Orange Micro Dark Review - Tested through a small & a big cab!

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[@CaptAnderton]

Panic not everybody!! The lighting & the ambient sound in this video wasn't great, but its all teething problems of being in a new space. We have bought new diffuses for the lights & have acoustically treated the ceiling to reduce the ambient noise. Things will be better in the shoot later this month, but there are going to be 5-6 more videos from last months shoot that might annoy you a bit! Cheers!!

[@Koziolrh]

+CaptAnderton awesomesauce

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

+CaptAnderton - Nothing a little vocal compression couldn't fix, Cap'n!!

[@larshcdk]

+CaptAnderton also as other people say - ditch the amp "frame" on the image :)

[@Kevinmatharu15]

+CaptAnderton should have tried max volume and low gain to hear the clean before rolling the volume on the guitar :( I still want one now.

[@Eo_Tunun]

+CaptAnderton Ye ken what? I panic when I want to'! Waaaaah!

[@timmuston2687]

Just bought a Micro Dark (from Andertons, naturally)on the basis of this video. Sounds amazing - even the cleans! Only problem was that when the lovely lady from the delivery company arrived at my door I was washing my car, and had literally just soaked my jeans. It looked like I'd wet myself. Moral of the story is NEVER wash your car. Seriously, I can highly recommend the Micro Dark.

[@wolfman6489]

Hahaga!

[@Pat130101]

Think of it a different way - you'd have wet yourself seeing your Micro Dark had finally arrived!

[@jonnelson5881]

There are movies that are less entertaining then your comment :)

[@chrisryan9042]

It would have happened the first time you played through the Micro Dark anyway - might as well get it over with ;-)

[@weswheel4834]

Always best to try out a new amp naked anyway, I find.

[@Gummmibaer]

Videoquality is...weird somehow and yeah, never use that frame again. Please!

[@catdumpling]

+Gummmibaer The border is pretty distracting. I like the new set, but the border around the video makes it feel really squished and not properly centered. The Micro Dark is cool though ;) .

[@shockt9610]

The new set looks like the set John Bollinger uses for his reviews at Premier Guitar.

[@BenCaffrey]

Odd similarity to the Guitarist magazine Guthrie interview room too........hmmmmmm

[@overlordofpizza]

+catdumpling I did not notice the border at all until I read your comment...damn it.

[@hollowinuyasha01]

anyone else find the border/frame annoying?

[@cronic4202]

+Shite Knight Yeah I was just thinking that...

[@lililililiillilli]

no

[@reageorge]

Yeah too much boarder...

[@GHguy17]

+Shite Knight It doesn't bother me.

[@paule6101]

+Shite Knight Does anybody *not* find it annoying?

[@ChristianIce]

More gain, speaker simulation and fx loop? Fuck, now I regret buying the Micro Terror.

[@oreobuttcrack4557]

+ChristianIce la forza il mio canto è il signore

[@ChristianIce]

Oreo Buttcrack :D

[@iamajediirl6444]

+ChristianIce i don't because the MT is a great classic sounding amp, plus now with both i can have a mini rig for shows using the MT for clean/pushed clean and MD for the crunch/melt your face tone plus you can NEVER have too many Orange amps

[@ChristianIce]

Robbie M. Ok, I am convinced. Buy me one. :)

[@ayirsawft]

+ChristianIce Same, I bought the micro terror back in july and they release this now? >:( Oh well, a pedal will do the trick.

[@LaniakeaLeathercrafts]

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you over my infinite sustain." Hahaha love it.

[@DareBear2099]

I actually gig with this amp regularly. This head, an Orange PPC112 Cab, my effects board, my 96 Gibson LP Studio. For larger gigs I go speaker line out to the board on top of my mic'd cab. I swapped the pre-amp tube for a Groove Tube 12AU7, helped a lot with clean headroom, and I can still get that Orange sound if I push the gain to the 3rd and fourth stage. I actually sold my Peavey Valveking 112 combo because this setup is easier to lug around and for venues that restrict cabs on stage (like a worship gig) I can just go straight to the PA.

[@stoneysdead689]

How are you running 20 watts into your board and not frying it? Are you sure you're not coming out of the send on the fx loop to the board? Or maybe out of the headphone jack? Because you can't run a powered lead to your powered board.

