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Source Audio C4 vs Spectrum
- Thread starter FunkyYeti
- Start date
There's lots on this in the C4 and Spectrum threads. In short, the C4 does all that the Spectrum can do, plus synth sounds. It doesn't work the other way around. Difference in cost is $40. So if you don't/won't use any of the 'synth' features, you can save $40. I personally feel it's worth that extra feature set for minimal cost, but YMMV.
And it seems a lot of folks are actually getting both. Once I took my SA BEF Pro off my board, I definitely thought about it. But, since I'm not using MIDI or anything, I just have access to the 6 pesets in a live situation, and I want access to the larger array of "straight" envelope filter sounds than the synthier ones. So, until I either get one, or get a DMC Micro, or I continue procrastinating by using the C4 for envelope filtering a synth sound from the MarkBass SuperSynth, which works really well in combination. If I get a Spectrum, it may be time to say goodbye to the MB SS.
Shorter answer to YOUR particular needs is it sounds like the Spectrum would work better for you. It has two of its knobs as specifically designed for tweaking an envelope filter sound, not wildly different parameters set in the desktop editor. But, for $40 more you get access to sounds you may not know you want to be rocking at this moment in time. If you're somebody that wants to deep dive into it, the C4 for sure, if you want to dip your toes in and avoid the deep end, the Spectrum is the best enevelope filter you can get. Bright side: You literally cannot lose in this dilemma.
Shorter answer to YOUR particular needs is it sounds like the Spectrum would work better for you. It has two of its knobs as specifically designed for tweaking an envelope filter sound, not wildly different parameters set in the desktop editor. But, for $40 more you get access to sounds you may not know you want to be rocking at this moment in time. If you're somebody that wants to deep dive into it, the C4 for sure, if you want to dip your toes in and avoid the deep end, the Spectrum is the best enevelope filter you can get. Bright side: You literally cannot lose in this dilemma.
rsmith601
Commercial User
- Apr 14, 2009
- 4,461
- 8,356
- Disclosures
- CEO and Co-Founder, Source Audio
Both is not overkill if you want lots of knobs to tweak.
I was weighing out both but decided on the Spectrum. I'm waiting patiently for it to arrive, I was considering the C4, tough choice. I'm pretty psyched.
@rsmith601 are you able to get all (most) of the sounds of the Spectrum on the C4, I suspected that was the case by reading and listening to all the demo's - what sets the Spectrum apart from the C4?
@rsmith601 are you able to get all (most) of the sounds of the Spectrum on the C4, I suspected that was the case by reading and listening to all the demo's - what sets the Spectrum apart from the C4?
Just a quick question to R Smith please. Are you able to get all (most) of the sounds of the Spectrum on the C4, I suspected that was the case by reading and listening to all the demo's - what sets the Spectrum apart from the C4?
rsmith601
Commercial User
- Apr 14, 2009
- 4,461
- 8,356
- Disclosures
- CEO and Co-Founder, Source Audio
You can get all the Spectrum sounds on the C4. But, keep in mind the knobs are different. If you are mainly doing envelope filters, the Spectrum may be better.
I went through this dilemma. I've owned the BEF Pro, and then used the Manta for years. I bought the C4 and now no longer need the Manta and I have 0 desire for a Spectrum. I set my 6 easy access effects to mirror each other, that way if I forget to switch from green to red I haven't wrecked my set. Circle: Octaver or Sine Wave; Triangle: Taurus and Reese Bass; Square: Envelope filter. I have midi abilities to access any other synth or filter sounds I may want.
HI All -- I love this Spectrum pedal tremendously. I highly recommend it for anyone interested or intrigued by the demos.
Still getting familiar with it. Between the 3 presets, there's subtle differences between the Tron & Dumpling. I suppose those more experienced with the predecessors would appreciate a clearer explanation. I don't have the full historical frame of reference for them, I apologize. However that has not stopped me from fully enjoying them as Is. The Trust preset has the lower Octave, which is a blast though I'm finding it muddy once I get around B on my 4 string. That said, you can go full tilt, and dial in some incredible/inspiring filters, but I also found dialing in some subdued settings really superb when practicing with drum grooves and songs, meaning some cool tone shaping though probably not what people buy filters for.
Amazing sound quality, super quiet and the library of user presets added more hours of enjoyment. There's plenty of setting to tweak in the Neuron app. I created a few presets of my own already. Waiting for my Scarlet to arrive from Sweetwater so I can post a sound clip.
My only questions from here, to @rsmith601 if he can help.
