Browse, Burn, and Play
The C4 Synth unites all the sound creation tools of a classic Eurorack modular synthesizer and packages them in a compact and easy-to-use effects pedal for guitar or bass. Out of the box the C4 offers six dynamic synth tones that range from vintage analog to the thoroughly modern. It is essentially a modular synth in a small pedal with unprecedented tracking abilities, lightning-fast response, and countless sound options. With the addition of the Neuro 3 Desktop Editor (a free download for Mac and Windows machines) and Mobile App. (for iPhone and Android) it's easy to browse from the ever-growing library of highly-inspired presets created by the Source Audio crew and the expanding community of C4 enthusiasts.
C4 Synth logo designed by Jamie Bulmer
It’s that easy. When you're ready to explore beyond the C4's six onboard presets simply jump to the Neuro Desktop's Cloud tab or the Neuro 3 Mobile App's Browse function and check out all the available presets created by the Neuro Community and the Source Audio team. We've got a huge and growing-huger collection of vintage and contemporary synth effects that are guaranteed to amaze. When you find that mind-blowing tone that you can't live without, simply click the BURN icon and upload the preset directly to your C4 - it will be waiting for you at the next gig.
More C4 Synth Demos
Nathan Navarro puts the C4 Synth through its paces with the bass. Check out the how Nathan breaks down a preset, voice-by-voice and blasts through a bunch of awesome user presets.
Our old friend Mike Hermans (a.k.a. "Pop Into the Chemist") is back with a gorgeous C4 Synth Video. Mike proves that it's finally possible to form a Depeche Mode cover band without a synth players! We love that Mike featured so many presets created by the first wave of C4 owners. The list of awesome C4 Synth presets is growing rapidly!
Making this video was a blast. We recently packed up the recording gear and headed over to Source Audio's Chief Scientist Bob Chidlaw's house to experiment with his Eurorack analog modular synthesizer and the C4 Synth. Bob wired up a great sound with his modular synth then recreated the sound in the C4 - it was an amazing tone. How does the C4 compare?
Warning: Seismic Synth Tones ahead. We are huge fans of Adam Aarts. His demos get right down to business and quickly demonstrate a pedal's true potential and real-world applications. This synth bass demo focuses on many of the dynamic sounds that come pre-loaded in the C4 Synth, beautifully highlighting modular synthesizer inspired presets like "EDM Swell," "Taurus," "Funk Dragon," and "Poly Pitch Swell." If you dig this video you should also check out Adam's demos of the Spectrum Intelligent Filter and Aftershock Bass Distortion - seismic indeed.
Neuro is Power
On the surface, the C4 features a simple 4-knob interface and a choice of six amazing guitar/bass synthesizer effects - just plug-in and play. If you want to take things to take things a bit further, we urge that you connect the C4 to our Neuro 3 Preset Editing & Browsing tools. Neuro is available for free at the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android), as well as Mac and Windows computers on our Downloads page. Inside Neuro you will find 1,000's of amazing user created presets available for download, as well as the tools to personally create your own synth utopia. Use the C4’s collection of four parallel voices, three oscillator wave shapes, ten-plus envelope followers, twenty-plus modulating filters, distortion, tremolo, pitch shifting, intelligent harmonization, FM synthesis, two programmable sequencers and more to dial in that perfect tone.
Now with two-way communication when you use a USB cable to connect your phone with the USB port on your C4 Synth!!
Fueled by Passion
Source Audio Engineer Bob Chidlaw and his Eurorack synthesizer.
Let's talk a bit about the history of the C4 Synth. Bob Chidlaw (Source Audio's Chief Sound Engineer), fueled by his life-long passion for modular synthesizers, set out to built a powerful synthesizer machine that would replicate the experience of creating amazing synth sounds with his own personal Eurorack modular synth. It had to nail the swelling, buzzing sounds of a real modular behemoth, but it had to live inside the compact structure of a Source Audio One Series housing. The C4 is, for all intents and purposes, a modular synth in a box.
Dive into the C4 Neuro 3 Sound Editor - it's good for the soul.
WATCH BOB'S C4 SYNTH/MODULAR SYNTH DEMO
Additional Features and Specifications
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Pedal Features
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Neuro Editor Features
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MIDI Features
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Specifications
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- Six Preset Positions: Use the C4’s three-position toggle switch and two preset banks to save six easily accessible presets.
- Growing Library of Published Presets: For quick access to a world of great tones, try sampling sounds from a vast collection of published presets created by the Source Audio team and the ever-growing C4 Neuro Community.
- Unprecedented Sound Sculpting Options: The powerful Neuro 3 Desktop Editor (Free download for Mac and Windows) and Neuro 3 Mobile App (iOS and Android) offer maximum sound exploration possibilities. Use Neuro’s modular synthesizer inspired editor to create custom C4 Synth presets that can be burned directly to the pedal, saved to a private cloud based library or shared publicly with other members of the Neuro Community.
- Supreme Tracking: If tracking matters to you (and it should), you will be amazed by the lightning quick, imperceptible latency of the C4 Synth.
- 128 MIDI Accessible Factory Presets – The addition of a third party MIDI controller with USB host provides access to any of the pedal’s 128 Factory presets.
- Stereo Inputs and Outputs: Use the Neuro 3 Editor’s panning controls to route each Voice to any location in a full stereo spread.
- Compact Design – The durable, anodized aluminum housing has a small footprint and sturdy hardware. Dimensions: L: 4.5 in./11.4cm x W: 2.75 in./7cm x H: 2 in./5.1cm (including knobs).
