Peter Thorn on TC Electronic Nova System

[spektor88]

Anybody else notice the volume drop at 4:47 (compressor plus OD)?

[hoodiey]

what's that riff @ 4:36 ? Is there a song based on it??

[mikemorganbrown]

can someone do a slow down of his lick on 7:07?

[TheBoondoggler]

The key to getting the max out of this unit, is I believe, running it in front of a really high quality tube amp. I play in a cover band and will soon unload a bunch of rack-based shit for this thing to minimize setup time. Nice piece by TC and Thorn.

[chopshop777]

how is the noise gate and the graphic EQ on the nova system ? I am thinking of getting this.

[tcelectronic]

@chopshop777 My best recommendation is to try it out.

[60sstrat]

yakety fucking yak

[Kevinbabbmusic]

does anyone know what kind of power supply peter thorn is using beneath his boss tuner? it doesnt look like a voodoo, just curious

[zero82611]

Hi I have a New System and need to buy a wha pedal and expression. What pedal do you think appropriate? You can control effects such as volume and wham a Cry Baby? Thanks for answer.

[tcelectronic]

@zero82611 Find an ordinary expression pedal and control any parameter with that :)

[OldPeoria]

PETE THORN LOVES THE WORD PRISTINE. MEME.

[menamestom]

Sounds good, if the Nova system 2 has a looper and an auto filter I'll be getting one. If they ever do a Nova sustem 2 that is.....

[alexxx2909]

i have a question.i think the nova's sounds are great,the drive section is superb,but the key is the eq.without it you cannot get the sounds you want,with it you can play everything you desire.but here is the thing.if you turn on the cab simulation,it applies on every output,and the eq turns automatically off!!!!major problem!!!!.

the result is that if i am playing straight to the mixer i cannot equalize my sounds differently,i can only act on them throught the p.a.would a DI work?

[tcelectronic]

@prog2djent Use Nova in the fx-loop on the Engl and you should be good to go?!

[badmuddy]

HAVE to put drives in front of an amp? says who? & THIS guy is supposed to be the face of the "pro" session guitarist? has ever tried it? i have ALL of my drives at this point (i do always audition both, 1st), INCLUDING my minibone fuzz, in the loop of my sig;x, & they sound GLORIOUS there, actually becoming add'l preamp choices. i have a redplate d'lator in the loop, w/all peds in it (w/fx after); it's all about gainstaging, as any pro who's worked in the best studios in the world would know...

[badmuddy]

@badmuddy it brings the gain peds to a whole other level, sonically, & as long as you stay within unity output levels with your peds, it's perfectly safe. i have a gate following all gain devices, & all of my mod, delay, verb, et al, come afterwards, in the loop. i run the siggie's loop in series. i will eventually add a para loop/mixer type solution for the fx i want to "mix" in with the dry sig & series peds. it's quite a massive sound...

[sodchild]

The reason Peter has a Boss Tuner is because THE INTERNAL TUNER IS NOT CHROMATIC! Found this out today when I bought one. I guess TC didn't want that mentioned in their video. Seriously, how can you make a multi effects that sounds this good and only include a six-note guitar tuner? Have the Danish not yet discovered drop D tuning?

[indagdnm]

@sodchild It's chromatic for sure. What it doesn't mention is that it won't hear notes lower than D. I found that out on my first gig with it when I needed to tune to C. Blanked right out.

[sodchild]

@indagdnm True, I misspoke. I found out the same way though at my first rehearsal with it. I can get it to read a low D on occasion, but anything lower will blank out.

What makes no sense is that their $4 ipod app can tune anything from a sitar to a grand piano. Would it really be that hard to integrate this, or just make a software update?

[odgeUK]

I have a problem in that I like my Flanger, Chorus and Phasor in FRONT of the amp but my Reverb and Delay in the FX loop. This is a pretty common way that guitarists will position these effects. The Nova System will not support this. Isn't that strange? Shame they didn't allow the 4-cable method like the Boss GT-8. So I have to compromise. Either all effects up front with inferior time-based effects. Or all fx in loop with inferior Modulation effects (plus no analogue drives from the unit)

[HoTpAnTs411]

Hi TC,

Can the Nova Drive do that JCM800-like distortion sound, too, or its distortion channel is different?

