Problems setting up Darkglass Alpha Omega Ultra

[jont95]

Hi guys,
Need your input on this. I just got a Darkglass AOU and am having issues with setting it up. I want to run the XLR directly to my scarlett 2i2, but it simultaneously clips like mad whilst being very soft. The sound is also really thin

What I've tried
1. I tried adjusting the master, level and cab volume in the darkglass suite
2. Tried running it direct to my interface and through my Axfx's FX loop. Both didnt work.
3. Ive tried with cabsim on and off.
4. Ive checked that its not the bass or cables, they work fine with my Axfx.

I'm using a Dingwall NG2 with the preamp on if that helps. Ive posted some quick sound clips.
As you can see, the bass works fine with the axfx patch (i didnt change the settings on the bass in all clips). the GEQ and filters on the pedal are all set at noon.

Hope someone can help! I can't find this issue online.

thanks.

 

[GMC]

With effects, I nearly always go passive these days. Active EQ’s just add way too much signal for most effects and over saturate them. Most interfaces want line level, which is really quite low.

 

[jont95]

With effects, I nearly always go passive these days. Active EQ’s just add way too much signal for most effects and over saturate them. Most interfaces want line level, which is really quite low.

Hey man, thanks! However, i tried with and without the pre-amp on, and both a) direct to the interface and b) using the axfx to adjust the levels in and out of the pedal, but can't seem to get a workable sound. I don't have any other basses to or a bass amp to test this with.

 

[sunbeast]

First- is your Ultra one of the newest ones with an aux-in jack or no?

Can you clarify what you mean by “I want to run the XLR directly to my scarlett 2i2, but it simultaneously clips like mad whilst being very soft.”?

Are you saying that the pedal with the Gain turned completely down is still too high-gain for you, or are you saying that there is some unintentional clipping happening? if the Gain of the drive circuit is too much, try disengaging both of the button switches (which both boost pre-gain signals and increase the drive) and using more clean blend (or turn down the Drive Volume knob) then adjust from there.
You were able to find the Cab-Sim output gain control in the Suite? (Not applicable with the newest version of the pedal) I know with this control cranked I found the output available from the DI enough to easily clip my interface.

 

[jont95]

hey, so regarding the first point, its the older version without the aux-in jack. I've been playing with the cab sim gain as well, and am using values from -6 to -`12 db.

However it still sounds like its clipping like crazy before or within the pedal, while the actual output to my interface is extremely low (especially compared to my axefx, which has a significantly higher level going into the interface but no clipping).

I have tried it with and without the preamp on the dingwall and all the active EQ on the dingwall is at noon.

signal chain as of now: dingwall NG2--> Darkglass AOU xlr output to Scarlett 2i2.
I tried also: Dingwall --> axefx (no effects, just for volume control) ---> axefx fx loop -->axe fx out to scarlett 2i2, and though i can control the levels better, it still sounds really thin like in my original posts' clips, with clipping.

 

[sunbeast]

hey, so regarding the first point, its the older version without the aux-in jack. I've been playing with the cab sim gain as well, and am using values from -6 to -`12 db.

However it still sounds like its clipping like crazy before or within the pedal, while the actual output to my interface is extremely low (especially compared to my axefx, which has a significantly higher level going into the interface but no clipping).

I have tried it with and without the preamp on the dingwall and all the active EQ on the dingwall is at noon.

signal chain as of now: dingwall NG2--> Darkglass AOU xlr output to Scarlett 2i2.
I tried also: Dingwall --> axefx (no effects, just for volume control) ---> axefx fx loop -->axe fx out to scarlett 2i2, and though i can control the levels better, it still sounds really thin like in my original posts' clips, with clipping.

I just looked up the Axe Fx XLR output level, and their outputs are at line level while the Darkglass runs at mic level (as most DIs). You should have an input-sensitivity control on your interface (or using the software) to choose between line/mic/instrument level. It looks like the Axe FX also has an adjustment to choose line or mic-level output if you wanted to normalize the 2 devices.
If you are hearing internal clipping not from the drive section, then lower the internal cab-sim gain and adjust output volume using the Master Volume slider. It sounds likely the high-output of your bass requires a bit less output as it hits the digital cab-sim software (much as you would need to do in a DAW plug-in). In my case I think I was able to clip the output using the Master as well, so a balance of these two settings will be necessary to match the output of your bass with the optimal cab-sim gain to lower the noise-floor.

Have you tried playing into your interface using the 1/4” output in order to dial in tones yet? Just curious as you say you don’t have an amp!

 

[jont95]

I just looked up the Axe Fx XLR output level, and their outputs are at line level while the Darkglass runs at mic level (as most DIs). You should have an input-sensitivity control on your interface (or using the software) to choose between line/mic/instrument level. It looks like the Axe FX also has an adjustment to choose line or mic-level output if you wanted to normalize the 2 devices.
If you are hearing internal clipping not from the drive section, then lower the internal cab-sim gain and adjust output volume using the Master Volume slider. It sounds likely the high-output of your bass requires a bit less output as it hits the digital cab-sim software (much as you would need to do in a DAW plug-in). In my case I think I was able to clip the output using the Master as well, so a balance of these two settings will be necessary to match the output of your bass with the optimal cab-sim gain to lower the noise-floor.

Have you tried playing into your interface using the 1/4” output in order to dial in tones yet? Just curious as you say you don’t have an amp!

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

So I tried running from the AOU out straight into the interface using a 1/4". the sound is slightly better but still very soft (turning up the gain on the interface makes it clip very quickly, and ive tried using line, instrument and mic settings on it). Additionally, the 1/4" cable introduces alot of static/ noise. Doing this also means I cant get the cab sim going.

I've tried playing around with the levels on the axefx when using the AOU in the loop, but still nothing works.

 

[sunbeast]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

So I tried running from the AOU out straight into the interface using a 1/4". the sound is slightly better but still very soft (turning up the gain on the interface makes it clip very quickly, and ive tried using line, instrument and mic settings on it). Additionally, the 1/4" cable introduces alot of static/ noise. Doing this also means I cant get the cab sim going.

I've tried playing around with the levels on the axefx when using the AOU in the loop, but still nothing works.

Running the XLR with the interface set to Mic Level you still have volume issues? I mostly suggested trying the 1/4” out in the AOU so you could differentiate the Gain from the drive section of the pedal vs unintended digital clipping from either the DG cab-sim software or your computer interface.
Boosting the gain on the interface shouldn’t cause clipping in the pedal, maybe I’m misunderstanding something here?

 

[jont95]

yeap, still having volume issues. the best way to describe is that the output of the pedal is really soft, but everytime i try to raise it it clips like mad. additionally it just sounds quite off, like "theres a blanket over the speaker". Nothing like what i would expect from a dingwall+ darkglass combo, it sounds more like a broken guitar through 3 stacked metal zones lol.

Ive emailed Darkglass support to see if they have an opinion as well. At this point, im really not sure if the pedal is working as it should, but its hard to tell as i dont have other gear to test it with.