Product Overview
Not only does the Darkglass Electronics Alpha•Omega 900 take the best elements of their most successful distortion preamplifier ever, it then combines that with state of the art features, resulting in a monstrous 900-watt amplifier with earth-shattering tone. While Darkglass' signature Alpha and Omega drive engines add incredible girth and size to the overdriven signal, the studio-grade VCA compressor adds an extra layer of control, and the ultra-quiet 6-band graphic equalizer can help sculpt the tone from aggressive and overdriven to crystal clear clean, whatever your needs may be.
But there's more. Its MIDI programmability and impulse response cabinet simulation with up to three (3) different storable virtual cabinets combined with the auxiliary input and headphone output, make the AO900 – along with being one of the most complete amplifiers for the touring musician – the ideal tool for silent practicing as well.
An intuitive yet versatile accessory for your Alpha•Omega 900 is the Intelligent Footswitch. It'll engage or disengage the Distortion with a single tap, or Mute the amp by holding for 3 seconds. It's connected to the head via a standard 1/4" cable (sold separately), and is powered by a microcontroller that sends commands to the head using a proprietary communication protocol.
The Alpha•Omega 900 amplifies the best qualities of one of the most powerful and distinct Darkglass products ever made.
WARNINGS
- No user serviceable parts inside the amplifier. Do not open the amp.
- Never use the amp at a high moisture environment or near liquids.
- The Alpha•Omega 900 can deliver more than 115 dB of power. Exposure to this level of sound can damage your hearing. Use proper hearing protection if you will be exposed.
- The Alpha•Omega 900 can deliver more than 900 Watts. Be sure that your speaker cabinet is able to deliver that power.
- You can reduce the output of the amp by selecting the 2Ω mode on the rear panel (by the SpeakON output jack).
- Do not cover the vent holes. The Fan and vent holes are part of the cooling system of the amp. Covering the vent holes can damage the power amp by overheating it.
- Don't use an instrument cable as speaker cable. An instrument cable is not designed to deliver the type of power signals sent from the amplifier to the speaker.
Features - Front Panel
- Input - Use this jack to connect your instrument via a standard ¼" mono cable.
- Active/Passive - Use this push-button switch to change from passive to active mode. If your bass is active it can have a hotter signal making the amp to distort early (feel free to use if such additional distortion is desired).
- Distortion -
- Use this push button to turn on or off the Alpha•Omega Engine™ to add natural compression, organic harmonic enhancement, and saturation ranging from mild overdrive to high gain bass rage.
- The Alpha•Omega Engine operates before the clean section (you can therefore use the 6-Band Active EQ for additional tone shaping).
- Bite - Boosts high mids (2.8 kHz) for additional presence and definition.
- Growl - Shelving Bass Boost for a fatter tone and increased low end saturation.
- Compression - This knob controls the amount of dynamic compression added to the Alpha•Omega Engine. The make up gain is adjusted automatically. The compression can be turned off or assigned using the Darkglass Suite.
- Drive - This knob controls the amount of distortion that the Alpha•Omega Engine will deliver. It will change from a soft, warm overdrive to a massive and modern distortion sound.
- Level - Use this knob to control Alpha•Omega Engine’s output volume.
- Blend - Use this knob to mix between the Clean signal and the Distortion signal (Alpha•Omega Engine).
- Mod - Selects or mixes between the two distinct distortion circuits: Alpha is punchy, tight with a lot of definition, whereas Omega is simply brutal and raw.
- Gain - Use this knob to change the volume of the signal before the Active 4 Band EQ. You can set it low for ensuring the cleanest operation possible or set it higher for a more aggressive growl.
- Bass: +-12 dB at 80 Hz. Use this knob to change the low-end content of the signal.
- Mids: +-12 dB at 250, 500, 1.5 K and 3 Khz. This graphic EQ control the mid content of the signal.
- Treble: +-12 dB at 5 kHz. Use this knob to change the high content of the signal.
- Master - Use this knob to control the overall volume of the amplifier.
- Mute - Use this push button to mute the amplifier.
Features - Back Panel
- Speaker Output - Use this connector to connect the amplifier to your cabinet. This Speakon combo jack allows for either Speakon or ¼" speaker cable operation. The outputs are connected in parallel.
- WARNING: Do not use an instrument cable with this jack. Using an instrument cable can damage your amplifier.
- Min-Load - Press this switch when using a 2Ω load. You can use this control to lower the output if your 4Ω cabinet is not able handle more than 500W (you can also get 350W with an 8Ω cabinet in this configuration).
- Pre Amp Out - You can use this output to connect the preamp to a different power amp.
- Power Amp In - You can use this input to connect a different preamp in the power amp. (master volume will be disabled).
- Ground Lift - Use this control to lift the ground of the DI XLR outputs. If you are experiencing ground noise in your DI signal try changing the setting of this control.
- Pre DI Output: Use this connector to send a balanced copy of your clean signal to the console, mic preamp, interface, etc.
- Post DI Output - Use this connector to connect the Alpha•Omega 900 preamplifier to balanced equipment (mic preamp, console, recorder, compressor, audio interface, etc.) via a standard XLR jack. Using this connection you have a signal processed by the preamp of the amp (gain, distortion, EQ, master, etc.).
- USB - The usb connector allows you to use the Darkglass Suite to load different cabinet impulses or change different parameters on your amp (midi, compressor, etc.).
- Headphone Output - Connect your Headphones and enjoy the impulse response cabinet emulation.
- Headphone Volume - Controls the volume of the headphone output.
- Aux In - Use this connector to provide to the Headphone output music from your laptop, cellphone, mp3 player, etc.
- Cabinet Select - Switches between 3 different cabinet impulses and bypass this section for a rawer sound.
- MIDI - The midi input allows you to control the channels of the amp via a midi standard controller.
- Footswitch -
- The Intelligent Footswitch is a proprietary digitally controlled device that allows you to remotely engage and disengage the Alpha•Omega Engine.
- You can also hold the footswitch to Mute the amplifier. The distortion push button will remain operational with the Intelligent Footswitch plugged in.
- You can use a regular mono instrument cable to connect the amplifier to the footswitch.
- You must remove the cable from the footswitch jack in the rear panel if you want to control the amp from the front panel.
- AC Socket - Use this connector to feed electric power to the amp.
- AC Power ON/OFF - Use this Switch to release the audio energy from your bass.
Specifications
- Dimensions (L x H x W): 10.5" x 2.75" x 10" (26.7 x 7 x 25.5)
- Weight: 6.39 lbs. (2.9 kg)
- Note: Further specifications and information can be found within the "Darkglass Alpha-Omega 900 User Manual" located under the "Documentation" tab above.