[@DareBear2099]

@@stoneysdead689 so this iteration of my rig is kinda done. But I basically ran my guitar to a tuner, compressor, two overdrives, a distortion and fuzz to the front of the amp. I used Different dirt pedals for different song types or stacking them for leads. I used the amps effects loop to run my wet effects at the time. The direct sound from the speaker emulated line out was passible but not very good looking back. Great little amp that I used primarily for worship. Had a wake up call when playing this amp next to an all tube 15 watt head. Would recommend as a reliable backup but it’s not going to replace an all tube amp or a direct to PA solution like a Helix or Quad Cortex

[@stoneysdead689]

@@DareBear2099 Man- you are confusing me- there is no line out with speaker emulation on this amp. We're talking about the Orange Micro dark- it has a regular, analogue headphone output, a regular analogue speaker output, and a regular, analogue fx loop. There is nothing digital in it.

[@Killerskies0909]

all i can focus on is Robs socks and sandals

[@Baku69895]

I swear I could smell it through the screen

[@dontblink216]

wasn't this when Rob hurt his foot or ankle?

[@dontblink216]

nvm, I forgot he says it in the vid

[@shadoe0867]

Dude!!! How can we trust a guy wearing angry lesbian sandals???? Lololol

[@KS622]

Guys, buy this thing. I run it through a 1x12 fender hot rod deluxe cab (closed back, celestion) and it sounds awesome. I was looking for a cheap low wattage amp because the sound guys are always shouting i'm too loud. Well a hot rod deluxe at 1 just doesn't get the speaker and tubes working. This thing sounds like a cranked amp at low volume without the harsh high end of cranked fenders, just what I need! I play blues, rock, from led zeppelin and the doors to jimi hendrix and it works just fabulous! Just make sure you buy a cheap reverb/delay pedal with it.

[@timpage9195]

You guys are great..i just bought one of these, had the Micro Terror and loved it, i played it more than my Egnater Rebel 30 tube head,and my Bugera V55 Infinium Tube head, the Sound for overdrive is incredible,cant wait to get my Dark Terror deliverd, keep up the great videos guys..

[@secretsquirrel2]

What are the best sandals for metal?

[@ddawglee]

Crocs

[@turkeytrailhoneybeefarmgeo6292]

The kind you don't wear Sox with.

[@philspill6854]

Leather Jerusalem cruisers like the ones Moses wore when he split the sea

[@tomrochester7381]

Bloodstocks

[@ozzlayer]

The one that is black and with spikes

[@noahclark2409]

Lee! your playing has improved tremendously! sounding great my friend keep it up!

[@lukesworshipgearreviews8171]

As someone who personally uses this amp I can confirm it sounds amazing probably one of the best amps I have played through!

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I just paired one of these up with a Fender 15" bass cab I had laying around and run it in stereo with an Egnater Tweaker 15 head into an Egnater Rebel 1x12" cab on the other side, I love it, still tweaking things, though.

[@maxwilson7001]

The camera shake when Rob played the unison bends at full volume was really funny

[@unspecified2472]

Brilliant video! You really are providing a fantastic service to the guitar community.

[@kittyvlekkie]

i love oranges, got one of my own a few months ago and i still get moments in which im suprised by the things it does. i get that the 'muddyness'(i wouldnt call it even muddyness) off the amp might throw some people off but thats what i love so much about it.

[@PepinoMichoacan]

Aaaw yeah, exactly the review I was hoping for :D Thanks guys !

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

This amp comes to every one of my gigs. Fits right in my pedal board bag. No brainer.

[@cmartinrel]

Haha I was going to say I didn't love the room reverb but then I saw Lee's comment. You guys are the best. Keep up the good work.

[@stevenbrann7670]

I have one of these and I gig with it all the time. I run it through a Jet City 2x12 cabinet. I have recently added a graphic EQ pedal through the effects loop and it just made this thing come alive. I love it. Cheap and it sounds amazing.

[@funkydoodycool]

Here's the review I've been waiting for! I have a Micro Terror and 2 Orange 8@ cabs and love it for use at home. I never go beyond 1.5 on volume at home and it's enough I keep looking at my front door in case the neighbours are banging on it. I intend to even use it in a band with a 2x12 that I don't yet have, and the one I'm buying has a mono/stereo option, so I have an idea to run the Micro and a Dark Micro into the two speakers....

[@matzer8846]

Very nice tiny amp ... The Cap10 plus his modded Strat revealed a very good cleanup and vol-pot reaction of the amp ... that's convincing and shows where this little beast shines! Just my cup of tea. I do agree: the 8" cab is just for home use but it seems to have a nice speaker cause the upper scale single note soloing sounded quite well through it. Would love to hear this one through a high end 1 x 10" ... Great demo ... thanks guys!

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

Lee: "I'm gonna fiddle with the knobs" Rob: "since I'm excited" Lol

[@darkcid22]

I bought the #4 Signature Dark Terror thanks to your review and it sounds absolutely awesome The thing is that thanks to that head i don't need any pedal at all , i'm just plugged into the amp and everything is here Keep making these videos you are great !

