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

[coyoteboy]

Issue I appear to be having is getting bypassed sound from input 2

edit: ive rearranged things to reach input 1, i hope that sorts it.

thanks

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I am working on a somewhat complex routing setup on my board, creating functionally a physical version of a DAW bass buss. As a part of this, I'm tinkering with an EQ2 patch where channel 2 is simply high pass and low pass filters for end of chain tightness, and channel 1 is replicating the function of an OmniCabSim (for the dirt channel). Would anyone be interested in having me upload this once I'm happy with its state? I feel it's a bit of a corner-case usage, so I don't know how broadly applicable it is for folks.

 

[Titanium]

Hello, I currently own the C4 Synth and also the Gemini Chorus pedal. I have been happy with the sound quality, but I'll admit I've been a little, maybe I'll say in the dark with the features. I have the mobile app and also the editor for my computer. The problem I am having is that I don't necessarily always know what each parameter is going to do, so I have a hard time sculpting how I want the effects to sound. So I have a few questions…

Is there a way to monitor parameter changes in real time, without having to save and burn?

Is there a guide anywhere out there that explains what each parameter does?

Also for the chorus pedal, is there a level control? I've found that when engaged, it seems to not quite be level with the unaffected volume.

Thanks so much in advance, and for providing this resource for all of us!

 

[Derek Williams]

Hello, I currently own the C4 Synth and also the Gemini Chorus pedal. I have been happy with the sound quality, but I'll admit I've been a little, maybe I'll say in the dark with the features. I have the mobile app and also the editor for my computer. The problem I am having is that I don't necessarily always know what each parameter is going to do, so I have a hard time sculpting how I want the effects to sound. So I have a few questions…

Is there a way to monitor parameter changes in real time, without having to save and burn?

Is there a guide anywhere out there that explains what each parameter does?

Also for the chorus pedal, is there a level control? I've found that when engaged, it seems to not quite be level with the unaffected volume.

Thanks so much in advance, and for providing this resource for all of us!

Modifying values within the app should be reflected immediately without needing to save and burn the whole preset. Using the desktop app will also let you see all the current values. As far as knowing what each parameter does, @Proton Lenny has a good video that goes over most of the settings:

 

[sunbeast]

Hello, I currently own the C4 Synth and also the Gemini Chorus pedal. I have been happy with the sound quality, but I'll admit I've been a little, maybe I'll say in the dark with the features. I have the mobile app and also the editor for my computer. The problem I am having is that I don't necessarily always know what each parameter is going to do, so I have a hard time sculpting how I want the effects to sound. So I have a few questions…

Is there a way to monitor parameter changes in real time, without having to save and burn?

Is there a guide anywhere out there that explains what each parameter does?

Also for the chorus pedal, is there a level control? I've found that when engaged, it seems to not quite be level with the unaffected volume.

Thanks so much in advance, and for providing this resource for all of us!

I assume you mean that you'd like to be able to compare your unedited patch with your edited one (often called a "compare" button on other software)? Unfortunately I don't believe there is a way to toggle back and forth like that without saving the edits as a new patch

 

[Titanium]

I assume you mean that you'd like to be able to compare your unedited patch with your edited one (often called a "compare" button on other software)? Unfortunately I don't believe there is a way to toggle back and forth like that without saving the edits as a new patch

Maybe, I could be going about it the wrong way. But I've tried editing parameters while connected to an amp, and I was not able to hear any difference, even with changing multiple parameters by very large amounts. That lead me to assume that the changes didn't occur instantly, but obviously that assumption could be wrong.

 

[tonym]

Something's wrong. You should be able to hear parameter changes live.

 

[sunbeast]

Maybe, I could be going about it the wrong way. But I've tried editing parameters while connected to an amp, and I was not able to hear any difference, even with changing multiple parameters by very large amounts. That lead me to assume that the changes didn't occur instantly, but obviously that assumption could be wrong.

