Darkglass Electronics B3kV2 vs. Alpha·Omicron vs. Microtubes X

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
  • Time to try out these three bad boys - both in a full mix and through a "reamp"/loop with some knob turning extravaganza! :)
    Signal Chain: Yamaha BB734A - Darkglass Hyper Luminal Hybrid Compressor - Darkglass B3kV2 - Darkglass Alpha·Omicron - Darkglass Microtubes X - DSMNoisemaker Omnicabsim (Bypassed) - Focusrite 6i6 - Logic Pro X - Neural DSP Darkglass Suite - Line 6 Helix Native (Impulse loading & Noise Gate) - Ampeg SVT IR from Lancaster Audio
    Hi everyone! My name is Erik and I’m a bass player and music teacher from Sweden! Here on my channel, You will find gear demos/reviews and some occasional comedy and cover songs! Feel free to write me a comment in case You want me to try out something music/gear related etc.!
    I try to do mostly everything myself in my videos - from recording, mixing and mastering to shooting the videos and editing them.
    Please Subscribe and feel free to share my videos if You like them!
    CZcams: / erikarko
    Facebook: / erikarko
    Twitter: / archisland
    Instagram: / archisland
    Website: archisland.wordpress.com
    My bands: structuraldisorder
    sixfeetdeeper
    GEAR
    Rotosound Strings: www.rotosound.com
    The Darkglass Electronics Tone Capsule, Microtubes 900 Amplifier, Super Symmetry Compressor, B7k and B3k: www.darkglass.com
    Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass V: www.fender.com
    Woodo B6 Black Walnut: www.woodoguitars.se
    Yamaha Attitude LTD 3 Bass, Yamaha BB734A Bass, Yamaha Revstar Guitar: www.yamaha.com
    Keith McMillen 12 Step: www.keithmcmil...
    Headrush Pedalboard: www.headrushfx.com
    Line 6 Helix LT: www.line6.com
    TC Electronic Corona Chorus & Sub’N’Up: www.tcelectronic.com
    EBS Pedals & Amps: www.ebssweden.com
    Toontrack EZMix2 & EZDrummer2: www.toontrack.com
    Cab Impulses from Lancaster Audio: lancasteraudio...

Komentáře • 128

  • @cotardstudios
    @cotardstudios Před 2 lety +7

    00:02 Darkglass Electronics B3kV
    01:07 Alpha·Omicron
    02:11 Microtubes X
    Great demo!

  • @scottnelle
    @scottnelle Před 5 lety +36

    Awesome Demo! B3k at 3:40. Alpha Omicron at 6:07. X at 9:03.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +1

      Scott Nelle Thanks bro!! :)

  • @wessanto2929
    @wessanto2929 Před 5 lety +22

    Thank you for doing this. You actually changed my mind on which one I wanted to get. Was gonna go Alpha Omega, but gonna do the X.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +3

      Wes Santo Glad to be of service!

    • @trfmusic902
      @trfmusic902 Před 2 lety +2

      The X is amazing

    • @stevewindsenergy
      @stevewindsenergy Před rokem

      Hi,
      1) you think its good for playing good Charlotte, sum 41 , billy Talent etc offspring?
      2) you also think it sounds better than boss odb3 when we look at the overdrive?
      3) also do you prefer this microtube X or you prefer alpha omicron?

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před rokem +1

      1) Yes
      2) Yes
      3) On it’s own: Omicron - with more pedals, x :)

    • @vagdim69
      @vagdim69 Před 10 měsíci

      Same here.... 4 years after!

  • @DacianGradaMusic
    @DacianGradaMusic Před 5 lety +14

    just what I needed when deciding what DG to get! Thanks for this video man. I *really* like how the new X sounds, love that punchy low end!

