Ultrawave User Guide Welcome Thank you for purchasing the Source Audio Ultrawave Multiband Processor. The Ultrawave is the first of its kind: a flexible multiband processing toolbox. Through the combination of band splitting, exotic distortion curves, multi-band tremolo, compression, morphing, and flexible stereo processing, the Ultrawave opens doors to a wide range of new sounds for guitar, bass, synth, and other musical instrument applications.
—The Source Audio Team Table of Contents 25. Master Controls 1. Welcome 26. Morphing Controls 3. Feature Overview 27. Compressor Module 4. Connecting the Pedal 28. Distortion Module 4. Connections 29. LFO Module 8. Controls 30. Graphic Equalizer Module 31. Single Tremolo/Envelope & Noise Gate/Input Filter Modules 10. Controls (Bass) 10. Theory of Operation 31. Envelope, Balance & Knob Assignment 15. Distortion Types Modules 15. Stereo Options & Signal Routing 18. Preset Storage & Recall 35.
Feature Overview 37 Different Band-Splitting Options: Band Splitting options including single, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 10 bands. Each band splitting option includes several sub-sets with different band splitting frequency points. 44 Different Distortion Types: Choose from distortion/overdrive/fuzz types that include Tube, Diode, Foldback, Negative Flip Diode, Octave Up, and more.
MIDI Capable — Connect the Ultrawave to the Source Audio Neuro Hub or a USB-MIDI Host and access up to 128 presets with MIDI Program Change (PC) messages. Control many of the pedal’s parameters with MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) messages or assign LFO modulation speed with MIDI Clock. USB Port - Class compliant USB-MIDI allows the Ultrawave to work as a plug-and-play device with recording software running on Mac and Windows.
Input Side Connections INPUT 1 INPUT 1 is the primary input for guitar, bass, or other instruments. It can also accept line-level inputs and will work in your amp’s effect loop. Connect it to your instrument or other audio source using a mono (TS) 1/4” cable. Details about the appropriate signal levels are available in the Specifications section. INPUT 2 Use the secondary audio input for stereo sources or as the data connection to your mobile device when using the Neuro App.
Output Side Connections OUTPUT 1 This is the primary audio output. Connect it to your amplifier, recording interface, or the next device in your effects signal chain using a mono (TS) ¼” cable. OUTPUT 2 OUTPUT 2 can act either as an audio output or a daisy-chain data connection for the Neuro App. • • OUTPUT 2 as an Audio Output: The tip contact on OUTPUT 2 acts as the secondary audio output. It carries an audio signal when the Ultrawave is configured with a signal routing that uses stereo outputs.
Power and Control Connections DC 9V (Power) Connect to the included 9 Volt DC power supply. If you would like to use a 3rd-party supply, the power supply must be regulated at 9 Volts DC (direct current), able to source at least 150 mA (milliamps) of current, and the plug should have a center-negative polarity. USB Connect your computer or mobile device (Windows or Mac) to the Ultrawave’s USB port (denoted by the icon) using a standard USB mini-B cable.
Controls Note: The four top-level knob controls (Drive, Level, Sustain, and Treble) can be reassigned in the Neuro Mobile App and Neuro Desktop Editor from a list of many possible parameters. Footswitch Click the footswitch to engage or bypass the pedal. Press and hold the footswitch down while the pedal is bypassed to bank to Red LED (ALT) Mode for more presets. Control Input / ALT Button This small button located at the top of the pedal is used to enable or disable external control.
LEVEL Knob Adjusts the overall output volume. Turn clockwise for more volume, or counterclockwise for less volume. Note: Due to the varying nature of the presets and band-splitting options, the overall output level may change for each preset, adjusting the range of this control. Because of this, there is no hard-set “unity gain” point on the knob. SUSTAIN/BASS Knob Adjusts the sustain of the distortion by manipulating the input gain before the compressor.
