The Source Audio Aftershock Bass Distortion is a bass distortion pedal from Source Audio, released in May 2016 alongside the L.A. Lady Overdrive and Kingmaker Fuzz1. It packs three bass overdrive engines that, in Premier Guitar's words, "span the gamut of low-end crunch, from smooth and organic overdrive to full-on fuzz attack"1, so one pedal covers ground that would normally take separate overdrive and fuzz boxes.
The pedal is built in a brushed anodized aluminum enclosure2 and offers stereo I/O: you can distort upstream stereo signals, split a mono signal to dual outputs, or use the additional input and output as an external effects loop2.
What it does
Out of the box, the Aftershock gives you four control knobs and a center toggle switch that selects between the three distortion engines1. The engines cover a wide range: Guitar Interactive Magazine describes the Heavy engine as creating "an aggressive scooped sound with ample highs and thundering lows"4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of distortion3 |
| Level | Sets the output volume3 |
| Clean | Blends in your dry, unaffected signal, so the bass tone remains clear and defined3 |
| Tone | Shapes the distorted signal's frequency balance3 |
| Toggle switch | Selects between the three distortion engines1 |
The Clean knob is the key feature for bass players: blending dry signal back in is what keeps the low end articulate when the drive is pushed hard, rather than disappearing into a wash of fuzz3.
Beyond the knobs, the Aftershock couples with Source Audio's Neuro Hub. You can connect up to five One Series pedals to the Neuro Hub and create 128 multi-pedal scenes with expression control, recallable via MIDI program change messages2. That makes it work as part of a larger MIDI-controlled rig rather than just a standalone stompbox.
Guitar World's take, from its roundup of distortion pedals for bass:
"A super versatile and great sounding bass distortion pedal; it's hard to get a bad sound out of this."
Videos
sourceaudioeffects
sourceaudioeffects
sourceaudioeffects
Questions
What does the Source Audio Aftershock do?
It is a bass distortion pedal with three onboard distortion engines selected by a center toggle switch, spanning smooth overdrive through full fuzz. A Clean knob blends your dry signal back in so the low end stays clear, and stereo inputs and outputs let you distort stereo signals, split mono to two outputs, or use the extra jacks as an effects loop.
What controls does the Aftershock have?
Four knobs: Drive, Level, Clean and Tone, plus a center toggle switch that selects between the three distortion engines. The Clean control blends in your dry, unaffected signal to keep the bass tone clear and defined.
How is the Aftershock powered?
It runs on 9V with a 150 mA current draw, so it needs a proper power supply rather than a small battery, and it draws more current than a simple analog overdrive.
Can the Aftershock be controlled remotely?
Yes. It couples with the Source Audio Neuro Hub: up to five One Series pedals connect to the Hub to create 128 multi-pedal scenes with expression control, recallable via MIDI program change messages.
Sources (4)
- Source Audio's New Guitar and Bass Effects Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2016-05-12
- Aftershock Bass Distortion, sourceaudio.net
- Best distortion pedals for bass: thicken up your low end, Guitar World, 2022-08-17
- AfterShock Bass Distortion: Shake the Foundation, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2016-05-18
