Source Audio Soundblox 2 Manta Bass Filter User Manual

USER’S GUIDE

SA223

WELCOME

Thank you for purchasing the Soundblox 2 MANTA Bass Filter. This
powerful multi-effects unit features a dynamic collection of meticulously
crafted filter effects designed specifically for bass instrumentation. With
complete control over 10 different parameters like MODULATION
SOURCE, DEPTH, LoRETAIN, DRIVE and more, this pedal goes far beyond
the sonic limitations of other filter or envelope follower effects.

The MANTA is housed in a durable, lightweight, cast aluminum Soundblox
2 housing, providing arena-rocking power and flexibility into a compact,
easy-to-use stompbox. The MANTA is also designed to be controlled by
our Hot Hand® Wireless Effect Controllers or the Dual Expression Pedal.

The Quick Start guide will help you with the basics. For more in-depth
information about the Soundblox 2 MANTA Bass Filter, move on to the
following sections.

Enjoy!

- The Source Audio Team

If possible, dispose of the device at a recycling center. Do not dispose of the
device with the household waste.

For full compliance with EN 61000-4-6 standard, input cable must be less
than 3 meters in length.

2 | Welcome

OVERVIEW

DIVERSE SOUND PALLET: Features up to 24 different Low Pass, Single

Peak, Multi-Peak, and Phaser effects.

DEEP CONTROL SET: Access to control parameters typically found on
only professional rack-mount systems.

FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS: Easily accessible control settings
personally created and selected by Source Audio’s Chief Scientist, Bob
Chidlaw.

DRIVE/DISTORTION TYPE: Add a variety of gain and distortions to any of
the MANTA’s effects for an added boost and flavor.

STATE-OF-THE-ART DSP: Our proprietary 56-bit Digital Signal
Processor, the SA601, and crystal clear 24-bit converters.

COMPACT DESIGN: A compact, rugged, cast-aluminum housing.

UNIVERSAL BYPASS: Select either analog buffered or relay-based True

Bypass.

2 USER PRESETS: Easy-to-program user presets recallable via two
footswitches.

MULTI-FUNCTION INPUT: A multi-purpose control input for use with Hot
Hand, the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal, or send and receive MIDI

Overview | 3

QUICK START

1. POWER

To power the unit, connect the included DC adapter power supply to

the 9V jack (A) on the back panel.

Note: Using a non-Source Audio supply could damage the unit.

Please be very cautious when using 3rd-party power supplies.

2. GUITAR/AUDIO CONNECTIONS

Using standard ¼" mono cables, plug your guitar, bass, or other

instrument into the GUITAR IN (B) jack and from the GUITAR OUT (C)
jack to your amp or other audio device.

GUITAR IN

GUITAR OUT

MULTI-

FUNCTION

IN

MULTI-

FUNCTION

OUT

9V DC

B C

3. BRIEF KNOB, FOOTSWITCH, AND BUTTON DESCRIPTIONS

(see Controls section for more details)

• EFFECT KNOB (A): Selects the filter type.

• DEPTH (B): Controls the depth of the filter sweep.

4 | Quick Start

A

• OPTION (C): Adjusts the parameter selected by the OPTION SELECT button.

• SPEED (D): Adjusts the attack and decay rate of the envelopes, the rate of

the LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), or the ”Smoothing” of the Hot Hand.

• MOD SOURCE (E): Selects between the envelopes, sine wave LFO, square
wave LFO, and sawtooth wave LFO.

• OPTION SELECT (F): Selects which parameter will be controlled by the
OPTION knob.

• CONTROL INPUT (G): Selects which external controller type will be used.

• FOOTSWITCHES (H): Enables/Disables presets. Press and hold either

footswitch to save an edited preset.

