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Source Audio Sourcerers Society (S.A.S.S.) Pt 2

Are the pedals I'm the midi hub in series? Or can they be programmed? Like if you go ofd, manta, orbital can you switch the order when programming presets?

The pedals don't move, your audio cables will always go in whatever order you set them up in. The control cables that go from the hub to the SA pedals are just that, control.

On your other point, that's a totally fair question - gotta figure out if the pedals will be able to slot in with what you've got now. I'm finding the OFD might take one or two pedals off my board but it can't replace everything. I'm not a big modulation or filter guy, so the OM and Manta are really just additive for me, but I did just flip a Quasar DLX and a Xerograph Deluxe for those two pedals. Cost wise, flipping one of those for the corresponding SA actually saved me money and gave me a whole lot more bang for the buck.
 
Does anyone know if you can connect the programmable eq to the hub? I'm only seeing the midi input for the eq. It would be nice to call up your eq presets through the hub. I believe this would enable me to have a final eq on my Soundblox 2 pedals similar to Soundblox pro series.
 
I've asked this question before, but I'm not sure I got a clear, complete answer. With or without the Hub, what is the best way to sync tap tempo between a Soundblox 2 pedal and other MIDI-capable, non-Source Audio pedals? My understanding is that the Hub would be required (because the Soundblox 2 has no dedicated MIDI input, just the multi-function port), but I'm not entirely sure how it would work even if I had a Hub.
 
Does anyone know if you can connect the programmable eq to the hub? I'm only seeing the midi input for the eq. It would be nice to call up your eq presets through the hub. I believe this would enable me to have a final eq on my Soundblox 2 pedals similar to Soundblox pro series.

While the Hub won't provide any additional functionality for the EQ at the time I write this, you can use the Hub as a MIDI Pass Thru box. So anytime the Hub receives MIDI PC 0-3 (going off memory) then the EQ will automatically change to preset 1-4.

This currently functions no differently than if you plugged in a MIDI controller directly to the Programmable EQ.

I would think this would change at some point in the future so you can access the 4 presets as you need via any of the 128 Hub scenes or some other method, but definitely don't quote me on that. :)
 
Josh begone,

I'm new to midi so are there any midi controllers you would recommend? I liked how simple the midi mouse was. Hopefully there is something almost as simple.

Josh begone.... that's a new one ;)

The one my two guitar players use is a Peak FCB4N2. Pretty sure it's no longer for sale (even though you can still order on their website), but if you can find a used one - you'll be set. It's a great controller. A smaller one is the FCB2N - sends 2 PC's at a time.

Another discontinued option is the Axxess MFC5 - check out ebay.

Past that, the options get very large (footprint) and expensive. Voodoo Lab Ground Control, Rocktron Midi Mate, G-Lab, CAE, Liquid Foot, etc. There's dozens of options but most are smaller boutique builders and they do really cool stuff that goes beyond what you need. I would look for a used Peak, if you can find it. Or just decide to control the EQ separately.
 
I've asked this question before, but I'm not sure I got a clear, complete answer. With or without the Hub, what is the best way to sync tap tempo between a Soundblox 2 pedal and other MIDI-capable, non-Source Audio pedals? My understanding is that the Hub would be required (because the Soundblox 2 has no dedicated MIDI input, just the multi-function port), but I'm not entirely sure how it would work even if I had a Hub.

EDIT: See gatric's post below on this topic. I haven't had a chance to test the midi clock going into the SB2 pedals but it IS possible, yes.
 
I've asked this question before, but I'm not sure I got a clear, complete answer. With or without the Hub, what is the best way to sync tap tempo between a Soundblox 2 pedal and other MIDI-capable, non-Source Audio pedals? My understanding is that the Hub would be required (because the Soundblox 2 has no dedicated MIDI input, just the multi-function port), but I'm not entirely sure how it would work even if I had a Hub.

Yes, the Hub is required for any of the SB2 pedal to be able to harness MIDI, whether it's MIDI Clock to sync tempo, MIDI PC to change presets/scenes, or MIDI CC to modulate individual pedal parameters.

