NPD: SA Aftershock

[CrossRO]

Thank you for the help, understood the channel switching, the only question is, if I have for example on the tube channel, one dirt engine on tube the other on the big muff. On the manual of the neuro app, it says that I can change between the dirt engines with the tap tempo switch ( I guess only if it's set on mono in, stereo process, mono out). Can I do that with any footswitch(with an adaptor), or only the tap tempo?
Thank you

 

[Gibs210]

Thank you for the help, understood the channel switching, the only question is, if I have for example on the tube channel, one dirt engine on tube the other on the big muff. On the manual of the neuro app, it says that I can change between the dirt engines with the tap tempo switch ( I guess only if it's set on mono in, stereo process, mono out). Can I do that with any footswitch(with an adaptor), or only the tap tempo?
Thank you

The one series control input is multi use, as a result, it requires the SA tap switch to work correctly, you can wire up a switch yourself that would work, but it will require a trs jack at a minimum and somenresistors and a capacitor. The wiring diagram is on our website in the SA tap switch manual.

 

[Matthew_84]

anyone here ever have an issue where the pedal seems okay (you can adjust settings on it and the desktop neuro app seems to show those changes in effect), but no audio comes out of it if you plug into input 1?

Also, for one of my presets, I keep trying to select "mono in, sterero process, stereo out" but it keeps changing to "default - auto select"... I wonder if my input 1 is messed up in the firmware. I tried a factory reset but it didn't seem to help

edit: wait, this preset is all messed up. a lot of these settings are wrong like all of my EQ knobs are -20 db. What the hell is going on. I'll send an email to Source Audio

 

[Matthew_84]

k, i sorted it out after re-updating the firmware, but I have another question, has anyone had issues with the Neuro Desktop software freezing (or "not responding") a lot? It seems to crash on me fairly frequently and I don't remember this happening before.... I have an old laptop so that could be it, but just curious.

 

[StayLow]

k, i sorted it out after re-updating the firmware, but I have another question, has anyone had issues with the Neuro Desktop software freezing (or "not responding") a lot? It seems to crash on me fairly frequently and I don't remember this happening before.... I have an old laptop so that could be it, but just curious.

Not me. Is it possible your laptop is dropping the USB connection if there's no data transferring within a given amount of time ... perhaps 30-60 seconds ... maybe a screen saver kicking-in? I've had older machines do that with some connections.

 

[Matthew_84]

Not me. Is it possible your laptop is dropping the USB connection if there's no data transferring within a given amount of time ... perhaps 30-60 seconds ... maybe a screen saver kicking-in? I've had older machines do that with some connections.

Thanks. It’s weird because I never had any issues when I got the pedal a while ago, but now I can hardly import a preset without it freezing, or it just not taking, or the knobs all showing fully CCW settings. It’s acting really weird, and that’s both before and after a re-install... idk, maybe I change some Windows setting along the way or something. It’s strange.

 

[StayLow]

Thanks. It’s weird because I never had any issues when I got the pedal a while ago, but now I can hardly import a preset without it freezing, or it just not taking, or the knobs all showing fully CCW settings. It’s acting really weird, and that’s both before and after a re-install... idk, maybe I change some Windows setting along the way or something. It’s strange.

I don't recall reading of such issues. Contact Source Audio. Or @ their accounts here... can't recall the names offhand though. They seem to have provided exceptional customer service in the past.

 

[GMC]

Just a note that if you're using MIDI and you don't need to move the pedal's placement in your signal chain within your controller/loop system, you don't need to put it in one of the loops. You can leave it in front and free up a loop for other uses. I do this with all my MIDI programmable pedals, some are in front of my ES-5 some are behind it, then I can use the loops for all my non-midi pedals.

I agree, although it adds further complications at the loop / midi programming stage. If you only have a few pedals, it's less of an issue. But some mega boards...this approach can get really complex. Every pedal needs a patch command, a loop command and a CC on/off command for every patch. If this doesn't happen then selecting between patches can cause the settings from one patch get carried over to the next accidentally. If I choose patch 5 then 2, I might get a bunch of effects and unit patches that I didn't clear down in patch 2. If it then go Patch 2 then 5, I might get complicated results too. With just one or two midi pedals then it's not much of an issue. But with large complex boards it's easy to get over whelmed with Midi complexity and also run out of midi assigns on the controller. Generally, if a Midi pedal is in a loop I think "do I need this pedal for this patch?" No...turn off the loop, easy. Yes, turn on the loop (or assign another button to turn that loop on within the patch) and assign a midi Patch. Nice and easy. However, with every midi pedal in a long chain; I have to think about Midi CC On/Off and Device Midi patch for every device on every Boss ES-5 patch regardless If I need it or not for that patch.

