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ELEMENT - CabSim & Headphone Amp by Darkglass Electronics
- Thread starter Peace Bass
- Start date
Any recommendations for good IR’s that are Element compatible?
Realized my Two Note IRS aren’t compatible, so can’t use the IR’s I’ve got.
Primarily looking for guitar sims. Mesa Boogie Boogie Recto, Fender Twin, and Vox AC, etc.
I don’t mind paying for a good one. I downloaded a few free options I found, and they were ok, but didn’t wow me.
Realized my Two Note IRS aren’t compatible, so can’t use the IR’s I’ve got.
Primarily looking for guitar sims. Mesa Boogie Boogie Recto, Fender Twin, and Vox AC, etc.
I don’t mind paying for a good one. I downloaded a few free options I found, and they were ok, but didn’t wow me.
Man am I glad I gave this thing another shot! I played for hours last night using headphones and was completely thrilled with the tones in my cans.
Didn't get too crazy with the Suite, I just used IRs that were already there. Absolutely no complaints. I especially appreciated the noise gate since quality headphones will reveal noises that typical bass rigs won't.
Really looking forward to playing with this through my rig this weekend and trying it out with the electric guitars too.
Question for those who have the Element.
I have a Genzler Magellan 350 and I would like to use the element cab sim. Am that be done?
I read the manual, but it’s a bit confusing. It says that if you own a Darkglass Class D amp, you can go from the speaker connection on the head right into the Element. Is this true for any class D? Technically the Magellan 350 does not need to be connected to a load correct?
The other option I saw was to connect the Element to the parallel connection on my cab, but that would defeat the purpose of recording quietly no?
Thanks for the help!
I have a Genzler Magellan 350 and I would like to use the element cab sim. Am that be done?
I read the manual, but it’s a bit confusing. It says that if you own a Darkglass Class D amp, you can go from the speaker connection on the head right into the Element. Is this true for any class D? Technically the Magellan 350 does not need to be connected to a load correct?
The other option I saw was to connect the Element to the parallel connection on my cab, but that would defeat the purpose of recording quietly no?
Thanks for the help!
It should work fine. Just don’t go full volume right away, set the Element input pad switch to max reduction and work your way up to a usable volume, raising the input pad if needed.
I’m trying to be really safe and checking for the post I read where someone did this before to make sure, but can’t find it. Might be best to ask Darkglass support before giving it a try, just in case.
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You're supposed to be able to connect the Element in line between your head and cab, as long as the amp makes 900 watts or less.
Just do go outside of that power limit, don't try to plug another instrument into the Element (which will probably shock you and damage your gear) and make sure that it's safe to use your amp this way.
You will be able to take advantage of your amp's tone controls being included in the DI and headphone signals but I don't think you will hear any of the Element's cabsims or tone shaping features coming out of your cab.
Just do go outside of that power limit, don't try to plug another instrument into the Element (which will probably shock you and damage your gear) and make sure that it's safe to use your amp this way.
You will be able to take advantage of your amp's tone controls being included in the DI and headphone signals but I don't think you will hear any of the Element's cabsims or tone shaping features coming out of your cab.
That wasn't the question though. The question was if he could do that without a cab. You can do it without a cab using a Darkglass amp for sure, but not sure about other class D amps. I talked to someone who said he ran it with an orange amp "bass -> amp -> Element", but it was unclear if he also used a cab as well. Safest to ask Darkglass support about it first.
^ from the manual:
"If you are using a Darkglass amplifier with a class D poweramp you have the option to connect the amplifier straight to the Element without using a speaker cabinet or an external load. Use the input labelled “AMP IN” on the Element. You can now choose the impulse response from slots 1-5 or the bypass signal. From here the signal is passed through to the XLR output and via the blend and volume controls to the headphone outputs."
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"If you are using a Darkglass amplifier with a class D poweramp you have the option to connect the amplifier straight to the Element without using a speaker cabinet or an external load. Use the input labelled “AMP IN” on the Element. You can now choose the impulse response from slots 1-5 or the bypass signal. From here the signal is passed through to the XLR output and via the blend and volume controls to the headphone outputs."
Invalid Link Removed
Actually, I just re-read the manual and you are correct.
DO NOT CONNECT THE ELEMENT BETWEEN YOUR HEAD AND CAB WITH AN AMP THAT MAKES MORE THAN 100 WATTS!
The 900 watt method appears to be only if you're using the parallel output from your speaker cab.
You can connect the Element between your head and cab if the amp is rated for less than 100 watts. Or, from the cab's parallel output if the amp is up to 900 watts.
Sorry for the misinformation! Posting without enough sleep. I can't edit my earlier post to change the wattage requirements.
Regarding using your head without a load, it's best to contact the manufacturer of the head to make sure that it's safe.
Generally speaking, Class D amps do not require a load. There may be exceptions for specific amps but I'm not aware of any. It is always best to follow the recommendations of the amp manufacturer.
Generally speaking, Class D amps do not require a load. There may be exceptions for specific amps but I'm not aware of any. It is always best to follow the recommendations of the amp manufacturer.
Totally fine- in this case your amp will see a load from the Element, but the impedance is so large compared to a speaker that it will draw barely any power at all. The reason that placing a DI in between a cab and amp requires more caution than a parallel connection is that when placed in series the jacks/wires/chassis (potentially in a failure situation) etc before and after the DI are seeing the full power of the amp instead of the small amount actually pulled by the DI and it could potentially be a liability on a box not designed to safely be run that way (probably also a matter of labeling legality for products with IEC certification)
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Playing around with the Element and discovered a tone almost identical to the Aguilar Tonehammer:
Formula:
Guitar Amp - Drive: 60, Resonance: 50, Presence: 50
Cab: Nolly 8x10
Mic: All The Mids
Formula:
Guitar Amp - Drive: 60, Resonance: 50, Presence: 50
Cab: Nolly 8x10
Mic: All The Mids
