7KU and I definitely noticed the B7KU has less punch and it never occurred to me that it's because the pedal's got more features. You make a pretty good case for the whole "Get something that does one thing well" idea. But anyway I didn't know the Photon has a tuner! Nobody ever mentions that. My rig is just my Ibanez into a tuner, compressor, and the AO so this could absolutely replace my whole rig. Only thing I would "miss" is carrying amps around but I might bring my Ampeg BA115 just as a monitor.
Love the honesty, how I felt about my Adam. Instead grabbed the b7ku. Sounded 10 times better.. I agree with what you're saying. Maybe 18v would help? Who knows
My bass preamp setup is a rickenbacker 4003 into a Boss BB-1X, running into a tech 21 sansamp bass driver DI, into a boss bass EQ pedal. To me this is the perfect setup.
Interesting point about the small vs bigger pedals in terms of punch/sound. I only own a VMT so have nothing to compare (apart from the Neural DSP plugin, which is amazing). As far as the power source, you need to look at amperage draw, not necessarily voltage.
I have the standard AO pedal and the Photon. The tone from the Photon has alot more factors at play to scuplt your tone, which out of the box takes a little more tweaking and many settings to sift through for sure. The standard is a great pedal and makes it easy to find a useable sound. But I wanted an all in one unit and I love everything from Darkglass.
Great video, was thinking about selling my compressor, tuner, DG X7 and Alpha Omicron to buy this one, but after Your final thoughts I'll stick with my old setup :) 9V supply thing is little worrying, because I was looking forward for X type pedal in that format, now I'm not so sure anymore.
You asked great questions!, questions I was asking since I first saw this pedal. At the end of the day I’m very content with my X ultra! Most of us already have tuners at least we all should. Most of us have our own XLR a compression pedal maybe, I got a alpha omega from Zounds and was not happy with it because I was replacing my first X ultra that took a crap and that Darkglass did not want to repair and Zounds let me return it no problem and get the one I wanted “2nd Xultra “
I would definitely use this to get rid of my hyperluminal, harmonic booster, B7KU, XU, and element. But I wouldn’t be able to use the di function of due to my need for chorus , flange, etc. I wish this thing had an FX loop then it would be golden!!!
FINALLLLYYYY!!!!!! someone who says on video the same thing that I along with other users have been saying all this time about the ADAM... The long answer for me is. get the adam if you play a dingwall and you like how it sounds. I am on the same page with liking the Photon over the ADAM.!!!
I went for the AO Ultra. Obviously before watching this, but I made similar conclusions. Also, I think an all digital unit at this pricepoint should have a more open architecture, i e it should be possible to expand it.
I'm having that same issue with the sliders too. I wish they kept the sliders from the ultra pedals with the same concept that they're doing with the sliders being all digital and interchangeable
The DG itself is maybe a great tool but honestly: - there's no such Music Man bass that sounds well diszorted. MM - that's obviously by subjective POV - hates the drive. I own a superb Sabre 79 and despite it's my dream bass I cannot make it work (as well as the others MMs) with any DG pedal. - there's nothing more in these ADAM/INFINITY (etc) pres than I can achieve with NeuralDSP plugins. But yes, I accept that's a go-to-device and maybe I would be using it on tour. Great demo!
I have both ADAM and AOФ. ADAM looks the best - that green colour... But I couldn't dial in any useable tone. Much easier with AOФ. But still I have to use Boss GT-1000CORE for the tones I actually like and can use. :(
Frankly, this format of Darkglass pedals is a big miss to me. The ability to change a cab sim on the fly is cool I guess, but is that really practical in a live setting? Not to me anyway. That space would be better suited by some modulation effects chorus/flange/delay, etc. I get that it's meant the be the most versatile distortion of all time, but that's like having 500 shades of grey to paint with. Once most players find their tone they're gonna stick with it. To me the Alpha Omega Ultra is the best of the Darkglass. I'm still using a good old fashioned SansAmp Paradriver and I love it. Anyway keep up the good work on the videos.