[@FrankBottazzo]

hi rob, i'm sorry to see you hurt your foot. i wish you a speedy recovery with lots of coffee and new riffs and in general whatever you do usually to stay awesome.

[@chrisryan9042]

I played a whole tour with this amp just recently - set to crunch, Maxon OD-808 for the full-on overdrive, lower the volume for clean. We didn't even have to mike up the cabinet for one of the shows - this thing is a straight BEAST :-)

[@dedik8SKB]

With the first cab, I was thinking it would be a piece of junk, but as soon as they plugged it in to the bigger cab, it sounded like a really good amp. Nice.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

Mine sounds great through a 15" Fender bass cab. 👍

[@seanscott5730]

i gigged with my mt20 for a few years now and im going to give this a go. ive never had a problem staying above the drums and bass

[@screamsofinsanity]

I was on the fence after the mesa cab clone feasco, about how this would sound. this has convinced me to buy a MDT. Thanks Rob and Cap,...And of corse Orange for raising the cab sim bar.

[@Cigarsnguitars]

I am a proud owner of both the Micro Terror and the Micro Dark. Some similarities but enough differences to convince your significant other you really need to pick it up so you'll have all of the options available to you. The tiny speakers are great for practice or learning a new tune. The head has no problem pushing my Peavey 4x12 ValveKing cab and offers some nice tonal qualities. Good job djents! Keep your right hands in playing shape at all times!

[@dudderzdude95]

oh wow, the difference in cab is amazing, it sounded pretty shite through the small cab but once you plugged it into the bigger of the two it sounded incredible

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

Yup! Definitely gotta get a proper 1x12 or 2x12 cab to make it sound good! The 1x8 just ain't cutting it.

[@skrattzerat5831]

Oh man this just for entertainment is awesome + good instrument showcase...BEST CHANNEL ON KZbin

[@zachh6058]

"I thank my right hand everyday" -Rob Chapman 2k15

[@JGAbstract]

They upgraded their video production sooo much. Holy crap.

[@Pulse2AM]

I had a Blackstar ID Core and took it back, I'm thinking of getting one of these mainly because of the effects loop. Between the two the Orange is more retro voiced and the Blackstar more modern.

[@NNJATUNA]

The only thing about the Micro Dark is it is not quite as loud as the Micro Terror but has a warmer, fatter tone. All in all it is a great amp. Great Job Orange.

[@DaManJoeWho]

I have literally been waiting like a month for this video cause I knew Chappers would eventually HAVE TO demo a Terror series amp lol. I have to say as much as I liked the Mico I like the different characteristics of the Micro Dark even more and I am now totally planning on getting one

[@stevensuomi3603]

You guys glazed right over the idea of running 16 of the small amps together. Make it so!!!!!!

[@Merjia]

Out of that 212, it just sounds magical. Holy crap, for such a tiny amp, you could almost fit that in a guitar case.

[@Superxpninja]

It fits in mine

[@bryand.5240]

Superxpninja same here, although I just removed the rubber feet and bolted it to my pedal board so i don't have to lug one of my large heads to practice

[@Mobscure_]

love the new style videos

[@chewie58]

Mines in the mail. Can't wait!

[@rddsknk89]

How would this be through like a 2x12 along with another SS head+cab? I have a Kustom amp that has two inputs on it, and I have daisy-chained it with my first little shite 20w pratice amp, but I can't get any good sounds with it because the practice amp can't produce good tone lol. So would that kind of a thing work okay?

[@animalrescuemassextinction2030]

The Cab Sim direct sounded brutally awesome.

[@kylebarton6498]

6:12, "you could go, have a bite... you'll still be hearing that one!"

[@jscottkill]

Hey, Rob, can you use the boost pedal through the loop trick to get boosted volume on this amp? Does that trick work with hybrid style amps?

[@Littlegiffi]

Up until the power amp starts clipping

[@rrippp]

fantastic sound out of such a small cab/driver

[@bradmiddleton6217]

If I was to get one of these amps, would I be able to turn the gain right down to a clean tone and plug a distortion pedal into the effects loop so I can quickly change from a clean to distortion without having to mess with the amp while playing

[@dirtydebutant]

am i missing something.. 8 ohm output through a 16ohm 212 recommended? was interested in it but skipped since i only have a ppc212 16ohm cab and heard it wasnt good unless i rewire or something.

[@neurobits]

Sounds very acceptable that headphone output. I just got the Micro Dark, I'm using just the preamp, but had no time to test CabSim output (I got it 2 days ago). Well, it was no cheap, but I'm really finding the value.