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +1

      Glad to be of service, Bro!! 🤘🤘🤘

  • @8Junio76
    @8Junio76 Před 4 lety +21

    I couldn’t decide which one to get, so i got them all 😎

    • @Roberta_Esposito
      @Roberta_Esposito Před 2 lety

      $1000….. ok

    • @xdaniedx
      @xdaniedx Před 21 dnem +1

      @@Roberta_EspositoYeah it's what people with jobs do. They money and buy things they want. Don't "Yeah ok" him just because you're irresponsible, don't have a job and it's poorer than dirt lol

    • @Roberta_Esposito
      @Roberta_Esposito Před 20 dny

      @@xdaniedx ill do whatever the fuck I want. oh and misfits totally suck.

    • @Roberta_Esposito
      @Roberta_Esposito Před 20 dny

      @@xdaniedx if you only knew what I did for a living, your fucking head would explode

  • @ivanguiscafre
    @ivanguiscafre Před 4 lety +11

    best comparation ever! great job!

  • @sethnicholls7861
    @sethnicholls7861 Před 4 lety +5

    1st and last for the win. Fairly sure the BK3 sounded best, hard to make it sound bad no matter the setting.
    I can't say that about the other two.. But I'm fairly sure you can make them all sound super similar... Lol, seriously they all sounded like Darkglass. 🤘

  • @ivanguiscafre
    @ivanguiscafre Před 4 lety +16

    Microtubes wins!

  • @alexskibicki2262
    @alexskibicki2262 Před 5 lety +17

    Awesome demo, erik...personally I like the alpha omnicron. the microtubes x sounded pretty cool too.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +1

      Alex Skibicki Thanks bro!! :)

    • @alexskibicki2262
      @alexskibicki2262 Před 5 lety

      @@erikarko The microtubes x sounded pretty cool too. pretty heavy sounding. also the yamaha bass sounds killer too. I've always liked yamaha basses. I was wondering, when you demo these pedals, did you have it in active or passive mode?

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +2

      Alex Skibicki For the playthroughs I normally go with active and boost the treble on the bass for some additional bite - but when I do the reamp, I just run it flat and passive, so that you really can tell what the pedals are doing :)

    • @alexskibicki2262
      @alexskibicki2262 Před 5 lety +1

      @@erikarko Cool...I plan on buying a yamaha bb bass sometime soon. I currently own a yamaha trbx305 and it's a great sounding bass. since I'm in the market for a passive bass, I was thinking of getting either the bb235 or the bb435. in additions to that, I also plan to get another darkglass pedal. I currently own a darkglass vintage microtubes and it is my most treasured bass overdrive. so I was thinking of getting either the alpha omnicron or the microtubes x. either one, it would be a great addition to go with my darkglass vmt.

    • @alexskibicki2262
      @alexskibicki2262 Před 3 lety

      Recent update: I’ve purchased the microtubes x and it sounds killer. At a certain setting, it kinda resembles an Ibanez pd-7 type sound. Killer pedal. It’s a keeper.😎🤘🏻🎸

  • @fettjonjr
    @fettjonjr Před 3 lety +8

    Microtubes x sounded the most versatile you could get all the tones the others had to offer in just that one plus more.

  • @marcelocoip7275
    @marcelocoip7275 Před 5 lety +10

    It's very useful to hear when you turn down the music volume while you're playing. Excellent demo Erik!

  • @TH-gu4wj
    @TH-gu4wj Před 5 lety +8

    microtubes X sounded the best overall with the alpha being just under at 2nd. All were useable though.

  • @yahoohu7271
    @yahoohu7271 Před 5 lety +3

    Great video! I liked the B3K before because of its more clearly sound. But now I prefer the Microtubes X, similar sound with B3K and more versatil.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +1

      Yahoo Hu The crossovers of the Microtubes X are a really STELLAR asset to the pedal!

