After much player demand, Orange is building on both its diminutive Micro series and high-gain Dark series with the aptly named Micro Dark. It has more gain than the original Micro Terror, and it's smaller than the Dark Terror, an awesomely potent combination. This 20W hybrid head comes loaded with a single 12AX7 preamp tube for authentic tube overdrive, paired with a bullet-proof solid-state power section and stuck in a package that can fit in the glove box of a car. The end result is a deceptively loud head that's bursting forth with high-gain Orange tone.
The controls are simple as can be. With just three knobs - volume, shape and gain - it's unbelievely easy to dial in your tone. The shape control varies the midrange response along with the bass and treble, so rotating it to the left will add mids and smooth the highs, while a twist right will reduce the mids and brighten the tone. And one twist of the gain knob will show that, despite its adorable stature, this thing is no novelty. It cranks out serious, high-gain, face-melting tone at volumes that'll leave you shocked.
Further building on the outstanding Micro platform, the Micro Dark comes equipped with a transparent, fully buffered FX loop, so you can use your favorite pedals with ease. Using the built-in CabSim headphone output - which simulates a 4x12" cab output through headphones or as a direct out - or the optional PPC108 1x8" cab, The Micro Dark is an ideal practice rig. But if you dare to plug it into a full-sized cab, it can turn into a mighty studio weapon.
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For reference, I play mostly metal and hard rock. This amp is amazing. It has a thick, saturated, high gain tone when the gain knob is cranked. With the gain knob anywhere set anywhere lower than at the 3 o'clock position, you can pick lightly for dirty clean sounds (which sound rich and full) and play harder to get the sound to break up and get even dirtier. It has an FX loop, a huge advantage over the Micro Terror (which I also own). Finally, the "shape" knob that controls your EQ provides good, useable tones at all positions (something the Micro Terror lacks). It definitely gets loud enough to practice or gig with.Definitely plug into a cab with 12" speakers. I own the PPC108 cab with the 8" speaker, the one Orange commonly markets with this amp. It's fine for small spaces, like a studio apartment, but the Micro Terror/Dark sound tiny with the smaller speaker. Cabs with 12" speakers bring this amp to life and unlock the lushness that it can provide.
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
.I have read and watched many reviews of the Micro Terror amp. I have grown to be a little skeptical of reviews because countless new amps and effects are always the next greatest thing and many fall short, purely hype. I had an opportunity to borrow one of these heads from a friend at work and try it out.
I hooked it up to a 2x12 Carvin cab loaded with Weber 25 watt greenback clones. The only guitar I played through it was my '82 Ibanez AS-50 semi-hollow with Seymour Duncan '59's. This guitar is capable of many good sounds.
All I can say is I was blown away at how good this little amp sounded. Has that classic raw rock tone. The shape knob really changed the tone a lot, from fat and warm to bright and edgy with lots of harmonic content. Open and dynamic, not a compressed type of tone. Combined with different pickup combinations there are many great sounds. The simplicity of it is refreshing. Not a lot of clean head room but if that's what you need get a Twin. I could get nice edge of break up sounds by manipulating the gain and volume controls. Even with a lot of gain there was still good note definition. My main amp is a Traynor YCV50. I've had it a long time and really like it but it can't get the raw edgy sounds the Micro Dark can.
I play Allman Bros, Cream, Rush etc., and a lot of blues rock from the late 60 and 70's. I don't know how any one could fault this amp if they are into those sounds. I don't play metal so I can't speak on that. Didn't use the effects loop or try any pedals with it so can't comment on that either. It can get quite loud, but maybe not giggable unless you mike it. At the price of many pedals, how can you go wrong?
One last note, it is so frustrating when countless reviewers of guitar gear make simple comments saying something was great or the best or it was harsh or thin or stunk or whatever and never say what gear they used to form that opinion. It makes a huge difference on the final sound
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
.I purchased this for a backup for my Mesa Dual Rec combo for out of town gigs. It is loud and proud! Not a thick wall of sound but still amazing! I think it's important to mention that I think it sounds best if I leave my prs guitar on the bridge pickup when using this single channel amp. It just doesn't sound good anywhere else, but i don't mean this to criticize. I love the Micro Dark! Nice effects loop, line out, 8 or 16 ohm spkr out. I'm using a zoom cdr in the loop on stomp delay. Imho the dirty cleans and superb overdrive are fantastic, allowing me to achieve alot of sounds that heretofor have been difficult to do with other rigs. Playing music is very theraputic and has been a lifelong treasure for me! Part timer out!
