Darkglass Electronics B3kV2 vs. Alpha·Omicron vs. Microtubes X

Time to try out these three bad boys - both in a full mix and through a "reamp"/loop with some knob turning extravaganza! :)
Signal Chain: Yamaha BB734A - Darkglass Hyper Luminal Hybrid Compressor - Darkglass B3kV2 - Darkglass Alpha·Omicron - Darkglass Microtubes X - DSMNoisemaker Omnicabsim (Bypassed) - Focusrite 6i6 - Logic Pro X - Neural DSP Darkglass Suite - Line 6 Helix Native (Impulse loading & Noise Gate) - Ampeg SVT IR from Lancaster Audio
Hi everyone! My name is Erik and I’m a bass player and music teacher from Sweden! Here on my channel, You will find gear demos/reviews and some occasional comedy and cover songs! Feel free to write me a comment in case You want me to try out something music/gear related etc.!
I try to do mostly everything myself in my videos - from recording, mixing and mastering to shooting the videos and editing them.
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KZbin: / erikarko
Facebook: / erikarko
Twitter: / archisland
Instagram: / archisland
Website: archisland.wordpress.com
My bands: structuraldisorder
sixfeetdeeper
GEAR
Rotosound Strings: www.rotosound.com
The Darkglass Electronics Tone Capsule, Microtubes 900 Amplifier, Super Symmetry Compressor, B7k and B3k: www.darkglass.com
Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass V: www.fender.com
Woodo B6 Black Walnut: www.woodoguitars.se
Yamaha Attitude LTD 3 Bass, Yamaha BB734A Bass, Yamaha Revstar Guitar: www.yamaha.com
Keith McMillen 12 Step: www.keithmcmillen.com/
Headrush Pedalboard: www.headrushfx.com
Line 6 Helix LT: www.line6.com
TC Electronic Corona Chorus & Sub’N’Up: www.tcelectronic.com
EBS Pedals & Amps: www.ebssweden.com
Toontrack EZMix2 & EZDrummer2: www.toontrack.com
Cab Impulses from Lancaster Audio: lancasteraudio.com

[@DacianGradaMusic]

just what I needed when deciding what DG to get! Thanks for this video man. I *really* like how the new X sounds, love that punchy low end!

[@erikarko]

Glad to be of service, Bro!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@ivanguiscafre]

best comparation ever! great job!

[@erikarko]

ivan guiscafre Thanks!!

[@cotardstudios]

00:02 Darkglass Electronics B3kV 01:07 Alpha·Omicron 02:11 Microtubes X Great demo!

[@erikarko]

Thanks!!!

[@8Junio76]

I couldn’t decide which one to get, so i got them all 😎

[@Roberta_Esposito]

$1000….. ok

[@pgdonahue31]

Best demo yet especially showcasing the X. Well done.

[@erikarko]

Thanks bro!!

[@wessanto2929]

Thank you for doing this. You actually changed my mind on which one I wanted to get. Was gonna go Alpha Omega, but gonna do the X.

[@erikarko]

Wes Santo Glad to be of service!

[@trfmusic902]

The X is amazing

[@stevewindsenergy]

Hi, 1) you think its good for playing good Charlotte, sum 41 , billy Talent etc offspring? 2) you also think it sounds better than boss odb3 when we look at the overdrive? 3) also do you prefer this microtube X or you prefer alpha omicron?

[@erikarko]

1) Yes 2) Yes 3) On it’s own: Omicron - with more pedals, x :)

[@vagdim69]

Same here.... 4 years after!

[@the_bassiah]

Thanks for making the vid dude, it's very useful in choosing. Still gotta decide between the b3k or the X though still...

[@folivera87]

I almost forgot to thank you for this video. It helped me a lot to decide which one. Greetings from 🇨🇱

[@erikarko]

Glad to hear!! 🙏

[@yahoohu7271]

Great video! I liked the B3K before because of its more clearly sound. But now I prefer the Microtubes X, similar sound with B3K and more versatil.

