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

[Derek Williams]

Yes, I can understand that, but would that interfere if it’s connected to a USB hub? Should I disconnect that and run the hub to the iPad with the 4 pedals connected? I will try that tomorrow and see if it works.

ah, I see what you mean. I'll give it a try when I get a chance and see what I can find.

 

[Gibs210]

A question for all you geeks out there. I have a pedal board with a hub, EQ2, Spectrum, Atlas, UltraWave Bass and a Neuro hub connected. All should work to connect via USB to an iPhone/IPad right? Is it possible to connect the USB hub to the iPad? I don’t get it to work… the Neuro App just flickers parameters and shuts down. The connection works with my MacBook… Any ideas about this?

Pretty sure with mobile, it’s a one to one connection, I don’t think a usb hub is gonna work, you have to connect individually to each pedal.

 

[aglide]

Thanks for the info. Would this small white adapter that came with my Android Pixel 6 Pro phone qualify as an "OTG adapter"?

I'm using it along with the pictured USB A to USB B cable to connect to a C4 from the phone. When I connect it, the Neuro App does prompt me to "Allow Neuro to access Source Audio C4 Synth". When I click OK, a small red "MIDI" logo appears on top of the icon for the pedal in the upper right corner.

So it seems like the app is recognizing the pedal, right? I must admit I haven't used the mobile app much at all, preferring the desktop app. What I'm trying to do is be able to update the output volume of specific presets that are already saved on the pedal. So if I'm at a gig and I need to tweak the relative levels on the fly I can do it right there.

It seems like it's just wanting me to create a new Preset and send it to the pedal though. And if I hit the "Burn/Recall" option at the bottom, it says all the preset slots are empty.

View attachment 4871443

Nice. I looked up the specs and can also confirm it considered to be an OTG adapter. It does seem to at least allow the Neuro Mobile app to recognize the pedal connection. But I'm just not sure where to go from there. I can't see any evidence changing any settings does anything (the activity LED stays dark), or that the pedal has my saved presets on it.

Does anyone who uses direct USB connection from their phone to a Source Audio pedal have any insight into my issue? Or maybe there's a video tutorial online? All the videos I find are talking about the input 2 audio connection method. I'm trying to determine if I'm encountering an actual technical issue, or if I'm just not understanding how the app works. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

 

[Gibs210]

Does anyone who uses direct USB connection from their phone to a Source Audio pedal have any insight into my issue? Or maybe there's a video tutorial online? All the videos I find are talking about the input 2 audio connection method. I'm trying to determine if I'm encountering an actual technical issue, or if I'm just not understanding how the app works. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

You need an OTG connector or camera kit (depends on if your using lightning(Apple) or usb c(android) then connect a usb A to mini B cable to the adapter and then connect to the usb jack on the pedal.

 

[MascisMan]

Hey guys, quick question on the Neuro Hub. If a non-SA pedal (Empress Reverb) is connected to it (via TRRS to 1/4" TRS), the NH will still pass along CC and PC messages to it, correct?

In other words the NH is still a general MIDI hub and is not SA pedal myopic (except in the case of saving scenes), right?

 

[Derek Williams]

Hey guys, quick question on the Neuro Hub. If a non-SA pedal (Empress Reverb) is connected to it (via TRRS to 1/4" TRS), the NH will still pass along CC and PC messages to it, correct?

In other words the NH is still a general MIDI hub and is not SA pedal myopic (except in the case of saving scenes), right?

If that were the case, we'd be able to use TRS -> TRRS cables to control Source Audio pedals without needing a Neuro Hub at all.

 

[MascisMan]

If that were the case, we'd be able to use TRS -> TRRS cables to control Source Audio pedals without needing a Neuro Hub at all.

I'm not sure I'm following the logic path here. I'm not wanting to control a Source Audio pedal. I'm wanting to control an Empress Reverb and use the NH to convert 5 pin MIDI to 1/4" TRS (via 3.5mm to 1/4" cable).