Controls (Bass) Note: The four top-level knob controls (Drive, Level, Mix, and Treble) can be reassigned in the Neuro Mobile App and Neuro Desktop Editor from a list of many possible parameters. The only main difference in Controls on the Ultrawave Bass is that a MIX knob replaces the SUSTAIN knob on the guitar version. The MIX control is a dry to wet crossfade control.
• • • applying EQ where necessary to shape the tone. allowing for a complete set of alternate states to be defined in the multiband processor and then “morph’ between both states via LFO), envelope, or expression. creating 2 complete signal paths with routing options for parallel processing, cascading, placement of the effect in 2 locations of a pedal board, and the creation of complex stereo images.
Ultrawave Signal Path The diagram above is a functional representation of the signal path inside the Ultrawave. One should note there are 2 separate signal paths to provide true stereo, stereo imaging, and other multichannel routing options. The multiband separation, distortion, and gain control lies in the center on the path. Note that the multiband blocks plus EQ and filtering can be “morphed” between two defined states via LFO, envelope or expression.
Foldback Distortion Foldback distortion is one of the many distortion curve options on the Ultrawave. It is worth some background because they are not commonly found in effect pedals. In traditional distortion, as the input signal voltage rises, the output voltage also rises, but begins to level off and finally pins (or clips) at a maximum value. With a foldback curve, for large enough values of the input, the output will begin to decrease.
output can begin to increase again. Maximum foldback has many regions where the output alternates between increasing and decreasing. These kinds of curves add a lot of high frequency content to the output. It also can provide a lot of control over the sound, based on the level of the input signal. With foldback, chords containing only octaves and fifths tend to sound best. Other intervals can cause some strange, although not necessarily undesirable sounds.
Stereo Operation & Signal Routing The Ultrawave is flexible for many different uses due to its stereo INPUT and OUTPUT jacks. By default, the Ultrawave auto-detects the cables connected to INPUTS and OUTPUTS 1 & 2 and engages the appropriate Routing Mode. Stereo Routing can also be performed manually with the Neuro Editors; select between “Mono In, Stereo Out” or “Stereo In, Stereo Out.” Auto Routing Modes There are four routing modes available when the Ultrawave is in its default Auto Detect mode.
Stereo In, Stereo Out This mode should be your default selection for Stereo In, Stereo Out applications. Stereo In, Stereo Out allows you to continue your stereo chain of effects. When Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 are linked, the processing will be the same for both channels. When they are unlinked, you can configure separate settings for Channel 2. Stereo In, Mono Out This mode will accept stereo input on jacks INPUT 1 and 2. Inputs 1 and 2 are sent to Channel 1 and 2 respectively. When Ch. 1 and Ch.
Additional Routing Modes The Ultrawave supports two additional routing modes, Cascade Ch.1 -> Ch. 2 and Mono -> Stereo -> Mono available in the Neuro Mobile App and the Neuro Desktop Editor. View the routing modes below to find out how you can configure the Ultrawave’s inputs, outputs and dual channels using a Neuro connection. Cascade Ch. 1 -> Ch. 2 This routing mode allows you to run both channels in series, meaning Channel 1 will cascade into Channel 2.
Mono -> Stereo -> Mono This routing mode also allows for both channels to be run at once, but in this case, they are being run in parallel. The Channel Balance control in the Neuro sound editor comes in handy in this routing mode, as it controls the relative mix levels of each channel. When Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 are linked, the processing will be the same for both channels. When they are unlinked, you can configure separate parameters for Channel 2.
MIDI program change (PC) messages, or via continuous controller (CC) messages when accessing the pedal’s internal presets via the Neuro Hub. Note: When recalling presets via MIDI PC messages, you may wish to queue up your preset with effect bypassed. To do this, simply engage the preset, bypass it with the footswitch, then re-save the preset normally. When recalled, the pedal will load the saved user settings, but the effects will be bypassed until you engage the pedal.
Neuro Hub: This configures the Control Input port to receive MIDI code signals from the Neuro Hub, allowing the pedal to be added to Hub Scenes (which are controlled by PC messages) and allowing for MIDI CC (Continuous Controller) control. Expression: Using the Source Audio Dual Expression pedal or a third-party expression pedal connected to the Neuro Hub, it is possible to map up to three parameters to be controlled via expression.