also for guys like me who don't want the "amp in a box" thing the placement of the cab sim doesn't really work out. Expects you to have whatever unit as the last thing before it hits your interface/FOH. I want to run it into an amp head and use the DI from that instead. Got a B3k v2 on the way as I don't use most of the features of the ultra + mid boost and tone knob seems pretty cool and less all or nothing than the attack switch. We'll see about that more punchy comment as well
@@coveryourears3851 You're right I didn't even think about the fact that this thing is designed to be last in the chain no matter what. Also, $500 can buy a whole lot of bass gear, so it is a lot to pay for just distortion and compression. Ultimately as a working musician I also know that it is easy as a player to get hung up on details that literally nobody else will notice. I have seen a ton of young players in the last few years especially who have incredibly expensive rigs and can barely play. So focused on gear that they forgot the most important part, lessons and practice, but that may be me just being a jaded old prick.
@@pfg_pedals honestly I feel where you are coming from. Starting out I learned on very inexpensive and less than playable basses but the passion was there. Now that I'm spoiled with my rig I love I don't practice nearly as much as I should. Spent some time listening and analyzing music today so hopefully I'll find that spark again soon.
Dear The Bass Channel, thanks for a great review. I somewhat disagree with the arguments around the power supply since you compare analog vs digital. However, It could be the case that you hear the difference between digital and analogue. meaning its still o early to say that digital became good enough to fully replace analog. But probably for the live gig in a small club or a festival it could be a great option to have just one pedal for everything, right? and for studio work we still could keep using "warm tube" devices.
I'd be inclined to disagree with how narrow you stated the usefulness of the ADAM is though. I use it and it actually cleans up nicely if you know how to set it up.
@@backburnernoise dist mode 1, drive turned down to around 9 or 10 o'clock. There's a setting you have to access on Darkglass suite that lowers the low threshold of the drive knob for low gain tones. Very ampeg like
amazing work mate 🤘 just some questions Can I use it as a simple D.I. for my bass while monitoring aux and bass by headphones? Can I use it as a preamp to connect in the "loop" of my amp in the "return" channel?
I love darkglass, but I'm not a fan of where their design philosophy is going. They haven't updated their Neural plugins in years, despite having 3 new lines of products and digital algorithms from the adam and фoton. Also their insisting on high tech design makes me worry about their longevity and repairability (without having to send the damn things back to Finland) I don't know a single tech that can replace touch screens snd rotating knob-switches, do you?
@Andrew 92HT Having to use app is imho almost as bad as not having the gate at all. No way of quick adjustment. For me it would make more sense if instead of choosing different cab sims you would set treshold with third rotary footswitch.
These are some thin, glassy tones .idk...I'm a pro bass player and mixer...I can't use ot feel bass sounds that are that "modern"... I get that it's cool - just not how a bass typically sounds....
I can tell a lot of attention went in to this review. It's easy to just blast the Darkglass distortion and call it done, but I really appreciate your honest review here. Great job Chris!
If Darkglass release the same concept but with the B7K and the Vintage circuitry and a fx loop I would fall in love immediately
I think it's inevitable that they will keep making more variations of this, it fits their product line.
It's coming
Looks like you got exactly what you asked for lmao, the Darkglass Infinity
@@Fender666Bass I was excited when DG released it but the lack of FX loop it's a huge no for me
@@esposoman I was wondering whether an fx loop mod would be doable
I would like to congratulate everyone from Bass Channel, for transparency and arguments presented, in that video. Congrats, guys!!!
This video is incredible. I've been on the fence about picking up a Darkglass pedal for awhile now. I'm pretty sure my mind has been made up.
If they had released this one before the ADAM, I wonder how that would have changed things. This pedal really realizes this platform/form factor's full potential, where the ADAM felt super narrow in it's uses.
Best bass content on TH-cam, thanks to all of you🤘🤘
Man, I really appreciate your comments and your opinion! Great work, as always!!!
