Description

Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 900 Bass Amplifier Head Overview:

The Microtubes 900 is a 900W amplifier equipped with an all analog preamplifier and a Class D Power Module. The first thing you will notice from the Microtubes 900 is its unusual control layout: On the right side youll find the clean section which is the foundation of your tone. It features Gain and Master controls an active 4 band EQ. Along with Low and Treble controls you will find Low Mids and Hi Mids control, each knob with their own 3-way frequency switch. On the left side you will find the Microtubes Engine which acts as an extra channel that can bring your clean tone to the next level by helping you cut through the mix while adding anything from subtle tube break up, harmonics and natural compression to obliterating distortion.

Front Panel Features:
Input
Connect your instrument via a standard mono cable.

Passive/Active
Switch from passive to active mode. Some active basses can have a hotter signal output which can make the amp distort early (feel free to use it on Passive move even with active basses if such additional distortion is desired).

Microtubes
Turns 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).

Drive
Controls the amount of distortion that the Microtubes Engine will deliver. It will change from a soft warm overdrive to a massive modern distorted tone.

Tone
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. This is handy if running bright clean EQ settings or cabinets with tweeters.

Level
Controls the Microtubes Engines output volume.

Blend
Mixes between the Clean signal and the Distortion signal (Microtubes Engine).

B3K/VMT
Selects between two overdrive voicings: B3K mode will deliver an aggressive, percussive sound while the VMT will bring up the mids for a warmer, more neutral character.

Gain
Changes the volume of the signal the Active 4 Band EQ. You can set it low prior to ensuring the cleanest operation possible or set it higher for more aggressive growl.

Bass
+-12dB at 80Hz. Changes the low content of the signal.

Low Mids
+-12dB of the selected frequency via the LOW MIDS switch (described below). Changes the lower mid content of the signal.

Low Mids
Use this switch to change the frequency of the low mid band from 250Hz, 500Hz or 1kHZ.

Hi Mids
+-12dB of the selected frequency via the HI MIDS switch (described below). Changes the higher mid content of the signal.

Hi Mids
Use this switch to change the frequency of the hi mid band from 750Hz, 1.5kHz and 3kHZ.

Treble
+-12dB at 5kHz. Changes the high content of the signal.

Master
Controls the overall volume of the amplifier.

Mute
Mutes the amplifier.

DIMENSIONS
26.7x23x6.4 cm (10.5×9.05×2.52 in)

Back Panel Features:
Speaker Output
Connects the amplifier to your cabinet. This Speakon combo jack allows for either Speakon or speaker cable operation.
*WARNING: Do not use an instrument cable with this jack. Using an instrument cable can damage your amplifier.

Min-Load
Press when using a 2 load. You can use this control to lower the output if your 4 cabinet is not able to handle more than 500W (you can also get 350W with an 8 cabinet in this configuration).

Pre Amp Out
This output connects the preamp to a different power amp.

Power Amp In
Use this input to connect a different preamp to the power amp. (master volume will be disabled)

Post-Pre
Selects what signal will be delivered by the DI output. Selecting PRE, sends a clean copy of your input bass signal. Selecting POST delivers a signal processed by the preamp of the amp (gain, distortion, eq, master, etc.)

Ground Lift
Lifts the ground of the DI XLR output. If a ground noise in you DI signal is experienced, try changing the setting of this control.

Balanced Output
Connects the Microtubes 900 preamplifier to balanced equipment (mic preamp, console, recorder, compressor, audio interface, etc.) via a standard XLR jack.

Footswitch
The Footswitch allows you to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine. Hold the footswitch to Mute the amplifier. The VMT/B3K push button will remain operational with the Intelligent Footswitch plugged in.
* Use a regular mono instrument cable to connect the amplifier to the footswitch.
* Remove the cable from the footswitch jack in the rear panel if you want to control the amp from the front panel.
* The Microtubes 900 will only work with our proprietary Intelligent Footswitch (included with the amplifier). A generic Footswitch will not work with the Microtubes 900.

AC Socket
Connects the power cord to the amplifier.

AC Power ON/OFF
Turns the amplifier on or off.

The Intelligent Footswitch is an intuitive yet versatile accessory for your Microtubes 900. One tap will engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine, while holding for 3 seconds will Mute the amplifier. It is connected to the head via a standard 1/4″ cable and it’s powered by a microcontroller that sends commands to the head using a proprietary communication protocol.

Specifications:

• Input Impedance: 1M
• Minimum Load Impedance: 4 (2 in 2 mode)
• Maximum Power Output: 900 Watts RMS @ 4 (1khz full blast 2 min max) 20%THD (450 Watts RMS @ 8)
• Power Amp Input Impedance: 1M
• Power Amp Input Level : 1500 mV RMS 1200MV RMS at 2 ohm mode
• Pre-Amp Output Impedance: 1k
• 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 (10.5l x 2.75h x 10w)
• Weight: 2.9Kg (6.39Lbs)
• Built and Engineered in Helsinki, Finland