[@erikarko]

Yahoo Hu The crossovers of the Microtubes X are a really STELLAR asset to the pedal!

[@marcelocoip7275]

It's very useful to hear when you turn down the music volume while you're playing. Excellent demo Erik!

[@erikarko]

Marcelo Coip Thanks bro!

[@lostkeyscollectibles6760]

Really really well done demo.

[@erikarko]

Thanks!!

[@ivanguiscafre]

Microtubes wins!

[@OsmarOliveira]

To me they sound pretty similar in a mix... It’s easier to spot the differences when the bass isolated. I have the B3K, but I’m thinking about getting the Alpha-Omicron or the MicrotubesX to get more flexibility.

[@erikarko]

Yeah - and I also tweaked them to sound as “similar” as possible, whilst still maintaining their “original character” and whatnot :) Both the AO and the MX are awesome - so you’ll be a happy camper with either one!! :)

[@didiervancampo9384]

Got the alpha omnicron and B3k. Because the AO is distortion while the b3k is an overdrive they blend perfectly together with my Ampeg scr Di through an Ampeg svt 3 pro🤘

[@scottnelle]

Awesome Demo! B3k at 3:40. Alpha Omicron at 6:07. X at 9:03.

[@erikarko]

Scott Nelle Thanks bro!! :)

[@didiervancampo9384]

Have the B3k which is an overdrive and combined with the Alpha Omnicron which is a distortion it’s a beastial setup🤘

[@JLS-1]

Gracias, despejé muchas dudas

[@alexskibicki2262]

Awesome demo, erik...personally I like the alpha omnicron. the microtubes x sounded pretty cool too.

[@erikarko]

Alex Skibicki Thanks bro!! :)

[@alexskibicki2262]

@@erikarko The microtubes x sounded pretty cool too. pretty heavy sounding. also the yamaha bass sounds killer too. I've always liked yamaha basses. I was wondering, when you demo these pedals, did you have it in active or passive mode?

[@erikarko]

Alex Skibicki For the playthroughs I normally go with active and boost the treble on the bass for some additional bite - but when I do the reamp, I just run it flat and passive, so that you really can tell what the pedals are doing :)

[@alexskibicki2262]

@@erikarko Cool...I plan on buying a yamaha bb bass sometime soon. I currently own a yamaha trbx305 and it's a great sounding bass. since I'm in the market for a passive bass, I was thinking of getting either the bb235 or the bb435. in additions to that, I also plan to get another darkglass pedal. I currently own a darkglass vintage microtubes and it is my most treasured bass overdrive. so I was thinking of getting either the alpha omnicron or the microtubes x. either one, it would be a great addition to go with my darkglass vmt.

[@alexskibicki2262]

Recent update: I’ve purchased the microtubes x and it sounds killer. At a certain setting, it kinda resembles an Ibanez pd-7 type sound. Killer pedal. It’s a keeper.😎🤘🏻🎸

[@jesseparrish9198]

Love it man! That Yamaha bass is nice 👌

[@erikarko]

Jesse Parrish Thanks bro!! Yeah, it’s a lovely instrument! Plays great and handles the BEAD-tuning like a beast :)

[@alexskibicki2262]

Indeed it is nice. I own a yamaha bass myself. awesome sounding bass. anything yamaha makes, I would like.

[@andrearossi4869]

I can't decide...I bought a Bk3, but I find it a little too scooped. The Apha Omicron seems to sound a little fuzzier and the Microtubes X a little heavier...

[@marontesla2982]

yamaha 735)))) in couple days i will get one i hope)) she is beauty as hell! sounding amazing

[@erikarko]

Awesome! Hope it serves you well!! :)

[@GregSturmon]

Hey Eric do you get any noise with that bass with both pups up? I got the exact one not too long ago and I get some noise. But, do you play in active mode and if so how’s your EQ set? Sounds mean man.

