DIMENSION REVERB USER’S GUIDE SA225
WELCOME Thank you for purchasing the Soundblox 2 Dimension Reverb. The Dimension Reverb features a broad set of painstakingly crafted professional quality reverb effects including models of popular mechanical reverbs, acoustical reverbs, and our own original effect creations. Each reverb effect can be customized and tweaked by a full set of useful controls and additional interface options.
OVERVIEW DIVERSE SOUND PALETTE 12 unique, rich-sounding reverb effects based on physical spaces and mechanical reverbs. DEEP CONTROL SET Access to Reverb control parameters typically found only on professional rack systems. STATE-OF-THE-ART DSP Our proprietary 56-bit Digital Signal Processor, the SA601, and crystal clear 24-bit converters. COMPACT DESIGN A compact, rugged, cast-aluminum housing. UNIVERSAL BYPASS™ Select either analog buffered or relay-based True Bypass.
QUICK START 1. POWER To power the unit, connect the included DC adapter power supply to the 9V DC jack on the back panel. Note: Using a non-Source Audio supply could damage the unit. Please be very cautious when using 3rd party power supplies. 2. GUITAR/AUDIO CONNECTIONS Next, plug your guitar (or other instrument) into the jack labeled GUITAR IN via a standard ¼" cable. Connect your amp (or other audio device) to the GUITAR OUT jack, again with a standard ¼" cable.
3. BRIEF KNOB, FOOTSWITCH, AND BUTTON DESCRIPTIONS (see Controls section for more details) • EFFECT KNOB: selects the reverb type to be used. • TIME: adjusts the duration of the reverb. • OPTION: adjusts parameter selected by the OPTION SELECT button. • TREBLE: controls the high frequency damping on the reverb. • MIX: balances the wet and dry signals. •O PTION SELECT: selects which parameter will be controlled by the OPTION knob. • CONTROL INPUT: selects the external controller type to be used.
THEORY OF OPERATION For those readers interested in seeing exactly what’s happening inside the Dimension Reverb, figure 1 is a block diagram of the reverb algorithm. The various control knobs are positioned next to the processing steps they control.
Looking at the diagram of the algorithm, the input audio signal comes in initially and goes through a volume control and a diffusion block (controlled by DIFFUSE) before entering the pre-delay line. The length of that delay is set with the PRE-DELAY control. The output of that delay is sent into the main reverb loop through the injection mixer. The audio circulates through the main reverb loop consisting of a number of delay lines with their lengths set by the EFFECT knob.
CONNECTIONS GUITAR IN: Connect your guitar, bass, or other instrument here using a standard MONO ¼" cable. GUITAR OUT: Connect this to your amp, pedal, or other audio device. MULTI-FUNCTION IN (optional): The multi-function input is a flexible control input for use with external controllers.
CONTROLS: KNOBS EFFECT (not labeled) The effect knob selects which reverb type will be used. There are 12 positions around the knob. For information on the individual settings see the Effect Types section.
TIME TIME This is the primary reverb control. The TIME parameter sets how long the reverb sound will “ring out”. This can also be thought of as a feedback control to set how long the input will circulate through the reverb effect before dying away. The minimum time corresponds to zero feedback within the reverb. This will produce a single echo spread out by the difference in times of the various delay lines inside the reverb.
PRE-DELAY (OUTPUT) Press button to select option DIFFUSE (RATE) OPTION SELECT BASS (DEPTH) • PRE-DELAY (green LED): Sets the initial time before the reverb begins. Pre-delay times vary between 0 and .5 seconds. In ECHO mode delay times vary between 0 and 2.5 seconds. Predelay is excellent for creating slapback effects. It will also create the illusion of playing in a larger space (the longer it takes to hear the first echo, the further away the walls would be).
•O UTPUT (red LED): Sets the overall output volume of the effect which is useful for matching the level of the effect vs. the bypass volume. It can also be used to prevent clipping if longer reverb times are used with continuous loud inputs. •D IFFUSE (green LED): Adjusts the amount of “spreading” in the feedback loop. The higher this parameter is set, the more the sound will be diffused as it circulates in the reverb loop. Sharp transients (like guitar pick noise) will be smeared out over time.
•D EPTH (red LED): The second control related to the LFO. The DEPTH control adjusts the total amount of modulation applied to the reverb. As the depth is turned up, there is a sense that the wet signal is running through a chorus effect. With more depth, pitch shifts on individual echoes may be heard and things get rather unnatural (but what’s wrong with that?).
TREBLE TREBLE This knob controls the high frequency damping (or roll-off) in the feedback loop. As the knob is turned down (full counter-clockwise) and more damping is applied, higher frequencies will tend to die out more quickly for a duller sound. Turn the knob fully clockwise for the least amount of damping which will result in more overall treble in the sound.
CONTROLS: FOOTSWITCHES There are two footswitches on the Dimension Reverb. The left footswitch corresponds to preset 1 and the right footswitch corresponds to preset 2. Pressing either of the footswitches will engage the respective preset. Pressing the same footswitch again will put the effect back into bypass mode. Pressing the other footswitch will engage the other preset without going into bypass.
