Alternatives to SA Aftershock

[AlejandroVI]

I'm building my first pedalboard. I got an Aftershock as it's sold as an incredibly flexible OD pedal (great for exploring sounds before commiting to more specialized gear).
Unfortunately, after a few hours of troubleshooting, I've been unable to succesfully connect my Aftershock either to my PC (Windows 11 Pro) or Android device (Samsung A9+, Android 14). The Neuro ecosystem built by SA played a huge part in me choosing the Aftershock, so I'll be returning it .
Any recommendations on other versatile OD pedals?
Thx in advance!

 

[GrowlerBox]

Source Audio seems to be a very approachable company, and @rsmith601 (the president himself) is very active here, so I wouldn’t write it off until you’ve had them troubleshoot it for you.

That said, Genzler has a pair of versatile analog OD/distortion pedals (4 On the Floor and Crash Box) that may be worth a look if you lose patience with the whole digital interface thing. I use their Magellan Pre/DI, and can vouch for the quality.

 

[tonym]

If you're having trouble with the new Neuro remember that the 3.x version is really just a beta and a lot of work is going on it now. You can download the older stable version on their support page and shouldn't have issues connecting with that. I've bee nursing it with the Aftershock for years without any difficulty. There's also a very active and helpful SA community here.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I’d get a Zoom MS60B+. You don’t need the app to get the full functionality like you do with the Source Audio pedals. Which is good because currently the Zoom app is only available for iOS.

 

[AlejandroVI]

If you're having trouble with the new Neuro remember that the 3.x version is really just a beta and a lot of work is going on it now. You can download the older stable version on their support page and shouldn't have issues connecting with that. I've bee nursing it with the Aftershock for years without any difficulty. There's also a very active and helpful SA community here.

I thought this would work but for some reason the older version just closes on its own after a few seconds. I can see it recognizes the Aftershock, though.

 

[GMC]

have a little patience with Source Audio, reach out to them and they will help you resolve your USB issue with your Aftershock. Trust me, it's really worth the effort

 

[MrVentures]

Putting on my IT support hat: have you tried things like restarting your device, ensuring your operating systems are up to date, trying a different cable (I have the NuX MLD and it is very finicky about which cables it will work with), perform a factory reset of the pedal (see below), or follow the troubleshooting steps at SA to connect to the mobile app?

Factory Reset
Perform a factory reset by holding down the footswitch while plugging in the power supply.

 

[rsmith601]

I'm building my first pedalboard. I got an Aftershock as it's sold as an incredibly flexible OD pedal (great for exploring sounds before commiting to more specialized gear).
Unfortunately, after a few hours of troubleshooting, I've been unable to succesfully connect my Aftershock either to my PC (Windows 11 Pro) or Android device (Samsung A9+, Android 14). The Neuro ecosystem built by SA played a huge part in me choosing the Aftershock, so I'll be returning it .
Any recommendations on other versatile OD pedals?
Thx in advance!

What other effect company president will respond to your Saturday night question with a Sunday morning response? I took a few hours off last night!

Yes, this is a Neuro 3 issue. When Aftershock and Neuro are working correctly it is still unbeatable. I am sorry about your timing. We can get you fixed up. Please reach out to our contact line: [email protected] Tell them Roger sent you!

 

[logdrum]

It could also be possible that the Application Support/Source Audio folder got corrupted. In my case because I used my work laptop, IT's virus scan quarantined the folder and suddenly I can't connect.

I think the reason your AfterShock is disappearing is because you have the Neuro 3 running as well and they are in effect competing to control the unit. Uninstall 3.X and possibly the older 0.8.71 Nero Desktop and start from scratch/ Just to be safe and frustration free, Just install the 0.8.71 . Unless you have bad cable, you should be able to see the unit. Also make sure you are using a power supply that supplies 200 mA. A drop in voltage or current can also make your pedal disappear.

 

[logdrum]

Of course as an enabler. You should buy another pedal and explore. Why not. Get a Quad Cortex or two

BUT do not throw or sell the AfterShock. SA repaired the board of a unit I got used. Even if you are an analog purist, the Aftershock is a good way yo learn about overdrives/distortion fuzz and then use that experience to curate a pedal setup and thus avoid buying and flipping.

In my case, I recreated how my Mosfet Full Drive sounds and have that programmed into my aftershock

 

[logdrum]

Hmm. I do not know about the other multi FX. But you need something that has this many distortion engines. 2 channels, a parametric EQ and the ability to do some crazy routing, a built-in noise gate and external control and assign the knobs to do something else. Full disclosure, I am not very distortion savvy, - you could say even ignorant, so cannot tell if they are authentic as well but they are different. The choices are overwhelming so I must have given up trying them all sooner than later. I have 6 sounds I like and have not messed with them since.

 

[bassbrad]

I thought this would work but for some reason the older version just closes on its own after a few seconds. I can see it recognizes the Aftershock, though.

It may help to uninstall the version of Neuro 3 and revert back to a previous version. I have had to do that on my systems several times the past few weeks, it's a pain but worth it IMHO. As has been stated Source audio is well aware of the problems and is fervently working to get it resolved. Source Audio and the community of Neuro users are very creative and supportive.
Other than the Aftershock there is nothing that covers as broad a spectrum for our dirty needs, there are a few two trick boxes but none that offer 6 with the only exception of their own Ultrawave.
There area lot of great dirt options these days, you'll likely never get through them all, I have 20+ and have owned hundreds more over the years and after getting the Aftershock I let go of many that I was keeping for those just in case needs that the Aftershock fulfills all too well.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I'm building my first pedalboard. I got an Aftershock as it's sold as an incredibly flexible OD pedal (great for exploring sounds before commiting to more specialized gear).
Unfortunately, after a few hours of troubleshooting, I've been unable to succesfully connect my Aftershock either to my PC (Windows 11 Pro) or Android device (Samsung A9+, Android 14). The Neuro ecosystem built by SA played a huge part in me choosing the Aftershock, so I'll be returning it .
Any recommendations on other versatile OD pedals?
Thx in advance!

I found the aftershock, along with most of their pedals, to have far too many options. Therefore, I couldn't do anything with it that I was happy with.

After a long list of purchases, sales, and returns,
I use a Boss odb 3. It's perfect

 

[AlejandroVI]

What other effect company president will respond to your Saturday night question with a Sunday morning response? I took a few hours off last night!

Yes, this is a Neuro 3 issue. When Aftershock and Neuro are working correctly it is still unbeatable. I am sorry about your timing. We can get you fixed up. Please reach out to our contact line: [email protected] Tell them Roger sent you!

Update: I'm glad to say that Neuro 3 for desktop is working for me now.
Still having trouble with the mobile app but I read somewhere in the Neuro app improvement thread that were was some trouble with that connection so I'll wait for a fix.
Thank you for reaching out to me!

P.D. I'm getting an EQ2 next

 

[bassbrad]

Update: I'm glad to say that Neuro 3 for desktop is working for me now.
Still having trouble with the mobile app but I read somewhere in the Neuro app improvement thread that were was some trouble with that connection so I'll wait for a fix.
Thank you for reaching out to me!

P.D. I'm getting an EQ2 next

Great news and welcome to the Neuro pack,
be sure to check out my creations for Aftershock I'm still bassbrad over there, shameless plug.
.

 

[jasonmitsch]

The predecessor SA Bass OFD isn't as robust as the Aftershock, but it still has a lot of options and all tweaking can be done without a computer.