True Spring Reverb User Guide Welcome Thank you for purchasing the True Spring Reverb. This powerful stereo effects pedal revisits and reimagines the timeless combination of spring reverb and tremolo. The Source Audio engineering team put years of collective man-hours into capturing every nuance and idiosyncrasy of the spring reverb and tremolo effects from some of the music gear industry’s most iconic guitar amps and outboard gear. We hope you love where this pedal takes you.
connected to the Neuro Desktop Editor or Neuro Mobile App. Use the Neuro Editor to create highly customized presets, then save, store, and share them with the rest of the growing Neuro Community. The Quick Start guide will help you with the basics. For more in-depth information about the True Spring Reverb, move on to the following sections, starting with Connections.
Quick Start Power To power the unit, connect the included 9V DC power supply to the jack labeled DC 9V on the back panel. When running a 3rd party power supply, the True Spring requires an isolated 9V DC power source with a minimum of 165mA and a center-negative plug. Warning: Using a non-Source Audio supply, especially an unregulated supply, could damage the unit. Please be very cautious when using 3rd-party power supplies.
Level Knob: Controls the overall output level. Unity gain between the bypassed and engaged signals resides at 12 o’clock on the knob. Turning the LEVEL knob fully clockwise boosts the dry signal roughly 6dB. Dwell Knob: Controls the level of the dry signal hitting the spring tank. Turning the up the DWELL control adds a more overdriven and animated quality to the wet signal.
Contents Welcome .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Quick Start ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Connections ..................
Connections Input Side Connections Input 1 This is the primary input for guitar, bass, or other instruments. It can also accept line-level inputs of up to +6.54 dBV / 8.76 dBu. Connect it to your instrument or other audio source using a mono (TS) ¼” cable. Input 2 Input 2 acts as either a second audio input, the data connection for the Neuro Mobile App, or an input for both audio and Neuro Data simultaneously.
Output Side Connections Output 1 This is the primary mono Output. Connect this Output to your amplifier, recording interface, or the next device in your effects signal chain using a mono (TS) ¼” cable. Output 2 Acts as either an audio output, the daisy-chain data connection for the Neuro App, or both audio and Neuro Data simultaneously. Output 2 as an Audio Output The tip contact on Output 2 acts as the secondary audio output.
Power and Control Connections DC 9V (Power) Connect to the included 9 Volt DC power supply. The power supply must be regulated at 9 Volts (direct current), able to source at least 165 mA (milliamps) of current, and the plug should have a tipnegative, sleeve-positive polarity (the center tip is ground and the sleeve is power). USB Connect your computer (Mac or Windows) to the True Spring’s USB port (denoted by the icon) using a standard mini USB cable.
Basic Spring Reverb and Tremolo Operation The True Spring’s reverb effects are based on a mechanical design originated by the Hammond Organ Company™ in the late 1930s. This stark design uses a pair of input and output transducers to inject an instrument’s dry signal into an actual set of spring coils and capture the very distinct reverberations as the sound bounces back and forth within the springs.
Harmonic Tremolo Harmonic tremolo recreates the unique circuit included in some Fender™ “brownface” amps made between 1959 and 1963, which alternately modulated the levels of bass and treble frequencies in the audio signal. The result is a very pleasing and complex tremolo that has characteristics reminiscent of a phaser. Bias Tremolo Bias tremolo is an approach to tremolo that involves using an LFO to modulate the bias voltage of the tubes in an amplifier.
Ventris Outboard Spring This is the original Outboard Spring engine that first appeared in the Ventris Dual Reverb. The Ventris Outboard Spring offers a different take on the classic Fender 6G15 Reverb. This effect creates an especially drippy attack with a very lively trail. Ventris True Spring This highly realistic spring reverb effect originally appeared in the Ventris Dual Reverb. Its splashy attack and vibrant trails instantly grabbed the attention of spring reverb enthusiasts worldwide.
Controls Knobs Mix Sets the relative levels of dry signal and wet reverb signal. Fully counter-clockwise is 100% dry, fully clockwise is 100% wet. Roughly 3 o’clock on the MIX knob is where a 50/50 split between wet and dry occurs. Kill Dry Mode is also available as a global option (see Kill Dry Mode in the Neuro Hardware Options section of this manual).
Level Controls the overall output level of the pedal. Note that unity gain between the engaged and bypassed signal resides at the 12 o’clock knob position. Turning the knob all the way to the left kills the signal entirely, while turning the knob all the way to the right boosts the output signal roughly 6dB. Dwell Boosts or cuts the level of dry signal that drives the spring tank. As the Dwell knob is increased the reverb response becomes thicker, more animated, and more overdriven.
