The Source Audio Encounter Ambient Delay+Reverb is a dual-engine effects pedal built around studio-quality delays and reverbs created by designer Bob Chidlaw and refined by Source Audio's engineering team1. Among its engines are Hypersphere, described as a gravity-defying ambient reverb inspired by infinite spatial reflections; Kaleidoscope, a cascading, harp-like delay effect; and Shimmers, a rich, dual-pitched shimmer reverb designed for lush harmonic layering2. It sits in the delay and reverb lanes at once, and Pedal of the Day's reviewer concluded that "this is one of those effects that will blow you away initially, and continue to do so for years to come"1.
Two engines at a time
The Encounter's core idea is dual signal processing: you can combine any two of the pedal's six delay and six reverb effects, and that includes dual delay and dual reverb setups, not just a delay-plus-reverb pair2. How the two engines connect is up to you, with series, parallel, and split stereo routing for dual effect combinations2. Each engine gets independent footswitch control, so you can turn one on or off without disturbing the other2.
Presets run 8 onboard, expanding to 128 with the pedal's full MIDI implementation2. For deeper editing, Pedal of the Day's review covers Neuro 3 App editing alongside the MIDI support3.
The engines
The 12-way Effect Selector Switch loads a unique engine at each position, which is how you pilot the pedal from its front panel3. Several engines are carried over from Source Audio's earlier pedals, reimagined with expanded parameter control2:
| Engine | Type | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Helix | Delay | From the Nemesis Delay ADT2 |
| Drum Echo | Delay | From the Nemesis Delay ADT2 |
| Noise Tape | Delay | From the Nemesis Delay ADT, based on the Roland Space Echo2 |
| Resonant | Delay | From the Nemesis Delay ADT2 |
| Reverse | Reverb | From the Ventris Dual Reverb2 |
| Lo-Fi | Reverb | From the Ventris Dual Reverb2 |
| Trem Verb | Reverb | From the Ventris Dual Reverb2 |
| Swell | Reverb | From the Ventris Dual Reverb2 |
| Hypersphere | Reverb | New, a gravity-defying ambient reverb inspired by infinite spatial reflections2 |
| Shimmers | Reverb | New, a rich, dual-pitched shimmer reverb designed for lush harmonic layering2 |
| Kaleidoscope | Delay | New, a cascading, harp-like delay effect2 |
Pedal of the Day frames the pedal's lineage plainly: the Encounter "builds upon the legacy of the Nemesis Delay, Ventris Dual Reverb, and Collider Delay+Reverb before it," with the delay and reverb engines created by Bob Chidlaw and refined by Source Audio's engineering team3.
Where it came from
Source Audio's delay and reverb engines for the Encounter were created by designer Bob Chidlaw and refined by the company's engineering team1. The pedal's engine lineup includes Hypersphere, a gravity-defying ambient reverb inspired by infinite spatial reflections; Kaleidoscope, a cascading, harp-like delay effect; and Shimmers, a rich, dual-pitched shimmer reverb designed for lush harmonic layering2. Early coverage was enthusiastic: Pedal of the Day wrote that "this is one of those effects that will blow you away initially, and continue to do so for years to come"1.
The Encounter's delay and reverb engines were created by Bob Chidlaw and refined by Source Audio's engineering team, a pairing the maker presents as central to the pedal's design1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's review came away strongly: "this is one of those effects that will blow you away initially, and continue to do so for years to come"1. The same review credited the pedal's studio-quality delays and reverbs to designer Bob Chidlaw, refined by Source Audio's engineering team1.
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Questions
Can the Encounter run a delay and a reverb at the same time?
Yes. The Encounter has dual signal processing, so you can combine any two of its six delay and six reverb engines, including dual delay and dual reverb setups as well as a delay and reverb together. You can route the two engines in series, parallel, or split stereo, and each engine has its own footswitch for independent control.
How many presets does the Encounter store?
The Encounter stores 8 preset slots onboard. With full MIDI implementation, that expands to 128 presets, so players using a MIDI controller or switching system can access the full bank live.
Does the Encounter have stereo inputs and outputs?
Yes. Premier Guitar's coverage of the pedal lists stereo ins and outs, which pairs with the split stereo routing option for dual-engine combinations. That makes it usable at the end of a stereo board or in a studio rig with two amps or two channels.
What is the difference between the Encounter and the Collider?
The Encounter builds upon the legacy of the Collider Delay+Reverb, and Delicious Audio positioned it as the Collider's successor. Guitar Pedal X described the Encounter's algorithm set as more adventurous than the Collider's more vanilla set. The Encounter carries engines from the Nemesis Delay and Ventris Dual Reverb, reimagined with expanded parameter control.
Which delay engines does the Encounter borrow from the Nemesis?
The Encounter takes the Helix, Drum Echo, Noise Tape and Resonant delays from the Nemesis Delay ADT, all reimagined with expanded parameter control. The Noise Tape engine is based on the Roland Space Echo.
Can I control the Encounter with an expression pedal?
Yes. Premier Guitar lists external expression control among the Encounter's features, so you can hook up an expression pedal to sweep parameters in real time alongside its MIDI support and Neuro app editing.
Sources (3)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X
- Source Audio Unveils Encounter Delay+Reverb, Premier Guitar, 2025-09-16
- Source Audio Encounter Ambient Delay+Reverb, Pedal of the Day, 2025-10-15
