Darkglass Microtubes 900 V2 Head

Three years ago Darkglass Electronics released it’s first amplifier, the Microtubes 900. Its unusual features, and design embodied the Darkglass ethos like none of our previous products. It was an uncompromising amplifier, incredibly versatile, and unapologetically loud. Now, a thousand days after the first Microtubes 900 saw the light of day, Darkglass is proud to product the next step in its evolution, the Microtubes 900V2 Head.

The Microtubes 900 v2 is a 900W amplifier equipped with an all analog preamplifier, Class D Power Module and a digital impulse response cabinet emulator for DI outputs or headphones.

Probably the first thing you will notice from the Microtubes 900 is its distinct control layout: On the right side you’ll find the clean section which is the foundation of your sound.

It features Gain and Master volumes and active 6 band EQ. Along with the mandatory Low and Treble controls you will find 250Hz, 500Hz, 1.5KHz, 3KHz sliders. Character is all in the midrange, by having 4 dedicated Mid controls allow you to cover the whole mid range (250Hz to 3kHz) you have total control and flexibility over the amplifier’s character.

On the left side, by the Input jack you will find the Microtubes® Engine which acts as an extra channel that can bring your crisp clean sound to the next level by helping you cut through any mix while adding anything from subtle tube break up, harmonics and natural compression to obliterating distortion.

The Microtubes Engine can be engaged via the front panel or via our own digitally controlled (jack on rear panel). Besides engaging the Microtubes circuitry you can hold the actuator to Mute the amplifier.

The Intelligent Footswitch is housed in an elegant, laser engraved unibody chassis and requires a standard 1⁄4” mono cable (not included) for it’s full operation.
Besides this incredible versatile preamplifier, we equipped the power module with some unique control over the power output and minimum speaker loads.

The standard mode will deliver 900W RMS at 4Ω/500W at 8Ω. If you select the 2Ω Mode via the rear panel switch the amplifier will deliver 900W at 2Ω/500W at 4 Ω and 350W at 8Ω.

This deceivingly simple feature allows for maximum power adaptability: It doesn’t matter the cabinet configuration or power requirements, the Microtubes 900 will deliver accordingly.

Front Panel Features:

• INPUT : Use this jack to connect your instrument via a standard 1⁄4” mono cable.
  
  
• PASSIVE/ACTIVE : Use this push-button switch to change from passive to active mode. If your bass is active it can have a hotter signal making the amp to distort early (feel free to use if such additional distortion is desired)
  
  
• MICROTUBES: Use this push button to turn on or off the Microtubes Engine to add natural compression, organic harmonic enhancement, and saturation ranging from mild overdrive to high gain bass rage.
  
  The Microtubes Engine operates before the clean section (you can therefore use the 4 Band Active EQ for additional tone shaping in addition to the Tone knob described below).
  
  
• COMPRESSION: This knob controls the amount of dynamic compression added to the Microtubes Engine.
  
  The make up gain is adjusted automatically. The compression can be turn off or assigned using the Darkglass Suite.
  
  
• DRIVE : This knob controls the amount of distortion that the Microtubes Engine will deliver. It will change from a soft warm overdrive to a massive modern distortion sound.
  
  
• TONE : This knob controls the high harmonic content of the Microtubes Engine via a variable low pass filter: crank it up for additional attack and definition or dim it down for a smoother sound, especially handy if already running bright clean EQ setting or cabinets with tweeters.
  
  
• LEVEL : Use this knob to control Microtubes Engine’s output volume.
  
  
• BLEND : Use this knob to mix between the Clean signal and the DIstortion signal (Microtubes Engine).
  
  
• B3K/VMT : This push-button switch selects between two overdrive voicings: B3K® mode will deliver anaggressive, percussive sound while the VMT will bring up the mids for a warmer, more neutral character.
  
  
• GAIN : Use this knob to change the volume of the signal before the Active 4 Band EQ. You can set it low for ensuring the cleanest operation possible or set it higher for more aggressive growl.
  
  
• BASS : +-12dB at 80Hz. Use this knob to change the low content of the signal.
  
  
• MIDS: +-12dB at 250, 500,1.5K and 3Khz. This graphic eq control the mid content of the signal.
  
  
• TREBLE : +-12dB at 5kHz. Use this knob to change the high content of the signal.
  
  
• MASTER : Use this knob to control the overall volume of the amplifier.
  
