# Roger Smith

> Roger Smith is the co-founder of Source Audio, the Massachusetts effects-pedal company whose products range from the Hot Hand motion controller to delay, reverb, synthesizer and equalization pedals. A former Analog Devices audio executive, he has combined semiconductor expertise with musician feedback and a personal enthusiasm for live performance. He was identified as CEO and co-founder in the July 2026 Ernie Ball acquisition announcement.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-Founder at Source Audio (identified in July 2026 acquisition announcement)
- **Organizations:** Source Audio LLC, Analog Devices, Inc.
- **Education:** New York University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Source Audio and helped bring Hot Hand motion control to guitar and bass effects., Co-authored a technical presentation on the SA601 system-on-chip with Analog Devices engineer Thomas Irrgang., Led Source Audio through development of a catalog recognized by specialist music-equipment publications.

## Career timeline

- **Before Source Audio** — Worked at Analog Devices for nearly 20 years, including directing audio and video products.
- **2005** — Company formation dated January 2005 in the Effects Database timeline attributed to Roger Smith.
- **2006** — Source Audio introduced Hot Hand at Winter NAMM; the company uses 2006 as its founding and anniversary year.
- **2011** — Discussed customer service, product development and the difficulty of making the wireless Hot Hand in an Effects Database interview.
- **2016** — Source Audio released the Nemesis Delay; Smith discussed the Analog Devices partnership and making powerful pedals simpler to use.
- **2017** — Described bass effects as underserved and outlined work on a dual-DSP reverb architecture in a Pedais e Efeitos interview.
- **2022** — Company named Ray Maxwell CEO and announced Smith would remain involved as chairman, including product development and community engagement.
- **2026** — Named CEO and co-founder in the Ernie Ball acquisition announcement and assigned a role supporting the transition.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Source Audio and helped bring Hot Hand motion control to guitar and bass effects.
- Co-authored a technical presentation on the SA601 system-on-chip with Analog Devices engineer Thomas Irrgang.
- Led Source Audio through development of a catalog recognized by specialist music-equipment publications.
- Helped bring Source Audio into the Ernie Ball family in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Contributed a reflection on innovation to Source Audio’s twentieth-anniversary history.
- **2026-07** — Ernie Ball announced its acquisition agreement on July 8, identifying Smith as CEO and co-founder and outlining his transition responsibilities. Source Audio’s current About page states that it was acquired in 2026.
- **2026-07** — Source Audio republished Smith’s 2022 Billy Strings concert essay; the July 2026 listing is a republication, not a new concert report.

## Links

- Website: https://sourceaudio.net/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-smith-7588b0177

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/roger-smith
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21