The Microtubes X series brings the studio method producers have been using the years to cover the whole bass distortion spectrum: from articulate high gain to punchy mild overdrive, raw and gnarly fuzz and everything in between. You now have absolute control in constructing your vision of what the perfect bass distortion texture, definition, and size should have
- 6-band Graphic EQ: Low Shelf, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz and High-Shelf
- Switchable Impulse Response Cabinet Simulation
- Auxiliary Input: connect your PC or phone to play along with your favorite songs or backing tracks
- Clean channel: bypass the distortion and low pass filter for a crystal clean tone
- Parallel processing split by two variable low-pass and high-pass filters at the input
- Compressor for only the low-pass signal
- Distortion for only the high-pass signal
The Microtubes X Ultra is a powerful preamp pedal featuring all the great controls that its predecessor has that allow users to select exactly what frequencies they want to compress and saturate for the low and treble respectively, but with four major additions providing an additional layer of flexibility, while maintaining the same compact footprint, making it an extremely complete tool for the modern bassist.
Front Panel
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Low Comp
Controls compression amount for the low band. Both threshold and makeup gain are controlled to maintain a constant level. This control is also used to control the compression amount when the compressor is enabled for clean signal in Darkglass Suite.
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Low Level
Sets the output volume of the low-pass signal.
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Low Pass Frequency
Controls the cut-off frequency to be mixed back to the high-pass side. Ranging from 50Hz (for only sub-bass) and 500Hz to preserve some clean mids.
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High Level
Sets the output volume of the distorted high-pass signal.
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High Drive
Sets the amount of distortion for the high pass side.
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High Pass Frequency
Controls the cutoff frequency to be distorted, ranging from 100Hz (for thicker, fuzzier saturation) or 1kHz for ultra-sharp definition.
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Master
+-12 dB. Sets the overall volume of the unit.
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Mid bands
+-10dB @ 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1.5 kHz, 3 kHz
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Treble
High shelf +-12dB @ 5 kHz
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Dimensions
Width: 125 mm / 5″
Length: 96 mm/ 3¾″
Height: 57 mm / 2¼″
Weight: 430 g / 0.95 lb
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Warning
When the pedal is on bypass the master volume does not affect the headphone volume. In this case the total volume is adjustable in Darkglass Suite. With sensitive headphones, the bypass volume can be very loud if not adjusted.
The Microtubes X Ultra has a current draw of 200mA. Only use a regulated 9V DC adapter with a center-negative plug.
Unregulated power supplies and/or higher voltages may result in suboptimal noise performance and even damage your unit, voiding the warranty.
Input and Outputs
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Input
Connect your instrument or output from your pedal board to the ¼” mono jack.
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Aux In
This 3.5mm stereo input allows you to practice with backing tracks from e.g. your smartphone or laptop. Auxiliary input can only be used with the headphone output.
The pedal does not control the level, it must be set from your audio source. Remember to always first set the level low before connecting anything to the aux in!
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Headphone Out
Microtubes X Ultra has an internal stereo headphone amplifier capable of driving a minimum load of 16 ohms from the 3.5mm stereo jack. Use the Master volume control to adjust the level.
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9V DC
Only use a regulated 9V DC adapter with a center-negative plug
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Output
Connect from the ¼” Output jack to the input of your amplifier or another effects pedal.
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Direct Output
Balanced XLR output for connecting the pedal to a microphone preamp, PA system etc.
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Ground Lift
Disconnects the signal ground on the Direct Output to break any ground loops. Set this switch to either position that has less noise. The switch does not affect the ¼” output.
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Cab Sim
Toggle the cabinet simulation on/off on the Direct Output. This switch completely bypasses all digital circuits and allows you to get a zero latency signal when needed.
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USB
A Micro USB B connector allows you to connect the pedal to PC/Mac to load cabinet simulation impulse responses to the pedal and control various other settings.
