EQ pedals are often simple
creatures: an on/off switch and a bunch of
sliders for various frequencies. An exception
was Boss’ discontinued EQ-20 double
pedal, which introduced programmability.
Source Audio also offers preset programming
in a much smaller pedal and
adds some new twists to this overlooked
sound-sculpting tool.
The Programmable EQ ($209 retail/$149
street) packs seven frequency bands into
a cast-aluminum package no bigger than
an MXR Dyna Comp. It also offers an
eighth, bass-guitar-friendly 62Hz band,
which is accessible through an Octave
Extend function. Left and right arrow buttons
choose the frequency to be adjusted,
while a single knob lets you tweak the
amount of boost or cut within a plus or
minus 18dB range.
Once dialed in, the tone is saved to
one of four programmable user presets by
pressing and holding the Save button. Presets
can be stepped through with a Select
button, or accessed by holding down the
footswitch while the pedal scrolls through
each preset at an adjustable rate. To engage
the desired preset you simply release the
footswitch. A MIDI input permits MIDI
selection of user presets, and remote on/
off control. The Programmable EQ also
features a clean boost of up to 12dB and
a true bypass footswitch.
The pedal runs on a 9-volt battery
(included) or with an optional external
power supply. I found the powerful processing
eats up batteries pretty quickly.
An alkaline battery should last for most
gigs, but for long rehearsals or sessions
you will definitely want external power.
Tested with a Fernandes S-type guitar
through Orange Tiny Terror and Carr Sportsman
amps, I was immediately impressed by
the Programmable EQ’s transparency. With
the EQ set flat, cranking up the glowing
blue output knob created a wide range of
boost options while maintaining the tonal
integrity of the guitar and amps. Differing
amounts of boosted midrange frequencies
and attenuated highs turned the Fernandes’
single-coil tones into a variety of
humbucker flavors. Setting another preset
for scooped mids helped change the Sportsman’s
Fender-ish sound into a more Marshall-
like one. I set a third preset to boost
the low frequencies and roll off highs and
high mids, transforming the solid Fernandes
into a jazzy sounding “archtop.”
Pressing the left band Select button
and the Save button together entered the
Backpage Parameters where I could set the
unit for Auto-scroll and adjust the speed at
which it scrolled through my presets. This
created a rich sequenced filtering effect,
its speed indicated by the blinking of the
output knob’s blue light.
Stompbox equalizers may not be as sexy
as fuzz or delay, but they are featured on
plenty of pro pedalboards. Source Audio
has come up with a version that adds
glamour by combining great sound with
programmability, MIDI control, solid construction,
and snazzy styling, earning it an
Editors’ Pick Award.
KUDOS Transparent, wide-ranging equalization
in a small package. Cool Autofilter/
tremolo-type effects.
CONCERNS None.
CONTACT Source Audio, (781) 932-8080;
sourceaudio.net