Ah changes should be immediate (though at least with the C4 it will depend on your routing whether changing certain parameters does anything)- check your cable if using a phone (I assume you have it plugged in to the 2nd input jack on the pedal?), also make sure the volume on the phone is cranked

 

[Titanium]

Ah changes should be immediate (though at least with the C4 it will depend on your routing whether changing certain parameters does anything)- check your cable if using a phone (I assume you have it plugged in to the 2nd input jack on the pedal?), also make sure the volume on the phone is cranked

Yes, phone was at full volume, and same issue when using the desktop software as well.

 

[TheLopp]

I am working on a somewhat complex routing setup on my board, creating functionally a physical version of a DAW bass buss. As a part of this, I'm tinkering with an EQ2 patch where channel 2 is simply high pass and low pass filters for end of chain tightness, and channel 1 is replicating the function of an OmniCabSim (for the dirt channel). Would anyone be interested in having me upload this once I'm happy with its state? I feel it's a bit of a corner-case usage, so I don't know how broadly applicable it is for folks.

I would love to try it! Please share and tell us the name.

 

[Szyszaczek]

Is there any chance of multi modulation pedal in size of Collider?

 

[sunbeast]

Yes, phone was at full volume, and same issue when using the desktop software as well.

Interesting- does the editor software work for other things? Are your pedals using the most recent firmware and do you have the most recent version of the editor downloaded?

 

[Derek Williams]

Is there any chance of multi modulation pedal in size of Collider?

There are rumours of a larger pedal format to replace the One series, so I think chances are good that a new, larger modulation may eventually come out. I'm hoping for a larger C4 with real MIDI support (without a hub)

 

[jam.majors]

Interesting- does the editor software work for other things? Are your pedals using the most recent firmware and do you have the most recent version of the editor downloaded?

Forgive me if this has been addressed, but the power supply could be an issue. I found a couple of times where my One series pedals would be finicky if on a particular power supply

 

[Titanium]

Interesting- does the editor software work for other things? Are your pedals using the most recent firmware and do you have the most recent version of the editor downloaded?

I'm pretty sure I have the most recent version of the editor software, however I'm not sure if the pedals are updated, I didn't realize they might need that. I'll investigate

 

[yberwaffe]

I'm pretty sure I have the most recent version of the editor software, however I'm not sure if the pedals are updated, I didn't realize they might need that. I'll investigate

Have you tried the "phase shift" setting in the phone editor ?
It have helped some people in the past.

 

[Gibs210]

I'm pretty sure I have the most recent version of the editor software, however I'm not sure if the pedals are updated, I didn't realize they might need that. I'll investigate

Make sure to do the calibration procedure, it's in the main pedal selection screen under the gear icon at the top right of the screen.

 

[GMC]

There are rumours of a larger pedal format to replace the One series, so I think chances are good that a new, larger modulation may eventually come out. I'm hoping for a larger C4 with real MIDI support (without a hub)

A few years back I was very vocal about the limitations of the current SA modulators. The current SA modulators have grown out of the Sound Blox range, where as a lot of us are coming to the SA modulators after moving from Modulation panels like the Stymon Mobius, which seems to add a lot of other types of effects that aren't actually traditional modulation. The Lunar doesn't have a trem, it doesn't have a random pattern generator, Bit Crusher, slow gear type volume ramp and it doesn't have a wah/filter option. Or other nonsense that aren't really in the category of modulation, however they seem to be bundled on a lot of larger panels.

An easy drop for SA would be to combine the Vertigo and Lunar into a Collider box...easy and scratches that particular player's itch...but it fails in one key area of Source Audio's culture: it doesn't bring anything new and innovative to the party. Which is why I think this hasn't been created. We've heard new concepts at the SA towers like "Multi Morphing Modulation"...so we know something amazing, innovative and revolutionary is being created. I suspect that a different hardware device is needed too (see below).

