After an amazing year since Darkglass released the original Alpha Omega and the smaller Alpha Omicron now it is back and better than ever in the Alpha Omega Ultra.
Darkglass are calling this the most versatile pre-amplifier they have ever designed. You can see why with dual distortion engines, with a blend control, a powerful six band graphic EQ and the ability to load different cabinet impulse responses to really make this your own.
The Drive
This has not changed much from the original Alpha Omega but that is nothing to complain about. It still has the very powerful Alpha and Omega drive sections that can go from a little bit of clipping to the most insane drive you have ever heard on a bass.
These are controlled mainly by the four main dials on the top of the pedal. Drive is your drive and level is your level, pretty simple so far. Then you have your blend control that sets how much driven signal is mixed with your clean sound. You also have a mod control that goes between the alpha and omega drives so you can get the perfect blend of drive that suits you.
Finally there are the growl and bite emphasis controls that change the feel of the pedal slightly by boosting and cutting set frequencies.
The 6 Band EQ
While a three band EQ is great, it could be better. And if Yngwie has taught me anything it is that less can’t be more as more is more. So they gave you more, 3 more in fact for a total of 6 EQ bands. Now dialling in the perfect EQ setting for your amp or band is a lot easier.
DIs, Headphones and Cab Sims
Darkglass know that you could have the best preamp in the world but if it doesn’t suit your rig what is the point. So they gave this every connector they could.
Not only can you connect this straight to your amp as normal but it also has dedicated headphone so you can practice with the built in cabinet simulation. You can also go direct to the board thanks to the direct out with switchable IR cabinet simulation.
What makes those tools even better is that you can swap out the IR cab sim that comes as standard using the free ‘Darkglass Suite’ software that comes with the pedal to load your own IR of your favourite cab.
