Source Audio Sorcerers Society (S.A.S.S) Part 3

[scotch]

....man, I'm ready for a major board overhaul. Not gonna lie, having not even played it- I'm waiting on the Nemesis Delay before I layout my next iteration.

I NEED my Nemesis!!!!!! Aaaaaaahhhhhgjhhjj!!!!! ;-)

 

[cubanbass]

Thank you for your service and for posting those Manta only settings, I have been thinking of using my manta as a stand alone along w/an octave to minimize lugging gear on my commutes. I keep all other SA pedals on a separate board w/the hub, midi mouse, expression and hot hand on a mini board. A lot like your setup but a little more compact/tight.

For the past week and a half I've been using just the Manta alone, and I noticed that phaser 12 actually can get me a pretty decent chorus-like effect on really slow speed settings with the depth close to 0. Have any of you guys done this? This lets me program in a single preset to run an overdrive into a chorus - I tweaked it out on the pedal itself and got an overdrive close to what I was using on my OFD, one that just increases harmonic content and heavily emphasizes the attack transient (probably in the upper mids) and added in the psuedo-chorus-like phaser.

One more thing - I realized that I got my MWBD because I wanted to be able to turn distortion and filter on and off separately, but now that I have a hub and a MIDI controller pedal, I could do that with just the Manta alone. Of course, I don't have the increased flexibility of distortion options or EQ that the Manta gives, and I can't morph between settings, but I'm starting to consider a new pedalboard with just the manta, hub and MIDI controller.

Will there ever be a firmware update that lets you control different parameters with hothand and expression pedal? That would give the manta so much flexibility!

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Uploaded a few manta-only scenes that I'll be using for the immediate future. I'll add more if I make more. Well I exported them as pedal presets rather than scenes, but since it's just one pedal this makes more sense.

My current setup:
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By the way, I realize that for songs like Madness, just using the envelope to control the filter is sufficient, but I'm going to stick to the hothand for now since I want a bit more control over it for some songs (e.g. holding a long note and moving the filter on it). The filter can do some shapes that you can't do at all with the hothand though.

 

[Nic.]

Thank you for your service and for posting those Manta only settings, I have been thinking of using my manta as a stand alone along w/an octave to minimize lugging gear on my commutes. I keep all other SA pedals on a separate board w/the hub, midi mouse, expression and hot hand on a mini board. A lot like your setup but a little more compact/tight.

glad you like them! I could go more compact too, but this distance pretty much eliminates any chance of mis-step. Anyway, I can't quite get exactly the same synth sounds I liked from the mwbd, but I've a different set of sounds now...

 

[cubanbass]

On a different note, and I'm sorry if its been cover. Can I use the OFD as a preamp going into a power amp? I want to use it as a backup to my preamp for gigs where I do not want to bring my regular pre to...

 

[cubanbass]

glad you like them! I could go more compact too, but this distance pretty much eliminates any chance of mis-step. Anyway, I can't quite get exactly the same synth sounds I liked from the mwbd, but I've a different set of sounds now...

Have not tried them yet but it's the first thing I am doing when I get home! What file format are they saved under - it says PDL? Did you share any other Manta settings, I am trying to catch up on the thread but lots o pages to wade through...

 

[questionmaker]

Some time ago I asked what to do with a manta that clicks loudly when activated/deactivated, seemed like broken bypass. So Thomann did its job and i got a new unit which started having the same issue. its on the way back to thomann.
What is the matter?
Ive tried multiple basses and amps and power supplies.

 

[Nic.]

On a different note, and I'm sorry if its been cover. Can I use the OFD as a preamp going into a power amp? I want to use it as a backup to my preamp for gigs where I do not want to bring my regular pre to...

I personally have used my previous setup on its own direct to PA, so it's perfectly fine IMO, but might not be everyone's taste. But as a backup, I don't see why not. Would be great to see what everyone else thinks about this.