Really liking the format lately. Lots of good honest gear reviews without all the fluff. Feels like the ol days. 👍🏼
That’s funny because in the ol days, I just had Will read straight from the website. Glad you liked this video, though!
@@TheBassChannel I think the 'gear review' format is back (moreso than the last year or so) - it got lost a bit once all the new faces were introduced as well. Regardless, it feels good again to get lots of honest gear reviews - Cheers
damn, can't fight you on those final thoughts. I agree completely.
Nice job as usual Fellas! :) If Darkglass releases a Vintage Microtubes/B7K combo in this new format...take my money please !:) Stay healthy y'all- Brent
did they take your money? ;)
@@hyperplayability6290 Not yet my friend!
Great review, the final thoughts section was extremely honest and useful. Thanks!
Totally agree on the "small Darkglass pedals sound better" sentiment. I recently upgraded to a Vintage Deluxe after using a Vintage Microtubes for years, and after several days of testing & trying out the bigger, better-featured Deluxe, I just could not get the same kind of sound that I felt the VM did perfectly. Depending on the settings, I felt the Deluxe either gave me barely enough distortion or way too much of it, and in those moments I sorely missed the VM's compression circuit. Plus the VM just stacks SO WELL with a B3K (another smaller Darkglass pedal) in front of it.
Thank you for this review. I already have a tuner, compressor and b7k. So with all that I went with the alpha omicron. And it was the best decision I could've made. So at least you know 1 alpha omicron was sold this year lol.
Fantastic review! Thank you!
This video was awesome and so glad I watched til the end. It made so much since about the bigger the unit the less punch. Thanks guys for the video. 🤘😎
Awesome demo. 😎🎸🤘🏻This preamp sounds killer. I personally liked how it sounded with the jazz bass, the stingray basses, the pj bass, the Gibson grabbler, and the active basses like the specter euro, the Warwick streamer, and the Ibanez k5. I do wish you demoed it with the schecter stiletto bass.
Alright, if you keep on like this, I'll have to comment on every video you post : I said it already but I'll say it over and over again if asked (and even if it's not) : THIS is the best bass-related channel in all of the YT world! Damn, that kind of honesty and dedication... Ultimate respect!
Now, prove your point about the smallest, the punchiest, and give us that comparison video the world of Darkglass maniacs needs.
Oh, and one last thing : what is the bass used in the segment where you change between presets (big bass dub-like sound / huge drive)?
Great idea!
Always appreciate your kind words. The Darkglass comparison is in the works as of now. And the bass your asking about is a Warwick Adam Clayton RockBass with an EMG PAX pickup.
@@TheBassChannel
Thanks!
I'd love to get one of these little things for live playing. I've got an AO pedal and a B7KU and I definitely noticed the B7KU has less punch and it never occurred to me that it's because the pedal's got more features. You make a pretty good case for the whole "Get something that does one thing well" idea.
But anyway I didn't know the Photon has a tuner! Nobody ever mentions that. My rig is just my Ibanez into a tuner, compressor, and the AO so this could absolutely replace my whole rig. Only thing I would "miss" is carrying amps around but I might bring my Ampeg BA115 just as a monitor.
Love the honesty, how I felt about my Adam. Instead grabbed the b7ku. Sounded 10 times better.. I agree with what you're saying. Maybe 18v would help? Who knows
Great review! Owning both ADAM and Photon I completely agree with all the points you hit here. The Photon is one of darkglass best!
That is what I would call a perfect review, Thank you 🙌🤟
My bass preamp setup is a rickenbacker 4003 into a Boss BB-1X, running into a tech 21 sansamp bass driver DI, into a boss bass EQ pedal. To me this is the perfect setup.
Interesting point about the small vs bigger pedals in terms of punch/sound. I only own a VMT so have nothing to compare (apart from the Neural DSP plugin, which is amazing).
As far as the power source, you need to look at amperage draw, not necessarily voltage.
Incredible video. Merci beaucoup !