Thank you.
Still getting familiar with it. Between the 3 presets, there's subtle differences between the Tron & Dumpling. I suppose those more experienced with the predecessors would appreciate a clearer explanation. I don't have the full historical frame of reference for them, I apologize. However that has not stopped me from fully enjoying them as Is. The Trust preset has the lower Octave, which is a blast though I'm finding it muddy once I get around B on my 4 string. That said, you can go full tilt, and dial in some incredible/inspiring filters, but I also found dialing in some subdued settings really superb when practicing with drum grooves and songs, meaning some cool tone shaping though probably not what people buy filters for.
Amazing sound quality, super quiet and the library of user presets added more hours of enjoyment. There's plenty of setting to tweak in the Neuron app. I created a few presets of my own already. Waiting for my Scarlet to arrive from Sweetwater so I can post a sound clip.
My only questions from here, to @rsmith601 if he can help.
- Without investing in a midi device, does my phone need to be hooked up full time to access a preset, I'd much prefer my preset to Thrust, am I able to keep Tron, Dumpling and when the toggle is set to Trust, it's my preset instead?
- I dont have a compressor, but curious where you and most people put the Spectrum in the chain. At the beginning, before dirt, chorus delay or after dirt etc... realize that experimental but just wondering
- My next pedal will be a Nemsis and that will be at the end of my chain, if the phone always needs to be connected -- how would I connect one iphone to two devices located on two different positions on my board, they will not be side by side if I have nemesis delay as the last pedal and spectrum is first (after tuner, which is pedal number 1).
Thank you.
1. I'm not sure I understand the question? You can save six presets by burning them onto the pedal. Plug your phone into the pedal, and burn the presets onto Thrust, Tron, Dumpling or the alt versions. The alt versions can be accessed by pushing the alt button on top of the pedal and toggling the switch.
2. For me, it's compressor » octave » filter. You want it early in the chain for better tracking. So, before dirt and modulation. Check That Pedal Show on YouTube. They have an episode on envelope filters and how they sound before and after dirt (spoiler: they don't sound really good after dirt, but YMMV).
3. See no. 1.
funkyyeti thank you for the helpful reply. i cant seem to get the preset to stick must be missing something
I tried the ultra wave bass before getting the aftershock. The reason being that the ultra wave could do everything aftershock could. In practice, I didn’t find this true. Or, maybe it was super complex to
Recreate the sounds in UW editor. Personally, the UW makes sounds I don’t like much.
For those who have experienced both, is the C4 an easy replacement for spectrum? Can a layperson get “classic” envelope sounds on the C4?
Recreate the sounds in UW editor. Personally, the UW makes sounds I don’t like much.
For those who have experienced both, is the C4 an easy replacement for spectrum? Can a layperson get “classic” envelope sounds on the C4?
The C4 is a superset of the Spectrum. It will get every sound the Spectrum can, and then some. You can load Spectrum patches on the C4.
The sound is the same. Only difference is that the Spectrum is more easy to understand because there are less options.
And the C4 only has two alt knob functions instead of four on the Spectrum. Both have two knobs that you can program. Not totally sure if I have this right so maybe can say for sure if this is correct?
And the C4 only has two alt knob functions instead of four on the Spectrum. Both have two knobs that you can program. Not totally sure if I have this right so maybe can say for sure if this is correct?
I have both the C4 and Spectrum and find the Spectrum a lot easier to grok and do funky stuff on. There is not the sound difference between them like you discovered on the Aftershock and Ultrawave, which I also have and use both.
I have both. My C4 is first in my chain. They I have an EHX Hog2, AfterShock and an Ultrawave. then i have a Spectrum. Often I use my C4 to generate octaves, synth pads or harmonies, dirt by my Aftershock or Ultrawave and my Spectrum is then a very versatile filter. Sometimes I just use a low pass filter on my Spectrum to tame the top / treble end. Sometimes I use it as a full on quack machine. I use the easy to get to first 6 patches on my Spectrum a lot. My C4 does a lot more, but I don't use the filters on it. I can do a lot of "all in one" sounds just using the C4 or Spectrum (ie Oc-2 > Dirt > into Envelope filter and LFO) but this approach has limited controls compared to my three box solution. If I use my C4 as a OC-2, I have 2 assignable knobs, Likewise with my Ultrawave and Spectrum. I also get 6 easily accessible patches on each device. That's 216 combinations of just using the first 6 patch bays. If you introduce some Midi to that mix....that's a lot of patch variations.
