
The Manta's 12 filter effect settings includes 2- and 4-pole Low-Pass, Single-Peak, Multi-Peak, Phasers, and more.
Woburn, MA (January 15, 2014) -- Source Audio, creators of the award-winning Soundblox line of effects pedals and the Hot Hand 3 Wireless Effects Controller, have released the Soundblox 2 MANTA Bass Filter. The Manta is the next generation of Source Audio's popular Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter. The pedal features 12 top-notch filter effects that triggered the success of the original Soundblox Pro BEF plus the addition of eight variations of on-board distortion. The distortions are not just crunch, or amp simulation; they are specifically designed to work in tandem with the filter effect selections. The Manta's vast range of effect combinations and adjustable parameters offer an abundance of options, from classic funk tones to modern, super-aggressive dubstep wobble effects.
The Manta features a very unique signal path, internally splitting the instrument's dry and distorted signals. The dry signal alone controls the envelope, increasing the playing response from the filter. Bob Chidlaw, Source Audio's Chief Scientist explains, "The main reason we put in the distortions was to be able to use distortion without it severely compressing the dynamic range of the envelope follower. The twenty-four filter types provide a lot of opportunity to shape the final tonal spectrum. Lowering the frequency control generally makes things more mellow, although the Manta prefers to be a snarling, nasty killer!"
The Manta features twelve filter effects, including classics like 2 and 4-pole Low-Pass, Single-Peak, Multi-Peak, and Phasers. The Distortion Types include Hard and Soft clip, Octave distortion, Fold-back, Quantized, and synth-like Gated Fuzz. Each distortion has independent gain levels adjusted by the Drive control. There is also the choice of five different modulation sources including a Fast Attack and Slow Attack Envelope, Sine LFO, Square LFO, and Sawtooth LFO. Plus, like all Soundblox 2 pedals, the Manta is compatible with the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal, the Hot Hand 3 Wireless Effects Controller, or MIDI control signals via the Soundblox HUB.
The street price of the Soundblox 2 MANTA Bass Filter is $169.
Watch the company's video demo:
For more information:
Source Audio
Get premium spring reverb tones in a compact and practical format with the Carl Martin HeadRoom Mini. Featuring two independent reverb channels, mono and stereo I/O, and durable metal construction, this pedal is perfect for musicians on the go.
The Carl Martin HeadRoom Mini is a digital emulation of the beloved HeadRoom spring reverb pedal, offering the same warm, natural toneāplus a little extraāin a more compact and practical format. It delivers everything from subtle room ambiance to deep, cathedral-like reverberation, making it a versatile addition to any setup.
With two independent reverb channels, each featuring dedicated tone and level controls, you can easily switch between two different reverb settings - for example, rhythm and lead. The two footswitches allow seamless toggling between channels or full bypass.
Unlike the original HeadRoom, the Mini also includes both mono and stereo inputs and outputs, providing greater flexibility for stereo rigs. Built to withstand the rigors of live performance, it features a durable metal enclosure, buffered bypass for signal integrity, and a remote jack for external channel switching.
Key features
- Two independent reverb channels with individual tone and level controls
- Mono and stereo I/O for versatile routing options
- Buffered bypass ensures a strong, clear signal
- Rugged metal construction for durability
- Remote jack for external channel switching
- Compact and pedalboard-friendly design
HeadRoom Mini brings premium spring reverb tones in a flexible and space-savingformatāperfect for any musician looking for high-quality, studio-grade reverb on the go.
You can purchase HeadRoom Mini for $279 directly from carlmartin.com and, of course, also from leading music retailers worldwide.
For more information, please visit carlmartin.com.
Kirk Hammettās Top Three Guitars (Yes, Greeny Is One of Them)
Photo courtesy of The Collection: Kirk Hammett, Gibson Publishing
In a lavish new coffee table book from Gibson, The Collection: Kirk Hammett, Metallicaās lead guitarist shares some of his most spectacular vintage instruments and the stories that go with them, as well as his love of Hawaii.
Together with Nathaniel, weāre decoding our favorite eras of the Edgeās tonesāfrom his early Memory Man days through his expanding delay rack rig, into his 1990s Achtung Baby sounds, and all the way through to his Sphere rig. How does he get those amazing delay tones? And what are those cool picks he uses?
Thereās a good chance that if youāre a guitar fan, youāve seen Nathaniel Murphyās gear demosāeither on his Instagram account, where he goes by @zeppelinbarnatra, or on the Chicago Music Exchange page. His solo arrangements of classic tunes display his next-level technique and knack for clever arranging, and he makes our jaws drop every time he posts. When we learned that the Irish guitarist is a huge fan of U2ās The Edge, we knew he had to be our expert for this episode.
Together with Nathaniel, weāre decoding our favorite eras of the Edgeās tonesāfrom his early Memory Man days through his expanding delay rack rig, into his 1990s Achtung Baby sounds, and all the way through to his Sphere rig. How does he get those amazing delay tones? And what are those cool picks he uses?
This episode is sponsored by Voodoo Lab.
PG contributor Tom Butwin digs into seven very different boost options, from classic clean boosts to tone-sculpting EQ beasts. Whether you're chasing midrange magic, vintage character, or gig-saving utility, there's something here for every board.
VOX Amplification Tone Sculptor
The VOX Tone Sculptor graphic EQ delivers tube-driven tone shaping that adds warm distortion as you raise the level, infusing your sound with rich tube harmonics and natural compression.
$219 street
voxamps.com
SoloDallas SVDS Boost
This pedal recreates the legendary 1975 signal boost from the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System, which provided up to 30 dB of boost, shaping the tones of Angus Young, David Gilmour, and others. Unlike typical clean boosts, it enhances vintage coloration and harmonics. Built with high-quality components, itās designed for both studio and stage reliability.
$129 street
solodallas.com
Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster Mini
The Pickup Booster Mini delivers the perfect boost and features a resonance switch for multiple tonal characteristics without taking up space on your board.
$99 street
seymourduncan.com
J. Rockett Audio Designs Archer Clean
The Archer Clean is a recreation of the clean boost found in a Klon Centaur. Go from beautiful cleans to slamming the front end of your amp instantly!
$229 street
rockettpedals.com
VOX Amplification Power Burst
The VOX Power Burst offers the rich tone of a genuine tube boost, designed to enhance your tone with natural compression and tube saturation.
$199 street
voxamps.com
Rock Nā Roll Relics Stinger Boost
Not your typical boost. This single-transistor midrange booster lets you switch between a punchy silicon transistor and a warm, vintage NOS Germanium transistor. Whether placed before or after other drives, it delivers the signature midrange growl that defines classic rock ānā roll. Each pedal is aged to perfection.
$279 street
rocknrollrelics.net
MXR Micro Amp
The MXR Micro Amp slams your amp to the brinkāup to +26dBāwhile adding just a touch of honey to your tone with the twist of a single knob.
$99 street
jimdunlop.com
Learn More about these pedals:
https://voxamps.com/
https://rockettpedals.com/
https://rocknrollrelics.com/
https://www.seymourduncan.com/
https://solodallas.com/
https://www.jimdunlop.com/products/electronics/mxr/