I'm up to 4 SA pedals now. My EQ2 is on the output from my ES-5 and isn't controlled by it's loop options. So that's running the concept that you proposed in your post. My EQ2 is placed just before my Ambience H9 (delays and verbs etc), which is the last pedal in my chain. Both of these pedals are generally used as independent. I can control them both by midi (patch change and CC) but I generally choose to select their patches and on/off status manually. In fact my EQ2 has a permanent expression pedal attached to it to control either the EQ character, Wah or master output Volume. My C4 is on Loop1, but could easily be moved to the input of my ES-5 if I needed that extra loop. If I moved it to the input (pre Loop1) then I'd need to add it's on/off status and patch choice to every patch on my Boss ES-5. Bare in mind I'm up to around 75 patched on my ES-5. That's a large piece of work, but it could liberate another loop for me. Loop 2 is for my Hog2. Loop 3 is "all my dirt" in a loop. That's where my UltraWave will go too. I then have my primary H9 in Loop 4 and my Lunar (modulation) in Loop5. I tend to split harmoniser / Octave duties between loop 1, 2 and 4. Modulation between loop 4 & 5 but all my dirt is in Loop 3. I'd like to slip in a dedicated filter (Intelligent Filter) in there, but my loops are maxed out and I have the WAH / Vol sweep function of the EQ2. When I have some time, I'll program a really good low pass filter on the EQ2. I also don't have the room on the board either. It's a pity Source Audio never launched their "Midi controller for analogue pedals" device. A loop switcher that's activated via midi CC. I could then take off my Mastotron of the top of my board and bury it under the hood, being switched on / off via Midi CC. THEN I could slip in an Intelligent Filter too.
I think if Boss were to update the ES-5...I would want the same size device. But with two expression in ports, a Volume Loop and the last loop to be Stereo, along with Stereo out. Maybe I should start a dedicated ES-5 thread!

 

[BurningSkies]

I agree, although it adds further complications at the loop / midi programming stage. If you only have a few pedals, it's less of an issue. But some mega boards...this approach can get really complex. Every pedal needs a patch command, a loop command and a CC on/off command for every patch. If this doesn't happen then selecting between patches can cause the settings from one patch get carried over to the next accidentally. If I choose patch 5 then 2, I might get a bunch of effects and unit patches that I didn't clear down in patch 2. If it then go Patch 2 then 5, I might get complicated results too. With just one or two midi pedals then it's not much of an issue. But with large complex boards it's easy to get over whelmed with Midi complexity and also run out of midi assigns on the controller. Generally, if a Midi pedal is in a loop I think "do I need this pedal for this patch?" No...turn off the loop, easy. Yes, turn on the loop (or assign another button to turn that loop on within the patch) and assign a midi Patch. Nice and easy. However, with every midi pedal in a long chain; I have to think about Midi CC On/Off and Device Midi patch for every device on every Boss ES-5 patch regardless If I need it or not for that patch.

I'm up to 4 SA pedals now. My EQ2 is on the output from my ES-5 and isn't controlled by it's loop options. So that's running the concept that you proposed in your post. My EQ2 is placed just before my Ambience H9 (delays and verbs etc), which is the last pedal in my chain. Both of these pedals are generally used as independent. I can control them both by midi (patch change and CC) but I generally choose to select their patches and on/off status manually. In fact my EQ2 has a permanent expression pedal attached to it to control either the EQ character, Wah or master output Volume. My C4 is on Loop1, but could easily be moved to the input of my ES-5 if I needed that extra loop. If I moved it to the input (pre Loop1) then I'd need to add it's on/off status and patch choice to every patch on my Boss ES-5. Bare in mind I'm up to around 75 patched on my ES-5. That's a large piece of work, but it could liberate another loop for me. Loop 2 is for my Hog2. Loop 3 is "all my dirt" in a loop. That's where my UltraWave will go too. I then have my primary H9 in Loop 4 and my Lunar (modulation) in Loop5. I tend to split harmoniser / Octave duties between loop 1, 2 and 4. Modulation between loop 4 & 5 but all my dirt is in Loop 3. I'd like to slip in a dedicated filter (Intelligent Filter) in there, but my loops are maxed out and I have the WAH / Vol sweep function of the EQ2. When I have some time, I'll program a really good low pass filter on the EQ2. I also don't have the room on the board either. It's a pity Source Audio never launched their "Midi controller for analogue pedals" device. A loop switcher that's activated via midi CC. I could then take off my Mastotron of the top of my board and bury it under the hood, being switched on / off via Midi CC. THEN I could slip in an Intelligent Filter too.
I think if Boss were to update the ES-5...I would want the same size device. But with two expression in ports, a Volume Loop and the last loop to be Stereo, along with Stereo out. Maybe I should start a dedicated ES-5 thread!

