Orange Micro Dark

^# 23

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$187.20 to $309.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (113)

2 Critic Reviews

29 Reviews

Find out who is using Micro Dark

18 community setups

28 wishlisted

253 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 5, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.5 (24)

$309.00

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5.0 (81)

$199.00

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4.5 (473)

$199.00

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5.0 (84)

$187.20 52 available New

$130.00 24 available Used

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5.0 (51)

$199.00

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5.0 (23)

$199.00

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4.7 (242)

$211.00 $199.00 $12.00 · All time low

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£149.00

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Average Price: $203

Budget/Beginner

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Amplifier Heads category, Orange Micro Dark is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Orange Micro Dark". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Orange Micro Dark is your key to unlock immense power in a compact package. This 20W hybrid amplifier head is small in size but massive in tone, adding more gain to your sound than ever before. Built on the legacy of the renowned Micro Terror and Dark series, this amp packs a mighty punch.

At the core of the Micro Dark is its 12AX7 preamp tube which effortlessly produces a rich, creamy tube overdrive and a harmonic distortion that metalheads and shredders will love. This ECC83 tube adds a distinctive warmth and depth to high gain tones, providing the authentic tube saturation you need for an all-out rock performance.

Don't let its diminutive size fool you – the Micro Dark is incredibly versatile. With simple controls for gain, shape, and volume, you can easily dial in your ideal tone. From bass-heavy tones rich in low-end to high-emphasized metal tones, this little beast has got you covered.

The Micro Dark also features a headphone output with CabSim circuitry for silent practice, enhancing its functionality. Pair it with the optional PPC108 1x8 cabinet for a portable yet gig-ready rig, or use the FX loop to incorporate your favorite pedals. This mighty mini amp is ideal for shredders and rockers on the go, offering mammoth tones in a compact form.

Key Features:

20W hybrid amplifier head
High-gain preamp with 12AX7/ECC83 tube
Easy to navigate controls: Gain, Shape, and Volume
Headphone output with CabSim circuitry
FX loop for incorporating your favorite pedals
Compact and portable, ideal for practice, performance, or recording
Optional pairing with PPC108 1x8 cabinet for a gig-ready rig
Delivers rich, warm, authentic tube overdrive and harmonic distortion

Product specs

Type	Hybrid
Number of Channels	1
Total Power	20W
Preamp Tubes	12AX7
EQ	Shape tone control
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4" (8 ohm)
Headphones	1 x 1/4"
Effects Loop	Yes
Power Source	15V DC power supply
Height	5.31"
Width	6.5"
Depth	3.74"
Weight	1.72 lbs.

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Orange Micro Dark?: The Orange Micro Dark offers a wide range of tones, from warm cleans to smooth overdrive and heavy, crushing distortion, thanks to its hybrid design with a 12AX7 preamp tube.
Is the Orange Micro Dark suitable for gigging?: While the Orange Micro Dark is compact, its 20-watt power output can be loud enough for small gigs, especially when paired with a suitable cabinet.
Does the Orange Micro Dark have an effects loop?: Yes, the Orange Micro Dark includes an effects loop, allowing you to integrate your effects pedals between the preamp and power amp stages for greater tonal flexibility.
Can I use headphones with the Orange Micro Dark?: Yes, the Orange Micro Dark features a headphone output, making it convenient for silent practice sessions.
How does the Orange Micro Dark compare to the Micro Terror?: The Orange Micro Dark is designed for heavier music styles, offering additional low-end thump compared to the Micro Terror, which provides a more mid-range focused sound.

Videos

Add video

Ola Englund

WILL IT CHUG? - Orange Micro Dark

Ola Englund

Orange Micro Dark VS Micro Terror Shoot-out

Toby's Guitar Gear Demos 🎵

Orange Micro Dark Review - Tested through a small & a big cab!

Rob Chapman

ORANGE Dark Terror vs Micro Dark

Ola Englund

Orange Micro Dark Guitar Amplifier Head - Product Video

Orange Amps

Orange Micro Dark: 20W Hybrid Amp

Science of Loud

7 Budget Friendly (But Rad) High Gain Amps!

Riffs, Beards & Gear

the Orange Micro Dark and FX Pedals

Landon Bailey

Orange Micro Terror vs Micro Dark

Brian’s Unique Guitars

Orange Micro Dark Amplifier Head - Mini Amp, BIG Sound for Metalheads!

PMTVUK

The Orange MICRO DARK Is A Blues Amp!

Soul String

Orange Amps Micro Dark unboxing and review

Josh WH

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Compact and highly portable
Versatile tone range from clean to high gain
Surprisingly loud for its size, capable of gigging
Effective with both single coils and humbuckers
Effects loop included for pedal enthusiasts
CabSim on headphone out for quality practice
Solid build quality with a metal casing
Works well as a tube preamp
Shape knob offers unique tone sculpting
Compatible with various cabinet sizes

CONS

Only one channel, limiting on-the-fly tone changes
Headphone out quality does not impress
Shape knob may be confusing compared to standard EQ controls
No aux input for playing along to tracks without extra equipment
Volume knob is very sensitive, hard to get low levels
High gain settings can introduce unwanted fuzziness

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Orange Micro Dark.

