What is the Darkglass Ultimate?
Neural DSP and Darkglass share a deep-rooted connection, both founded by Doug Castro, who established Darkglass in 2009 and Neural DSP in 2020. Although he departed from Darkglass following a majority acquisition by Korg in 2022, he has continued to innovate, leading to the release of the remarkable Darkglass Anagram multi-effects/modeler.
The Darkglass Ultimate plugin from neural DSP is an evolution of the earlier Darkglass Ultra emulation, which transformed the iconic B7K Ultra and Vintage Ultra bass overdrive/preamp pedals into a digital format crafted by their original designer.
However, Darkglass Ultimate is not merely an enhanced version of its predecessor; it introduces a plethora of exciting new features, creating a complete suite for bass tone enthusiasts.
To kick things off, the plugin includes a variety of pre-FX virtual bass effects pedals, enabling you to enhance the B7K/Ultra Vintage with additional tonal colors from Compressor, Auto-Wah, Octaver, and Fuzz pedal emulations.
Neural has also expanded the preamp options with new cabinet simulations,allowing users to select between the Darkglass 210C 2×10 cab from the original Ultra plugin and the newly introduced Darkglass DG810ES 8×10.
Moreover, the preamp section is complemented by a nine-band graphic EQ, while the signal chain concludes with a new Post-FX section featuring Chorus and Delay effects.
For existing Ultra owners, there’s great news: Darkglass Ultimate is available as a complimentary upgrade. As of this writing, Neural is celebrating its anniversary with an notable 50% discount on all its plugins.
specifications
- Launch price: $99 | €119
- Type: Bass plugin/FX suite
- Formats: Plugin (VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX), standalone
- System requirements: (Mac): Intel Core i3 processor, OS 13, 8GB RAM (Windows): intel Core i3 processor/AMD quad-core R5 2200G processor or higher, Windows 10, 8GB RAM
- Contact: Neural DSP
Functionality and Features
Functionality and features rating: ★★★★
Neural DSP has rapidly ascended to the forefront of the modeling industry, with many users recognizing its reputation stemming from hardware like the Quad Cortex and Nano cortex.
Though, for a notable number of users, Neural is primarily known for its extensive range of software products. In fact, Darkglass Ultra was Neural’s inaugural release back in 2018, establishing it as a software-centric brand. Consequently, Neural excels at creating user-friendly software that is rich in features.
Darkglass Ultimate can operate as a plugin within your DAW (available in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats) or function independently without a host. The interface of darkglass Ultimate mirrors the layout of Neural’s other plugins, featuring five icons at the top that switch between the main sections: Pre-FX, preamp, cabinet EQ, and Post-FX.
The design is visually driven, making navigation straightforward.The preamp screen serves as the central hub, treating the B7K and Vintage Ultra as the ‘amp’ in the signal chain, with four selectable buttons at the bottom allowing you to toggle between the B7K/Ultra Vintage and choose between the 2×10 or 8×10 cabinets.
Simply put,the graphical interface and signal flow replicate the experience of using actual hardware.
Interacting with the plugin is as easy as making quick selections and adjustments, and there’s a wealth of options to customize. The preamps feature three-way selectors for Attack and Grunt, allowing you to fine-tune the punch of your notes when distortion is applied by controlling the high-end (Attack) and low-end (Grunt) signals hitting the saturation stage.
Additionally, there are toggles for selecting the center frequency of the midrange EQ controls, and you can configure the preamp to mirror your EQ settings between clean and distorted sounds for consistent tonality when switching between clean and driven tones.
Neural has also integrated a variety of utility features,including a Transposer (capable of shifting the incoming signal up or down by 12 semitones),a Gate for reducing noise,a Tuner,Metronome,and full MIDI control.
In essence,the graphical interface and signal flow create an experience akin to using physical hardware.Neural’s helpful Tooltips provide quick explanations for any icons or controls that may be unclear, and the only enhancement I would suggest is the ability to rearrange the order of the Pre-FX pedals.