  
• MUTE : Use this push button to mute the amplifier.

Back Panel Features:

• SPEAKER OUTPUT : Use this connector to connect the amplifier to your cabinet. This Speakon combo jack allows for either Speakon or 1⁄4” speaker cable operation. The outputs are connected in parallel.
  
  WARNING: Do not use an instrument cable with this jack. Using an instrument cable can damage your amplifier.
  
  4Ω / 2Ω : Press this switch when using a 2Ω load. You can use this control to lower the output if your 4Ω cabinet is not able handle more than 500W (you can also get 350W with an 8Ω cabinet in this configuration).
  
  
• SEND : Use this output to send the signal to effects pedals.
  
  
• RETURN : Use this input to receive the signal from effects pedals. Master volume control is after this input.
  
  
• GROUND LIFT : Use this control to lift the ground of the DI XLR output. If you are experiencing ground noise in your DI signal try changing the setting of this control.
  
  
• PRE DI OUTPUT: Use this output to send a balanced copy of your input signal to recording equipment, mixer, etc. The output is latency compensated to match with the Post DI Output.
  
  
• POST DI OUTPUT: The signal for this output is taken after the distortion, EQ and effects loop, and processed through the cabinet simulation engine. The output is latency compensated with the Pre DI Output, and not affected by the master volume.
  
  
• USB: The USB connector allows you to connect the amplifier to Darkglass Suite (PC/Mac, www.darkglass.com/suite). Darkglass Suite offers firmware updates, a selection of cabinet impulse responses, and allows you to control various parameters on the amplifier, such as enabling the compressor for specific channels, MIDI settings, etc.
  
  
• HEADPHONE OUTPUT: Connect your Headphones and enjoy the impulse based cabinet emulation.
  
  
• HEADPHONE VOLUME: This knob controls the volume of the headphone output.
  
  
• AUX IN: Use this connector to provide to the Headphone output music from your laptop, cellphone, mp3 player, etc.
  
  
• CABINET SELECT: Use this switch to navigate between the 3 different cabinet impulses or the raw sound of your amp.
  
  
• MIDI: The MIDI input allows you to control the following settings with any
• MIDI standard controller: Channel, Mute, Impulse slot, Compressor on/off. Settings can be controlled with Control and Parameter Changes.
• FOOTSWITCH : The Intelligent Footswitch is proprietary digitally controlled device that allows you to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine. You can also hold the footswitch to Mute the amplifier. The
• VMT/B3K® push button will remain operational with the Intelligent Footswitch plugged in.
• You can use a regular mono instrument cable to connect the amplifier to the footswitch.
• You must remove the cable from the footswitch jack in the rear panel if you want to control the amp from the front panel.
• Fully backward compatible with all Darkglass Intelligent Footswitch and Super Intelligent Footswitch products.
  
  
• FAN : The fan forces air inside the amp to help the heatsink system cool the amp. The fan will speed up when the temperature rise to help cooling the system more efficiently while keeping the noise at minimum. Be sure to never cover the vent holes.
  
  
• AC SOCKET : Use this connector to feed electric power to the amplifier. 100 - 230 VAC, 50Hz-60.
  
  
• AC POWER ON/OFF : Use this Switch to release the audio energy from your bass.

Specifications:

• Input Impedance: 1MΩ
• Minimum Load Impedance: 4Ω (2Ω in 2Ω mode) Maximum Power Output: 900 Watts RMS @ 4Ω (1khz full blast 2 min max) 20%THD
  450 Watts RMS @ 8Ω
• Power Amp Input Impedance: 1MΩ
• Power Amp Input Level: 1500 mV RMS 1200MV RMS at 2Ωmode
• Pre-Amp Output Impedance: 1kΩ
• Pre-Amp Output Level: 1200 mV
• Maximum Power Consumption: approx. 700VA Forced-air cooled
• AC Input Power: 100-250 VAC (Via selector switch on left side panel).
• Cycles: 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions: 26.7cm l x 7cm h 25.5 w (10.5”l x 2.75”h x 10”w)
• Weight: 2.9Kg (6.39Lbs)
• Built and Engineered in Helsinki, Finland. (00358) 504 757005

Disclaimer: 
In the interest of continuous improvement, specifications are subject to change without notice.

Note: Due to the value of the Darkglass Microtubes 900 V2 Head we may require that an adult be present to accept delivery.