[tcelectronic]

@HoTpAnTs411 yes you can dial in a JCM800-ish higain type of sound as NOVA System's overdrive emulates the classic overdrive originally only found in tube amps.

[dairniel]

I want one.

[slavexg]

Hi, is it possible to use presets in stompbox mode? I'd rather use that mode, but in one song I want flanger and in another tremolo would be great, also different delays etc, so I'm wondering if it's possible to save preset and than turn on/off each effect one by one

[tcelectronic]

@slavexg In pedal mode all footswitches act as effects on/off switches (+Tap tempo). Pretty much as a you would use eight regular stomp box pedals. However, it is still possible to change both preset banks and presets when in this mode.

[brandon5pennies]

what kind of volume/wah pedal is that?

[tcelectronic]

@brandon5pennies it's a  dunlop "Mister Crybaby Super"

[gewerh44]

Hi TC, can I connect headphones to the output? you know, for quiet practicing.

Thanks!

[tiagoderrico]

Uma bosta!

[odgeUK]

7:38 sounds like he's going to break into "Girl Gone Bad" by Van Halen

[tcelectronic]

Not quite. Apart from the obvious difference in userinterface where several effect blocks can be switched in/out with the press of a single button, there are also more parameters per effect to adjust in Nova System. So it is really two different ways of controlling your effects. In a setup with single pedals you will probably find yourself stepping a bit more around than with the Nova system. But it is really a matter of taste.

tcelectronic/jens

[phantomstouch]

hi, not sure whether i asked the same question again.

how is the nova system different from individual NOVA pedals? can i see it as an all-in-one?

[ilovelamp456]

im thinking about buying instead of a bunch of stomp boxs i have a us standard strat playing out of a hot rod deville 4 10 im afraid the distortion will make it thin? i havent tried it in person so does have umphhh should i say ha.

[905productions1]

@ilovelamp456 I've been using the Nova system as one of my fly rigs for about a year now. It took me awhile to really get the overdrive/distortion shaped right. Depending on the gig I'll use either a Fender blues jr. or a Twin reverb. To get the "umph" (depending on the style of music) it was a great eq and 3 different compressor. It also goes great as a stand alone effects unit if you're tuned in to your amps distortion.....

[tcelectronic]

Hi Richard

Contrary to the wha-pedals I know of, the curve of en expression pedal is linear. Since the NovaSystem effects are intended to be controlled with an expression pedal with a linear potentiometer my answer is "yes" you are right. The wah pedal is most likely NOT the best expression pedal.

tcelectronic/jens

[richardlpalmer]

Is it possible to use my wah as an expression pedal or do I have to have 2 pedals?

[VelhosNovos]

Hi!

I have just bought a Nova System.

I have a compressor pedal so that I will not need to use o Nova´s compressor. Then I would like to know If I can put the distortin on spot of compressor, because I want to use the drive and distortion.

Is it possible?

regards,

Paulo.

[richardlpalmer]

@VelhosNovos I don't believe you can change the button location of effects with this unit...

[ed4564]

Great video - what wah/volume pedal is being used here?

[pensatore]

@ed4564

Peter is using a Dunlop Mister Crybaby Super Volume/Wah Pedal which is unfortunately discontinued. But you might be able to find a used on on Ebay. It's a great pedal.

Cheers,

Tore

[zigzaghookie]

Could this unit make a good Alex Lifeson Rush sound? Like in terms of chorus/delay/distortion?

[letsmakeitgreatin88]

is there something wrong with the tuner on the Nova System?

I'm joking... just like how awkward Pete gets "force of habit... peace of mind... acoustic... "

[letsmakeitgreatin88]

I now own this guitar... and it is awesome :)

[tatsandteles]

This guys rips. Just saw him with Melissa Etheridge, he's great.

[laurencedeguzman]

Hi Tc! Do you know where i can download these Pete Thorn patches?

