The Ultimate All-In-One Bass Preamp?? - Darkglass Alpha Omega Photon [Demo]

[@patrickhunter]

Feels good to have my personal favorite drive get more love! What's y'alls favorite drive circuit??🤤

[@JSA501stNormandy]

I have a question. Well firstly loved the video as always amazing 😃. My question is with it having cab sim, you mean I could essentially get a budget cab and it will make that cab sound kind of like another cab? Hope you are staying well dude love your face 😁

[@brentheathersimons7042]

Nicely done Patrick! :) I'm hoping that DG will release a combined B7K/Vintage Microtubes in this format. I think it would be fantastic!- Happy Holidays!- Brent,VT

[@ericjonsson]

I'm a simple guy, the OG Microtubes is the drive for me. The AlphaOmicron comfortably holds its spot on my board, but the B7KUv2 is my true workhorse.

[@veryniceindeed]

Tech21

[@4stue]

Would love to hear an ADAM/Photon sound comparison.

[@JSA501stNormandy]

Yes much needed

[@mikaelh.7802]

Me too !

[@ampthebassplayer]

If you play the sound of an angry pregnant bear at the same time as this video, that'll give you a pretty good side by side of the two pedals.

[@nasenblick]

Yes please!

[@Killerb567]

ADAM has this very digitized modern over driven sound. It can be mild to like a digital fuzz sound. And when I say mild I really mean it has no chill. AO is more of a natural warmer sound and with my experience, it can get very crazy overdrive but not in ADAM territory. Also AO does mild OD extremely well.

[@stevengonz]

That riff on your 2 string bass 😭😭🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

[@willg955]

Pulls out 2-string bass. Doesn't elaborate further.

[@NateNavarro]

8:05 You make that Krappy sound good, brotha!!!

[@Mattseak]

I don't think the price is bad at all if you compare it to buying all the pedals separately for compression, up to 3 different distortions, eq, tuner, DI with an IR.

[@squishy949]

I gotta say, for such a fully featured and expensive pedal, I really think it could have done with an FX loop. I know it might not be super common for bass players to run modulation/time based effects but for the times when you do want those effects running after drive, it's a real shame that you couldn't then use this pedals DI out with it's IR/cabsim. If you're running the photon and want other effects after it but still also an end of chain IR/cabsim DI you would have to buy something else to fill that role since you can't run FX between the photon's drive and DI.

[@zulu5157]

A FX Loop would be very nice. Hope the engineers from Darkglass will think about this.

[@ericjonsson]

It feels like I've argued for an FX loop in Darkglass pedals for years now, but the more I think about it the less sense I think it makes for this ADAM-class of pedals. I mean, I think it made sense for the Ultra-class of pedals, since those were _barely_ digital (only cab sim), all their distortion circuits were fully analog and thereby limited in what they could do. For ADAM-class pedals however, they now have the option of digitally modelling e.g. a cool chorus or flanger and including them among the presets. In a sense, the FX loop is a concession; a way of admitting that there's useful effects outside of what a pedal/amp does. It fits very well into a "one pedal one effect" kind of thinking, but these digital modellers we've seen in recent years are stepping _away_ from that. Instead, they're more about "we can do this digitally", offering a one-box solution.

[@squishy949]

@@ericjonsson Can it actually do modulation and delay effects? The specs and manual don't mention any extra DSP effects beyond the Cabsim/IR. I personally still really like having the option of an FX loop. I have an HX stomp which is a perfect example of a DSP unit that can be your entire pedal board, but I still love it's capability to run any of my other pedals at any point in the chain since it has an FX loop. I'm sure the Photon will still be extremely useful to many people, I just think it's a shame that with the higher price and larger enclosure than the Ultra range it still suffers the same pitfall of having to be the last effect in your chain if you want to use it's DI and it's IR features.

[@RyoCanCan]

@@squishy949 I haven't seen the guts of the pedal, but maybe there's just so little space inside that it's not possible without doing some major rerouting. Sucks for sure but maybe that's the case.

[@jobelewis6416]

CabSim IR’s don’t work like real cabs, it’s just a static filter that doesn’t really change before or after modulation. You can put a DI box after the modulation and be just as good - hence they will never include a loop

[@RyanDenley]

8:53 "...if you wanna do a chorus pedal, a delay pedal and a fuzz pedal too." This is my primary complaint with both the ADAM and the Photon, there's no fx loop. I like my chorus and delay to come AFTER my dirt. Same with phaser sounds. You can't effectively do that with this pedal and still get the benefits of the cab sim and XLR out. You'd have to run those modulation effects post Photon then run into a different cab sim or amp sim solution. I guess you could run a different Darkglass or other drive pedal into your modulation effects BEFORE the Photon and just keep the Photon on a clean setting but I feel like an fx loop would be a much easier solution. It's really the only missing feature that's kept me from buying one of these pedals and replacing half my board.

