Updated by Bobby
Updated on January 27th, 2022
Though I've seen varying reports on the number of tubes in the Micro Dark, the current version only has one 12AX7 tube in the preamp, same as the Micro Terror.
What is the difference between the Orange Micro Dark 20 and the Orange Micro Terror 20?
Not much.
Both are extremely similar and popular amp heads that can be monitored through headphones and hooked up to an external speaker cab. But we're going to compare the two of them side-by-side, via the comparison tool below.
What are the significant spec variations between them? Are they both pretty much the same amp?
Read more: Best Orange amps
If so, why the price difference?
We'll answer these questions in this article.
For basic pricing and feature differences, use the Compare+ buttons in this table:
Orange Micro Dark VS Micro Terror Comparison Tool
AMP | Title | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Orange Dark Micro 20 | n/a | |
 | Orange Micro Terror 20 | n/a |
There are a couple basic feature differences between the two. First, the Micro Dark has an effects loop, while the Micro Terror does not. A second difference is an auxiliary input in the Micro Terror, which is missing from the Dark terror.
Both have a 12AX7 tube-driven preamp with a solid state power amp.
From what we can tell the Micro Dark and Micro Terror each have one tube in the preamp, though I've seen conflicting information concerning whether the Micro Dark has one or two. At the time of updating this article, we're fairly certain the Micro Dark has a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp.
Let's cover each amp individually.
Orange Micro Terror 20 Details
The Micro Terror is the cheaper of the two amplifiers, with an auxiliary input on the front panel and a tone knob.
The Micro Terror has an aux input and tone knob on its front panel, both of which are missing from the Micro Dark.
On the back panel of the Micro Terror we can easily see a single 12AX7 preamp tube (the power amp section is solid state with no tubes). The Terror also has the single speaker output but is missing an effects loop, which is included in the Dark.
Single preamp tube and no effects loop.
Obviously the effects loop is a functionality feature worth consideration, though folks who aren't concerned with that won't have a lot of additional info to go on. Both amps sound good, particular on heavier settings with higher gain. We liked the clean sound on the Micro Dark a little better, but the cheaper Terror is certainly comparable.
Orange Micro Dark 20 Details
On the Micro Dark's front panel, you're missing the AUX input, and have the tone knob replaced by a "Shape" knob, which serves essentially the same purpose.
No AUX input and a "shape" knob instead of tone.
On the back panel we can see the 12AX7 tube and the added FX loop, which could be significant for players bringing external effects to their Micro rig.
Like the Micro Terror, the Micro Dark has a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp. It then adds an effects loop to the back panel, in additional the eight ohm speaker output.
Both power amps are solid state, so the tubes only impact the preamp stage of amplification. The speaker out is also the same on both back panels, with a minimum eight ohm rating.
Summary of Our Comparison
This is one of the more difficult comparison we've done, since there's so little difference between the two amps. The aux input and effects loops are easy targets, and should be considered first. Note that an aux input would let you plug in something like an MP3 player so you could play along with music tracks.
Otherwise, we'd prefer to go with the Micro Dark, just because it seems to improve the clean tone and has a little bit of extra power.
More important than deciding between the two, we'd view both the Micro Terror and Micro Dark as practice amps and indoor jamming tools. We would not recommend them as your rig's main amplifier, especially not for recording or performing live.
If you have an external speaker and you want a solid practice amp that can handle some distortion and let you monitor through headphones, both these amps are solid options.
For anything that requires a little more versatility and pro-grade guitar work, we'd look elsewhere.
Your Questions
If you have questions about the Micro Dark 20 or Micro Terror 20, feel free to leave them in the comments section below and we'll do our best to help out.
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Good comparison- I however have to disagree with your assessment of neither being suitable for live performance or for pro level playing. I use the micro dark through a Celestion vintage 30- I run my time based erects through the effects loop with a compressor at the end of the signal into the return. My EQ and boost and ODs and filters into the preamp input. 20 watts with this set up sounds just as fantastic if not more the my jcm 900 and 1960A cab. Not as loud of course- but for smaller venues or even larger ones with proper mic placement- excellent rig. I do agree that it’s a touch noisy for recording- however with editing and good mixing it sounds just fine.
Time based EFFECTS not erects haha
The comment will remain as stated. 🤘🏻
Haha just kidding. I can change it if you want.
Tried the hotone nano heads and they’re pure garbage for headphone practice….or hooked to a 12″ single cab….would this be a great option for headphone use if you don’t wanna piss off the wife and kids?
Can you run a Marshall 4×12 cabinet off of the dark terror and have it sound good?
Should be fine, assuming it’s an 8 ohm speaker cab.
Damnit! I bought this purposely because you said it had Two tubes!!!!
It only has ONE! Mine is also made in China, your pic says KOREA.
W. T. F. ???
Steceo – we’ve had a hard time nailing this down for certain, but from what we can tell about the current version of the Micro Dark, it does indeed have a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp.
My apologies for this.
Please note, we’ve updated the article to reflect this information.
Hopefully this is somewhat helpful to you going forward.
I give you A LOT of credit! most would correct the review, but unlike YOU, they’d run and hide from an error like this. They’d never post a follow-up. They wouldn’t even approve the public statements about there being an error in the first place.
So, THANK YOU for showing you are better than most who make errors in online reviews.
Hey, that’s super encouraging. Thanks so much for the kind words!
Well… an asshole trusts only one source. Go to the markers website for clarification. It’s not that difficult. Instead of blaming someone else…
In his defense, he gave me kudos for making the correction.
Can you go from your Micro Terror directly into your computer speakers? I have the KRK Rockets. I also have a Scarlett Solo, could I go from the Terror to the Scarlett to the computer speakers?
Chris – I think that you would still need a speaker cab connected since you do have a tube preamp in the Micro Terror. You could try patching it in from the headphone output with a speaker attached. Just don’t use the speaker out to go to your audio interface. This guy was trying to do essentially the same thing: https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/7iv6aj/gearquestion_orange_micro_terror_headphone_out/
My Dark only has 1 tube, just so ya know….and it’s still 20w.
How long ago did you get it? There might have been other versions built with only 1 tube. I’m certain the dark has two now.
I bought one just a few days ago with only one tube.
Dang, you guys are raining on my parade here haha. I literally checked with Orange amps on this.
Notice the picture I included where you can clearly see two tubes. Does yours also look like that? Can you clearly see only one tube?
Yes, I see the picture and I see two tubes in your picture. I go to look at my amp and everything is identical except the number of tubes.
I only have one.
Yep. Saw your pic and when I look at my otherwise identical amp, I only see one tube.
Agree with the guys that appear to own one of these here ( this review gives the notion of someone who has not actually picked one up?) what you can see in your pic I believe is one tube and one aluminium heat dissipation block for the electronics.
I am an orange dealer a d just repaired one today. 1 12ax7 pre amp tube and I agree the other is the aluminum heat sync that you seem to be seeing. How do you review a product for tone if you dont physically have it? Then you would easily see that there us only one tube.
Agreed!