The Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion is a distortion pedal. Close alternatives include the Zvex Machine and the Fairfield Circuitry The Unpleasant Surprise. It pairs well with the Hiwatt DR103H and the Hiwatt Custom DR20H.
Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion
Unknown brand · pedal
The Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion is a digital multi-band distortion pedal that splits the guitar signal into ten separate frequency bands, distorts each independently, and recombines them, producing unusually crisp, clear distortion with sturdy attack and note articulation that stays defined even under heavy saturation, unlike a typical single-stage distortion circuit. Its range covers everything from heavily saturated fuzz to unusual, synth-like textures, and a distinct Foldback algorithm generates a fresh kind of distortion that is noisy yet musical, with both squishy and edgy overtones. Guitarist Adrian Belew has praised it as one of the best distortion pedals ever made. It suits experimental and progressive players wanting genuinely unusual, clear, multi-textured distortion beyond standard fuzz or overdrive.
- distortion
- synth
- digital
- frequency
- noisy
- overtone
- modern
- clarity
Genres the Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion is commonly used in
- Rock
- Jazz
- Experimental
- Metal
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Noise Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion
Hiwatt DR103H
Hiwatt
34% matchHiwatt DR103H is voiced for Marshall-style amps — Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion gives it exactly that
Hiwatt Custom DR20H
Hiwatt
34% matchSource Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion leans into Marshall-style amps, precisely the platform Hiwatt Custom DR20H wants
Magnatone Super Fifteen 15W Head
Magnatone
tonal matchMagnatone Super Fifteen 15W Head tightens a saturated tone's low end
Magnatone Super Fifteen 15W 1x12 Combo
Magnatone
tonal matchRun fuzzy into Magnatone Super Fifteen 15W 1x12 Combo for more modulated on top
Traynor BB115
Traynor
tonal matchTraynor BB115 tightens a saturated tone's low end
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Legacy 410 tightens a saturated tone's low end
Pedals that stack with the Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion
Z.Vex Super Hard On
Zvex
20% matchZ.Vex Super Hard On's own clean boost character is the real reason this is worth trying
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss
19% matchBoss BD-2 Blues Driver leans toward dynamic, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Caroline Guitar Company Parabola State Tremolo
Caroline Guitar Company
17% matchKeep Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion's pristine voice out front: Caroline Guitar Company Parabola State Tremolo goes after Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion in the signal chain so its clean boost voice doesn't muddy it
Wampler Cory Wong
Wampler
16% matchWhat Wampler Cory Wong brings here leans toward clean boost — that's worth building a pairing around
Cusack Music Delay TME
Cusack Music
15% matchKeep Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion's pristine voice out front: Cusack Music Delay TME goes after Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion in the signal chain so its tight voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Hungry Robot The Borderland
Hungry Robot
13% matchRun Hungry Robot The Borderland after Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion in the signal chain, clear of Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Laney TI-Boost
Laney
tonal matchLaney TI-Boost's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion delivers it
Mooer Flex Boost
Mooer
tonal matchSource Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Mooer Flex Boost wants
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Zvex Machine
Zvex
72% similarityShared character: mono_synth, noise, signal_chain
Fairfield Circuitry The Unpleasant Surprise
Fairfield Circuitry
72% similarityShared character: mono_synth, one_octave, noise
Death By Audio Octave Clang
Death By Audio
72% similarityShared character: one_octave, noise, smooth
Beetronics Swarm Fuzz Harmonizer
Beetronics
72% similarityShared character: pedal, mono_synth, one_octave
Rainger FX Air Space Invader 2
Rainger Fx
71% similarityShared character: pedal, mono_synth, noise
Beetronics Vezzpa
Beetronics
71% similarityShared character: one_octave, noise, signal_chain
Pigtronix Disnortion Micro
Pigtronix
71% similarityShared character: one_octave, noise, fuzz
EarTech Earthquaker Devices Data Corrupter Modulated Monophonic
Eartech
71% similarityShared character: complex_chords, mono_synth, one_octave
Horizon Devices Precision Drive
Horizon Devices
71% similarityShared character: pedal, signal, jazz
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
71% similarityShared character: versatile_sound, noise, smooth
EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander
EarthQuaker Devices
70% similarityShared character: mono_synth, one_octave, aggressive_playing
Death By Audio Crossover Fuzz Dual-Band Fuzz
Death By Audio
70% similarityShared character: noise, aggressive_playing, fuzz
See all alternatives to the Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion?+
The closest matches in character are the Zvex Machine, the Fairfield Circuitry The Unpleasant Surprise, the Death By Audio Octave Clang.
What pairs well with the Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Hiwatt DR103H, Hiwatt Custom DR20H, Magnatone Super Fifteen 15W Head — Hiwatt DR103H is voiced for Marshall-style amps — Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion gives it exactly that.