TC Electronic NM-1 Nova Modulator

The dials are easy to use and understand. Saving presets is actually easy and ingenious; you just have to hold the preset button until it flashes. Nice. Most things are clear or easy to find in the manual.

But this was where the fun ended. the real problem here is with switching presets. You have to hit the tempo foot switch - then as quickly as you can! - hit the on/off foot switch! This is supposed to change the on/off switch to "move up" through the presets. You're lucky if this works half the time. Usually I just wound up turning the effect on or off.

And how do you make the presets "go down"? Well, I'm glad you asked: you have to hit the tempo switch, then rapidly hit the on/off, then the tempo switch again! Got it? I didn't think so. This right here is a deal-killer. What idiot thought a tempo tap switch was more important than a preset switch on a modulation pedal? How often do you really give a damn if you chorus or flange is in tempo with the band? Their preset paradigm is a MAJOR mistake, and will relegate this pedal to the dustbin on history, mark my words!

So I was using this with my American Fender VG Strat, with Seymour Duncan pickups, plugged into a Dual Rectifier with a 4x12. I play in a an alternative rock/pop band, using mostly clean-to-overdriven sounds. I'm a real child of the 80's, so that means lots of chorus, delay and compression. I'm VERY picky about chorus, and I was really hoping that TC's reputation for chorus/flanger was going to translate to this unit. I also wanted to save some money and pedal board space by getting a modulation solution. I use mostly chorus, but it's nice to have flange and phase when you need it.

So good things: the pedal is QUIET. Amazingly so. You simply cannot tell when it's on unless you're playing. Beautiful. This thing oozes of quality. All the effects sounded quite good, except noted below...

The bad things: the chorus sucks, and I mean SUCKS! It sounds like a flanger, very "wooshy", no matter what you do. And it sounds rather "slapback-y" too, like you're hearing it through a funnel. Bad, bad, bad. Easily one of the worst choruses I've ever used. Period. Do not buy this for chorus.

This thing is durable and very high quality. I had no problems with it (in our short relationship) and don't think I ever would. Too bad it doesn't sound good.

Didn't deal with support. It's going back to the shop.

This was a major disappointment. I love TC's products, but sometimes they just over-think things and a good product is hampered by technicalities. The preset switching paradigm is a DISASTER. It's something that the customer could compromise with at best, and I think virtually everyone will return this because of that alone. And the chorus just isn't good. I'm beginning to doubt the legends about their insanely over-priced Chorus/Flanger pedal too because of this...

I was able to get multiple cool settings out of each modulation type. The Bank vs Preset mode will make you crazy and I think the manual is incorrect in a few places. I set it up with 5 pairs of preset patches and that will be all I need. THe other modes are too complex to configure. LFO sync and many other features don't seem to do what I want them to do with one or both channels. A relatively confusing unit

Fender American Strat and Epi Les Paul through Dunlop 535Q into a Fender Twin Amp. The effects loop has the NM1 and ND1. I use the reverb in the amp itself.

Not noisy at all.

I like the Tremolo and phaser a lot. I'm still getting used to the choruses - kinda tinny sounding - maybe I need to keep editing. THe flanger was hard to get "that sound", but I eventually turned enough knobs to get it. I like the vibrato when subtly applied.

Seems solidly built

No opinion

I like the small size of the unit. I play Christian music - but we incorporate all styles of music - rock, country, blues, jazz, ...

Been playing for 40 years.

If it were lost, I might look around again at alternatives. As I said, the chorus sounds sounds tinny - not rich.

I also have a completely different setup of separate modulation pedals and I like the simplicity of kicking an effect on or off and having separate knobs for each effect. But this NM1 is very portable and quiet by comparison.

The switch quality is excellent - no snapping - just quiet

What I dislike - too many functions that require presseing a know for 1 second or pressing it quickly or pressing multiple knows in sequence relatively quickly - It's a real dance show sometimes.

It's basically like using an analog pedal with preset storage capability. The manual could be better - there are some functions that are poorly covered in the manual.

It sounds closer to a digital modulator than an analog modulator pedal, although the ability to program presets is the main reason to purchase this pedal.

So far so good, although the footswitch preset select function doesn't work properly all of the time. It's hit-or-miss whether I can change presets via the footswitches.

I submitted a question to their customer support a couple of days after I purchased the pedal asking if I'm using the "footswitch preset select" function incorrectly to determine if I have a bad pedal, the design is faulty, or it's user error. After 5 weeks all I get is an automated response saying that they are busy and will get to my question.

This is the worst customer service I've received from an FX vendor in over 25 years. I caution those thinking about buying a TC Electronic pedal to consider that if there's something wrong with it YOU WON'T GET ANY SUPPORT FROM THIS VENDOR.

I've been playing for over 25 years. I've used both analog and digital modulator effects. These days I was just looking for something that's easy to set up and has presets. I would have gone for the Eventide unit if it were cheaper.