LEDs Engage / Bypass LED The Engage / Bypass LED above the footswitch indicates if the effect is active (lit) or bypassed (not lit). The color of this LED indicates whether the pedal is in Standard or Preset Mode. See the Standard and Preset Modes section for info on the pedal’s two modes. External Control LED The small LED located between the MIX and LEVEL knobs is the External Control LED. When lit, it indicates that external control mode (expression, hot hand, or MIDI) is active.
Creating a Preset (Without the Neuro Desktop Editor) • • • • • • • • Bypass the True Spring Reverb by clicking the footswitch once. The engage/bypass LED should be dark at this time. Press and hold the footswitch for 5 seconds and wait for the engage/bypass LED to turn red. You are now in Preset Mode. Set up the effect how you want it to sound, including the effect switch, MIX, LEVEL, DWELL, and TONE knobs. You can also adjust the Tremolo type and the DEPTH and RATE parameters.
Universal Bypass TM Most effect pedals offer either true bypass or buffered bypass. The True Spring Reverb contains two separate circuits for bypass mode, allowing you to choose the method you prefer. The true bypass path uses signal relays, which are electromechanical switches. This provides an ultra-low resistance path from the input jacks to the output jacks, which is effectively the same as a single wire.
Stereo In / Stereo Out Stereo tremolo/reverb is applied to Inputs 1 and 2 while maintaining dry signal separation. This mode is also active when running a mono in / mono out rig – the processor simply ignores Input and Output 2. Mono To Stereo Receives a mono signal through Input 1 and processes the dry signal and a stereo effect through Outputs 1 & 2.
Mono w/ Dry Through Takes a mono signal through Input 1 and processes a wet/dry signal through Output 1 and a completely dry signal through Output 2. Sum To Mono Receives a stereo input signal through Inputs 1 & 2 and sums an affected mono signal through Output 1.
External Loop Pre-Effect Place an additional pedal or pedals within the True Spring’s effects loop. Connect as follows: plug your guitar into Input 1 of the True Spring, run the signal from Output 2 of the True Spring to the input of the external pedal, from the output of the external pedal to Input 2 of the True Spring, and from Output 1 of the True Spring to your amp or the next pedal in the effects chain. Now when the True Spring is engaged, both pedals will be active.
Expression Control The True Spring’s effects parameters can be controlled directly by an expression pedal or Hot Hand connected to the CONTROL INPUT port. Expression Pedal Input Many parameters of the True Spring Reverb can be controlled with the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal or Reflex Universal Expression Pedal. Connect either of these expression pedals to the Control Input port using a 1/8” (3.5 mm) TRRS cable. By default external expression pedals control the reverb send.
For proper operation, the configuration steps in the next section must be followed when using any expression pedal, whether from a third party or from Source Audio. Configuring the Expression Pedal When the expression pedal is connected to the True Spring, follow these simple steps to calibrate it and map it to control different effect parameters. Note: you can also map and set the range and direction of external expression controllers with the Neuro Mobile App or Desktop Editor. 1.
Configuring the Hot Hand When the Hot Hand is connected to the True Spring, follow these simple steps to calibrate it and map it to control different effect parameters. 1. Press the Control Input button to turn on Control Input mode. The Control LED should be lit green. 2. Press and hold the Control Input button until the Control LED begins to blink slowly (approximately one blink per second). 3. Move the Hot Hand ring over the range of motion you would like to use to control the True Spring.
Selecting the Control Input Option Visit the Hardware Option section of the Neuro Desktop Editor for instructions on assigning the function of the Control Input. To select the function of the Control Input without the Neuro Editor, follow the process below: 1. Hold down the CONTROL INPUT button while powering up the pedal. 2. The Control Input LED on the top of the pedal will begin a sequential blinking pattern of one blink, two blinks, and three blinks. 3.
Neuro Mobile App & Neuro Desktop Editor The True Spring Reverb was designed to be a simple plug-and-play effects pedal. Straight out of the box, the True Spring offers several great sounding spring reverb and tremolo options, but the Neuro Mobile App and Neuro Desktop Editor offer a second tier of deep editing possibilities and extended functionality. The Neuro Desktop Editor The Neuro Desktop Editor is an excellent tool for creating and organizing highly customized presets for your True Spring Reverb.
Neuro Desktop Editor User Interface The Neuro Desktop’s user interface features three primary sections: Connections, Sound Editor, and Presets. Connections The Connections section is located on the left side of the Neuro Desktop Editor. This field displays all connected One Series pedals. Each connected pedal offers the three options listed below: • Firmware Updates: Click the arrow icon to download any recent firmware updates to the connected pedal.
