Darkglass Electronics Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine Demo by Amos Heller

[@JoeCalderone]

Love seeing the potential of this pedal in a non-metal context! Thanks for the demo!

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks Joe! Thanks for watching.

[@seankent1807]

Ok, second comment: this is the BEST explanation / demo of this pedal I’ve seen. Thank you for cutting through the hype and showing what it’s capable of for us real-world bass players. All of the others make it seem like it only accepts signal from Dingwalls & can only output complex prog-metal riffage. Gonna have to buy one now!

[@dakotaboelte4354]

Best ADAM review/demo by far since it's release and trust me, I've watched them all. Amos, keep up the incredible work. You've been a great help to us all 🙏

[@AmosHeller]

You’re too kind Dakota. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@pirhala]

Amos, you are by far the best bass channel on KZbin. The way you approach demos by including the backing track with the bass and then turn it way down to hear the pedal while you adjust the settings and then bring the mix back up to hear the way it sounds after adjusting the knobs is absolutely brilliant! I also like when you play the same riff like in this video so we can tell what’s going on between knob turning changes. Sometimes, people are all over the place with their playing and its hard to tell what’s going on. The equipment you use to record makes your demos sound great on KZbin… you have awesome gear, you’re thorough with explaining the pedals that you demo, you’re a great bass player, AND you’re funny! What’s not to like? Thank you for the great content! Subscribed!

[@bbb_999]

THANK YOU for the best available walk-through of this occasionally-confusing-but-undoubtedly-powerful pedal! I've owned it for a while but, thanks in part to a UI that only a Finnish metalhead with an Electrical Engineering degree could love (ha), I hadn't really 'grokked' it until you broke it down. PS: I bought the Origin Cali76 compressor after your demo, and LOVE IT. Thanks again!

[@КрутойНекит-ч4е]

This is still THE BEST explanation this pedal gotten, even year later. I even got more information out of this great vid, than out of 2 separate hour-long deep dive tutorials on various languages! Thank you for this piece of work.

[@andrewjeffries8721]

Thank you Amos. You demo a pedal in a way that makes sense to me because you use a single riff (no complaint here!) to compare all the settings. I have ordered an ADAM and your demo helps me to prep for this great sounding DE pedal. Keep rockin' it, Amos! And I appreciate your humor, too! 🙂

[@luismelendez2659]

After a couple of weeks of searching for the best pedal for what I'm looking to get out of it, I've finally decided to go for this one. Thank you for making my decision a bit easier, all of your videos are incredible, you're now definitely one of my go to channels for bass gear, keep it up Amos!

[@vendettawarcrime]

The bass just sounds so produced in a good way. Amos you’ve made a great demo showing how the pedal can be maximized on a track to make a song work!

[@CR-ch8gp]

Thank you for showing that the Adam is very versatile and can be used with every genre. Thank you for the great work you put into making these Videos. 😎👍🏿

[@alexefors1068]

Dark Glass give to amos Heller some love! Because of his excellent technical and musical reviews I bought the ADAM and the element. This guy sells

[@craighill3715]

If Darkglass hasn't got you on their payroll, they need too! The only person I've seen REALLY show what these devices can do outside of prog metal. And your playing is pretty dope too🤘

[@SoulSideSeven]

Thank you Amos Heller, you are, together with Adam Nolly, the reason i bought this pedal! Adam for the heavy side, and you for showing the other amazing utilities and genres! Thanks!

[@omarkhalil6067]

Amazing review , one year later and I finaly understand the ADAM, Thanks Amos for all your great work.

[@jasonvarnam4014]

The best review of ADAM so far that I've seen. Comprehensive to say the least. Awesome work Amos. Love your other content too.

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks Jason!

[@yafanyafan]

I'm going to get one because of you. Thanks for the review!

[@AmosHeller]

Awesome. Enjoy!

[@PALongknife]

I have one of these on the way-- although it's no longer called "ADAM", apparently. Thanks for this excellent demo! You make it look surprisingly-easy to use, once you actually know what the controls do! Also, I'll be playing a P-style bass through this pedal, and it was cool to see someone demo this unit with a more "traditional" (not Warwick, Spector, or Dingwall) bass!

[@ikestoddard2458]

Best explainer. Do not stop! Darkglass fans have an asset in your independent reviews. I hope t be a patron soon.

