The RMS compressor is typically subtle, natural and transparent. Apparently, Alex spent a lot of time designing in a custom bass cab simulator that preserved the low end while removing the fizz from the more extreme tones. The overdrive is voiced to go from subtle to driven like a diesel truck. The Downtown Express brings together three key effects in one neat, affordable solution: overdrive, compression and EQ. So, this pedal may be relatively new, but it's got heritage. It's not a deal breaker, but worth knowing about.įender enlisted the help of bass amp and pedal luminary Alex Aguilar, formerly of Aguilar Amplification, to help develop the Downtown Express. However, if you're into time-based effects, which usually come last, you'll have to rethink your signal flow. The only downside we can think of is that in a live situation you'll be putting the Alpha Omega Ultra at the end of your effects chain to take advantage of those cab sims. A wide and growing choice of excellent impulse response cab sims can be swapped in and out via the USB port using Darkglass Suite software. Hook up a PA via the XLR out, enable the cab simulation and you've got the perfect live rig. You can plug your phone, or other audio source, into the Aux socket and don your headphones for a superbly versatile practice rig. Additionally, the rather cutely named Growl button will boost the bass for a fatter tone, while the Bite button will boost the mids for more definition. Bring the EQ faders into play and you'll have complete mastery of your tone. Use the Blend knob to mix the driven and dry signal, the Level knob to set the overall volume of the driven signal and the Drive knob to ramp up the gain. You can blend away to your heart's content, discovering your own distortion-rich sweet spots. Turn it clockwise and that overdrive gradually turns to bags of fuzzy goodness. Spin the Mod knob to the left and you'll be soaked in a warm sea of saturated overdrive. So, watch the dry volume when you're wearing headphones and hit the bypass footswitch. There are actually seven faders but the first is a master volume control that, not surprisingly but slightly frustratingly, doesn't work in bypass mode. Most visually noticeable is the six-band EQ on the top panel. Darkglass is known for two things – high quality and high gain tones – and the Alpha Omega Ultra fulfils both expectations in a pocket-sized package. If you want to go amp-less, and distortion is your weapon of choice, then the Alpha Omega Ultra could replace your entire rig.
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