Questions about Alpha Omega Ultra

ansonsti

ansonsti

Nov 16, 2015
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#1
So,

I’m pretty stoked on the Darkglass AOU. I just got pretty close to pulling the trigger on the Omicron but am thinking the extra functionality might make the big brother a better choice. I have a few specific questions that, if answered, would help me make my decision.

Firstly, it’s rated at 110 Ma draw. Is it safe to assume that one of the 100 Ma outputs on my isolated power supply will cut the mustard?

Secondly, if I already have some EQ in my chain is having the EQ control on the pedal going to make a large difference? I’m talking, active bass with high/low control. BOSS BASS EQ pedal at beginning of chain. Amp EQ. Am I going to be able to access some kind of secret sauce by having EQ tied directly to the distortion?.

Lastly is kind of signal chain related. Mostly as it pertains to the cab emulation and DI stuff. I keep my drives around the middle portion of my board, after octave stuff and before modulation/time effects. I feel like his could make using the DI awkward. Would I want to keep her at the end of the chain, or perhaps beginning? I have other DI options (Radial Tonebone, Markbass Heads). What might some of the implications for this be?

These are pretty specific and important questions that I have before pulling the trigger. I have trolled the forums for a bit but thought I might have better luck just throwing this up in a post.
 
#2
I used my B7KU either last in my chain or just before either one of my other preamp pedals (Rusty Box & Nuñez Annex) .. really it all depends on what you’re wanting your overall tone shaper to be. The beautiful thing about preamp pedals is that you’re able to (and should) use them just as effects, if you’d like.
My Omicron was pretty great because I didn’t need all of that extra EQ that comes with the Alpha Omega.
Not sure what the supply draw difference is between the AOU & B7KU but I had no problem running the B7KU with my PP2+.
 
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#3
Word up, I guess the obvious move is to put her at the end of the chain. Probably not the end of the world to run reverb/delay into distortion, and I probably won’t be doing that too often. Good to hear the b7ku works. I’ll look up the recommended draw for that bad boy and compare.

Edit: quick search shows that b7ku is rated at 30Ma. Must be the software stuff that boosts the Ma to just north of 100. So the jury is still out on capability of 100Ma isolated output to power AOU. Perhaps that full power need is only utilized when the program is booted up or something. The simple circuit omicron was down there around 20 or 30 I believe. The difference must be in bells and whistles.
 
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#4
ansonsti said:
Word up, I guess the obvious move is to put her at the end of the chain. Probably not the end of the world to run reverb/delay into distortion, and I probably won’t be doing that too often. Good to hear the b7ku works. I’ll look up the recommended draw for that bad boy and compare.

Edit: quick search shows that b7ku is rated at 30Ma. Must be the software stuff that boosts the Ma to just north of 100. So the jury is still out on capability of 100Ma isolated output to power AOU. Perhaps that full power need is only utilized when the program is booted up or something. The simple circuit omicron was down there around 20 or 30 I believe. The difference must be in bells and whistles.
Click to expand...

Which power supply are you using? I have the Truetone CS12 on my board (two of them in fact)... each of the 100 mA ouputs will let you draw more than 100 mA, main thing in the case of TrueTone is to not draw more than the total mA that the brick is rated for.
 
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#5
I have the Walrus Phoenix. Not sure how it works as far as sharing power. I know I had an issue powering a pedal that I didn’t realize was higher draw (350Ma), that was in one of the 100Ma slots. Since I put that on one of the 300Ma channels it has worked flawlessly. Which goes to the point of 100Ma slot might just cut the mustard for 110Ma draw. Not sure what the official line on that is.
 
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#6
ansonsti said:
Firstly, it’s rated at 110 Ma draw. Is it safe to assume that one of the 100 Ma outputs on my isolated power supply will cut the mustard?
Click to expand...

No. The point of those ratings is: If you stay within them, things will work well and be reliable. If what you want from your gear is to not work well, or be unreliable, go ahead - it'll add potential adventures to your life. If, however, like me,you make your reputation by showing up and being ready to play every time, you should operate your gear so that it can fulfill it's part in that, rather than working against you.
 
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#7
micguy said:
No. The point of those ratings is: If you stay within them, things will work well and be reliable. If what you want from your gear is to not work well, or be unreliable, go ahead - it'll add potential adventures to your life. If, however, like me,you make your reputation by showing up and being ready to play every time, you should operate your gear so that it can fulfill it's part in that, rather than working against you.
Click to expand...