[@MoreanMan]

Pretty solid review with actually pleasing tones far from the BRR BRR DENG I've been seeing in most of the other reviews. Thanks for this vid! I'm picking up my ADAM this evening!

[@hhatexas]

The bass world needs this RN Amos. There are far too many poor bass guitar pedal reviews out there or far too few. Great content and please keep it up.

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks! I plan on it!

[@perryborn2777]

That intro was fantastic, very well done

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks!

[@adronallen7141]

Great job showcasing the lower gain capabilities. This ranks among the absolute best looks at the ADAM. I took a leap of faith buying the pedal once I read about the low gain update, and I couldn't be happier. Even with the drives bypassed the compressor and IRs are so well thought-out that everything sounds absolutely massive and full.

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks!

[@markhmosher]

Put it in my pedalboard and demoed it for a bunch of folks and everybody loved the tones with the distortion off. The cab sims and multi band comp are killer.

[@felixweber6593]

Hi Amos, thanks for the demo. I bought that beast a few days ago and I'm happy with it so far. Lots of possibilities, lots of options and, in my opinion, this pedal can be used for a lots of genres outside Nolly's favorite type of music. I play rock, but not as extreme as Periphery's metal genre. Cheers from Switzerland 🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭

[@MarceloCesario]

Congratulations, very clear and concise explanation, excellent, thank you! I find you similar to Tim Blake Nelson

[@Philemmusic]

Wow, didn't know about the split routed multiband... Makes sense though. Great demo, keep up the good work!

[@nathansantos.n8]

you my sir, just increased my GAS for this pedal, best review so far. shortest and most detailed. great job. i want one

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks for the kind words! I’m simultaneously glad and sorry. Millions of people are living with GAS. won’t you donate $600 a month to help some musician deal with this condition? 😂

[@nathansantos.n8]

@@AmosHeller hahaha! so true! where can I apply for this program? 🤣🤣

[@joconnorwi]

Thanks Amos! Great demo, info!!

[@bass186]

Best demo and description of the Adam.

[@joemccambridge2759]

Please do more pedal reviews.. this was great.

[@AmosHeller]

I’m on it! Thanks!

[@erictremblay3381]

Thanks fo this awesome review ! Love to hear the pedal out of a metal context. :)

[@WingMane52]

Just picked up this machine so far it is awesome! Pro tip make sure the headphone volume is all the way down so you don't get any hiss through your amp! 😂

[@D1SASTERarea]

I have to say this and your other videos are the best demos on the Darkglass ADAM. I wanted to hear how it sounded with low gain distortion because I'm more of a Fuzz/Grit kind of guy, and your videos more than any other convinced me to buy and try it for myself.

[@AmosHeller]

Right on! Thanks for the kind words. Let me know how it goes!

[@D1SASTERarea]

@@AmosHeller Turns out I'm returning the Adam. I wanted an all in one distortion unit that I could use on small gigs and leave my Elektron Analog Heat behind. And while it's cool, I prefer the grit and simplicity of my Darkglass Vintage Microtubes Ultra

[@AmosHeller]

@@D1SASTERarea I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. The Ultra is a great pedal too!

[@saschadagnano6106]

Thanks for this amazing review! Thanks for going into details!

[@HondoFelder]

Great review man!

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks!!

[@SebTheSaviour]

Damn, this is SO FAR the best demo of this unit. Honestly it smells "digital"but for live performances seems to be a good choice at all! The funniest thing is that everyone uses a MM bass while to me (subjectively) MM bass just doesn't work in metal :) Great job, cheers!

[@LunarCascader]

First thing I did when I read about the ADAM was search engine "rotary adjust footswitch," and the only thing of any relevance that I got back was pages about the ADAM.

[@pbass6811]

One small request, could you do one crappy review, just so we know you're human?! LOL! Seriously, this was, by far, the most useful, well thought out, and easily accessible review/demo of this pedal! I've got one coming and you just dispelled any buyers remorse! Thanks for the work you put in, I appreciate it.

[@AmosHeller]

Thank you! Congrats on the purchase and thanks for the kind words. They’re much appreciated. One crap review coming up!

[@jacoby75]

I concur with Dakota and others. Best review I've seen of the ADAM yet, and the recoded songs sound fantastic. Was there any pre/post processing on the bass track in your recorded tunes apart from the ADAM?

