Darkglass Element

[green3101]

Thinking about getting one of these. Couple of questions:

1. does the Bluetooth come through the headphones in stereo? I’m talking about playing along with backing tracks and songs from something like Apple Music

2. What Cab Sims does the Darkglass Suite have available? I’ve tried looking online but cannot find a dedicated list.

3. how easy is it to add and control third party IRs to the element?

 

[green3101]

Also, for anyone that can comment - has anyone had any comparison between the Darkglass Element and Two Notes C.A.B. M +, it's a tough choice between the two.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Also, for anyone that can comment - has anyone had any comparison between the Darkglass Element and Two Notes C.A.B. M +, it's a tough choice between the two.

Despite the overlap, I find the implementation between the two to vary considerably. As a headphone amp/silent practice solution, I vastly prefer the Element, as those features are excellent and easy to access, plus the ability to stream music via Bluetooth to it is a fantastic thing to have. If one is more interested in the DI/preamp functions, the CAB M+ is more robust, with more features, though the proprietary simulations cost money, whereas the Element includes every one that Darkglass offers (and they do add more from time to time). I also find the onboard menu system of the CAB M+ to be infuriating, and consider using the Remote app basically a necessity to get anything done, which is functionally no different from the Element, which requires the Darkglass Suite to access a lot of its features.

I have had both, but only the Element remains for me, as it’s better at the parts I’m interested in (headphone amp, Bluetooth streaming, and an easily accessible tuner function).

 

[green3101]

Despite the overlap, I find the implementation between the two to vary considerably. As a headphone amp/silent practice solution, I vastly prefer the Element, as those features are excellent and easy to access, plus the ability to stream music via Bluetooth to it is a fantastic thing to have. If one is more interested in the DI/preamp functions, the CAB M+ is more robust, with more features, though the proprietary simulations cost money, whereas the Element includes every one that Darkglass offers (and they do add more from time to time). I also find the onboard menu system of the CAB M+ to be infuriating, and consider using the Remote app basically a necessity to get anything done, which is functionally no different from the Element, which requires the Darkglass Suite to access a lot of its features.

I have had both, but only the Element remains for me, as it’s better at the parts I’m interested in (headphone amp, Bluetooth streaming, and an easily accessible tuner function).

That’s great, many thanks for sharing your experience. Have you found the element in recording situations?

essentially my plan for either device is for two main purposes:

headphone practice as you mentioned, with ease and simplicity. Using the XLR DI out or effects send out on my Orange Terror Bass, so I can take the preamp sound and use it with a power amp/cab sim - whilst playing along with tracks.

or the same as above, but taking the XLR out of either device, either straight into my audio interface for recording, or directly into a mixer that goes to my studio monitors.

What do you think would be best?

I like the idea of having a good range of cabs to choose from. The Two Notes looks to be a bit better in this respect but I could be wrong? I’ve tried to look online and I’m struggling to find a recent list of all the cab sims currently available on the Darkglass suite. My other concern is it only has Darkglass cab IRs, where as the two notes looks to have a variety of IRs.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

That’s great, many thanks for sharing your experience. Have you found the element in recording situations?

essentially my plan for either device is for two main purposes:

headphone practice as you mentioned, with ease and simplicity. Using the XLR DI out or effects send out on my Orange Terror Bass, so I can take the preamp sound and use it with a power amp/cab sim - whilst playing along with tracks.

or the same as above, but taking the XLR out of either device, either straight into my audio interface for recording, or directly into a mixer that goes to my studio monitors.

What do you think would be best?

I like the idea of having a good range of cabs to choose from. The Two Notes looks to be a bit better in this respect but I could be wrong? I’ve tried to look online and I’m struggling to find a recent list of all the cab sims currently available on the Darkglass suite. My other concern is it only has Darkglass cab IRs, where as the two notes looks to have a variety of IRs.