I have the standard AO pedal and the Photon. The tone from the Photon has alot more factors at play to scuplt your tone, which out of the box takes a little more tweaking and many settings to sift through for sure. The standard is a great pedal and makes it easy to find a useable sound. But I wanted an all in one unit and I love everything from Darkglass.
I have mixed feelings over most of the tones, but that Thunderbird one is pretty neat.
Great video, was thinking about selling my compressor, tuner, DG X7 and Alpha Omicron to buy this one, but after Your final thoughts I'll stick with my old setup :) 9V supply thing is little worrying, because I was looking forward for X type pedal in that format, now I'm not so sure anymore.
Eventhough I primarily use my Helix Floor now I would probably consider getting this if it wasn't for the fact that I already own the ADAM.
What a spectacular bit o’ kit. Gotta admit, this thing really kicks my G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) into HIGH gear!
Serious review
Darkglass: the best way to turn any bass into a Dingwall-ish djent bass.
You asked great questions!, questions I was asking since I first saw this pedal. At the end of the day I’m very content with my X ultra! Most of us already have tuners at least we all should. Most of us have our own XLR a compression pedal maybe, I got a alpha omega from Zounds and was not happy with it because I was replacing my first X ultra that took a crap and that Darkglass did not want to repair and Zounds let me return it no problem and get the one I wanted “2nd Xultra “
I would definitely use this to get rid of my hyperluminal, harmonic booster, B7KU, XU, and element. But I wouldn’t be able to use the di function of due to my need for chorus , flange, etc. I wish this thing had an FX loop then it would be golden!!!
I'm a year late, this pedal sounds great
18:20 sounds nice without any cabsims. Cabsims darken the sound and cut a lot of frequencies.
FINALLLLYYYY!!!!!! someone who says on video the same thing that I along with other users have been saying all this time about the ADAM... The long answer for me is. get the adam if you play a dingwall and you like how it sounds. I am on the same page with liking the Photon over the ADAM.!!!
I went for the AO Ultra. Obviously before watching this, but I made similar conclusions. Also, I think an all digital unit at this pricepoint should have a more open architecture, i e it should be possible to expand it.
I'm having that same issue with the sliders too. I wish they kept the sliders from the ultra pedals with the same concept that they're doing with the sliders being all digital and interchangeable
The DG itself is maybe a great tool but honestly:
- there's no such Music Man bass that sounds well diszorted. MM - that's obviously by subjective POV - hates the drive. I own a superb Sabre 79 and despite it's my dream bass I cannot make it work (as well as the others MMs) with any DG pedal.
- there's nothing more in these ADAM/INFINITY (etc) pres than I can achieve with NeuralDSP plugins. But yes, I accept that's a go-to-device and maybe I would be using it on tour.
Great demo!
I have both ADAM and AOФ. ADAM looks the best - that green colour... But I couldn't dial in any useable tone. Much easier with AOФ. But still I have to use Boss GT-1000CORE for the tones I actually like and can use. :(
Frankly, this format of Darkglass pedals is a big miss to me. The ability to change a cab sim on the fly is cool I guess, but is that really practical in a live setting? Not to me anyway. That space would be better suited by some modulation effects chorus/flange/delay, etc. I get that it's meant the be the most versatile distortion of all time, but that's like having 500 shades of grey to paint with. Once most players find their tone they're gonna stick with it. To me the Alpha Omega Ultra is the best of the Darkglass. I'm still using a good old fashioned SansAmp Paradriver and I love it. Anyway keep up the good work on the videos.
also for guys like me who don't want the "amp in a box" thing the placement of the cab sim doesn't really work out. Expects you to have whatever unit as the last thing before it hits your interface/FOH. I want to run it into an amp head and use the DI from that instead.
Got a B3k v2 on the way as I don't use most of the features of the ultra + mid boost and tone knob seems pretty cool and less all or nothing than the attack switch. We'll see about that more punchy comment as well
@@coveryourears3851 You're right I didn't even think about the fact that this thing is designed to be last in the chain no matter what. Also, $500 can buy a whole lot of bass gear, so it is a lot to pay for just distortion and compression. Ultimately as a working musician I also know that it is easy as a player to get hung up on details that literally nobody else will notice. I have seen a ton of young players in the last few years especially who have incredibly expensive rigs and can barely play. So focused on gear that they forgot the most important part, lessons and practice, but that may be me just being a jaded old prick.
