DSM & Humboldt's Simplifer X Zero Watt Reverb Stereo / Dual Amplifier is a magnificent marvel of analog audio engineering
I’m totally in awe of the technical prowess presented on this killer dual analog amps in a pedal format.
It’s actually a very compact device at just 125 x 105 x 65 mms, and carries so many advanced functions here almost entirely in the analog domain. There’s not a single sub-menu here - this is surely WYSIWYG perfection - while it does use every available surface to cram in all the technology that is needed to support all those features.
At first encounter this all seem wholly intuitive and honed for absolute ease of use - just by ’reading’ the pedal I understand immediately what I’m dealing with here. And when you need further guidance - say for the different Modes - that information is printed on the very pedal too. This pretty much has everything I would expect in an amp x 2. It seems wholly built to my own sensibilities and preferences.
I own and love DSM & Humboldt’s Silver Linings and Black Clouds Multi-Drives - both of which are ingenious - but which pale somewhat in the wake of this masterpiece. I really do love everything about this - including the etched / printed patterns on the enclosure design facia - this is surely the most intricate of this genre of devices!
Sure there are some cool tube-based pedal amps out there - like the Friedman stuff - but this DSM & Hunboldtd engineering marvel is properly next level. I myself love pushing air as such - while as for any other type of output interfacing - this would be my first choice for sure. None of those settings on power-up nonsense or Alt Values for Knobs - here everything is 100% obvious and on the surface.
This is a wholly Analog type of pedal - bar its 3-Mode digital reverb. The connectivity for this device is wholly unparalleled. And all this for just $469 / €499 / £439. I’m of course a self-confessed ’pushing air’ fanatic, while I would still very much like to own one of these Simplifier X Pedals even though I may never use it! At least not for quite a while!
You can of course read up more on the DSM & Humboldt Website if you need further convincing!
And you can download the excellent manual - [HERE]
CONTROLS!
AMP A HOT-ROD [13 CTRLS : 10 Knobs | 3 Switches]
PREAMP } Bass, Mid, Treble, Preamp Gain : Clean > Warm > Drive > Hi, Pre Type : PWR / AMP / CLIP
POWER AMP } Resonance, Presence, Power Type : AC Brit TB / USA Rod / MS 800, Power Drive : Linear > Warm > Comp > Distort
CABSIM } Speaker Color : Black > Blue > Green, Cab Type : Combo / Twin / Stack
REVERB A
MASTER LEVEL A
AMP B CLASSIC MK-II [13 CTRLS : 10 Knobs | 3 Switches]
PREAMP } Bass, Mid, Treble, Preamp Gain : Clean > Warm > Drive > Hi, Pre Type : PWR / AMP / CLIP
POWER AMP } Resonance, Presence, Power Type : AC Brit / USA / MS Brit, Power Drive : Linear > Warm > Comp > Distort
CABSIM } Speaker Color : Black > Blue > Green, Cab Type : Combo / Twin / Stack
REVERB B
MASTER LEVEL B
LOWER PORTS / SOCKETS : Return Link : Off/On, Return B, Return A, Send B, Send A, Input B, Input A (Main)
UPPER PORTS / SOCKETS : Thru, Out A (R) w/ Cabsim Bypass Switch, Out B (L) w/ Cabsim Bypass Switch, 9V-12V DC [-] 150mA, DI Out A (R) XLR, GND <> LIFT, DI Out B (L) XLR
LEFT SIDE : Phone Level, Phones 1/8", Aux In 1/8", Aux Select : HP + Main <> HP
RIGHT SIDE : Foot Switch 1/8", Channel B<>A, Mode : < 1 / 2 / 3 >, Reverb Type : Room, Ether, Plate
MODES :
1 > A/B Amp + A/B Cab
2 > A/B Amp + Stereo Cab
3 > Full Parallel
FOOTSWITCH : Channel A/B, Reverb : On/Off
KEY FEATURES
- Analog Modeling Preamp
- Heavy Duty Custom Made Anodized Aluminium Case in Sandblasting /Frosted Black Finish
- 2 Channels (Amp A, Amp B)
- EQ : 2 x Bass, 2 x Mid, 2 x Treble, 2 x Presence
- Amp Modeling : 6 x Amps, 6 x Cabs
- 3 Amp Types per Side - Classic on B, and Hot-Rodded on A - Vox / Fender / Marshall styles
- Effects : 3 x Reverbs - Room / Ether / Plate
- True Stereo : (Two Independent Inputs)
- Inputs : 2 x 1/4" (input A, B), 1 x 1/8" (aux in)
- Outputs: 2 x XLR (DI out L, R), 2 x 1/4" (Out L, R), 1 x 1/4" (thru)
- Effects Loop : 2 x 1/4" (send), 2 x 1/4" (return)
- Other I/O : 1 x 1/8" (footswitch)
- THRU Jack for Dedicated DRY AMP Signal Path
- Headphones : 1 x 1/8"
- Power Source : 9-12V DC [-] power supply (sold separately)
- Power Usage : 200mA (150mA)
- Compact Size : 125 x 105 x 65 mms
- Weight: 490 g
- MAP / RRP : $469 | €499 | £439
Demos
12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition
