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Orange Micro Dark Guitar Amplifier Head - Product Video

Orange Micro Dark Guitar Amplifier Head - Product Video

Orange Amplifiers

Description

The Orange Amplification Micro Dark is a 20W hybrid amplifier head with more gain and less size than ever before. Building on the success of the Micro Terror and Dark series, the Micro Dark packs Orange's signature overdrive and a 12AX7 preamp tube into a lunchbox-sized chassis to deliver high-gain tone in a portable package.

High-Gain Preamp Provides Authentic Tube Saturation

At the heart of the Micro Dark is a valve-driven preamp section with a single 12AX7 tube to produce creamy tube overdrive and rich harmonic distortion. The ECC83 tube adds warmth, depth and character to high gain tones, giving shredders and metalheads the saturated distortion they crave from an authentic tube amp.

Simple Controls Offer Versatile Tone-Shaping

Don't let the Micro Dark's miniature size fool you into thinking it lacks tonal versatility. With just gain, shape and volume controls, dialing in your perfect tone is intuitive and straightforward. The shape control varies the midrange response to produce bass-heavy tones rich in low end, scooped metal tones with emphasized highs or anything in between. Crank the gain knob and unleash the beast within for face-melting overdrive and distortion that seems impossibly huge from such a tiny amp.

Optional Cabinet and FX Loop Expand Capabilities

Already loaded with a headphone output complete with CabSim circuitry for silent practice, the Micro Dark offers even more functionality with the optional PPC108 1x8 cabinet and effects loop. Pair the Micro Dark with the PPC108 cab for a portable yet gig-ready rig or use the FX loop to incorporate your favorite pedals. Record directly via the headphone out or mic'd cabinet for high-gain tones in the studio.

All the Essentials in a Diminutive Package

Everything you need for practice, performance or recording high-gain guitar tones is packed into the Orange Micro Dark's miniature chassis. Authentic tube overdrive, versatile tone shaping and connectivity options make this little beast an ideal companion for shredders and rockers on the go. Experience mammoth tone from a mighty mini amp with the Orange Micro Dark.

Open Box Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head Level 1
Open Box Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head Level 1
Open Box Orange Amplifiers Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head Level 1

Features

  • Power: 20W (hybrid)
  • Tube: one 12AX7 (preamp)
  • Single channel
  • Controls: Gain, shape, volume
  • Impedance: 8–16 ohms
  • Transparent FX loop
  • Headphone out with CabSim circuit
  • Carrying handle
  • Dimensions: 6.5" x 5.3" x 3.74"
  • Weight: 1.72 lb.

Reviews

4.78

81 Reviews

97%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Has no business being this good
Great for Metal, Fantastic Cleans too
Great for Metal, Fantastic Cleans too
Great for Metal, Fantastic Cleans too
The best micro amp
It jams for such a tiny amp. Would recommend for sure.
Amazing little amp
Little Amp, BIG SOUND!

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Impressed - big upgrade from the Micro Terror

I'm not the type who writes reviews, but felt compelled for this little amp. I have many tube amps (Hughes & Kuttner, etc) and good gear (Les Paul Classic, American Tele, Godin, etc). I used to enjoy Metal, but over the years my taste mellowed out and I enjoy Blues, clean, or use a vintage Rat at low settings for a good growl on occasion. I had purchased a Micro Terror for home practice... had experimented with tube swaps, and still couldn't find the tone that I really liked... I used an EQ to make it sound better, then it became a paper weight. After hearing clips of this new Micro Dark, I decided to try it. I was afraid it was only geared for Metal heads... but it is more versatile. It obviously has an FX Loop, and speaker emulated headphone output (2 welcome additions). But... it also sounds better! Using a 1x12 sealed cab, It has better cleans and headroom than the Mirco Terror, sounds better for blues, rock, and metal. The tone knob is quite different, and really shapes your tone. I can almost get the vintage Rat growl I love with the amp alone! The Micro Terror felt like a toy, this Micro Dark feels like a piece of gear I will enjoy for years.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

Say goodbye to your dynamics in this fuzzy mess.

