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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 Neuro Desktop and Mobile editors provide an intuitive graphical
environment to unlock the power of the Ultrawave, allowing users to create and share a growing
library of sounds.
At the core of the Ultrawave is multiband separation, distortion, and EQ. In the 1970s music
technologist Craig Anderton created a 4-band distortion tool. It was noted for lessening
intermodulation artifacts when playing complex chords, but the concept was left largely unexplored.
In 2007 Bob Chidlaw took the basics of multiband processing and added cutting-edge foldback
distortion curves, which were relatively unknown at the time. When implemented on a powerful
Analog Devices DSP chip, the Source Audio Multiwave Distortion pedal was born. The Ultrawave
starts where the Multiwave left off and leverages more than a decade of Source Audio know-how
and dramatic increases in DSP power. The Ultrawave is the ultimate expression of multiband
processing in a pedal. We hope you will enjoy our creation, and that it will provide years of
inspiration and fun.
Table of Contents
Ultrawave User Guide
Ultrawave Multiband Processor User Guide
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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Source Audio Ultrawave
Summary of Contents for Source Audio Ultrawave
- Page 1 Ultrawave opens doors to a wide range of new sounds for guitar, bass, synth, and other musical instrument applications. The Neuro Desktop and Mobile editors provide an intuitive graphical environment to unlock the power of the Ultrawave, allowing users to create and share a growing library of sounds.
- Page 2 Direct MIDI-USB Support Preset Storage & Recall Neuro Hub External Control MIDI and USB Expression Control Specifications Neuro Desktop and Mobile Editors Troubleshooting & FAQ Neuro Desktop Editor Warranty Sound Editor Version History Table of Contents Ultrawave Multiband Processor User Guide...
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Page 3: Feature Overview
8-band graphic equalizer, a 3-band parametric equalizer, a configurable HPF & LPF, and an adjustable noise gate. Assignable Knobs: Reassign all four of the Ultrawave's knobs to the parameters most useful for making quick, on-stage changes. Save a different set of knob assignments for every preset. -
Page 4: Connecting The Pedal
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. - Page 5 Connect your instrument (or the previous effect in the signal chain) using a mono (TS) ¼” cable. The Ultrawave will automatically configure itself for stereo audio input. Other routing options are available using the Neuro App. For more information about stereo...
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Page 6: Output Side Connections
2 acts as the secondary audio output. UTPUT It carries an audio signal when the Ultrawave is configured with a signal routing that uses stereo outputs. Connect it to your amplifier, recording interface, or the next device in your effects signal chain using a mono (TS) ¼”... - Page 7 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. The Ultrawave is a class compliant USB device, meaning that it does not require any custom drivers. For more information about the Ultrawave’s USB...
- Page 8 The ON/OFF LED indicates whether the effect is bypassed or engaged. In ALT Mode, the LED becomes red. DRIVE Knob Adjusts the distortion level. Turn clockwise for more distortion and saturation, or turn counterclockwise for cleaner sounds. Table of Contents Ultrawave Multiband Processor User Guide...
- Page 9 Preset Selector Toggle Use the Ultrawave’s three-position toggle switch and two preset banks to easily access six different presets. First Preset Bank (indicated by the green center LED): default the center toggle switch selects between three presets stored in the first bank of presets.
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Page 10: Theory Of Operation
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. Fully clockwise on the knob is full “wet”, meaning no clean signal is present, only signal distorted or manipulated by the... - Page 11 Simplified Multiband Distortion Example The diagram above shows the Ultrawave in a classic multiband distortion application. Following a gain/compression stage, the signal is then split into ten separate bands. Each band then passes through dedicated and separate level setting and distortion stages. Finally, the ten bands are summed together to form the output signal.
- Page 12 Ultrawave, and they can be placed before or after the multiband processing. Through use of EQ and routing options, it is possible to use the Ultrawave as a 2-band compressor. Finally, it is possible to add phase offset tremolo to each band. Multiband tremolo adds yet another innovative and interesting option to the Ultrawave multiband toolbox.
- Page 13 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.
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Page 14: Distortion Types
With the foldback and octave algorithms found in the Ultrawave, a slightly higher input can have a radical effect on the shape of the output signal. -
Page 15: Stereo Operation & Signal Routing
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;... - Page 16 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. The outputs of the Channel 1 and Channel 2 equalizers are mixed together and sent to OUTPUT 1. Table of Contents Ultrawave Multiband Processor User Guide...
- Page 17 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.
