Source Audio Soundblox 2 User manual
USER’S GUIDE
SA226
2 | Welcome
WELCOME
Thank you for purchasing the Soundblox 2 Orbital Modulator. This
powerful multi-effects unit features a dynamic collection of meticulously
crafted modulation effects, including classic renditions of phaser, flanger,
and chorus, plus an amazing set of contemporary modulation options.
With nine adjustable parameters, including TREMOLO, MIX, LoRetain,
and LFO Wave Shape, this pedal goes well beyond the sonic limitations of
traditional modulation effects pedals.
The Orbital Modulator lives in our durable, cast-aluminum Soundblox
2 housing, providing rack-mount power and flexibility in a compact,
easy-to-use stompbox. It also works with all of our Hot Hand© Effect
Controllers or the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal.
The Quick Start guide will help you with the basics. For more in-depth
information about the Soundblox 2 Orbital Modulator, move on to the
following sections.
Enjoy!
-The Source Audio team
If possible, dispose of the device at a recycling center. Do not dispose of the
device with the household waste.
For full compliance with EN 61000-4-6 standard, input cable must be less
than 3 meters in length.
Overview | 3
OVERVIEW
DIVERSE SOUND PALETTE: Features 12 different flanger, phaser,
and chorus effects.
DEEP CONTROL SET: Access to control parameters typically found
on only professional rack systems.
FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS: Easily accessible control settings
personally selected by Source Audio’s chief scientist, Bob Chidlaw.
TREMOLO: Mix tremolo effects into any of the Orbital Modulator’s
effect types for the added dimension of amplitude modulation.
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-program user presets recallable via two
footswitches.
MULTI-FUNCTION INPUT: A multi-purpose control input for use with
Hot Hand, the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal, or MIDI.
4 | Quick Start
QUICK START
1. POWER
To power the unit, connect the included DC adapter power supply to
the 9V jack (A) on the back panel.
Note: Using a non-Source Audio supply could damage the unit.
Please be very cautious when using 3rd party power supplies.
2. GUITAR/AUDIO CONNECTIONS
Using standard ¼" mono cables, plug your guitar, bass, or other
instrument into the GUITAR IN (B) jack and from the GUITAR OUT (C)
jack to your amp or other audio device.
3. BRIEF KNOB, FOOTSWITCH, AND BUTTON DESCRIPTIONS
(see Controls section for more details)
• EFFECT KNOB (A): Selects the effect type.
• DEPTH (B): Controls the modulation depth of the effect.
GUITAR IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
OUT
GUITAR OUT
9V DC
A
B C
Quick Start | 5
1 2
CONTROL
INPUT
OPTION
SELECT
ENV-ENV+
DEPTH
OPTION
SPEED
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
HH
MIDI
EXP
FLANGER
CHORUS
PHASER
RESONATOR
MOD SOURCE
4 STAGE
QUAD
CLASSIC
THRU
ZERO
SHADOW
RES 1
RES 2
VIBE
6 STAGE
8 STAGEDUAL
12 STAGE
ORBITA L
MODULATOR
• OPTION (C): Adjusts the parameter selected by the OPTION SELECT
button.
• SPEED (D): Adjusts the rate of the LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), the
attack/decay rate of the envelope follower, or the smoothing of Hot Hand.
• MOD SOURCE (E): Selects between sine LFO, square LFO, or envelope
follower.
• OPTION SELECT (F): Selects which parameter will be controlled by the
OPTION knob.
• CONTROL INPUT (G): Selects which external controller type will be used.
• FOOTSWITCHES (H): Enables/Disables presets. Press and hold either
footswitch to save an edited preset.
G
D
A
C
B
F
H H
E
6 | Connections
CONNECTIONS
GUITAR IN (A): Connect your guitar, bass, or other instrument via a
MONO ¼" cable.
GUITAR OUT (B): Connects to your amp, pedal, or other audio device via
a MONO ¼” cable.
MULTI-FUNCTION IN (C) (optional): The multi-function input is a flexible
control input for use with external controllers. It accepts digital or analog
signals which allow the Orbital Modulator to interface with the following
accessories:
• SA110/SA115 Hot Hand Wireless Adapter
• SA111 Hot Hand Wired Sensor
• SA161 Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal
• Source Audio Soundblox 2 MIDI Adapter
MULTI-FUNCTION OUT (D) (optional): Use a Source Audio daisy-chain
cable to connect this jack to the sensor/multi-function input of another
Soundblox pedal.