I came from a Mobius to a Lunar. I was looking for a SA modulation solution that was smaller. However, SA have never mapped a "Mobius replacement in a smaller box" device, it's not their style. So integrating a lunar and plugging the functional hole that the Mobius left was quite easy. I've worked around them and I'm really happy with my Lunar. I have a great Tremolo patch on my C4. I can kick in a great Chorus patch on my Nemesis if I need to multi mod (and I have an H9 as well to add more way more great sounding mods if I need to). Ironically, the weakest thing that the Mobius did was Chorus, EQ and Mix controls. The Lunar is phenomenal in these regards and I am getting the best Phaser / Flanger / Chorus / Rotary sounds out of my Lunar that I've ever had before. This is because of the superior mixing and vast EQ options as well as great sounding Modulation engines.

The current large One Series unit doesn't really lend itself to a C4+ type of pedal. The only obvious control upgrade is the extra 2 knobs, extra stomp button, 2 more presets, native midi and a dedicated expression jack. Maybe this is all you would want from a C4+. However, the larger devices centres around a large engine dial that was the centre piece of the Sound Blox user interface. The C4 doesn't use an array of digital engines that things like the Dirt, Modulators and time based units do. The Nemesis is great that it has 8 presets, but with in each pre-set I can flick through 12 other delay types. It's really useful on time based I'm not sure this approach would be particularly useful with modulation either. Modulation voices tend to need fine tuning from all the other settings so each engine really needs to be supported by an entire pre-set change. So I can really see the need for a new piece of hardware with a different array of knobs and buttons.

It's amazing how many features can and have been crammed into a tiny unit like the Ultrawave or C4. Pedals like the Modulators and Spectrum seem to work fine with the current smaller enclosure's UI. But we all know that the C4 is a trial to program without the desktop editor. As a stand alone unit, the C4 is a pre-set driven machine, even with full Midi CC control (Say a Faderfox PC4), it's still a pre-set driven machine. Many of the controls available on the desktop interface aren't mappable to midi CC controls. Dirt on/off for instance. You can't turn it on or off via midi CC. The amount of Drive is controllable via midi CC, however, if you engage the Drive and dial it down to 0, the Drive's characteristics affects tone of the source and depending on the Distortion Engine and the drive's voice, character and grit is still applied to the Source.

Another area that is difficult to access remotely on the C4 are the harmoniser controls, specifically "key" and "mode" settings. Currently, these can be mapped to CC values but don't track well from external sources. Either assigned to remote expression or a Faderfox, it's neigh on impossible to accurately control with out some kind of visual interface...which really defeats the point. You can't map them to the device knobs either...so Midi CC is the only way to edit them on the fly without the Desktop Editor. It means if I create a patch that is a C maj Chord PAD (+3rd and +5th) but the song modulates to a G maj Chord...I have to load a different pre-set with just this setting different.

These are very minor gripes with what is one of best guitar / bass Synths ever made. They certainly aren't deal breakers. I think that I (and others) have probed the very corners of the C4 control abilities and found where it's boundaries lay. When we consider that this is SA's first gen Synth...it's a phenomenal product.
In terms of the next gen hardware that would suite a C4+ or Multi mod's working dynamics, I would think that something with some kind of display, some kind of alpha dial and some kind of menu system. Or it stays as another Pre-set driven device that needs a Desktop Editor to configure. Displays, menus and alpha dials are something that Source Audio have been vocal about trying to avoid.
Another option is a sperate remote controller device, something along the lines of a FaderFox device that has assignable sliders, buttons and knobs...and some kind of display and inbuilt menu. I think an array of 8 knobs, 4 push buttons and an engine selector knob, plus some kind of display would do the trick. This is probably well outside Source Audio's vision for their current project plans.

For me, I have some cash in the bank reserved from what ever comes out of the the Source Audio Towers this year.

