TC Electronic ND-1 Nova Delay

Resonably easy to use. Very good layout. Text isn't back-lite, so it's difficult to read in low light.

Note to the previous reviewer: THIS IS NOT A TRUE BYPASS pedal. The AD/DA converter runs all the time, whether the pedal is switched on or off. Don't believe me? Then unplug the power and see if your signal can be heard. It shuts the signal off. A true hard bypass design would not. I CHECKED WITH TC, AND ALTHOUGH SOME OF THEIR TECHS TELL PEOPLE IT'S DRY SIGNAL IS BUFFERED AND MIXED WITH THE DIGITAL, THAT'S INCORRECT. TC researched this and informed me that the dry analog signal is NOT mixed with the digital signal. When you have more than one AD/DA converter on all the time, you can forget about getting good tone. Try the Eventide (they have true hard bypass.) They the T-Rex Replica - it has both.

On a pro pedal, it should have hard bypass, and the dry signal should stay analog. Try the T-Rex Replica. It has both.

Its not hard, its not so simple, but tinker with it and you will figure it out. Manual is classic tc electronic, which is short and sweet.

WOW! For the first time in my life and I DO MEAN THE FIRST TIME, I have true bypass, YES, true bypass and for the first time in my life, YES I DO MEAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANYONE"S life the original tone is unaffected, just repeated!!!!!!!!!! I could not believe my ears. I had someone continuously switching the delay on and off whille I was palying and it was scary!!! The FEEL was exactly the same, the tone was exactly identical and I could not tell which signal was on until I held a note to hear the delay. Even very expensive older digital delays color the tone, in a good way of course, but this little thing DOES NOT!!!. Technology has changed and the time has arrived for uncolored tone during effect engagement. Even the great G-force's delays color the tone, but not this little bugger. The key is the MIX knob.Add too much and its like any other great dely, but decrease to taste and you will have perfection.I ran the new gibson robot guitar (unimaginable tone!), run through the loop of a Mesa Road King II head with 2x12 road King cab. I do not suugest using the presets since they are mainly for store auditioning with heaps of delay. Remember the MIX knob and you have the best delay money can buy. YOUR TONE WILL BE UNAFFECTED!!

I thought this thing was a piece of light plastic, but its a heavy piece of metallic bliss, thick and tank-like. I was fooled by the photos, wait till you touch this beast, its bomb proof!!!

Ive always had great relations with support with my G-force. they wew always helpful.

Buy it, play with it and its even better than the Eventide, cauz I played one and tha is the next best delay unit, but I felt and heard a differnce with my original tone and signal, but it still sounded great. But this peda wins hands down!!

It's a bit more complex than your average AD-9 of course, but the layout is pretty darn good and you need the manual only for the special control features, which are remembered pretty fast.

Editing and saving patches is a great plus for a delay unit, and the Nova Delay gives you the chance to save 9 patches, more than most other units in pedal-form. editing and saving is very easy, as it's layout is as a usual stompbox. the display is gold! finally you have a stompbox that let's you set the exact ms or bpm. although it's much easier to set all the other options with a digital readout!

Minus though is - no compare function. if set, it's set. the unit has no function to show you where you set it. a small dot or even arrows that show you where to to twist would be a great comfort and i am a bit disappointed that TC didn't think of that in a otherwise nearly perfect unit!

maybe this can be done in a firmware update, cos it's a real worthful feature!!!

Tap-Tempo is wonderful smooth and very good at the point. The switches are just great - some of the best i've seen/used. But - i think the unit is not true bypass. But if it does affect my tone, than in a very good way. The newly Audio-Tapping is a nice feature for faster taps - hold the tap-switch and play the tempo on the e-string - release - perfect! for normal use i prefer tap-tempo, but for faster taps this is topnotch!

The pedal has two modes: Preset and manual. Great thing! In manual the control knob settings make the sound, in preset of course the saved presets are available. it's easy to change from one to another. Tempo can be set global or for each preset!

A 9 here, 10 if it had a compare function!!!

