Darkglass Microtubes 900 bass amplifier

Three years ago Darkglass Electronics released it’s first amplifier, the Microtubes 900. Its unusual features, and design embodied the Darkglass ethos like none of our previous products. It was an uncompromising amplifier, incredibly versatile, and unapologetically loud. Now, a thousand days after the first Microtubes 900 saw the light of day, we are proud to announce the next step in its evolution, the Microtubes 900 v2.

With enhanced durability, improved equalizer, studio-grade compression, impulse response cabinet emulation, and MIDI control, the Microtubes 900 v2 features all the options the modern, professional bassist needs in a compact, sleek, and loud format.

Front Panel Features
Input
Use this jack to connect your instrument via a standard ¼” mono cable.

Passive/Active
Use this push-button switch to change from passive to active mode. If your bass is active it can have a hotter signal making the amp to distort early (feel free to use if such additional distortion is desired).

Microtubes
Use this push button to turn on or off the Microtubes Engine to add natural compression, organic harmonic enhancement, and saturation ranging from mild overdrive to high gain bass rage.

The Microtubes Engine operates before the clean section (you can therefore use the 6 Band Active EQ for additional tone shaping in addition to the Tone knob described below).

Compression
This knob controls the amount of dynamic compression added to the Microtubes Engine.

The make up gain is adjusted automatically. The compression can be turn off or assigned using the Darkglass Suite.

Drive
This knob controls the amount of distortion that the Microtubes Engine will deliver. It will change from a soft warm overdrive to a massive modern distortion sound.

Tone
This knob controls the high harmonic content of the Microtubes Engine via a variable low pass filter: crank it up for additional attack and definition or dim it down for a smoother sound, especially handy if already running bright clean EQ setting or cabinets with tweeters.

Level
Use this knob to control Microtubes Engine’s output volume.

Blend
Use this knob to mix between the Clean signal and the Distortion signal (Microtubes Engine).

B3K/VMT
This push-button switch selects between two overdrive voicings: B3K mode will deliver an aggressive, percussive sound while the VMT will bring up the mids for a warmer, more neutral character.

Gain
Use this knob to change the volume of the signal before the Active 6 Band EQ. You can set it low for ensuring the cleanest operation possible or set it higher for more aggressive growl.

Bass
+-12dB at 80Hz. Use this knob to change the low content of the signal.

Mids
+-12dB at 250, 500,1.5K and 3Khz. This graphic eq control the mid content of the signal.

Treble
+-12dB at 5kHz. Use this knob to change the high content of the signal.

Master
Use this knob to control the overall volume of the amplifier.

Mute
Use this push button to mute the amplifier.

DIMENSIONS
26.7cm l x 7cm h 25.5 w (10.5”l x 2.75”h x 10”w) / Weight: 2.9Kg (6.39Lbs)

Back Panel Features
Speaker Output
Use this connector to connect the amplifier to your cabinet. This Speakon combo jack allows for either Speakon or ¼” speaker cable operation. The outputs are connected in parallel.

WARNING: Do not use an instrument cable with this jack. Using an instrument cable can damage your amplifier.

Min-Load
Press this switch when using a 2Ω load. You can use this control to lower the output if your 4Ω cabinet is not able handle more than 500W (you can also get 350W with an 8Ω cabinet in this configuration).

Send
Use this output to send the signal to effects pedals.

Return
Use this input to receive the signal from effects pedals. Master volume control is after this input.

Ground Lift
Use this control to lift the ground of the DI XLR output. If you are experiencing ground noise in your DI signal try changing the setting of this control.

Pre DI Output
Use this output to send a balanced copy of your input signal to recording equipment, mixer etc. The output is latency compensated to match with the Post DI Output.

Post DI Output
The signal for this output is taken after the distortion, EQ and effects loop, and processed through the cabinet simulation engine. The output is latency compensated with the Pre DI Output, and not affected by the master volume.

USB
The USB connector allows you to use the Darkglass Suite to load different cabinet impulses or change different parameters on your amp (midi, compressor, etc)

Headphone Output
Connect your Headphones and enjoy the impulse based cabinet emulation.

Headphone Volume
This knob controls the volume of the headphone output.

Aux In
Use this connector to provide to the Headphone output music from your laptop, cellphone, mp3 player, etc.

Cabinet Select
Switches between 3 different cabinet impulses and bypass this section for a rawer sound. Hold this button enter MIDI Learn mode to choose the MIDI channel.

MIDI
The midi input allows you to change channels, toggle the mute and compressor, and select the cabinet simulation slot with any standard MIDI device. Both Program Change and Control Change commands can be used.

Footswitch
The Intelligent Footswitch is proprietary digitally controlled device that allows you to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine. You can also hold the footswitch to Mute the amplifier. The VMT/B3K push button will remain operational with the Intelligent Footswitch plugged in.

· You can use a regular mono instrument cable to connect the amplifier to the footswitch.

· You must remove the cable from the footswitch jack in the rear panel if you want to control the amp from the front panel.

AC Socket
Use this connector to feed electric power to the amplifier. 100 - 230 VAC, 50Hz-60.

AC Power ON/OFF
Use this Switch to release the audio energy from your bass.