Orange Micro Dark

218 Customer ratings

4.7 / 5

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2 Reviews

Orange Micro Dark
$195
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E
Amazing despite its size
EliasH 23.07.2020
Bought this originally for home use with a 1x12 Celestion Greenback, but this is definitely made for more.

Loudness:
If you're wondering if this has enough volume for your bedroom, the answer is clear. YES! Especially if you like to crank the gain. For some it would maybe be too loud with a 12" speaker as you need to reach a certain volume to get a good tone. The volume knob is really sensitive at the first quarter so it's either no volume, or a lot of volume. This is also powerful enough gor gigs, and you can connect it to a 4x12 with no problem.

Tone:
The tones on this thing is amazing, even compared to the more expensive amps. Even though it's a hybrid it sounds like an all-valve. Honestly, most people wouldn't even hear the difference.
It's versitile too. Grab a stratocaster and dial it in for the good old rock tones, or switch to a humbucker and crank the gain for some killer doom metal tones.

It works great with gain/booster pedals, but for myself I see no use in it, as the gain already is badass. I put a reverb/delay, and maybe a looper pedal in the effects loop, and I'm good to go.

Size:
I just have to point out, this thing is ridiculous small. It's smaller than a six pack of 0.5L cans. Traveling with this is the last of your worries.


Cons with this amp:

Only 1 channel:
This can be a problem if you like to switch between clean and dirty mid-song. To do this you must either use your guitars volume knob, or use gain pedals instead of amp gain.

No aux in:
Can make it harder to practice with backing tracks, but if this bothers you I must inform you that yes, you can work around this by using the buffered effects loop. although you might need some extra gear for it. Do a quick google search ;)

Shape instead of tone knob:
Not a huge problem, but this knob acts a bit different than the normal tone knobs. I like it, and I usually just leave it around the 1-2 o'clock position as I find that to be the sweet spot. If this really annoys you, you might want to add an equalizer.

The headphone output sucks:
Even though it got a 4x12 cab sim, I can't say it sounds any good. On the other side, I've never seen an amp with a good headphone out, so compared to them.. Maybe it's not that bad. Just don't have high hopes.

In the end i would say it's a fantastic amp where you really get what you pay for. There aren't many extra functions on this, but that's probably why it's so cheap. I would highly recomend it if you're looking for the good Orange tones at a low price.
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D
A micro monster
Duley 21.08.2019
I bought it to bring it with myself when I go to college, as it would be pretty difficult to bring its bigger brother, a full sized head and its cab I have.
I've played this little thing through a 2x12 and a 4x12 cab as well. Got to admit, it sounds pretty damn awesome. And it's surprisingly loud. You can easily rehearse, gig, keep up with a drummer, a whole band with one of these little bad boys, as long as you pair it with a bigger cab.
The clean and crunchy tones you can get out of this little head are gorgeous. And it's true that it has loads of gain too, but as you turn the gain up, let's say above 2 or 3 o'clock, it becomes a little bit too fuzzy, for me at least. I've played with the shape knob, and tried various type of guitars with different pickups (Les Paul, Strat, SG and so on), but the fuzziness is still there. I mean it's nothing crazy, it's totally fine if you're up to play some classics that require that kind of tone, but if you want to play heavier stuff, you'd have to consider adding an overdrive/boost pedal, just to tighten it up a little bit. So I've put a TS mini in front of it, and it works like dream for me.
Had it for almost a month now, and since I have it, I barely even touched my other amp. This little, affordable rock'n'roll machine deserves a big thumbs up. Although you can't just really limit its potential to rock'n'roll, as if it's set and used properly, it can play pretty much anything.
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wow
emi19 24.09.2019
I always wanted a tube amp, but they are a bit too expensive for me and most importantly, they are simply too loud for a bedroom.
so after reading and watching videos regarding this head, I thought I was making the right decision by going with this head, due to its solide state power section.
(keep in mind I only play in my bedroom)
the cleans: you'd expect them to be just okay, well actually, they are very good. I was pleasantly surprised with them.
the crunch is very good as well, nothing to complain about.
when you start to push the gain and get into metal territory, things can get a little too loud, to the point where i have to keep the volume of both guitar and amp to 2.
However, the distorted sound is amazing, even at low volumes.
do I regret buying this? absolutely not, the sounds it offers are wonderful.
the only con I can find is the lack of a 3 band eq, replaced by the shape knob.
if you want to upgrade from SS but not really fond of tube amps, this is the perfect compromise
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e
Exactly what the name suggest
elky 27.10.2019
Since I am on a work travel for 3 months I wanted an small affordable hybrid amplifier and stumbled upon this lunchbox sized beast. It turns out it is perfect! So far I've used it with headphones but I can't wait to plug it to my cabin at home!

Incredible tasty chugging tones for the size and warm clean sounds generated by the lamp pre-amp stage. All this in a fun-sized packet that manages to produce 20W !!!
Compared to my Vox VT50 that own, I find the distortion on this much better straight out of the box.

The only thing I felt missing was a second channel and a foot-switch as it becomes difficult if you your tracks have mixed clean and dirty sections. Otherwise, highly recommended!
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T
Such good cleans
TiagoMaltez 14.12.2022
If this had a 3 band/3knobs equalizer it would be perfect. I have mine running through a 112Vintage and it's great for home practice.
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d
What can anyone say...
drSotos 30.05.2021
Amazing, just amazing.
It's just amazing how much that tiny amp can produce.
It came with a Psvane ecc83 tube from factory, and sounds just killer.
I paired it with an OD to boost the signal and a graphic EQ in the FX loop for more versatility and the results are just perfect.
Totally deserves the credit.
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J
Well made serious amp
Jessse 06.04.2020
Bought this Micro Dark as a bedroom alternative for my bigger Dual Terror. The micro dark at bedroom levels sounds amazing, but it goes seriously loud and still sounds good with my Orange PPC112 cab. The effectsloop works really well and sounds good with some reverb. The headphone out is usable but not very good, it is nice to have. All in all a great simple and affordable amplifier!
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B
Excelent!
Bettencourtpt 26.02.2021
As a metal guitar player, I must say the distortion is really nice for such a small amp head.
The clean tone is awesome! Plugged all my stuff after a test and I totally recommend it. Excellent purchase.

Pro: Great tone, excellent clean, decent distortion. Compact and light weight

Cons: It is too loud for my house! Everyone wants too kill me.
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A Small Beast
pedrocs 30.07.2020
Disclaimer: I am a home noodler, not a live musician or professional of any sort.

I paired this with a Harley Benton 1X12 Vintage speaker and I couldn't be happier.
The amp sounds great clean, but also gets dirty very easily. I'm also running a bunch of pedals in the front, and a reverb and a delay in the effects loop, all of which sound good too.
The case is a sturdy all-metal construction, the controls are very simple and direct with an immediate effect on your sound, as you tweak them. Definitely a happy customer.
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GJ
Must have amp for home/studio
GI JOE 11.11.2019
A very nice portable hybrid amp with a very good sound, going from rock to metal, this little thing rocks!!!!!!!!!!!! Even with this portable amp you'll have to be carefull not to disturb your neighbors. This amp is a keeper for live. And the sound is really great. Especially if your on a "low" budget, you can't go wrong with this amp, value for money, for sure!!!!!!!
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Orange Micro Dark