BASS | microMODELER OV E R D R IVE FU Z Z D IS TORTION USER’S GUIDE SA228
WELCOME Thank you for purchasing the Soundblox 2 OFD Bass microModeler. The SB2 OFD Bass is the newest addition to our line of distortion pedals designed specifically for the bass. The SB2 OFD Bass provides a diverse palette of modeled overdrives, fuzzes, and distortions (O.F.D) based on our meticulous research of the most popular bass distortion boxes. Each effect was designed and redesigned again to meet our high-standards for quality bass effects.
OVERVIEW DIVERSE SOUND PALETTE Featuring 12 unique varieties of overdrive, fuzz, and distortion effects. STATE-OF-THE-ART DSP Our proprietary 56-bit Digital Signal Processor, the SA601, and crystal clear 24-bit converters. COMPACT DESIGN A compact, rugged, cast-aluminum housing UNIVERSAL BYPASS™ Select either analog buffered or relay-based True Bypass. 2 USER PRESETS Easy to configure user presets selectable via two footswitches. 3-BAND TONE CONTROL An ultra-flexible Treble-Mid-Bass tone control.
QUICK START 1. POWER To power the unit, connect the included DC adapter power supply to the 9V DC jack on the back panel. Note: Using a different supply could damage the unit and void the warranty. 2. GUITAR/AUDIO CONNECTIONS Next, plug your guitar (or other instrument) into the jack labeled GUITAR IN via a standard ¼" cable. Connect your amp (or other audio device) to the GUITAR OUT jack, again with a standard ¼" cable. Both input and output are mono signals.
•M IX (C): adjusts the level of clean signal added to the mix. Choose between standard clean tone and EQ’d clean tone. • TONE (D): cuts or boosts the selected TONE SHAPE (TREBLE, MID, and BASS). •O UTPUT (E): adjusts the overall signal volume. •N OISE GATE BUTTON (F): selects the noise gate threshold level. • TONE SHAPE BUTTON (G): selects between BASS, MID, and TREBLE EQ ranges controlled by the TONE knob. • FOOTSWITCHES (H): Enables/Disables a preset depending on the selected footswitch.
THEORY OF OPERATION The Soundblox 2 OFD Bass microModeler presents a curated collection of what we consider to be the best and most essential overdrive, fuzz, and distortion effects for bass. We have chosen names for each OFD effect that are suggestive of the sounds you may find in many famous stomp boxes or overdrive circuits.
CONNECTIONS GUITAR IN (A): Connect your bass or other instrument here using a standard MONO ¼" cable. GUITAR OUT (B): Connect this to your amp, pedal, or other audio device. MULTI-FUNCTION IN (C): The multi-function input is a flexible control input for use with external controllers.
CONTROLS: KNOBS EFFECT (A) (not labeled) The effect knob selects which overdrive, fuzz, or distortion type will be used. There are 12 different selections available. For information on the individual settings see the Effect Types section.
DRIVE (B) The DRIVE controls the level of distortion by adjusting the gain of the signal going into the distortion section. MIX (C) The MIX knob controls the amount of dry, unaffected signal blended in with the distortion. The clean signal used in this control does NOT have any TONE SHAPE or NOISE GATE applied. The center point of the knob is ‘flat’ with no clean signal applied. Turning the knob to the left (toward ‘CLEAN’) will increase the amount of unaffected clean signal in the mix.
CONTROLS: BUTTONS NOISE GATE This control allows for quick adjustments to the noise gate threshold. Since distortion effects can have very high signal gain, the background noise and hum are also gained up and can become undesirably loud. Enabling the noise gate on the SB2 OFD Bass will help silence the background noise when the bass is not being played. There are 4 levels for the noise gate threshold: OFF (all LEDs off), LOW, MED, HIGH.
TONE SHAPE There are three selectable tone control options: TREBLE, MID, and BASS. This control works in conjunction with the TONE knob. Press the TONE SHAPE button to scroll through the three tone control options. The TONE knob will adjust the level of cut or boost for the selected TONE SHAPE. The three tone shapes can be set independently and will not affect each other.
CONTROLS: FOOTSWITCHES There are two footswitches on the Soundblox 2 OFD Bass microModeler. The left footswitch corresponds to preset 1 and the right footswitch corresponds to preset 2. Pressing either of the footswitches will engage the respective preset. Pressing the same footswitch again will put the effect back into bypass mode. Pressing the other footswitch will engage the other preset without going into bypass.
