Darkglass Electronics Announces the Element

July 3, 2020 · 5 sources

Darkglass Electronics announced the Element, a headphone amplifier with speaker simulation and Bluetooth aimed at guitarists and bassists. Finland-based Darkglass Electronics introduced the pedal as a practice and recording tool built around impulse-response cabinet simulations, with a balanced XLR output for direct connection to a mixing console or audio interface¹².

The Element's core is its cabinet simulation. It offers five impulse slots and a bypass setting, with 24-bit conversion at a 48kHz sample rate, 105dB (A-weighted) dynamic range, and 2.2 ms latency³². Players can load their own impulse responses over a Micro USB C connection to a PC or Mac, or via Bluetooth using the Darkglass Suite software². RockBoard describes the pedal's loudspeaker simulations, based on impulse responses, as conveying "a particularly natural playing feel"⁴.

The pedal's inputs and outputs cover practice and stage use²:

• Instrument, line, or amp input with attenuation of 0dB, -12dB, or -30dB; an amplifier of up to 900W can be connected to the input with an external load²
• 3.5mm stereo aux input for backing tracks from a smartphone, mixer, or keyboard²
• Stereo Bluetooth audio (A2DP)²
• Two stereo headphone outputs with individual volume controls²
• Balanced XLR output for connecting to a microphone preamp or PA system²

Guitar World highlighted the pedal's touch-sensor operation as its distinctive feature, and RockBoard likewise notes intuitive operation via touch sensors¹⁴. The maker's manual gives input impedances of 915 kΩ at 0 dB attenuation, 8.4 kΩ at -12 dB, and 8.6 kΩ at -30 dB, a 3.4 kΩ aux input, and a 2.1 kΩ direct output⁵.

The Element runs on 9V DC, center negative, drawing 250mA, with an analog circuit type listed by RockBoard⁴. No Treble reported the pedal would be available soon at its $249 street price².