MIDI Clock is useful, but somewhat challenging as it requires a MIDI Clock source to generate the clock. You can use a variety of gear as a MIDI Clock generation source such as a computer, hardware sequencer, drum machine/brain, and some other MIDI capable devices such as a Roland GR-55 (generates clock based on the tempo setup in each patch) and I saw a new Eventide pedal that can generate MIDI Clock from it's internal tap-tempo though don't quote me on that. There's also dedicated, but expensive, tap-tempo-to-MIDI-Clock boxes. Lots of MIDI Clock options.

How you then integrate it into your setup is a different challenge. Many MIDI capable devices don't provide a MIDI Thru function. So assuming you have a device for MIDI Clock but a separate device for generating MIDI PC to change patches/scenes, you'll need some way to integrate all of the MIDI data streams before they reach the Hub.

For example, the Tech21 MIDI Mouse has a MIDI Out jack, but no MIDI In jack. So there's no way to send MIDI Clock via a MIDI cable to the MIDI Mouse, then have the MIDI Mouse combine that with it's own MIDI data to send to the Hub.

There's a variety of devices to help you solve these types of issues, and there's MIDI controllers that do support MIDI In/Thru you could choose instead.
 
I haven't seen anywhere that the sb2 pedals can sync to an external clock. Some of the presets in the OM have tap tempo functionality, so it might be possible (either now or in future updates). I can reach out to SA about it next week once they are back from NAMM. The current slew of sb2 effects aren't necessarily time based effects at all, although some of them clearly could be. I have a feeling this isn't built out right now, but don't quote me on that one.

Well, both the OM and Manta have LFOs. I assumed that you might want to do some sort of clock syncing with one or the other. But perhaps I was assuming they had that functionality when they don't.
 
I haven't seen anywhere that the sb2 pedals can sync to an external clock.

SB2 pedals that support tap-tempo such as the Manta and Orbital definitely support MIDI Clock via the Hub. :)

I know the BEF Pro also supports MIDI Clock via it's MIDI In connection, you could use the Hub's MIDI Thru to get clock to that pedal as well. I used MIDI Clock with the Pro's awesome programmable sequencer to create this interesting demo: http://www.cgraham.com/chris/music/bass/bef_pro/bef_pro_sequencer_004.mp3
 
Yes, the Hub is required for any of the SB2 pedal to be able to harness MIDI, whether it's MIDI Clock to sync tempo, MIDI PC to change presets/scenes, or MIDI CC to modulate individual pedal parameters.

MIDI Clock is useful, but somewhat challenging as it requires a MIDI Clock source to generate the clock. You can use a variety of gear as a MIDI Clock generation source such as a computer, hardware sequencer, drum machine/brain, and some other MIDI capable devices such as a Roland GR-55 (generates clock based on the tempo setup in each patch) and I saw a new Eventide pedal that can generate MIDI Clock from it's internal tap-tempo though don't quote me on that. There's also dedicated, but expensive, tap-tempo-to-MIDI-Clock boxes. Lots of MIDI Clock options.

How you then integrate it into your setup is a different challenge. Many MIDI capable devices don't provide a MIDI Thru function. So assuming you have a device for MIDI Clock but a separate device for generating MIDI PC to change patches/scenes, you'll need some way to integrate all of the MIDI data streams before they reach the Hub.

For example, the Tech21 MIDI Mouse has a MIDI Out jack, but no MIDI In jack. So there's no way to send MIDI Clock via a MIDI cable to the MIDI Mouse, then have the MIDI Mouse combine that with it's own MIDI data to send to the Hub.

There's a variety of devices to help you solve these types of issues, and there's MIDI controllers that do support MIDI In/Thru you could choose instead.

I currently have two Factor series pedals and a Line6 M5. I also have a Beat Buddy on the way. Currently, I use tap tempo on the Modfactor -> Pitchfactor -> M5. When the Beat Buddy comes, my understanding is I'll be able to put it anywhere before the M5 (the Beat Buddy does tap tempo and also MIDI thru, the M5 does MIDI in but not thru).
 
There's a variety of ways to handle chaining tons of MIDI gear together when all of the gear doesn't provide a MIDI Thru jack, and lots do not. Roland/BOSS is the kind of not provide a Thru function on their gear.

