The Darkglass Electronics B7K Ultra V2 'The Squid' Limited Edition is a bass preamp pedal with overdrive, distortion and cabinet simulation, wrapped in a one-off squid-themed enclosure. It is a limited-edition version of the Microtubes B7K Ultra V2 Aux, announced by Darkglass in August 2020 with custom artwork by artist Ignacio Bazan Lazcano on the enclosure1.
Under the artwork it is the same machine bass players know from the B7K line: an analog preamp and overdrive pedal with a balanced XLR direct output for PA systems and recording, a headphone output with cab sim, and an Aux input for silent practice23. Darkglass describes the B7K Ultra as delivering "defined and powerful saturation in an intuitive format"4.
What it is and what it does
The Squid sits in Darkglass's Microtubes B7K family, a line of bass preamp and overdrive pedals that grew out of the original B7K. The B7K V2 carries all the features of the original B7K plus switchable center frequencies for the low mids and hi mids EQ, with a Low EQ at ±12dB at 100Hz, Low Mids at ±12dB at 500Hz (one of its selectable positions), and Hi Mids at ±12dB at 1.5kHz7. The Ultra step added expanded EQ flexibility, a separate distortion footswitch, and a master volume control compared with the plain B7K, as Premier Guitar's reviewer noted6.
For a bass player, that means one box can serve as your clean preamp, your grind and distortion, and your direct box to the front of house. The B7K line's connections have always leaned on the direct output: Bass Musician Magazine's review of the original described its 1/4" input and output, parallel output, direct output with ground lift, and called the direct output "Perfect for use as a straight DI"85.
Cab sim, headphone output and Aux in
The Squid's headline features over a plain B7K are the practice and recording tools. RockBoard's listing breaks them down2:
- A single user-loadable cabinet simulation impulse response
- A 3.5mm headphone output with cabinet simulation
- A 3.5mm stereo Aux input for practicing with backing tracks from a smartphone or laptop
- A balanced XLR output with ground lift and switchable IR cabinet simulation
The headphone amplifier is internal and stereo, and the Aux input is a 3.5mm stereo jack, so backing tracks and your bass both reach the headphones without an amp in the room4. Guitar World's news coverage confirmed the aux in and headphone connections along with six selectable mid frequencies on the pedal1.
The single user-loadable IR means you can put one cabinet impulse response of your own choosing on the direct and headphone outputs, but you cannot store a bank of them. Players who want to swap IRs over USB would need to look at other pedals in Darkglass's range; Guitar World's buying guide notes that the Alpha Omega Ultra V2's DI output cab sim can be changed via USB, even allowing users to upload their own impulse responses9.
How The Squid differs from the standard B7K Ultra V2
Electrically, The Squid is an upgraded Microtubes B7K Ultra with Aux in, not a new circuit. RockBoard lists it as exactly that, with the limited edition applying to the enclosure art rather than the electronics2. The differences that matter:
| Standard B7K Ultra V2 | The Squid Limited Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit | Microtubes B7K Ultra V2 with Aux in | Same, upgraded version2 |
| Enclosure | Standard Darkglass enclosure | Custom squid art by Ignacio Bazan Lazcano1 |
| Availability | Regular production (now sold out at Darkglass) | 1,000 pieces worldwide14 |
The Squid is a limited edition of the Microtubes B7K Ultra V2, itself the upgraded Microtubes B7K Ultra with Aux in2. It was limited to just 1,000 units3.
"The Squid" is limited to just 1,000 units.
Where the B7K line came from
The Squid sits at the end of Darkglass's Microtubes B7K line as the limited edition variant of the B7K Ultra V2, the upgraded Microtubes B7K Ultra with Aux in2.
What reviewers made of the B7K Ultra
Premier Guitar's reviewer found the B7K Ultra packed in "expanded EQ flexibility, a separate distortion footswitch, and a master volume control" over the B7K, but also listed cons: the switch layout is a bit unintuitive, adjusting drive and levels takes some time, and it does not come cheap6.
Bass Musician Magazine's Ty Campbell, reviewing the original B7K, called it "a great addition to any pedalboard for live use and very well rounded for studio use"5. Kilian Duarte's Ultra review praised the build: a slick and sturdy aluminum chassis with a black front and solid feel, measuring 10.7cm by 12cm8.
The Squid sold through its 1,000-unit run, and Darkglass's product pages for the Microtubes B7K V2 and B7K Ultra now list both as sold out47. Finding one today means the secondhand market.
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Questions
How many Darkglass The Squid pedals were made?
The Squid was limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. It was announced in August 2020 as a limited-edition version of the Microtubes B7K Ultra V2 Aux, with custom enclosure artwork by artist Ignacio Bazan Lazcano. Once those units sold through, no further runs were made.
Is the B7K Ultra V2 The Squid analog or digital?
The Squid is an analog pedal. RockBoard's PedalPedia listing for the B7K Ultra V2 'The Squid' Limited Edition gives the circuit type as analog, matching the analog circuit type listed for the Microtubes B7K V2 family. The cab sim on its outputs is handled with impulse-response cabinet simulation.
Can I practice with backing tracks through the B7K Ultra V2?
Yes. The Squid carries a 3.5mm stereo Aux input that lets you practice with backing tracks from a smartphone or laptop, plus a 3.5mm headphone output with cabinet simulation. The headphone amplifier is internal and stereo, so you can rehearse silently without an amp.
Can I load my own cabinet impulse response into the B7K Ultra V2?
The Squid's listing describes a single user-loadable cabinet simulation impulse response, so one IR of your choosing can be loaded into the pedal. The balanced XLR output has a ground lift and switchable IR cabinet simulation. You cannot store a library of multiple IRs in it.
How much current does the B7K Ultra V2 draw?
RockBoard's PedalPedia listing for The Squid gives a current draw of 9mA, while Darkglass's own Microtubes B7K Ultra manual lists approximately 120mA. Plan your power supply around the higher figure to be safe.
Sources (9)
- Darkglass Electronics unveils limited-edition The Squid drive pedal with custom artwork, Guitar World, 2020-08-14
- B7K Ultra V2 'The Squid' Limited Edition by Darkglass Electronics, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Darkglass Electronics launch custom art edition of the Microtubes B7K Ultra V2 bass distortion, Guitar.com, 2020-08-12
- Microtubes B7K Ultra with Aux In, Darkglass
- Darkglass Electronics Microtubes B7K Analog Bass Preamp Review, Bass Musician Magazine, 2016-07-01
- Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra Review, Premier Guitar, 2016-05-19
- Microtubes B7K V2, Darkglass
- Darkglass B7K Ultra Review by Kilian Duarte, Bass Musician Magazine, 2016-03-01
- Best bass preamp pedals: consistently great tone, anywhere, Guitar World, 2023-05-23