The Darkglass Suite has more than just Darkglass Cabs. There are some others, that are actually quite good: a few Ampeg Fridge ones, some Eden ones, some SWR ones, etc. It’s easy enough to add additional IRs to the Suite, too. I’ve added quite a few to mine, though the Darkglass offerings provide quite a bit of different, usable and useful cab tones.

I’m not currently using any cab sims or IRs, though, as the tone shaping offered by the rest of my chain already gives me what I’m after right now.

 

[green3101]

The Darkglass Suite has more than just Darkglass Cabs. There are some others, that are actually quite good: a few Ampeg Fridge ones, some Eden ones, some SWR ones, etc. It’s easy enough to add additional IRs to the Suite, too. I’ve added quite a few to mine, though the Darkglass offerings provide quite a bit of different, usable and useful cab tones.

I’m not currently using any cab sims or IRs, though, as the tone shaping offered by the rest of my chain already gives me what I’m after right now.

This is very informative, thank you! Is there anywhere I can see a list of the cabs they have on the DG suite? I've tried to look online but I cannot locate anything. I would love to see a detailed list.

Also, do you think it would be possible to take one of the two headphone out connections from the Element, using an aux cable and plug into a mixer that is connected to powered monitor speakers? I assume the full cab sim comes through both the headphone outs and the XLR out?

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

This is very informative, thank you! Is there anywhere I can see a list of the cabs they have on the DG suite? I've tried to look online but I cannot locate anything. I would love to see a detailed list.

Also, do you think it would be possible to take one of the two headphone out connections from the Element, using an aux cable and plug into a mixer that is connected to powered monitor speakers? I assume the full cab sim comes through both the headphone outs and the XLR out?

Darkglass is pretty terrible at keeping documentation up to date, so I wouldn’t expect there to be an official list of sims. As for the headphone out into a mixer, I haven’t used the element for this purpose, but it should be fine. Just be sure to max out the volume on that headphone out.

 

[Kindness]

Thinking about getting one of these. Couple of questions:

1. does the Bluetooth come through the headphones in stereo? I’m talking about playing along with backing tracks and songs from something like Apple Music

2. What Cab Sims does the Darkglass Suite have available? I’ve tried looking online but cannot find a dedicated list.

3. how easy is it to add and control third party IRs to the element?

I have used my Element daily since I got it several months ago.

1. It's stereo.
2. They are constantly adding new options.
3. It's easy to load third-party IRs. However, having to iteratively load IRs through software and test their results is not my jam, which is why I don't use them.

I like the Element because of how easy it is to connect by Bluetooth and merge my bass signal and whatever is playing on my phone. I dislike the IRs and the Darkglass Suite interface in general, which is why I don't use those functions anymore - like Smurf-o-Deth I get my sounds from my signal chain leading up to the Element.

My other gripe is the headphone amp is fairly weak. It is loud enough for my purposes, but I essentially have to max out the volume when I'm using any of my favorite sets of headphones, which are more challenging to drive. I'm considering running from the Element into an actual headphone amp to be able to better drive my headphones, but I can't bring myself to overcomplicate the system just yet.

For whatever reason, my local Guitar Center rang up my Element as ~$100 new in box. I'm pleased with the performance at that price point. I wouldn't pay retail for the limited purposes for which I currently use it, but I will not be surprised if future software updates or future experimentation by me get me to make better use of its functionality.

 

[green3101]

Thanks for your input and shared experiences guys

 

[green3101]

Does the Darkglass suite definitely have Ampeg cabs on there already?

what’s the element like for loading third party IRs?

 

[Ollymix2000]

Hi, is it possible to connect my Macbook via Bluetooth to the Element?

 

[Derek Williams]

Hi, is it possible to connect my Macbook via Bluetooth to the Element?

Yes, you can use the Element as a bluetooth speaker from your MacBook. I don't think the app will work over bluetooth from a Macbook though, and for all other functions like audio interface you will need a USB connection.

