The Source Audio Ultrawave Bass is a multiband processor pedal for bass. Instead of applying one effect to the whole signal, it splits the sound into ten separate frequency bands and lets you apply different effects to each band, a design Source Audio says opens the door to multiband distortion, tremolo, compression, EQ and morphing12. The company announced the Ultrawave Multiband Processor and the Ultrawave Multiband Bass Processor together on March 18, 2021, with the pedals designed by Source Audio's Chief Scientist Bob Chidlaw2.
What it does
The core idea is band-splitting: the pedal divides the incoming signal into ten bands, so a player can distort the low end while leaving the highs clean, or tremolo one part of the sound while compressing another. Source Audio describes the combination as "band-splitting, exotic distortion curves, multi-band tremolo, compression, morphing, and flex"2, and says the Ultrawave "opens doors to a wide range of new sounds for guitar, bass, and synthesizer"5.
MusicRadar's reviewer, Connor Flyns, framed the bass version as the more experimental of the pair: "This processor leans more heavily into synth territory, with the potential for octave, brutal distortion and much more"3. Guitar World's coverage put it in similar terms, saying the Ultrawave invites players to "explore a brave new universe of overdrive, fuzz and tremolo"6.
For a bass player, that places it in the same family as Source Audio's earlier multiband distortion pedals such as the Soundblox Multiwave Bass Distortion, but with a much wider palette that reaches toward synth and octave and pitch effects as well as distortion and tremolo325.
Controls and in the box
The bass version carries a mix control, a mix knob that blends the processed sound with the dry signal6. On the related Ultrawave Multiband Processor, Guitar World's reviewer Trevor Curwen listed the controls as an encoder knob, Output, a Select button, a control input switch and a Bypass footswitch, alongside shelving and high-pass options, a noise gate, a limiter and a tuner7.
The box includes:
- Pedal
- Mini USB to USB-A cable
- USB-A to USB-C adapter
- Quick reference card4
Source Audio's own product page for the Ultrawave Bass Distortion Lab listed the pedal as sold out as of October 25, 20264.
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Questions
What does the Source Audio Ultrawave Bass do?
It is a multiband processor: it splits the bass signal into ten separate frequency bands and lets you apply different effects to each band, including distortion, tremolo, compression, EQ and morphing. MusicRadar's reviewer described it as leaning into synth territory, with the potential for octave effects and brutal distortion.
Who makes the Ultrawave Bass and when did it come out?
It is made by Source Audio, whose president is Roger Smith, and was designed by the company's Chief Scientist Bob Chidlaw. Source Audio announced the Ultrawave Multiband Processor and the Ultrawave Multiband Bass Processor together on March 18, 2021.
How much does the Ultrawave Bass cost?
MusicRadar lists the price as $249 in the United States, with UK and European pricing of £249 and €269 also given in its review.
Sources (7)
- “A genuinely fun take on the classic distortion-slash-fuzz pedal”: Soma Laboratory Harvezi Hazze review, MusicRadar, 2025-04-28
- The Ultrawave Multiband Processor & Ultrawave Multiband Bass Processor Have Arrived!!!, Bass Gear Magazine, 2021-03-18
- “A versatile overdrive and a high-quality octaver, MusicRadar, 2025-07-11
- Ultrawave Bass Distortion Lab, Source Audio
- Source Audio Unveils the Ultrawave Multiband Processor, Premier Guitar, 2021-03-22
- Source Audio combines overdrive, fuzz and tremolo in "first of its kind" Ultrawave Multiband processor, Guitar World, 2021-03-18
- Source Audio EQ2 Ultrawave Multiband Processor review, Guitar World, 2021-11-12
