DSM Humboldt launches the Simplifier X analog amp and cab sim
April 4, 2024 · 2 sources
DSM/HUMBOLDT unveiled the Simplifier X, the latest update to its analog "zero-watt" guitar amplifier and cab sim unit, on 4 April 20241. The unit is priced at $499 and is available now1.
The Simplifier X is a pedalboard-sized analog preamplifier with onboard power amp and cab sim, built around two channels, A and B, each with three preamp voicings12. Amp A, the Hot-Rod side, is controlled by gold metal knobs and carries the AC Brit TB, USA Rod and MS800 voicings; Amp B, the Classic MkII side, has black knobs and the AC Brit, USA and MS Brit voicings1. The report describes AC Brit TB as "think '60s VOX AC-30 Top Boost," MS800 as based on the Marshall JCM800 and USA as based on a '59 Bassman1. Delicious Audio lists the three voicings per channel as AC Brit, American and MS Brit, each with unique gain and midrange characteristics2.
The two amps can run in full parallel, be toggled A/B with the cabinet and effects loop panned left and right, or run in a dual mono mode switched with an A/B switch1. A stereo digital reverb offers room, plate and ether-style reverbs with a mix control for each channel, and there are no menus1. DSM Humboldt promises "zero latency" from the analog design1. Delicious Audio lists an analog power amp sim section with three tube types (6L6, EL34, KT88) and resonance and presence controls, a stereo analog cab sim with Combo, Twin and Stack emulations and directivity controls per side, a stereo effects loop, a spread switch that converts mono signals to pseudo-stereo, and a 2-button footswitch included2.
Connections include dual XLR DI outputs with groundlift, a pair of 1/4" outputs with a cab sim bypass switch for use with a real cabinet, a Thru jack for a dedicated dry amp signal path, and a headphones output with level1. Delicious Audio gives the headphone amp as 135mW and adds an auxiliary input2. The enclosure is anodized aluminum in a sandblasted frosted black finish1.
"There are no menus."
Delicious Audio describes the Simplifier X as the brainchild of Manuel Jano Acevedo of Humboldt Electronics and Daniel Schwartz of DSM Noisemaker, and as a dual/stereo version of the original Simplifier with add-ons2. MusicRadar reports the billing as "the ultimate amp-less solution"1.