• Hardware Option: The gear icon opens the Hardware Options window. Each Source Audio pedal has its own set of global hardware settings. The attached pedal will retain all hardware option edits until either the option is de-selected, or a Factory Reset is performed. • Open Editing Interface: The wrench icon opens the True Spring Reverb’s Sound Editor, revealing a deep set of editing controls for creating custom presets.
• • • • • External Loop “Safe” Mode (Prevents Feedback): Check this box when using the “External Loop Pre-Effect” routing option. It will prevent your effect from feeding back when engaged. Power Up State: Selects between powering up in the engaged or bypassed state. Kill Dry Mode: Completely eliminates the dry signal from the pedal’s output. Kill Dry Mode is helpful when using the True Spring in an effects loop. Default Routing: Sets the default I/O signal routing mode.
Reverb Controls This block contains an additional collection of editing tools not available on the face of the True Spring pedal: • • • • • • Time: Sets the decay time of the reverb trail. Turning the TIME knob to the fully clockwise position sets an infinite sustain, which eventually devolves into self-oscillation. The result is a bit cacophonous, but in a beautiful way. Bass: Adjusts the level of the low-end frequencies on the wet signal.
• • • • • reverb tank. Choose “Wet/Dry Mix” and the tremolo circuit is place after the reverb tank and applies to both the dry and reverb signals. Depth: Sets the depth of the tremolo effect. As you increase the Depth control, your tremolo effect will become more pronounced. Rate: Adjusts how fast the tremolo effect modulates. Stereo Offset: When running a stereo rig, the Stereo Offset control adjusts the degree of separation in the tremolo’s stereo ping-pong effect.
Input Filter and ON/OFF STATE • • Input Low Cut Filter: An excellent way to keep your reverb trails from getting too “boomy,” especially when using the pedal with bass guitar. The options in the dropdown menu cut all the frequencies going into the reverb tank below the listed frequency points (100Hz, 125Hz, 150Hz, 200Hz, 250Hz, 300Hz). This function only affects the wet signal. ON/OFF State: Choose whether your True Spring Reverb powers up with the pedal engaged or bypassed.
• • • • Hot Hand 3 Wireless Controller, Hub Expression Input responds to any expression pedal plugged into the EXP IN jack on the Neuro Hub. Control Destination: By default, external expression controllers are routed to the Reverb Send. Select “Mapped to Knobs” from this dropdown menu to re-assign external expression to any combination of the knobs on the face of the pedal. Control Range: Use this field to select the maximum range of an external expression pedal.
• • • • SA247 Import: Use the Import button to upload saved .pre files to your Neuro Desktop Editor. Upon clicking the Import button you will be asked to find the .pre file. Go to the Neuro presets folder, select file, and upload. Export: Select a preset and then select the Export button. A window will pop up, asking you to name, tag, and select a location for the preset. After the preset is saved, the .pre file can be shared via email or any common file sharing method.
The Neuro Mobile App The Neuro Mobile App is the perfect on-the-go companion to your Neuro Desktop Editor and True Spring Reverb. The Mobile App offers the same collection of deep editing parameters and advanced cataloging abilities as the Desktop Editor in a quick-and-easy mobile format. Note: It is important to mention that communication is one-way from the Neuro Mobile App to the True Spring Reverb.
Neuro App Quick Start (Android) To establish communication between the Neuro App on an Android device and the pedal, follow these steps. 1. Make sure the pedal is powered. 2. Connect the included “Neuro cable” (1/4” TRS to 1/8” TRS) between the headphone jack of the mobile device and Input 2 of the pedal. 3. When the Neuro Mobile App is opened for the first time on an Android device, you will be prompted to “Calibrate” the device.
Neuro Mobile App User Interface The Neuro Mobile App’s user interface is broken into three primary sections: Hardware Options, Browse Sounds, and Sound Editor. Much of the information listed in the Neuro Desktop Editor also pertains to the Neuro Mobile App. In the following section we will refer back to the Neuro Desktop Editor’s explanations wherever the information is redundant.
The global settings in the Hardware Options section of the Neuro Mobile App are identical to those in the Neuro Desktop Editor. Go to the Neuro Desktop Editor’s Hardware Options section for detailed explanations of each feature. Sound Editor Click on the True Spring Reverb’s slider icon (or on the pedal image itself) on the Main Menu to open the True Spring’s Sound Editor. This is where all of the sound editing work takes place.