[@JohnIainMcFarlanewaspfactor]

I got both the Micros with 8 inch cabs,awesome.Added a G30 loaded cab and now my neighbours want my head on a stick.

[@beau-2222]

I love The Captain's playing.

[@qmano123]

Will I be able to reherse with a loud band using 4x12?

[@AbeAleman]

very nice! Thanks again!

[@hectorcastillo534]

Is there a way to have this amp playing along with mp3 or aux in? For home practice? I mean, maybe an audio jack adaptor with phones or something??? Thank you so much. Nice video and

[@davidr6563]

Previous generation and current generation of fender mustang amps have those inputs. There are probably other amps that do as well.

[@jamowallace]

Love how easygoing these vids are, the captain sipping on coffee, rob in his jesus sandals....

[@BartoloRallo]

Hey there, what cabinet is the tiny black one? An Orange Crush 20? Thanks in advance

[@DanielBinkowski123]

It's amazing how big the tone difference between both cabs is

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

Yeah, I've heard that speakers make the biggest difference in your tone, I didn't want it to be true... now I experiment with speaker cabs. I have an Egnater Rebel 1x12" and a 15" Fender bass cab (with high frequency horn) right now, paired with an Egnater Tweaker 15 head and just got this Micro Dark head, it sounds great into the Fender.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I'd like to get a 4×12", 4×10", etc. cab.

[@richardscottoakes4027]

Lee/Rob, can I use a Micro Terror or Dark as a bass amp. As you know Orange didn't do a micro bass terror, so would it work with a bass guitar or can you suggest something else at this price point, portability, range for bass please. Thanks

[@ScoobyChad]

Hey guys. Now, I do LOVE watching you two, proper "guys I'd like to go drinking with" kinda feel to them. Can I make one little suggestion? You say that you are fixing the lighting and room echo etc. BUT, if I were you, coming from me, a customer, I would have the "brick wall" effect covered with black. The black background that you were using is far better for not just lighting reasons, but it also changes the contrast/view of a/the product. Hopefully this is good and constructive criticism?? Anyway, keep up the amazing work guys. I look forward to many many more great videos to keep me entertained on the long dark nights.

[@thomasrose7276]

Can you plug a jack from the headphone socket into logic pro without a audio interface?

[@therewillbesmoke420]

Does the micro dark terror have to be plugged into a cab or can I just plug it in the wall like a combo amp?

[@countzero5150]

I picked one of these up with the little 1x8 cab recently. I didn't want the cab but they wouldn't sell them separately. I would highly recommend running one through a 1x12 or 2x12. The 1x8 doesn't showcase how good this little guy sounds at all, it really wakes up through a good cab. If I had tried it in the store with the 1x8 I would have passed on it.

[@MiguelMorenoGP]

Have you noticed the popping issue on the effects loop? (True bypass pedals pop in the effects loop)

[@colincarter3234]

ah liked the new amp-bag £20 must get one for my old micro amp is there not one for the 8" cab?

[@JacobSandberg]

Will you do a review in the future of the new tone city pedals? Cheers!

[@williamclark8493]

This sounds so great, I would really consider buying it if it were a little more powerful. Maybe a "dual micro dark" 40 watt version

[@TomAtkinson92]

Is this ran with a noise suppressor? I have just picked up a Micro Terror Dark and I'm running through my 2 x 12 and I get a pretty fair amount of hum which I didn't get with a Marshall TSL60 I had? Cheers.

[@ignaciomoll2290]

You should review two Micro Darks in series (stereo 20+20 hybrid amp with 2 channels (clean and crunch?) and 2 preamp stages.) Guitar > first MD input > FX send > second MD input > FX send to stereo multieffect > Left OUT to first MD FX Return > Right OUT to second MD FX Return Each Micro Dark into an 8 Ohm 2x12 cab. You get to tweak the two preamp stages using the two Gain and Shape controls and/or use the second MD input as a clean (well, cleaner anyway) channel, send to a multieffect and get true stereo effects, like a ping pong delay, for instance. Can´t wait to see you and the Capt test this rig!!

[@Jeepjones85]

Freaking awesome! I shall have one

[@Tychades]

hey Rob, what happened to the Dorje - Catalyst videos that got taken down? Both on your channel and Dorje's channel. Is it something to do with the music video being launched?

[@andrehedesand681]

+Tychades I recall the Catalyst video being "limited". Correct me if I´m wrong!

[@harrysouter2304]

He sent it to the publishing company first

[@DarrenSMusic]

QUESTION! How does it sound with medium gain and a boost or a drive in front of it?