  • @OsmarOliveira
    @OsmarOliveira Před 5 lety +8

    To me they sound pretty similar in a mix... It’s easier to spot the differences when the bass isolated. I have the B3K, but I’m thinking about getting the Alpha-Omicron or the MicrotubesX to get more flexibility.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety

      Yeah - and I also tweaked them to sound as “similar” as possible, whilst still maintaining their “original character” and whatnot :) Both the AO and the MX are awesome - so you’ll be a happy camper with either one!! :)

    • @didiervancampo9384
      @didiervancampo9384 Před 4 lety +1

      Got the alpha omnicron and B3k. Because the AO is distortion while the b3k is an overdrive they blend perfectly together with my Ampeg scr Di through an Ampeg svt 3 pro🤘

  • @folivera87
    @folivera87 Před rokem +1

    I almost forgot to thank you for this video. It helped me a lot to decide which one. Greetings from 🇨🇱

  • @didiervancampo9384
    @didiervancampo9384 Před 4 lety +2

    Have the B3k which is an overdrive and combined with the Alpha Omnicron which is a distortion it’s a beastial setup🤘

  • @eddybass68
    @eddybass68 Před 10 měsíci +1

    been a few years since i made comment about b3k being the better of the 3 you did demos on. well yes its been some time but i have to agree with you on the microtubes X, WOW!! game changer is an understatement on the X. needless to say the X has been main and only distortion om my board that thing rocks brother!!

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 10 měsíci

      Cool! Thanks for returning and commenting!!

  • @STAR_GUARDIAN_V
    @STAR_GUARDIAN_V Před 4 lety +4

    Very Justin Chancellor like. That's the sound I want in my gear.

    • @folivera87
      @folivera87 Před 4 lety

      I'm looking for something like that, but I'm not sure which one is better.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 4 lety

      IMHO, You can NEVER go wrong with the B3k :)

  • @pgdonahue31
    @pgdonahue31 Před 5 lety +1

    Best demo yet especially showcasing the X. Well done.

  • @jesseparrish9198
    @jesseparrish9198 Před 5 lety +6

    Love it man! That Yamaha bass is nice 👌

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +4

      Jesse Parrish Thanks bro!! Yeah, it’s a lovely instrument! Plays great and handles the BEAD-tuning like a beast :)

    • @alexskibicki2262
      @alexskibicki2262 Před 5 lety +2

      Indeed it is nice. I own a yamaha bass myself. awesome sounding bass. anything yamaha makes, I would like.

  • @logananglin2074
    @logananglin2074 Před 5 lety +10

    Seems like the AO really cuts in the mix. I think thats the one for me!

  • @the_bassiah
    @the_bassiah Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks for making the vid dude, it's very useful in choosing. Still gotta decide between the b3k or the X though still...

  • @marontesla2982
    @marontesla2982 Před 4 lety +1

    yamaha 735)))) in couple days i will get one i hope)) she is beauty as hell! sounding amazing

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 4 lety +1

      Awesome! Hope it serves you well!! :)

  • @charlottegoldsmith6989
    @charlottegoldsmith6989 Před 5 lety +18

    the 3 pedals sound very similar, I guess that that's the characteristic DG tone. Not bad but not very different either, especially in a band context or in the mix when playing along with all the other instruments.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +4

      charlotte goldsmith They all have their “quirk” to the tone imho - but they are all “useful in the same way”, if you will :)

    • @charlottegoldsmith6989
      @charlottegoldsmith6989 Před 5 lety +1

      @@erikarko Sure, they're useful at doing almost exactly the same as I hear from your demo. You can archive almost the same tones with any of these. They're nice for what they are indeed.

    • @ludovictangapriganin
      @ludovictangapriganin Před 5 lety +5

      i think the difference is more noticeable when using the ultra versions because of the preamp and because of the mids frenquencies that are different ! btw
      so far i prefer the alpha omega

    • @D3ft0ne
      @D3ft0ne Před 5 lety

      I spent almost 6 years now with B3K v1... I think its time i tried one of the other 2 , just question is which one ... hmm. Sounds like X would be more versatile?

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +2

      IMHO: The X if you want a more “modern” version of the B3k and the AO if you want a “fuzzier” type of drive :)

  • @Jakaro007
    @Jakaro007 Před 3 lety +3

    Everyone tests these pedals with one riff on a jazz bass. Much better review!