[@erikarko]

Yup, there's a bit of hiss and whatnot when the J-pickup is in the mix. Had to lower it a bit as well, as it had the nasty habit of supplying me with a ringing, high pitched E whenever I was in active mode... and had the treble cranked :P :D For this video, I used Active mode, Both Pickups, Bass & Mid set flat and the Treble cranked. Really made it CUT imho! :)

[@sethnicholls7861]

1st and last for the win. Fairly sure the BK3 sounded best, hard to make it sound bad no matter the setting. I can't say that about the other two.. But I'm fairly sure you can make them all sound super similar... Lol, seriously they all sounded like Darkglass. 🤘

[@MalephicBass]

Great video!

[@erikarko]

MalephicBass Thanks bro!!

[@markkangas7774]

Great video! If you find the time and resources can you do a demo on Darkglass cabs? I'm interested in the 2 X 12, and 4X10.

[@erikarko]

I’ll see what I can do!! :)

[@esposoman]

I have a B3K and it's the most brutal distortion I ever had. I have a Vintage Microtubes and it's cool but not a high gain pedal. Maybe I'll go for the B7K

[@TH-gu4wj]

microtubes X sounded the best overall with the alpha being just under at 2nd. All were useable though.

[@fettjonjr]

Microtubes x sounded the most versatile you could get all the tones the others had to offer in just that one plus more.

[@erikarko]

👍👍👍

[@logananglin2074]

Seems like the AO really cuts in the mix. I think thats the one for me!

[@erikarko]

Logan Anglin Cool :)

[@STAR_GUARDIAN_V]

Very Justin Chancellor like. That's the sound I want in my gear.

[@folivera87]

I'm looking for something like that, but I'm not sure which one is better.

[@erikarko]

IMHO, You can NEVER go wrong with the B3k :)

[@technoalah]

Nice.

[@drydreams8513]

Boy those loud Drums and even louder guitars sure sounded good plugged into those dark glass bass pedals .

[@erikarko]

Thanks for the constructive criticism!

[@treeoflife6337]

i feel like you could get the sound from the X on the b3k and AO with a simple EQ/compression pedal

[@erikarko]

Probably so :) And a crossover! :)

[@hudsonfonseca7550]

Erik, porfavor, com qual eu chegaria mais próximo do som do Billy Sheehan ???

[@erikarko]

B3k :)

[@gary999t]

All 3 sound awesome, and splitting hairs as they all have a variety of tones on offer. I just wish I could sell one of my kidneys and buy all 3, ha!

[@erikarko]

Yeah, they’re all STELLAR imho!

[@nategin9009]

The x is only 199 on amazon

[@luisguimaraes2176]

What are you using the darkglass plugin for and how?

[@erikarko]

I didn’t use it in this video - but these days, it’s basically to emulate either the B7kU or the VMTu with a nice cabsim and whatnot :)

[@am0ungth3l1ving]

Thank you for not using a fucking Dingwall

[@erikarko]

😂😂😂

[@scotthanley5474]

Wanna hear them all together please! :-)

[@mauricioguala1119]

How you get that clean sound?

[@erikarko]

Mauricio Guala Neural DSP Darkglass Suite and an Ampeg 810 Cab Impulse :)

[@FolkloreNegro]

what Yamaha model is that bass?

[@erikarko]

It’s the BB734A :)

[@Jakaro007]

Everyone tests these pedals with one riff on a jazz bass. Much better review!

[@Roberta_Esposito]

yes , and an Infectious Mosh rhythm in my head all day🎼🎼🎼

[@eddybass68]

been a few years since i made comment about b3k being the better of the 3 you did demos on. well yes its been some time but i have to agree with you on the microtubes X, WOW!! game changer is an understatement on the X. needless to say the X has been main and only distortion om my board that thing rocks brother!!

[@erikarko]

Cool! Thanks for returning and commenting!!

[@ridhwanrosli1118]

which the best one when paired with b7k?

[@erikarko]

IMHO the X :)

[@ridhwanrosli1118]

@@erikarko thanks . im thinking bout it too. X is the winner for me

[@charlottegoldsmith6989]

the 3 pedals sound very similar, I guess that that's the characteristic DG tone. Not bad but not very different either, especially in a band context or in the mix when playing along with all the other instruments.

