Darkglass Anagram Multi FX Announced

[Ian774]

Have fun with them!

Thanks…. But I don’t have the Anagram (yet?).

I am really, REALLY tempted. But I like simplicity, I like the idea of having multiple options available (amp, effects…) but I panic at the idea of not knowing what to do.
Plus, I’m having anxiety at the idea of not being able to properly manage my master volume, I’ve read volume output can be an issue on the Anagram.

 

[vanttera]

Hope you like this new model!

Its crazy good, definitely the most impressive amp-block yet. Added some room reverb and harmonic boost and it sounds larger than life. Very, very nice.

Had some issues with updating. Suite just didnt offer any update after 1.9. Then tried manual update, but the download-file at DG-website transformed into a pdf somehow on the way (Firefox). Switched to Chrome and worked normally as a .tar. Manual update in itself worked fine, when I got the file.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Is the ISOBRICK 750 OD very quiet for everyone else? Seems like the Gain & OD settings have to be relatively high in order to get unity gain, and it's noticeable if you play the other new blocks in comparison. If I try to go with some lower gain (3.0) and OD (5.0) settings on this block, I need to max out the volume and it still ends up well below unity gain.

 

[silky smoove]

Plus, I’m having anxiety at the idea of not being able to properly manage my master volume, I’ve read volume output can be an issue on the Anagram.

Only if you don’t read the manual and set it up poorly. When used correctly it has all the volume potential any input could ever need.

 

[TaySte_2000]

Only if you don’t read the manual and set it up poorly. When used correctly it has all the volume potential any input could ever need.

Reading the manual is for losers and nerds.

I just grabbed the anagram jumped on a Harley with a cigarette in my mouth and hit the open road. What better way to get to know each other, I’m not reading its diary like a pervert.

 

[silky smoove]

Reading the manual is for losers and nerds.

I just grabbed the anagram jumped on a Harley with a cigarette in my mouth and hit the open road. What better way to get to know each other, I’m not reading its diary like a pervert.

Ya know… it’s hard to argue when presented with cold hard facts. I’m going to take a long look in the mirror and rethink what I’m doing with my life.

 

[javi_bassist]

Plus, I’m having anxiety at the idea of not being able to properly manage my master volume, I’ve read volume output can be an issue on the Anagram.

In some venues I was asked to rise my volume and in others to send lower output. But I think the mixer in the Anagram is pretty useful. I must admit that in venues when I was asked to rise my volume, I have everything almost to max. But I am always ready to add a Gain block at the end of the chain.
PS I moved from the HX after using it (and still using it sometimes) for years and the transition was easy. It is easy to use the Anagram.

 

[IvanBassist]

Reading the manual is for losers and nerds.

I just grabbed the anagram jumped on a Harley with a cigarette in my mouth and hit the open road. What better way to get to know each other, I’m not reading its diary like a pervert.

Probably the best comment I've read in a while

 

[IvanBassist]

@IvanBassist

Dunno if this has been requested or not, but in bindings view, if the parameter being binded is bypass on/off then the display should show the block graphic lighting up or dimming à la signal chain view.

Not exactly sure what you mean by this. Do you mean an image of the block going darker when you bypass the Binding?

 

[trigger_happy]

Did a quick recording last night. Testing the edge of breakup. I'm using the Modern IsoBlock overdrive channel at low gain. I like some pillowy saturation which cuts nicely in a mix. Tested in song context and played along John Mayer's Vultures and Queen of California. I'm a big PIno and Sean Hurley fan so yeah. The SWE TC650 which is based on the EBS TD650, is an instant slap machine. Great blocks!

 

[CuiFoo]

Did a quick recording last night. Testing the edge of breakup. I'm using the Modern IsoBlock overdrive channel at low gain. I like some pillowy saturation which cuts nicely in a mix. Tested in song context and played along John Mayer's Vultures and Queen of California. I'm a big PIno and Sean Hurley fan so yeah. The SWE TC650 which is based on the EBS TD650, is an instant slap machine. Great blocks!

View attachment 7390701

Great tone with the IsoBlock! Could you share your preset?

 

[IvanBassist]

Did a quick recording last night. Testing the edge of breakup. I'm using the Modern IsoBlock overdrive channel at low gain. I like some pillowy saturation which cuts nicely in a mix. Tested in song context and played along John Mayer's Vultures and Queen of California. I'm a big PIno and Sean Hurley fan so yeah. The SWE TC650 which is based on the EBS TD650, is an instant slap machine. Great blocks!

