The TC Electronic ND-1 Nova Delay is a digital delay pedal with an MSRP of $3451. Pedal of the Day describes it as a shrunk-down take on the principles and options of TC Electronic's old school rack delay units, including the 2290, with the features fitted into a smaller enclosure that fits nicely onto a pedalboard2. For players who know TC's rack heritage, that lineage is the point of the pedal; for everyone else, it is a stereo delay with a wide set of delay types and user presets.
Controls and delay types
The Type knob selects the delay character. Premier Guitar lists the options as Direct Line, Dynamic, Reverse, Ping Pong, Pan and Slapback1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Type | Selects Direct Line, Dynamic, Reverse, Ping Pong, Pan or Slapback1 |
| Color | Scrolls from Tape to Analog to Digital, changing the delay's EQ response and other behaviors1 |
| Mix | Blends the delayed signal with your dry sound1 |
| Preset button | Press and hold to save your setting into a factory preset slot1 |
| Tap tempo footswitch | A separate footswitch for setting the delay time2 |
Premier Guitar's reviewer called Direct Line "meat and potatoes delay"1. The Color knob is the second big shaping control: as it scrolls from Tape to Analog to Digital, it changes the delay's EQ response and other behaviors, so one pedal can cover several flavors of repeat1.
Dynamic mode
Dynamic mode is borrowed from the TC 2290. Premier Guitar described it as, in oversimplified terms, a smart ducking feature where the delay chills out while you pick and raises up when you're done1. In practice that means your notes stay clear and the repeats sit behind them, swelling into the gaps rather than crowding your playing.
Stereo use and presets
The ND-1 has full stereo in and out capabilities2, and Premier Guitar's reviewer found the Pan feature in stereo sounded fine for studio use, adding subtle depth to an otherwise vanilla two-amp setup1.
You can write your own presets: select the factory preset you want to overwrite, dial up your setting, then press and hold the Preset button until the LED blinks1.
"If you're looking for crystal clear, U2/ Early Hillsong .8th delay, this pedal is for you. If you want incredible dual delay sounds and glassy repeats..."
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer noted the feeling that the overall level of the delays is a little hot, with the Mix knob rarely straying from between nine and ten o'clock1. That is worth knowing when setting levels on a board: expect to run Mix lower than on some other delays. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Noah, called the ND-1 his first delay pedal and pointed players after crystal clear eighth-note delay and dual delay sounds toward it3.
Reviewers found the delay level runs hot, so the Mix knob works best kept low, between nine and ten o'clock in Premier Guitar's experience1.
TC Electronic has built a wide delay range around this circuit family, from the Nova Repeater and RPT-1 Nova Repeater to the Flashback X4 and the TC 2290P Dynamic Digital Delay, which revisits the rack unit the ND-1 borrowed its Dynamic mode from1.
Videos
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Digital Stereo Guitar
Questions
What is the Dynamic mode on the TC Electronic ND-1 Nova Delay?
Dynamic mode is borrowed from TC Electronic's TC 2290 rack delay. Premier Guitar described it in oversimplified terms as a smart ducking feature: the delay sits back while you are picking and rises up when you stop playing. It keeps your playing up front and lets the repeats fill the space behind it.
Does the ND-1 Nova Delay have tap tempo?
Yes. The ND-1 Nova Delay has a separate tap tempo footswitch, so you can set the delay time with your foot rather than turning a knob, and keep it matched to a song's tempo as it changes.
Does the ND-1 Nova Delay work in stereo?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review notes full stereo in and out capabilities. Premier Guitar's reviewer tried the Pan feature in stereo and found it sounded fine for studio use, adding subtle depth to a two-amp setup.
Can you save your own presets on the ND-1 Nova Delay?
Yes. According to Premier Guitar, you write your own preset by selecting the factory preset you want to overwrite, dialing up your setting, then pressing and holding the Preset button until the LED blinks. Your setting is then stored in that slot.
Sources (3)
- Delay Shootout: TC Electronic, Eventide and EH, Premier Guitar, 2008-03-11
- TC Electronic Nova Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2016-01-02
- TC Electronic ND-1 Nova Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2015-03-01
