Neural DSP expands its Darkglass bass plugin into a full creative rig with Darkglass Ultimate
Neural DSP has released Darkglass Ultimate, a revamped plugin that brings its iconic Darkglass sound into a complete, studio-ready bass rig.
Available as a free update for existing Darkglass Ultra users, Ultimate builds on the original Ultra by combining Darkglass’ defining tones with a full signal chain and creative tools, allowing you to move from an initial bass idea to a finished track all in one place.
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At the heart of Darkglass Ultimate are the same two circuits that helped define the original plugin: the B7K Ultra and Vintage Ultra. The B7K Ultra delivers a tight, aggressive drive with controlled low end and clear articulation, while the Vintage Ultra introduces a warmer, rounder character inspired by classic tube-style amplification. Together, they cover a wide tonal range that’s consistent and immediately usable in a mix.
With this release, Darkglass Ultra evolves into a creative platform for bass – extending beyond preamp modelling into a signal chain designed for modern bass workflows.
For starters, Darkglass Ultimate adds a full pre- and post-effects chain, including compressor, fuzz, auto-wah, and octaver up front, plus chorus and delay for after the amp section. There’s also a 9-band graphic EQ built specifically for shaping bass frequencies, plus cab simulations based on DG210C and DG810ES cabinets with adjustable microphone positioning for more detailed tone shaping.
In addition, Neural has bundled in a handy set of tools aimed at day-to-day playing and writing, including transpose, tuner, metronome, and a selection of production-ready presets designed to get ideas moving quickly.
This extends the Darkglass sound beyond the B7K Ultra and Vintage Ultra into an all-in-one bass toolkit, combining its defining tones with the tools needed to shape, refine, and bring sounds to completion.
“With Darkglass Ultimate, we’re expanding the Darkglass sound into something more comprehensive,” says François Barrillon, Lead Product Manager for Plugins at Neural DSP. “For many players, that sound has been a reliable starting point – something they shape around and build on. This release brings more of that process into the same place, so you can experiment, refine, and carry a sound further without stepping outside of it – while preserving the clarity, power, and character that define Darkglass.”
Neural CEO Douglas Castro adds, “We’ve taken the core Darkglass tones and expanded them into a more complete setup, bringing more of the signal chain within a single environment and making the process of shaping and developing a sound more fluid – so players can spend less time managing their tone and more time creating with it.”
For existing Darkglass Ultra users, the upgrade to Darkglass Ultimate is free. A 14-day free trial is also available if you’re looking to test the plugin before purchasing.
The launch also ties into Neural DSP’s annual Birthday Sale, running through 6 May, which offers 50% off all Neural DSP plugins – including Darkglass Ultimate – and 30% off selected products like Archetype: John Mayer X.
In the meantime, Neural DSP will host a giveaway featuring both software and hardware prizes, with winners drawn on multiple dates throughout the campaign.
More details are available at Neural DSP.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