EFFECT TYPES Here are some brief descriptions of the EFFECT knob settings on the Soundblox 2 Dimension Reverb: PLATE 1 PLATE 2 E-DOME ARENA SPRING 1 STAGE SPRING 2 MODVERB CLUB ROOM METAL BOX ECHO ROOM SOUNDS The first five EFFECT choices are intended to represent real acoustical spaces progressing in size from small to enormous. The room sounds are labeled: Room, Club, Stage, Arena, and E-Dome.
PLATE AND SPRING REVERBS Our Plate and Spring effects are simulations of two popular mechanically constructible reverb units. The critical component in a real plate reverb is large plate of sheet metal. Plate reverbs tend to have a high diffusion rate, so for an accurate representation the DIFFUSE knob should be on the high side. The Spring Reverbs simulate the effect of broadcasting a signal into an actual coiled metal spring. Spring reverbs are commonly found built into many guitar amplifiers.
EXTERNAL CONTROL One of the new Core Features of the Soundblox 2 line of effects pedals is the addition of the Multi-Function Input. The Multi-Function input is an intelligent control input that can accept both digital and analog control signals. The Multi-Function input replaces the Sensor Input on previous Soundblox pedals.
HH MIDI Button EXP CONTROL INPUT Selecting an external control input: Press the CONTROL INPUT button to cycle between the external control options. There are four possible settings: •O FF (no LEDs on): External control is disabled in this mode •E XP: Expression Pedal for use with the SA161 Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal. By default, the expression pedal will control the TIME parameter.
DIMENSION REVERB PLATE 1 E-DOME TIME PLATE 2 ARENA STAGE DIFFUSE (RATE) MODVERB ROOM METAL BOX ECHO 1 DRY WET HH A MIDI BASS (DEPTH) OPTION SELECT B SPRING 2 CLUB PRE-DELAY (OUTPUT) MIX SPRING 1 EXP CONTROL INPUT OPTION TREBLE 2 CONTROL ASSIGN By default, the expression pedal and Hot Hand inputs are assigned to control the TIME parameter. This can easily be changed to control any other knob parameter or an additional REVERB SEND parameter.
Note: Different control assignments can be used for each preset. Don’t forget to save your settings! REVERB SEND PARAMETER There is an additional parameter that does not have a knob associated with it but can be used with the expression pedal input or with Hot Hand. HH MIDI Press and hold EXP CONTROL INPUT To select REVERB SEND as the assigned parameter for external control, set the CONTROL INPUT to OFF (no LEDs lit). Press and hold the CONTROL INPUT button until all three LEDs blink rapidly.
DIMENSION REVERB PLATE 1 A E-DOME TIME PLATE 2 ARENA STAGE B SPRING 2 CLUB PRE-DELAY (OUTPUT) DIFFUSE (RATE) MODVERB ROOM METAL BOX ECHO 1 DRY WET HH MIDI BASS (DEPTH) OPTION SELECT MIX SPRING 1 EXP CONTROL INPUT OPTION TREBLE 2 1. Select the expression pedal input and assign it to REVERB SEND as described above. 2. Select a desired reverb type (ex. ARENA) (A) and turn up the TIME (B) knob to create a long tailing and sustained effect. 3.
This control allows for some fun ambient effects where a background sound can be created and maintained while a separate part can be played along without turning the entire output into mush. Using the REVERB SEND for bypass trailing A common problem when bypassing reverb and delay effects is that the trailing sound is lost. When the REVERB SEND is assigned to the Expression Pedal, it can also be used as a “soft” bypass. With the expression pedal in the toe down position, the reverb will be fully engaged.
USE WITH HOT HAND All Soundblox pedals are compatible with our Hot Hand accessories. Hot Hand units consist of a ring mounted accelerometer that is used to detect motion for controlling effect parameters. On the Dimension Reverb, a Hot Hand unit can be connected to the Multi-Function input. To enable Hot Hand, select the HH mode as the external control option. This will take the input signals for the Hot Hand unit and use them to control whichever parameter has been assigned.
UNIVERSAL BYPASS™ Another added feature in the Soundblox 2 line is Universal Bypass which allows you to select between buffered and relay-based true bypass. In other effects pedals, both traditional bypass methods have pros and cons associated with them. Active analog bypass (or buffered) provides a consistent input impedance so that if the input is susceptible (like a guitar pickup) to variations in input impedance there won’t be any noticeable change in tone.
SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions • L: 4.5 inches • W: 4.5 inches • H: 2.25 inches (including knobs) Weight • 1.00 lbs Power •1 40mA @ 9V DC (max 180mA with Hot Hand Wireless Adapter) • Negative tip power jack Audio Performance • Maximum input level: 2.
Unit appears dead/no LEDs lit: Wrong power supply Use correct power supply as defined on page 4. Input plug not connected Ensure that input cable is connected to the GUITAR input. Corroded input cable plug Check input cable plug for corrosion on sleeve, swap out cable if necessary.
WARRANTY INFORMATION Source Audio may, at its option, require proof of the original purchase date in the form of a dated copy of original authorized dealer’s invoice or sales receipt. Service and repairs of Source Audio products are to be performed only at the Source Audio factory or a Source Audio authorized service center.
