Darkglass Electronics Microtubes X7 – Bass Drive, EQ and DI

The Darkglass Microtubes X7 splits your bass signal into low and high frequency bands. This lets you compress the lows for a solid, consistent base (bass!) while independently distorting the highs for attack and presence.

Then, for massive flexibility, add a 4-band EQ, DI, and parallel output to turn it into a complete bass front end.

Independent Control Over Lows and Highs

Rather than running your whole signal through one drive circuit, the X7 splits it first.

The High Pass Frequency control sets where the distorted band begins. Set it anywhere from 100Hz for a thicker, fuzzier saturation, up to 1kHz for a sharp, defined edge.

That band gets its own Drive and Level controls. Dial in exactly how much grit and how loud that top-end distortion sits.

The Low Pass Frequency control sets where the low band gets mixed back in, from 50Hz for pure sub-bass up to 500Hz if you want to keep some clean midrange intact — and that low band gets compression rather than distortion, keeping your foundation tight and consistent underneath whatever’s happening up top.

On top of the multiband section sits a proper 4-band EQ, giving you shelving control at the low and high ends plus two mid bands at 500Hz and 1kHz, each with a healthy 12dB of boost or cut. Combined with the balanced XLR output, ground lift, and parallel output, the X7 is built to work as a genuine studio and stage front end, not just a stompbox distortion.

• Why multiband: cutting the lows before the drive tightens the sound but leaves it thin, and boosting them just adds unwanted fuzz. Splitting the signal first avoids the trade-off: the highs get the crunch and the lows stay clean, so you keep the size.
• The split happens at the very start of the chain with two variable filters, and CMOS circuitry (as in the other Microtubes pedals) does the distorting.
• When the pedal is engaged, a low-pass filter on the direct output shapes the distorted signal for DI use.

Key Features

• Multiband design: independent compression on the low band, independent distortion on the high band
• Adjustable crossover points on both bands for precise control over where each effect applies
• 4-band EQ: Low Shelf (80Hz), 500Hz, 1kHz, High Shelf (5kHz), each with ±12dB of range
• Balanced XLR direct output with ground lift, for running straight into a PA or studio console
• Parallel output for routing your clean signal separately
• Regulated 9V DC only — does not accept batteries, and higher or unregulated voltages can damage the unit
• 100mA current draw

Controls

• Low Comp: sets the amount of compression on the low band
• Low Level: sets the output volume of the low-band signal
• High Level: sets the output volume of the distorted high-band signal
• High Drive: sets the amount of distortion on the high band
• Low Pass Frequency: sets the cutoff for the low band mixed back in, 50Hz to 500Hz
• High Pass Frequency: sets the cutoff for the distorted high band, 100Hz to 1kHz
• Master: Sets the overall output volume
• 4-band EQ: Low Shelf (80Hz), 500Hz, 1kHz, High Shelf (5kHz), each ±12dB
• Ground Lift: lifts the ground on the XLR output to address DI ground noise

Power

Requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative supply only, drawing 100mA. It does not accept batteries. As with other Darkglass pedals, unregulated supplies or higher voltages can cause noise issues or damage the unit and void the warranty. A CIOKS SOL is a suitable, regulated option.

Who Is This For

Worth a serious look if you want studio-level tone shaping on your board or in the DI chain — the multiband split, 4-band EQ, and balanced output make this suited to serious live and studio bassists rather than a simple drive pedal user.

Watch Darkglass Microtubes X7 In Action

FAQs