Audio quality
Audio quality rating: ★★★★★
The exceptional quality of the presets ensures you can discover core sounds without the need to create your own.
The collaboration between Neural and Darkglass evokes terms like ‘modern’, ‘contemporary’, and ‘aggressive’. In essence, these tones guarantee clarity, punch, and presence even in a dense mix.
Upon exploring the preset library, it becomes evident that these qualities are abundant. The presets, crafted by renowned modern prog/metal artists such as Karnivool’s Jon Stockman, Adam “Nolly” Getgood, and forrester Savell (Karnivool, Tesseract, Aristocrats), alongside in-house creations, provide a diverse range of options.
The high quality of the presets-covering both the B7K and Ultra Vintage-means you can find most essential sounds without needing to start from scratch. From robust,woolly tones to sharp,punchy distortions and gritty vintage overdriven sounds,there’s a wealth of options readily available.
For many players, the B7K is the go-to choice, delivering precise, aggressive distortion while allowing you to maintain your low-end clarity by blending in the clean signal. The attack control is particularly useful for achieving a pronounced ’pluck’ without overly compressing the dynamics.
While these features are expected for those familiar with the original hardware or the Darkglass Ultra, the real revelation comes when exploring the Neural preset sounds. Here, you’ll discover a wider tonal palette, showcasing the versatility of the Darkglass Ultimate suite.
Among the presets are ping-pong delays, synth sounds, and my personal favorite, Dub Joggler. This preset produces a smooth, rich bass tone that is both addictive and satisfying, effectively reducing high frequencies while remaining articulate, resulting in a massive sine wave-like sound.
Adding a hint of Auto-Wah and playing palm-muted lines with my thumb leads to a dynamic exploration of crystal-clear, filtered pops, squiggles, and slides, further enhanced by the Transposer, which elevates the pitch into a pseudo-five-string range. Who would have thought that the masters of gritty bass could also deliver silky neo-soul tones?
When it comes to effects, the process is equally user-friendly. Adjusting sounds using the Compressor’s three controls (Compression, Level, and Blend) is straightforward, perhaps too simplistic for some, but it responds quickly and effectively. Experimenting with the Blend control helps maintain dynamics if you push it too far.
The auto-Wah features controls for Sensitivity, Range, Attack, and decay speeds, and like the Compressor, it yields musical results with ease.The Octaver follows the familiar layout of Octave 1 (-1), Octave 2 (-2), and Dry controls.
I found Octave 2 to be somewhat overpowering unless playing higher up the fretboard, but it can effectively replicate the classic Boss OC-2 synth bass effect by playing an octave higher and filtering out everything except the -1 octave signal. Combine that with the Fuzz pedal, and you achieve a massive, synth-like square wave sound that I would love to see with the Auto-Wah placed afterward.
Following the preamp,the Cab,EQ,and Post-FX sections come into play. The cabinets can be mic’d in stereo with various microphone options, including classic dynamic and condenser mics, bass drum mics, and a specialized SubKick mic for capturing ultra-low frequencies. You can reposition the mics or fine-tune their settings, including panning and phase inversion, adding a new layer of variety to your sound. In an era where speaker IRs are increasingly common, this level of control is a welcome feature.
The EQ is user-friendly, allowing for precise tone shaping. the Post-FX section includes Chorus and Delay effects, both designed to emulate analog-style modulation and echo. The delay, in particular, stands out with tempo syncing, modulation, and ping-pong capabilities between left and right channels. While Neural describes it as “simple” in the manual, it sounds fantastic-instantly inspiring me to play drop-D riffs reminiscent of Justin Chancellor-and offers a lot considering it’s just one component of this plugin.
Conclusion
The EQ is intuitive, allowing for detailed tone shaping.
