Darkglass Anagram Multi FX Announced

[JengDoe]

the center-negative aspect was probably what limited choices the most

You can simply cut a regular PD cable and solder it with the opposite polarity.

 

[JengDoe]

using a 12V PD step up converter

PD and step-up converters are two different things

 

[_aguacate_]

Right now I’m choosing a good device for bass, and I’m considering two main options: Anagram and Quad Cortex. Fractal is out because of its huge size, I plan to carry the device in the front pocket of my bass gig bag.

Size matters to me, and Anagram clearly wins here.
At the same time, I’d like to play guitar a bit starting this year, and the versatility of the Quad Cortex fits well for that. However, about 95% of my focus is on bass.

How good is the pitch shifter in Anagram? Would it allow me to play covers in different tunings on a single four-string bass without using an external pedal like the Boss XS-1 or Digitech Drop? On other top-tier multi-FX, this works well.

I had a Quad Cortex for a bit and switched over to the Anagram and haven't looked back. I'm 99.99% bass player and occasionally dabble with a guitar. I like the Anagram because the effects are great and I can be certain that every update will be something bass related. Neural DSP and the other competitors are definitely guitar focused and haven't had too many updates for basses. Me personally, I'd just get a Nano Cortex or something similar if I played more guitar.

All that said, the QC is definitely a good piece of gear and I enjoyed it. I just think the Anagram fits my needs much better. Neural's ecosystem for finding captures is definitely better IMO.

I don't use the pitch shifter all that much so hopefully someone who has can add more to that, but it sounds ok to me.

 

[bigcupholder]

Right now I’m choosing a good device for bass, and I’m considering two main options: Anagram and Quad Cortex. Fractal is out because of its huge size, I plan to carry the device in the front pocket of my bass gig bag.

Size matters to me, and Anagram clearly wins here.
At the same time, I’d like to play guitar a bit starting this year, and the versatility of the Quad Cortex fits well for that. However, about 95% of my focus is on bass.

How good is the pitch shifter in Anagram? Would it allow me to play covers in different tunings on a single four-string bass without using an external pedal like the Boss XS-1 or Digitech Drop? On other top-tier multi-FX, this works well.

I've only tested the polyphonic pitch shifter on guitar to experiment with even lower tunings (I'm in C standard and wanted to hear what A standard would be like) and I thought it sounded and responded great.

I haven't done a head to head comparison against my Helix for pitch shifting (because I packed that away after hearing how much better NAM profiles sound than the Helix amp models), but it's at least in that tier, possibly better. I can't imagine a cheaper external pedal could do it better.

Keep in mind the footswitch spacing on the QC is really tight. Some people don't mind, some do. That was a deal breaker for me, otherwise I may have gone with that instead.

 

[drpepper]

You can simply cut a regular PD cable and solder it with the opposite polarity.

Thanks for the suggestion. I’m aware there are multiple ways to accomplish this, I just wouldn’t personally jump straight to splicing and soldering...just me. That said, your pic is a good reminder that it can be done neatly if I decide to break out the soldering iron.

More than the “how,” though, I was really just trying to confirm that there’s no issue supplying 12V. That way, if I run across something that works in every other respect but is 12V instead of 9V, I know it’s still a viable option. Just because it's printed on the Anagram doesn't mean that there aren't potentially caveats. For example, if this were 5.5 × 2.1 mm, center negative, but only available in 12V, I’d grab it.

 

[TJBasser]

Regarding pitch shifting I can only compare Helix and Anagram as I previously owned a stomp XL and compared them before selling the XL. I use pitch shifting quite often - mostly when the guitars in my band use droppped C (we play D-standard). Response, harmonics, clarity, artifacts - pitch shifting in the Anagram sounds way better to my ears. In isolation I still hear a difference between pitched and non-pitched (not only in pitch...) in a mix it sounds fine. Also sold the Whammy.

 

[pfschim]

another question. Are there any issues to be aware of if you pick up a used Anagram ? I'm thinking about the Anagram registration and the software suite and such. Would a seller need to "un-register" or "de-authorize" their Anagram for a buyer to be able to register it and set up a Darkglass account ?.

 

[drpepper]

PD and step-up converters are two different things

It's not clear to me what what you're objecting to or saying needs correcting about "PD step up converter"...I didn't say that PD and step up were the same thing or that PD and converter were the same thing or any other combination, so scratching my head bit. One of the items I ordered from the packing slip, "N13-07981 - myVolts USB-C PD Step Up Tip..."

As I understand it USB-C Power Delivery (PD) is a standard of negotiable output that's 5V by default but can be converted to other voltages. The device that does that, whether a "cable," "tip," "connector," "adapter," "box," etc. is converting 5V to some higher voltage ("stepping up") by handling the necessary negotiation (telling the battery what voltage). Since it's converting, it's certainly makes sense that it can be referred to as a converter. I'm picking this stuff up as I go...do I have something wrong that you were pointing at?