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
.Wow. Blown away by the power of this little guy! Running through a Peavey 4x12 cab. Was skeptical when I saw the size after unpacking. Once I plugged it in and played right next to an acoustic drum set with no problems hearing it. Amazing tone! Easy to use. I love it.
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
.So far, I'm super happy with the micro dark. When I first got it, i did not think it would be loud enough to keep up with the guys I jam with. I was wrong. It has enough power to be heard. I've played it with two different drummers, one being a more artistic and quiet player, the other is just an animal, loud and straight forward. Micro dark could be heard over both. Our other guitar player likes his rig distorted and gainy, micro dark kept up. It sounds great with no effects, I find the controls to be quite versatile, but I use it with my pedal board and it sounds good, even though I go through the front. I actually like that better with my gear than using the effects loop. I have been playing through two different cabinets that I made myself. One is a 112 loaded with a WGS reaper 50w hd. The second is a 212 loaded with WGS invader 50w and a WGS reaper 50w hd. It sounds frickin awesome through either one. The best sound though, is when I play it in tandem with my other amps, one is a fender champ 100 the other is a matchless clubman 35 going through a matchless ESD 212, the micro dark has its own tone and is very complimentary with either of those two amps. Overall, I'm very pleased with the micro, it's light, small, and powerful, with what I consider to be awesome tone. Just what the doctor ordered, and really made me rethink what I believed. Awesome amps DO NOT have to be crazy heavy and bulky. I doubt I would ever use it for a big show, but to practice and have a good time, this sucker rocks!
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
.The Orange Micro Dark 20W head lives up to the hype.
I was excited to plug in and see how it sounded. Even with limited tone options, it's still amazing!
I am running it with a Orange 2x12 cab, sounds great! You can't go wrong with this little guy.
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
.Get it.
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
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Wow. Just wow. I have played with this amp since I got it, and I have yet to get a bad tone out of it. I tried, and I couldn't. It sounds fantastic clean and when you want gain and grit it delivers that too. And ALL of it sounds good. Simple controls. Tube replacement is as easy as can be - 8 screws and the top comes off and you have perfect access to the tube. And the cost of the 12ax7 won't hit your wallet hard either. I put in an EHX tube to try out over the stock JJ. The EHX was louder, but it also added noise. Not excessive, but I decided to leave the JJ in. Frankly with the stock tube it can get loud enough that it will hurt your ears.Takes pedals like a champ. Tried the Line 6 M13 and the Wampler Catapulp and it sounds great with both. (I use the FX loop for the M13). And the FX loop is great also.
How can this thing be only 189? I mean it's really a steal for that price. I've played it against an all tube amp and it sounds just as tube like. I can't tell the difference. Just a personal wish based on taste but if I could have anything on this, I'd like just a bit more dirt. But you know, it's flat out so good, I love it. I've played it through a V30 1x12 and the Orange 8" speaker (which is Voice of the World meaning Celestion by the way) and both sound terrific. If you are hesitating to get that 8" speaker, don't. The cable that comes with it is El Cheapo brand, but who cares when the speaker is that good just buy a better cable and keep that as a backup. If you really want heavy bass then you probably want a 12 inch speaker, but I've played mine through both and to me, the 8 inch Orange is great.
I can't say enough good things about this amp. If I lost it, hell yes I'd replace it. It would not be unreasonable at twice the price. At the price they sell them for, it's really a bargain.
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
.It is a great amps and made for high gain sound like hard rock plus metals. You can use it for both home practice or small gig like a coffee shop.
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
.I just received my new Jet City 2x12 cab today and plugged the Micro dark into it and felt I should update what I previously stated. Through the Jet city it sounds different in that it sounds great on the middle pickup as well as the bridge. Turned the volume up all the way with a little gain and my Zoom cdr multistomp pedal in the effects loop it's perfect. Of course being a single channel amp you'll have to change your settings for high gain or use your pedalboard etc. That's it! Hope this helps!
Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head
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