Not yet. Need to check out the Granophyre too.
They are both literally and figuratively the Darkglass of sims, yeah 
1 Like
Yeah THIS kinda sucks b*lls. Pretty sure they could have powered this device via USB-C.
I was an early adapter with the DG Element. At start it only could be used as a DI/headphone cabsim device. All the extra stuff came later so that also explains why a lot of the new features aren’t explained in the manual. I agree that this is something DG needs to address on the website.
Didn’t knew about the tuner! Oh and I had issues with the touch sensitivity at start as well. Till a point that I thought that I had a faulty device but the buttons are a bit “stiff” at start and you need to learn how to press the button. Just make sure you use the whole thumb for pressing a button (how stupid this sound you will get use to it and after that it was a non-issue for me anymore).
3 Likes
The main reason I chose the Element over any other DAI was because I want to record my son who plays through an older Vox 15. It’s a 15 watt tube amp that only has an out for an extension cabinet. No DI or other outs.
My original plan was to get a DAI and use a microphone for recording him.
$150 for DAI with USB 3
$100 for a microphone (like a Shure SM57)
Or
$250 for an Element
With the Element having both the option to use the Instrument IN and use the software guitar amp and cab sim or use the connection from the VOX 15 extension cab out to the Element using the Amp IN connection.
My assumption is the Extension speaker OUT is a parallel connection like you find on many other cabinets. Can anyone see a fault in this logic?
2 Likes
Not at all. I think it’s pretty cool that you just hook up the Element to your USB port and you can start recording.
I’ve read somewhere that you can’t sent input to your Smartphone but you can sent output to your DG Element (via bluetooth). I used my Drum Beats+ app to mix drums in my signal on my Element. I don’t think you can use it as a DAI on your smartphone or tablet as long as the DG suite app doesn’t support it. Maybe in the future they would add a record function in the app? 
1 Like
Thanks. I thought it may have just been me.
I thought so too. There are a lot of weird things about the Element. It has a strange combination of capabilities. It would be interesting to hear what the thinking was behind why they built it the way they built it.
Has anyone tried recording with the DAI? If you have anything to compare it to, what did you think?
Has anyone messed with the Amp sims? What did you think compared to other amps you’ve used?
The Amp sims in the DG suite are just basic power amps. You can only switch between a bass and guitar PA. You can control the Drive, Resonance (which is particular nice with headphones), Presence and Volume. I would say they are good enough for the job by powering the signal. You can pick more interesting amp sims in your DAW.
Yes, just now because I got curious. I just did a very quick record on my DAI and with the Element. I set the Element with a sample rate of 44800 and a buffer size of 64 samples which has an input latency of 1.33 ms. That is quite good imo. I would say the choice of cab sims in the DG suite are amazing.
Only thing I noticed is that I had to put the PA master volume on 100 and the drive on 50 to get a decent input signal into the DAW. You can fix this in the DAW as well ofc. Hope this info helps @eric.kiser. I think the DG Element is an excellent piece of gear.
2 Likes
Yes. Thank you. All of that helps a lot.
Congratulations on what I hope to be a great piece of gear once that sensor gets ironed out. I know you’ll ping me when they upgrade the EQ to parametric 
1 Like
LoL! I thought of you as soon as I went into it. It has two different eq modes and thought for sure one would be parametric. No luck… yet. I did see where people have been requesting it and Darkglass has been good about adding features.
There is a known “issue” with the Element that some of the controls only like to function when the Element is on a hard surface. They just need that extra bit of resistance. Are you holding it in your hand or is it on a hard surface?
1 Like
Weird. Yes, it’s on a hard surface. Thanks for the tip.
1 Like
That Plumes pedal is kinda awesome. I just wish they would do more Archetype sims for bass.
2 Likes
I was thinking that whole amp sim might be worth it just to get the Plumes sim
2 Likes
Sorry for derailing the topic Eric but the Plumes is connected to Granophyre sim of NeuralDSP which is Darkglass sister company. 
Just loving the tone of this pedal.
3 Likes
Hi Eric, Yes I’ve just started to use mine as a DAI (despite having it for over 6 months, I’ve only used it as a headphone amp so far). It works very well and compares to my RME Fireface UC. Just be sure to download the ASIO drivers from the Darkglass Suite website to avoid latency:
… and then the device will show up in your DAW (I use Reaper):
Enjoy your recordings!
2 Likes
I’m cool with it. I know about Neural DSP and their relationship to Darkglass. 
@T_dub liked his Plumes but without a blend knob, I’ve been hesitant to consider it over the TS9B.
I’m guessing this isn’t an issue here since you’re working with it in the DAW? Use two tracks of the bass line, apply to one, and blend to taste?
2 Likes
Ooooh. That’s high praise!
4 Likes
Heh, yes. Well, I can’t hear much difference, put it that way. But, then again, I have the hearing and tinnitus of a mid-50s aged rock drummer …
4 Likes
Yep that’s one way to do it. Need to be careful with phase issues that way though.
2 Likes
Ugh. I have to come clean on something.
Darkglass did respond to my emails. The problem was on my end. GMail had pushed them off to the spam folder and I missed them. That problem is corrected now.
I sent this…
Hello People of Darkglass! Can the Element take a line level or mic level signal through the instrument IN?
Thank you,
Eric Kiser
Here is the response…
Hi Eric, I hope you are well,
Yes, you can, in fact, the Element is fully compatible with guitars, bass, keyboards, or any kind of electric instrument!
Few days ago, I recorded some voices in my home studio and it works perfectly well.
I attach an image with different types of usability of the Element.
Hope this information helps you and please let me know if there’s anything else I can assist you with.
Best regards, Erik,
Erik Fuenzalida
Darkglass Electronics
Here is the picture he sent…
7 Likes