Element Manual

Programmable Series

Specs

Controls

Phones: Two touch sensitive volume control sliders, one for each headphone output.
Blend: A touch sensitive slider to set the blend between the main input (Intrument/Amp in) and the backing track (Bluetooth/Aux in) for the headphone out mix.

 

Technical Specifications

Input Impedance:

  • 1/4″ jack input impedance depends on the input attenuation:
    • 0 dB: 915 kΩ
    • -12 dB: 8.4 kΩ
    • -30 dB: 8.6 kΩ
  • AUX input: 3.4 kΩ

Output Impedance:

  • 1/4″ jack output impedance depends on the connected input device
  • Headphones: ~0 Ω
  • Direct output: 2.1 kΩ

Current Consumption: ~ 250 mA
Voltage: 9-12 V DC (Center Negative)

 

Dimensions

Width: 64 mm / 2,95″
Length: 111 mm/ 4,35″
Height: 35 mm / 1,77″
Weight: 245 g / 0,54 lb

 

Connecting the Element

The Element is loaded with flexible audio connection options

  • Two 6.3 mm jacks that can be used as:
    • Balanced/unbalanced instrument input and output.
      or
    • Amplifier input and speaker (through) output.
  • 3.5 mm jack for aux input.
  • Bluetooth input for wireless backing/click tracks.
  • Two 3.5 mm headphone outputs.
  • Balanced XLR output with ground lift.

Power: Use a 9-12V DC power supply (center negative 2.1/5.5 mm barrel plug)
USB: One USB-C port for transferring impulse responses and firmware updates.

Bluetooth connection

You can playback Bluetooth audio through the Element into your headphones. For Bluetooth pairing press and hold the touch sensor on the Element until all 5 of the surrounding LEDs stay lit. It will show up as “Element” on your Bluetooth device list, unless the name has been changed by the user. Use the blend control slider to set the mix between the instrument/amp input and the Bluetooth audio for your headphones. The Bluetooth audio does not pass to the XLR output or the 6.3 mm instrument/speaker out.

 

Aux Input

You can connect the line/headphone out of your laptop/keyboard/mixer etc. into the 3.5 mm aux input on the Element . Use the blend control slider to set the mix between the instrument/amp input and the aux in audio for your headphones. The aux in audio does not pass to the XLR output or the 6.3 mm instrument/speaker out.

 

Connection diagrams

Element with your pedalboard
Connect your instrument to your pedalboard as you normally would and add the Element at the end of the signal chain. Use the input labelled “Instrument In” on the Element You can now choose the impulse response from slots 1-5 or the bypass signal. From here the signal is passed through to the XLR output and via the blend and volume controls to the headphone outputs.

Element with your amplifier and speaker cabinet
Note: The Element does NOT act as a loadbox! Always make sure your amplifier is connected to a suitable load!

The Element is built to work with amplifiers with a maximum output of 900 Watts. For the safest operation it is advised to connect the Element after your speaker cabinet from your speaker cabinet’s parallel output connector. Use the input labelled “Amp In” on the Element . You can now choose the impulse response from slots 1-5 or the bypass signal. From here the signal is passed through to the XLR output and via the blend and volume controls to the headphone outputs.

In case the amplifier’s output is maximum 100 Watts, the Element can be connected between the amplifier and the speaker cabinet. Use the input labelled “Amp In” for the amplifier and the output labelled “Speaker Out” to connect the speaker cabinet to the Element . You can now choose the impulse response from slots 1-5 or the bypass signal. From here the signal is passed through to the XLR output and via the blend and volume controls to the headphone outputs.

If you are using a Darkglass amplifier with a class D poweramp you have the option to connect the amplifier straight to the Element without using a speaker cabinet or an external load. Use the input labelled “Amp In” on the Element . You can now choose the impulse response from slots 1-5 or the bypass signal. From here the signal is passed through to the XLR output and via the blend and volume controls to the headphone outputs.

Warning
Never connect an amplifier to amp in simultaneously with an instrument to instrument in! This could lead to an electric shock and also break your precious equipment!

Darkglass Suite

Download the free Darkglass Suite software from http://www.darkglass.com/suite to configure the pedal, load new impulses and download firmware updates. Darkglass Suite comes with a selection of cabinet IRs made by some of our artists. It also allows you to load your own IRs in WAV and AIFF formats and organize your IR files. See the online manual of Darkglass Suite for more information

USB Routing

USB Routing
USB output (to Element)
· Output 1: Headphones 1 out left
· Output 2: Headphones 1 out right
· Output 3: Headphones 2 out left
· Output 4: Headphones 2 out right
· Output 5: XLR out Mix (mono)
· Output 6: XLR out Mix (mono)

USB input (from the Element)
· Input 1: Processed signal
· Input 2: Unprocessed raw signal
· Input 3: Aux left + Bluetooth left
· Input 4: Aux right + Bluetooth right 

 

Warning

The Element has a current draw of 250mA. Only use a regulated 9V DC adapter with a center-negative plug. Unregulated power supplies and/or higher voltages may result in suboptimal noise performance and even damage your unit, voiding the warranty.

 

Warranty

To activate the warranty, we encourage you to register your product on: http://mypedal.darkglass.com and enter the serial number on the back of your pedal. Please contact us via email support@darkglass.com before shipping a product to us.

 

Disclaimer

In the interest of continuous improvement, specifications are subject to change without notice. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at www.darkglass.com The manufacturer claims that the above product fulfils the requirements as set by EN55013, EN55020, EN60555-2, EN60555-3, RoHS, WEEE.

1176®, and SSL® are registered trademarks of their respective companies. Names of factory modes are intended for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement or affiliation with the companies or products named.

 

EMC / EMI

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B Digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations.

This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. There is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.