Mapping Parameters The quickest way to map parameters to your expression pedal is by connecting your Ultrawave to the Neuro App or Neuro Desktop Editor. The Expression Control section is at the bottom of the Ultrawave’s Sound Editor. Download the Neuro Desktop Editor and go to Devices > Show Offline Device Editor > Ultrawave to view the full list of expressible parameters. MIDI The Ultrawave can also receive expression signals over MIDI.
After the download process, connect your Ultrawave with a USB Type A male to mini type B male data cable (must be data-capable, not solely a charger cable). Connect the cable from the mini USB port on the pedal to the USB port on your computer. Once you’ve made the connection a blue box will appear in the Connections field indicating that the Ultrawave is ready to be edited. If a new firmware update is available, the Firmware Update icon (the arrow icon) will be framed in yellow.
• Firmware Updates: The arrow icon checks for any recent firmware updates to the connected pedal. If an update is available, the software will provide instructions on how to proceed. • Hardware Options: 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 changed, or a Factory Reset is performed.
• • • • • • • • Hardware Bypass Mode: Selects between True or Buffered Bypass. MIDI Channel: Selects the pedal’s MIDI channel (1 through 16). Control Input Option: This dropdown menu assigns the control function of the external switch connected to the CONTROL INPUT. Power Up State: Selects between engaging or bypassing the effect upon the initial power up of the pedal. Default Routing Option: Sets the default I/O signal routing mode.
Master Controls Link: The Ultrawave’s two discrete channels are linked by default in the preset editor to create one master channel, for those presets that really only need one channel. De-select “Link” to access and edit Channel 2. Copy: When Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 are unlinked, the Copy arrows allow you to copy settings from Channel 1 to Channel 2, or from Channel 2 to Channel 1. The channel that is highlighted is the channel you are currently editing. Use the arrows to select the target channel.
Drive: Sets the master drive level per channel, or for both channels simultaneously when this control is Linked. Level: Sets the master output volume per channel, or for both channels simultaneously when this control is Linked. Bass: Adjusts the overall low end per channel. The frequency value in Hz can be adjusted by clicking within the readout box and dragging up or down. Mid: Adjusts the overall mid frequency level per channel.
Compressor Module The compressor can be switched “on” or “off per preset and per channel. Mode: Toggles between a compressor, which sustains and reduces the dynamic range of your input signal, and an expander, which increases the dynamic range of your input signal, and in extreme cases, softens the attack. In expander mode, signals below the threshold get softer; if attack time is very slow, the expander generates a slowly rising signal.
Distortion Module The distortion can be switched on or off per preset and per channel. This means you can use the Master Controls, Compressor, and EQ as standalone modules without distortion. Band-Splitting: The Ultrawave contains 37 different band-splitting options. The most “traditional” multiwave distortion sounds use 10-band distortion, which splits your signal into 10 separate frequency bands and distorts them separately, creating rich, synth-like overtones.
Multi-Band Drive Shape: Since each band is distorted separately, we’ve given you fine-tuned control over each band’s drive and output levels. This dropdown contains presets we’ve created, if you’d rather not mess with individual levels. Drive, Level, and Midpoint Adj: When using Morphing, the parameters are being morphed between, not a simple audio crossfade. Because of this, drive and output levels of each parameter set need to be defined.
Rate controls the speed of the LFO. Env->Rate sets the acceleration / deceleration of the amplitude-controlled LFO. At noon, no acceleration or deceleration is applied. Before noon on the knob, you get LFO acceleration as the envelope closes, and past noon you get LFO deceleration as the envelope closes. Enabling Ring Mod inreased the LFO speed into pitch territory, producing a ring modulator effect.
