User Manual for Darkglass Electronics Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine

Quick Start Guide

To begin using your Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine, follow these steps:

• Connect your instrument to the 1/4 inch INPUT.
• Connect a compatible power supply (9V center negative, minimum 500 mA) to the power connector.
• Connect your output device: headphones to the headphone jack, USB-C cable to your computer, or balanced/XLR outputs to your amplifier or mixing desk.
• The pedal comes pre-programmed with three presets (A, B, and C). Press and hold a footswitch for two seconds to save your current settings to that preset.

Signal Chain

The signal processing follows a specific path to shape your sound:

• Input: Primary instrument input.
• Compressor: Sets input gain with intelligent make-up gain. Ratios: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, and ALL IN.
• Distortion: Features 5 distinctive distortion modes.
• Cabinet Simulation: Supports Impulse Response (IR) files with 5 onboard slots.
• Multiband Compressor: Fixed settings in the clean sidechain.
• Blend: Mixes the distorted signal with the clean sidechain signal.
• EQ: Programmable 6-band graphic equalizer.
• Output: Final signal output.

Controls

Smart Potentiometers

Five potentiometers control the core sound:

• Compression: One-knob compression control.
• Drive: Adds distortion and drive.
• Character: Adjusts the tone of the distortion.
• Blend: Mixes distortion and clean signals.
• Level: Master volume control.

The ring of LEDs around each potentiometer indicates the stored position for the current preset.

Touch Sensitive Sliders

Located at the center, these control the 6-band graphic EQ. Swipe upwards to boost or downwards to cut frequencies. Double-tap to reset to 0 dB. Frequency bands: low shelf, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1.5 kHz, 3 kHz, and high shelf.

Rotary Footswitch Encoders

Encoders A, B, and C allow for preset switching and parameter adjustments:

• Rotating A: Changes compressor ratio or bypasses the compressor.
• Rotating B: Changes distortion mode or bypasses distortion.
• Rotating C: Changes active IR or bypasses IR.

Basic Operation

• Presets: Edit parameters to enter audition mode. Save by holding a footswitch for two seconds.
• Tuner: Press B and C simultaneously to enter. Supports 5-octave chromatic tuning (B0 to A#5).
• Bypass: Press A and B simultaneously to pass the unprocessed signal.
• Performance Lock: Press A and C simultaneously to prevent accidental parameter changes.
• Bluetooth Pairing: Press and hold an encoder while rotating it until all five LEDs are lit.

USB Audio Interface

The device functions as a USB audio interface. Mac users do not require additional drivers. Windows users must download the latest USB audio drivers from the Darkglass website. You can record processed and unprocessed signals simultaneously.

Technical Specifications

• Input impedance: 1 M Ohm
• Output impedance: 220 Ohm
• Current consumption: ~500mA
• Voltage: 9VDC (center negative)