Thanks

[MrLagunapete]

A 2N2609 FET matrix can be used with level and impedance trimming in order to seamlessly switch the unit from the effects loop post preamp to front end input . Such an item does not make much sense though. There are ways to keep noise down when pushing the front end and that starts with proper instrument shielding, Keeping a balanced input. LOL the electric guitar standard needs to be changed to pitch the 1/4" phone jack and use a balanced line. Many already do. BIG difference in noise

[cordanscedo]

Sorry if this has been answered already, but who makes the wah/volume Pete was using in this vid?

[STorpedo]

Hey, I just got a nova system myself, but I had one simple question; is physically unplugging it the only way to turn it off? Or is there some button I'm missing?

[tcelectronic]

@STorpedo Hiya, Don’t worry... we didn’t forget to mount a component on your Nova System. :) There is no on/off switch on any of our floor-based multi-effect processors. We don’t want your hyper singer stepping on the on/off switch, accidentally turning off your Nova System while doing his Freddie Mercury routine.

Best wishes,

Joey @ TC

[Vavoom09]

@tcelectronic

Just purchased the NOVA System and I'm taking it back. I like the sounds, but here are a few gripes:

1. can't turn on and off EQ unless you incorporate a preset with EQ.

2. limited tone choices on od and dist (they're both pretty good) you'll be wishing

you had a few more choices later on.

3. My biggest deal breaker.......too much of a delay when switching from, say, a clean sound with some slight dealy to a saturated dist lead with heavy delay. Almost 1/10th of a sec??

[npx]

@Vavoom09

My favourites (among others) include:

1. Effects turn on/off and patches change on RELEASE of the footswitch. Very counter intuitive and it makes rhythmic effect/patch changes almost impossible. The tap tempo switch was changed to operate on the DOWN press in the last firmware update a year ago. Not sure why they didn't bother with the others.

2. There is no way to back up your patches. The NS can send MIDI sysex dumps but cannot receive them with the current firmware.

[npx]

@Vavoom09

3. The tuner mutes the output BUT NOT THE OTHER EFFECTS - if you tune on a patch with a long delay, the delayed notes from what you played while tuning will come through when you turn the tuner off. To work around this you will have to either a) stomp FIVE times to tune (delay off, tuner on, 2 stomps to turn the tuner off, delay back on) or b) use another tuner like Pete Thorn does in this video!

4. The Tremolo has no LEVEL parameter, so when you turn it on, your volume drops.

[odgeUK]

@Vavoom09 I think maybe adding a G-Switch might sort out the delay problem?

[gekaraki]

I would love to hear this thing from Andy Timmons and his rig...

But that is a nice demo too.

[cfhmachado]

can i run this system in this order? guitar>Preamp> nova system>power amp>cab

basicly id be running it after the preamp from the line out then to the nova then to the power amps input. that way i could use the nova's and delays and not have to worry about the delays not working well with my preamps lead channels.

[willievega]

I just got one, and I don't like it. Its strange because I also have the G-System and love my sound with the G System. This one is coloring my amp tone so much that I have to send it back.

What a bummer. I wanted a smaller unit that gave me a simular tone to the G System.................

I have it going in front of the amp and it sounds digital (unlike the G System).

[Kidmag10]

@willievega do you run your g-system through the effects loop or in front? just curious. Trying to figure out which one to get, but I don't haven an effects loop on my amp.

[tcelectronic]

@Kidmag10 Hiya, It depends on how much you’ve cranked the gain on your amp. Certain effects such as delay, reverb, chorus, etc. doesn’t sound particularly good placed before a heavily distorted amp, so if you have a metal-type amp with the drive on 11 I’d recommend placing G-System or Nova System in the loop. If you have your amp set for a clean or slightly overdriven sound, there’s no problem placing both G-System and Nova System in front of the amp

[foreverjimmy]

@tcelectronic My amp set at clean , and i plug Nova to the front , but if I use the other dist pedal to get the drive sound , still can plug Nova to the FX Loop ??And what is the benifit to plug this to the FX loop ? just simple to plug to the input of the amp is ok . thx

[tcelectronic]

@Kidmag10 Based on the fact that your amp doesn’t have an effect loop I’d guess that you’re in the latter category (clean or mild drive on the amp) – most blood-dripping, spike-studded metal amps have effects loops these days. 

