Here are the features of the Nova that keep me sold on it:
1. Built in Tap Tempo switch
Some people might say they would rather have a delay pedal with an external tap jack, but I really like having it built into the Nova. I think that people's gut reaction is that drives should be in the front row of a board, and modulations and delays in the back row. I would totally disagree with that. I think we have been trained to think that way because alot of floor processor units (ala Boss GT or Line 6 PodXT) tend to place drive switches in the most convenient position. I would argue that one doesn't generally change his/her drive tone within a song. Typically, the only things that are changed within a song are the delays, modulations, and perhaps the solo boost. So, all in all, I'd rather have my tempo switch built in.
2. Great footprint
The TC Electronic Nova Delay has a great "footprint". In other words, it's not big and clunky. It's measurements are 5 inches by 5 inches... alot smaller than the most obvious competition: the Line 6 DL4.
3. Color any delay type
Some other delay pedals offer pretty good tape delay models, but often times, you can't get that tape delay sound with modulation or with rhythmic delay types. The Nova allows you to add analog or tape delay color to the repeats using standard quarter note delays as well as dotted eighth note or triplet delays. You can even add color to reverse delay.
4. Versatile Modulation
With the Nova delay, you can also add modulation to any delay type. There are three modulation types to allow for light, medium, and heavy modulation. There is also a knob to control the amount of modulation that is introduced into the mix.
5. Nine Presets
Other delay modelers allow for three presets. The Nova has nine. Need I say more?
6. Global or Preset Tempo
Each preset allows for the use of the global tempo (whatever was last tapped) or a preset tempo. That way, if you know a song you want to do has a certain BPM (Beats Per Minute) then you can set it ahead of time. This is extremely handy if the song kicks off with an electric guitar riff.
7. Three ways to input tempo
One can change tempo in three different ways on the Nova. One is the Tap switch. Another one is using the delay time knob. The knob is a little different than you'd expect--it stays the same when it's at 12'0'clock. The further you turn the know left or right, the faster it changes the delay time. This allows for you to be very accurate at setting the delay time.
8. Digital Tempo Readout
The Nova sports a digital readout that tells you the delay time in milliseconds or in BPM. This is a great feature. If you want to know what temp a song is that you are listening to, just tap along with it and you will see what tempo you are tapping.
9. Stereo Delays
Most delay units sport stereo delays, and the Nova is no exception. There is a ping pong delay that jumps each repeat back and forth between each amp. There is also a pan delay that slowly pans the repeats between the amps over five repeats at a time.
10. TC Electronic
TC Electronic is one of the best known companies for delay, modulation, and reverb. The TC Electronic 2290 rackmount delay unit has been one of the most popular units in history. The Nova delay was based on this same unit, and sports some very good tone. There is an input sensitivity program setting that allows the Nova to adjust to guitars and rigs with various outputs. In my opinion, this unit sounds better than any unit I've heard, and for 250.00 dollars, you can't beat it.
In order to give an honest review, I will briefly share the cons to this unit. One is that it only can do one delay line at a time. There are some players who like to feed a delayed signal into another delay unit to create some spacier sounds. The only solution to this is to get another delay unit. In my opinion, I'd rather have a Nova and another delay unit that maybe is analog, although I do think the analog sounds on the Nova are really good. Also, some delay units offer Auto Swell and looping... neither of which are easy to get with the Nova. Again, I'd rather have a another unit that is made for looping... no delay unit is going to loop as well as a loop station. As far as auto swell goes, all you need is a volume pedal, or a volume knob on your guitar. That would also offer more flexibility than an Auto Swell option on a delay unit. I'd much rather have a volume pedal and have the option to control the volume swell than to rely on a setting locked into a delay pedal's modeling software.
Here are some links to help you continue to research the Nova Delay pedal.
