The three modes
A switch on the pedal moves between the three algorithms1. Each does a different job:
| Mode | What it is |
|---|---|
| Nocturne (Halo) | Andy's own reverb voicing, derived from his Halo Echo2 |
| Spring | Traditional spring reverb territory2 |
| Plate | Modeled after the Austin City Limits stereo plate from the 1970s1 |
On That Pedal Show, the presenters described the Nocturne algorithm as "like a big hall with some modulation and some pre-delay"1. The Plate mode has a specific pedigree: "which was modeled after the Austin City Limits stereo plate from the 1970s," as the presenters put it1.
From the Halo echo to the Nocturne
The Nocturne voicing comes out of Timmons' earlier Keeley signature delay. Guitar Pedal X reported that "the Nocturne voicing derives from Andy's Halo Echo," reimagined as "an ethereal, immersive Reverb"2. On That Pedal Show, the presenters explained the underlying idea: Andy's Halo delay sound came from two Memory Man delays run together, and in the Nocturne "they take Andy's delay, they filter out the attack," mixing it into a reverb instead1. MusicRadar noted that Timmons uses the Halo Core, his other signature Keeley Electronics pedal, so the Nocturne sits alongside it as a companion voicing3.
Controls and playing with gain
The Decay control functions as Pre-Delay, according to Guitar Pedal X's launch coverage2. That detail shapes how the pedal behaves in a driven rig. On That Pedal Show, the presenters observed that "because it's got that bit of pre-delay there, it's not like straight into crazy reverb," meaning the reverb works with gain without getting messy1. For players running the Nocturne after an overdrive or distortion pedal, that pre-delay keeps the wash from smearing the attack of each note.
Size, MIDI and where it sits in the range
The Nocturne is not built in Keeley's usual compact box. Guitar Pedal X described the Core enclosure, with RCA Bakelite knobs and a larger footprint than Keeley's compact format2. The reviewer there took a clear position on it:
"I don't mind this format - but I would much rather have this pedal in the compact enclosure"
Videos
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Questions
What are the three reverb modes on the Keeley Nocturne?
The Nocturne offers three algorithms: Nocturne (Halo), Spring and Plate. The Nocturne mode is Andy Timmons' own voicing, derived from his Halo Echo and reimagined as an ethereal, immersive reverb. The Plate algorithm was modeled after the Austin City Limits stereo plate from the 1970s, and the Spring mode covers the traditional spring reverb territory. A switch on the pedal moves between the three.
Is the Keeley Nocturne a MIDI pedal?
Yes. On That Pedal Show, the presenters described it as the first fully MIDI-controlled pedal from Keeley. MusicRadar's coverage of the launch also reports 72 presets and MIDI as part of the package, which puts it a step beyond Keeley's usual compact stompbox format.
What is the Nocturne sound based on?
The Nocturne voicing derives from Andy Timmons' Halo Echo, the Halo mode of his earlier Keeley signature delay. The idea takes Andy's delay sound, filters out the attack, and mixes it into a reverb. Guitar Pedal X described the result as a unique Nocturne Reverb voicing, reimagined as an ethereal, immersive reverb.
What does the Decay control do on the Keeley Nocturne?
The Decay control functions as Pre-Delay, according to Guitar Pedal X's launch coverage. That matters for players who run gain: on That Pedal Show, the presenters noted that because the pedal has that bit of pre-delay, the reverb does not hit straight into the distorted signal, so it works with gain without getting messy.
Is the Keeley Nocturne bigger than Keeley's compact pedals?
Yes. The Nocturne is built in Keeley's Core enclosure, which has RCA Bakelite knobs and a larger footprint than Keeley's compact format. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer said he did not mind the format but would much rather have the pedal in the compact enclosure, so the size is worth thinking about if your board is tight.
What other pedals has Andy Timmons made with Keeley?
The Nocturne is one of several signature collaborations between Andy Timmons and Robert Keeley. Guitar Pedal X lists the Super AT Mod, the Muse Driver, the Halo Dual Echo and this Nocturne Reverb. MusicRadar also notes that Timmons uses the Halo Core, his other signature Keeley Electronics pedal.
Sources (3)
- New Pedals! Keeley Nocturne, Jam Retrovibe 4, Caroline Kilo 2K, DevTech Soft Drive, Hagerman EF86, That Pedal Show (YouTube), 2026-01-30
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-12-13
- “I turn this thing on, I don't want to stop playing”: Keeley Electronics has made Andy Timmons fall in love with reverb with his new signature Nocturne pedal, MusicRadar, 2025-12-18