EFFECT TYPES Here are some brief descriptions of the effects included in the Soundblox 2 OFD Bass microModeler. TS9000 BIG PI EL RATON FUZZ FAÇADE CRUNCH TUBE POWER STAGE BENDER SMOOTH TUBE METAL TUBE DRIVE OCTAVE FUZZ GATED FUZZ TUBE DRIVE (OVERDRIVE) An overdriven amp distortion sound with a smooth texture. Good for adding a little extra grind for an ‘always on’ tone. SMOOTH TUBE (OVERDRIVE) Another take on the overdriven amp sound heard in the TUBE DRIVE setting.
POWER STAGE (DISTORTION) Our take on the classic ‘stompbox mimicking overdriven amp’ sound of the Fulltone Distortion Pro®. This is a meat and potatoes distortion tone that fits right at home in any rock song. CRUNCH TUBE (OVERDRIVE) Our own version of an overdriven tube amp made more aggressive and out front. TS9000 (DISTORTION) Based on the Ibanez Tube Screamer®, a solid state distortion stomp box with a boost in the mid-range. Good for high lead playing and soloing.
BENDER (FUZZ) Our version of the Tone Bender® fuzz sound. This is a bright, grinding distortion that sounds something like a swarm of massive bees. METAL (DISTORTION) This wolfy tone with a lot of bite is our own creation. Crank this one to rip serious finger-tapping leads or hold down the bottom with crunchy low string hits. OCTAVE FUZZ (FUZZ) A full wave rectifier to mimic the classic Octavia®. Dial back the high frequency tone on your bass to get positively synthy results.
EXTERNAL CONTROL One of the new Core Features of the Soundblox 2 line of effects pedals is the addition of the Multi-Function Input. The Multi-Function input is an intelligent control input that can accept both digital and analog control signals. The Multi-Function input replaces the Sensor Input on previous Soundblox pedals.
•M IDI: MIDI control mode. Select this mode to enable MIDI I/O through the Soundblox 2 MIDI Interface •H H: Hot Hand mode. Select HH to enable Hot Hand control. By default, Hot Hand will be assigned to control the morph parameter. Alternatively, Hot hand can also be also be assigned to control an individual knob parameter. Press the NOISE GATE button again while holding the TONE SHAPE button to resume normal Noise Gate adjustments.
The same process can be used for either EXP or HH modes. To return to the default morph control, set the external control to OFF, and then press and hold the NOISE GATE button again until all three LEDs blink rapidly. MORPHING The Multi-Function control input can be used to morph between the two presets. For example, let’s say preset 1 is saved as a low drive SMOOTH TUBE setting and preset 2 is a high drive OCTAVE FUZZ setting.
MIDI CONTROL The OFD can be controlled via generic MIDI messages. To access MIDI functionality, the pedal requires the Source Audio Neuro Hub (sold separately - please check www.sourceaudio.net for availability). The Hub expands your connections to further the control of up to five Soundblox2 or Ones Series pedals. The Hub has 5-pin MIDI DIN In and Out jacks, a USB port, Sensor In (for Hot Hand) and a 1/4” expression input.
USE WITH HOT HAND® All Soundblox pedals are compatible with our Hot Hand accessories. Hot Hand units consist of a ring mounted accelerometer that is used to detect motion for controlling effect parameters. On the Soundblox 2 OFD Bass microModeler, a Hot Hand unit can be connected to the Multi-Function input. To enable Hot Hand, select the HH mode as the external control option.
UNIVERSAL BYPASS™ Another added feature in the Soundblox 2 line is the addition of Universal Bypass. In other effects pedals, both traditional bypass methods have pros and cons associated with them. Active analog bypass (or buffered) provides a consistent input impedance so that if the input is susceptible (like a guitar pickup) to variations in input impedance there won’t be any noticeable change in tone. Buffered bypass is typically quieter and less prone to clicks and pops.
SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions • L: 4.5 inches • W: 4.5 inches • H: 2.25 inches (including knobs) Weight • 1.00 lbs Power •1 40mA @ 9V DC (max 180mA with Hot Hand Wireless Adapter) • Negative tip power jack Audio Performance • Maximum input level: 2.
Unit appears dead/no LEDs lit: Wrong power supply Use correct power supply as defined on page 14. Input plug not connected Ensure that input cable is connected to the GUITAR input. Corroded input cable plug Check input cable plug for corrosion on sleeve, swap out cable if necessary. For additional assistance, please visit www.sourceaudio.
WARRANTY INFORMATION Source Audio may, at its option, require proof of the original purchase date in the form of a dated copy of original authorized dealer’s invoice or sales receipt. Service and repairs of Source Audio products are to be performed only at the Source Audio factory or a Source Audio authorized service center.
