Spectrum Intelligent Filter

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The Spectrum Intelligent Filter is the most powerful stereo filter effect pedal ever created. Building on almost 15 years of filter pedal technology and know-how, Spectrum is the culmination of Source Audio's finest envelope sounds and best thinking on how to easily incorporate those sounds into rigs of all types. The pedal not only features finely crafted envelope filter effects inspired by some of the most iconic and sought-after effects pedals on the market, it also includes buzzing, synth-like octave/distortion/filter effects. The pedal is a cleverly integrated, all-in-one funk/psych/electronic/jam machine. Whether you want to easily plug and play with its six carefully crafted factory sounds, browse the ever-growing Neuro library for additional sounds created by Source Audio and other Spectrum owners, or use Neuro 3’s deep sound editing tools to create your own highly personalized presets, this filter pedal will satisfy the needs of any guitar, bass, keyboard, horn, or (insert your instrument here) player. 

Spectrum Intelligent Filter logo designed by Jamie Bulmer

Plug In and Play

The Spectrum Intelligent Filter was designed with special attention given to the simple plug-and-play experience. Right out of the box the pedal offers easy access to tones inspired by some of the most iconic and difficult to find envelope filters effects pedals on the market. It also offers synth-like tones comprised of distorted octave and envelope phaser sounds. Because of the pedal's ALT button, the Spectrum's four knob control surface actually offers access to eight different parameters. Use the Spectrum's Input Gain, Sensitivity and Speed controls to dial in the perfect envelope response for your needs. Maybe you like a slow and smooth envelope movement while you really dig-in on the strings, or possibly you want a quick moving filter that responds to light picking - either way is achievable with the Spectrum. The Frequency, Resonance, Depth and Mix controls provide fine control over the color and character of your filter effects. Whatever your needs, the Spectrum is the most comprehensive filter effects pedal available.

More Spectrum Demo Videos

Bass The World covers it all in this high-fidelity review of the Spectrum. If you need to know a few of the sounds it's capable of, want a brief dive into how to use it, and want to know how this new pedal stacks up against the envelope filter 'greats', check out this demo. Not to mention the unbelievably smooth bass playing, courtesy of Phil Rehm

Mike Hermans (a.k.a. "Pop Into the Chemist") takes the Spectrum down to Shakedown Street with its vast range of envelope filter sounds.

So you think Dan & Mick can't funk it up? Well these Spectrum Intelligent Filter riffs will cure your misconception.

Adam Aarts explores the many bass friendly sounds waiting inside the Spectrum Intelligent Filter.

The Neuro Editing Systems

On the surface, the Spectrum Intelligent Filter features a simple 4-knob interface and a choice of six amazing guitar/bass envelope filter effects - just plug-in and play. If you want to take things to take things a bit further, we urge that you connect the Spectrum to our Neuro 3 Preset Editing & Browsing tools. The Neuro 3 Mobile App is available for free at the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). The Neuro 3 Desktop Editor is available as a free download for Mac or Windows systems on our Downloads page. Inside Neuro you will find the tools to create your own one-of-a-kind envelope tone. Use the Spectrum’s collection of two parallel filter voices, octave up or down effects, and distortion to dial in that perfect tone. Neuro 3 also offers a growing collection of additional envelope filter presets created by the Source Audio team as well as the ever-expanding community of Spectrum users - just touch the screen to open a preset in your Spectrum. If you like what you hear, hit the BURN button and upload the preset to any of the pedal's six toggle switch positions. 

Now with two-way communication when you use a USB cable to connect your phone with the USB port on your Spectrum Intelligent Filter!!

Learn More About Neuro 3

INSTRUCTIONS ON USING NEURO

Additional Features and Specifications

  • Pedal Features

  • Neuro Editor Features

  • MIDI Features

  • Specifications

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  • Six Onboard Presets: Choose from six different onboard envelope filter effects. Vintage sounds include effects inspired by the iconic Mu-Tron© and Lovetone Meatball© pedals, as well as contemporary envelopes with thumping octave-down effects and buzzing synth-like tones.
  • Simple 4-Knob Control Panel: Adjust 8 different parameters with 4 knobs. Primary controls include Input Level, Modulation Depth, Frequency Starting Point, and Envelope Speed. Alternate controls (accessible by pressing the ALT button) include Envelope Sensitivity, Wet/Dry Mix, Resonance, and Output Volume.
  • Excellent Envelope Filter Response: Use the Spectrum's Input Gain, Sensitivity and Speed controls to dial in the perfect envelope response for your needs. Maybe you like slow and smooth envelope movement while you really dig-in on the strings, or possibly you want a quick moving filter that responds to light picking - either way is achievable with the Spectrum.
  • 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 Spectrum 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 3’s additional filter, octave, and distortion blocks to create highly unique effects.
  • Supreme Tracking: If tracking matters to you (and it should), you will be amazed by the lightning quick response from the Spectrum's octave effects.
  • 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 Spectrum 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 Spectrum Intelligent Filter 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 Spectrum 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 Spectrum Intelligent Filter 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: Quickly test and download sounds from the ever-expanding collection of published User Presets created by Source Audio and the rest of the Spectrum Filter/Neuro Editor Community.
  • Deep Effects Editing Capabilities: Use the Neuro 3 Desktop Editor (free download for Mac and Windows) or the Neuro 3 Mobile App (free for iOS and Android) to create, store, and share highly customized filter effects.
  • 25 Different Filters: Choose from a huge collection of filters including several types of low-pass, band pass, multi-pole, and phaser effects.
  • Dual Filter Effects: Run two different envelope filters simultaneously, each with its own envelope response as well as Frequency, Depth, Direction and Q controls.
  • Octave Effects: Use the Spectrum's two Octave Voices to mix in octave effects. Choose from one or two octaves down or one octave up.
  • 11 Styles of Envelope Follower: Choose from 11 different types of envelope follower with adjustable attack/decay as well as ADSR triggering envelopes.
  • 14 Different LFO Wave Shapes: Use LFO (Low Frequency Oscillators) to control filter modulation. Choose from eight different LFO wave shapes, including sine, square, sample and hold, saw tooth, and more. 
  • 13 Types of Distortion: Choose anything from a subtle drive effect to extremely fuzzy Foldback effects.
  • USB Connection – Use the pedal’s mini USB port to connect the Spectrum to the Neuro 3 Desktop Editor, which can be used to edit presets or download the latest pedal firmware.


The Spectrum Intelligent Filter responds to MIDI Program Change (PC) and Continuous Controller (CC) messages via its mini USB port. The USB port handles communication between the Spectrum 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 Spectrum's 128 MIDI accessible presets.
  • MIDI Clock – Sync the Spectrum's LFO rate with external MIDI clock messages.
  • The Neuro Hub - Connect the Spectrum to the Neuro Hub and use MIDI CC messages to control parameters or recall presets. 
    Note: As of Hub fw 1.18 and Spectrum fw 1.05, the Spectrum 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 & Documentation

Spectrum Intelligent Filter User Manual
Spectrum Intelligent Filter Quick Start Reference Card
Envelope and Filter Types Lexicon
MIDI Support Chart (A Pedal-by-Pedal Guide to the Required Accessories for MIDI Compatibility)