Darkglass Microtubes 900: quiet DI output

[Rowdy Domstead]

Hi all!

I recently purchased a Microtubes 900 head from Sweetwater and have played a few gigs with it, using exclusively the DI output for my sound (I don't use a cab onstage). I haven't had a single sound engineer NOT complain or have a serious issue with how quiet the built-in DI output is.

Attempts to boost the signal from both the amp's controls and the bass (I use the old model Dingwall NG2) result in unwanted distortion from clipping the output, and when the engineer boosts the signal from their end it creates a humming noise that's almost louder than the bass itself.

Has anyone had this problem and/or come up with a solution? I was thinking of using a mic preamp of some kind (like a cloudlifter), but I have no idea if that would work...

Any help is appreciated,
Thanks!

 

[Plastalmonus]

I haven't had any issues with mine however just remember that the DI is controlled by the Master Volume. I assume you have adjusted this?

 

[Adam Wright]

Needs a DI level control.

 

[Wicked G]

Although I owned the Microtubes 500, not 900, I also had mega issues with the DI. On the 500 the DI level is controlled by the Gain and anything below 10:00 was not enough resulting in me having to set the gain around 11:00 or 12:00 which also then introduced distortion on the clean channel. Plus it did not like Phantom Power at all which cause nasty clipping sounds from the amp.

I had to run a separate DI which I was not happy about and decided it was just not worth all the trouble. After several gigs and practices, the amp is now gone. If you have a separate DI, try running it out of the Amps preamp out and see if that helps you. That is something Douglas Castro told me to try.

Good luck

 

[Rowdy Domstead]

Although I owned the Microtubes 500, not 900, I also had mega issues with the DI. On the 500 the DI level is controlled by the Gain and anything below 10:00 was not enough resulting in me having to set the gain around 11:00 or 12:00 which also then introduced distortion on the clean channel. Plus it did not like Phantom Power at all which cause nasty clipping sounds from the amp.

I had to run a separate DI which I was not happy about and decided it was just not worth all the trouble. After several gigs and practices, the amp is now gone. If you have a separate DI, try running it out of the Amps preamp out and see if that helps you. That is something Douglas Castro told me to try.

Good luck

Thank you! This is really helpful.
Do you think using a mic preamp would allow me to still use the DI out but cleanly boost the gain enough to be usable?

 

[Wicked G]

Thank you! This is really helpful.
Do you think using a mic preamp would allow me to still use the DI out but cleanly boost the gain enough to be usable?

Not sure as the Microtubes 900 and 500 are supposed to be different on the DI. All I can add is that even when I ran the separate DI it was still distorting in the clean channel. And I had 2 different soundmen complain about the signal I was sending them even with the gain set at 12:00 when I did use the amps DI.

I wish I could help you more, but I finally decided to just part ways with the amp right before the 45 day return period ended. Hopefully it works out better for you than it did me. Good luck.

Edit: I just found this on the Darkglass Microtubes 900 Manual:

"Maximum Power Output: 900 Watts RMS @ 4 (1khz full blast 2 min max) 20%THD (450 Watts RMS @ 8)"

IDK, 20% THD sounds like a lot to me. But I'm no engineer.