Source Audio Soundblox 2 User manual

USER’S GUIDE
SA223

2 | Welcome
WELCOME
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.
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

Overview | 3
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

4 | Quick Start
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.
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.
GUITAR IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
OUT
GUITAR OUT
9V DC
A
B C

Quick Start | 5
1 2
CONTROL
INPUT
OPTION
SELECT
ENV-ENV+
DEPTH
OPTION
SPEED
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
HH
MIDI
EXP
FLANGER
CHORUS
PHASER
RESONATOR
MOD SOURCE
4 STAGE
QUAD
CLASSIC
THRU
ZERO
SHADOW
RES 1
RES 2
VIBE
6 STAGE
8 STAGEDUAL
12 STAGE
O RB I TAL
MODU L A T OR
G
D
A
C
B
F
H H
E
• 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.

6 | Connections
CONNECTIONS
GUITAR IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
OUT
GUITAR OUT
9V DC
E
D
A B
C
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

Controls: Knobs | 7
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
1 2
CONTROL
INPUT
OPTION
SELECT
ENV-ENV+
DEPTH
OPTION
SPEED
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
HH
MIDI
EXP
FLANGER
CHORUS
PHASER
RESONATOR
MOD SOURCE
4 STAGE
QUAD
CLASSIC
THRU
ZERO
SHADOW
RES 1
RES 2
VIBE
6 STAGE
8 STAGEDUAL
12 STAGE
O RB I TAL
MODU L A T OR

8 | Contols: Knobs
1 2
CONTROL
INPUT
OPTION
SELECT
ENV-ENV+
DEPTH
OPTION
SPEED
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
HH
MIDI
EXP
FLANGER
CHORUS
PHASER
RESONATOR
MOD SOURCE
4 STAGE
QUAD
CLASSIC
THRU
ZERO
SHADOW
RES 1
RES 2
VIBE
6 STAGE
8 STAGEDUAL
12 STAGE
O RB I TAL
MODU L A T OR
B
A
C
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).

Controls: Knobs | 9
• 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”.
Press button to
select option

10 | Controls: Knobs
Press button to
select option
• MIX (Green LED): Adjusts how much of the dry signal (no effect), wet
signal (full effect), or wet signal with “LoRETAIN”, are blended together.
The 12 o’clock position produces a 100% dry signal. As the knob is turned
clockwise from 12 o’clock, the wet signal gradually increases as the dry
signal decreases, until reaching a 100% wet signal at the knob’s
maximum position (fully clock-wise). As the knob is turned counter-
clockwise from the 12 o’clock position, the dry signal decreases as the
wet signal with “LoRETAIN” gradually increases, until reaching a 100%
wet signal with “LoRETAIN” at the knob’s minimum position (fully
counter-clockwise). “LoRETAIN” assures a solid low-end foundation,
which is especially useful to bass players. “LoRETAIN” adds in a
considerable amount of the lowest frequencies of the dry signal, so the
initial thump and bottom end is preserved.
• VOLUME (Red LED): Adjusts the output level of the pedal, ranging from
zero output to +6dB. Unity gain (equal volume to the bypass signal) is
found roughly at 12 o'clock. Changing RESONANCE or DRIVE may affect
the output volume.

Controls: Knobs | 11
• DRIVE (Green LED): Adjusts the amount of drive and distortion applied to the
wet signal. As the knob is rotated from its minimum position (fully counter-
clockwise) to its maximum position (fully clockwise), the amount of distortion
applied ranges from no distortion at all, to maximum distortion. You can
further adjust the sound by combining these changes while selecting the
distortion TYPE.
• TYPE (Red LED): Rotates through eight different types of distortion shapes,
indicated by a yellow tick-marked circle around the knob. As the knob is
rotated from its minimum position (fully counter-clockwise) to its maximum
position (fully clockwise), the voicing and distortion type changes between the
following styles:
1. Clean – an even, clean sound with a hard clipping distortion when DRIVE
knob is set to maximum.
2. Soft Clip – an even, warm sound, best for subtle DRIVE settings.
3. Octave – a bright sound, adding extra clarity to the higher register.
4. Fold – a more aggressive sound, that accentuates bass and treble.
5. Double Fold – an even more aggressive sound, that further accentuates bass
and treble.
6. Gated – very aggressive and present sound with a quick cutoff to the sustain.
7. Quantize Min. – aggressive and present, with fuzzy noise generating accents.
8. Quantize Max. – aggressive but warmer than Quantize Min, with less noise
generating accents.
Each combination of DRIVE and TYPE is unique, from mildly affecting the
signal, to full-on distortion. Subtle variations in knob positions will accentuate
the different tonal possibilities.
Factory Defaults:
Given the number of different functions available on the OPTION knob, it can be
useful to “zero out” all of the controls to a default value. We pre-loaded the
MANTA with unique default settings that are a good starting point for each filter
type. You can recall these values at any time by pressing and holding the
OPTION SELECT button until its three LEDs blink twice.

