The NuX Damp (NRV-3) is a stereo reverb pedal in a mini case, made by NuX. It offers three modes, Plate, Spring and Hall, and Delicious Audio called it "the first stereo reverb pedal hosted in a mini case" when it launched in February 20231. The Plate mode is where the Damp's heritage sits: "Plate reverb was inspired by EMT 140," the studio plate reverb introduced in 195712.
Controls and modes
The Damp keeps things simple for a mini pedal. You switch the reverb types by tapping the tap switch, and holding the footswitch brings up secondary functions: Trail mode, Shimmer and Freeze1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tap switch | Switches the reverb types1 |
| Footswitch (held) | Trail mode, Shimmer and Freeze secondary functions1 |
The three modes cover the standard reverb ground a player needs:
- Plate: inspired by the EMT 140 plate reverb1
- Spring: Delicious Audio describes it as "Classic "surf" reverb; great for Rockabilly too!"1
- Hall: the third of the pedal's three modes1
Stereo and bypass
The Damp's two 1/4" TRS jacks accept both mono and stereo signals. To run stereo input and output, use 1/4" TRS plugs and choose Stereo mode1. For bypass, the pedal offers True-bypass and Buffer-bypass (Trails), so a reverb tail can ring out after you switch it off if you prefer the buffered option1.
The EMT 140 plate reverb behind the Plate mode
The EMT 140 is the hardware the Damp's Plate mode points to. German company EMT introduced the technology in 1957 with its model 140 plate reverb unit, in which higher frequencies travel faster along an eight-foot thin steel plate than low frequencies2. The unit is a massive steel plate suspended by springs that created a splashy, metallic sound when hit with a signal3, and MusicRadar has called the original hardware "the groundbreaking vintage EMT 140 plate reverb"4. One example, previously housed at A&M Records, turned up in producer Eric Palmquist's studio rig5.
"the technology that German company EMT introduced in 1957 with its model 140 plate reverb unit"
Where the Damp sits in NuX's reverb range
NuX's reverb line includes the Nux Mini Core Space and the Nux Verb Core Deluxe. The Damp sits alongside them as a compact option: NuX describes it as "the first stereo reverb pedal hosted in a mini case"6. Like the others in the range, it offers Trail mode plus Shimmer and Freeze secondary functions when holding the footswitch, and you can switch the reverb types by tapping the tap switch6. For a deeper dive into the effect itself, see Reverb Pedals.
Videos
NUX
Mike Hermans
Ryan Lutton
Questions
Is the NuX Damp stereo?
Yes. The Damp supports stereo input and output when you use 1/4-inch TRS plugs and choose Stereo mode. Its two TRS jacks accept both mono and stereo signals, so it works with a mono setup as well, and Delicious Audio describes it as the first stereo reverb pedal hosted in a mini case.
Does the NuX Damp have trails?
Yes. The Damp offers True-bypass and Buffer-bypass (Trails), so you can choose between a hard bypass and a buffered mode that lets the reverb tail ring out after you switch the pedal off.
How do you switch reverb types on the NuX Damp?
You switch between the Damp's three reverb types, Plate, Spring and Hall, by tapping the tap switch. Holding the footswitch brings up secondary functions, including Shimmer and Freeze.
Does the NuX Damp have shimmer?
Yes. Shimmer is one of the Damp's secondary functions, accessed by holding the footswitch, alongside Freeze and Trail mode.
Is the NuX Damp true bypass?
Yes. The Damp offers True-bypass and Buffer-bypass (Trails), so it can run true bypass or in a buffered trails mode.
How much does the NuX Damp cost?
Delicious Audio reported a $79 USD price tag when the pedal was announced in February 2023.
Sources (6)
- New Pedal: NuX Damp Stereo Mini Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2023-02-22
- ''Creating dreamy sounds that were once only possible in world-class recording studios…'' The new award-winning range of stompboxes from Universal Audio will blow your mind, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2023-11-17
- Six Songs You Can Use Ledges to Emulate, EarthQuaker Devices, 2023-09-05
- “Part of reimagining old technology is stepping outside the boundaries of possibility”: Catalinbread's new stompbox tribute to the EMT 140 runs two emulations of the classic plate reverb and runs them in “modulated tandem”, MusicRadar, 2025-03-20
- Show Us Your Junk! Ep. 5, EarthQuaker Devices, 2017-09-18
- NUX Verb Core Deluxe Stereo Reverb, Pedal of the Day, 2024-04-09