Based on the poor customer support and the preset select feature not working, I recommend not buying this product.

This product is pretty straight foreward if you understand the way multi-effects are structured and how to scroll through settings. Someone who is used to simply analog units would benefit from reading the manual. In fact, because there are so many features, any user would benefit from at least quickly parousing through it. The knobs are very interactive and involve a fair bit of tweaking to get the sound you would like.

Here is an outline of the controls depth, speed, time/filter, shape/feed, effect, variation, manual, LFO sync, presed, On/Off, tap tempo.

There are 3 things which I would like to highlight that will make use easier:
1)When tweaking each effect to taste, the time/filter, shape/feed and variation buttons can be your best fried. These adjust the shape of the wave form. They can smooth out something that sounds too digitally (like one of the other reviewers mentioned) or strengthen something that sounds too weak (like was also mentioned). If the effect is still to week in depth or intensity after this, simply engage the second effect engine and set it to the same effect.

2)The limitation of effects presets available to the amound you are using for a given gig is important. This can prevent issues that may occur if you can't find the patch you seek. Page 30 of the manual explains how to do this. Stemming deeper than this, it is important to program the unit before gigging with it.

The LFO-SYNC button can provide some really useful additions but also some really annoying sounds depending on the combination of effects desired. This feature synchronizes the two effects, making them work together.


3) I would suggest keeping all of your existing modulation units if you have any that you like the sounds on as a means for programming. This was really helpful for me. I had a bunch of favorite settings on my Boss Ce2, Ibanez Fl9, Boss Tr2,and Phase 90 which I was able to duplicate with enough precision to make me take all of those pedals out of my pedalboard.

-->Warning: make sure you practice scrolling between presets with your feet as this can take some getting used to and you may find yourself doing it with your finger for a while.

My Setup:
Guitars: I use a variety of guitars including 3 Telecasters (Original 72 with lake placid blue finish, Mexican 50s in Mary Kay Blonde - replaced pickguard for tortoise shell and swapped the pickups for Rio-Grande's, and a G&L ASAT Classic 3), a G&L Legacy, a Gretsch 6120 and a Godin Artisan St.

Pedals: Chain follows -->Fulltone Clyde Standard, Keeley 808 Vintage, Fulltone Fulldrive 2 Mosfet, Fulltone GT-500, OCD, Xotic BB + Plus, Keeley Compressor, Phase 90 74 Vintage (modded to add adaptor operation and a green LED), Arion SCF mod from prosound communications, TC Nova Modulator, TC Nova Delay, Boss TU2.
At home: Keeley Ts9dx Flexi, Keeley Ad9, Fulltone '69, Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz.

Amps: Currently using a Vox AC30 CC1 with Celestion Alnico Gold speaker, Fender 59 Bassman RI, 72 Traynor Guitar Mate (22 watt el84 powered amp with closed back cab and alnico speaker).

Is it noisy?

Not at all. This thing is dead quiet. If I'm not playing, guitar's volume opened, and aside from the effected signal on some of the more severe effects, you can't tell if it's on or off. There is no background hum at all.

Are the effects weak or do they always sound great?

Well in the music store I thought they sounded great, then, when I got home, I thought they sounded digital and sterile. This was not enough for me. I was not willing to believe that this was it. This was when I pulled out my analog effects and drew comparisons. From this I was able to tweak the features to come very close to their counterparts (if not better sounding). Tweaking this pedal is very important. It can sound great, but it takes some time and effort.

I decided to keep my Arion Chorus for the sound I use it for (kind of a Jazz organ sound) and my Phase 90 74 vintage for now. I am using the Nova for Chorus, Tremolo, Vibrato and Flange right now. I may remove the Phase 90 too because the Nova can pull off a surprisingly good copy. The only reason I havn't is that I just got it back from my guitar tech with the mods and havn't had time to spend with it yet.

The setting I find myself tweaking constantly is the Chorus because I am used to Boss Chorus pedals. This Chorus is in the same family as the TC SCF and they are not the same. It will just take some getting used to. The Tc line of choruses is more sophisticated sounding in my opinion. It contains more intricacies.

I would gig without a backup for sure. This thing contains solid construction. I must stress that unless you know how to use it, I would not gig with it, however. Issues scrolling between presets can occur if you havn't figured out the hands-free way of doing this.

What Style of music to you play?

I play a mixture of different kinds of rock (including classic, alternative, heavy), blues, country, funk, Jazz, and some latin. I'm a bit of a camelion guitarist. I have played with a lot of different kinds of bands. For my repetoire, this pedal suits me well. It is a diverse,compact,and tweakable device.

How long have you been playing?
I have been playing for 13 years and am now almost 25. I am a bit of an audiofile. I have studied by myself and with lessons and consider myself at the pro level.

