ELEMENT - CabSim & Headphone Amp by Darkglass Electronics

[KJMO]

Firmware update 3.0:
· +200 new Impulse Responses.
· Presets: Save your favorite combination of EQ + powerhead + IR into the slots.
· Tuner.
· Renewed overall look with added options.

I just got the element today, updated, and apparently to get the tuner, you press all three touch sliders at the same time. I really like how active they are adding new functionality. I've got a lot to figure out, but it sounds pretty dang good, so far.

 

[JUMBO 70]

I would love to hear what IRs folks are enjoying! I plan to use this as a DI box between pedalboard and amp on stage. I'll send an IR'd signal to FOH and see how they like that instead of the normal signal.

I've had the Element for months and months but my only experience with the IRs is through headphones (meh headphones at that). I'm in an apartment so I can't be playing at volume. Currently, I enjoy Forrester's Bitey but I would love to hear what others people enjoy. How about you?

 

[Derek Williams]

I would love to hear what IRs folks are enjoying! I plan to use this as a DI box between pedalboard and amp on stage. I'll send an IR'd signal to FOH and see how they like that instead of the normal signal.

I've had the Element for months and months but my only experience with the IRs is through headphones (meh headphones at that). I'm in an apartment so I can't be playing at volume. Currently, I enjoy Forrester's Bitey but I would love to hear what others people enjoy. How about you?

I just play at home, but I recently bought a Headrush FRFR 108 as I wanted to be able to hear the same thing I hear when I record or wear headphones (and it does a great job of that). As an extra bonus, it gives me a chance to play with cabsims! So far from the factory IRs I’ve liked the Darkglass 810 the best, it sounds closest to what I’d like to hear. There was an Ampeg IR from Shift Line Bass IR Pack (I think it was #12) that I previously tried and liked, I’ll have to give it another try again (I lost it during one of the big Element upgrades).

 

[Corto14]

I would love to hear what IRs folks are enjoying! I plan to use this as a DI box between pedalboard and amp on stage. I'll send an IR'd signal to FOH and see how they like that instead of the normal signal.

I've had the Element for months and months but my only experience with the IRs is through headphones (meh headphones at that). I'm in an apartment so I can't be playing at volume. Currently, I enjoy Forrester's Bitey but I would love to hear what others people enjoy. How about you?

Honestly 8 out of 10 I don't use the cab simulation , I much prefer hearing the sound of my basses which I like a lot.
Cabs sim don't appeal to me that much, at least for now.
Sometimes I use the Analog Cab sim (Microtubes X) which to me is very transparent.
I don't use the head simulation

 

[JUMBO 70]

Honestly 8 out of 10 I don't use the cab simulation , I much prefer hearing the sound of my basses which I like a lot.
Cabs sim don't appeal to me that much, at least for now.
Sometimes I use the Analog Cab sim (Microtubes X) which to me is very transparent.
I don't use the head simulation

I’m very much with you until recently. The cab sims color the tone a LOT. What makes the microtubes x “analog?”

 

[Carrollina]

I recently picked up a DG Element for direct recording into my DAW. I dd the most recent update. I’m having an issue with low volume output from the XLR DI.... The headphone output is actually louder than the xlr output. I’ve tried it with both an active bass (stingray) and a passive bass (Fender P-Bass) on both the volume drop is significant.... I get better results by just plugging my bass directly into my audio interface..

 

[Derek Williams]

I recently picked up a DG Element for direct recording into my DAW. I dd the most recent update. I’m having an issue with low volume output from the XLR DI.... The headphone output is actually louder than the xlr output. I’ve tried it with both an active bass (stingray) and a passive bass (Fender P-Bass) on both the volume drop is significant.... I get better results by just plugging my bass directly into my audio interface..

I think all DIs are supposed to lower the volume to mic level? The advantage is it’s balanced, so should reduce noise picked up by long cables.

