NDY -1 NOVA Dynamics USER’S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ADDITIONAL FEATURES Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 APPENDIX SETUP EXAMPLES Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Mono + Dual Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Single Input – Dual Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INTRODUCTION NOVA Dynamics – Contents Under Pressure A high quality dual engine compression and noise gate stomp box, packed with never before seen functionalities: NOVA Dynamics sets new standards for floor-based dynamics control. Its dual engine design offers a variety of setup and control options that allow you to tailor NOVA Dynamics to fit your rig.
SETUP EXAMPLE: MONO + DUAL PROCESSING In this setup, the two engines can be used individually or serially. You can use two compressors, two noise gates, or one of each at the same time. • • • • Connect your guitar to input A of the NOVA Dynamics. Connect output A of the NOVA Dynamics to the input of your guitar amp. Activate engine A and/or B and select the desired compression type and/or noise gate algorithm.
SETUP EXAMPLE: SINGLE INPUT – DUAL OUTPUT In this setup, the guitar signal on input A is fed to both engines A and B. This means that the two channels are processed 100 % separately. Please note that this is not a stereo setup. • • • Connect your guitar to input A of the NOVA Dynamics. Connect output A of the NOVA Dynamics to the input of one amp. Connect output B to the input of another amp. You can now use the two engines like two completely separate pedals for processing your guitar’s sound.
SETUP EXAMPLE: PRE & POST PROCESSING In this example, we are using the two engines of NOVA Dynamics in two different places in a signal chain. One engine is used in front of the pre-amp for compression, while the other is being used in the effects-loop as a noise gate. • • • • Connect your guitar to input A of the NOVA Dynamics. Connect output A of the NOVA Dynamics to the amp’s regular input. Connect the “Send” jack of the effect loop to input B of the NOVA Dynamics.
SETUP EXAMPLE: DUAL INPUTS In this setup, we utilize the NOVA Dynamics’ auto-sensing inputs to connect two guitars at the same time. This allows for individual level calibration of the inputs, which is a great advantage if e.g. you want to use two guitars which have very different output levels due to different pick-up configurations. This might be the case if there are passive single coils on one guitar and active humbuckers on the other. Furthermore, you save an A/B switch in your setup.
OVERVIEW A output B thresh A input B level/damp attack ratio/rel GAIN RED -2 -4 -6 -8 -10 -12 -16 -20 -24 min med max A B dry blend A/B toggle studio stomp n.gate power thresh level/damp attack ratio/rel studio stomp n.
OPERATION CONNECTIONS Switches 1 – Power The NOVA Dynamics requires 12V DC 300 mA. Use the power supply provided in the product box. 4 & 5 – On/Off Switches In “normal” mode (when the A/B button is turned off), these switches operate as standard on/off switches for engines A and B. In “A/B” mode (when the A/B button is lit), you can toggle between engine A and B simply by pressing either switch A or B. 2 – Input Jacks These are ¼" mono jack connectors for signal input.
OPERATION Compression Basics A compressor is used to control the dynamic content of a signal. It can be used either for leveling out the signals dynamics (thus letting your guitar sound stand out clearer), or for immediately recognizable sustaining effects. Illustration - Signal Compression Compressor Parameters 6 – Threshold Range: -40 dB to 0 dB The THRESHOLD knob on the NOVA Dynamics pedal is equivalent to what is called “sustain” on many other pedals.
OPERATION set by the Ratio parameter. Turn the ATTACK knob counter-clockwise for “squashing” the signal more and clockwise for a more subtle compression. 9 – Ratio This parameter determines how hard the signal is compressed – see the illustration on the previous page. Turn clockwise for more extreme compression. For more information, refer to this manual’s “Suggested Settings” section.
OPERATION 12 + 15 – Dry/Blend The Dry/Blend function allows you to use parallel compression. Basically, this means splitting the signal in two and compressing only one part of the signal. With the DRY BLEND switch, you can cycle through three predefined levels of blend and “off”. LED A flashing - the input level for input A is too hot. Recalibrate the pedal. Choose between Off: No blend Min: 75 % wet Med: 50 % wet Max: 25 % wet LED B flashing - the input level for input B is too hot.
SUGGESTED SETTINGS This section is a short guide on how to achieve different kinds of compression and gating with NOVA Dynamics. In these examples, we will only look at a single engine. Start out by setting all controls at a 12 o’clock (center) position. This is always an excellent starting point. Notice that the calibration of the pedal and the general output of your pick-ups has a huge influence on where the Threshold knob should be positioned.
OPERATION Noise Gate Basics The NOVA Dynamics Noise Gate is used to attenuate the signal when you are not playing your guitar. This way, you can mute hissing, humming and other noise coming from cables, pedals etc. Of course, a noise gate can only cancel noises from equipment which is located before the gate in the signal path. Please note that a noise gate is not the ultimate solution to noise problems. You should always try to avoid noise in the first place! Noise can be introduced by a number of factors.
OPERATION position (fully counter-clockwise) and set all other controls to “12 o’clock” (center) position. Now turn up your guitar’s volume potentiometer, but do not play. Then turn up the THRESHOLD knob to the point where the gate starts dampening you signal. 7 – Damp This parameter determines how hard the signal should be attenuated when the signal level falls below the set Threshold. Now you may think that you should always go for maximum dampening.
OPERATION & SUGGESTED SETTINGS individually and allows more gentle gating compared to the full-band mode. This is achieved by letting certain frequency areas of the dry signal pass, even when the gate is active. Dry Blend is excellent for reducing/removing significant noise without sounding un-natural. Noise Gate with Dry Blend activated works great when the gate is used in an amp’s effects loop or after hi-gain distortion pedals.
INPUT LEVEL CALIBRATION Your NOVA Dynamics pedal is per default set to work well right out of the box – just as any other “stomp box” pedal. However, you can optimize the performance of the NOVA Dynamics pedal’s AD/DA converters by calibrating the input sensitivity. Follow the step-by-step guide below for EACH of the engines** – especially if you are using one engine before the amp and one after the amp as described in the “Pre & Post” setup example on page 7.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Analog Inputs Connectors: Input Type Impedance: Max. Input Level: Analog Outputs Connectors: Max. Output Level: Output Type Impedance Sense Input Impedance Overall Data D to A Conversion A to A Delay Dynamic Range THD Frequency Response Crosstalk EMC Complies with: ¼" phone jacks w. mono-sense Single ended 1 MOhm 10 dBu @ 12V supply Environment Operating Temperature: Storage Temperature: Humidity: General Finish: ¼" phone jacks w.