[tcelectronic]

@Kidmag10

But to sum up, there really are no rules… here are a few examples:

1. In the video Peter Thorn plugs the Nova System straight into the amp input and has the amp set fairly clean.

2. We just visited Bumblefoot from Guns N’Roses. He has his Nova System placed in the loop of his high gain Engl amp.

3.  Soren Anderson – who’s done a lot of videos for us – always plugs his effects (be it G-System or Nova System) straight into the input of the amp.

Best,

Joey @ TC

[laurencedeguzman]

@tcelectronic My Nova System is busted! I can' set the unity via effects loop.Even if the volume of the amp is @ 12 o clock.Tuner is unusable via effects loop. Harmonizer warbles and sounds like a cat being stomped with your foot!

Some effects work fine like delays and reverb, but the compressor, pitch , octave noise gate and some other stuff doesn't work like it should. Plugging in front of my amp seems to have no problem. But again using it via LINE worked from great to crap. TC?

[laurencedeguzman]

@tcelectronic My Nova System is busted! I can' set the unity via effects loop.Even if the volume of the amp is @ 12 o clock.Tuner is unusable via effects loop. Harmonizer warbles and sounds like a cat being stomped with your foot!

Some effects work fine like delays and reverb, but the compressor, pitch , octave noise gate and some other stuff doesn't work like it should. Plugging in front of my amp seems to have no problem. But again using it via LINE mode worked from great to crap. TC?

[laurencedeguzman]

@tcelectronic I've also tried to plugging my guitar straight to LINE in. Still Nova system can't set it to unity.I'm very frustrated cause the modulation effects are very good except for the chorus. And to mention, my unit doesn't have the serial number of the bad chip production. Hey TC is there a way that i can make this work again the way it should. Please advice..

[MrDatta85]

This pedal change my life...it's awesome...

[jimiraybeckton]

I am having a bit of trouble getting that fast leslie sound. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

[atlimar88]

Beautiful Neve desk there in the back

[emreyazgin]

What amp was he using during this video?

[ggperes]

He´s using his Suhr head, PT-1000, with a clean set.

[andrewt248]

Man, the amp he's running (most likely his signature Shur PT100) sounds AMAZING by itself! This little FX unit is really tempting me.

[underabloodredsky77]

Excellent video overall! I use the Nova System as my primary effects processor in my rig. Good stuff. I replaced a lot of pedals with this thing. Using a volume/wah pedal, and a morpeus drop tune pedal, I get every sound I want. The fact that it does not try to emulate any other cab or amp allow my AC30 TB to really shine. Thank you TC!!

[guilhordas]

Hi What amp do you using?thanks

gui from brazil

[knikk77]

Anyone have the Dunlop wah/volume (Mister Cry Baby)? Any tone loss (tone sucker)? I also need a volume/wah for my small pedalboard.

[thricegod1288]

can anyone tell me? I like more agressive music and i own a 2 channel dual rec. Can you use the nova systems overdrive to push the tubes just like a maxon or ibanez tube screamer?

[benzakonium]

I really don't understand why they didn't put 2 outputs on this, 1 for distortion to go in the front of the amp and 1 for effects to go in the loop. Seriously, how hard would that have been and it would have made this unit 10,000 time more useful to most guitarists with good amps who don't wanna shell out for the G System

[Pianoblacks]

@benzakonium

I don't get what you mean.

Are you saying you want to simultaneously use it in front of the amp AND want it to be in the effects loop AT the same time? Huh?

[benzakonium]

I'm saying I want the distortions to go in front of the amp where they should be and the time based effects, chorus, reverb, delay etc to go in the effects loop where they should be.

[Pianoblacks]

@benzakonium

oh... ya that would make more sense than having distortion in the loop... good call.

[jamiesea]

Is what we're hearing through an amp or direct to a PA? Which way is better to go?

I know with the Axe FX they say going through a full range PA speaker it sounds great.

[maryanbed]

great sound

[odissey04]

Hey Joe one more question .

Peter is using hes Wah pedal plug on Expression pot or going

on Drive ???Or line?