 

[IvanBassist]

another question. Are there any issues to be aware of if you pick up a used Anagram ? I'm thinking about the Anagram registration and the software suite and such. Would a seller need to "un-register" or "de-authorize" their Anagram for a buyer to be able to register it and set up a Darkglass account ?.

if you’re buying second-hand, then you can ask the seller to transfer his serial number to you using the MyPedal platinum. This steps don’t apply to the normal use of the Anagram, though.

You can use all functions of the Anagram without those steps

 

[JengDoe]

Would a seller need to "un-register" or "de-authorize" their Anagram for a buyer to be able to register it and set up a Darkglass account ?.

Is that necessary?
I know that with IK (TONEX), devices are tied to an account, and you can’t even download ASIO drivers if the device was bought second-hand.

do I have something wrong that you were pointing at?

Yep, I meant that there are 2 type of these devices: negotiators (just get what they need from the source without any conversion, if the source supports it) and DC-DC converters (step up, step down), that convert even if the source doesn't support high voltage. I just mean that this PD adapter is not a step up converter.

 

[Bassgeer]

Hey @IvanBassist just wondering if there is a way to set the default view (chain, name, or bindings) that correspond to each mode. For instance, when going to preset mode, I would like it always to open in name view, scene mode to open in chain view, and stomp mode to open in bindings view.

If this isn't currently available, it would be very helpful for making workflows / live usage more efficient.

 

[pfschim]

Is that necessary?
I know that with IK (TONEX), devices are tied to an account, and you can’t even download ASIO drivers if the device was bought second-hand.

yes, this is why I'm asking the question. I'm considering buying a used Anagram but want to make sure I'd be able to update it and register it (if called for) and use the Darkglass Suite with the used unit.

anyone know about using a used Anagram ?

 

[IvanBassist]

Hey @IvanBassist just wondering if there is a way to set the default view (chain, name, or bindings) that correspond to each mode. For instance, when going to preset mode, I would like it always to open in name view, scene mode to open in chain view, and stomp mode to open in bindings view.

If this isn't currently available, it would be very helpful for making workflows / live usage more efficient.

Nothing planned for that so far.

 

[IvanBassist]

yes, this is why I'm asking the question. I'm considering buying a used Anagram but want to make sure I'd be able to update it and register it (if called for) and use the Darkglass Suite with the used unit.

anyone know about using a used Anagram ?

See my response above.

You can use it without any problems.
Registering it only relates warranty/tech support.

I haven’t even registered MY own Anagrams haha

 

[pfschim]

See my response above.

You can use it without any problems.
Registering it only relates warranty/tech support.

I haven’t even registered MY own Anagrams haha

ok, cool. I may be an owner later today. Thanks!

 

[IvanBassist]

yes, this is why I'm asking the question. I'm considering buying a used Anagram but want to make sure I'd be able to update it and register it (if called for) and use the Darkglass Suite with the used unit.

anyone know about using a used Anagram ?

If you buy 2nd hand, you can ask the previous owner to make a transfer to the email you have linked to the MyPedal platform

 

[Bassgeer]

Nothing planned for that so far.

Ok, thanks for confirming.

And I guess a follow-up question, does the view default to the last one used for each mode, or to chain view every time?

 

[IvanBassist]

Ok, thanks for confirming.

And I guess a follow-up question, does the view default to the last one used for each mode, or to chain view every time?

Both the view and mode default to the last ones used before powering off

 

[meisi]

Right now I’m choosing a good device for bass, and I’m considering two main options: Anagram and Quad Cortex. Fractal is out because of its huge size, I plan to carry the device in the front pocket of my bass gig bag.

Size matters to me, and Anagram clearly wins here.
At the same time, I’d like to play guitar a bit starting this year, and the versatility of the Quad Cortex fits well for that. However, about 95% of my focus is on bass.

How good is the pitch shifter in Anagram? Would it allow me to play covers in different tunings on a single four-string bass without using an external pedal like the Boss XS-1 or Digitech Drop? On other top-tier multi-FX, this works well.

FWIW there is also a smaller fractal now, the am4. It’s sold out but more are on the way.

If you’re gong to use this for guitar too, I would really consider the new fractal in your list.

I won’t go down the rabbit hole to modelers vs capture players but keep in mind you’re dancing on this line with your list of options.

Don’t want to tangent this thread too much so I’ll leave it there. Good luck and have fun!

It’s a great time for entering digital. We all win.

 

[AnthonyBe]

Ideally the Anagram would display the approximate DSP usage so we could see the impact of different blocks and plan accordingly.

Totally agree, as do many other folks (especially those using Entropia and/or NAMs)

Visual meter showing how much DSP processing power is being used

I dunno, maybe I'm hitting the DSP overload screen more than most, but it would be nice to have a meter showing how much processing power is being used so I can balance my effects blocks a bit better.

anagramanswers.com