Have not tried them yet but it's the first thing I am doing when I get home! What file format are they saved under - it says PDL? Did you share any other Manta settings, I am trying to catch up on the thread but lots o pages to wade through...

Yeah .pdl, so when you're in hub manager, if you have a scene, add a new pedal (manta), then in the manta editing page, at the top you'll see an option to import settings. Import .pdl there. Perhaps this might be better since it's just one pedal, so if you've multiple pedals and you just want to add these manta patches into an existing setup you could do that.
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these are my previous scenes for Guitar OFD -> MWBD2 -> Manta. I exported two versions of these scenes for guitar and bass OFD.

 

[cubanbass]

Thanks, I have used the manager but never uploaded/imported settings. Looking forward to giving these a try tonight.

I personally have used my previous setup on its own direct to PA, so it's perfectly fine IMO, but might not be everyone's taste. But as a backup, I don't see why not. Would be great to see what everyone else thinks about this.


Yeah .pdl, so when you're in hub manager, if you have a scene, add a new pedal (manta), then in the manta editing page, at the top you'll see an option to import settings. Import .pdl there. Perhaps this might be better since it's just one pedal, so if you've multiple pedals and you just want to add these manta patches into an existing setup you could do that.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
these are my previous scenes for Guitar OFD -> MWBD2 -> Manta. I exported two versions of these scenes for guitar and bass OFD.

 

[TheSleeve]

Some time ago I asked what to do with a manta that clicks loudly when activated/deactivated, seemed like broken bypass. So Thomann did its job and i got a new unit which started having the same issue. its on the way back to thomann.
What is the matter?
Ive tried multiple basses and amps and power supplies.

Hi questionmaker. I have a few questions for you that might help to find the cause of the issue.

First, are you using true bypass mode or buffered bypass mode? With the Manta's Universal Bypass feature, you can switch between true bypass or buffered bypass by holding down one of the switches while powering up the pedal. Just check the Manta's user manual for details on how to do this.

True bypass uses a mechanical switch (in the form of a relay) which actually opens and closes a metal arm that goes between two contacts. Because the switch is mechanical, it suffers from something called "contact bounce" or "switch bounce" when the arm hits the contacts, and this can cause clicking sounds. This is true of any true bypass pedal, and it's one of the downsides of using true bypass. The buffered bypass mode, however, uses analog switch circuits which do the switching electrically instead of mechanically, eliminating the switch bounce issue.

So, a good first step might be to try using buffered bypass mode.

Even in buffered bypass mode, clicks can occur due to something called a DC offset. Inside the Manta, we make sure that the audio signal is ground centered (a.k.a. AC coupled) by using a suitably large AC-coupling capacitor and a pull-down resistor to provide the ground reference. However, it's possible that the next device in your signal chain (another effects pedal or perhaps the input to the amp) might be "pulling" the audio line up or down if it is not properly AC coupled. This introduces what is called a DC offset, and having a DC offset between two items in your signal chain will usually create a click or pop sound when the effect is switched on or off.

A good way to troubleshoot this is to replace the Manta with another effects pedal and see if the clicks remain. If so, then the problem lies somewhere else in the signal chain.

Please let me know what you think. Also, if you can make an audio or video recording of the click sounds, that would be helpful for figuring out what might be wrong. Thanks!

 

[cubanbass]

^^^^ I thought the about suggesting this same process, but could not express myself as eloquently.^^^^

 

[questionmaker]

Hi questionmaker. I have a few questions for you that might help to find the cause of the issue.

First, are you using true bypass mode or buffered bypass mode? With the Manta's Universal Bypass feature, you can switch between true bypass or buffered bypass by holding down one of the switches while powering up the pedal. Just check the Manta's user manual for details on how to do this.

True bypass uses a mechanical switch (in the form of a relay) which actually opens and closes a metal arm that goes between two contacts. Because the switch is mechanical, it suffers from something called "contact bounce" or "switch bounce" when the arm hits the contacts, and this can cause clicking sounds. This is true of any true bypass pedal, and it's one of the downsides of using true bypass. The buffered bypass mode, however, uses analog switch circuits which do the switching electrically instead of mechanically, eliminating the switch bounce issue.