This Delay Unit is about my fifth or sixth. I also own the Line 6 Echo Pro and the Roland SDE330 - both great units. Both got features i like, so it's hard to only use one delay unit. I still get to know the BEST Delay unit that's there...
The Nova Delay is near. Soundwise it's pretty much the best i heard. Very natural and dead-on. A Tone-Control let's you dial in more analog or digital sounds (and - tape - it says, but...) in a very good way. 3 modulation modes can be dialed in. they are great, although i wished, there was one preset for more phaser-like modulation (i think of Line6s sweep delay which i love!).
6 Delay-Modes are possible: Line Delay - normal Delay mode, Dynamic like in the TC2290, Reverse, Ping-Pong, Pan and Slap. I Think the modes are o.k., although i personally don't use the dynamic delay - is the hype too big for this or don't i get the hang of it?! idk. and - i think slapback delays sound better with delayline than with the slap function. therefor would be imho space for at least one other delay mode (maybe a sweep mode like L6 got - would be perfect for me :-). i know a lot of people like and need dynamic delay, though it's a good choice to include, if not for me.
Subdivision let's you choose - well subdivisions! Quarter notes, dotted eights, eights triplets, and combinations for left and right channels - which are great, but preset. Line6 let's you choose freely.
Of course the usual other controls are included - delay, feedback (it can selfoscillate but it's nothing compared to an analog delay of course), color, modulation and mix level.


Ah, of course it's true stereo!

I often play via headphone and i must say that - with the Nove Delay on, i often wakie up hours later still playing just the same lick and listen to the crisp and wonderfully natural ethereal sound!
Yes, soundwise it IS the best i heard until now!

Wonderful feature is: you have the option of 0 - 2290 ms, which means quite good modulations like stereo chorus/light flanger and superlong delays!


I still have to test the eventide timefactor, for it seems to be the only one who could outdo this unit in features (and sound?!).

I love the TC Nova Delay and it's just wonderful to play with!

Well, i don't know. TC's got a good reputation and it seems good built. The switches act great, but don't seem to be as sturdy as on other pedals, but i think that's just because they don't "click". ;-)
for live use it's fantastic, so i hope it's reliable too. i'm not the kinda guy who jumps on his stomps and lament about they're dead afterwards!

I e-mailed them and the answer came within a day. that's good!

I play almost everything, mostly ethereal stuff (love pink floyd, slowdive, flaming lips) for about 17 years.

I wish this unit would have a phased delay mode, like the Line6's sweep delay. And of course a COMPARE function, so you wouldn't have to write your settings down still!
I owned the following delay units: cheap ibanez delay from and in the 90ies - my first and o.k. all the time i played and didn't know all the others! Line6 DL4 - great delay presets and good sounding, even a small looper which was fun to play, but TC sounds much more natural, doesn't have volume drop and is easier to save and more settings (thrice). Roland SDE-330 - not easy to use but great to preset. just 16-bit which IS audible. otherwise one of the best! Line6 Echo Pro - great unit, super sounds, 100 presets or so. 1 minute looper midi and everything, BUT - not good controllable live (i don't like to have a midi-pedal the size of my usual pedal-board...)! Line6 Echo Park - great features in a small unit, but the sound is nothing compared to the echo pro. still, the TC Nova Delay sounds best!
I have to check for the timefactor, as it seems to have a phased delay modulation, you can choose subdivision for both channels the way you like it and you have two delays in one.

TC Nova Delay - nearly perfect!

You need to read the manual to know how to get this to really work and shine, but it does a good enough job and you can start creating some great sound with an hour or so of practice. With the LEDs, it's easy to see where you are at. You have a little tapping to do to pull off some live switches, but there are some nice features, like limiting delays to cycle through (3 instead of 9, so you can return to delay #1 in fewer stomps), and being able to hold the footswitch down and release when you want to change from manual to preset.

Truly awesome. I'm using this all over the place now as a doubler or reverb, if not in a traditional sense. The 3 modulation effects are subtle, yet distinct sounds which all have a chorus, flange, phaser-like sound, and can be varied in intensity. The color knob is outstanding, you can create a warm, smeared tape sound, to a smooth analog, and piercing digital sound. The mix level I haven't found much use for, other than for some trippy reverse sessions. Dynamic delay is a cool feature for those who play fast and don't want delay leaking all over a lead. Slapback is ok, need to experiment more with that. Subdivisions also add some nice variety for different synced delay. And it's all in stereo, with several effects like panning and different subdivisions on different channels.

The thing looks like it's built like a tank, it's lasted the week I've had it. Ask me again in a year.

I plead the 5th.

I've been playing metal, and I use it to create a more ominous effect and it does the trick. I was looking for a higher quality delay pedal and I'm very happy with what the store owner recommended to me. It was definitely worth the little extra I spent to upgrade my old DD-6. The main features I was interested in were good analog delay simulation, tap tempo, presets, and most importantly, preserving the almighty tone. I can switch the pedal on and off with little change in sound integrity. The only feature I wish it had was a hold function.

This is not a three knob overdrive stompbox. If thats all the pedal you want to wrap your head around then stay away. On the other hand, if you've ever tried to monkey with any type of digital interface, you'll find the controls very easy and intuitive. The large, easy to read display gives you an idea of whats going on. Yes, there are a fair number of knobs and buttons, but they offer a large amount of control over your delay sound (especially when compared to a DD-3 or other, simple line delays).

