Description
The Microtubes X Ultra greatly expands on the already immense versatility of the Microtubes X7. Featuring all the great controls that its predecessor has that allows users to select exactly what frequencies they want to compress and saturate for the low and treble respectively, but with four major additions providing an additional layer of flexibility, while maintaining the same compact footprint, making it an extremely complete tool for the modern bassist.
Front Features
Low Comp
Controls compression amount for the low band. Both threshold and makeup gain are controlled to maintain a constant level. This control is also used to control the compression amount when the compressor is enabled for clean signal in Darkglass Suite.
Low Level
Sets the output volume of the low-pass signal.
Low Pass Frequency
Controls the cut-off frequency to be mixed back to the high-pass side. Ranging from 50Hz (for only sub-bass) and 500Hz to preserve some clean mids.
High Level
Sets the output volume of the distorted high-pass signal.
High Drive
Sets the amount of distortion for the high pass side.
High Pass Frequency
Controls the cutoff frequency to be distorted, ranging from 100Hz (for thicker, fuzzier saturation) or 1kHz for ultra-sharp definition.
Master
+-12 dB. Sets the overall volume of the unit.
Bass
Low shelf +-12dB @ 80 Hz
Mid bands
+-10dB @ 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1.5 kHz, 3 kHz
Treble
High shelf +-12dB @ 5 kHz
Darkglass Suite
Utilizing the desktop version of the Darkglass Suite allows you to load one of the available impulses responses of our library or add you custom / third party impulses to use with your pedal. In addition you can control the headphones level output.
Input & Outputs
nput
Connect your instrument or output from your pedal board to the ¼” mono jack.
Aux In
This 3.5mm stereo input allows you to practice with backing tracks from e.g. your smartphone or laptop. Auxiliary input can only be used with the headphone output.
The pedal does not control the level, it must be set from your audio source. Remember to always first set the level low before connecting anything to the aux in!
Headphone Output
Microtubes X Ultra has an internal stereo headphone amplifier capable of driving a minimum load of 16 ohms from the 3.5mm stereo jack. Use the Master volume control to adjust the level.
9V DC
Only use a regulated 9V DC adapter with a center-negative plug
Output
Connect from the ¼” Output jack to the input of your amplifier or another effects pedal.
Direct Output
Balanced XLR output for connecting the pedal to a microphone preamp, PA system etc.
Ground lift
Disconnects the signal ground on the Direct Output to break any ground loops. Set this switch to either position that has less noise. The switch does not affect the ¼” output.
Cab Sim
Toggle the cabinet simulation on/off on the Direct Output. This switch completely bypasses all digital circuits and allows you to get a zero latency signal when needed.
USB
A Micro USB B connector allows you to connect the pedal to PC/Mac to load cabinet simulation impulse responses to the pedal and control various other settings.
Video Review: Darkglass Electronics Microtubes X Ultra Bass Preamp & Distortion
| Brand | Darkglass Electronics |
|---|---|
| Weight (kg) | 0.43 kg |
| Width (cm) | 12.5 |
| Length (cm) | 9.5 |
| Height (cm) | 5.7 |
| Battery | No |
| Expression | No |
| Jacks position on top | Yes |
| Switching presets | No |
| Power Supply | 9 Volt |
| Tap tempo | No |
| Bypass | True bypass |
| Digital or Analog | Analog |
| Current Draw, mA | 200 |
| Input Impedance, kΩ | 1000 |
| Output Impedance, Ω | 1000 |
| Best For | Bass Guitars |