12 | Controls: Knobs
MOD SOURCE Knob: When Hot Hand, MIDI, or an expression pedal are not
being used, the MANTA features 5 different types of modulation control:
Slow Attack Envelope Follower, Sine Wave LFO, Square Wave LFO, Sawtooth
Wave LFO, and Fast Attack Envelope Follower. The MOD SOURCE knob
controls a gradual blend in between each selection, so setting this knob
between two of the modulation graphics will create a sound with features of
both modulation forms.
• Slow Attack Envelope Follower ( ): The Envelope Follower
produces a control signal based on the volume of your instrument. Varying
your playing dynamics will change how this control signal affects the sound.
By using the SPEED knob, you can adjust the timing of the Attack and Decay
to control the rise and fall of the control signal.
• Sine Wave LFO ( ): The Sine Wave LFO produces a very smooth
and uniformly moving modulation. Use the Sine Wave LFO for a more
traditional chorus or phaser-like effect.
• Square Wave LFO ( ): Unlike the smooth modulation of a Sine
Wave, the Square Wave LFO has a blockish sound of extreme peaks and
valleys. Use the Square Wave LFO for a dramatic, choppy sounding effect.
• Sawtooth Wave LFO ( ): The Sawtooth Wave LFO has similarities
to both the Sine and Square wave, producing smooth rises to the peak like
the Sine wave, but a dramatic drops like the Square Wave.
• Fast Attack Envelope Follower ( ): The Attack, or rise of the
control signal, is set to a fixed “fast” speed. By using the SPEED knob, you
can adjust the timing of the Decay, which is the fall of the control signal.

Controls: Knobs | 13
SPEED Knob: Depending on the modulation source, the SPEED knob controls
either the rate of the LFO, the attack and decay times of the envelope followers, or
the “Smoothing” of the Hot Hand.
When using the LFO modulation ( , , or ), turning the SPEED knob
clock-wise will increase the modulation rate.
When using the Slow Attack Envelope Follower ( ), turning the SPEED knob
clock-wise shortens the time of the Attack and the Decay, which is the rise and fall
of the control signal. In this setting, the Attack and Decay are set proportionally to
each other. When using the Fast Attack Envelope Follower ( ), turning the
SPEED knob clock-wise lengthens the time of the Decay only. The Attack is
programmed at a “fast” rate, which matches the fastest setting of the Slow Attack
Envelope Follower.
While Hot Hand is engaged, the SPEED knob controls the amount of “Smoothing”.
Turning the SPEED knob clock-wise increases the “Smoothing”, and makes Hot
Hand less responsive and less jittery sounding.
Discovering Preset Knob Positions
Since the MANTA preset values can differ from the physical knob positions, it may
be useful to determine the positions of the preset knob values. To start the
process, put the pedal in bypass mode and set all the knobs to their full
counter-clockwise positions. Next, enable the preset, and slowly turn each knob
up one at a time, until the preset indicator LED begins to blink rapidly. This rapid
blinking indicates that the current position of the knob matches the saved value.

14 | Controls: Footswitches
CONTROLS: FOOTSWITCHES
There are two footswitches on the MANTA. The left footswitch
corresponds to preset 1, and the right footswitch corresponds to preset
2. Pressing either of the footswitches will engages the respective
preset. Pressing the same footswitch again puts the pedal back into
bypass mode. Pressing the other footswitch engages the other preset
without going into bypass. The illumination of the LEDs labeled “1” and
“2” indicates which preset is currently enabled. While the pedal is in
bypass mode both LEDs remain off.
When a preset is enabled and any sort of adjustment is made, the
indicator LED for that preset will begin to blink, showing that the preset
has been edited. After a preset has been edited, save it by pressing and
holding either footswitch. The corresponding LED will blink quickly to
indicate that the preset has been saved. Once changes are saved, the
LED will illuminate continuously. An edited preset can be saved to
either of the two preset locations. For example, if preset 1 has been
selected and edited, it can be saved to preset location 2 by pressing and
holding the right footswitch.
Note: Changes made to a preset will be lost if you go into bypass or
switch to another preset without saving.

Controls: Footswitches
| 15
1 2
CONTROL
INPUT
OPTION
SELECT
ENV-ENV+
DEPTH
OPTION
SPEED
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
HH
MIDI
EXP
FLANGER
CHORUS
PHASER
RESONATOR
MOD SOURCE
4 STAGE
QUAD
CLASSIC
THRU
ZERO
SHADOW
RES 1
RES 2
VIBE
6 STAGE
8 STAGEDUAL
12 STAGE
O RB I TAL
MODU L A T OR
A B
TAP TEMPO MODE
The MANTA’s LFO rate can also be adjusted “on-the-fly” via TAP TEMPO. To
enter TAP TEMPO mode, put the pedal into bypass, then press and hold the
footswitch (A or B), to which you would like TAP TEMPO applied. When the
preset LED opposite the footswitch being held starts to blink, the pedal is in
TAP TEMPO mode. The footswitch below the blinking LED now controls the
LFO rate. Press the footswitch at least two times in rhythm to set a new LFO
rate. The LFO rate is reflected in the blinking LED – the time between each
blink represents one cycle of the LFO. Follow the same procedure to
disengage TAP TEMPO. The footswitch that TAP TEMPO is applied to, is also
the preset it is saved to. When recalled, the speed of the TAP TEMPO will
default to the last used setting.

