Like with a lunar, you can load any patch from the mercury and Gemini. I just have the lunar phaser but I use it for chorus and flanger as well using presets from all three pedals.
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Source Audio Sorcerers Society (S.A.S.S) Part 3
- Thread starter gregmon79
- Start date
Like with a lunar, you can load any patch from the mercury and Gemini. I just have the lunar phaser but I use it for chorus and flanger as well using presets from all three pedals.
Gotcha. I want to mess around with the editor some, especially with the Aftershock, but for the most part I really dig the three presets on each (the ones that I have). Just my preference. I think it’s cool that you have all three in one. Did you choose your favorite preset for each mod, set it and forget it? Or do you swap them out a lot?
I have the soleman and hub so I some thing like 20 different patches, and each patch loads a different set of setting on my one series pedals so I don't really use the 3 presets on the lunar phaser.
- May 16, 2007
- 3,395
- 4,869
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- Volunteer developer/beta tester with Source Audio, Morningstar Engineering & MORTRIX
Just finished doing this, hope you enjoy them.
Yeah I think they do make versatile products, in my opinion it's best to figure out what your primary effect needs are and what your secondary needs are, and base your choices on that.
For example.
I am into octaves and filtering primarily
So I chose the C4
Sometimes I like to drive filters
So I chose the Kingmaker
I like to use two channels simultaneously and would like to have control over the sound of each channel
So I will get an EQ2
My secondary choices
I like modulation effects like tremolo, phaser, rotary and univibe.
I use a non SA pedal for that because I already have it but if I didn't I'd choose the Lunar and maybe the Vertigo
I also use the Reflex, Nuero and an 8 step sequencer for additional manipulation.
I have yet to check out in person the Ventris or the Nemesis as ambient effects are a lower priority for my playing.
I am hoping that SA develop a once series compressor/expander type pedal.
- May 16, 2007
- 3,395
- 4,869
- Disclosures
- Volunteer developer/beta tester with Source Audio, Morningstar Engineering & MORTRIX
That very much depends on your needs. Any sound that can be programmed on Spectrum can be loaded into the C4. However, the two pedals differ when it comes to the controls for changing that sound on the fly. By this I mean that, due to the extra available coding space in the Spectrum (itself a result of its having fewer voice and (volume) envelope options, etc. compared to C4), Source Audio were able to add some extra options into the list of parameters that are controllable by the Spectrum’s two control knobs and by its external controls; these options are not available in C4.
Relatedly, another consideration is how likely you are to want to manipulate or change the sound using the surface knobs; the Spectrum’s bottom two knobs control four parameters (two are hard-wired and two are user-assignable), whereas the C4’s bottom two knobs only control two (user-assignable) parameters.
Another thing to think about is how you program the two pedals. Because Spectrum is simpler in regards to having overall fewer options, I find that my approach to programming the two pedals can differ. I’m finding that the Spectrum pushes me towards exploring sounds that I might not otherwise have done had I been using the C4. With the C4, I’m focused on the oscillators and make use of the sequencers, FM capabilities and amp envelopes. On the Spectrum I’m finding I’m more likely to explore the distortion engines.
Certainly there are enough sounds available to fill both pedals with a completely different set of 128 sounds, so if you’re likely to use that many and/or you want the extra control destinations, it’s easily justifiable. Plus it’s purple and looks well sexy.
I’m very curious as to the numbers of each pedal out there (and who uses both). @rsmith601 if you are unable to cite actual numbers of each pedal sold for business-secrecy reasons or the like, would you be able at least to give an idea of the proportion of C4 to Spectrum units out there?
rsmith601
Commercial User
- Apr 14, 2009
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In terms of units:
C4 - 70%
Spectrum - 30%
I would say that Spectrum was kind of lost in the hype of the C4. I think it will grow. I know this is boasting and self serving, but.... When I look at our pedals and everything else that is out there, I have a sense of where they fit in the universe. As an example, Nemesis is a great delay, but its not the only great delay. There are a few others. However, Spectrum is the best envelope pedal ever created. Its not even close. It does so many things, and it does each of them so well. I think over time this will be more and more clear.
I’m wondering if I should try SA diet offerings again. I had an aftershock years ago and couldn’t gel with it. Same with the Nemesis.
I now have the C4 and love it. I also have an EQ2 and consider it an essential part of my board.
Recently, I’ve been on a dirt search recently for two types of overdrive. Should I give the Aftershock/Kingmaker/LA Lady another try?
Have there been significant changes to the Aftershock algorithms or processing (and/or the Neuro program) since it was released or has it pretty much stayed the same?
I now have the C4 and love it. I also have an EQ2 and consider it an essential part of my board.
Recently, I’ve been on a dirt search recently for two types of overdrive. Should I give the Aftershock/Kingmaker/LA Lady another try?
Have there been significant changes to the Aftershock algorithms or processing (and/or the Neuro program) since it was released or has it pretty much stayed the same?
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I would, if you look above on this thread the Kingmaker/C4/EQ2 is the path I'm on.
I think it's a good way to do it.
Not sure if there are changes to the Aftershock algorithms but you might find that some newer users were able to dig deeper and create tones more to your liking. The community has grown leaps and bounds with lots of creative members.
I personally find Neuro to be a very deep laboratory for recreating and creating Dirty tones.
Thanks. Added bonus - since my two dirt needs are in different loops of my Boss ES-5 I can use the dual input functions. I seem to remember two issues when I first had the Aftershock: a weird treble response on most if not all the models, like a LPF was applied to the entire pedal and then a 'digitalness' that I'm not 100% sure was there, but I also imagine it's easier to mask those artifacts on synth and eq than dirt, so I'm still a little hesitant but it checks off so many boxes
Bu chance did you have the pedal connected to a computer with the USB cable when you were getting the noise? I’ve had that issue, and have read about it on here, but once disconnected from the computer it’s not there.
No. I never used the desktop editor back then (was it even created?) and both the blanket and the digitalness was present both connected and disconnected to the neuro app
@Quatschmacher thanks for the thorough reply. I'm currently starting over with a new board, and I have both a C4 and a Spectrum on order. I've never found an envelope filter that I've been completely happy with. After viewing some demos of the Spectrum, I'm optimistic.
I do plan on having a midi controller on the new board, in hopes to travel very deep into the realm of SA presets. I actually wonder if maybe the midi route will make it less necessary to have both pedals. But, I have a lot of learning and experimenting to do, so I think it will be beneficial to have both, at least initially.
I do plan on having a midi controller on the new board, in hopes to travel very deep into the realm of SA presets. I actually wonder if maybe the midi route will make it less necessary to have both pedals. But, I have a lot of learning and experimenting to do, so I think it will be beneficial to have both, at least initially.
I had both, ended up letting the guitarist in my band play with the spectrum since the c4 can do everything it does. Having the midi controller to cycle presets helps in that regard.. at the same time, it's nice to just be able to kick on the Spectrum for filters. Redundancy isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Personally looking forward to the multi-wave distortion.. depending on how i like the compressor I might finally knock my markbass compressore off my board and downsize a bit.. a mini expression pedal will have to happen too.
Damn... after all this I think I gonna have to buy a Spectrum. So many SA products on my board..... stacking filters isn't ever a bad thing if you know what your doing. Which barely do but. I got gas for the purple beast all over again.
