Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 v2 User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

The Microtubes 500 v2 is a 500W amplifier equipped
with an all analog preamplifier, Class D Power Module
and a digital impulse response cabinet emulator for DI
outputs or headphones.
Probably the first thing you will notice from the
Microtubes 500 is its unusual control layout: On the
right side you’ll find the clean section which is the
foundation of your sound.
It features a Master volume and active 6 band EQ.
Along with the mandatory Low and Treble controls you
will find 250Hz, 500Hz, 1.5KHz, 3KHz sliders. Character
is all in the midrange, by having 4 dedicated Mid
controls allow you to cover the whole mid range
(250Hz to 3kHz) you have total control and flexibility
over the amplifier’s character.
On the left side, by the Input jack you will find the
Microtubes® Engine which acts as an extra channel
that can bring your crisp clean sound to the next level
by helping you cut through any mix while adding
anything from subtle tube break up, harmonics and
natural compression to obliterating distortion.
DESCRIPTION
The Microtubes Engine can be engaged from the front
panel or via our own digitally controlled Intelligent
Footswitch (jack on rear panel). Besides engaging the
Microtubes circuitry you can hold the actuator to Mute
the amplifier.
The Intelligent Footswitch is housed in an elegant,
laser engraved unibody chassis and requires a
standard ¼” mono cable (not included) for it’s full
operation.
This deceivingly simple feature allows for maximum
power adaptability: It doesn’t matter the cabinet
configuration or power requirements, the Microtubes
500 will deliver accordingly.

FEATURES
FRONT PANEL
INPUT : Use this jack to connect your instrument via a
standard ¼” mono cable.
PASSIVE/ACTIVE : 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).
MICROTUBES: Use this push button to turn on or off the
Microtubes Engine to add natural compression, organic
harmonic enhancement, and saturation ranging from
mild overdrive to high gain bass rage.
The Microtubes Engine operates before the 6 band EQ
section (you can therefore use the 6 Band Active EQ for
additional tone shaping in addition to the Tone knob
described below).

COMPRESSION: This knob controls the amount of
dynamic compression added to the Microtubes Engine.
The make up gain is adjusted automatically. The
compression can be turn off or assigned using the
Darkglass Suite for each mode separately (Clean, B3K,
and VMT).
DRIVE : This knob controls the amount of distortion that
the Microtubes Engine will deliver. It will change from a
soft warm overdrive to a massive modern distortion
sound.
TONE : This knob controls the high harmonic content of
the Microtubes Engine via a variable low pass filter:
crank it up for additional attack and definition or dim it
down for a smoother sound, especially handy if already
running bright clean EQ setting or cabinets with
tweeters.
LEVEL : Use this knob to control Microtubes Engine’s
output volume.
BLEND : Use this knob to mix between the Clean signal
and the DIstortion signal (Microtubes Engine).
B3K/VMT : This push-button switch selects between two
overdrive voicings: B3K® mode will deliver an
aggressive, percussive sound while the VMT will bring
up the mids for a warmer, more neutral character.
BASS : +-12dB at 80Hz. Use this knob to change the low
content of the signal.
MIDS: +-12dB at 250, 500,1.5K and 3Khz. This graphic eq
control the mid content of the signal.
TREBLE : +-12dB at 5kHz. 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.

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.
WARNING: Do not use an instrument cable with this
jack. Using an instrument cable can damage your
amplifier.
SEND : Use this output to send the signal to effects
pedals.
RETURN : Use this input to receive the signal from
effects pedals. Master volume control is after this
input.
FEATURES
REAR PANEL

GROUND LIFT : Use this control to lift the ground of the
DI XLR output. If you are experiencing ground noise in
your DI signal try changing the setting of this control.
DI OUTPUT: Use this connector to send your signal to
the console, mic preamp, interface, etc. Both signals
are available (Bypass and the amp signal with cabinet
simulation) and are switched from the cab select
switch.
USB: The USB connector allows you to use the
Darkglass Suite to load different cabinet impulses or
change different parameters on your amp.
HEADPHONE OUTPUT: Connect your Headphones and
enjoy the impulse based cabinet emulation.
AUX IN: Use this connector to provide to the
Headphone output music from your laptop, cellphone,
mp3 player, etc.
CABINET SELECT: Use this switch to navigate between
the 3 different cabinet impulses or the clean DI signal.
FOOTSWITCH : The Intelligent Footswitch is
proprietary digitally controlled device that allows you
to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes
Engine. You can also hold the footswitch to Mute the
amplifier. The VMT/B3K® 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 amplifier. 100 - 230 VAC, 50Hz-60.
AC POWER ON/OFF : Use this Switch to release the
audio energy from your bass.

BLOCK DIAGRAM
DRIVE
VMT
TONE
LEVEL
BLEND
MICROTUBES/
CLEAN
IN
PA SSIVE
ACTIVE
VMT
B3K
BA S S T REBLE
GRAPHIC EQ
COMPRESSOR
B3K
POWER
MUTE
PRE
OUT
POWER
IN
POST DI
SPEAKER
OUTPUTS
HEADPHONE
AMPLIFIER
AUX
INPUT
DIGITA L
BOARD
CLEAN

WARRANTY AND SPECS
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Impedance: 1MΩ
Minimum Load Impedance: 2Ω
Maximum Power Output: 500 Watts RMS @ 4Ω(1khz
full blast 2 min max) 20%THD
450 Watts RMS @ 8Ω
Power Amp Input Impedance: 1MΩ
Power Amp Input Level: 2400 mW RMS
Pre-Amp Output Impedance: 1kΩ
Pre-Amp Output Level: 2400 mW RMS
Maximum Power Consumption: approx. 700VA
Forced-air cooled
AC Input Power: 100-250 VAC (Via selector switch on
left side panel).
Cycles: 50/60 Hz
Dimensions: 18.0 cm x 7.1 cm x 23.0 cm, l x h x w,
(7.1" x 2.8" x 9.1")
Weight: 2.4 kg (5.29 lbs)
Built and Engineered in Helsinki, Finland.
(00358) 504 757005
WARRANTY
Please register for your warranty at
http://mypedal.darkglass.com. The Microtubes 500 is
under warranty to the original owner for a period of three
years against manufacturing defects in the country where
the product was originally purchased.
If you experience a problem with the unit, please contact
[email protected]om to receive a Return Authorization
number or for information on the nearest authorized
repair center. A copy of your original receipt must be
included with all warranty repairs. You are responsible for
all shipping charges. The unit must be shipped to us
freight prepaid. We will return the unit freight collect.
Darkglass Electronics Oy is not responsible for shipping
damage either to or from our service center. Claims must
be filed with the carrier. For repairs please contact your
local dealer or distributor for your country’s specific
warranty period and repair procedures. Darkglass®,
Microtubes®, and Microtubes Engine are registered
trademarks of Darkglass Electronics OY.

WARNING
· 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 Microtubes 500 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 Microtubes 500 can deliver more than 500 Watts.
Be sure that your speaker cabinet is able to deliver that
power.
· 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.
TROUBLESHOOTING
· The button controls do not react: check if the
footswitch is connected. If you do not want to use the
footswitch, you have to unplug the cable from the rear
back of the amp.
· The amp does not turn on: check if the power cable is
connected and if you have power on the wall.
· The sound is low: check your speaker cable. Never use
instrument cable.
· The sound is distorted or too high: check if the passive
active switch match your bass.