At first glance,one might assume that Darkglass Ultimate is solely a heavy-focused plugin for distorted bass sounds.While it excels in that area, the reality is that it offers a wealth of additional features. Notably, Neural has announced that Darkglass Ultimate will not be part of its Plugin Compatibility line of hardware-compatible plugins.
This decision stems from a licensing agreement with Darkglass, which prevents the plugin from competing with Darkglass’s Anagram hardware modeler/multi-FX. Therefore, if you’re considering purchasing the plugin for use with your Quad Cortex or quad Cortex mini, be aware that it is likely to remain a software-only product.
Though, it would be unjust to criticize darkglass Ultimate for what it cannot do, especially given its impressive performance. This plugin stands strong on its own as a DAW-based bass solution or standalone product.
Guitar World Verdict: Think Darkglass is limited to heavy genres? Think again. This plugin not only covers vintage and modern overdrive tones but also excels in various other styles. Overlooking its versatility would be a missed prospect. It offers exceptional sounds and usability at a price that represents excellent value for money.
Also Consider
Hands-On Demonstrations
Neural DSP
Watch On
Rabea Massaad
Watch On
The B7K is a favored choice among many musicians, providing precise, aggressive distortion while preserving low-end clarity by blending in the clean signal. The attack control is particularly beneficial for achieving a pronounced ‘pluck’ without excessive dynamic compression from the Compressor.
While these features may be expected by those familiar with the original hardware or the Darkglass Ultra, the true surprise lies in the neural preset sounds. Here, you’ll discover a broader tonal range, designed to highlight the versatility of the Darkglass Ultimate suite.
Among the presets are ping-pong delays, synth sounds, and my personal favorite, Dub Joggler. This preset produces a smooth, rich bass tone that is both addictive and satisfying, effectively reducing high frequencies while remaining articulate, resulting in a massive sine wave-like sound.
Adding a hint of Auto-Wah and playing palm-muted lines with my thumb leads to a dynamic exploration of crystal-clear,filtered pops,squiggles,and slides,further enhanced by the Transposer,which elevates the pitch into a pseudo-five-string range. Who would have thought that the masters of gritty bass could also deliver silky neo-soul tones?
When it comes to effects, the process is equally user-friendly. Adjusting sounds using the Compressor’s three controls (Compression, Level, and Blend) is straightforward, perhaps too simplistic for some, but it responds quickly and effectively. Experimenting with the Blend control helps maintain dynamics if you push it too far.
The Auto-Wah features controls for Sensitivity,Range,Attack,and Decay speeds,and like the Compressor,it yields musical results with ease. The Octaver follows the familiar layout of Octave 1 (-1), Octave 2 (-2), and Dry controls.
I found Octave 2 to be somewhat overpowering unless playing higher up the fretboard, but it can effectively replicate the classic Boss OC-2 synth bass effect by playing an octave higher and filtering out everything except the -1 octave signal. Combine that with the Fuzz pedal, and you achieve a massive, synth-like square wave sound that I would love to see with the Auto-Wah placed afterward.
Following the preamp,the Cab,EQ,and Post-FX sections come into play. The cabinets can be mic’d in stereo with various microphone options, including classic dynamic and condenser mics, bass drum mics, and a specialized SubKick mic for capturing ultra-low frequencies. You can reposition the mics or fine-tune their settings, including panning and phase inversion, adding a new layer of variety to your sound. In an era where speaker IRs are increasingly common, this level of control is a welcome feature.
The EQ is user-friendly, allowing for precise tone shaping. the Post-FX section includes Chorus and Delay effects, both designed to emulate analog-style modulation and echo. The delay,in particular,stands out with tempo syncing,modulation,and ping-pong capabilities between left and right channels. While Neural describes it as “simple” in the manual,it sounds fantastic-instantly inspiring me to play drop-D riffs reminiscent of Justin Chancellor-and offers a lot considering it’s just one component of this plugin.
