The TC Electronic RPT-1 Nova Repeater is a digital delay pedal that covers delay, chorus-style modulation and vibrato-style sounds from one box. TC Electronic advertises it as "No frills, with a sound that kills," and MusicPlayers.com's reviewer described its range as crystal clear digital delays, clipped analog delays and modulation effects1. It sits in the delay pedal family alongside the preset-equipped ND-1 Nova Delay, which is its closest relative in the Nova line1.
Controls and delay types
The top panel carries five knobs and two buttons. MusicPlayers.com's reviewer called the five knobs self-explanatory: Delay (delay time), Feedback, Tone, Mod (modulation) and FX Level1. The Type button chooses between the various delay types, and the Range button selects Min, Mid or Max delay time in milliseconds, working in conjunction with the Delay knob to dial in the time you want21.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Delay | Sets the delay time1 |
| Feedback | Sets the number of repeats1 |
| Tone | Tone control for the repeats1 |
| Mod | Modulation on the repeats1 |
| FX Level | Level of the effect1 |
| Type button | Chooses between the delay types1 |
| Range button | Selects Min/Mid/Max delay time in milliseconds1 |
| Tap tempo switch | Sets the delay time by tapping, at the bottom of the pedal2 |
The Type button selects from six delay types: studio, analog, tape, dynamic, reverse and ping pong2. The division settings cover quarter note, dotted eighth and eighth note triplets, then a combo or dual delays2.
Stereo operation and connections
The Nova Repeater has a choice of two different inputs matched for instrument or line level signals, along with mono in and stereo out1. In stereo, Pedal of the Day's reviewer found that you get a quarter note out of the right side with a choice of dotted eighth, eighth or eighth triplets, which he said "works great for stereo"2.
Power
The unit is powered via an included 12V adapter, and the specifications call for a power supply rated at between nine and twelve Volts1.
Pedal of the Day's reviewer advises using a true isolated power supply and not daisy chaining this pedal: "It will add white noise and hiss"2.
Presets, and how it differs from the ND-1 Nova Delay
The Repeater has no presets. As Pedal of the Day put it, "it doesn't have presets, so you only have the delay that's on right in front of you"2. That is the main difference from the related ND-1 Nova Delay, which features presets: MusicPlayers.com's reviewer pointed players who want stored sounds to the ND-1, and Pedal of the Day's review of that pedal describes the ability to store and select from 9 user created presets13. Premier Guitar's delay shootout listed the ND-1 at an MSRP of $3454.
What reviewers said
MusicPlayers.com's reviewer found the pedal's construction solid and heavy yet unobtrusive enough to fit nicely on a pedalboard, and called it the go-to delay pedal for players like Doug Aldrich, Nils Lofgren and Paul Gilbert1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer was blunter about the sound: "the delay sound out of this is amazing"2.
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Questions
What is the difference between the TC Electronic RPT-1 Nova Repeater and the ND-1 Nova Delay?
The RPT-1 Nova Repeater has no presets: you work only with the delay settings on the front panel. The related ND-1 Nova Delay adds preset storage, with the ability to store and select from 9 user created presets. MusicPlayers.com's reviewer pointed players who want presets to the ND-1, while the Repeater keeps things simpler with its knob-and-button layout.
Does the RPT-1 Nova Repeater have presets?
No. Pedal of the Day's review notes that it doesn't have presets, so you only have the delay that is on right in front of you. All settings are made with the five knobs and the Type and Range buttons on the top panel. Players who need stored sounds are pointed to the ND-1 Nova Delay, which stores 9 user presets.
Does the RPT-1 Nova Repeater have tap tempo?
Yes. The pedal has a tap tempo switch at the bottom of its control panel, according to Pedal of the Day's review, so you can set the delay time to the tempo of a song by tapping in time.
What power supply does the Nova Repeater need?
The unit ships with a 12V adapter, and its specifications call for a power supply rated at between nine and twelve Volts, per MusicPlayers.com. Reviewers advise using a true isolated power supply and not daisy chaining the pedal, which they say adds white noise and hiss.
Is the Nova Repeater stereo?
Yes. The pedal has a mono input and a stereo output. In stereo you get a quarter note out of the right side with a choice of dotted eighth, eighth or eighth triplets, according to Pedal of the Day, which the reviewer said works great for stereo setups.
What is the delay time range of the Nova Repeater?
The delay time ranges from 20 to 1200 ms, according to Pedal of the Day. The Range button selects Min, Mid or Max delay time in milliseconds and works in conjunction with the Delay knob to dial in the time you want.
Sources (4)
- TC Electronic RPT-1 Nova Repeater Guitar Effects Pedal, MusicPlayers.com, 2009-12-09
- TC Electronic RPT-1 Nova Repeater Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2015-01-19
- TC Electronic Nova Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2016-01-02
- Delay Shootout: TC Electronic, Eventide and EH, Premier Guitar, 2008-03-11