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Page 18: Preset Storage And Recall
USB port at the top of the pedal, or through a Neuro Hub, which connected to the CONTROL INPUT at the top of the pedal. All 128 User Presets can be recalled with the corresponding Table of Contents Ultrawave Multiband Processor User Guide... -
Page 19: External Control
External Switch External switches can be used for several different control options. They provide an easy way to remotely swap channels, tap the LFO tempo, and more. The Ultrawave is compatible with the Source Audio Tap Tempo Switch. External Switch Options There are three main ways the Control Input port is utilized. -
Page 20: Expression Control
Neuro Hub, it is possible to map up to three parameters to be controlled via expression. Tap Tempo: Connect a Source Audio Tap Tempo switch to be able to tap in the speed of the Ultrawave’s LFO. The LFO can be set to control single tremolo, the multiband tremolo, morphing, or a combination of those elements. -
Page 21: Neuro Desktop And Mobile Editors
Mapping Parameters The quickest way to map parameters to your expression pedal is by connecting your Ultrawave to the Neuro App 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 >... -
Page 22: Neuro Desktop Editor User Interface
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. -
Page 23: Hardware Options
The attached pedal will retain all hardware option edits until either the option is changed, or a Factory Reset is performed. • Open Editing Interface: The wrench icon opens the Ultrawave’s Sound Editor, revealing a deep set of editing controls for creating custom presets. Hardware Options Clicking the gear icon in the Ultrawave Multiband Processor’... -
Page 24: Sound Editor
USB. The Ultrawave should respond to most devices, but some don't generate enough power for the Ultrawave to recognize them as a MIDI host (the MIDI Baby and qCONNECT from Disaster Area Designs are two examples). If your Ultrawave is not responding to your MIDI host device, try checking this box. - Page 25 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.
- Page 26 “dry”, fully clockwise is completely distorted. Morphing Controls Morphing is a unique part of the Ultrawave feature set. It allows you to seamlessly change between two separate sets of user-defined parameters, using the Ultrawave’s LFO, Envelope, or an external...
- Page 27 Soft Knee Width: When your signal approaches the point of compression at the threshold, the transition can often sound abrupt. Soft Knee Width adds a smoothness to the knee to ease the transition into compression, with higher values creating an increasingly more subtle feel. Table of Contents Ultrawave Multiband Processor User Guide...
- Page 28 Distortion Type: There are 44 different distortion types onboard, ranging from traditional styles of distortion found in other gear, to experimental foldbacks only our scientist, Bob Chidlaw, could’ve dreamed up. For more information about the distortion types included in the Ultrawave, see Distortion Types.
- Page 29 Multi-band Tremolo In addition to applying distortion to each band, the Ultrawave also allows for the application of tremolo (manipulation of amplitude) to each band. Mode: Much like the compressor, the multi-trem can be applied either pre-distortion or post- distortion.
- Page 30 Tap Tempo button and selecting a beat division in the dropdown underneath it, or by inputting a Hz or BPM value in the field beneath the beat division dropdown. The Ultrawave can also be synced to an external MIDI Clock per preset, by enabling the “Sync to MIDI Clock” button.
- Page 31 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.
- Page 32 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-by- preset rather than global basis for ultimate flexibility of control.
- Page 33 Save To Cloud: Hit the Save To Cloud button to share your preset with the Neuro Community so that anybody with a Neuro account can audition, like, and download your preset. The Neuro Mobile App — with New Direct MIDI-USB Support Table of Contents Ultrawave Multiband Processor User Guide...
- Page 34 Input 2, where the Neuro App is only able to send signals and not receive any. To connect the Ultrawave to the mobile device you will need the proper cable adapters.
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Page 35: Neuro Hub
Connect the Neuro Hub to your computer via USB for updates, saving and editing multi-pedal presets, and more. To connect the Ultrawave to the Neuro hub, use a 3.5 mm TRRS cable and make a connection between the Ultrawave’s C jack and any of the Neuro Hub’s multi-function... - Page 36 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.
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Page 37: Specifications
DAW. USB-MIDI The Ultrawave will appear as a MIDI device in your computer’s operating system. As a result, the Ultrawave can communicate with audio production software that utilizes MIDI, such as Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and more. MIDI messages can be sent directly to the Ultrawave using the USB connection, which allows for full automation of the Ultrawave within host software such as a DAW. -
Page 38: Troubleshooting
External display monitors are often the primary source of noise, and powering down monitors can also resolve noise issues. Ground loop with amp: Make sure your Ultrawave is running on the same power mains circuit as your guitar amplifier. - Page 39 Each continuous controller command byte is followed by two bytes, the CC number and the value. So, each CC message consists of a total of three bytes. If the Ultrawave is not responding to MIDI, make sure that your MIDI controller is properly configured and sending messages in the format described above.
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Page 40: 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. -
Page 41: 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.