Single Tremolo/Envelope & Noise Gate/Input Filter Modules The Ultrawave is also packed with a single tremolo for more conventional tremolo sounds. This single tremolo utilizes the sine wave and is controlled by the same Rate control in the LFO module. The depth is broken up into Pre-Distortion and Post-Distortion control. Envelope To Volume switches on the amplitude-controlled envelope when set to either PreDistortion or Post-Distortion. Gate Threshold adjusts the Ultrawave’s internal noise gate.
Knob Assignment: Many Source Audio pedals contain knob assignment (or re-assignment) controls for top-level flexibility. The Ultrawave is no different. Each of the top four knobs can be reassigned in this module from a list of parameters. The knob assignments are set and stored on a preset-bypreset rather than global basis for ultimate flexibility of control. Link: Clicking Link next to each knob will allow that parameter to be controlled in both channels simulatneously.
• • • • • • • Save Button: 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 Button: After creating a new preset hit the Save As button and you will be prompted to name it and select the preset or Effect Selector position to which it will be saved. Import Button: 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 .
Like all Source Audio One Series pedals, the Ultrawave is fully supported in the Neuro Mobile app. The Neuro Mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices and allows access to all of the preset parameters and hardware options described in the Neuro Desktop editor section above. Connecting to the Neuro Mobile App (USB-MIDI) The Ultrawave is the second Source Audio pedal after the EQ2 to add two-way communication with the Neuro Mobile app using MIDI over USB.
Neuro 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 effects system. It features shared MIDI, passive expression pedal input, Hot Hand connectivity, and USB, and can connect up to five Source Audio pedals. The Neuro Hub features a powerful scene saving functionality, which allows you to create up to 128 multi-pedal presets known as scenes, each recallable via MIDI program change messages.
Selecting Presets via Program Change (PC) Messages The 128 user presets on the Ultrawave can be recalled via program change messages. Presets 1 to 128 are mapped to MIDI Program Change messages 0 to 127. Some companies use a 1-128 numbering system, so you may need to offset by 1. It is possible to save presets with the Ultrawave bypassed, and it is also possible to save presets to that they are recalled while the Ultrawave is in its bypassed state.
Ultrawave, which will be identified as “One Series Ultrawave Multiband Processor” in the operating system. USB connectivity brings many benefits, such as the ability to connect with the Neuro Desktop Editor for downloading Ultrawave firmware updates, accessing an advanced set of effect-editing parameters, and downloading alternate engines. The USB port also provides MIDI connectivity to a DAW. USB-MIDI The Ultrawave will appear as a MIDI device in your computer’s operating system.
Troubleshooting Restore Factory Settings In order to revert the Ultrawave to its factory settings, clearing all user data, presets, expression mappings, and changes to the MIDI mapping, use either the Neuro Mobile App or Neuro Desktop Editor and choose the Factory Reset option in the Hardware Options menus. It is also possible to perform a factory reset without the Neuro App by following these steps: • • • Press and hold the FOOTSWITCH. Connect the power supply.
When connecting the Ultrawave to a recording interface or mixer, should I use a Lo-Z (microphone) or Hi-Z (line / instrument) input? The Ultrawave’s output will be low impedance when the effect is active or in buffered bypass mode, but it will be high impedance when using true bypass mode and a guitar with passive pickups. Therefore, it is recommended that you use a high impedance (Hi-Z) input on your recording interface or mixer to avoid signal loss.
Rubber Feet The Ultrawave comes standard with a flat aluminum bottom, making it easy to apply Velcro and mount to a pedalboard. Additionally, adhesive rubber feet are included in the Ultrawave box. Applying the rubber feet to the Ultrawave can help prevent it from sliding on flat surfaces such as a hardwood floor. Waste Disposal Notes If possible, dispose of the device at an electronics recycling center. Do not dispose of the device with the household waste.
products are to be performed only at the Source Audio factory or a Source Audio authorized service center. Prior to service or repair under this Limited Warranty, the purchaser must request from Source Audio a return authorization, which is available at: Source Audio LLC 120 Cummings Park, Woburn, MA 01801 (781) 932-8080 or at www.sourceaudio.net Unauthorized service, repair, or modification will void this Limited Warranty.