I got this thinking it might be a good desktop amp for recording. It sounds really terrible. I am recording heavy guitar sounds and I saw some reviews and demos showing people playing heavy riffs, but when I play it has absolutely no dynamics. Just a crushed mess of fuzz.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Home Studio47
  2. Amateur Recording36
  3. Performances31
  4. Outdoor Events / Games16
  5. Professional Recording15
Cons
  1. Limited Functions10
  2. Poor Sound Quality1
  3. Weak1
  4. Not all tube1
  5. Headphone out cab sim is lacking.1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced51
  2. Novice10
  3. Professional Musician8
Pros
  1. Portable65
  2. Easy To Use64
  3. Excellent Sound57
  4. Good Power Output57
  5. Warm / Comfy47

Reviewed by 81 customers

  • This is by far the best lunchbox amp on the market.

    5

    submitted24 days ago

    byJames

    fromMenifee, CA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I am currently using this amp in replacement for my Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier. That should say it all.

  • Quite the amazing amp!

    5

    submitted3 months ago

    byPeter

    fromGreenfield, Massachusetts

    I use this to power a 2x10 open back cab, and also with a Palmer PDI-03 speaker simulator/load box. The gain almost pulverizes the 10's; just savage volume for my cab, which is in an amp closet. Some people may not know that these hybrid amps may not work with some load boxes -- they need tube output stages. The Micro Dark works just fine with the Palmer, however. I also take one of the Palmer's line level outputs and run it into a Sonicake IR pedal. I then get two different crunch sounds that I can blend as needed. But the bottom line is this amp is a real cranker with great rippin' tones, and an excellent value for a couple hundred. No surprise it has such good reviews.

  • Big tone in tiny package

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted10 months ago

    byBenjamin

    fromNorwich, CT

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This is a great sounding amp and especially good for home or apartment use. Limited effects but has an effects loop to compensate

  • Has no business being this good

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byJohn

    fromDetroit, MI

    I bought this because I sold a Marshall head and had a spare 4x12 Marshall cab I couldn't just watch not being used. My expectations were not high but man… this thing is a beast. The tone knob allows you to dial in just about anything, but for that good warm Orange crunch, it nails it and has volume to spare. Has no problem driving a 16ohm 4x12 Marshall cab. What I especially like is how nice the clean is and how well it takes pedals. I wish it was larger, just because it looks cool, but I really can't imagine this will disappoint you at all.

  • Amazing little guy

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byCody

    fromMississippi

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Little package, big sound!

  • Small and Packs a PUNCH!!!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byShane

    fromEwa Beach, HI

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I use this product to have something small already set up in one room for practice so I don't have to drag out a bunch of gear. Because it is small and can be easily put away, I leave it set up for convenience. Also have one set up on my workbench to have something to plug into while I'm working on/testing guitars.

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked byIsaiah

    fromPortage, wi

    Do you need to be hooked up to a cab to use headphones?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, you do.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byCheif

    fromEastvale CA

    Can the Micro Dark be plugged into two 8ohm cabinets?

    Open Reply - Gear-Adviser
    No.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byMikey

    fromOxnard, CA

    Does the unit need to be plugged into a speaker cab in order to work with headphones?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This amp head would need to be plugged into a speaker cabinet.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byRobbbbbbb

    fromMichigan

    How can you hook up an aux cable to it? I.e. a certain pedal? Headphone jack adapter?

    Open Reply - Beau
    An effects pedal could be connected using the effects loop.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked bythe man with too many nicknames

    fromanaheim, ca

    does the orange micro dark come with the 15-volt dc converting power supply?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    No, it does not.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byCraig

    fromIllinoies

    can you play the dark terror 15 15w tube guitar amp head through the orange ppc112 60w 1x12 guitar speaker cabinet

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byThnks Fr Th Mmrs

    fromIndiana

    Does it include a power cable? What kind of cable do I need to hook it up to the 1x8 cab?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Yes, this will have a power adapter

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byDavid

    fromSC

    Does the orange micro dark come with a power cable

    Open Reply - Ronald
    Yes it does.

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byJack

    fromGA

    Has anyone used the Dark Tiny Terror w/ a pedal board and running direct to a house sound board system? Wondering how it sounds w/ spacey reverbs and delays.

    Open Reply - Ronald
    For a little head it's really powerful. I use a bunch of effects pedals myself and it is really complimentary with it comes to effects pedals. A nice clean tone for a strong base to any loop.
    Open Reply - Ronald
    For a little head it's really powerful. I use a bunch of effects pedals myself and it is really complimentary with it comes to effects pedals. A nice clean tone for a strong base to any loop.