    • @Roberta_Esposito
      @Roberta_Esposito Před 2 lety

      yes , and an Infectious Mosh rhythm in my head all day🎼🎼🎼

  • @esposoman
    @esposoman Před 4 lety +1

    I have a B3K and it's the most brutal distortion I ever had. I have a Vintage Microtubes and it's cool but not a high gain pedal.
    Maybe I'll go for the B7K

  • @am0ungth3l1ving
    @am0ungth3l1ving Před 2 lety +7

    Thank you for not using a fucking Dingwall

  • @JLS-1
    @JLS-1 Před 3 lety +1

    Gracias, despejé muchas dudas

  • @drydreams8513
    @drydreams8513 Před 11 měsíci

    Boy those loud Drums and even louder guitars sure sounded good plugged into those dark glass bass pedals .

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 11 měsíci

      Thanks for the constructive criticism!

  • @lostkeyscollectibles6760
    @lostkeyscollectibles6760 Před 4 lety +1

    Really really well done demo.

  • @gary999t
    @gary999t Před 4 lety +2

    All 3 sound awesome, and splitting hairs as they all have a variety of tones on offer. I just wish I could sell one of my kidneys and buy all 3, ha!

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 4 lety +1

      Yeah, they’re all STELLAR imho!

    • @nategin9009
      @nategin9009 Před 4 lety

      The x is only 199 on amazon

  • @Enkeli344
    @Enkeli344 Před rokem +2

    3:40 B3k
    6:09 Alpha Omicron
    9:05 Microtubes
    Alpha Omicron van nekem imádom! Mállam : no1 Alpha 2 B3K 3: Microtubes :)

  • @GregSturmon
    @GregSturmon Před 5 lety +3

    Hey Eric do you get any noise with that bass with both pups up? I got the exact one not too long ago and I get some noise. But, do you play in active mode and if so how’s your EQ set? Sounds mean man.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +3

      Yup, there's a bit of hiss and whatnot when the J-pickup is in the mix. Had to lower it a bit as well, as it had the nasty habit of supplying me with a ringing, high pitched E whenever I was in active mode... and had the treble cranked :P :D
      For this video, I used Active mode, Both Pickups, Bass & Mid set flat and the Treble cranked. Really made it CUT imho! :)

  • @MalephicBass
    @MalephicBass Před 5 lety +1

    Great video!

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety

      MalephicBass Thanks bro!!

  • @markkangas7774
    @markkangas7774 Před rokem

    Great video! If you find the time and resources can you do a demo on Darkglass cabs? I'm interested in the 2 X 12, and 4X10.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před rokem +1

      I’ll see what I can do!! :)

  • @andrearossi4869
    @andrearossi4869 Před 4 lety

    I can't decide...I bought a Bk3, but I find it a little too scooped. The Apha Omicron seems to sound a little fuzzier and the Microtubes X a little heavier...

  • @taylorpearcy319
    @taylorpearcy319 Před 4 lety +3

    I feel like if I had the alpha omicron, I would just leave the growl switch on perpetually

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 4 lety +1

      Yeah, it does quite a bit to the tone!! 😀

  • @technoalah
    @technoalah Před 3 lety

    Nice.

  • @treeoflife6337
    @treeoflife6337 Před rokem

    i feel like you could get the sound from the X on the b3k and AO with a simple EQ/compression pedal

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před rokem

      Probably so :) And a crossover! :)

  • @ironmagnus
    @ironmagnus Před 5 lety +3

    Lyssnade med hörlurar. Gillar ljudet från Alpha Omicron precis när du kopplat in den bäst. Alpha/omegaratten verkar intressant. Högre definition på Alpha och Omga på max lär låta grymt på riktigt hög volym.

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety

      AO:n är riktigt grym! Sjukt mångsidig liten rackare :)

  • @GregSturmon
    @GregSturmon Před 5 lety +4

    Wait, holy shit you got the tone capsule in that bass?!