Effect Types16 |
EFFECT TYPES
Filter effects are used to enhance or remove certain frequencies as they
modulate your instrument’s signal. The MANTA features a wide variety of
filter types that can create dramatically different sounding effects. In some
cases, the MANTA combines multiple filter types to create a single filter
effect.
By default (Normal Mode), there are 12 filter effects found on the EFFECT
SELECTOR knob. This can be expanded to 24 filter effects by using the
Extended Mode. This addition allows users to access all of the effect types
from our popular Soundblox Bass Envelope Filter, and Soundblox Pro Bass
Envelope Filter.
Extended Mode uses the same filter types as Normal Mode but integrates an
additional 12 filter effects that are indicated by two adjacent LEDs lit
simultaniously on the EFFECT SELECTOR knob.

Effect Types | 17
To access Extended Mode, hold the CONTROL INPUT button while quickly
pressing the OPTION SELECT button. You can switch back to Normal Mode
by doing the same procedure. Extended Mode is a global setting for the
pedal and is not saved per preset.
The filter effects featured in the MANTA are further described, followed by
the order in which they appear in Normal and Extended Modes.
Low Pass Filter: allows only low frequencies to pass through while
removing high frequencies from your signal.
High Pass Filter: allows only high frequencies to pass through, while
removing low frequencies from your signal.
Band Pass Filter: allows a grouped section of frequencies to pass through,
while removing the remainder of the frequency spectrum.
Peak Filter: allows the full frequency spectrum to pass through as is peaks
(or boosts) a narrow range of frequencies.
Notch Filter: notches (or removes) frequencies in a narrow range.

18 | Effect Types
Extended Mode: Dual LEDs lit
01x. 6-pole low-pass filter
02x. 4-pole low-pass with offset peaks
03x. Peak > 4-pole low-pass filter
04x. 4-pole low-pass > peak filter
05x. Peak > notch > 2-pole low-pass
06x. Band-pass filter
07x. Peak > notch > peak filter
08x. Notch > peak > notch filter
09x. Triple peak filter D
10x. Single notch filter
11x. Dual notch > 2-pole low-pass
12x. High-pass filter
Normal Mode: single LED lit
01. 2-pole low-pass filter
02. 4-pole low-pass filter
03. Two parallel low-pass filters
04. Three parallel low-pass filters
05. Notch > low-pass filters
06. Peak filter
07. Low-pass > two peak filters
08. Triple peak filter A
09. Triple peak filter B
10. Triple peak filter C
11. Dual notch filter
12. Triple notch filter

EXTERNAL CONTROL
GUITAR IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
IN
MULTI-
FUNCTION
OUT
GUITAR OUT
9V DC
A
One of the core features of the Soundblox 2 line of effects is the MULTI-
FUNCTION Input (A). The MULTI-FUNCTION input is an intelligent control
input that accepts both digital and analog control signals. It replaces the
SENSOR input on previous Soundblox pedals. The MULTI-FUNCTION input
connects to wired or wireless Hot Hand accessories, the Source Audio
Expression Pedal, or the Source Audio Soundblox HUB. The Soundblox HUB
provides full MIDI I/O, a standard passive expression pedal input, a dedicated
Hot Hand input, and USB connectivity. The HUB can connect up to 5
Soundblox 2 pedals together to share control inputs or to save multi-pedal
presets via the Scene Saving functionality.
External Control | 19

External Control20 |
1 2
CONTROL
INPUT
OPTION
SELECT
ENV-ENV+
DEPTH
OPTION
SPEED
DELAY/FREQ
FEEDBACK
VOLUME
TREMOLO
MIX
(HOLD)
DEFAULT
HH
MIDI
EXP
FLANGER
CHORUS
PHASER
RESONATOR
MOD SOURCE
4 STAGE
QUAD
CLASSIC
THRU
ZERO
SHADOW
RES 1
RES 2
VIBE
6 STAGE
8 STAGEDUAL
12 STAGE
O RB I TAL
MODU L A T OR
A
Selecting an external control input:
Press the CONTROL INPUT button (A) to cycle between the external control
options. There are four possible settings:
• OFF (no illuminated LEDs): External control is disabled in this mode and
the MOD SOURCE knob remains active.
• HH: Hot Hand mode. Select to enable Hot Hand control. In this mode,
Hot Hand defaults to controlling filter modulation or is assignable to any
knob parameter.
• MIDI: MIDI control mode. Select to enable MIDI I/O through the
Soundblox HUB.
• EXP: Expression Pedal for use with the SA161 Source Audio Dual
Expression Pedal. Like HH mode, the expression pedal controls filter
modulation, and can also be assigned to control any other knob parameter.