The Source Audio Soundblox Pro OFD microModeler Bass Guitar Effects Pedal packs a comprehensive, low-end enhanced collection of new and vintage overdrive, fuzz, and distortion tones into a single stage-ready stompbox perfect for bassists of all genres. Each effect has been meticulously crafted to provide precise and naturally responsive tones, from warm and thumping tube overdrive to bass-in-your-face fuzz. The OFD also features Lo-RETAIN, our special low-end preserving algorithm. Plus each effect can be blended with the original dry signal to maintain the thumping essence of your bass tone.
The main features of the Source Audio Soundblox Pro OFD microModeler Bass Guitar Effects Pedal include;
We've owned some Source Audio bass products several years ago - the most relevant here being the Soundblox Multiwave Bass Distortion Pro. I found that the graphic EQ and the general distortion 'patches' on the Pro model somehow always made the bass have a 'synthetic' sound rather than an 'organic' one.
Another problem I found was that TWICE, with two different 'Pro'-era units, one of the footswitch buttons would become detached and so the units would then have to be disassembled and the button's restraining circlip then refitted using a special tool - I did write to Source Audio about this and thankfully that has not happened with this current OFD model so maybe they've upgraded their circlips over the last few years? :)
This OFD model produces distortion in a much more natural way than the older Pro model did (this depends on the individual's other gear and requirements of course - there's absolutely no doubt the older Pro is totally perfect for a LOT of people where this OFD may not be), I'd say the OFD is ideal for rock music, whereas the Pro was perfect for clean(ish), funk, jazz & 'technical' music uses.
I think this OFD distortion is great, the sound of it is really ideal for what we're doing at the moment.
Possibly the only criticism I have is that they use a 3.5mm TRRS (4 pole) socket on the OFD - to keep the size of the unit down a bit perhaps?? - this allows you to attach a compatible expression pedal and then morph between the two presets available on the two footswitches .... great stuff, but unfortunately all of my 'normal' expression pedals are TRS and use 6.5mm jack plugs - but by sheer luck I'd kept my Source Audio expression pedal from years ago and fortunately that had the appropriate 3.5mm TRRS socket on it although when looking online to purchase the 'official' SA TRRS Daisy Chain cable I found that it cost over twelve Euros for a 1 metre cable! ....eBay is definitely your friend here as ANY cheap TRRS 4-pole 3.5mm cable works perfectly for these units .... just in case you were curious - I did try a TRS (3 pole) 3.5mm cable to see if it works as they're easily obtained ... but it didn't do anything!
I really have no knowledge if anybody else makes an expression pedal that uses TRRS, and in particular 3.5mm TRRS so it looks like you'll have to use the Source Audio offering ... no doubt when I do a Google search later I'll find hundreds though! As a side note here - we found that when saving alterations to patches on the OFD with the expression pedal plugged in sometimes the OFD would get 'confused' and patches would reverse their positions on the pedal and sometimes 'mix' one with the other a little and you'd get unexpected results ... it very well could be that WE were making the mistakes here and nothing to do with the pedal being plugged-in but once we'd detached the pedal and then carried on altering / saving presets all seemed ok.
Definitely recommended if you're into rock / heavy music!