 

[sunbeast]

I recently picked up a DG Element for direct recording into my DAW. I dd the most recent update. I’m having an issue with low volume output from the XLR DI.... The headphone output is actually louder than the xlr output. I’ve tried it with both an active bass (stingray) and a passive bass (Fender P-Bass) on both the volume drop is significant.... I get better results by just plugging my bass directly into my audio interface..

Yes what @Derek Williams said- the headphone out is via an amplifier, but the DI out is not intended to amplify output but to convert the impedance of the input signal from high to low- in many DIs this actually happens with a degree of attenuation of the signal as well (particularly if you are plugging a high-output bass into the DI). However, do make sure you are selecting the correct input dB selection at the input of the Element so that your signal isn’t attenuated even more than necessary (if you are plugging a bass straight in, then most likely the 0dB option unless you are getting bad clipping in the cab-sim).

What are the input options of your interface? Ideally you want to choose a mic input for correct level matching.

 

[tylerwylie]

Does anyone know what format for IRs can be loaded? Looking at some of the two notes stuff, my boss gt1000 - they all worth with 24bit 96khz IRs but wondering what this thing uses

 

[birdswthvertigo]

So since March 30, Darkglass seems to be hyping the next update for the Element on social media. Today another post. Some of the comments got antsy about it possibly being some kind of noise gate. Otherwise the mystery and suspense builds. Does anyone know what may be in store for the next update? A noise gate would be amazing as I was just considering a standalone pedal for that and may not need one after all.

 

[KJMO]

Does anyone know what format for IRs can be loaded? Looking at some of the two notes stuff, my boss gt1000 - they all worth with 24bit 96khz IRs but wondering what this thing uses

I don't have it anymore, but it seemed to convert them on the fly to whatever it uses, which is probably 24/96, etc. Hopefully I'm remembering correctly.

 

[JUMBO 70]

New update is here. Virtual noise gate (not a physical pedal), and I’m only assuming that means the element is able to utilize this new feature as well. I’ll have to try it out when I’m home tonight.

 

[birdswthvertigo]

New update is here. Virtual noise gate (not a physical pedal), and I’m only assuming that means the element is able to utilize this new feature as well. I’ll have to try it out when I’m home tonight.

Been playing around with some this morning. So far so good! I like the new interface as a effects chain. It’s working pretty well for me.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

The new layout is nice, and, yes, the noise suppressor is usable within the suite for the Element. Only had a few minutes to tinker with it, but seems to do the job.

 

[edupellejero]

I have sound from my guitar and my computer (USB connection) trough phone output 1, but from phone output 2 I only can hear my guitar. Any sugestion?

 

[birdswthvertigo]

I have sound from my guitar and my computer (USB connection) trough phone output 1, but from phone output 2 I only can hear my guitar. Any sugestion?

If you’re monitoring through the Element you may need to adjust the audio settings in your DAW to tell it to send the computer audio through the Phones output 2. That would be my first thing to attempt. I ran into the same issue recently.

 

[KJMO]

Hey! I sent back my element, but I wanted to ask if there is a "mix" function on the cab sim. I recently found out about that on the HX stomp, and it makes a huge difference being able to set the cab sim to 20% mix, or whatever. I thought it was too much sending all the signal through the cab sim.

 

[birdswthvertigo]

Hey! I sent back my element, but I wanted to ask if there is a "mix" function on the cab sim. I recently found out about that on the HX stomp, and it makes a huge difference being able to set the cab sim to 20% mix, or whatever. I thought it was too much sending all the signal through the cab sim.

I’ve had my Element for 7 months now and I’m pretty sure it does not have this feature. That said, it does have the option of recording using 2 signals at once (cab sim and no cab sim) but I do not think you have the ability to control how much of each you are getting. This is when recording using the Element as the audio interface. That would be a very cool feature to have!

 

[blocka]

Anyone using the two 1/4” jacks to sum parallel pedalboard paths?

 

[birdswthvertigo]

Anyone using the two 1/4” jacks to sum parallel pedalboard paths?

Let me know if you try it. I was under the impression it was not allowed, that it would be like trying to run 2 instruments at once, which manual forbids. Have you already tried it?