The ES-5 was my choice due to size (depth, in particular), I didn't want a yet-bigger pedal board for both reasons of portability & pack but also for stage space since it always seems like it was at a premium on a huge number of stages on the road. There are a couple of 'wishes' I'd have for it...

-More space for ins/outs: hard to use 'regular size' patch cables and remain compact. I ended up making my own and using Lava cables' connectors at the ES end of things and compact flats at the other ends (I prefer the squareplugs at the effects side)

- An easier implementation/set of foot switches for 'patch up' - 'patch down.' The ES-8 does have this. It was more effective for me to have a second controller on board that quickly picks any of my MIDI pedals and then allows scrolling/on-off...thus my DMC3-XL on board.

-Better implementation of the parallel/series loop options and volume adjustment. And I'd love a crossed-over option along with these.

When programming patches, my ES library is set up in a specific way. 'Switch one' on each bank is set to bypass all Midi effects and turn off all loops. When I set up a new patch, I start with my 'all off' as the jumping off point...then I make changes to just the pedals I want on, and go through the process for each pedal I nneed of activating and picking the patches. In my case (and in reviewing my current board setup) I do have a couple MIDI pedals 'in loop' these days, though I've done it both ways. Both my compressors (I use a Cali76CB at the beginning of my chain right into a LA-2A )non-tube circuit) clone at the start of my chain then at the end, past the ES I have my Timeline delay(MIDI), Atmosphere reverb (MIDI) and then both HPF and LPF.

 

[GMC]

The ES-5 was my choice due to size (depth, in particular), I didn't want a yet-bigger pedal board for both reasons of portability & pack but also for stage space since it always seems like it was at a premium on a huge number of stages on the road. There are a couple of 'wishes' I'd have for it...

-More space for ins/outs: hard to use 'regular size' patch cables and remain compact. I ended up making my own and using Lava cables' connectors at the ES end of things and compact flats at the other ends (I prefer the squareplugs at the effects side)

- An easier implementation/set of foot switches for 'patch up' - 'patch down.' The ES-8 does have this. It was more effective for me to have a second controller on board that quickly picks any of my MIDI pedals and then allows scrolling/on-off...thus my DMC3-XL on board.

-Better implementation of the parallel/series loop options and volume adjustment. And I'd love a crossed-over option along with these.

When programming patches, my ES library is set up in a specific way. 'Switch one' on each bank is set to bypass all Midi effects and turn off all loops. When I set up a new patch, I start with my 'all off' as the jumping off point...then I make changes to just the pedals I want on, and go through the process for each pedal I nneed of activating and picking the patches. In my case (and in reviewing my current board setup) I do have a couple MIDI pedals 'in loop' these days, though I've done it both ways. Both my compressors (I use a Cali76CB at the beginning of my chain right into a LA-2A )non-tube circuit) clone at the start of my chain then at the end, past the ES I have my Timeline delay(MIDI), Atmosphere reverb (MIDI) and then both HPF and LPF.

Ahhh...that's a nice way of clearing the deck!

 

[rsmith601]

Thanks. It’s weird because I never had any issues when I got the pedal a while ago, but now I can hardly import a preset without it freezing, or it just not taking, or the knobs all showing fully CCW settings. It’s acting really weird, and that’s both before and after a re-install... idk, maybe I change some Windows setting along the way or something. It’s strange.

Email [email protected]

 

[maxl]

It's a pity Source Audio never launched their "Midi controller for analogue pedals" device. A loop switcher that's activated via midi CC. I could then take off my Mastotron of the top of my board and bury it under the hood, being switched on / off via Midi CC. THEN I could slip in an Intelligent Filter too.

I’ve been using this. Is this the functionality you are thinking about?
https://www.morningstarfx.com/ml5

 

[stelios82k]

Hi to everyone. I red the whole thread some months ago but only recently bought an aftershock and I was pleasantly surprised from the available engines. One thing that I find hard to accomplish is getting a good dirt tone while keeping the clean signal intact. I have a super punch clean sound that I am happy with and I would like to keep it, while introducing the dirt signal to the degree i like.

