MULTIWAVE DISTORTION USER’S GUIDE SA220
WELCOME Thank you for purchasing the Soundblox 2 Multiwave Distortion. The Soundblox 2 Multiwave is the newest incarnation of our original highlyacclaimed Multiwave Distortion. The Soundblox 2 Multiwave produces very unique distortion sounds and does not attempt to model or emulate any classic distortions. It offers some new and different distortions ranging from the more organic to synth-like and octave effects.
OVERVIEW DIVERSE SOUND PALETTE Featuring 23 varieties of our unique distortion algorithms with an added CLEAN BOOST mode. MULTIBAND PROCESSING Signal is split into multiple bands and distorted individually for unprecedented sound clarity. 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 power supply could damage the unit. Please be very cautious when using a 3rd party supply. 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) • SUSTAIN: adjusts input gain to the front-end compressor. • DRIVE: the amount of distortion gain applied to the signal. • TONE: cuts or boosts the selected TONE SHAPE (Treble, Mid, or Bass) • OUTPUT: adjusts the output level of the effect. • EFFECT KNOB: selects the type of distortion. • NOISE GATE: controls the noise gate threshold level.
THEORY OF OPERATION The Soundblox 2 Multiwave Distortion provides some unique distortion sounds. In creating this effects pedal, we didn’t intend to duplicate, model, or emulate any existing types of distortion. The types of algorithms we use to create the distortion are quite different from the standard set although with certain settings the results can sound similar. One of the techniques we use is to divide up the input guitar signal into multiple frequency bands.
The shapes of the distortion curves are also different from standard distortions. Normally, as the input signal voltage rises, the output voltage also rises, but begins to level off and finally pins (or clips) at a maximum value. With a foldback curve, for large enough values of the input, the output will begin to decrease. With more extreme amounts of foldback, after decreasing for a while, the output can begin to increase again.
CONNECTIONS GUITAR IN: Connect your guitar 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 distortion type will be used. There are 23 effect positions (0 through 22) around the knob as well as a setting for CLEAN BOOST. In the CLEAN BOOST mode, the distortion effect is bypassed but the output knob and tone controls still apply. For information on the individual settings see the Effect Types section.
SUSTAIN There is a compressor before the distortion. The SUSTAIN knob adjusts the input gain of the compressor. Increasing the SUSTAIN control will result in a higher signal level going to the distortion, even when DRIVE remains fixed. Increasing the amount of compression on the signal effectively creates more sustain. SUSTAIN DRIVE The DRIVE control adjusts the gain of the signal going into the distortion section.
OUTPUT Adjusts the output level of the effect. This is useful for setting the level of the effect compared to the bypass signal. Note that because the effect compresses the signal, the dynamic range of the distorted signal will be less compared to the dry signal. This should be accounted for when setting levels. OUTPUT TONE The TONE knob along with the TONE SHAPE control will cut or boost the Treble, Mid, or Bass frequencies depending on which mode is currently selected.
CONTROLS: BUTTONS NOISE GATE This control allows for quick adjustments to the noise gate threshold. Since distortion effects can have very high signal gain, the background noise and hum are also gained up and can become undesirably loud. Enabling the noise gate on the Soundblox 2 Multiwave will help silence the background noise when the guitar is not being played. There are 4 levels for the noise gate threshold: OFF (all LEDs off), LOW, MED, HIGH.
CONTROLS: FOOTSWITCHES There are two footswitches on the Soundblox 2 Multiwave. 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 effects included in the Soundblox 2 Multiwave. The EFFECT knob settings are split into two major categories: MULTI BAND and SINGLE BAND. The MULTI BAND settings use the band splitting discussed in the Features section and the SINGLE BAND settings do not. Each main category contains 3 sub-categories: NORMAL, FOLDBACK, and OCTAVE. For each sub-category, turning the effect knob clockwise will tend produce more dramatic effects.
MULTI BAND: FOLDBACK 4–9 The use of foldback in these settings creates more extreme distortion sounds. The higher numbered effects have more foldback creating even more distortion. Power chords will work well. MULTI BAND: OCTAVE 10–14 Settings 10 and 11 give the purest octave effect. Settings 12 through 14 also have foldback and can get pretty strange. Unlike classic octave effects, chords can produce some useful results. Dial down the guitar volume knob for a different range of sounds.
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.
Press the NOISE GATE button again while holding the TONE SHAPE button to resume normal Noise Gate adjustments CONTROL ASSIGN Both the expression pedal and hot hand inputs are by default mapped to control the morph parameter. This effectively allows the control of any parameter since the morph is between two distinct preset effect settings. Alternatively, it might be desirable to assign control of an individual knob parameter to the Hot Hand or Expression input instead of the default Morph parameter.
MORPHING The Multi-Function control input can be used to morph between the two presets. For example, let’s say preset 1 is saved as a Multiband normal setting and preset 2 is a Multiband octave setting. By connecting an SA161 Expression Pedal, you can fade from the preset 1 Multiband normal sound into the octave effect saved in Preset 2 by rocking the expression pedal from heel to toe.
MIDI CONTROL The Soundblox 2 Multiwave can be controlled via General MIDI messages. In order to use the MIDI functionality of the unit, it requires a Source Audio Soundblox 2 MIDI Adapter. Please check www.sourceaudio.net for availability. The adapter connects to the Multi-Function input and provides standard MIDI IN and OUT 5-pin DIN connectors. Using Soundblox 2 pedals with MIDI greatly extends the functionality of the units.
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 Soundblox 2 Multiwave, 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 either the Morph or whichever parameter has been assigned.
UNIVERSAL BYPASS™ Another added feature in the Soundblox 2 line is Universal 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. Buffered bypass is typically quieter and less prone to clicks and pops.
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 14. 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.