 

[arepa_funk]

Hey everyone, hope all is well. I'm just diving in the Source Audio waters, so I'm barely scratching the apprentice level at best, though hoping to become a sorcerer one day. I picked up a Spectrum from the classifieds and have been completely over the moon with it. I'll describe why below and also will list what my envelope filter journey has been like thus far, for posterity and anyone on similar quests. Apologies for the length of post.

These are the filters I've had, not counting ones I've demoed in stores (what are stores?):
MXR BEF
Mutron Microtron IV
Emma Discumbobulator V2
Smokin' Amp Co Mutron V clone
Aguilar Filter Twin
Mr. Black Fwonkbeta
Broughton Joshwah
3Leaf Proton V3
...and now finally the Spectrum

There was a thread recently about the Mutron sound that I participated in, so I'm linking to it here as an FYI for anyone who wants to check it out. Here are a few reasons why I traded or sold the ones above, along with changes since my post in the link, which have stayed and why, and finally my thoughts on the Spectrum.

BOLD = still have it.

First thing: funk is my happy place, so filters are my home. I play passive basses with flats and don't slap/pop. The music I play is definitely funk-influenced with many sections for group improvisation. Okay, with that out the way, here we go:

MXR BEF -- I traded the MXR because it was bandpass and because it could only give variations on one type of sound. It was good, but not versatile.

Microtron -- Returned because I couldn't get it to trigger. It was really strange and disappointing. Called and emailed them, worked with the internal trims, added a booster before it, and nothing. Still bummed out about it, but it had to go. Aaaaaargh.

Emma -- Had it for the longest time and loved it. Main issue were its size and noisiness on the downward sweep. It also wasn't rude enough to my ears.

Mutron V -- Lost low end and didn't snap the way I wanted. Other effects didn't sound good through it either. I gifted it to my guitar player and he loves it, so it just may not be good for bass.

Filter Twin -- Sat great in a mix, easy to set up. Not particularly rude. Very versatile.

Fwonkbeta -- Seriously rude and very peaky. Having a comp right behind it is a must. I love its tone and how nasty it can get. Can also do the low-pass Laswell kind of sounds. Really great, with simple controls too.

Joshwah -- Easy to set up, fantastic, very wet sounds. Wish the gain could be controlled by footswitch to kick on at any time, also wish there were a downsweep. Still, a lot to love.

Proton V3 -- A little harder to set up than the Fwonk and Joshwah, but truly great dirty quacks. Downsweep is great. Everything I put before it (octave, fuzz, dirty boost, OD, bit crusher) sounds fantastic through it.

Spectrum -- What's extraordinary about the Spectrum is ease of use. I'm not exactly a luddite, but definitely prefer playing to tweaking (yes, that's a false choice, but for me, the more options I have, the more I want to experiment and the less I write/play). It was really easy to get it to trigger, sounded fantastic with anything before it. At first I was concerned about the ALT controls and "knowing" their last place, but really I forgot all that and just started playing and adjusting knobs until it sounded right to my ears. Then I stopped and toggled across the different presets, and the same knob settings sounded great with each preset. THAT'S HUGE! (i.e., more playing, less tweaking!).

The Dumpling preset is straight money. I put a flanger behind and was in instant Mike Gordon territory.

I stacked an overdrive in front of the Tron preset and found myself in Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples.

I wasn't a huge fan of the Thrust setting nor the secondary ones, but that's where the Neuro app comes in. I haven't poked around in there yet, though I'm hoping to soon. I imagine a midi controller (is DMC Micro the easiest for a single pedal?) is in my future, to more easily access any preset and going beyond the six.

Anyways, this was very long, hope it was helpful to anyone on the fence about the Spectrum. It's worth it, and it rips.

 

[smeet]

The Joshwah has a really nice sounding wah. But all the lows go away when it's on. I actually like its wah a bit better better than the Microtron IV, but the low end loss is too much to deal with.

I have a C4, but I haven't yet found an envelope filter setting that really speaks to me. These days, tweaking effect settings is just so low on my list…