The sound is incredible. You can go from digital to analog to tape sounds and everything in between. Personally I like the warm modulated delays that add ambience rather than bounce back and hit you with a digital edge. You can get warm delays that many analog units can't touch, without all the noise and junky unreliable old parts. The digital sounds are there, but not for me. If you're into the delay sounds of your favorite guitar heroes (most of whom probably used / use a TC 2290) this is like having those sounds in a more compact package, and a very reasonable price. Use it in your effects loop. Blows Boss and line 6 delays out of the water as far as quality and sound are concerned, in my opinion. Also the bypass seems to have less effect on my sound than other delays.

This feels like a very high quality pedal, though time will tell.

I was researching rack delays because i wanted to achieve some delay sounds that just weren't coming out of DD-3 / 6's or line 6 delay. I was afraid that the only solution might be to pay big bucks for an old 2290 and haul that around from gig to gig. Thankfully TC came out with this box. It feels very high quality and can create really awesome sounding delays that I am very pleased with, and on top of that the price was much more reasonable and the box is small and portable, its great! There is also an eventide delay stompbox (timefactor). It is also no doubt very high quality, though it is more expensive and the interface seems a little bit more difficult to use, so it was hard for me to justify the extra cost.

very easy to use once you have read the manual.

wow! this thing is amazing! had lots of stuff including a keeley modded line6 dl4 but this thing blows it away.the quality of the delays is awsome and it is very quiet. no drop out as per line6 and some functions such as delay spill over are cool. you can get an eric johnson loop effect this way i.e play over echo repeat with a new patch etc

so far so good

i would say one of the best! a bargain at the price compared to the eventide timefactor and damagecontrol thing. one other cool thing is that my rothwellaudio stomp juice or voodoolab pedal power2 with power it ok as it needs a voltage of 12v as per boss asa adapters so you probably can get away with out the dedicated power supply! no drop in performance as i have compared it so keeps things bit neater on the floor

It's quite easy however there are some features that get activated like pushing and holding buttons for 2 or 4 seconds or hitting buttons in a certain sequence that you can't guess by just looking at the pedal front panel, so the manual is needed. The manual is good (you get it in the box or online in pdf).

however, for me, there are some major issues that limit the easyness...

1) when you turn any knob its value doesn't show immediately on the lcd screen but it shows up after some movement, about 1/10 of the total knob range. why??? There's very little precision and that makes it a hard work fine tuning the sounds.

2) and it's related to the previous question: is it not possible to see each knob value on the lcd for the active preset without moving the knobs, that is without changing the value!! So you can't go like "I want -4 value on feedback" because you don't know where you're starting from...that is pretty annoying and makes the set up a long work when it could be a snap.

ok I know this is a digital and programmable effect but usually there should be at least a led or a sign that should lit when the knob you're moving matches the stored value (that's what others do...) so at least you know where you're at. too bad...

i like the sound quality. no noise, can't hear any tone suck.
you can get just plain hi quality digital repeats or analog or tape like delays with or without mod styles (there are 3) that add some chorus like effect to the repeats. so basically you can get any type of delay you could imagine, from vintage to modern. wich is great (for that price too!).
my setup us fender eric johnson stratocaster with fender hot rod deville amp and various other boutique pedals.

it looks very well done and sturdy. I guess it'll lasts...

you can get FAQ and support online. don't know about phone or personal assistence yet.

I play pop-funk music. I've been playing for almost 20 years.

Other the 2 issues I wrote on the "easy of use" section, I don't particulary like the mix knob. at 0 you get your sound and no delay sound, at 100 you get only full delay sound and no dry signal. however the delay volume is already heavy at 20, so you normally would set your delay mix level between 5 and 15 (that's what I do) because over 20 you get A LOT of delay volume. I wonder who the heck could work with 50 or more mix level (unless you want 0 dry level to play maybe once in your life with the reverse delay...), that is completely unusefull.

However the pedal sounds very good and with lots of different sounds. for that price you can't have anything similar.

I wish it had some more precision on the knobs and the ability to show current values for all the knobs before moving them. Then it would be perfect.

Follow the manual & you wont have a problem. Getting great delays & saving them is very easy with the controls that TC has set-up. If you can handle a DL4 by Line-6 then this will be easy. Make sure you understand the global tap tempo (very cool feature) before saving or testing the set presets.

