Darkglass Electronics Adam Distortion Compressor Cab IR and EQ Pedal

The Darkglass ADAM (Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine) is a studio-grade bass tone factory in a single pedal. Combining parallel distortion, multi-band compression, a 6-band graphic EQ and onboard cab simulation with MIDI control, it gives you mix-ready sounds at your feet, whether you are tracking at home, playing live or rehearsing silently on headphones.

Meticulously refined over years of experimentation with Adam “Nolly” Getgood, ADAM delivers everything from tight, articulate grind to synth-like fuzz, all glued together by intelligent compression. With five compressor modes, five distortion modes and five cab IR slots, it is designed to be the centrepiece of a modern bass rig, replacing multiple pedals and outboard units with one powerful, intuitive box.

Aggressive Distortion with Studio Control

At the heart of ADAM is a unique distortion engine based on Nolly’s favourite vintage unit, expanded into five distinct modes. From subtle, harmonically rich drive through to full-on, synthy fuzz, you can dial in exactly how much saturation you need using the Drive control, then fine-tune the bite and presence with the Character knob. Parallel architecture and the Blend control let you retain all the low-end punch and note definition of your clean tone while layering in as much aggression as you like.

Multi-band Compression Made Easy

ADAM pairs its distortion with powerful multi-band compression that has been tuned for modern bass. The single Compression control sets input gain into the compressor, while an intelligent make-up gain algorithm keeps your output level consistent, even at extreme settings. Five selectable ratios from 4:1 up to ALL IN let you move from gentle dynamic smoothing to brickwall-style limiting, so your tone always sits perfectly in the mix without losing feel.

6-band Graphic EQ and Cab Simulation

A set of touch-sensitive sliders provides a 6-band graphic EQ, with each band offering a -12 dB to 12 dB range. Carefully chosen frequencies from low and high shelves through 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1.5 kHz and 3 kHz give you precise control over low-end weight, midrange punch and top-end clarity. On top of this, ADAM includes five onboard cabinet simulation IR slots, loaded by default with captures created by Nolly. These can be used on the headphone output, XLR DI and stereo line outputs, and can be swapped out using the Darkglass Suite for fully personalised virtual cabs.

Modern Connectivity and Control

With MIDI input, ADAM can be integrated into advanced pedalboard and studio setups, allowing you to recall presets and control parameters remotely. An aux input and dedicated headphone output make it ideal for silent practice and late-night writing sessions, while the compact, rugged enclosure is ready for life on the road. Whether you are a touring professional or a home-recording bassist, ADAM delivers consistent, high-impact tones with minimal fuss.

• Advanced Compression and Distortion Engine - Parallel distortion and multi-band compression work together to create thick, powerful bass tones that stay controlled and articulate. Independent bypass for each section and five selectable modes per engine give you a huge palette of sounds from subtle warmth to extreme fuzz.
• 6-band Graphic EQ with Touch-sensitive Sliders - The intuitive slider-based EQ lets you sculpt your sound with surgical precision. With a -12 dB to 12 dB range on each band and carefully voiced frequencies, it is easy to tighten the lows, shape the mids and add clarity on top to suit any bass, genre or venue.
• Onboard Cab Simulation with 5 IR Slots - Five internal IR slots provide instant access to mix-ready cabinet tones, captured by Nolly. These can be routed to the headphone, XLR DI and stereo line outputs, and swapped or edited via Darkglass Suite, giving you consistent, amp-like feel without miking a cab.
• MIDI, Aux In and Headphone Out - MIDI input allows external control of key parameters and preset changes, making ADAM easy to integrate into complex rigs. The aux input and dedicated headphone output turn the pedal into a compact practice and monitoring hub, perfect for silent rehearsals and detailed tone work.

General

• Product: Darkglass Electronics ADAM (Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine)
• Type: Distortion, compressor, cab IR and EQ pedal
• Channels: Parallel clean and distortion paths

Controls

• Compression: One-knob control for compressor input gain with intelligent make-up gain
• Drive: Adjusts distortion amount or tube preamp emulation (mode dependent)
• Character: Adjusts brightness and tonal focus of the distortion
• Blend: Mixes between clean sidechain and distorted signal
• Level: Master output volume
• Touch-sensitive EQ sliders: Low shelf, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1.5 kHz, 3 kHz, high shelf (each -12 dB to 12 dB)

Processing Modes

• Compressor Modes: 5 ratios (4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, ALL IN)
• Distortion Modes: 5 modes based on Nolly’s favourite vintage distortion, from mild drive to synth-like fuzz
• Cabinet Simulation: 5 onboard IR slots, default IRs captured by Nolly, user-assignable via Darkglass Suite

Connectivity

• MIDI input for external parameter and preset control
• Aux input
• Headphone output
• XLR DI output (supports cab simulation)
• Stereo line outputs (support cab simulation)

Dimensions

• Width: 18 cm / 7"
• Length: 12 cm / 4 ½"
• Height: 6 cm / 2 ½"
• Weight: 0.7 kg / 1.55 lb