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +1

      Sadly no - it's in my Fender. But I MIGHT do that in the future.. gotta love the TC! It's amazing! :)

    • @GregSturmon
      @GregSturmon Před 5 lety +1

      Erik Arkö I actually still have a TC laying around I totally forgot about. Maybe it’s time I lay it in the Yamaha BB!!!

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +1

      Greg Sturmon Do it!! :D

    • @GregSturmon
      @GregSturmon Před 5 lety

      Erik Arkö hopefully I can figure out how to! Haha

  • @VanguardSound7
    @VanguardSound7 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Perhaps it's just me, but listening to this video while away from the screen revealed a few key things to me.
    First off, they are all basically variations on the same theme. Meaning that they pretty much all sound the same.
    And or, too similar to warrant purchasing more than one.
    Secondly, I absolutely HATE the sound they make. Off top.
    And also because almost 90% of the bassists out there playing aggressive styles ALL sound exactly the same.
    Like "Nolly Clones." Of course, no disrespect. because I did find this video truly helpful.
    One Control Green Bass Machine and the Zoom B1X Four for me. As an audio engineer as well as a bassist, I only need the "cut through a mix" function. Which I know how to achieve without this played out Darkglass sound that everyone is Aping.
    PEACE!

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 11 měsíci

      Fair enough!! :) Thanks for your comment, man! :)

  • @hudsonfonseca7550
    @hudsonfonseca7550 Před 9 měsíci

    Erik, porfavor, com qual eu chegaria mais próximo do som do Billy Sheehan ???

  • @josephramos980
    @josephramos980 Před 5 lety

    Microtube x and alpha onicron🤘👌👍

  • @scotthanley5474
    @scotthanley5474 Před 3 lety

    Wanna hear them all together please! :-)

  • @FolkloreNegro
    @FolkloreNegro Před 5 lety +1

    what Yamaha model is that bass?

  • @RobertoGarcia-ml2eq
    @RobertoGarcia-ml2eq Před 2 lety +1

    I have alpha omicron...but b3k is amazing...!!!

  • @luisguimaraes2176
    @luisguimaraes2176 Před rokem

    What are you using the darkglass plugin for and how?

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před rokem

      I didn’t use it in this video - but these days, it’s basically to emulate either the B7kU or the VMTu with a nice cabsim and whatnot :)

  • @mauricioguala1119
    @mauricioguala1119 Před 5 lety +1

    How you get that clean sound?

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +1

      Mauricio Guala Neural DSP Darkglass Suite and an Ampeg 810 Cab Impulse :)

  • @ridhwanrosli1118
    @ridhwanrosli1118 Před 4 lety +1

    which the best one when paired with b7k?

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 4 lety

      IMHO the X :)

    • @ridhwanrosli1118
      @ridhwanrosli1118 Před 4 lety

      @@erikarko thanks . im thinking bout it too. X is the winner for me

  • @xXNoirXx90
    @xXNoirXx90 Před rokem +1

    Alfa Omicron

  • @almostliterally593
    @almostliterally593 Před 2 lety

    And the winner is… sansamp!

  • @vuvu5395
    @vuvu5395 Před 5 lety

    Can you use 2 distortion pedals in one?

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety +1

      Do you mean if I could do a video like that?

    • @vuvu5395
      @vuvu5395 Před 5 lety

      @@erikarko I mean can you use 2 diffrent distordion pedals :P but yes you can do video, I will be happy to see it ;)

  • @boncho5565
    @boncho5565 Před 5 lety +1

    'traligt

  • @eddybass68
    @eddybass68 Před 5 lety +1

    b3k all day.. microtubes x 2nd alpha omicron 3rd

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 5 lety

      I love the B7k/B3k - but the X series have changed my distortion game!

  • @minibuns5397
    @minibuns5397 Před 2 lety

    Only difference is EQ!!! What a scam

    • @erikarko
      @erikarko  Před 2 lety +1

      Nah… a few added features on the B1k (mid boost) etc and.. well, all and all an upgrade of the older versions :)