[@erikarko]

charlotte goldsmith They all have their “quirk” to the tone imho - but they are all “useful in the same way”, if you will :)

[@charlottegoldsmith6989]

@@erikarko Sure, they're useful at doing almost exactly the same as I hear from your demo. You can archive almost the same tones with any of these. They're nice for what they are indeed.

[@ludovictangapriganin]

i think the difference is more noticeable when using the ultra versions because of the preamp and because of the mids frenquencies that are different ! btw so far i prefer the alpha omega

[@D3ft0ne]

I spent almost 6 years now with B3K v1... I think its time i tried one of the other 2 , just question is which one ... hmm. Sounds like X would be more versatile?

[@erikarko]

IMHO: The X if you want a more “modern” version of the B3k and the AO if you want a “fuzzier” type of drive :)

[@GregSturmon]

Wait, holy shit you got the tone capsule in that bass?!

[@erikarko]

Sadly no - it's in my Fender. But I MIGHT do that in the future.. gotta love the TC! It's amazing! :)

[@GregSturmon]

Erik Arkö I actually still have a TC laying around I totally forgot about. Maybe it’s time I lay it in the Yamaha BB!!!

[@erikarko]

Greg Sturmon Do it!! :D

[@GregSturmon]

Erik Arkö hopefully I can figure out how to! Haha

[@josephramos980]

Microtube x and alpha onicron🤘👌👍

[@taylorpearcy319]

I feel like if I had the alpha omicron, I would just leave the growl switch on perpetually

[@erikarko]

Yeah, it does quite a bit to the tone!! 😀

[@Enkeli344]

3:40 B3k 6:09 Alpha Omicron 9:05 Microtubes Alpha Omicron van nekem imádom! Mállam : no1 Alpha 2 B3K 3: Microtubes :)

[@erikarko]

👍👍👍

[@Enkeli344]

@@erikarko super vdeo thx

[@ironmagnus]

Lyssnade med hörlurar. Gillar ljudet från Alpha Omicron precis när du kopplat in den bäst. Alpha/omegaratten verkar intressant. Högre definition på Alpha och Omga på max lär låta grymt på riktigt hög volym.

[@erikarko]

AO:n är riktigt grym! Sjukt mångsidig liten rackare :)

[@vuvu5395]

Can you use 2 distortion pedals in one?

[@erikarko]

Do you mean if I could do a video like that?

[@vuvu5395]

@@erikarko I mean can you use 2 diffrent distordion pedals :P but yes you can do video, I will be happy to see it ;)

[@RobertoGarcia-ml2eq]

I have alpha omicron...but b3k is amazing...!!!

[@erikarko]

B3k ❤️

[@almostliterally593]

And the winner is… sansamp!

[@erikarko]

Nah.. 😂

[@boncho5565]

'traligt

[@xXNoirXx90]

Alfa Omicron

[@erikarko]

💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@VanguardSound7]

Perhaps it's just me, but listening to this video while away from the screen revealed a few key things to me. First off, they are all basically variations on the same theme. Meaning that they pretty much all sound the same. And or, too similar to warrant purchasing more than one. Secondly, I absolutely HATE the sound they make. Off top. And also because almost 90% of the bassists out there playing aggressive styles ALL sound exactly the same. Like "Nolly Clones." Of course, no disrespect. because I did find this video truly helpful. One Control Green Bass Machine and the Zoom B1X Four for me. As an audio engineer as well as a bassist, I only need the "cut through a mix" function. Which I know how to achieve without this played out Darkglass sound that everyone is Aping. PEACE!

[@erikarko]

Fair enough!! :) Thanks for your comment, man! :)

[@eddybass68]

b3k all day.. microtubes x 2nd alpha omicron 3rd

[@erikarko]

I love the B7k/B3k - but the X series have changed my distortion game!

[@minibuns5397]

Only difference is EQ!!! What a scam

[@erikarko]

Nah… a few added features on the B1k (mid boost) etc and.. well, all and all an upgrade of the older versions :)