I assume what you are describing is a limitation of the control input of the SA pedal and not a limitation of the hub's functionality?

Are you saying the Neuro Hub will not pass along a CC/PC message to a non-SA pedal via the 3.5mm multi-function output? Im asking because of this:

Again, apologies as I am no MIDI expert nor a SA expert. Thanks for the help!

 

[Derek Williams]

I'm not sure I'm following the logic path here. I'm not wanting to control a Source Audio pedal. I'm wanting to control an Empress Reverb and use the NH to convert 5 pin MIDI to 1/4" TRS (via 3.5mm to 1/4" cable).

I assume what you are describing is a limitation of the control input of the SA pedal and not a limitation of the hub's functionality?

Are you saying the Neuro Hub will not pass along a CC/PC message to a non-SA pedal via the 3.5mm multi-function output? Im asking because of this:

View attachment 4872506

Again, apologies as I am no MIDI expert nor a SA expert. Thanks for the help!

What I mean is that the communication protocol between the Neuro Hub and Source Audio pedals is not MIDI. If it was MIDI, then we wouldn't need the Neuro Hub at all. And since it isn't MIDI, you can't use it to control MIDI pedals.

 

[aglide]

You need an OTG connector or camera kit (depends on if your using lightning(Apple) or usb c(android) then connect a usb A to mini B cable to the adapter and then connect to the usb jack on the pedal.

Here's what I have for my android phone:

Link to adapter specs (it says it has OTG): https://a.co/d/isbzLiw

Should this work? The adapter does allow me to access a USB flash drive from my phone.

 

[Gibs210]

Here's what I have for my android phone:

Link to adapter specs (it says it has OTG): https://a.co/d/isbzLiw

Should this work? The adapter does allow me to access a USB flash drive from my phone.


View attachment 4872535

Should if it’s OTG.

 

[aglide]

Should if it’s OTG.

Thanks! What should I expect to see when I connect it? I get a "MIDI" symbol that appears in the top right corner when viewing the C4 pedal in the app. But I don't really see any evidence it's reading actual settings from the pedal, or pushing any settings that I manipulate.

And it seems like the presets are all "empty" if I look at the Burn/Recall menu, even though I have several of them built on the pedal. I did some more troubleshooting and if I connect this same cable and adapter to an EQ2 and Atlas, then look at the Burn/Recall menu, I can see my custom presets and switch to them. I guess the problem seems isolated to the C4.

 

[Gibs210]

Thanks! What should I expect to see when I connect it? I get a "MIDI" symbol that appears in the top right corner when viewing the C4 pedal in the app. But I don't really see any evidence it's reading actual settings from the pedal, or pushing any settings that I manipulate.

And it seems like the presets are all "empty" if I look at the Burn/Recall menu, even though I have several of them built on the pedal. I did some more troubleshooting and if I connect this same cable and adapter to an EQ2 and Atlas, then look at the Burn/Recall menu, I can see my custom presets and switch to them. I guess the problem seems isolated to the C4.

Your probably running older firmware on the c4. You’ll need to update using the desktop app.

 

[BigThumps]

Hello all, I've been playing bass a little over a year and at some point came across Source Audio. Really liked the idea of being able to customize the settings of the pedals and save/recall scenes. I started off with the AfterShock and have been slowly acquiring the other equipment to build out my board. Well, I'm now a day away from my two midi cables coming and finally getting all these babies connected together. Curious if any of you could offer any tips/suggestions for my setup. Particularly interested in how you may take advantage of the second in/out on the pedals for shaping sounds and also implementing the expression pedal. Again, I'm pretty new to all this and though I have been researching around the web I lack much in the way of true experience. Looking forward to experimenting this coming winter. Current chain is C4 > Spectrum > Atlas > AfterShock > EQ2. Cheers and TIA!

 

[odarellmc]

My newly put together SA board. Hoping to squeeze a spectrum on there.

 

[WaveyDavey]

Hoping to squeeze a spectrum on there.