[@BadMotivator66]

apart from more gain, how is this differently voiced from the micro terror?

[@KelvinSaysOhNo]

Anyone knows if the mirco terror or micro dark work without a load if i were to connect it to a palmer pdi from the speaker output on the back?

[@morbidalex666]

The new place needs some treatment to sound its best IMHO.... Great vid as always! Keep it up guys!

[@ap.-9580]

Hey guys, did someone test this on different same-sized cabs? I'm wondering how big the difference is in the sound .. I'm mostly interested in the cleans I could get at high volumes, as I use a modeler for all overdrives & distortions. I need something that can be consistent in different venues.

[@owenpage5781]

Could you do a comparison video between the Micro Terror and the Dark?

[@joakimengstrom4924]

I was waiting for this vid , also , i think Chappers foot was the first thing i noticed lol.

[@Polishdog974]

OMG that sounds so much better then the original micro terror

[@michelvanbriemen3459]

Jesus, that Strat and that amp ought to get married they sound amazing!

[@koriganjayne8547]

Hey Mr. Captain, do you think you'll ever get and possibly demo the EVH LBX? That would be freaking amazing!

[@corriedebeer799]

Man I enjoy this channel.

[@StragglyMarlin5]

just got a micro terror last month but the gain doesn't do it for me, should I sell it and get the micro dark or buy a decent distortion pedal?

[@mikeboettcher01]

Quick question, Rob and many other guitar players include sort of a 'thicker' stroke into their lead playing every once and a while. What's the name of that technique and how do I do it? Cheers!

[@hannibalbarca4140]

Just got one. Insane how loud it gets

[@WhiskeyOnFire]

So would you guys recommend this over the Micro Terror? Thanks for the great vids btw :P

[@GregoryCavill]

Ik it's really late but get the dark for metal and the tiny for clean

[@officerchad-lspd1969]

SOLD. Buying this beast asap

[@neillawton6076]

That's decided it... I'm gonna have to buy a micro dark.. Its sounds amazing, also, I've been without an effects loop for far too long now.. As much as I love my micro terror... (yes, I know, I'm 4 years behind.) 🤣

[@Mar5kable]

PLEASE Rob make a video simulating a live situation with the micro dark as a dirty amp and the micro terror as a clean-ish amp!! It would be sooo useful, please please please do it! :)

[@wafflewoffle]

What does that min. 8ohm stand for? Does it mean I can use it with 16ohm cab?

[@lauscho]

Is that riff at like 5:10 an early version of Catalyst or something? Sounds like Catalyst but... different somehow?

[@JohnVo423]

Travis Lausch boy it sure sounds like it.

[@vhenry75]

Well done captanderton....lots and lots of people play without going through a pa.

[@REBELSCL]

Now I just need an inexpensive 2x12 or 4x12 cab..... does this have a power sink so I can play bedroom levels but still get the full benefit of the gain?

[@264boresteve]

It depends on what you mean, exactly, by “full benefit of the gain”. Being a hybrid, tube preamp and solid state power amp, it will sound the same at the lower bedroom volume you wish. The movement of air and sonic feedback you can “feel” when the amp is cranked is created by the speaker, so it may seem like it’s not driving as much even though the speaker is receiving the same signal at a lower volume. In short, the speaker wouldn’t be creating as dramatic a movement. I hope this answers your question. Mine is through a open back 2x12 and will go from civil to “neighbors 2 houses up hearing it quite well”. Hahaha!

[@LaMusiqueNue]

Would love to try one in a rehearsal room!I'm sorry to say we do play gigs where the backline isn't mic'd up. We play the St Moritz club in Soho every now and again (playing fri 2nd dec actually as The Jet Pilots). However because it's so small in there you can kind of get away with it!

[@Deltototdel]

I'm not hearing any noise/buzz when the gain was cranked all the way, is it really not noisy of an amp or you guys used noise suppressor or am I deaf? Thanks! :D

[@jdvine]

super cool guys

[@tk4x431]

In theory can I use a distortion pedal as a 3 band eq for this?

[@brimill1980]

I use the micro terror as a back up and it is capable of dealing with a drummer at gig volume.. I'd have been lost without it :)

[@leavemealoneyouprick]

i have the old micro terror and through my orange 1x12 with a vintage fane, you can keep up with drums easy peasy and with a full band. no probs. and still stay CLEAN! and through my chipboard made shitty marshall 1922 2x12 you can drown them out! love both heads, and that cab sim genuinely shocked me, didnt think it would sound so good!

[@Dave6SS]

Nice Video..could u please try to do a review of the Peavey 6505 MH..would love to hear ur thoughts on it..Thanks..Rock On