Thanks

[fender7305]

One question can I use the nova system direct in the mixer for recording or play live? thanks

Italo

[MrMusic95]

@fender7305 yes you can :)

[MrMusic95]

i got to have one of these!!! ;)

[PatrikForLife]

Has anyone got any experience with the TC Electronics G-Major 2? If so how is it? Worth the money?

Other suggestions of Multieffects rack units for guitar?

[benzakonium]

From what I have read the G-Major is basically the same as the Nova System, but without the Distortions and in a rack unit. They cost about the same, so unless you really want a rack unit, this is a better deal IMHO

[3120mesa]

im not a fan of pedal distortion. so if you dnt run it through the fx loop, can still turn the distortion off?

[gmscot]

hi there , some people are saying there is a pause when you switch sounds - is this true ?

[P0WERHE4D]

Will the Nova System work well for bass? can we expect a Nova System for bass any time in the future? With effects more tuned for the bass?

[bozone1234]

Hi, what pickups is he using in his Suhr? :)

[Goldsmithsuploads1]

One question: If I decide to run the Nova System through my effects loop, can I still use the booster?

Cheers

Philip

[tcelectronic]

Hiya,

Yes The booster can be used but the overdrive and distortion can not.

Best wishes,

Joey @ TC

[Goldsmithsuploads1]

thanks.. then this is exactly what i am looking for.

cheers

[tcelectronic]

No problem, glad I could help!

Best,

Joey @ TC

[chooseyourblues]

Just ordered one, this is gonna be awesome!!!!!

[spidermind]

Can you make the expression pedal work as a volume pedal on some presets and expression pedal in others? Or do I need a volume and an expression pedal hooked up to the nova system to perform both functions?

[odissey04]

Does any one know about the wah volume pedal brand he using??? Thats Great for my pedal board dont have much more space left....

[tcelectronic]

Hiya, it's a Dunlop Crybaby industry standard wah.

Best wishes,

Joey @ TC

[flugesang]

Hmm, so you can use a wah as an expression pedal?!

[tcelectronic]

Hiya,

No you can't use a wah as an expression pedal. They are different. You will need one of each if you wish to use both!

Best WIshes,

Joey @ TC

[deisom]

To be more specific, it's a Mister Crybaby Super, which has both wah and volume modes.

[knikk77]

Do you have the Mister Crybaby Super? any tone loss?

[4tomhenry]

I just got mine... I am totally diggin it

[joriyyi]

wtf how does he make that sound at 8.10 :O?

[misfisk]

sounds like a combination of delay and reverb

[StefanPriceUK]

Whata shame it hasn't got a send and return, you can't use a volume peal, thats a big problem.

[tcelectronic]

Hiya,

We actually did a youtube video on assigning your expression pedal to control volume. Sorry - I can't post a link as YouTube doesn't let me, but if you search Nova System + Volume Pedal on google or YouTube it's pretty easy to find :).

Best wishes,

Joey @ TC

[skezness]

pete thorn looks like jon lajoie

[samgam69]

just wondering people, which parts are disabled when you use the effects loop is it just the drive or does the boost get disabled aswell... would be useful to know cheers

[dav24642]

only the drive section.

[uomoscozzese]

could i put this into my mesa rectifier and use the overdrive to boost the amps distortion and use all the other digital effects like they were in the amps loop like delay for example?

[bigleemac]

i need one of these in my life!

[NoRtHeRed9]

By the way is it analog or not??? :P

[tcelectronic]

Hiya,

The drive section is analog and the effects are digital.

Best wishes,

Joey @ TC

[knikk77]

I have the nova drive pedal ( which is the drive from the nova system i think). GOOD pedal! thanks TC!!!

[f2kflyer]

that clean chorused part sounds a little like 'girl gone bad' by van halen.

[gtrRat]

Oh boy would we love to get the settings for some of those patches!!!!

[tcelectronic]

Preset settings are online at the TC Electronic website.

Sorry can't post a link but it's on the Nova System product page

[f2kflyer]

Thank you!

[benzodiazapines]

How about a demo of the 24 track tape machines there? Those are sweet.

