This Week in Neuro Oct 9 - Nov 23: Big Data & Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey everybody, we're back!  It's been a busy month of gearing up for the holidays, putting our ears to the grindstone at the lab, testing new pedals, and continuing to adjust to the "new normal."  That's why it feels great to be back in the data analysis game talking presets and Neuro-related achievements.  We have a great smattering of presets to dive into this week, and some inflated numbers from our time off.  

This week...is it even worth mentioning?  The C4 crushed it, no contest, yet again in the preset creation department.  90 new presets since last month's post.  That means 90 new sounds for you all to try!  At this point, it's worth keeping up with the stats if not but to see if any pedal can gather enough momentum to take down the mighty C4 one of these weeks.  If you had to guess, which other Source Audio pedal do you think has the best chance to do it?  Or will it have to be an all-new Neuro-equipped Source Audio pedal [stay tuned]? 

I'd also like to give a huge shoutout to all 1,150 of our new Neuro users!  This installment's data was taken over the course of over a month, but these are still some staggering numbers for us to wrap our heads around, and we're so glad to have you all on board.  Thanks for becoming Neuro users!

Speaking of "Neuro Users".  I'm considering a group moniker for those who follow or participate the Source Audio Neuro buzz.  Here are some real fast suggestions.  Please let us know in the comments which term you think suits you the best.  Or alternatively, let us know that this is a terrible idea. 

-Neurotics
-Neurologists
-Neurons
-Neuropathies
-None of the above. 

This week's crop of featured presets is quite the treat.  We have the return of Nathan Navarro with a blast from the past, we have some C4 goodness from longtime Neuro user @jjtguitar, and we have a sequel to the "Don't Start Now" buzz that was taking over the Neurosphere a few weeks ago. 

"Hot Hand Dubstep Wobble" - C4 Synth - By @natenavarro

The history of Source Audio and the history of Nate playing dubstep go hand in (Hot) hand.  Using this preset, Nate Navarro recreates the magic of his breakthrough viral video: the impeccably done Pinn Panelle cover of Skrillex's "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites".  In that video, Nate used a Boss Synthesizer pedal in conjunction with a Hot Hand connected to a Soundblox Bass Envelope Filter to create the iconic "wubwubwub" sound of the dubstep drop.  This C4 Synth preset creates a similar tone so you can plug right in and wub.

download "hot hand dubstep wobble"

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"KJ-BigPi1" - L.A. Lady Overdrive - by @acousticglue

This is just one of several L.A. Lady Overdrive presets posted by @acousticglue this month. We are particularly fond of this preset's warm and fuzzy tone. It was built on the Bigger Pi drive engine, which was actually based on the outstanding Skreddy Mayo pedal. And to take it one step further, the Skreddy Mayo pedal was inspired by Billy Corgan's rhythm guitar tone on the first two Smashing Pumpkins records. As legend has it, Billy achieved this sound by running an MXR drive pedal into a Triangle Big Muff. The result is a squishy, yet aggressive tone with tons of sustain and singing overtones. 

Source Audio · L.A. Lady Overdrive: Preset "KJ-BigPi1"

DOWNLOAD "KJ-BigPi1"

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"Don't Start Now - Stereo Broadener" - Collider - By @leodinardo

This Collider Delay+Reverb stereo widener preset, using a Room reverb and Digital delay, is just a piece of the puzzle.  In the video below, @leodinardo breaks down the whole bass track in Dua Lipa's "Don't Start Now" and how the sound was created. This covers EVERY aspect of the bass parts and the gear used to create them.  If you have a C4, you can check out the rest of the presets that comprise the meat of the now-infamous synth-bass tone. 

download "don't start now - stereo broadener"

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"JW 5th Saw Sub Pad" - C4 Synth - By @jjtguitar

Well, I think we've found out where a big part of that "90 new presets" number for the C4 Synth comes from.  :) 
Luckily, @jjtguitar produces both quantity and quality.  "JW 5th Saw Sub Pad" is one of a prolific number of presets we could've chosen to feature.  This is a lush, harmonized pad with a slow, swelled filter.  Excellent for smooth, slow lines with legato notes. 

jjtguitar · JW 5th Saw Sub Pad (G)

download "jw 5th saw sub pad"

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"ROOM PLATE" - Ventris Dual Reverb - by @kevinhughston

A great sounding and very useful Ventris Dual Reverb preset from @kevinhughston. The preset takes advantage of  the "Add Engine" function for the Option footswitch. Kevin set up the Ventris so that when you engage the effect you get a subtle touch of Room reverb, just enough to thicken the guitar and give it a bit of space. However, when you tap the Option footswitch a second, and much larger Plate reverb is added in series. It's a great way to quickly transition from subtle, "always on" kind of a tone to a beautifully lush and ambient wash of sound. In the clip below, you will first hear the dry guitar, then the tight Room reverb, then the much deeper Plate reverb.

Source Audio · Ventris Dual Reverb: "ROOM PLATE"

DOWNLOAD "ROOM PLATE"

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"Cars Polysweep" - C4 Synth - @tonyuser

@tonyuser has created an immersive experience for Gary Numan's famous hit, "Cars".  Fun fact, this was one of my first favorite songs—it (along with Fear Factory's industrial rock cover) was on the Test Drive 6 soundtrack for PC in the early 2000's.  "Cars Polysweep" is just one of the C4 Synth presets that Tony created for this track.  This is the "sweeping filter" sound you hear in the song; Tony also has published presets for the bass track and the synth lead track. 

Tony Beer · C4 Cars Demo

download "cars polysweep"

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