Sound Editor Navigation Buttons The three buttons at the bottom of the Sound Editor page are used to save and name presets. Presets can be saved either directly to your True Spring Reverb or to your personal preset library. The three buttons include File Menu, Burn, and Send All. File Menu Contains options for saving and sharing presets as well as editing preset descriptions.
• • • • • • Save: If you have made edits to a pre-existing preset, use the Save button to update the preset without changing its name or preset position. Save As: After creating a preset, hit the Save As button and the Save As window pops up. Here you can name your preset and give it a description. Hit the Continue button and the preset is saved to the User tab of the Browse Sounds page. Share: Quickly send the current preset to friends or bandmates.
Browse Sounds The Note icon at the bottom of the Pedal Selector page opens the Browse Sounds page. This is where all your personal and published presets are stored. The Browse Sounds menu is also the place to browse and test presets that other True Spring Reverb owners have created. There are four preset tabs listed across the top of the page: User, Factory, Published, and Web. • • • • SA247 User Tab: This is your personal preset library.
tab listings to arrange the presets in order of Date, Preset Name, or User Name. If the pedal image next to the preset listing has a Play icon (arrow) that means there is a sound/video clip available. Touch the Play icon to hear the clip. Publishing and Deleting Presets • • Publishing: After you have created a preset it is possible to publish it and make it available to other True Spring owners and Neuro Community members.
Mono-To-Stereo Audio Path with Neuro Daisy-Chain In the case of a signal path that splits a mono input to stereo outputs, the Neuro data can be input to the first effect directly from the mobile device and then carried on to consecutive effects via TRS cables. The audio signal is carried on the same cable.
Neuro Hub (Formerly the Soundblox Hub) The Source Audio Neuro Hub (sold separately), unites Source Audio pedals from the Soundblox 2 and One Series families to create a single, stage-ready system. It features shared MIDI, passive expression pedal input, Hot Hand connectivity, and USB, and can connect to up to five Source Audio pedals.
1. Connect your True Spring Reverb to the Neuro Desktop Editor. 2. In the top bar menu select Device > Edit Device MIDI Map from the dropdown menu. 3. The True Spring Reverb MIDI Map Editor window will open. Scroll to the MIDI CC value you wish to map and select that CC’s dropdown menu. A list of parameters will unfold. 4. Select the parameter you wish to assign to the chosen CC. The process is complete.
The True Spring does not sync to MIDI timecode containing SMPTE timestamps. USB The True Spring’s USB port is plug-and-play ready for Windows and Mac computers. The True Spring uses class-compliant drivers, so no special drivers are needed. Just power up the pedal and connect it to the computer using a USB cable. The computer should automatically recognize the True Spring, which will be identified as “Source Audio One Series” in the operating system.
• • • • • Output Impedance: 600 Ohm (600 Ω) 108 dB DNR Audio Path 24-bit Audio Conversion 56-bit Digital Data Path Universal BypassTM (relay-based true bypass and analog buffered bypass) Troubleshooting General Restore factory settings: In order to revert the True Spring to its factory settings, clearing all user data, presets, expression mappings and custom effect types, perform a factory reset using one of the methods described below. Factory Reset using the Hardware Disconnect power.
Not connected properly: Check Hot Hand connections. Unit Appears Dead / No LEDs Lit Effect is bypassed: Press the footswitch to enable the effect and see if the main LED turns on. Wrong power supply: Use correct power supply. See the DC 9V (Power) section for more details. Corroded power cable plug: Check power plug for corrosion on sleeve. Swap out power supply if necessary.
10 Ventris Outboard Spring Can I use the True Spring in my amp’s effects loop? The audio inputs can handle up to 8.2 dBu or 5.6 Volts peak-to-peak, which allows them to work in most amp effects loops. In order to avoid clipping, be sure to check your amp’s documentation and verify that the maximum send level is less than 5.6 Volts peak-to-peak. How do I update the firmware? Firmware updates are achieved using the Neuro Desktop Editor.
Warranty Limited Transferrable Warranty Source Audio, LLC (hereinafter “Source Audio”) warrants that your new Source Audio One Series True Spring Reverb, when purchased at an authorized Source Audio dealer in the United States of America (“USA”), shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of two (2) years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser. Please contact your dealer for information on warranty and service outside of the USA.
Disclaimer and Limitation of Warranty Do not open the effects pedal under any circumstance. This will void the warranty. The foregoing limited warranty is the only warranty given by Source Audio and is in lieu of all other warranties. All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for any particular purpose, exceeding the specific provisions of this limited warranty, are hereby disclaimed and excluded from this limited warranty.
