Maelstrom

Aion FX from Des Moines, IA has helped guitarists build studio-quality effects since 2011. Their bass pedal PCBs bring expensive boutique circuits to DIY bass players.

The Maelstrom recreates the Darkglass Microtubes B3K, evolved from the Microtubes 2K (originally posted to DIYStompboxes forum in 2008 by Douglas Castro). The 2K was inspired by the EHX Hot Tubes (1979) and other CMOS designs, but by the time it evolved into the B3K, it bore no resemblance to other circuits thanks to its unique single overdriven CMOS stage for clipping tone.

The B3K became the modern standard for aggressive bass distortion, delivering tight low-end with articulate highs. Unlike pedals that lose definition when distorting bass frequencies, the Darkglass circuit maintains clarity across the entire bass spectrum. The Aion version makes this expensive boutique bass tool accessible.