[@MisterKaribOfficiel]

well done, nice demo

[@PaddyMacNabh]

Holy sh..... !!!!!!!!!!!!! absolutely amazing. I WANT ONE

[@seankent1807]

Sick of that riff? No way. That’s a killer riff…I’d love to hear a whole song based around it! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@AmosHeller]

You’re too kind!

[@thevoxxtv]

Autonomous Mammal On Stool just made me actual LOL, thank you!

[@tonycarel1785]

Thanks again Amos! For an outstanding review! Your presentation is the absolute best on KZbin ( I believe that says something about you) I am looking at purchasing this exact pedal. Would you personally recommend this pedal for playing live and also recording purposes would love to hear your take of where this pedal might fall short if it does. Thank you again for another outstanding review (as mentioned before) P.S. is this pedal worth the initial investment

[@francoishtzl157]

And damn you do a so amazing job here

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks!

[@jayl5941]

Whoa that Covert section demo was awesome - great tune! That is such a fat and non-fatiguing slap sound. I saw the pedal settings but if you remember the compression ratio you ran for that and the fingstyle section I'd be curious (edit I think I can see it's selected by the number of dots underneath - shoulda learned that from the overview section ha).

[@AmosHeller]

Thanks! I’m glad you like it. “Non-fatiguing” made me chuckle. It’s the best one can hope for! Pretty sure it was 4:1. Check out the breakdown right after the song here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppnLfIKBfrZrpNU

[@AmosHeller]

4:1 slap 12:1 fingers (verse) 20:1 fingers (lead)

[@jayl5941]

@@AmosHeller Haha it was a terrible adjective but Stingrays as awesome as they are some people love to dial in a lot of high mids with the slap tone. Yours was great. Thanks for the breakdown video I missed that one - super helpful!

[@mwilesbass]

Does the cab sim only come out of the XLR out like on the other Darkglass pedals?

[@horrorshowbass]

Amos, you have serious chops. Great review, are you still using the pedal one year later?

[@mephisto-pheles9622]

Could I connect an expression pedal with a TRS TO 1/4 Y through the MIDI?

[@andersjeppsson8499]

Amazing as always!!! How do you see this pedal if you have the AO 500 DG amp? Still worth putting in the chain?

[@AmosHeller]

As always: depends what your goals are! I like having three presets ready to go for different sections/songs/Basses. Between this and the two modes of the amp you’d be spoiled for choices.

[@andersjeppsson8499]

@@AmosHeller Thank you!

[@Falk0209]

I'm so missing the fx loop on this one, it would be a no brainer for me...

[@stevemurphy8553]

Only discovered your channel recently and you've convinced me to buy my first Darkglass pedal! Love the content. This might be a silly question, but you mentioned this can be used as an interface for your DAW. Is this suitable only for bass recording or for guitars too?

[@nathansantos.n8]

Im wondering if there's any audio qual differences if you use the ADAM as an interface (since it has a built in interface function right?) vs if you plug it in a dedicated interface?

[@jeremyschissler337]

oh shit dude.....freakin sold me one fr

[@AmosHeller]

Heck yeah! Enjoy!

[@jeremyschissler337]

@@AmosHeller 385 from prymaxe ...be here friday

[@alexefors1068]

Dark glass is in other level, these guys are looking elsewhere in every aspect, capabilities, design, etc. for metal is goog but Amos is showing here that these pedals are versatile for everything else, take my money now!

[@PhullyNo1]

Out of the Darkglass pedals you’ve demoed which do you find the best choice for a “one to rule them all” I don’t want to get 3 Darkglass pedals and try them all, I’m looking for a metal drive, a great synth fuzz tone, and just an awesome clean full beef sound. I play in stand and drop D for the most part. Any advice would be great!

[@AmosHeller]

I’ve got one coming out on the MT X Ultra next week. It’s pretty killer. I have an Alpha Omega Ultra that also rules

[@PhullyNo1]

@@AmosHeller thanks for the info I’ll wait till I see your review next week. I just don’t want a 5 pedal chain if I can avoid it.

[@AmosHeller]

If you don’t want multiple pedals this A.D.A.M. Might be a good fit. Getting beef, drive and fuzz out of a single pedal can be tough but I think this one could do it.

