2008 Summer NAMM Show: Source Audio is shipping its new line of Soundblox effects pedals. Source Audio will also provide a free Hot Hand wired sensor pack with the Soundblox Wah, Phaser and Flanger while supplies last.

Based on the Hot Hand Wah Filter and Hot Hand Phaser/Flanger effects systems, the new Soundblox Tri-Mod Wah, Tri-Mod Flanger and Tri-Mod Phaser pedals each offer 11 different effects that feature the same high quality sounds as their predecessors. The effects on these products can be modulated by either a Hot Hand motion sensor, an LFO or an Envelope Follower.

All Soundblox effects feature 56-bit DSP co-developed with Analog Devices and 24-bit A/D D/A converters.

MSRP for the Soundblox pedals is $149.99.
MSRP for the Hot Hand Wireless Adapter & Controller is $150.
MSRP for the Hot Hand Wired Controller is $24.95

Bob Chidlaw from Source Audio demonstrates what can be done with 2 rings controlling synth parameters using Hot Hand Soundblox controllers:

1. You can make awesome chainsaw sound effects with your hands.
2. You can make the photographer keel over.

We need some of these things!

Source Audio plans to introduce its new Soundblox effects pedals at this year’s Winter NAMM Show.

After creating the first effects system enabling guitarists to control proprietary Wah and Phaser/Flanger effects using hand and body motions, Source Audio was committed to bringing the same level of innovation and creativity to the new Soundblox effects pedals. The effects can be modulated with the Hot Hand Controller, available separately in either wireless or wired configurations, or driven either by an LFO or Envelope Follower.

We had a chance to check out the Hot Hand controller at last year’s NAMM show, and it’s pretty cool. They’re marketing this for guitarists, but these would be worth checking out for synths, too.

The Soundblox Multiwave Guitar Distortion pedal that gives you 21 distortion effects. Based on new algorithms, these cover an extremely wide range from essential electronic sounds to aggressive synth-like, octave heavy and extreme foldback settings that go far beyond typical emulations of existing distortions.

Guitarist Chuck Garvey of moe., the first to use the Soundblox Multiwave Guitar Distortion enthused, “I love the Soundblox Distortion! It’s a chunky, creamy, tweaker’s dream. The high gain is dense with lots of sustain. In addition to the fuzzy, over the top sounds, you can do killer chicken pickin’ with clear compression and zero gain, OR choose from the synth-sounding, octave-up settings that recreate clavinet and other amazing sounds. Super flexible and easy to use.”

In the multi band mode, the Multiwave Distortion also divides the input signal into multiple frequency bands, which are then separately distorted before being recombined. This enables guitarists to play complex distorted chords while each note can be heard with exceptional clarity. Several notes can be allowed to drone simultaneously while a separate melody is played on top with different notes feeding back at the same time.

Based on the Hot Hand Wah Filter and Hot Hand Phaser/Flanger effects systems, the Soundblox Tri-Mod Guitar Wah pedal, the Soundblox Tri-Mod Guitar Flanger pedal and the Tri-Mod Guitar Phaser pedal each offer 11 different effects that feature the same high quality sounds as their predecessors.

The Tri-Mod Wah, Phaser and Flanger guitar effects pedals can be further modulated using the Frequency, Depth and Speed controls for additional sounds. The Frequency control sets the filter sweep to lower or higher frequencies. Depth drives the effect with either an LFO or Envelope Follower and controls the depth of each modulation source. Speed controls either the attack and decay time of the envelope or the speed of the LFO.

If the Hot Hand motion Controller is used, a subset of controls on each Soundblox guitar pedal adjusts the Hot Hand controller to suit an individual’s playing style.

All Soundblox guitar effects pedals feature state-of-the-art 56 bit DSP co-developed with Analog Devices, Inc. and crystal clear 24-bit A/D D/A converters for exceptional sound quality.

MSRP for the Soundblox pedals is $149.99.
MSRP for the Hot Hand Wireless Adapter & Controller is $150.
MSRP for the Hot Hand Wired Controller is $24.95