DSM & Humboldt Simplifier DLX Amp/Cab Sim

This unit has unrivalled features for the price and size as well as remarkable flexibility, but after 3 months it was developing faults and after 9 months had to be returned. I'm now without it for nearly a month while it's been sent for repair.

I was using the DLX in a parallel amps config with the stereo fx loop going out via the XLRs to my audio interface. The sound quality was fantastic. Everything from sparkly cleans to heavy overdrive can be handled by this unit. The 'Marshall' tones are huge.

But, there's a but. A big one. When I opened the DLX box and took the unit out for the first time, one of the retaining nuts for a mini toggle switch fell off. Every other retaining nut was very loose and the toggle switches could be depressed simply by touching them lightly. I had to tighten them all before even powering the DLX up. I was concerned I might get an electric shock if I powered the DLX on in the condition I received it.

3 months later the red channel began playing only intermittently. Shortly after, it was only producing low volume scratchy distorted output regardless of amp model and gain setting. Shortly after that it would only output a 100% wet reverb signal, even when reverb was disabled.

So the DLX I received was in no state to be sent to a customer. The build quality may actually have been dangerous as well as inadequate. And I'm back to having to use and lug an amp around while I wait for it to be repaired. Exactly what I hoped to avoid when I bought the DLX.

The product has lots of functionality, with endless options for achieving the exact tone that you want.

You can output the sound through headphones, speakers, a PA system, and more. There are also lots of options for configuring things such as effects loops, bypass, etc.

The quality feels reasonable on first impression, but less sturdy than other pedals such as Boss, Strymon and EHX. For this price point, I would have expected a little more so that I could be reassured by the longevity.

The headphone out/amp seems to be poor quality. It clips, pops, and is unreliable with poor quality sound.

It can be a bit overwhelming at first and the manual is not very clear in some areas, so requires some learning and patience to get familiar with the product.

The pedal is very unique with lots of flexibility, but there are quality issues that I can only hope that they address for customers in a future iteration. This is frustrating as the pedal at first glance has lots of potential.

I have had issues with the sound from the outputs; sound cuts in and out, creates static, popping, etc. And in the most recent session, the unit was unplayable. I have also had issues with it taking pedals.