• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Darkglass alpha omega ultra

#109
Perhaps someone might be able to convince me otherwise...but the demos of the cab simulation for this have been underwhelming at best. Pedal sounds great (I mean...the alpha omega is great and this really just improves the EQ options) but the cab Sims I've heard in every demo just make the pedal seem worse. Perhaps it's just the videos don't demo it well enough...Perhaps it's just that the 'stock's options aren't very good...and when people start loading up their own it'll truly shine...but it's a bit meh so far...and I know they're gonna be rolling it out on the v2 of all the ultras, so maybe it'll be fleshed out by then.
 
#110
nekromantique said:
Perhaps someone might be able to convince me otherwise...but the demos of the cab simulation for this have been underwhelming at best. Pedal sounds great (I mean...the alpha omega is great and this really just improves the EQ options) but the cab Sims I've heard in every demo just make the pedal seem worse. Perhaps it's just the videos don't demo it well enough...Perhaps it's just that the 'stock's options aren't very good...and when people start loading up their own it'll truly shine...but it's a bit meh so far...and I know they're gonna be rolling it out on the v2 of all the ultras, so maybe it'll be fleshed out by then.
Click to expand...

Impulse responses can be anything actually.

In this case it could be several things:

1) The cab sim level is set on the Suite, some demos might not have optimized levels which can cause biases on sound preference, as we tend to unconsciously prefer louder sounds when ab testing.
2) Distortion levels will also change the need for a cab sim, clean sounds might need no cab sim, or post drive filtering, whereas saturated ones with a lot of harmonics tend to benefit from some sculpting post drive (such as the one a cab sim offers).

In this demo you can clearly hear that the Wal benefits from the cab sim much more than the Sandberg, for these particular settings.



3) Of course another option is that the impulses we have chosen are not of your preference, fortunately there are tons of third party IRs that sound great, Own Hammer being one of them.

It’d be great to hear what people say of using it in person, the first time we tried the cab sim feature going direct my initial reaction wa sa genuine “where has this been all my life”.

It’s also noteworthy that IRs simply add another layer of adaptability, which in the case of cabsim just seems to be incredibly useful in recording and direct applications, but there are other cool, more exotic applications for this technology we are exploring beyond cabinet emulation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vivaknoxvegas, gregmon79, Maiden Bass and 1 other person
#111
Darkglass said:
Impulse responses can be anything actually.

In this case it could be several things:

1) The cab sim level is set on the Suite, some demos might not have optimized levels which can cause biases on sound preference, as we tend to unconsciously prefer louder sounds when ab testing.
2) Distortion levels will also change the need for a cab sim, clean sounds might need no cab sim, or post drive filtering, whereas saturated ones with a lot of harmonics tend to benefit from some sculpting post drive (such as the one a cab sim offers).

In this demo you can clearly hear that the Wal benefits from the cab sim much more than the Sandberg, for these particular settings.



3) Of course another option is that the impulses we have chosen are not of your preference, fortunately there are tons of third party IRs that sound great, Own Hammer being one of them.

It’d be great to hear what people say of using it in person, the first time we tried the cab sim feature going direct my initial reaction wa sa genuine “where has this been all my life”.

It’s also noteworthy that IRs simply add another layer of adaptability, which in the case of cabsim just seems to be incredibly useful in recording and direct applications, but there are other cool, more exotic applications for this technology we are exploring beyond cabinet emulation.
Click to expand...



Yeah, I typically really enjoy cab Sims as I pretty much just do DI stuff nowadays anyways. Without hearing it in person (which is still the plan, as the alpha omega with the graphic is great on it's own) it's always hard to tell as, of course, I would probably tweak things differently.

I've actually seen that video (probably the first one I checked out) and it is definitely the one that left the best impression. Keeping things flat helps there for sure.
 
#113
LSW said:
Hi @Darkglass ,

My A/O Ultra's XLR Output volume is smaller than B7K Ultra V1 and Vintage deluxe (I have both).
Is it because the input impedance is big? or something wrong..?
Click to expand...

Hey, yes we had to adapt the levels to for the direct signal to be compatible with the codec.

If you’re concerned this may indicate a potential defect on your particular unit, do not worry, there is still more than enough output on tap for all direct purposes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LSW
#116
Maiden Bass said:
Hey Doug,
I just ordered one from sweetwater and have a quick question please.

I'm a little confused on the footswitch MOD control on the software and the MOD light?

Can you please explain this in more detail?
Click to expand...

From what I've seen, enabling the mod control allows you to flip between each side of the distortion (all alpha or all omega) relatively quickly...and each side is denoted by a different color LED. You can hold the button to disable this and go back to wherever the knob is currently located (led should be on near the mod knob)...and the hold again to enable to quick switching.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Chris_K and Maiden Bass
#117
Maiden Bass said:
Hey Doug,
I just ordered one from sweetwater and have a quick question please.

I'm a little confused on the footswitch MOD control on the software and the MOD light?

Can you please explain this in more detail?
Click to expand...
When the mod in engaged you can adjust the A/Ω knob to your taste and also having the distortion circuit on and off (have a clean sound too). When it's off you can either dial in blue - Alpha or red Omega sides with drive engaged all the time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Maiden Bass
#118
So if I am unlikely to use the DI (and therefore the cab sim) and I already have a AOm, should I get the Ultra? I like the idea of the EQ on the Ultra, especially after taking my Empress Para EQ off my board. That's a very expensive upgrade though.
 
#119
OH
MY
GOD
20180304_154950-01.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Le beau JP, Aybabtu and gregmon79

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back