[@kenreed7653]

This is the best demo of Adam I’ve seen. Love your videos man. Question for you, Is there a way for Kemper Stage to control the ADAM using midi? Please help

[@AmosHeller]

Appreciate the kind words! And I didn’t get into any of the MIDI stuff, as I’m not terribly knowledgeable about such things. I wish I could help!

[@JennyMayUSAF]

Amos = autonomous mammal on stool…I love you man. :-).

[@Jay_A5]

Would you recommend to a non metal player? Looking for compression and dirt. Would u use a cab sim if your already using a cab? Thanks

[@AmosHeller]

You might want more individual control over comp stuff (attack/release, mix etc) but this is a good comp and drive. Having multiple saves to switch through is a real boon

[@Jay_A5]

@@AmosHeller Yea I like the drive sound’s on this vs a B3K. I might give it a try since it offers so much. Thanks Amos. You have been amazing

[@francoishtzl157]

I use my NG3 but i have a lot more low on the clean signal

[@Nebvin]

Too much lows? Are you using the blend for clean? The clean channel is tuned for more low end and doesn’t sound great on it’s own. If you want to get clean signal from the Adam, better to turn off the distortion and put blend at 100%.

[@francoishtzl157]

@@Nebvin yeah I know ahah It's because before I use the third ratio who is 12:1 and on the clean side (or with 1/4 of blend) this ratio with a high threshold (low comp) it had a loooot of extra bass. But after I notice that Nolly has a really heavy picking and with my attack it sound the same as when I put comp to the top (1/2). So now it sound great all the strings and clean and distortion side are approximately equal ! (4:1 ratio)

[@francoishtzl157]

@@Nebvin This FET comp is agressive if I compare with a Bus SSL who are transparent. Need to try lot of thing to understand what work better

[@saharatsarakul3184]

Holy metal.

[@TheScott1670]

this pedal arrived to me today and... i cant figure out how to use it. do i need to pair it with a DAW? i tried to play it through my Kemper/ Monitors and had no luck.

[@AmosHeller]

What output are you using?

[@TheScott1670]

@@AmosHeller thanks for the response! I have tried the direct out put as well as both balanced out puts on the ADAM, as well as the headphone jack to see if that would produce any sound. but no luck

[@AmosHeller]

Are you sure the tuner isn’t on? Output /master is up?

[@TheScott1670]

@@AmosHeller I finally got it to play sound, but it’s got a lot of feedback and sounds pretty crappy. I have a instrument cable that has a pair of input jacks on one end and a single jack on the other end. Dual jacks are connected to the balanced outputs on the Adam, the single jack end is plugged into the input on the Kemper profiler, my guitar jack is plugged into the ADAM input.

[@AmosHeller]

Hm. I don’t know if that’s the best way. Can you run a mono signal into the profiler? I don’t have mine handy at the moment-but can you run a single 1/4” from one (L or R) output to the Kemper? Or straight into the DAW just to be sure?

[@sendalunar2974]

Seems like the perfect pedal for someone like me that doesn't wanna carry anything but a pedal and my bass lol

[@tomrobinson4781]

Aye! Lovely

[@nihalnayak5483]

Man...if only it had an effects loop.

[@AmosHeller]

That may be like the only thing it doesn’t hsve

[@h0nza_]

I seriously googled "universally loved studio compressor", cuz I didn't know 😂 why is everybody so mysterious about it?

[@AmosHeller]

To be honest- only did it because I see other people do it? Maybe the company is litigious? Either way. It’s got a setting called “all in” and I don’t think anyone has a copyright on that. 😂

[@arsenije_wav8620]

The only thing I'm kinda disappointed by is that there aren't really 5 new drive sounds here. To my ears, it sounds like the same basic style of drive, but with different levels of saturation. I feel like the EQ and the cab sims are what really makes the difference here, but as someone who is VERY picky about his dirt, I'm reluctant to open my wallet for this one.

[@AmosHeller]

I hear you! And I have to say that I had the same feeling. The drives are very similar. I’m currently working on the Photon, which (spoilers) might solve this very problem

[@ChaseTheBass878]

Djentalmen......lol nice one

[@Emm_R_Guitar]

me watchin 6 minutes of video to see how easy it is to programme with midi - "we arent gonna get to that" -.-

[@thenashvillebassmentor594]

I’m Amos Heller and you’re not.

[@AmosHeller]

Damn right you’re not. 😂

[@AnteraxxX]

I really like the Compressor in this pedal 🤷‍♂