SOURCE AUDIO Soundblox 2 OFD Bass microModeler Pedal
SOURCE AUDIO Soundblox 2 OFD Bass microModeler Pedal
B&H # SOSA228 MFR # SA228
Product Highlights
- 12 Overdrive, Fuzz, and Distortion Tones
- 3-Band EQ
- Mix Knob for Dialing in Clean Signal
- 2 Selectable/Editable User Presets
- 56-Bit DSP Architecture
- 24-Bit AD/DA
- 3.5mm Multi-Function I/O
- Compatible with Hot Hand Motion Sensors
- True or Buffered Bypass
- Included 9 VDC Power Supply
This item is noncancelable and nonreturnable.
You Pay: $169.00
SOURCE AUDIO OFD Bass microModeler overview
- 1Description
Designed for electric bass players, the Soundblox 2 OFD Bass microModeler from Source Audio is an effects pedal with 12 different overdrive, fuzz, and distortion sounds, all in one compact enclosure. It digitally replicates the tonal characteristics of several revered stompboxes, and includes a few original algorithms, along with providing controls for drive, tone, and more. Quite usable for bass players is the mix knob, which can either dial clean tone into the signal, or dial in what Source Audio calls "High Cut Clean Tone"—signal EQ'd to deliver clean low end and nothing else. This comes in handy for rounding out particularly aggressive distortions.
With these controls, as well as a three-band equalizer and an onboard noise gate, you’ll be able to elicit a wide array of tonal possibilities, all of which you can store within two presets. You can recall these presets by clicking either footswitch, and saving a preset is as easy as pressing a footswitch and holding it down. Multiple methods for external controls are possible, as outlined in the features section.
This pedal uses a 56-bit digital signal path to achieve its emulative effects, though its converters operate in industry-standard 24-bit on the A/D and D/A side. While the unit utilizes digital architecture, its bypass is analog, ensuring your signal is fully routed around the DSP with no degradation. Included with the pedal is a 9 VDC power supply.
- Key Features at a Glance
-
- Features 12 different overdrive, fuzz, and distortion tones.
- Compact, rugged, cast-aluminum housing.
- Select either analog buffered or relay-based true bypass.
- Easy-to-configure user presets, selectable via two footswitches.
- Flexible three-band tone control.
- Dual-control mix knobs to dial in clean tone, or clean tone EQ'd for low-end punch.
- Multi-purpose control input allows for preset morphing or knob-by-knob expression control via Source Audio’s Hot Hand Motion Sensor Ring, the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal, or MIDI.
- Easy to engage, three-level noise gate.
- Proprietary 56-bit digital signal processor.
- Industry-standard 24-bit AD/DA converters.
- Included DC adapter
- Controls at a Glance
-
EFFECT Knob: This selects the type of distortion.
DRIVE Knob: This adjusts the amount of distortion applied to the signal.
MIX Knob: This adjusts the level of clean signal added to the mix; you can choose between standard clean tone or clean tone EQ'd to provide low-end information only. This can help retain sonic purity to the bottom end of the frequency spectrum, allowing the bass to carry on its essential function in the band while still growling away in distorted tones.
TONE Knob: This cuts or boosts the selected TONE SHAPE (treble, mid, and bass).
OUTPUT Knob: This adjusts the output level of the final signal.
NOISE GATE Button: This selects the noise gate threshold level. This also selects the External Control mode.
TONE SHAPE Button: This selects which frequency range will be adjusted by the TONE knob.
FOOTSWITCHES: Both footswitches are used to enable/disable presets. Press and hold to save an edited preset.
- Distortion Types
-
TUBE DRIVE: A smooth, overdriven tube amp effect similar to a vintage Marshall sound, particularly suitable for pleasant, mild overdrive.
SMOOTH TUBE: Based on Mesa/Boogie preamp distortion.
POWER STAGE: Inspired by the Fulltone Distortion Pro.
CRUNCH TUBE: Not an emulation, but an aggressive tube distortion of Source Audio’s design.
TS9000: Based on the Ibanez Tube Screamer, featuring a lot of mid boost.
BIG PI: Based on an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi of indeterminate model specification.
EL RATON: Based on the ProCo Rat.
FUZZ FAÇADE: Emulation of the Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face.
BENDER: Modeled on the Tone Bender MK II.
METAL: Not an emulation, but a metal distortion with plenty of highs and lows, designed by Source Audio.
OCTAVE FUZZ: A full-wave rectifier mimicking the Octavia (Please note: try turning down the high-frequency control knob on your bass to bring out the higher octave).
GATED FUZZ: A wild, digital sounding fuzz held back by a sensitive noise gate. Similar to a ZVex Woolly Mammoth.
- Multi-Function I/O
- 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 compatible Audio MIDI interfaces.
- Hot Hand Control
- A quirky method of manipulation sure to pique your fancy, the Hot Hand technology provided by Source Audio lets you smoothly control parameters of the pedal through its onboard sensor and a corresponding two-axis accelerometer that you can wear like a ring. In essence, by changing the position of your hand, you can modulate parameters of the pedal in a fluid fashion. A calibration button allows you to find a "zero point," while an additional sensor is built into the pedal to facilitate the daisy-chaining of other Hot-Hand enabled pedals, giving you one ring to rule them all (your pedals, that is).
- Morphing Possibilities
- In conjunction with an expression pedal, MIDI controller, or Hot Hand controller, 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. As you morph between the presets, the two footswitch LEDs will change brightness depending on where you are in the transition. The morphing function is not a crossfade between two sounds, but rather a gradual shift between each preset's individual parameters.
- 1Description
SOURCE AUDIO OFD Bass microModeler specs
| I/O |
1 x 1/4" Instrument input, phone type 1 x 3.5 mm Multi-Function input 1 x 3.5 mm Multi-Function output 1 x 1/4" Instrument output, phone type |
| Controls |
EFFECT knob DRIVE knob MIX knob TONE knob OUTPUT knob NOISE GATE button TONE SHAPE button FOOTSWITCHES (x2) |
| Maximum Input Level | 2.0 Vrms (+6 dBV) |
| Impedance |
Input: 1 MOhm Output: 1 kOhm |
| Dynamic Range | 115 dB audio path |
| DSP | 56-bit digital data path |
| AD/DA Conversion | 24-bit |
| Bypass | Buffered or relay-based true bypass |
| Power | 140 mA at 9 VDC (max 180 mA with Hot Hand Wireless Adapter) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4.5 x 4.5 x 2.3" / 11.4 x 11.4 x 5.7 cm |
| Weight | 1.0 lb / 0.5 kg |