If it were lost or stolen would you buy it again?
Yes if it were now. If something better were to come out, I would have to investigate that at the time.

Best/Worst Features?
The things I like best are the realistic rendition of classic tones, the compactness and most of all, the tap tempo, which is so important, especially when doing off the cuff numbers at a gig.
I like the least the way it switches between presets via foot control. Now that I figured it out, it's ok, but before that, I was having a lot of trouble and constantly having to bend over and switch manually.

Did you compare it to other products?
I compared it to the Evendide Mod Factor, Line 6 Modulator and various individual stomp boxes. If you have more room on your pedalboard, you may want to consider, but this thing is dead practical, it sounds great and has a tap tempo. Why waste pedalboard real estate if you don't have to?

Does it help you make music?
Absolutely! This thing, especially when combined with my nova delay, creates excellent soundscapes that I will be using on my up and coming record. I just have to find a drummer and a studio that I like (I'm really picky =P).

This product features things you can't get on individual stomp boxes that can enhance your creativity. I especially like the tap tempo and LFO SYNC for creating great rhythm tracks. I have really been enjoying using it.

Relatively easy if you read the manual. Editing patches is simple and straight forward.

Used with a Fender Strat into A Fender Blues Deville 410 combo. Noise was not a factor. The effects seemed to be a bit weak for my taste, therefore it's going back tomorrow. I have tried it for almost 3 weeks but my Dunlop Phase 90, TC Electronic SCF pedal and Boss VB2 vibrato just gives a much better sound.

Seems to be very sturdy. I actually have the TC Nova Delay on my board which I love. I've had it for almost a year so I thought the Nova Modulator would be equally as great. I didn't like having to tap dance to get to the modulating effect I wanted.

What support. I called 3 weeks ago and left a voice message. Never did receive a call back. I e-mailed them this morning so we'll see how long, if ever, that takes.

I play contemporary christian and have been playing for 40 years. I've had just about any pedal you can think of at one time or another, but currently use a Barber Tone Press, Xotic RC and AV Booster, Boss VB-2 vintage virbato, TC Electronic SCF stereo chorus flanger, TC Nova Delay and a Morley Wah, all on a Pedal Train Pedal board with a BBE Supa Charger power supply.

This pedal is fairly easy and yet not so easy to use. Sure you can plug in and run thru the presets to get an idea of what it can do, but to reallly know all the ins and outs you're going to have to refer to the manual. How to use the bank mode? What the variation button does for each effect? Look at the manual. The manual is fairly well written. Not great, but it does tell you how to use each function and what it does. Doing some of the cool things you can do like getting some off time stutter effects with dual tremelos, you gotta spend some time tweaking the knobs.

It's pretty amazing all the things they crammed into this pedal, but it takes some time to learn it all and really get to know what settings work and what don't.

This pedal can do some pretty cool sounds that I've never been able to get from any other pedal. Overall though, I don't care for the digitalness (is that a word) of the sound. Especially when using two effects at once. It can sound really digital and hollow. The tri-chorus is really nice for clean sounds, but sounds too digital for my taste with distortion. I guess I'm an analog guy at heart. I mean the pedal sounds amamzing and I'm sure I will find many uses for it, but I don't love it. In fact, for most effects, I prefer the sound I get from my Line6 MM-4 over this pedal.

Not sure yet. I've had other TC products and they've always been great in this department. I have a TC Nova delay and that has been great so hopefully this will just as reliable.

I've only dealt with them thru email. They have always been responsive to questions about their products. Many years ago I had a TC SCF that had a chip go bad and they sent me a replacement chip for a reasonable price.

Overall I think this pedal is nice, but not mind boggling. In the back of my mind I had kind of hoped I could combine a flanger and a chorus and create a sound that reminded me of Alex Lifeson's sound on the live album Exit Stage Left. The result however was too digital for me and didn't have all that watery washed out quality that he gets on that album. Yes, I know I'm weird, but I love that sound.

The ability to do two effects and sync the LFOs is unique and yields some interesting sounds. Overall the effects are good and very clean. You can use this pedal for pretty much anything (guitar, vocals, whatever) and retain sound quality. I have not tried this pedal in a live situation so I can't comment on that. I will definitely keep it and use it for recording. I like it alot, but I don't love it.