I've had a boss DD3 & a Line-6 DL4 as well as a Yamaha Magicstomp too. This beats them all in sound quality. There is no volume dip like a DL4 & I can get what I want set-up very fast. The color knob is the best feature (Tape, analog to digital) next to the global tap tempo setting. The mod style button adds pitch modulation to the repeates only (at 3 different levels). This sounds amazing when just added to the repeates only. I can get all my "Luke" type delays & it sounds great in true stereo too. This thing is great for those Andy Timmons type delays that duck behinde while playing and get louder after you stop.

Seems very sturdy & time will tell.

Have not called them so I don't know.

I got a great deal & I usually can tell in the 1st hour if it's going to be a keeper or not. I'm still trying to love my DL4 based on all my friends love affair with them. The sounds are the best I've ever heard from a pedal next to the Magicstomp. The interace seems very friendly & I will use it in a band situation very soon. This will be the final test. 9-saved presets, a quick set-up where you only access 3 for performance mode & global tap tempo for under $250 & a name like TC ? Priceless !

Definatley a simple interface.

Superb.

Just got it but c'mon its a TC

I have been waiting for this unit to come out as a alternative to the DL4 and DD-20. It's cheaper, got more programmable delays and sounds great. The only thing this doesn't have that both the DD-20 and DL4 do is looping. But seeing as I already have a loop station that does much more than the two delay pedals, I have no use for that feature. If you want great delay at a great price from a great brand, I'd suggest this pedal

Took a few minutes to learn the basics...fairly easy.
actually should be a 9.5, but it's either 9 or 10.

Stunning Delays. I have a TC2290 in my studio along with an array of SDD vintage Korg rack units and SDE rack units...so I do know a great sounding delay unit. I was looking for a delay that would come close to the phenominal TC2290...well, TC did it. This Nova ND-1 delay pegs it so close you'd have to be numb in the brain to miss it.
The delays are very warm and so adjustable..you can change the modulation type and the delay type..tap tempo..on & on, yet you can get what you want without much hassle.
I use Mesa, Fender, Gibson LP's, Wolfgang USA's & JSX.

The delays w/modulation are something I could play for hours and not get bored..honestly.
The TC Electronic ND-1 Nova Delay is dead quiet without even a hint of noise even on the delays.
I could emulate David Evans (U-2) to a tee. I own a TC Vintage Delay and it is stellar, but this is the same stellar tones with way more adjustment and a LCD screen that has these awesome huge numbers so you know where your tempo is at...that is cool.
I wish there was a 9.9 to rate with, but we're stuck with 9 or 10..so I'm gonna give it a 10. I don't believe anybody can top this footpedal delay for a very very long time. It is destined to be on top.

TC stuff lasts very long. Never had one problem with their gear.

Never needed them.

I play Rock style music in a large church worship band.

I've been playing for 30+ years and professionally for 20.
I have a studio loaded with great gear..
TC2290, SDD3000, SDD-2000, SDE3000, SDE2500, GT-PRO, Mackie 1640, Gibson LP's, Wolfgang USA's, Mesa Boogie, Fender Cyber w/412, JSX w/412, Crate, Yamaha Motif..etc etc.
I would replace this immediately if stolen.

I love the tone of this unit..it doesn't steal any tone it just repeats your sound with what you tell it to..
The Dynamic Delay is tremendous, yet does slab back etc just swueet.

I compared it to the TC2290 and the TC Vintage Delay (I own both) and this was right on tier with both and that's quite a mark to achieve!!

This will definately be a music 'making' tool..very inspiring.

OK..NOW WE'RE DONE WITH THE QUESTIONS...THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED.

I RECEIVED THIS NOVA ND-1 LAST WEEK AND DIDN'T ANY TIME TO CHECK IT OUT..I WENT TO PLAY THURSDAY NIGHT AND PULLED IT OUT AND COULDN'T BELIEVE I HAD GREAT DELAYS COMING OUT IN LIKE 2 MINUTES.. BEFORE WE STARTED WE DID A SHORT RUN THROUGH OF A COUPLE TUNES...I COULDN'T BELIEVE THERE WASN'T A TC2290 SITTING THERE..IT SOUNDS THAT CLOSE.
I GET COMMENTS OFTEN ABOUT MY TONE, BUT 6 DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO ARE BASICALLY MUSICAL GENIUSES OR CLOSE CAME UP TO ME AND COMMENTED ABOUT THE TONE AND THE AWESOME DELAY SOUND I HAD..I SHOWED THEM THE NEW ND-1 AND THEY WERE LIKE...WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?..SINCE IT'S A NEW PRODUCT.

I WOULD SAY GO BUY ONE BEFORE THEY RUN OUT OF THEM.

THE TC ELECTRONICS ND-1 NOVA DELAY IS STUNNING AND WORTH EVERY CENT.