The Collision Devices Nocturnal is a three-in-one multi-effects pedal that puts a delay, a tremolo and a reverb in one hand-built box. The three sections are named Dusk, Night and Dawn: Dusk is a modulated delay based on a tape delay circuit, Night is a dynamic tremolo that reacts to how hard you pick, and Dawn is a shimmer reverb. Each section has its own footswitch, so the effects can be used together or separately12.
Collision Devices pitches it at players who want ambient textures in a single box: "Create ambient textures or wonderful leads with its ambient effects and filters to make them alive through your mix"3. The pedal follows the three-in-one layout of the maker's earlier Black Hole Symmetry delay/reverb/fuzz, and the company later extended the idea again with the Crushturnal4.
The three effects: Dusk, Night and Dawn
Dusk is the delay side. Collision Devices describes it as a "warmed and inspirational delay based on a tape delay circuit"1. Delicious Audio called it "a vintage echo with fluttery modulation reminiscent of tape echo units," and Pedal of the Day noted that the signal quality turns lo-fi when pushed to long repeats, "creating that classic analog sound"46. The Feedback knob controls the number of repetitions and, in the maker's words, is "able to self oscillate very easily when the knob is around 7.5"1.
Night is the tremolo, and it is the pedal's most unusual section because it responds to your picking. Delicious Audio described it as responding "to the velocity of your playing by increasing in speed the harder you pick, creating a very dynamic and musical effect"6. Pedal of the Day put it more simply: the tremolo can be subtle when you play lightly, or heavy and pulsing as your playing gets heavier4. Feeding it shimmer and reverb from the Dawn section makes it oscillate faster6.
Dawn is the shimmer reverb. Pedal of the Day found it "produces a shimmer reverb, complete with bright soundscapes," and it can go up to 100% wet46. The maker's own line for it: "Create bright soundscapes and loose the notion of time until the sunrise"6.
The controls
Each section has its own knob set, and each footswitch hides a momentary or trails function on a long push27.
| Section | Knob | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Dusk | Time | Sets the time between repetitions, from a few ms to 1 full second4 |
| Dusk | Feedback | Number of repetitions; self-oscillates easily around 7.51 |
| Dusk | Modulation | Amount of modulation in the repeats, an old tape effect1 |
| Dusk | Mix | Full dry or 50% dry / 50% wet1 |
| Night | Sensibility | Turn clockwise to make the tremolo more sensitive to your attack1 |
| Night | Depth | Controls the tremolo's volume1 |
| Dawn | Reverb | Reverberation time, up to 15 seconds4 |
| Dawn | Shimmer | Makes the reverb shimmer1 |
The long-push functions are worth learning:
- Dusk: feedback self-oscillation while the footswitch is held1
- Night: tremolo overspeed while the footswitch is held1
- Dawn: trails, letting you play dry signal under the shimmer trails1
Power and connections
Collision Devices covers the Nocturnal with a lifetime warranty8. The pedal is sold through the maker's shop, which notes that its pedals are already stocked in regional hubs so buyers are not waiting on international shipping from France3.
The maker lists the Nocturnal's size as 119 x 116 x 56 mm and its weight as 700 g8, so it takes up a similar footprint to a compact multi-effect pedal when planning board space.
The Nocturnal is true bypass, so with all three sections off your signal passes through untouched8.
History and limited editions
The Nocturnal began as a one-off custom order for the guitarist and artist Noli. Collision Devices then built it as a limited edition run with custom artwork by Noli himself, launched in December 202125. Pedal of the Day reported that only 30 of those first units were made4. In June 2022 the pedal entered full production as a standard-range model at €332.50 with a lifetime warranty38.
Along the way there have been several limited versions, including the Nocturnal LTD "June" made with Le cheveu blanc, plus "Prune," "Rose," "Céleste," Pink, Mirror Polished and first-batch editions9. The Vintage Heritage LTD, named for the vintage designs found on old synths and finished in a mix of metal and wood, was limited to a single unit and has sold out10.
The standard Nocturnal is now in its final batch: 20 units in a special Night blue, 2 mm anodized finish remain, and after this batch the pedal will no longer be available3.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's overall verdict was strong: "the Nocturnal Delay Tremolo Reverb is a texture creator and atmospheric controller like no other," covering ambient and exploratory needs in one pedal4. Gearnews, writing at the launch, predicted it "will be popular among players who love ambiences and textures," and considered it reasonable in price given three dedicated effects in one box2. Delicious Audio showed the pedal at its NAMM 2022 stompbox booth6.
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Questions
Is the Collision Devices Nocturnal discontinued?
It is on its way out. The maker's shop lists a final batch of 20 units in a Night blue anodized finish and states that after this batch the Nocturnal will no longer be available. The Vintage Heritage limited edition, a single unit, has already sold out.
Is the Nocturnal true bypass?
Yes. Collision Devices states the pedal is true bypass, so with all three effects off your dry signal passes through without buffering or coloration.
Who is Noli?
Noli is a guitarist and artist who originally commissioned the pedal as a one-off custom order. Collision Devices then built it as a limited edition run with custom artwork by Noli himself, and the standard pedal still credits the artwork to Noli.
Can each effect on the Nocturnal be switched on separately?
Yes. Each of the three sections has its own dedicated footswitch, so you can run the delay, tremolo and shimmer reverb together or individually. Each section also has its own momentary or trails function, activated by a long push on its footswitch.
Where is the Collision Devices Nocturnal made?
In France. Collision Devices builds it completely in-house, from the enclosure to the circuit, assembled by hand in the maker's own workshop, and it carries a lifetime warranty.
Sources (10)
- Nocturnal, Collision Devices
- Nocturnal: A new reverb, delay and tremolo effect from Collision Devices, gearnews.com, 2021-12-14
- Nocturnal, Collision Devices
- Collision Devices Nocturnal Delay Tremolo Reverb, Pedal of the Day, 2022-01-01
- The Collision Devices Nocturnal is a reverb, delay and tremolo that takes you from dusk 'til dawn, Guitar World, 2022-06-10
- Collision Devices Nocturnal Ambient Multi-FX, Delicious Audio, 2023-04-17
- Nocturnal - LTD "June" by Collision Devices | RockBoard | PedalPedia, RockBoard PedalPedia
- Nocturnal, Collision Devices
- Discontinued pedals, Collision Devices
- Nocturnal, Collision Devices