[@gizmovw1272]

You can still get the benefits of the can sim as you can rout the cab sim through the 1/4” outputs. Unfortunately you do lose the xlr/di capabilities and would have to run an additional DI box at the end of the chain for live applications or to a separate interface for recording purposes

[@RyanDenley]

@@gizmovw1272 True, but in that scenario the cab sim would be happening before the modulation effects. Not the end of the world but I would prefer the modulation to happen post drive but pre cab sim. It's probably not an issue for lots of players, just doesn't work for my setup. If they had an effects loop like the HX Stomp it would be a must buy for me.

[@yurimennella8793]

It’s amazing how stingrays handle distorsion, darkglass’ in particular. And, oh boy, i love the AO circuit.

[@pCeLobster]

It's because these distortions typically separate and emphasize lows and highs, which are the frequencies where the Stingray is strongest. Fender basses by contrast get more of their strength from the mids.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Exactly!! Glad you said that!! That’s all I play! My stingrays with my X ultra are killer sounding!! Even when I had my bongo bass it’s was a beast of a tone!!

[@richsackett3423]

Man I dunno. All Darkglass' stuff sounds the same to me. I like that sound fine, just don't need to lay out hundreds for it right now since I'm not doing that specific kind of playing.

[@francoishtzl157]

no they sound different for sure but you need to look at different "family". Not Alpha Omicron, Alpha Omega, Alpha Omega Ultra etc but just look at vintage, B7K, AO, Adam, Harmonic booster or compressor ( that can't sound the same it's only clean)

[@esposoman]

I have a Vintage Microtubes and a B3K and they are very different devices. I'm not a fan of the Alpha Omega series and I'm very intrigued to try the X series

[@mr.bluenotedoobop]

DG really is the Apple of bass gear. You buy the latest thing from them and then the better hotter new thing comes out the following week 😆😆

[@RyoCanCan]

I love that the C preset is a capital gamma. This small detail is just awesome.

[@johnpaul5664]

I'm getting mine Friday... Can't wait...

[@afonsocorreia5145]

Darkglass: Here's a new version of the alpha omega. Patrick: TAKE MY F@CKING MONEEEEEEEY !!!!!!!

[@MadMagicPaul]

NIce job! I wonder if DG will ever do a version with an FX loop so placement of other pedals can have more options and still use the IRs?

[@pterantula]

This pedal is almost perfect, and almost exactly what I want... tuner, comp, dirt, eq, the only thing I'd maybe add is an octave-up (for covering guitar solos). I say "almost", because I'd need to see if the compressor is as flexible as I'd like, and if the tuner is as clear as I need (I'm nearsighted...). An FX loop would be a bonus too, especially a parallel loop.....

[@Jimmichanga999]

I love this demo. I think dark glass is awesome but one question what about us jazz and not metal players how does it sound or is it more geared for metal? Keep rockin it

[@mikefredbass]

Just wonder if there’s a way to midi the ADAM and this together, so you press a preset on the Photon and it turns off the Adam, and when you press the Adam it turns off the Photon….if that makes sense. So you can use them both together.

[@Nebvin]

Neither of those pedals do MIDI Out, so would require an external controller.

[@firdeye2681]

nice video dude! Really cool it can be used as an interface very convenient for a laptop rig or something

[@DiamondLifer]

That riffing on that two string broom stick. 🥵

[@jakp8777]

Trying to decide between this and the mx5. This pedal is tempting despite the price.

[@drphalanges1520]

Got mine on the way!

[@Chefjon7]

I got my pedal but don't understand how to use it as audio interface

[@tiagoantoninooficial]

OMG!!!🙌🔥

[@dobrzerobi]

Will you do testing HeadRush Mx5?

[@MantusRietBaalberith]

Does somebody know if I need a noise gate with the Photon? I can't find anything on the internet.

[@romanr.4030]

I'm using Photon as audio interface for recording. Can I control the volume of unprocessed raw signal (DI)? Thank you

[@cysecgnz]

Really want that Spector bass

[@wolfram4321]

Why does the Potis have a marque even if the value is indicated by LED rings?

[@nuldorvamoysenor2091]

Have you ever tried the MXR-M80? It's a great bank for the buck. And a great alternative to this one IMO.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

What is the point of Spotify and KZbin on the DK suite it?

[@Robert_Charles]

I hope this means we are getting a Vintage Tubes version.

