Source Audio SA164 User's Guide

MIDI Interface / Port Expander / Multi-Pedal Scene Saver

User’s Guide

SA164

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing the Soundblox Hub v1. The Soundblox HUB unites your Soundblox 2
pedals into a single, stage-ready system. It features shared MIDI, passive expression pedal, Hot
Hand®, and USB connections for up to five Soundblox 2 pedals. The HUB features a powerful
new Scene Saving functionality, which allows you to create up to 128 multi-pedal presets

(scenes), each recallable via MIDI Program Change messages. It is compatible with all Source

Audio pedals, including the Soundblox 1 and Soundblox Pro series and allows sharing of
expression and Hot Hand controls. Using the HUB with Soundblox 2 pedals allows access to
scene saving and a wide set of additional features. Connect the HUB to your computer via USB
for updates, saving and editing presets, and more.

Getting Started

Your Hub v1 package includes the following items:

• Hub v1 unit

• 9 Volt DC power supply (negative tip, positive barrel)

• 3 pcs of SA160 daisy chain/sensor cables

• 1 USB A to mini B cable

The Hub is powered by the included 9 Volt DC power supply. It can also be powered by a 9V
DC output from most pedal board power supplies but please be sure to check the output
voltage and polarity before connecting to the Hub.

The Hub uses a software application (the Hub Manager) for changing settings, updating
firmware, and other features. You can download this application from the Hub product page
at:

http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/toolblox/soundblox_hub_v1.php

The Hub Manager can also be used to update Soundblox 2 pedals firmware. Since the Hub
adds a tremendous amount of new functionality to Soundblox 2 pedals, we recommend that

you check and update your firmware for each of your Soundblox 2 pedals before using any of
the Hub features. For a description of this process, please see the “Hub v1 – Soundblox 2

firmware update” document on the Hub product page.

Connections

Front

The front panel of the Hub features 5 Multi-Function outputs, USB, and the 9V DC power jack.

• Multi-Function Outputs: Connect your Soundblox 2 pedal’s Multi-Function Inputs here via
the included daisy-chain/sensor cables. You can also connect the Multi-Function outputs of
the Hub to Sensor Inputs on Soundblox Pro and Soundblox 1 pedals. Soundblox 2 pedals will
recognize this connection, change to digital communication mode and send information
back and forth from the pedals. Soundblox Pro and Soundblox 1 pedals can only use these
ports in analog mode.

• USB: Connect to your computer via the included USB-Mini cable. The Hub will install
automatically and can be used with the Hub Manager application. The Hub will also appear
as a MIDI device for outputting MIDI directly to your Soundblox 2 pedals from a computer
without requiring another MIDI interface device.

• 9V DC: Power the Hub here with the included power supply. The power supply is negative
tip, positive barrel type. The Hub can also be powered by most 9V DC outputs on common
pedal board power supplies but please take care to assure that the polarity and voltage are
correct. Only REGULATED supplies should be used!!

Connections

Rear

The rear panel of the Hub features MIDI I/O, an Expression Input, and a Sensor Input for use
with Hot Hand.

• Sensor Input: Connect a wireless Hot Hand receiver or wired Hot Hand unit here. The Hot
Hand unit will be powered from the Hub. The Hot Hand signals will automatically be routed
in either digital or analog mode to any connected Soundblox pedals.

• MIDI IN and OUT: Standard 5-pin DIN connectors can be used here to connect a MIDI
controller to the MIDI IN jack. The Hub can receive and respond to a variety of MIDI
commands. See the MIDI Features section for more detail. The MIDI OUT jack is by default
a MIDI Thru connection. This means that any messages received on the MIDI IN port are
immediately passed to the OUT port. The function of the MIDI OUT port can be changed
using the Hub Manager application.

• Expression IN: Connect a passive expression pedal (example: SA161 Source Audio Dual
Expression) here using a stereo (TRS) ¼ in. cable. If using a 3rd-party pedal, the connection

must be “tip hot” and the value of the internal pot should be in the 10k to 50k range for

best results.

Top Panel Controls

The Hub v1 has a very simple interface on the top panel. The blue POWER LED should be lit
whenever the device is powered. There are also two buttons that perform multiple functions:

• Scan Devices (Hold – Save Scene):

• Scan Devices: Pressing the Scan button will send a “ping” message to all of the

attached Soundblox devices to check the connections and the state of the pedal. The
Hub automatically scans the attached pedals when it power up. However, if a new
pedal is connected later, press Scan to make sure that the Hub is properly connected
to it. The MIDI LED on any connected Soundblox 2 pedals will blink to acknowledge.

• Save Scene: Pressing and holding the button for two seconds will perform a “Scene
Save” function. The Hub queries all of the attached Soundblox pedals settings and

stores them in flash memory inside the Hub. There are 128 Scene locations. By
default, scenes are stored to location 1. To access the other locations, connect an
external MIDI controller. The Hub will automatically save scenes to the last received
MIDI Program Change number (1 through 128).