Use cases and applications

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The Micro Dark, when paired with a 1x12 cab loaded with an Eminence Governor, handles genres from clean blues to heavy metal effectively due to its versatility.
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The amp's natural distortion is best suited for larger cabinets or when using headphone out with cabinet simulations for a better sound profile.
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While marketed as a practice amp, it can be used for shows if mic'd properly.
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User experience

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The amp performs well when used with a 2x12 cab, delivering a satisfying 70s crunch when the volume is pushed and gain is lowered.
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Owners suggest pairing the Micro Dark with a boost or overdrive pedal, like a Tube Screamer or TC Electronics Spark, for enhanced distortion.
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Some users report that the Micro Dark's small size and light weight make it susceptible to being pulled off cabinets by cables, suggesting a stress relief method like looping cables through the cab handle.
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Some users find the high-gain settings unusable, describing them as fuzzy and lacking clarity.
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Features and functionality

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The shape knob provides tonal versatility, offering modern metal sounds past 2/3 o'clock and old-school tones around 9 o'clock.
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The effects loop on the Micro Dark is frequently cited as a critical feature for users who incorporate modulation and delay effects, offering enhanced tonal shaping capabilities.
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The volume control is extremely sensitive, transitioning from quiet to excessively loud with minor adjustments.
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Mods and upgrades

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Replacing the stock 8-inch speaker with a Celestion V30 in a larger cab, like a 12-inch, improves headroom and sound quality dramatically.
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Adding an EQ pedal significantly enhances the amp's potential, with the Boss EQ being a recommended option.
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Swapping the stock AX-7 tube for an AT-7 can enhance clean tones and break-up quality.
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Swapping the stock 12AX7 tube for a 12AU7 tube helps tame the volume sweep, allowing for more gradual volume control and slightly more clean headroom.
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Setup and maintenance

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Removing the back panel of the 8-inch cab and relocating the jack can significantly improve sound quality by eliminating boxiness.
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Comparisons

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Owners of both the Micro Dark and Micro Terror consistently prefer the Dark for its versatility and better integration of effects, especially for modern and high-gain tones.
Source
0 0

The Joyo Meteor offers additional features like clean/dirty channels and Bluetooth for a slightly lower price, potentially providing better sound.
Source

Critic Reviews

Orange Micro Dark review: huge sounds from a deceptively teeny amplifier

guitar.com

Orange's Micro Dark packs a punch far beyond its size and price, delivering impressive power and versatility in a compact package. The hybrid amp excels with its clever shape control for tone shaping, offering both clean and gritty sounds. However, the headphone/DI output isn't ideal for serious recording due to a synthetic quality, and high gain settings can lead to noise issues without a noise gate. Despite these flaws, the Micro Dark proves to be a standout for its high fiendishness-to-weight ratio, making it a great option for musicians looking for a portable yet potent amp.

positive

Full Review

Orange Micro Dark review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 29 Reviews and 113 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

pablo_milano

188

over 6 years ago

It is my backup amp head

It does a nice enough british modern sound, but, since I am a fan of 100% valve sound, i'm not very fond of it. I use it to practice while being at my appartment.

vincent_johnson

133

over 10 years ago

amazing reliable affordable head

overall great amp head. best Head that $189 can buy. dont underestimate its size, its very loud with a 4x12 or even 2x12 cab. great for gainy crunchy tones and cleans up very nicely.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock

kk_lawrence

292

over 9 years ago

Dream Amp

I play this amp for four months now and i fell in love with it. It sounds awesome distorted and has a solid clean. I got myself an eq-pedal just for more versatility, but with the shape knob you get a lot of sound. And the effects loop is just great, i mean in this litte amp!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Alternative rock Indie rock Metal

skullkid359

over 8 years ago

Micro Beast

Great for the price, huge sound, although dual channel would be helpful, and the gain can be incoherent as you increase it.

tyguitaxe

516

over 9 years ago

Awesome!

This is my first guitar head and it sounds great. I watched a lot of online videos about it and decided I wanted to get it as my first head. This thing sounds killer and has the bonus of having an effects loop while being affordable.

jeffersonweber

820

over 10 years ago

Orange Dark Terror

Great Little amp with effects loop! Love it! Definitely a keeper. Use it with two orange 8" cabs.

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

vincent_johnson

133

10 years ago over 10 years ago

i use it with a marshall 4x12. its insane

harry_hewson

211

over 9 years ago

Greatest smallest amp ever.

The MDT is the higher gain version of the Micro Terror. The MDT has an FX loop, which is very helpful for reverbs and delays. I thall many 0s on this on a near daily basis.