[@jayl5941]

@@xdoctorblindx probably right. The VMT emulation in my Quad Cortex doesn't sound as good as the pedal.

[@wantsomemoreband]

pleeeaaaaseee do another bass collection to see ur upgrade, ly dude

[@chrisAclaes]

When you brought out the krappy guitar *french kiss*

[@erikarko]

EHRMERGERD YES! 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@jamcam9]

Oh, man, I was so hoping the Krappy would make an appearance, AND IT DID!

[@bbrowne]

With split output (left/right), how does that work on a pedal board, or you have to have a splitter cable?

[@badger4361]

I love my AOU, however I've run out of space on my board, being able to remove my tuner and comptessor would be helpful if the onboard ones are any good.

[@calin3983]

Can this be used on an Epiphone EB3 for Stoner Rock/Metal?

[@RH-xs8gz]

So it’s like an AO, Hyper Luminal compressor, and Element cab sim all in one!

[@RocciasGroovin]

can it be used as a D.I. without effects and equalization?

[@wdjmo]

Have you messed around with the Nembrini Audio Beta/Gamma plugin at all? It’s a pretty wicked alpha/omega style (ripoff) plug-in. Got it cheap for Black Friday and I’ve been loving it.

[@Norangell]

What does Studio Rig on the fifth distortion mean ? What does that do? Thanks!!!

[@opierce]

I’d love to hear this normal as in without your cap sims etc…just bass,amp+ pedal. Is this possible? Just asking y’all

[@per-magnusmansnerus3953]

Yeah, on the x-mas list now ❤🤩

[@4ndresravest]

Saludos Patrick!

[@romainhaas5490]

The reviews on the internet say that when you switch between channels, the sound drops/disappears for a tenth of a second - is that true? That would definitely be a reason not to buy it ...

[@666sade]

Does the compresor and the EQ options worth the price diference between the ultra and the Photon?

[@klaymeister]

I like this. At this price point for $90 more I could get an HX stomp which would have so many more options and can be used for bass and guitar. I can't really justify it.

[@kermitthefrog6143]

Hi can i ask if im using sterling bass active pickup do i still need a preamp pedal? If yes do we plug in straight into the amp and control the knobs from there such as bass, hi,lows etc or we plug it in the back of the aMp ( i forgot what its called ) Anyone can help me out? Thankyou Currently im using darkglass omicron, sorry my English aint that good

[@tomrobinson4781]

Aye! Lovely

[@flipper2gv]

I want an X version of this (like the X ultra).

[@trfmusic902]

Yea, that's what I would probably get

[@davidfox7983]

How much

[@wellingtonconstantino5607]

Show!!

[@mark6302]

Worth every penny and now they have a 3rd

[@david_onbass]

I can dig it. However, I just picked up the Quad Cortex - Broham, that is the true All-In-One pedal... I'm selling all my other Darkglass stuff now, including the ADAM.

[@jayl5941]

Curious if you've found any presets that are really working for you? I love my QC for guitar tones but have been struggling with the bass tones. I can't get nearly the quality of tones I do running Darkglass pedals into my Bergantino head. I also play a Z3 like you have in your pic btw.

[@david_onbass]

@@jayl5941 Try the “Amped Super Valve” bass amp model, which is the Ampeg SVT head, and the “810 Amped VT Aln 70s” cab sim - that right there will give you a direct sound like a full SVT rig. I set the amp to out 3 and run a split with the cab to out 1. That sends amp sim to front of house and no amp sim to my amp. Then you can run a bass overdrive in front of the amp, like the Microtubes BK3, or there are plenty of Darkglass pedal captures in the community share, OR best of all, you can capture your own pedals with your favorite settings. Boom!

[@jayl5941]

@@david_onbass great thanks!

[@Pawcio-n2j]

How does it sound on headphones? Is it good for quiet home practice?

[@patrickhunter]

Sounds killer on headphones, and it's perfect for practice especially when you connect your phone to it to play along with songs!

[@JoeyDFXDB]

What is the Bluetooth component? For input/aux or output/headphone use?

[@gizmovw1272]

You Bluetooth the pedal to your phone and sync it to the darkglass suites app. In the app you can change cab sim IRs, tuning parameters, noise gate (comes in the app for the pedal which is amazing) as well as a ton of other options.

[@Killerb567]

It let's you make changes on the fly with the DG suite without having to be hooked to a computer. It also let's you play music from your phone so you can jam with it.