- Universal BypassTM – Select either analog buffered or relay based True Bypass.
- USB Port - Class compliant USB-MIDI allows the C4 to work as a plug-and-play device with recording software running on Mac and Windows recording software or any third party MIDI controller with USB host. The USB port also offers connectivity to the Neuro 3 Desktop Editor providing access to deep editing possibilities and pedal firmware updates.
- USB to Mobile App Connectivity - Connect the Mobile App to your C4 Synth via the USB port on the top of the pedal and enjoy two-way communication between the pedal and your Neuro Mobile App. This means you can see all of your C4 preset settings on the App. in real time. (Lightening to mini Type B USB cable for iPhone) (Type-C to mini Type B USB cable for Android).
- External Expression and Tap Tempo Control — Use the Control Input jack with the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal (expression control to multiple parameters) or Tap Switch (adjust LFO rates on the fly).
Connect the C4 Synth to the Neuro 3 Desktop Editor (a free download for Mac or Windows computers) or the Neuro 3 Mobile App (free for iPhone and Android) and explore the power of effect downloading, customization, and sharing that comes with every One Series pedal.
- Growing Library of Published Presets: For quick and easy access to a world of great tones, try sampling sounds from a vast collection of published presets created by the Source Audio team and the ever-growing C4 Neuro Community.
- Unprecedented Sound Sculpting Options: The Neuro 3 Desktop offers maximum sound exploration possibilities. Use Neuro’s modular synthesizer inspired editor to create custom C4 Synth presets that can be burned directly to the pedal, saved to a private cloud based library or published and shared the entire Neuro Community.
- Four Independent Voices: Mix together any of the C4’s four independent Voices. Assign any of the Voices to an oscillator wave shape, monophonic or polyphonic pitch shifter, intelligent harmonizer, sequencers, or dry signal to distortion, tremolo, and filter effects.
- Three Types of Oscillators: Mix and match any of the C4’s three oscillator wave shapes for pure synthesizer tones. Choose from sine, square, and saw shaped oscillators.
- Eleven Envelope Followers: Select from a comprehensive collection of envelope followers with adjustable attack/decay as well as ADSR triggering envelopes.
- 25 Filter Effects: Choose from a huge collection of filters, controllable with an envelope follower or independently modulating LFOs.
- 14 Different LFO Wave Shapes: Use LFO (Low Frequency Oscillators) to control the modulation of filter, vibrato, or tremolo effects. Choose from eight different LFO wave shapes, including sine, square, sample and hold, saw tooth, and more.
- Two Programmable 16-Step Sequencers: Run two simultaneous sequencer patterns. Choose from several preprogrammed sequencer patterns or create custom patterns.
- USB Connection – Use the pedal’s mini USB port to connect the C4 to the Neuro 3 Desktop Editor, which can be used to edit presets or download the latest pedal firmware.
- USB to Mobile App Connectivity - Connect the Mobile App to your C4 Synth via the USB port on the top of the pedal and enjoy two-way communication between the pedal and your Neuro 3 Mobile App. This means you can see all of your C4 preset settings on the App. in real time. (Lightening to mini Type B USB cable for iPhone) (Type-C to mini Type B USB cable for Android).
The C4 Synth responds to MIDI Program Change (PC) and Continuous Controller (CC) messages via its mini USB port. The USB port handles communication between the C4 and digital audio workstations (DAW) on Mac and Windows machines as well as external MIDI controllers with USB host support (we recommend the DMC.micro from Disaster Area Designs)
- Preset Saving – Save up to 128 effect presets.
- MIDI Mapping – Use the Neuro 3 Desktop Editor to easily map MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) messages to a comprehensive list of parameters.
- Preset Recall - Use MIDI CC numbers 103 & 104 to recall any of the C4's 128 MIDI accessible presets.
- MIDI Clock – Sync the C4's LFO rate with external MIDI clock messages.
- The Neuro Hub - Connect the C4 to the Neuro Hub and use MIDI CC messages to control parameters or recall presets.
Note: As of Hub fw 1.18 and C4 fw 1.14, the C4 can now be added to scenes, is visible through the Hub, and can be controlled by PC messages, giving you the full access to 128 preset slots.
Full MIDI Functionality with the One Series MIDI Adapter
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONE SERIES MIDI ADAPTER
Source Audio MIDI Compatibility Guide
The guide below will help you understand which Source Audio accessories (if any) are required to enable MIDI functionality to each of our One Series pedals. In addition to a MIDI controller and MIDI cables, some pedals require either the One Series MIDI Adapter or the Source Audio Neuro Hub. All of the pedals also respond to MIDI messages (to varying degree - see below) from a Digital Audio Workstation (a.k.a. "DAW") via their mini type-B USB port. Email [email protected] if you have further questions.
- Includes 1/8” to 1/4” cable for Neuro 3 Mobile App connection.
- Power Consumption — 165mA
- USB port — Connects to Mac or Windows PC for firmware updates and the forthcoming in-depth effects editing software.
- Brushed anodized aluminum housing.
- Dimensions: L: 4.5 in./11.4cm x W: 2.75 in./7cm x H: 2 in./5.1cm (including knobs)
User Manual
C4 Synth User Manual
C4 Synth Quick Start Reference Card
Envelope and Filter Types Lexicon
FM Synthesis On the C4
MIDI Support Chart (A Pedal-by-Pedal Guide to the Required Accessories for MIDI Compatibility)