Darkglass Anagram

[Greg Edwards69]

`yes, I’m quite aware how cab blocks work. I didn’t use them for years with the Helix, largely, because I don’t have great knowledge of different mic types and mic’ing techniques. But I started using them within the last couple of years once I got to grips with them - whilst I realised they are largely a complex eq curve, I find a nicely dialled in cab blocks bring a certain “something” to the mix that I can’t dial in with eq alone - almost as if there’s subtle compression in the right areas.

 

Anyway, I think I’ve sorted it now, by simply changing the default mic selection and a tiny about of eq. Still, I think the Anagram cab blocks have more high end cut than the revised helix cab blocks introduced a couple of years ago - the helix one usually need taming with further high and low cuts, whereas the Anagram feels like they need opening up.

[Greg Edwards69]

I do have a further question, where are you guys aiming for on the input and output meters? A the moment mine are hitting abut halfway on each. But I’m thinking I maybe should push them a bit hotter.

[tayste_2000]

Just now, Greg Edwards69 said:

I do have a further question, where are you guys aiming for on the input and output meters? A the moment mine are hitting abut halfway on each. But I’m thinking I maybe should push them a bit hotter.

That’s where mine are at with the output pushed above half way.

 

But I don’t feel I’ve mastered the in and out gain of this. I found I must have dropped the volume of one block (massively) recently and then compensated with the mixer on the output.

 

Also sorry not trying to teach you to suck eggs on the cab sim, just we often add all the things we think we need and then start listening to how it sounds.

 

I started off with my eq curve, a preamp, my preferred ir and what was working on my pedalboard was too much on the Anagram.

 

I’m always trying to get what I feel is the perfect cab sim is, where you clean signal sounds the same regardless of it, but fuzz’s sound perfect.

 

I’m back in Istanbul now with my big board and the anagram so can finally a/b stuff, do some captures, tone match with what’s already available and finally balance all my levels against a solid reference point.

 

Anyway, blah blah, I’ve a better form opinion of this by the end of the week.

[Greg Edwards69]

No worries. I did try it without cab blocks, but felt it lacked a certain “Je ne sais quoi”, it’s diffult to put your finger on it. That said, I notice most of the effect and/or the amp blocks seem to have a smooth response at the top end, almost as if they have a high cut already applied.

 

I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one scratching my head over the I/O gain. I kinda feel the input needs to be pushed a little more - it would certainly explain why the compressors seem a bit unresponsive - I’m having to crank the input on hte luminal FET compressor.  I never really though about it with my Helix, I just added blocks to get the tones I wanted. The resulting signal is bit hotter than going in, but that's just the way they turned out. The Anagram blocks seem to naturally sit at unity gain.

 

Furthermore, the main volume knob on the helix is cut only. I have detached it from the XLR outputs so that FOH get full volume.  I'm a little confused with the Anagram's mixer block. I would assume leaving the XLR outputs at 0db would be "unity", but it also has a master volume control that I don't really see the point of. I notice you can unlink the different output from the master volume. I assume that unlinking will achieve the same as disabling the Helix's volume knob.

 

Like you, I need to investigate this further.  I haven't been able to A/B these at volume yet, and I'm not likely to before the next gig.