Darkglass alpha omega ultra

[Grahams Groove]

Is yours one of the newest versions with the Aux-in jack? If so, I think the noise issues should be significantly improved from what I am reading. I had one of the original ones (without aux-in) and it was not too noisy for me, but did have more noticeable noise floor than the original AO (apparently due to the original AOU graphic EQ topology) and the signal-to-noise ratio of the digital circuitry in the cab-sim was too much for some people (again, I found it acceptable but definitely less adjustment headroom to counter noise floor than my X-Ultra). It sounds like the cab-sim issue is definitely resolved (it is supposed to now have the same circuit as the XU which works well for me), and I assume the EQ issue has also been resolved as the identical EQ on my XU is also silent (this I don't have verification of though).

I enjoy my X-Ultra but actually preferred the AOU as a dirty preamp and have been considering going back to one (I sold the AOU for $$$ to buy the XU). Great pedal!

Curious if you can elaborate on why you dig the AOU over the XU - just personal preference in the dirt character?

I've gone through the AO > X7 > AOU (currently). I miss some of the emphasized/compressed punch that the X unit had, but I think I like the dirt character of the AO pedals more. I especially like being able to combine them. Still, I've been kicking around the idea of selling my AOU for an XU.

 

[Bobisadrummer]

I’m huge fan of this combo. You want the ultra in whatever pedal you want last in the chain so you get the cab sim on the XLR our. My fav is is the alpha omega into the B7K. The B7k just adds a great grind and sizzle at the end.

I’ve ran them the other way around as well and it’s also good but I prefer the alpha into the B7k. I leave the B7k almost always on a low/ med gain setting and then step on the alpha when I want A more aggressive Sound.

I actually prefer the sound and I guess dirt of the B7K over the AO's, as I like that clanky midrange(?) it has, I was just considering using the AOU since it has more EQ tweakability.

I think the AO circuit is the best dirt pedal in the DG lineup personally though the DG pedals do stack/combine well. I'm not a big fan of the B7K personally, but I also never really tried running mine as a cleanish/low-gain preamp and never had the Ultra version. I have had Ultra versions of all the other options, and the AOU/XU graphic-EQ sections are definitely my preference compared to the B7K/Vintage-Ultra EQ settings. One thing I would suggest regardless of which way you go is to try to get one of the newest versions of whatever Ultra pedal you choose (the ones with the Aux-in jack), as they have improved the cab-sim hardware on these ones.

Yeah, I had been waiting for the AO Ultra v2's w/ AUX in for about a month. It seems the AO's were the last of the newly updated ones to come in stock.

 

[sunbeast]

Curious if you can elaborate on why you dig the AOU over the XU - just personal preference in the dirt character?

I've gone through the AO > X7 > AOU (currently). I miss some of the emphasized/compressed punch that the X unit had, but I think I like the dirt character of the AO pedals more. I especially like being able to combine them. Still, I've been kicking around the idea of selling my AOU for an XU.

I just prefer the AO dirt, as I feel I can push it more without losing dynamics and it naturally keeps both bite and midrange. The drive of the X circuit seems naturally more compressed. I find myself mostly using the XU for the EQ and compressor after the AO and other drive/pre pedals, which has only increased my GAS for a Hyper Luminal. I do use the drive sometime for a wicked aggressive scoop tone or even surprisingly as a “vintage fat tone” with the high band rolled down and compression at 11ish. I have found a lot more use when attenuating the signal before the pedal, which allows for more low-gain options but also seems to just be fighting the intended use of the pedal. For the kind of big, compressed drive tones you mention it is a beast!

 

[Kenneth92]

After owning and selling multiple darkglass pedals i decided I was done with them, until Amos videos I decided to give them a second try and man I’m glad I did I still do not like them as dirt pedals oddly enough and started liking it more for like the clean eq DI feature, specially the AOU v2 has become one of my favorite practice units, still not perfect. the drive section specially drives me bonkers but I paired it off with my zoom ms 60b and I actually like the versatility and sound of the drive that the zoom offers way way better than the AOU specially in the last recording I did it sounded pretty good.

 

[Naigewron]

Question:

The manual states that you can assign footswitch control to switch between Alpha mode and Omega mode. What footswitch does this use?

If it uses the distortion footswitch, it's pretty useless (to me), since I don't use distortion all the time. But if it uses the bypass switch, I'm very interested, since I can leave the AOU in always-on "preamp mode", and still turn on and off the distortion and jump between Alpha and Omega at will.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Question:

The manual states that you can assign footswitch control to switch between Alpha mode and Omega mode. What footswitch does this use?

If it uses the distortion footswitch, it's pretty useless (to me), since I don't use distortion all the time. But if it uses the bypass switch, I'm very interested, since I can leave the AOU in always-on "preamp mode", and still turn on and off the distortion and jump between Alpha and Omega at will.

It is the distortion switch. So if you use the AOU as a clean pre it won't work. If you engage this in the DG Suite, the Distortion switch flips between red (Alpha) and blue (Omega). The bypass turns the pedal on/off.

 

[Naigewron]

It is the distortion switch. So if you use the AOU as a clean pre it won't work. If you engage this in the DG Suite, the Distortion switch flips between red (Alpha) and blue (Omega). The bypass turns the pedal on/off.

Figured that would be the case. Too bad.

Still seems like a great pedal though. Considering swapping my Microtubes X Ultra for an AOU to get that thicker distortion tone.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Figured that would be the case. Too bad.

Still seems like a great pedal though. Considering swapping my Microtubes X Ultra for an AOU to get that thicker distortion tone.

I’ve got an X7 on the shelf for that low-drive Geddy tone when needed. Bounced between AOU > XU > AOU on my board, and settled on the AOU.

Full disclosure, I didn’t know this switching was a thing until you mentioned it. So I plugged in to DG Suite to test this morning. I don’t use the clean EQ in my band, so this adds a new dirt sound to try out…pleasant surprise and reminder to read my manuals.

 

[sunbeast]

I’ve got an X7 on the shelf for that low-drive Geddy tone when needed. Bounced between AOU > XU > AOU on my board, and settled on the AOU.

Full disclosure, I didn’t know this switching was a thing until you mentioned it. So I plugged in to DG Suite to test this morning. I don’t use the clean EQ in my band, so this adds a new dirt sound to try out…pleasant surprise and reminder to read my manuals.

I think DG could benefit from a lot more (and clearer) documentation about all the features in their pedals- especially all the digital stuff in the Darkglass Suite. I see tons of comments like this from people who don’t know about features of DG products they own or have a erroneous understandings of how they work.

I want to be able to say “RTFM” to people, but in the case of Darkglass gear I often can’t!

 

[Ian774]

How good is the AOU at driving a power amp? I remember having an X7 for a short time, and I really had to crank up the Master to get enough volume in a band setting, with the pedal straight into the amp’s power amp (FX return).

Is the AOU the same?

 

[Plastent-kops]

Cabsim is always on in the headphone output, switchable on DI, always off in 1/4” output.

Regards,
D.

Is it possible to send cabsim to 1/4" output? Would be really useful when recording into stereo pedals