I’m not an expert (and am still organizing my own SA-heavy pedalboard), but my understanding is that the C4 can do everything that the Spectrum Intelligent Filter can do, and more, so having both on your board may be duplicative.

 

[TheLopp]

Hello all, I've been playing bass a little over a year and at some point came across Source Audio. Really liked the idea of being able to customize the settings of the pedals and save/recall scenes. I started off with the AfterShock and have been slowly acquiring the other equipment to build out my board. Well, I'm now a day away from my two midi cables coming and finally getting all these babies connected together. Curious if any of you could offer any tips/suggestions for my setup. Particularly interested in how you may take advantage of the second in/out on the pedals for shaping sounds and also implementing the expression pedal. Again, I'm pretty new to all this and though I have been researching around the web I lack much in the way of true experience. Looking forward to experimenting this coming winter. Current chain is C4 > Spectrum > Atlas > AfterShock > EQ2. Cheers and TIA!

View attachment 4873236

Nice board! Not too far off from mine. You have a lot of options with that one. I have one patch going from clean to a touch of break up using the expression pedal. One goes from OD to distortion. One to blend between two completely different sounds and one to add some bite on the EQ. There’s so many things you could do. Just explore!

 

[WaveyDavey]

… and am still organizing my own SA-heavy pedalboard)

The spaghetti-like wiring (and hub) will all be hidden underneath once I have a better handle on the connections and operational options.

For those wondering, pedal order is PolyTune, Atlas, Future Impact, C4, UltraWave, Lunar, Collider. My thinking is to loosen up the compressor settings on the Atlas whenever using dynamic-sensitive patches on the FI or C4, and then tighten the signal up again by using the compressor settings on the UltraWave. Anyone else use a similar approach?

 

[bassbrad]

I’m not an expert (and am still organizing my own SA-heavy pedalboard), but my understanding is that the C4 can do everything that the Spectrum Intelligent Filter can do, and more, so having both on your board may be duplicative.

It is true that the C4 can do everything that the Spectrum does and more, so from a strictly economic sense and for many players there may not be a reason to have both. But given the particular signal flow of the Spectrum some things are easier to do if you are into creating sounds. Having both I find myself enjoying the different UI and the creative options they open up. Plus having having them in different positions in your signal chain also offers creative opportunities too.

 

[Mohawk]

The spaghetti-like wiring (and hub) will all be hidden underneath once I have a better handle on the connections and operational options.

For those wondering, pedal order is PolyTune, Atlas, Future Impact, C4, UltraWave, Lunar, Collider. My thinking is to loosen up the compressor settings on the Atlas whenever using dynamic-sensitive patches on the FI or C4, and then tighten the signal up again by using the compressor settings on the UltraWave. Anyone else use a similar approach?

View attachment 4873786

Nice! What is the significance of the red knobs?

I'm working on putting together a new board that will be auto programmed by MIDI during live performances. It will have more SA pedals than the C4 that I presently use. So I'm soaking up what others are doing on this invaluable thread.

I see you have the indispensable Altoids can pick container. When I went to In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) I switched my Altoids can out for the small orange case holding a backup set of IEMs and doing double duty holding spare picks. Never leave home without either, lol. The pic is my present board with the orange IEM/picks case. I'll show the new MIDI pedal-board when it's ready.

 

[WaveyDavey]

Nice! What is the significance of the red knobs?View attachment 4873924

It was my intention to assign an “always on” mix function (wet/dry) for each pedal to the red knob so that if, e.g., during a live performance I discovered that a particular patch was unwieldy for some reason, I could quickly reach down and eliminate/minimize that pedal’s impact on the signal chain without having to dig into the neuro hub patch (or switching the pedal off altogether) to accomplish the same thing.

I strongly suspect that some of the more advanced users have developed better methods/work flows to accomplish the same thing.

If so… is anyone looking to buy some snazzy red knobs for their SA pedals? ;-)

Re: Altoids tin - fresh breath benefits everyone!