 

[Ollymix2000]

Ah ok, thanks I thought it only worked with iPhone and iPad. I want to record bass to an audio track in GarageBand using the element as an audio interface using the audio track through the element? Is that possible do you think?

 

[Derek Williams]

Ah ok, thanks I thought it only worked with iPhone and iPad. I want to record bass to an audio track in GarageBand using the element as an audio interface using the audio track through the element? Is that possible do you think?

For sure, it works great great like that. It requires a USB connection of course. It has separate channels for the aux in and headphone output so you can play and record other audio as well, and keep your bass track clean.

 

[Ollymix2000]

Brilliant thanks for info, very much appreciated.

 

[Emanuel]

For sure, it works great great like that. It requires a USB connection of course. It has separate channels for the aux in and headphone output so you can play and record other audio as well, and keep your bass track clean.

Can you please explain how to send both the mono bass signal and the 3.5/Bluetooth aux in stereo signal to the usb out (for use as a analog-digital interface into a daw or better yet {fingers crossed} into the Apple camera adaptor-iPhone/iPad for quick and dirty YouTube videos but with better tone)
It was my understanding that the aux signal would only route to the headphones which are of course analog out.
Regardless thank you for the info!

 

[Derek Williams]

Can you please explain how to send both the mono bass signal and the 3.5/Bluetooth aux in stereo signal to the usb out (for use as a analog-digital interface into a daw or better yet {fingers crossed} into the Apple camera adaptor-iPhone/iPad for quick and dirty YouTube videos but with better tone)
It was my understanding that the aux signal would only route to the headphones which are of course analog out.
Regardless thank you for the info!

From the Element webpage (Element – Darkglass Electronics):

USB-C audio interface
Record your ideas wherever you are by connecting the Element to your PC or Mac (on macOS no drivers needed).

The instrument input records on two tracks, one with cabinet simulation and one without any effects.

Recording of stereo sources is also possible via the aux in. Independent mixes can be sent to the two headphone outputs from your favorite DAW.

 

[green3101]

Bit of a thread resurrection - I have the Element now and it's great. Just a question about connectivity:

If my bass is plugged into the "Instrument In" input, will the "Instrument Out" output take the unaffected bass signal that's coming into the unit like a Thru output on a DI? Or will it take the signal after it's been processed with any cabsim etc from the Element?

 

[Derek Williams]

Bit of a thread resurrection - I have the Element now and it's great. Just a question about connectivity:

If my bass is plugged into the "Instrument In" input, will the "Instrument Out" output take the unaffected bass signal that's coming into the unit like a Thru output on a DI? Or will it take the signal after it's been processed with any cabsim etc from the Element?

It's a passive passthrough so there is no processing on the signal, just like a thru output on a DI

 

[Bass Ape]

I have used my Element daily since I got it several months ago.

1. It's stereo.
2. They are constantly adding new options.
3. It's easy to load third-party IRs. However, having to iteratively load IRs through software and test their results is not my jam, which is why I don't use them.

I like the Element because of how easy it is to connect by Bluetooth and merge my bass signal and whatever is playing on my phone. I dislike the IRs and the Darkglass Suite interface in general, which is why I don't use those functions anymore - like Smurf-o-Deth I get my sounds from my signal chain leading up to the Element.

My other gripe is the headphone amp is fairly weak. It is loud enough for my purposes, but I essentially have to max out the volume when I'm using any of my favorite sets of headphones, which are more challenging to drive. I'm considering running from the Element into an actual headphone amp to be able to better drive my headphones, but I can't bring myself to overcomplicate the system just yet.

For whatever reason, my local Guitar Center rang up my Element as ~$100 new in box. I'm pleased with the performance at that price point. I wouldn't pay retail for the limited purposes for which I currently use it, but I will not be surprised if future software updates or future experimentation by me get me to make better use of its functionality.

I have the same experience. I love mine, but I'm thinking of selling it and getting an infinity.