Should Source Audio build a multi fx unit and what would you pay for it?

[Blue Swede]

So I keep rethinking what multi fix unit I would like to buy, and I feel like they all keep coming up short for bass (that would be a whole other post), in short I feel like I would be paying money for things I would mostly not be using)

For me personally I would really like to see source audio take their ONE series pedals and turning them into a programmable multi fix unit . Ideally with a fully useable touchscreen interface (maybe with stomp switches that work like the neural dsp ones do where you can change the value of the highlighted parameter by turning the knob) so you can easily change settings on the go.

Pedals that would interest me would be the C4, Ultrawave, EQ2, Lunar and Gemini. Maybe even the collider. But of course everyone would have different needs so…

Something that would be really cool is if you could buy the unit with maybe 4 “pedals” included, and then expand as you go. Sort of a modular approach to the software side to keep things from getting to out of hand price wise but still allowing the customer to expand as the need/want arises. This also means that whenever anyone wants to upgrade, it would be a matter of just adding code to the unit and I would think that must be good for source audio as they could sell their pedals without the added hardware and thus increasing profit margins.

As for I/O I would like:
•1Mohm 1/4 inch input
•Stereo fx loop (that can go in where you want it in the signal chain)
•Balanced XLR (stereo maybe)
•Regular 1/4 inch out (also stereo?), •Usb-c
•Maybe a headphone amp?
Oh and definitely a regular female IEC power plug if at all possible .

Personally I would pay us$1500 for this (with 4-5 software pedals included), but it would be nice if it were closer to 1K.

Anyway, probably a pipe dream but let me know your thoughts anyway!
/Björn

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Considering that the One series exists within a fully midi-capable environment, and many (most? all?) of the pedals use all of the available dsp in their programming, I'm not sure I see the value for Source Audio in doing something like this (and it just seems cost-prohibitive from the get-go). Also, considering the complexity of the software and the general need to program the patches through an outboard computer or mobile device, it seems like attempting to have an in-system UI for all that would be a headache, at minimum. I dumped the Helix line because I hated menu diving in them, and that was way less complex than what is available in the Source Audio units.

If they put out some sort of headphone amp/di box/whatever else that integrates with their system, then that'll basically be what you are asking for, other than having cables running between the effects. Even if they don't, there are plenty of options for that sort of thing to stick at the end of the chain.

 

[Blue Swede]

Considering that the One series exists within a fully midi-capable environment, and many (most? all?) of the pedals use all of the available dsp in their programming, I'm not sure I see the value for Source Audio in doing something like this (and it just seems cost-prohibitive from the get-go). Also, considering the complexity of the software and the general need to program the patches through an outboard computer or mobile device, it seems like attempting to have an in-system UI for all that would be a headache, at minimum. I dumped the Helix line because I hated menu diving in them, and that was way less complex than what is available in the Source Audio units.

If they put out some sort of headphone amp/di box/whatever else that integrates with their system, then that'll basically be what you are asking for, other than having cables running between the effects. Even if they don't, there are plenty of options for that sort of thing to stick at the end of the chain.

Thanks for your input.

One of the main reasons I want a multifx unit instead of multiple small pedals is because I want to have less cables (like you pointed out) but also more modularity.

If all the units were in one software package then you could rearrange them for different patches without having to physically move them around constantly. This could be very useful for certain sounds and situations. I also don’t really want to dive in to midi (unless I had to) as it adds even more cables, peripherals and programming.
Considering that there is a neuro phone app, I’m sure the smart guys at source audio could come up with a UI that wasn’t to cluttered and worked well for a decent screen size (maybe 6 inch or so?). Of course being able to use the neuro desktop app to properly setup at first would be preferable. But yes I agree, the complexity of these pedals is not to be understated, I suppose they could have 2 layers of setting parameters: the settings available on the physical units as seen from the top, and and advanced layer for all parameters underneath.

And yes, I already have DI and other things that I use, but being able to go stereo out straight into a mixer would be cool for certain effects. Like I said, I dont expect this to really result in anything, just checking what people think of the idea.

 

[Walruspidgeon]

I've played with aftershock distortion-unit for a while. I also have an extra switch for it. If there would be a source audio multifx-thingy with their distortions, modulations and acab sim option...take my money

 

[GMC]

Pedals that would interest me would be the C4, Ultrawave, EQ2, Lunar and Gemini. Maybe even the collider. But of course everyone would have different needs so…

/Björn

This is a very specific subset of Source Audio's product catalogue. I'm not sure why you would need a Lunar and Gemini, they already share the model list and are pretty much the same pedal. I can understand a merging of the Vertigo and Mercury / Lunar / Gemini. Both are great modulation pedals, the Vertigo has a fantastic array of trems and one of the best of breed Rotaries currently available. The Vertigo is a much over looked pedal and it's very good. It would make a great dual DSP pairing. There's also the fantastic Ventris and Nemesis to consider. Both great products.

 

[bassbrad]

Carrot Stew! SA already builds the components you can assemble as you wish, your wishlist leaves something to be desired as far as I am concerned and mine will include things you may not want or need at all. One could assemble their own custom unit as @GMC has done or take another route. Myself I'm deep enough down my own solution rabbit hole to not want to back out and start digging another hole.