GUITAR | microMODELER OV E R D RIVE FU Z Z D IS TORTION USER’S GUIDE SA227
WELCOME Thank you for purchasing the Soundblox 2 OFD Guitar microModeler. The OFD packs a comprehensive collection of new and vintage overdrive, fuzz, and distortion tones into a single stage-ready stompbox perfect for guitarists of all genres. Each effect has been meticulously crafted to provide precise and responsive tones, from warm and chunky tube overdrive to over-the-top fuzz. The OFD Guitar microModeler is housed in a compact and extremely durable cast-aluminum casing.
OVERVIEW DIVERSE SOUND PALETTE Featuring 12 different overdrive, fuzz, and distortion tones. COMPACT DESIGN Compact, rugged, cast-aluminum housing. UNIVERSAL BYPASS Select either analog buffered or relay-based True Bypass. 2 USER PRESETS Easy to configure user presets, selectable via two footswitches. 3-BAND TONE CONTROL Extra-flexible TREBLE, MID, and BASS tone control.
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 Using standard ¼" mono cables, connect your guitar to the GUITAR IN jack. Connect the pedal from the GUITAR OUT jack to your amp or other audio device. GUITAR IN MULTIFUNCTION IN GUITAR OUT MULTIFUNCTION OUT 9V DC 3.
• VOICE (C): a gradual timbre adjustment affecting the overall character of each distortion • TONE (D): cuts or boosts the selected TONE SHAPE (TREBLE, MID, and BASS). • OUTPUT (E): adjusts the output level of the effect. • NOISE GATE BUTTON (F): selects the noise gate threshold level. Also selects the External Control mode. • TONE SHAPE BUTTON (G): selects which frequency range will be adjusted by the TONE knob. • FOOTSWITCHES (H): enable/disable presets. Press and hold to save an edited preset.
CONNECTIONS GUITAR IN (A): Connect your guitar or other instrument here using a standard mono ¼" cable. GUITAR OUT (B): Connect this to your amp, pedal, or other audio device. MULTI-FUNCTION IN (C) (optional): The multi-function input is a flexible control input for use with external controllers.
CONTROLS: KNOBS EFFECT (A) (not labeled) The effect knob selects which overdrive, fuzz, or distortion type will be used. For information on the individual settings see the Effect Types section.
DRIVE (B) The DRIVE knob adjusts the amount of gain applied to the signal. Dial down the drive for a cleaner, more articulate tone and crank it up for over-the-top doses of distortion. VOICE (C) The VOICE knob adjusts a midrange control located within the distortion section of processing. This knob has a very different impact on the overall character of the distortion than a simple EQ adjustment. Turn the knob to the left for a warmer, cleaner tone and to the right for a thicker, more cutting drive.
OUTPUT (D) 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. TONE (E) The TONE knob along with the TONE SHAPE control (F) will cut or boost the TREBLE, MID, or BASS frequencies, depending on which mode is 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 OFD microModeler will help silence the background noise when the guitar is not being played. There are four noise gate threshold levels: OFF (all LEDs off), LOW, MED, HIGH.
TONE SHAPE There are three selectable EQ shapes: TREBLE, MID, and BASS. This control works in conjunction with the TONE knob. Press the TONE SHAPE button to scroll through the three tone control options. The TONE knob will adjust the level of cut or boost for the selected frequency range. The three tone shapes can be set independently and will not affect each other.
CONTROLS: FOOTSWITCHES There are two footswitches on the OFD. The left footswitch corresponds to preset 1 and the right footswitch corresponds to preset 2. Pressing either of the footswitches will engage its respective preset. Pressing the engaged footswitch will put the effect back into bypass mode and pressing the unengaged footswitch will change to the other preset without going into bypass. The illumination of the LEDs labeled “1” and “2” indicate which preset is currently enabled.
EFFECT TYPES Here are some brief descriptions of the effects included in the Soundblox 2 OFD microModeler. TS9000 BIG PI EL RATON FUZZ FAÇADE CRUNCH TUBE POWER STAGE BENDER SMOOTH TUBE METAL TUBE DRIVE OCTAVE FUZZ GATED FUZZ TUBE DRIVE TUBE DRIVE offers a vintage tube overdrive reminiscent of a Marshall Plexi. At lower drive levels this effect creates a punchy overdrive perfect for chunky rhythm tones. Crank the DRIVE knob for cutting lead tones.
POWER STAGE POWER STAGE provides a tone similar to the Fulltone OCD®. It’s a versatile effect that falls somewhere between tube overdrive and transistor distortion, rich with warm overtones and a thick, punchy grind. CRUNCH TUBE CRUNCH TUBE is an extra aggressive tube overdrive effect that boldly goes where no amp has gone before. If your current overdrive doesn’t have quite enough hair on it, reach for the CRUNCH TUBE.
BENDER Based on the MK II Tone Bender®, the BENDER effect provides the thick, heavily saturated fuzz synonymous with Yardbirds era Beck or early Zeppelin era Page. Fat chords and maximum sustain lead tones characterize this timeless fuzz. METAL Our METAL distortion provides a heaping dose of the heavily saturated, “scooped” tone synonymous with the metal genre. Searing highs and thunderous lows reign in this hardline distortion.
EXTERNAL CONTROL One of the Core Features of the Soundblox 2 line of effects is the MULTIFUNCTION Input. The MULTI-FUNCTION input is an intelligent control input that accepts both digital and analog control signals. It replaces the SENSOR input on previous Soundblox pedals. The MULTI-FUNCTION input connects to wired or wireless Hot Hand accessories, the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal, or a future Source Audio MIDI interface that will enable full MIDI I/O access to the pedal.
to control any individual knob parameter. • MIDI: MIDI control mode. Select this mode to enable MIDI I/O through the Soundblox 2 MIDI Interface • HH: Hot Hand mode. Select HH to enable Hot Hand control. By default, Hot Hand will be assigned to control the morph parameter. Hot Hand can also be also be assigned to control any individual knob parameter. Press the NOISE GATE button again while holding the TONE SHAPE button to resume normal Noise Gate adjustments.
rapidly. Note: Different control assignments can be used for each preset. Don’t forget to save your settings! MORPHING The MULTI-FUNCTION control input can be used to morph between the two presets. For example, if preset 1 is saved as a low gain TUBE DRIVE and preset 2 is saved as a high gain BIG PI tone you can transform from Preset 1 to Preset 2 by rocking a Source Audio Expression Pedal from heel to toe (this process can also be performed with Hot Hand or a MIDI control device).
MIDI CONTROL The Soundblox 2 OFD microModeler can be controlled via general MIDI messages. In order to use the MIDI functionality, the unit 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 translates motion into a control signal that can be applied to effect parameters. On the OFD, connect Hot Hand to the Multi-Function input. Select the HH mode as the external control option. This will take the input signals from Hot Hand and use them to control either the Morphing function or the assigned knob parameter (See Control Assign Section).
UNIVERSAL BYPASS™ Most effect pedals offer either true or buffered bypass. Soundblox 2 pedals offer Universal Bypass, which allows you to select between the two. We recommend choosing between the OFD’s active analog (a.k.a. buffered bypass) and relay-based true bypass (a.k.a. true bypass) based on your pedalboard’s signal chain (Ideally, the first pedal in a signal chain would be a buffered input followed by true bypass in the rest of the signal chain). By default, the OFD is set to relay-based true bypass.
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.