What is the best way to achieve this?

I tried the classic mono in mono out approach but with the blend, the clean signal looses volume.

I tried the mono in stereo process mono out with a template I found that reduces bass in the dirt signal and reduces all the other frequencies on the clean signal but then I loose the punchiness (if that is a word?) Of the clean signal.

 

[Marihino]

Looks like I'll have a second hand Aftershock coming. Looking at the Neuro app now. Do I connect the pedal to the phone via a cable?

 

[GMC]

Looks like I'll have a second hand Aftershock coming. Looking at the Neuro app now. Do I connect the pedal to the phone via a cable?

You can do either. I gave up with my iphone 8, but others have got it working with no issues. I prefer using my desktop, the ease of a USB connection and a full screen interface of the Neuro desktop. But there's of mobile phone users who love the phone app.

 

[GMC]

I’ve been using this. Is this the functionality you are thinking about?
https://www.morningstarfx.com/ml5

If you have a controller that offers midi CC and PC capability, and all of your pedals are midi capable, then you really don't need a static loop / Switcher. You can send Midi commands to change patches and turn on / off midi devices as per a Loop / Switcher any how. The only thing a Boss ES-5 / 8 offers is the ability to move the order of pedal loops and that's a rare feature among loop / switchers. There's a few that do this now, but the Boss units are by far the most popular and easy to find.
I have a Boss ES-5, but I have an increasing amount of midi pedals on the output side of this unit. These are pedals that I never need to change their order and I can output this chain in stereo (one of the ES-5's big limitations). My output is currently ES-5 Out > Modulation > EQ > H9 (ambience) > desk.
One of the great things about the Source Audio gear is that it's all Stereo / 2 Channel.

 

[GMC]

Yes, I have over 20 patches on my Hub and I'm getting some great sounds out of it. It's very versatile, but it's unfortunately not the last dirt pedal I'll ever buy.

Same here @GMC I have a few others too, but if forced to only have one dirt box, the SA would be hard to beat.

Funnily enough...I now have a Source Audio Aftershock and a Source Audio Ultrawave...now those two are the last word in distortion, either fuzz, gated, octave, overdrive, Synth or multiband...these two units are all I'll ever need. Goodbye Woolley Mammoth, Good Bye Titan II fuzz, goodbye Dam Ezekiel, goodbye entire collection of dirt. Hello Ultawave and Aftershock.

 

[bassbrad]

@vivaknoxvegas & @GMC as much ground as the Aftershock and Ultrawave cover I don't see myself divesting much of my dirt collection, certainly it packs a lot of sounds into my live boards but for recording the character and quirks of the originals will still charm.

 

[frankstallone]

I've gone through every page since I bought an Aftershock last Saturday so I think that gives me the right to resurrect this thread. And coming in late on this pedal isn't so bad since with all these presets I can piggy back off all the hard work of others.

Got a couple of (probably stupid) questions about the phone app:

1) Is there any way to create and save a new preset to my phone while I'm in green mode? Like if I'm fiddling with the actual knobs and find a spot I like, can I save it and send it to the phone so I can throw it into a red preset later?

2) Is there any way to see on the app which presets are already burned in?

I'm guessing no to both of these since they're communication with a trrs cable there's only so much you can do.

Really enjoying this pedal and it has cured my OD/distortion GAS, at least for a while. While I've been checking out SA stuff I've been glancing over at that C4 synth with increasing frequency....it's basically only a matter of time at this point.

For you guys that have both, do you put the c4 before or after the aftershock?

 

[Gibs210]

I've gone through every page since I bought an Aftershock last Saturday so I think that gives me the right to resurrect this thread. And coming in late on this pedal isn't so bad since with all these presets I can piggy back off all the hard work of others.

Got a couple of (probably stupid) questions about the phone app:

1) Is there any way to create and save a new preset to my phone while I'm in green mode? Like if I'm fiddling with the actual knobs and find a spot I like, can I save it and send it to the phone so I can throw it into a red preset later?

2) Is there any way to see on the app which presets are already burned in?

I'm guessing no to both of these since they're communication with a trrs cable there's only so much you can do.

Really enjoying this pedal and it has cured my OD/distortion GAS, at least for a while. While I've been checking out SA stuff I've been glancing over at that C4 synth with increasing frequency....it's basically only a matter of time at this point.

For you guys that have both, do you put the c4 before or after the aftershock?

The app is one way communication, so no way for the peda to communicate back to the app.