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First word from me on the TC Nova Dynamics

bongomania

bongomania

Commercial User
Oct 17, 2005
35,688
3,917
PDX, OR
www.ovnilab.com
Disclosures
owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
#1
I have only spent about an hour with it so far, so I can't actually give it a real review yet. I'm only posting this to say this hot-off-the-production-line unit I received has a technical glitch, so hold off on buying one one of these until the bug has been resolved.

Aside from the glitch (a high-pitched 'squeak' or 'chirp' when crossing the threshold in 'stomp' mode), everything else about this unit is stellar so far. Great clean tone, smooth action, lots of versatility.

I'll post a review in a few days, maybe a week. I'll report the bug to TC and await their reply. But I know a few of you are very keen to get one, so those folks should wait a bit before buying. Once the bug is resolved this unit will be getting fairly high marks from me though. :)
 
#3
From my experience with the TC Nova Delay, there's a way to set the input sensitivity of the pedal. Wonder if there's such a function on the Dynamics, it seems really queer that they would not notice such a bug. Have they confirmed the existence of the bug, or...?

Please test it in stereo mode. I'm really interested to see how this can work in that aspect.
 
#4
Yes it does have a system for setting the input levels, and yes I used it. :) It is not related to the glitch. I emailed them about it yesterday (I just received the pedal yesterday) but it's the weekend, so I won't expect a reply for another day or so.

There is no "stereo mode". It is a two-channel unit, and the channels can be used independently or in series. One of the things I like the most about it so far is the amount of flexibility for switching between the channels or using them in different setups/combinations.
 
#6
Well, I reported the bug to them via email on Monday and I haven't heard anything back yet. I'm reluctant to say much about the unit until they follow up with me.

Ignoring the bug for a minute (although it is an absolute deal-breaker as it is) I can say the TC has a few points over the EBS:
-You can footswitch silently between two modes and each can have entirely different settings.
-Better highs (no rolloff at all that I can hear so far).
-Adjustable attack; that's the one thing I really wish the EBS had.
-A much wider range of ratio.
-More customizable input gain control.
-A noise gate which is surprisingly good.

The EBS does have some pluses of its own though:
-Tubesim mode, which is a nice extra flavor.
-Easier to use.
-Smaller and cheaper.
-No annoying "chirp" defect. ;)

Seriously though, I will post here as soon as I know what's up with the bug dealio; until then, keep your wallet in your pocket. ;) Or buy a used EBS because (a) it's a fine unit anyway, and (b) you can easily resell it with little or no loss.
 
#7
The thing for me is that it's pretty seldom that good gear comes up used here in NZ and buying second hand from overseas can be more trouble than it's worth sometimes.

I don't think I'd use the tubesim mode on the Multicomp and size/simplicity aren't big factors. I would acually prefer something I can really tweak.

Provided the glitch gets fixed it looks like the Nova Dynamics will be my next purchase. I'll definitely wait though. Would suck to have to ship it all the way back to a US distributor to have it replaced/fixed later.

Thanks for the reply bongo!
 
#8
Excuse my ignorance if im talking about a different product... Im not sure if the Nova System is the same as the Dynamics ??

On the TC Electronics forum I saw a post where a bass player was asking about the TC Nova System being suitable for bass. TC said when they tested the system with bass, the tuner didn't work for the E and A strings. Would this mean that perhaps frequencies are being ignored as the unit is voiced for guitar??

I can get a TC products really cheap and have been thinking of lashing out on a G System. Im yet to try any though, so im curious as to how well they function for bass players.
 
#9
KarateKid25 said:
Excuse my ignorance if im talking about a different product... Im not sure if the Nova System is the same as the Dynamics ??
Click to expand...

They are different products, both recently launched. The Nova System is a multieffect, the Dynamics is a compressor.

KarateKid25 said:
On the TC Electronics forum I saw a post where a bass player was asking about the TC Nova System being suitable for bass. TC said when they tested the system with bass, the tuner didn't work for the E and A strings. Would this mean that perhaps frequencies are being ignored as the unit is voiced for guitar??
Click to expand...

Perhaps. However the Dynamics and the System are, again, different products. My Nova Delay has no problem with any frequencies, i'd imagine the same thing with the Dynamics.
 
#14
Hi bongomania!

I too got a Nova Dynamics which I think is a "hot-off-the-production-line" unit, but I really can't reproduce the "threshold crossing" bug that you are reporting here! :hmm:

Do you hear the 'squeak' sound, when you turn the threshold knob or is it only when you toggle between different A and B engine settings?

Have you received a reply from TC Support yet? As far as I know, you can't email TC Support directly, but they have a support request page:
Link Removed

So I did not notice any bugs in the Nova Dynamics and I really think it sounds awesome and has great flexibility - for me it is a sure keeper :)
 
#15
I'm glad to hear that you've had no troubles! I have been sending my emails to the person in their marketing dept. who arranged the demo loan, with no response. So I suppose I should try putting in a support request.

The squeak happens at all settings of the "stomp" mode, regardless of A/B switching or knob turning.

It's killing me too because aside from this one deal-breaker noise, everything else about it is terrific! I'd love to write a glowing review, but I can't yet.

Edit: I just now put in a support request, let's see if they get back to me.
 
#17
Ah yes, they tested units in their lab with a variety of basses and were not able to duplicate this problem. So they had me send the one I was having problems with back for testing, they speculated it might have an individual fault of some kind. It only just got to them though (I've been busy) so we don't know the results yet.

If they claim it doesn't make any noise for them, and it's one of those cases where I'm the only person that hears a noise, I'll probably go on a killing spree at the local mall. I am truly fed up with that particular phenomenon; partly because it is frustrating trying to track down the root causes, but mainly because I can't tell whether other people (who don't hear any noise) are deaf, using lo-fi gear, or -in the case of manufacturers or their shills- lying.
 
#19
bongomania said:
Ah yes, they tested units in their lab with a variety of basses and were not able to duplicate this problem. So they had me send the one I was having problems with back for testing, they speculated it might have an individual fault of some kind. It only just got to them though (I've been busy) so we don't know the results yet.

If they claim it doesn't make any noise for them, and it's one of those cases where I'm the only person that hears a noise, I'll probably go on a killing spree at the local mall. I am truly fed up with that particular phenomenon; partly because it is frustrating trying to track down the root causes, but mainly because I can't tell whether other people (who don't hear any noise) are deaf, using lo-fi gear, or -in the case of manufacturers or their shills- lying.
Click to expand...

This noise your hearing it's not a low whispering voice saying "KILL, KILL, KILL"
 
#20
bongomania said:
If they claim it doesn't make any noise for them, and it's one of those cases where I'm the only person that hears a noise, I'll probably go on a killing spree at the local mall. I am truly fed up with that particular phenomenon; partly because it is frustrating trying to track down the root causes, but mainly because I can't tell whether other people (who don't hear any noise) are deaf, using lo-fi gear, or -in the case of manufacturers or their shills- lying.
Click to expand...

Hrmmm. Maybe if they find no fault in this pedal you'll have to burn down your compressor review website as well, for all the "noise" problems may actually be in your head...

*shudder*

Here's to hoping its a fault with the individual unit.
 

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