Very Easy as Multieffects units go. There are the usual knobs you control modulation effects with - if you know the effects, you know almost for sure what those knobs do - if not, the manual is very well written and explains everything very good!
That said - there's a lot to explain here! Every effect's got minimum one variation that sometimes changes the sound of the modul dramatically. So - read the manual!
Manual is also needed to describe some of the more unusual addings from TC to this pedal. Even if you may be a lucky owner of the Nova Delay (as i am), the Modulator is upgraded in some functions like scrolling up AND down the menue via footswitches, or the fantastic option to have a Preset mode AND a Bank mode! This means, that you have not just 9 presets as said in the ads, in fact you have 27 presets you can save. 2 x 9 in Bank mode and 9 in Preset mode. Manual mode is inactive in Bank mode, but here you have accessability to two Preset per bank only via holding the bypass switch! Great feature!
The best feature off course is the dual enginge design! Really revolutionary! You can cascade two effects in series which can result in really great, sometimes ill sounds!
One major thing is to play this in stereo of course!
Setting, combining and saving effects is pretty easy - only flaw here in bank mode - if you're fiddling on preset on bank one and save this and then want to save a just slightly different sound on bank two, it won't work. You are only able to change and save the before choosen bank-preset. As soon as you change the bank-preset from one to the other, the preset is of course loaded and the knob-settings are gone - there should be an option to choose the bankpreset on which you want to save settings via the saving operation like press save, then scroll thru the bankpresets and press save again. Would've been easy i guess and yet worthfully.

Setup changes that often, not worth mentioning. Mostly i play Ibanez Blazer guitars. Phasers, Wahs and Delay are my forever and always in chain devices! Although i'm very fond of thru-zero-flanging and combining modulation effects with tremolos/panners!

This pedal is kinda noisy, which bewilders me, coz i own a few more TC pedals and they are all the quietest i have played! (but all others are analogue, so maybe it's got something to do with that).
Noise is not too bad, but it's there and with gain pedals on it's not nice. Also it's very digital noise... Not the usual swirl of a phaser/flanger or the throb of a tremolo...

The overall sounds are very good in my opinion. Tremolo is especially great done! Great options within! The Flangers are great too - not too digital - and thru-zero sounds fantastic - could be a little bit more "dialable". It's just there or is not... but great for live use.

One word for USE: i think some of the flaws, like the low noise are not that bad because this unit was done for live use. It's good accessible, got enough preset-memory and sounds great!

ONE MAJOR THING i'm missing, and i still can't understand, that TC didn't think of such a easy thing: there is no PANNER inside! I mean - the most effects are stereo and sound great in a stereo image, but with a dual enginge design it would have been absolutely great to have the option of a Panner. Maybe within the Tremolo as second effect (like TZF is a second effect within the Flanger). Everytime i play this pedal i still wonder why no panner... Imagine, you could clone a Flying Pan with this one (nearly) perfectly - at least for live use! Also a panned Flanger would absolutely Rock!
TC can you hear me... is there no chance to update this!???

Back to the good things - switching and Tap Tempo!
As on the Nova Delay, the switches are some of the best i worked with! absolutely noiseless and good acting!
When switching on or between the banks, there's as good as none volume/tone change (of course there is on extreme flanger or phaser settings, but...).
Tap Tempo is great and you can trim both engines to your tempo with LFO-sync! Great feature as well, BUT - it would be great, if you could tap the tempo for both engines without changing their waveforms: i mean two phasers with shifted cycles can sound absolutely fantastic, but when you LFO sync them, not only the speed but the cycles are synced. That's a bit lame...
The socalled revolutionary audio tapping feature is not included here - can't understand that too, cos i found it practical sometimes!

Vibrato's got a great ramp-function, which could be useful within the other effects aswell. at least phaser, flanger and tremolo!

Tremolo can be set to a rhythmic increment such as Quarter, Dotted Eight an so on - great feature!

All in all - great sounds in a great usable box, but NO PANNER, and the LFO syncing should only act on speed!

I own the Nova Delay for about four months now. The two pedals seem build exactly the same. I think they are well done - i will gig with them without a backup - can't afford that.

TC support is always helpful. i now and then had questions about other stuff and they where helpful and nice. and most of the time fast!
anyway - they didn't answer my question about the missing panner. but what can they say... it is not an updateable pedal, so the panners just not there :-)

I play very different styles of music and therefor can use a good multimodulation effect for gigs! i also owned the MM4, which has very good effects (over all the great flying pan! and biphase), but has a very bad volumedrop/boost on different effects and has only 3 presetbanks! for about 10 effects a bit lame!

Better here in the NM-1: 27 Presetbanks - 9 or 18 directly accessable! Sounds are great and best of all: dual engine! as i said, i miss the panner as it would be great to "build" up different famous pedals like flying pan/leslie sim/panned flanger.
I play stereo so i can get all the good stuff out of this pedal!

The sounds are sometimes a little bit tame compared to analog pedals, but i think there never will be a digital pedal that you can compare to the grit and soul of an analogue! and that's just as good! :-)

for live use it's fantastic - now i only need one modulation device again! The MM4 i will keep - for recording - some effects are really great done, but live the NM-1 will be a keeper i think! Maybe with a panner pedal and sometimes a second analogue phaser!

Great pedal - but NOT final modulation solution, presumed, TC will update the few flaws in this pedal!