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.

[Greg Edwards69]

Is anyone else have ground noise issues using the supplied psu?  I only noticed it tonight. The past few days I've had my helix plugged into the same power strip which must have grounded it. I was using my mooer psu for the anagram for a couple of days, then tried the supplied DG one. It's only when playing tonight since packing away the helix yesterday that I noticed so much noise.

[JohnR]

7 hours ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

Is anyone else have ground noise issues using the supplied psu?  I only noticed it tonight. The past few days I've had my helix plugged into the same power strip which must have grounded it. I was using my mooer psu for the anagram for a couple of days, then tried the supplied DG one. It's only when playing tonight since packing away the helix yesterday that I noticed so much noise.

I have the same issue and have been playing email ping pong with Darkglass support for the last two weeks. In their most recent email they suggest sending my a replacement PSU which is worth trying but I have low confidence it will resolve the problem.

[Acebassmusic]

I've been looking around for a compact yet more substantial case for my Anagram and came across THIS case on Fleabay in the UK. I have no connection with the seller but thought some of you might be interested in it. I also wanted it to hold my MVave midi pedal and the Anagram power supply. It seems well built with the only drawback being the inner foam which is a bit flimsy. I'll be changing that out at some point. Here some pics of my process to fit the Anagram etc in it.

 

[Chadu25]

This song has been on repeat since last week. Testing my Sla-P1 preset specifically dialled in for SP1 or Pbass with flats. Uploaded in the suite too if anyone’s interested.

 

 

Edited September 18 by Chadu25

[EssexBuccaneer]

My guitarist bought me little knob covers because I’ve been so excited about mine literally since April.

 

So now all your anagrams look weird to me 🤣

[krispn]

 

 

[tayste_2000]

Yeah, took Neural 5 years to convert something they already owned/created/had to get it out on the QC

 

Darkglass did it (probably not totally) from scratch in 5 months (at least from release)

 

I think it’s a very exciting time to be a bass player

[Killerfridge]

So that's really cool. I've had my reservations on the Anagram but this really gives me pause for thought. Not necessarily something I would use, but as @tayste_2000 said: that's a quick introduction. Not only that, but you can change the distortion engine, something the Parallax misses. Really cool

[woodyratm]

That’s made me consider grabbing one again ha. 
 

If they add more scenes with midi, defo worth a look again!

[MichaelDean]

6 hours ago, woodyratm said:

If they add more scenes with midi, defo worth a look again!

I was expecting that they were going to do that when they introduced the MIDI implementation and the 5 button Darkglass foot switch. It feels like a really natural progression. Then you could use the foot switches on the Anagram for patch navigation and turning the tuner on, and the 5 button for scenes. 

 

Ideally, what I want is a bigger Anagram with more foot switches and an integrated expression pedal with a toe switch so I don't need an external MIDI device to get the best out of it. Three foot switches is too limiting for me. 

[tayste_2000]

I had a play with it today and it has a tubey preset/example that I’m loving.

 

Never paid much attention to the multiband distortion outside of the tech21 psa as I thought it was just for those Dingwall playing prog and metal bassists. But there are some nice lightly gritty tones in there.

 

Also some that sound weird af with how rolled of my treble is 😂

[Greg Edwards69]

7 hours ago, MichaelDean said:

Ideally, what I want is a bigger Anagram with more foot switches and an integrated expression pedal with a toe switch so I don't need an external MIDI device to get the best out of it. Three foot switches is too limiting for me. 

Interesting, whilst I  can see the alure of a bigger Anagram (and I reckon DG are already considering it), I've gone totally the opposite way. I'm getting fed up carting my Helix LT around, and I'm going to start integrating midi control from bandhelper to make life easier.

[Kev]

8 hours ago, MichaelDean said:

Ideally, what I want is a bigger Anagram with more foot switches and an integrated expression pedal with a toe switch so I don't need an external MIDI device to get the best out of it. Three foot switches is too limiting for me. 

 

I feel similar, though it's a big Quad Cortex screen I'd want with the footswitches, rather than an expression.  Anagram wouldn't cut it against my QC as is, but a bigger one could pique my interest for sure.

[MichaelDean]

@Greg Edwards69 - I see where you're coming from. I really like the form factor of my GX-100. It isn't too heavy and a good bit smaller than the Helix LT, though I wish it had a kettle lead power connection. Boss have got some features that I really like on it. While it doesn't have snapshots, the current number assignment means that if you press on the already selected patch again, you can switch things around from within it. I've got it configured to change from chorus to verses, or turning on a whole raft of effects reducing the overall number of patches I need. Bring able to do that with scenes would effectively double the number you get. And the heel down tuner on the expression pedal is THE BEST turning on implementation of a tuner I've ever had. I'll fight anyone on that. I've got it set to "thru", so you put the heel down and reverb tails still keep on going, but you've just turned down the volume, so it's muted going forward. Just roll it back up and you're in business.

 

I really don't like having to press two buttons at the same time to change anything too. It's awkward, I'm awkward, I don't find it works well for me. Which is why I like more footswitches in the device. I'm keen to see how the MIDI implementation of the Anagram goes. Looks like they're still a way off changing effects within patches.