Final thoughts
The EQ is intuitive, allowing for detailed tone shaping.
At first glance, one might assume that Darkglass Ultimate is solely a heavy-focused plugin for distorted bass sounds. While it excels in that area, the reality is that it offers a wealth of additional features. Notably, neural has announced that Darkglass Ultimate will not be part of its Plugin Compatibility line of hardware-compatible plugins.
This decision stems from a licensing agreement with Darkglass, which prevents the plugin from competing with Darkglass’s Anagram hardware modeler/multi-FX. Therefore,if you’re considering purchasing the plugin for use with your Quad Cortex or Quad Cortex mini,be aware that it is likely to remain a software-only product.
However, it would be unjust to criticize Darkglass Ultimate for what it cannot do, especially given its impressive performance. This plugin stands strong on its own as a DAW-based bass solution or standalone product.
Guitar world Verdict: Think Darkglass is limited to heavy genres? Think again. This plugin not only covers vintage and modern overdrive tones but also excels in various other styles. Overlooking its versatility would be a missed opportunity. it offers exceptional sounds and usability at a price that represents excellent value for money.
Also Consider
Hands-On Demonstrations
Neural DSP
Watch On
Breaking the Relapse
watch On
Unleashing the Power of Sound: A Deep Dive into the Neural DSP Darkglass Ultimate!
Overview of Neural DSP Darkglass Ultimate
The Neural DSP Darkglass Ultimate plugin is a revolutionary tool for bassists, combining cutting-edge technology with the renowned tonal characteristics of Darkglass pedals. This plugin is designed to emulate the iconic B7K Ultra and Vintage Ultra pedals, providing users with a complete suite for crafting their ideal bass sound.
Key Features
- Pre-FX Effects: Includes compressor, Auto-Wah, Octaver, and Fuzz pedal emulations.
- Cabinet Simulations: Choose between the Darkglass 210C 2×10 and DG810ES 8×10 cabinets.
- Graphic EQ: A nine-band graphic EQ for precise tone shaping.
- Post-FX Effects: Features Chorus and Delay effects for added depth.
- Standalone and Plugin Modes: Operates as a plugin in yoru DAW or as a standalone application.
Benefits of Using Darkglass ultimate
The Darkglass Ultimate plugin offers numerous advantages for bass players:
- Versatility: Suitable for various genres, from rock to jazz and beyond.
- High-Quality Sound: Delivers professional-grade audio quality that rivals hardware units.
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design makes it easy to navigate and customize sounds.
- Cost-Effective: A fraction of the price of physical pedals while offering similar capabilities.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of Darkglass Ultimate
To maximize your experience with the Neural DSP Darkglass Ultimate,consider the following tips:
- Experiment with Presets: Start with the built-in presets to understand the plugin’s capabilities.
- Utilize the graphic EQ: Adjust the EQ settings to tailor your sound to specific genres or styles.
- Layer Effects: Combine different effects to create unique sounds that stand out in your mixes.
- Record in Different Modes: Try both standalone and plugin modes to see which works best for your workflow.
Case Studies: Real-World Applications
Many professional musicians have integrated the Darkglass Ultimate into their setups. Hear are a few examples:
| Artist | Genre | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Stockman | Progressive Rock | Utilizes the plugin for live performances and studio recordings. |
| Adam “Nolly” Getgood | Metal | Employs the Darkglass Ultimate for its aggressive tones and versatility. |
| Forrester Savell | metal/Progressive | Uses the plugin to achieve a wide range of bass sounds in his productions. |
First-Hand Experience
As a user of the neural DSP Darkglass Ultimate, I can attest to its impressive capabilities. The plugin’s ability to maintain low-end clarity while delivering rich, distorted tones is remarkable. The presets are well-crafted, allowing for rapid sound design without starting from scratch. I especially enjoy using the Dub Joggler preset, which provides a smooth, fat bass sound that is perfect for various styles.
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