Always Improving: The Latest Updates to Pathways Reverb & Tremolo

At Source Audio, the work doesn’t stop once a new pedal is released. We just dropped a new firmware update for the Pathways Reverb & Tremolo. Updates like this usually mean two things. First, we make behind-the-scenes improvements that may not be immediately noticeable, but go a long way toward improving the overall efficiency and reliability of our gear, especially when paired with the Neuro App. Second, updates give us the opportunity to introduce new features inspired by real-world use and helpful feedback from the amazing community of musicians who use our gear.

SImply connect Pathways to your Neuro 3 desktop software (DOWNLOAD NEURO - it's free). If your Pathways is in need of an update, you will see a pop-up message. Just follow the prompts and all the new features will be automatically added to your pedal. It only takes about 20 seconds.

To update your Pathways Reverb & Tremolo connect it to your Neuro 3 desktop software (download it here) and do the following:

1. Open the Pathways editor. If you are in need of an update a, orange framed window will appear telling you to "Update the Pathways firmware to properly use it with the editor." Click the "Update" button.

2. The "Update Firmware" window will open with details on the new update. Click the orange button that says "Update to v1.18."

3. After the update process is complete, power down your pedal for 10 seconds. When you power it back up your Pathways update is complete.

Here is a detailed list of all the updates:

Tremolo Boost:  

Ever notice how engaging a tremolo effect can make your guitar seem quieter? In many cases, it’s not actually losing volume, it’s a perceived volume drop. Tremolo works by continuously modulating your signal level, alternating between louder and softer moments. Since your guitar only reaches full volume at the peak of the waveform, the overall effect can feel slightly quieter to the ear.

Perceived or not, it can still be frustrating. That’s why Pathways includes an optional Tremolo Boost feature that activates only when the tremolo effect is engaged. Tremolo Boost is assigned as a secondary control of the TREM DEPTH knob. To access it, press the CONTROL INPUT button on top of the pedal. The small LED in the upper corner will begin blinking. While the LED is blinking, turn the TREM DEPTH knob to adjust the amount of boost. Once set, Pathways will automatically add volume compensation whenever the tremolo effect is active.

Stereo Tremolo Adjustments:

We also introduced an easy way to adjust the width of the tremolo’s stereo ping-pong effect. By default, when running Pathways in stereo, the tremolo sweeps back and forth between two amps, creating a beautifully wide stereo image. While the effect sounds incredible, some players may prefer a more subtle stereo spread, or a full mono effect.

With the new update, you can now adjust the Stereo Offset directly from the face of the pedal—a parameter previously available only in Neuro. Stereo Offset is now assigned as a secondary control of the TREM SPEED knob. Turn the knob fully counterclockwise for a centered tremolo effect, fully clockwise for maximum stereo ping-pong, or anywhere in between.

Reverb Hold:

Finally, we made major improvements to the Reverb Hold function. Reverb Hold allows you to infinitely sustain the reverb tail, creating a lush ambient bed that you can continue to play over. Previously, this feature operated only in momentary mode, meaning you had to keep the REVERB footswitch held down to maintain the sustain.

With the new update, Reverb Hold can also operate in latching mode. Simply hold the REVERB footswitch for a second and release. The pedal will continue sustaining the reverb tail automatically, freeing you to move around the stage and play over a beautiful wall of ambience.

Both momentary and latching behavior are available as global hardware settings in Neuro.

Reverb and Tremolo Signal Path Order:

By default, Pathways routes the signal with reverb feeding into tremolo. Previously, changing the effect order to run tremolo into reverb required using Neuro. With the latest update, you can now adjust the signal routing directly from the face of the pedal.

Effect order is now available as a secondary function of the Tremolo selection toggle. Press the CONTROL INPUT button and, while the small LED in the upper corner of the pedal is blinking, move the toggle to the right (BIAS position) to run reverb into tremolo. Move the toggle to the left (HARM position) to run tremolo into reverb.

This is a per-preset setting, allowing each preset to have its own unique effect routing.

Thanks for all the great feedback. We want to hear your suggestions for how we might improve our pedals. You can communicate with us through our Instagram and Facebook channels or email us directly at contact@sourceaudio.net. We would love to hear from you.