WNAMM08: New TC Guitar Stompboxes

US TC Electronic launches the Nova Modulator and Nova Dynamics 18/01/08

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TC Electronic has announced Nova Modulator and Nova Dynamics, two new guitar pedals in the Nova Series which they say is known for uncompromised studio quality effects in a compact floor-based design.
Nova Modulator houses two brand new effects plus all of TCâ€™s modulation effects, and they say that its dual engine design allows for endless combinations to inspire creativity. Nova Dynamics features studio and stomp compression modes as well as a noise gate combined with very flexible routing, which TC say gives the user full dynamics control and versatility.
Nova Modulator
Nova Modulator offers seven studio quality modulation effects; chorus, the new tri-chorus, flanger, the new through-zero-flanger, phaser, tremolo, and an upgraded vibrato. The chorus, flanger, phaser, and tremolo effects are taken straight from TCâ€™s acclaimed G-System. The new tri-chorus effect uses three stereo choruses with various offsets for depth, speed, phaser and chorus delay time to produce a unique, broad and lush chorus sound. The new through-zero-flanger reproduces the classic tape flanging sounds of the 60s and 70s, and the upgraded vibrato features a new ramp that allows the user to fade in the effect.
The two identical effect engines allow the user to combine two different modulation effects or to combine two identical algorithms for a more extreme and pronounced effect. The LFO synchronization ensures that the two engines are synchronized in time, and the new LFO trigger makes the effect start right on the beat when activating the pedal. For preset control there is one manual setting that always outputs the current position of the knobs and buttons, as well as nine storable presets. Other Nova Modulation features include tap tempo, auto input gain adjustment and stereo in/out.
Nova Dynamics
Nova Dynamics features a unique combination of a stomp compressor providing classic pedal compression, and a studio compressor which TC tell us allows totally transparent dynamics control usually only found in high-end rack processors. They say that, adding the noise gate and the ability to insert these effects any place in the signal chain, Nova Dynamics offers a compelling alternative to rack-based setups as well as two separate compressors.
The dual engine design makes it possible to switch between two different compression sounds or settings for different guitars. The dry blend feature enables the user to mix in dry signal along with the compressed signal for unaltered attack, preservation of playing dynamics and limitless sustain. The input gain adjustment known from the Nova Delay and Reverb pedals are also included, but because of the dual engine design Nova Dynamics actually has two separate calibration engines making it possible to insert one engine in front of the amp and one in the loop. Because of the many different routing options it fits well in a straight serial setup as well as a setup with total separation of the two engines.