Darkglass Anagram

Build quality

The first thing you'll notice when unboxing the Anagram is that it comes equipped with a lightweight, but shell-style fabric-covered case. While this might not survive the precarious rigors of heavy touring, it's more than capable of protecting it in normal transit, and a welcome inclusion that will house the Anagram and its power supply neatly.

Removing the Anagram from its cocoon, I'm met with an impressively sturdy build quality. All Apple-like crisp, clean and slick aluminum that reassuringly shouts 'premium'.

The sockets on the back remain rigid when plugging or removing cables, and the six rotary controls feel substantial and wobble-free, further reinforcing confidence that this unit is built to withstand life in a number of different situations.

One of the big draws with the Anagram is its touchscreen. However, it's a potential blessing and a curse, because while it offers hands-on control for a lot of functionality, there's also the risk (as with any screen) of damage from dropped objects or clumsy movement of stage furniture.

There's nothing to suggest that the screen is particularly vulnerable, but to break it would render the Anagram fairly incapacitated. So, it's worth keeping that in mind if you or your bandmates are prone to mid-gig accidents.

Usability

When plugging the Anagram in for the first time, I'm met with an on-screen notification pointing out that a firmware update is available for the Anagram. This is loaded-in by downloading the free Neural Suite software, which is available for Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android and also serves as a preset editor/manager. It's all very quick and straightforward, and within minutes the box-fresh Anagram is up-to-date.

Anagram has three user modes for displaying your signal chain: Preset, Stomp, and Scene.

• Preset: Allows navigation through banks using footswitches to jump between different setups.
• Stomp: Configures the Anagram as a collection of individual stompbox modules, similar to a traditional pedalboard.
• Scene: Recalls variations on a preset using existing processing blocks, enabling seamless switching of multiple effects or settings for different song sections within the same signal chain.

While the unit's power and complexity present a few learning curves, Darkglass has made it intuitive, leveraging three footswitches and six rotary controls. The color touchscreen significantly aids usability, allowing a linear view of the signal chain by swiping across the screen.

Models can be moved by dragging and dropping. Tapping a block allows parameter editing, with rotary controls taking over for fine-tuning, which minimizes touchscreen mishaps and allows for more accurate editing. Initially, accidental block dragging might occur, but users adapt to the required pressure with practice.

Rotaries are easily assigned using the Bindings view, allowing common parameters to be controlled by footswitches and rotaries for quick access. Macro Bindings enable multiple actions from a single assignment, enhancing efficiency, though complex setups can become confusing.

Routing flexibility is a key usability feature. An external effects loop block can be placed within the signal chain to incorporate external pedals or preamps. Two output busses are available: outputs 1 & 2 (XLR) for balanced connection to front-of-house, and another output (1/4-inch jack) for an external amp or interface.

A noted omission for performance is the lack of an external footswitch or expression pedal input, requiring a MIDI controller for such functions.

Sounds

Darkglass is synonymous with modern, hard-hitting bass sounds, and the Anagram delivers. It features recreations of its signature overdrives (Micro Tubes X, Alpha Omicron, Microtubes B3K), along with emulations of classic preamps and amps from brands like Ampeg, Marshall, Fender, Mesa Boogie, and Galien Kruger. A wide array of cabinet configurations, including multiple mic options, are also available.

Presets offer a solid foundation of growly, heavy tones. However, it also includes Vintage Microtubes and Duality Fuzz for retro warmth, which pair well with pitch and filter effects. The onboard envelope filters are responsive, and the delay and reverb selections (digital, analog, modulation delays; Room, Plate, Hall, Shimmer reverbs) offer versatility for creating movement and ethereal textures.

The inclusion of polyphonic pitch effects (Subcitri and Pitch Shifter), along with modulation effects like Mint Chocolate Chorus and Flamingo Flanger, provides the building blocks for 'outside the rock' synthy bass tones. For a traditional wah effect, users may need to utilize the effects loop with an external pedal.

The provided sounds and presets offer an excellent starting point. While some might desire more variation out-of-the-box, the included options are generally usable rather than gratuitous.

Darkglass supports the Neural Amp Modeller (NAM), allowing users to download third-party 'models' of gear from the NAM website, expanding the Anagram's sonic palette. These models can be loaded into Neural blocks.

Verdict

"There are many reasons to love the Anagram - it's a pretty comprehensive set of sounds, aimed at bassists first."

The Anagram excels as a do-it-all solution, offering quality tones and features for practicing, studio work, or as a compact 'fly rig'. While the Line 6 HX Stomp is a competitor, the Anagram is specifically designed with bassists in mind.

PROS

• Excellent build quality
• Intuitive user interface
• Do-it-all solution
• Excellent sounds

CONS

• MIDI-only control expansion
• Lots delay and reverb models

SPECS