Here's a simple 2-in-1-out MIDI Combiner: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MIDImerge2

All the way to bigger rack units like this MOTU box: http://www.motu.com/products/midi/128

I have an ancient MOTU MIDI Timepiece AV Serial (currently lent out to a friend, need to get it back) that even allowed you to configure routing options in the MIDI I/O so certain inputs get routed to certain outputs only. They're cheap used on eBay since they're an older, discontinued product. You can easily use them as a basic all-in-all-out type box like the MIDI Express rack unit I linked to.

Lots of options. Lots of more cables to deal with. :)
 
Josh begone.... that's a new one ;)



The one my two guitar players use is a Peak FCB4N2. Pretty sure it's no longer for sale (even though you can still order on their website), but if you can find a used one - you'll be set. It's a great controller. A smaller one is the FCB2N - sends 2 PC's at a time.



Another discontinued option is the Axxess MFC5 - check out ebay.



Past that, the options get very large (footprint) and expensive. Voodoo Lab Ground Control, Rocktron Midi Mate, G-Lab, CAE, Liquid Foot, etc. There's dozens of options but most are smaller boutique builders and they do really cool stuff that goes beyond what you need. I would look for a used Peak, if you can find it. Or just decide to control the EQ separately.


JohnBegone (my phone auto corrected me, sorry about that) I will take a look into the controllers you mentioned. Thanks.
 
SB2 pedals that support tap-tempo such as the Manta and Orbital definitely support MIDI Clock via the Hub. :)

I know the BEF Pro also supports MIDI Clock via it's MIDI In connection, you could use the Hub's MIDI Thru to get clock to that pedal as well. I used MIDI Clock with the Pro's awesome programmable sequencer to create this interesting demo: http://www.cgraham.com/chris/music/bass/bef_pro/bef_pro_sequencer_004.mp3

Good to know, I edited my above post to refer to your post. I haven't seen anything about clock in any of the documentation from SA. I've also been sending clock the entire time I've been testing the hub and it's never reacted to the clock I'm sending, so any advice on how to use that with the OM for example?

Gastric also posted a great little box by Midi Solutions (the midi merger) if you need to take an external clock and send it to your hub but are using a controller that does not have a midi in (like the midi mouse or the Peak I posted above). I have the Midi Solutions merger and quadra thru, and both are great. Another option for merging that might be useful to some is the M-Audio Midisport 2x2. You can set it up as a USB midi interface for sending PC's and CC's from a computer, OR you can turn it into a stand alone midi merger.

I use a Motu Micro Express for merging / routing /filtering midi all around our band (from Ableton). Motu has a bunch of great utility boxes, and like gastric said - they are super cheap on ebay used. The Motu stuff has been the same for the last 10 years or so, they just recently put a facelift on the products - don't let that fool you. The old stuff is just as good.
 
Good to know, I edited my above post to refer to your post. I haven't seen anything about clock in any of the documentation from SA. I've also been sending clock the entire time I've been testing the hub and it's never reacted to the clock I'm sending, so any advice on how to use that with the OM for example?

I would have to experiment to see exactly what you have to do to support clock. I think you probably have to have the patch on the pedal in Tap Tempo mode.
 
I've confirmed with my gear that the Manta does in fact sync to MIDI Clock. You do not need the pedal specifically set to tap tempo mode, it'll sync to the clock whenever it is received by the Hub. But putting it in tap mode lets you watch the LED blink to the tempo which is helpful when troubleshooting tempo issues.

However I couldn't get the Orbital to sync, at least with my particular gear. I've filed a bug report and I'm sure that'll be fixed in the near future as I believe all of the tempo aware pedals should be able to sync to MIDI Clock.
 
When you get the Dual Exp, try this: Tremolo speed sweep on Orbital, Filter sweep on Manta, Drive level on OFD. Game changer....

Can the dual expression pedal control three pedals without the midi hub?


Ok, unrelated to this question, after a day of playing around with the OFD>Manta>Orbital setup, I can safely say that these pedals are brilliant.

If I channel all my dirt pedals into that chain, it becomes awesome. The Cave Passive Super Grunt in particular makes the Manta come alive in a great way. Anyway, these things are great.
 

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