A

RES 1

SHADOW

DEPTH

B

F

OPTION
SELECT

(HOLD)

DEFAULT

THRU
ZERO

FLANGER

CLASSIC

CHORUS

QUAD

DELAY/FREQ

FEEDBACK

VOLUME

TREMOLO

MIX

1 2

OPTION

RESONATOR

12 STAGE

RES 2

VIBE

PHASER

4 STAGE

6 STAGE

8 STAGEDUAL

MOD SOURCE

O RB I TAL

MODU L A T OR

HH

MIDI

EXP

ENV-ENV+

SPEED

CONTROL
INPUT

D

G

C

H H

Quick Start | 5

E

CONNECTIONS

GUITAR IN (A): Connect to your guitar, bass, or other instrument via a MONO

¼-inch instrument cable.

GUITAR OUT (B): Connect to your amp, pedal, or other audio device via a
MONO ¼-inch instrument cable.

MULTI-FUNCTION IN (C) (optional): The multi-function input is a flexible
control input for use with external controllers. It accepts digital or analog
signals, which allows the MANTA to interface with the following Source Audio
accessories:

• SA115 Hot Hand Wireless Controller

• SA111 Hot Hand Wired Sensor

• SA161 Dual Expression Pedal

• SA164 Source Audio Soundblox HUB – for even more control via standard
MIDI, Soundblox Multi-Function ports, USB, and the Dual Expression Pedal.

MULTI-FUNCTION OUT (D) (optional): Use a Source Audio SA160 Daisy-Chain

Cable to connect this jack to the sensor/multi-function input of another
Soundblox pedal.

9V DC (E): Connects to the included 9 Volt DC power supply

C

6 | Connections

MULTI-

FUNCTION

IN

GUITAR IN

A B

GUITAR OUT

MULTI-

FUNCTION

OUT

D

E

9V DC

CONTROLS: KNOBS

EFFECT (A) (not labeled)

The EFFECT knob selects which effect type will be used. For information
on the individual settings, see the Effect Types section.

A

RES 1

SHADOW

THRU

ZERO

FLANGER

CLASSIC

CHORUS

QUAD

DELAY/FREQ

FEEDBACK

VOLUME

TREMOLO

MIX

1 2

OPTION

OPTION
SELECT

(HOLD)

DEFAULT

DEPTH

RESONATOR

12 STAGE

RES 2

VIBE

PHASER

4 STAGE

6 STAGE

8 STAGEDUAL

MOD SOURCE

O RB I TAL

MODU L A T OR

HH

MIDI

EXP

ENV-ENV+

SPEED

CONTROL
INPUT

Controls: Knobs | 7

DEPTH Knob (A): The DEPTH knob adjusts the range and direction in
which the signal is modulated.

OPTION Knob (B): The OPTION knob controls six different parameters,
each selected by the OPTION SELECT button. Press the OPTION SELECT
button (C), located to the left of the OPTION knob, to cycle through all six
choices. The selected parameter is indicated by one of three green/red
LEDs. Green indicates the upper parameter (white print), and red
indicates the lower parameter (yellow print).

RES 1

SHADOW

DEPTH

A

C

OPTION
SELECT

(HOLD)

DEFAULT

THRU

ZERO

FLANGER

CLASSIC

CHORUS

QUAD

DELAY/FREQ

FEEDBACK

VOLUME

TREMOLO

MIX

1 2

OPTION

RESONATOR

12 STAGE

RES 2

VIBE

PHASER

4 STAGE

6 STAGE

8 STAGEDUAL

MOD SOURCE

O RB I TAL

MODU L A T OR

HH

MIDI

EXP

ENV-ENV+

SPEED

CONTROL
INPUT

B

8 | Contols: Knobs

Press button to
select option

• FREQUENCY (Green LED): Adjusts the frequency center point of the
modulation range of the filter. As the knob is turned from its minimum
position (fully counter-clockwise) to its maximum position (fully
clockwise), the center point of the frequency range moves from low to
high.

• RESONANCE (Red LED): Adjusts the width, and sometimes height, of
the various peaks and notches in the selected filter’s frequency
response. As the knob is turned from its minimum position (fully
counter-clockwise) to its maximum position (fully clockwise), the
resonance setting moves from low to high, adding a more pronounced
sound. This control is sometimes referred to as “Q”.

Controls: Knobs | 9