The company known for its public collaborations is bringing a new complex effects unit to life.
Source Audio's official production run of the Ultrawave Multiband Processors is still around the corner, but the first batch of Beta units are available on Reverb right now, in a special release that will bring buyers into the pedal-making process.
The Ultrawave Multiband Processor is a feature-packed effect that allows players to split their audio signal into many different frequency bands, then apply effects like distortion, compression, or—most notably—tremolo/LFO differently to each of those distinct bands.
The Ultrawave pedal and its accompanying free editing software, Neuro Desktop Editor, will continue to be a work-in-progress. Buyers of these Beta pedals not only get early access to the effect, but they get the personal contact info of the Source Audio team, and are encouraged to offer feedback to the builders.
When changes are made, firmware or software updates can be easily implemented on these Beta pedals.
Source Audio explains what you can expect from the Ultrawave:
Multiband processing splits the frequency spectrum of a guitar, bass, or synthesizer into multiple, discrete frequency bands, each with its own set of adjustable parameters. The Ultrawave takes this split signal approach to wondrous new heights. It offers an extremely granular method of overdrive and distortion. When a signal is split into multiple bands, the Ultrawave (via the Neuro Desktop Editor) provides control over the drive and output levels of each individual band. The result is a thick and rich distortion with loads of unique overtones and dynamic interplay. The signal can be split into 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, or 10 frequency bands, and all of the band splitting options can be applied to an exciting collection of overdrive types, including Tube, Diode, Foldback (a method of distortion often heard in the world of synthesizers), Octave Up, Negative Flip Diode, and more.
In conjunction with the Ultrawave’s overdrive possibilities, the pedal has an incredible collection of innovative sound processing blocks. There is the multiband compressor block with studio level controls that can be placed before or after the drive circuits. The Multiband Tremolo block provides individual control of each band's tremolo depth, rate, and start time as well as its LFO wave shape. This is an entirely new effects pedal technology. Changing the LFO wave shape and varying the tremolo start times of each frequency band creates fantastically propulsive sounds reminiscent of sequencer or arpeggiator effects. The LFO’s Ring Mod option creates waves of retro/futuristic industrialism. The Morph feature explores the marvelous potential of sound morphing, which allows musicians to smoothly transition from one super-charged tone to another with an external expression pedal, LFO, or envelope follower. The Ultrawave also has advanced stereo features that can send entirely different drive effects to each of the outputs or generate mind-spinning, ping-pong tremolo effects.
Years ago, Source Audio released the Multiwave Distortion, which first put this idea into practice, and subsequently made bass versions as well. The Ultrawave is taking a decade-plus of experience and greatly expanding upon the idea.
For more product specifics and to order one of the first Source Audio Ultrawave Multiband Processors, click here.