View attachment 7390701

Love the midrange

 

[LowFrequenC]

Not exactly sure what you mean by this. Do you mean an image of the block going darker when you bypass the Binding?

Yes!!! This is exactly what I mean. Easier to see the block graphic in a gigging situation then text.

 

[bigcupholder]

@IvanBassist I updated to the latest firmware and tried both 128 and 256 buffer sizes. I was getting both pops/clicks and pauses/freezes on each setting. I didn't have the Darkglass suite open and I wasn't editing or switching the preset. Anything you could suggest?

 

[Bassgeer]

You need to bind expression to the filter frequency cutoff parameter. That'll allow you to control that, and you can pick the start/endpoint - i.e. You don't necessarily have to make the expression pedal sweep the entire range if you want to pick sweet-spots. IMO, it works fine for kind of a linear 'synthy' filter sweep, but it doesn't have the action/vibe of a good wah pedal for various reasons.

Hey Graham,

Tried this tonight, and I got the expression working controlling the filter cutoff, but the filter is also still reacting to the envelope of each note. There's gotta be a way to turn the envelope off, right? Am I missing something here? When I am manually controlling the filter, the last thing I want is the envelope fighting me for control.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Hey Graham,

Tried this tonight, and I got the expression working controlling the filter cutoff, but the filter is also still reacting to the envelope of each note. There's gotta be a way to turn the envelope off, right? Am I missing something here? When I am manually controlling the filter, the last thing I want is the envelope fighting me for control.

If you're using the gravitron, try the Moog block instead. The best synth sweep sounds I got from that (with admittedly very little time spent) were something like:

• Env Amount: Min/0
• Env Mix: Max (or near it)
• Drive: To taste
• Resonance: High
• 4-Pole
• Decay: Smooth

Then bind the expression to the cutoff. I think I was setting the heel position around 2 in order to avoid that subby 'womp' as your signal starts coming through the filter, but you just have to play with it. I definitely think the Moog is better than the Gravitron for what you're trying. The Gravitron mimics a crybaby type wah a bit better. All of that said, neither of these are prime solutions. Until there's a dedicated wah block, I'll be keeping an actual wah on my board...

Edited to add: I was playing around with some MIDI control stuff and just tried another idea that may work for you. Try the LPF block instead of an envelope filter. Set the slope deep (either -18dB or -24dB) and then control the frequency of the filter with the wah. It seems like a more precise way to dictate exactly where you want your sweep to start and end, and a quick test sounded decent. At least that way you aren't fighting the EF trigger or other parameters if the main thing you need is just a nice gradual sweep...

Alright last edit - I just tried something else that I mistakenly thought you couldn't do, which is binding multiple parameters from a single block to one expression pedal. For some reason, I thought you could only do a single parameter per block with expression binding. Use the Moog block, and bind expression control to the Env Amount & Filter Cutoff. I still think the LPF route is solid if you just want a basic cutoff sweep, but this other Moog approach maintained that filter mojo without obvious input triggering when playing...

 

[IvanBassist]

@IvanBassist I updated to the latest firmware and tried both 128 and 256 buffer sizes. I was getting both pops/clicks and pauses/freezes on each setting. I didn't have the Darkglass suite open and I wasn't editing or switching the preset. Anything you could suggest?

I always use 64 buffer size when recording and set it to max when mixing.

 

[Chrishi87]

I have to admit, at first the new SWE and Modern Amp were kind of "meh" to me.
Althoguh Ivan did a perfect Video, as always, explaining the possible settings, Videos of the real Amps showed me the potential and now I am blown away what DG created. I can´t decide between the SWE, Modern and Swirl at the moment, all so unique and perfect in their own way.

 

[Chrishi87]

But a question to @IvanBassist , are the USB and Headphone Input DSP relevant?
I get the DSP Alert very very quick, even with just 2 NAM Blocks. I created a simpler chain with no Warning Sign, and just got the sign after several days, as I inserted USB and Headphone on my desk.

 

[ruinatokyo]

But a question to @IvanBassist , are the USB and Headphone Input DSP relevant?
I get the DSP Alert very very quick, even with just 2 NAM Blocks. I created a simpler chain with no Warning Sign, and just got the sign after several days, as I inserted USB and Headphone on my desk.

I hope at some point they make the warning optional. I use 3 NAM blocks across a bunch of presets so that I have a choice of amp models switched via the footswitches and it comes up all the time.