One point to Omicron/less redundancy!
 
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#9
Also if it’s a cab sim you’re looking for, as well as an easy way to practice with heaphones (like with the AOU) the OmniCabSim Deluxe draws 40mA (no headphones) & 100mA (with headphones.)
Couple this with an Omicron + the rest of your board and you’re golden.
 
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#10
I’ve had a pretty rough time with the Source Audio “app” stuff, so perhaps simplicity is more what I’m needing. I really like the idea of a tasty DI tho. Just yesterday I had to smack myself before I bought the Noble. The Omicron (whatever Omega circuit it ends up being), will pretty much be replacing the $40 boneshaker and getting paired with my After Shock. The price difference for the same footprint is a little ridiculous, which I think is another reason I’m drawn to the Ultra. At that price point I feel like extra functionality would be dope, even if it’s somewhat redundant.
 
#13
I recently purchased the Alpha Omega Ultra, and I have been really happy with it. For the use of the cab sim and DI functions, yes it would be a bit awkward to use it in the middle of your signal chain. The cab sim is deafeatable on the XLR out, and it is not present on the 1/4" outs at all. It's always on for the headphone out.

I have run mine with the XLR going to FOH and the 1/4" going to my GK head. Didn't break a sweat. Be aware that the output from this pedal is really HOT. I have had to turn on the pad on my GK1001RBII and the house engineer at one of the places I play has commented on how much more power my signal has by comparison to the Radial Pro DI they typically had me run through. Backing the pedal volume down to about 1/3 to 1/4 fixes the issue easily. Just don't let it sneak up on you. :thumbsup:

Based on what you've said of your signal chain, it's possible that the Alpha Omega Ultra could possibly replace both your Omicron and your graphic EQ, as well as the possible addition of the OmniCabSim Deluxe should you add that. If pedalboard real estate isn't a big deal to you, then that might not be something to worry about.

I would definitely say to keep looking at the Darkglass related threads for info. This one seems to be the most active at the current time: Official Darkglass Club: Welcome to the Darkside

Also, Doug, the owner of Darkglass is an active participant here. You can find him at @Darkglass. Is a genuinely good fellow and willing to answer questions. He answered several of mine prior to and after my purchase of my Alpha Omega Ultra.
 
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#18
FYI, something I mentioned in the Darkglass thread.... If you're familiar with the A:O Ultra, you know about being able to swap out the Impulse Responses used for the cabinet sim. I tried all of the included ones, but never really got what I was looking for out of any of them. I went out to the Rosen site and downloaded their IR for a Mesa Boogie PowerHouse 1000, and THAT is where the magic was for my sound. It's been glorious ever since.
 
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#20
Rickter said:
I recently purchased the Alpha Omega Ultra, and I have been really happy with it. For the use of the cab sim and DI functions, yes it would be a bit awkward to use it in the middle of your signal chain. The cab sim is deafeatable on the XLR out, and it is not present on the 1/4" outs at all. It's always on for the headphone out.

I have run mine with the XLR going to FOH and the 1/4" going to my GK head. Didn't break a sweat. Be aware that the output from this pedal is really HOT. I have had to turn on the pad on my GK1001RBII and the house engineer at one of the places I play has commented on how much more power my signal has by comparison to the Radial Pro DI they typically had me run through. Backing the pedal volume down to about 1/3 to 1/4 fixes the issue easily. Just don't let it sneak up on you. :thumbsup:

Based on what you've said of your signal chain, it's possible that the Alpha Omega Ultra could possibly replace both your Omicron and your graphic EQ, as well as the possible addition of the OmniCabSim Deluxe should you add that. If pedalboard real estate isn't a big deal to you, then that might not be something to worry about.

I would definitely say to keep looking at the Darkglass related threads for info. This one seems to be the most active at the current time: Official Darkglass Club: Welcome to the Darkside

Also, Doug, the owner of Darkglass is an active participant here. You can find him at @Darkglass. Is a genuinely good fellow and willing to answer questions. He answered several of mine prior to and after my purchase of my Alpha Omega Ultra.
Click to expand...

he's quite active in the darkglass users facebook group as well.
 
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