GEAR REVIEW
SOURCE AUDIO ENCOUNTER PEDAL | Michael Hodge
• Stereo In / Out
• 128 Memory Presets
• Universal Bypass / Analog Dry Through
• Four New & Six Updated Engines
• Dedicated Footswitches
• Six Delay and Six Reverb Algorithms
• New Soundcheck App
Boston-based Source Audio is known for creating innovative, high-quality pedals. They excel at devising creative solutions to make complex pedals accessible in a simple, easyto-understand, and user-friendly format. Their latest pedal, and follow-up to the fantastic Artifakt, is called the Encounter. It combines ethereal reverbs and creative modern delay algorithms that excel in ambient vibes and contemporary sounds.
OUT OF THE BOX:
FEATURES
Encounter comes with a QR code for instructions and registration, as well as a link to download the Neuro 3 App, featuring its new SoundCheck feature. Encounter weighs in at one pound. It comes in a square, brushed aluminum enclosure. It’ s bigger than a typical individual pedal, but since it has two complete engines, it saves space. Each side has two ¼-inch in / out jacks and standard MIDI 5-pin jacks. You can control a wide range of MIDI functions with PC and CC messages. On the back are a mini control input, a switchable expression / Input control ¼-inch TRS jack, and a 9V DC input that requires 300 mA. It’ s very high-tech.
The Top of the pedal features a central knob that selects between the six Delay algorithms on the Left( Purple) and the six Reverb algorithms on the right( Turquoise). Six more knobs control Delay, Mix, Feedback, Tone, Control 1, and Control 2. Two 3-way mini switches control delay divisions on the left, and on the right, there are options for editing Delay, Reverb, or Lock position. The Lock position protects the knobs in case your foot accidentally touches them while playing live. That’ s a great feature.
Below are two-foot switches with LEDs that independently turn on either delay or reverb, with the delay switch turning into a tap if needed. Between them is a convenient mini selector with four presets( or eight in Preset Extension Mode), and saving presets is as easy as holding down the selector button. There are a total of 128 presets, with more features available via MIDI and the Neuro App.
68 October 2025 Subscribe for Free...