@@pfg_pedals honestly I feel where you are coming from. Starting out I learned on very inexpensive and less than playable basses but the passion was there. Now that I'm spoiled with my rig I love I don't practice nearly as much as I should. Spent some time listening and analyzing music today so hopefully I'll find that spark again soon.
@@coveryourears3851 you can set it up to bypass the cab sim on one of the outs
@@sidthebassist89 I'm aware of that, I just have no use for it anyway because of the location.
Dear The Bass Channel, thanks for a great review. I somewhat disagree with the arguments around the power supply since you compare analog vs digital. However, It could be the case that you hear the difference between digital and analogue. meaning its still o early to say that digital became good enough to fully replace analog. But probably for the live gig in a small club or a festival it could be a great option to have just one pedal for everything, right? and for studio work we still could keep using "warm tube" devices.
I'd be inclined to disagree with how narrow you stated the usefulness of the ADAM is though. I use it and it actually cleans up nicely if you know how to set it up.
What are your clean/slightly OD presets?
@@backburnernoise dist mode 1, drive turned down to around 9 or 10 o'clock. There's a setting you have to access on Darkglass suite that lowers the low threshold of the drive knob for low gain tones. Very ampeg like
@@backburnernoise drive could even be closer to 8 o'clock. I have to look at it when I get a chance
@@sidthebassist89 sweet yeah let me know! Def going for the ampeg sound for sure ⚡️ thanks!
man I'm about drop some cash on the Adam or this AO
I wish I could here these in a mix
Adam or AO ? Thoughts?
Wish I had seen this before I got it, not im trying to sell or trade it for the Standard ALpha omega unit.
amazing work mate
🤘
just some questions
Can I use it as a simple D.I. for my bass while monitoring aux and bass by headphones?
Can I use it as a preamp to connect in the "loop" of my amp in the "return" channel?
The item is labeled POTON, am I wrong?
I just got one and its blinking on and off I can't find help online anywhere and I'm waiting to hear from Darkglass :/
Can someone please list the songs that are being played? That might be a lot to ask in this long video but I wanna learn some of them
what's the song at 10:30?
I love darkglass, but I'm not a fan of where their design philosophy is going. They haven't updated their Neural plugins in years, despite having 3 new lines of products and digital algorithms from the adam and фoton. Also their insisting on high tech design makes me worry about their longevity and repairability (without having to send the damn things back to Finland)
I don't know a single tech that can replace touch screens snd rotating knob-switches, do you?
Thanks for let me know that actually I don’t need this pedal.
Once again, someone forgot to take the blanket off. It's just impossible a direct out to have so few high frequency information.
Can u get the vintage tone out of that like the v2
It's still the Vintage Deluxe for me. Darkglass has really run away with the Alpha-Omega circuit--not everyone wants that tone.
What's the bassline at 2:05?
Cochise by Audioslave.
@@lucky65strike Thank you so much! :)
@@jacobhammond2990 no worries!
Hi All ,i looking for a small bass thing that will give me a deeper reggae dub bass ,any surgestions?
OneControl Crimson Red preamp. Mini 1590a dub-in-a-box 🤘
I think I need a fender
POLICY WISEMAN
So many extra features but still no gate...
@Andrew 92HT Having to use app is imho almost as bad as not having the gate at all. No way of quick adjustment. For me it would make more sense if instead of choosing different cab sims you would set treshold with third rotary footswitch.
It does have a gate that you can engage with any of the cabs, you have to sort this out in the app
As far as the Geddy Lee sound from this thing. It SUCKS! Lol.
But it kicks but with the rest.
These are some thin, glassy tones .idk...I'm a pro bass player and mixer...I can't use ot feel bass sounds that are that "modern"... I get that it's cool - just not how a bass typically sounds....