Darkglass Electronics Microtubes B7K V2 – Bass Pre-Amp

Darkglass B7K V2 from Darkglass Electronics

With the Darkglass Electronics Microtubes B7K v2 you get all the features of the original, with the ability to better sculpture your tone

On both the low and high mids, you have the option to change the center frequency from 1KHz to 500Hz, to get your dream distortion tone.

These adjustments are not just “tech-y” tweaks. They really make a difference.

The character and core of the Microtubes B7K V2 though remains exactly the same, still retaining the powerful dynamic saturation circuit, EQ, and the balanced line driver as the original. Designed for both studio and live use, the Microtubes B7K V2 will take your direct sound to a whole new level.

The character and core of the Microtubes B7K remains the same, still retaining the powerful dynamic saturation circuit of the B3K, adding a four-band equalizer and a balanced line driver for even greater versatility.

Its great in both in he studio and live.

Darkglass Electronics Microtubes B7K V2 – The Black Beast, Reborn

Tone-crushing overdrive and super transparent modern sound are the essence of the B7K.

One of the most acclaimed Darkglass pedals in the bass community, the Microtubes B7K V2 is renowned for its ability to enhance the original sound of an instrument without compromise.

The B7K V2 takes the powerful dynamic saturation circuit from the simple B3K CMOS Bass Drive pedal and then adds several advanced features for even greater versatility:

• A 4-band active EQ that provides precise control over the sound, allowing users to shape their tone according to their preferences.
• A parallel output, which offers additional routing options for more complex setups.
• A balanced line driver, ensuring high-quality signal transmission over long distances.

These enhancements make the B7K V2 an indispensable tool for bassists seeking to elevate their sound without losing the instrument’s authentic character.

However, after being at the top of the field for nearly 7 years, Darkglass thought the time had come to implement some of the engineering tricks they have learned in their journey to give this much-loved pedal the upgrade it deserved.

With the Darkglass B7K v2 Microtubes, you get all the features of the original, with the ability to sculpt your tone a bit more.

Controls

Despite the B7K already being a very versatile bass preamplifier, Darkglass sought to enhance its tone-shaping capabilities with the V2 model by adding several key technical upgrades:

• Low Mid Frequency Switch: The “Lo Mid” control now features a dedicated switch to shift its corner frequency one octave. In addition to the standard 1kHz, users can achieve 12dB of cut/boost at 500Hz, allowing for greater flexibility in tone shaping.
• High Mid Frequency Switch: Similarly, the “Hi Mid” control now includes a switch to shift its corner frequency one octave. This change provides users with 12dB of cut/boost at 1.5kHz, complementing the standard 3kHz setting for enhanced tonal precision.

In addition to these new features, the V2 model retains essential controls that provide even more fine-tuning options:

• Blend: Mixes the clean input signal with the overdriven signal. The clean signal remains at unity gain while the volume of the overdriven signal is set by the Level knob, allowing for precise control of the blend ratio.
• Level: Sets the volume of the overdriven signal.
• Drive: Controls the amount of saturation in the overdriven signal.
• Grunt Switch: Sets the amount of low-frequency content to saturate by selecting between three different bass boost levels before the clipping stage. Three distinct bass boost levels allow the depth and impact of the low-end frequencies to be changed.
• Attack Switch: Adjusts the amount of treble content to saturate. The “Boost” setting emphasizes treble for extra clarity and presence, the “Flat” position leaves it untouched, and the “Cut” position reduces the high frequencies being saturated.

These enhancements and controls collectively elevate the V2 model, enabling musicians to craft their desired sound with unparalleled precision and versatility.

Frequencies:

Low +-12dB @ 100Hz | Low Mids: +-12dB @ 1kHz Hi Mids: +-12dB @ 3 kHz | Treble: +-12dB @ 5kHz

Low Mids Switch:

This switch change the centre frequency of the Low Mids from 1kHz to 500Hz. • Hi Mids Switch: this switch change the centre frequency of the Hi Mids from 3kHz to 1.5kHz.

Parallel Output:

A passthrough for your input signal, useful for parallel processing. This feature allows you to maintain the integrity of your original sound by directing it through the output unchanged. It’s particularly beneficial for parallel processing, where you can blend the unaltered signal with modified tones or effects.

By utilizing the Parallel Output, musicians and sound engineers can achieve a richer, more complex sound without sacrificing the clarity of the original input. It offers flexibility in tone crafting, making it an essential tool for those seeking to experiment and refine their audio outputs.

Direct Output:

A balanced version of the 1⁄4” output, useful for running into PA’s or studio mixing console.

Power

Powered by optional 9V PSU (9V DC, centre -, 2.1mm, ~30mA current draw). Due to ecological reasons it does not accept batteries. Unregulated power supplies and/or higher voltages may result in suboptimal noise performance and even damage your unit, voiding the warranty.