9V DC (D): Connects to the included 9 Volt DC power supply.
GUITAR IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
OUT
GUITAR OUT
9V DC
D
E
A B
C
Controls: Knobs | 7
CONTROLS: KNOBS
EFFECT (A) (not labeled)
The EFFECT knob selects which effect type will be used. For information
on the individual settings, see the Effect Types section.
- Continued
1 2
CONTROL
INPUT
OPTION
SELECT
ENV-ENV+
DEPTH
OPTION
SPEED
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
HH
MIDI
EXP
FLANGER
CHORUS
PHASER
RESONATOR
MOD SOURCE
4 STAGE
QUAD
CLASSIC
THRU
ZERO
SHADOW
RES 1
RES 2
VIBE
6 STAGE
8 STAGEDUAL
12 STAGE
ORBITA L
MODULATOR
A
8 | Contols: Knobs
DEPTH Knob (A)
The DEPTH knob adjusts the range of the modulating signals.
OPTION Knob (B)
The OPTION knob controls six different parameters. Press the OPTION
SELECT button (C) (located just above the OPTION knob) to cycle through
all six choices. The selected parameter is indicated by the three red/
green LEDs. Green indicates the upper parameter (black print), and red
the lower parameter (white print).
1 2
CONTROL
INPUT
OPTION
SELECT
ENV-ENV+
DEPTH
OPTION
SPEED
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
HH
MIDI
EXP
FLANGER
CHORUS
PHASER
RESONATOR
MOD SOURCE
4 STAGE
QUAD
CLASSIC
THRU
ZERO
SHADOW
RES 1
RES 2
VIBE
6 STAGE
8 STAGEDUAL
12 STAGE
ORBITA L
MODULATOR
B
A
C
• DELAY/FREQUENCY (Green LED): When Flanger or Chorus
effects are selected the DELAY knob adjusts the delay time
between the dry and modulating signals. Because of the
similarity between flangers and choruses, a flanger can easily
be adjusted to resemble a chorus and vice-versa. As a rule of
thumb, short delay times create flange effects while long delays
produce chorus effects. Set the DELAY knob between 7 and
11 o’clock for flange effects and between 3 and 5 o’clock for
chorus.
When phaser effects are selected, this knob adjusts the
frequency center point of the phase modulation. Turn the
FREQUENCY knob clock-wise to modulate the phaser over
higher frequencies and give the effect a brighter sound.
• FEEDBACK (Red LED): The FEEDBACK knob controls the amount
of wet signal fed back into the effect. Much like the harmonic
feedback created between a guitar pick-up and an amplifier,
increasing the FEEDBACK on the Orbital Modulator creates
a more resonant and ringing response, giving the effect more
prominence.
Controls: Knobs | 9
OPTION
SELECT
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
- Continued
Press button to
select option
10 | Controls: Knobs
• VOLUME (Green LED): The VOLUME knob adjusts the output
level, ranging from zero gain to +6dB. Unity gain is found at
roughly 12 o’clock.
• LoRETAIN (Red LED): The LoRETAIN function adjusts the
frequency below which the original signal remains unaffected.
This function is especially useful for bass players—increasing the
LoRETAIN insures a solid low-end foundation while maintaining
the characteristics of the chosen effect. Guitarists may also find
it useful—if the FEEDBACK control is cranked up, increasing
LoRETAIN will prevent excessive volume fluctuations in the
lower frequencies.
• TREMOLO (Green LED): The TREMOLO knob adjusts amplitude
modulation. Unlike traditional tremolo, the Orbital Modulator’s
amplitude modulation is embedded within the flanger, phaser,
and chorus effects, creating a wide range of very unique and
three-dimensional modulation effects. But the TREMOLO func-
tion, if dialed in correctly, will also create sounds reminiscent
of classic amplifier generated tremolo or replicate the sound
of a rotating speaker (see the EFFECT TYPES section for more
detail).
OPTION
SELECT
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
Press button to
select option
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