[f2kflyer]

Pete - anyone... please post that settings for that cool chorus/leslie patch. That sounds really great. :)

[99voltsdotcom]

i can listen to pete play all day. such a great musical player will all the tools.

[toranu]

I got this one today

nice distortion/overdrive

Cool!

[bebopchess]

Pete, can you explain again the function of the A/B box on your "Baby Board"? Also, talk about the Suhr Tele. Does it have coil tap function, or strictly Humbucking tones? Fender scale length I assume... Are you running through the Suhr Badger on this demo or running the Nova System direct to a P.A.?

[sinasl1]

hi- the a/b works like this- one side goes through the wah/volume out to the nova and on to my amp. the other (b) side goes out a passive d.i. to the house, so i can use my acoustic and electric guitars with the same board. the suhr has single and humbucking sounds. 25.5 scale. On this vid you are hearing the nova through the PT100 amp clean channel...

[gtrRat]

Thank you so much for a great demo Peter. Your sharing of your patches is very much appreciated. Excited to see them. Thanks again!

[jemesp]

Nevermind, just clicked on your utube page.

[jemesp]

Thanks Pete, you totally sold this unit for me. I am looking forward to those patches, can't wait!!! EXCELLENT Demo. Do you have a website, I would love to hear more stuff from you.

[jackmesa]

Hey Pete

Great T.C. demo. Its always interesting watching you play.

BTW thanks for the awesome instructional videos you have on youtube...your Eruption lessons are outstanding. There are a great many players like myself who really appreciate someone like you taking the time to do such things.

[sinasl1]

Guitarprism-poopoo on you

hi guys, I'm Pete Thorn, i will be forwarding settings to Tore (TC) soon, I have my Nova in Europe for some Chris Cornell tour dates and I'll get into it and look at my patches soon, this week. Thanks!

[guitarprism]

who the fuck is pete thorn, anyway who gives a shit-- nevermind

[samgam69]

you my friend are a bad person

[Evyanaf]

TC- Please share some of the video's settings if you can. Many people will be happy if you upload more NS videos

[pensatore]

Hi guys Tore from TC Electronic here. Peter has promised to share the settings he's demoing in the video. He is on tour with Chris Cornell at the moment, but will send them when he get's back.

[jemesp]

TC GUYS, how about sharing the settings from this video?? JCM and Leslie effects would be nice.

[bigskymind81]

how do you compare this to line 6 m13,,i want to get a multi effects and hope for some info about multi effects,and also the vox tonelab le? what do you recommend..tc, line 6 or vox?

[asianaxeman]

u cant go wrong with rp359 in a loop if u want to use your amps own overdrive/distortion tones. Benefits of stereo outputs mean that you can connect to 2 different amps - stereo effects are amazing. This nova system is pretty cool to but over 3x the price and I don't think it's as versatile.

[albert23rd]

Hey...i would like to know how did he control the pedal as a volume and as a wah pedal???

Please explain it to me...

[jolcom]

It's because the pedal itself is only controlling the voltage of an electrical signal. How that changing voltage is interpreted depends on the settings in the Nova System, which is doing the actual work.

[ahardmark]

Actually, in this case Pete is using a standalone Dunlop Mister Crybaby pedal that is a combination wah and volume pedal in one. It's not an expression pedal for the Nova System.

[harumann]

There's a Fractal Audio Axe-FX at the introduction of the video (at the left side) ¡That's actually the best guitar processor ever made! :-)

[searchlight31]

Indeed~!! Very pleased to see Pete using the unit. I love my Axe-FX Ultra!! But not a processor, it's a beast in it's own catagory/class.

[Benfmx]

Dunlop makes the wah/volume pedal.

[MichaelTheStrange]

hm.. I was thinking about buying the g-major but maybe I should go for this one instead.

[jimmypage1stfan]

who makes the wah/volume pedal?

[SheerBand]

太牛B了！

[LetArtsLive]

like i can afford that right i wish.I will have to buy them seperatly flanger phaser

[gratefulslacker]

The clean tone on the PT100 is amazing.

[gonzalezmacias]

I hope buy it in a few time ....

[DoubleODude]

Very nice. You should hook a brother up. I'll make you a video of my thoughts as a learning musician.