[@metallixro]

In a world where good and decent gear is getting more and more affordable, Darkglass products are getting more and more expensive :(

[@lahloonatic]

To be fair, few products combine ALL of these features at such quality in a single chasis for this price. I've toured with the Alpha Omega photon, and it is a roadworthy beast. YMMV

[@drkangel1134]

The down side I see is I would have to keep my element at the end of the chain and put this somewhere earlier in the chain and keep my chorus delay etc in the middle

[@PK_Dutch]

Why?

[@drkangel1134]

@@PK_Dutch be side I don’t want to distort my chorus and delay effects and I already had ab element for foh

[@sorenkikon3089]

is this the best of darkglass so far? i bet ....

[@herrNihil]

Hi! Do you know if it’s possible to somehow use that cab sim with your amp and cab and not just with DI? Like you can use two notes torpedo and omni cab sim.

[@81dsidab]

The balanced outs can be setup with options for bypass, dirty, clean...with/ without ir

[@HarryDuBois1033]

Hey Patrick, what do u think of comparison alpha omega ultra (analog) and alpha omega Photon (digital)? How much dymamics and grit do u lose by going full digital? Cheers

[@the_real_MarcGyver]

soon as you see 'dark glass' you kno wits an automatic ~$500

[@azenhar]

third? not forth? omnicron, the middle one, the ultra and now the forth one.

[@robertmansell3667]

I want that two string 😍

[@Chriswaiau]

Humungoussssss tonezzz

[@BoyAditya]

1:35 I always thought alpha omega was periphery's signature series 🤣 you know.. because they have alpha omega album and one of the guitarist also have alpha omega signature pickup from Seymour Duncan

[@EVILbassplayer]

I don't like it's all digital.. I stay with my AO with the harmonic booster in front.

[@wordofmike]

11/10 bass face

[@ArtaghVril]

Thanks again for this great vid, Patrick :) And like everytime this Darkglass stuff is really badass but also like everytime it's ridiculously overpriced. Even if I would earn enough money to afford this I would go for another brand in the same quality range and would save at least 50%. Unfortunately you can't afford it even if it's used :-( Darkglass Electronics is just like the Maybach for pedals: great product? Hell yeah ! But better buy a Mercedes. It's the same quality but only 20% the prize :D

[@drphalanges1520]

I saved for all my Darkglass pedals. I think they're worth it. If you haven't tried it yourself it's kind of hard to understand I guess.

[@JoeJoel]

considering the tech in this pedal is like a mini specialized version of the quad cortex i’d say you have no understanding of value and this is not the product for you

[@ArtaghVril]

@@JoeJoel 🤣🤣 Of course and Apple products have to cost this much because their quality is three times better than anything else on this planet 🤣🤣 It's just business, money making. As long as people are paying excessive prices for products just because they can, manufacturer and seller won't even thinking 'bout decrease the prices...business. It has nothing to do with the real value of the product 😉

[@perryborn2777]

Yeah. Buying my ADAM was a mistake. Yeah, it sounds real good, but it's only really good for digital audio. Running it as a regular pedal into an amp? Crushes my output. I just use the distortion built into my amp now, and basically only use a flanger as far as extra effects go

[@hulkslayer626]

That's why I buy their regular pedals. Only $200, same as most boutique pedals, same build quality and sound as the expensive ones, but without all the extras.

[@exhainca]

The SansAmp Bass Driver DI still kills all these things.

[@kickshaw6855]

great tones but so expensive...

[@francoishtzl157]

Not really. It worth the price. I have an Audio interface that is 200 dollars so... a pedal with all that gear for 500 dollars is pretty cheap. It's not cheap but I can't say it's really expensive, it worth the price it's not too much for what you got

[@kickshaw6855]

@@francoishtzl157 thanks!

[@danademski3353]

It's coll...too darned expensive

[@warriorclasskravmagasamiin2634]

Doesn't seem to sound as good as the AO Ultra

[@JT-ow3hq]

At some point they are going to run out of buzzwords to string together into a product name

[@estebanb7166]

Sans Amp Tech 21. Less money and comparable tones. This sounds ehhh

[@dupgab]

dp3x tech 21. That's it.

[@ileutur6863]

@@dupgab had both, they do not sound anything like DG

[@dupgab]

@@ileutur6863 will never get sub sonic lows, super tight distortion and a tuner for 380$ box from darkglass. Darkglass make awesome products but I found you get much more for your money with tech 21 products especially de dp3x (so killer)

[@Chad_Sandridge75]

I really appreciate your gear videos. That said you lost me at Darkglass. I've spoken with a lot of players about their gear and don't know very many blue collar musicians that can afford their stuff. And at $500+ this is another piece of gear out of reach for a ton of players.

[@levondarratt787]

It's for professionals only

[@meantime69]

Does one of the footswitches make the price not stupid?