So, a good first step might be to try using buffered bypass mode.

Even in buffered bypass mode, clicks can occur due to something called a DC offset. Inside the Manta, we make sure that the audio signal is ground centered (a.k.a. AC coupled) by using a suitably large AC-coupling capacitor and a pull-down resistor to provide the ground reference. However, it's possible that the next device in your signal chain (another effects pedal or perhaps the input to the amp) might be "pulling" the audio line up or down if it is not properly AC coupled. This introduces what is called a DC offset, and having a DC offset between two items in your signal chain will usually create a click or pop sound when the effect is switched on or off.

A good way to troubleshoot this is to replace the Manta with another effects pedal and see if the clicks remain. If so, then the problem lies somewhere else in the signal chain.

Please let me know what you think. Also, if you can make an audio or video recording of the click sounds, that would be helpful for figuring out what might be wrong. Thanks!

I've actually did all these you mentioned. tried both bypass modes, restored it to default, replaced it with another effect in the chain, put it in the front and in the end of the chain and used it separately. Right now it's on it's way back to thomann, but when I got it back and (hopefully not) it'll still produce the clicks I'll make some demos.
Thanks for such a detailed help!

 

[DeadPoet]

Are there any clips of someone using his/her Manta with an expression pedal as a wah-wah?

(which is for me the only thing withholding me from removing my BEFPro and Dunlop 105Q from my pedalboard in favor of a Manta+midi)

TIA,
Herwig

 

[Bellbass]

Funny...I use the same set-up (Basswitch and the SA pedals through the mix loop a 100% wet) and I've got no problem...

 

[Adamixoye]

Cross-posted from the Breeder thread, but RELEVANT:

At the risk of beating a dead horse,* somebody please tell me I won't have to re-make this meme for Father's Day.







*Too late, AMIRITE?

 

[Dark Barn]

At the risk of beating a dead horse,* somebody please tell me I won't have to re-make this meme for Father's Day.







*Too late, AMIRITE?

This was posted yesterday on TGP

Hey, Ruiner. I work at Source Audio - sorry about the delayed release on the Reflex. It's very close to being released, we actually have units in our warehouse, but Jesse our head engineer needs to give them that final "fine toothed comb" treatment before we start shipping. The last few weeks we've been very involved in getting the Vertigo Tremolo ready to hit the street, so the Reflex was pushed back a bit. Right now we're shooting for a June release.

Thanks for pre-ordering - we promise it will be worth the wait. Thanks for calling attention to the outdated website text :jo - I'll take care of it.

 

[Adamixoye]

Thanks for the info.

I don't know how I missed the pre-order announcement...although if it's at full price, I'll probably find another way to order.

 

[Dark Barn]

I've seen it for pre-order on both Full Compass and Rogue Guitar. Although when I saw that Rogue was having a Memorial Day sale I went back to their site and the page that previously showed the Reflex now returns a 404.

 

[Adamixoye]

I've seen it for pre-order on both Full Compass and Rogue Guitar. Although when I saw that Rogue was having a Memorial Day sale I went back to their site and the page that previously showed the Reflex now returns a 404.

A few weeks ago on their Facebook page they announced they were "about a week away"...from the ability to sign up...for a notification list...for pre-orders. If they announced that the notification list was open, I missed it, but maybe that guy's pre-order was from one of those other places.

 

[Nic.]

Are there any clips of someone using his/her Manta with an expression pedal as a wah-wah?

(which is for me the only thing withholding me from removing my BEFPro and Dunlop 105Q from my pedalboard in favor of a Manta+midi)

TIA,
Herwig

I assume you mean traditional wah? I think @Adamixoye had a video with an expression pedal but can't remember what filter he was on (correct me if I've gotten the wrong guy!)

 

[Adamixoye]

Not me sorry.