NUX NDD-7 Tape Echo Sound Demo (no talking) with synths

The Lounge Other Gear
1

Hi there,

on my ongoing journey for good effect pedals, this time, the new NUX NDD-7 Tape Echo has been in focus. This video shows it in combination with the almighty MEGAfm and later with the wonderful dreadbox Nymphes. I already like the Tape Core a lot, so the NDD-7 at least to me offers a great sound with enough tweaking possibilities for live performances. Maybe you find the video useful.

3 Likes
2

Hi, I got one a couple of days ago. Being a hardcore user of Boss RE-20 I always wanted to expand its capabilities with MIDI sync, but can’t afford newer Boss RE-202 atm.

I would like to chime in on NDD-7, because there is not so much info online. Maybe my opinion would be useful (or even someone from NUX employees reads this forum).
I use NDD-7 with Digitakt primarily.

Pros:

  • Well built
  • Sounds quality is really good
  • Reverb quality is superior to RE-20 (no competition at all! Different ballpark)
  • Under the hood options and deep MIDI CC management via Mac/PC app

Cons and wtf’s:

  • MIDI Sync mode offers only one option per head - dotted 8th note, triplet and whole note. Not as near as precise as DT’s sync to beat (what about dotted 4th, dotted 16th, various triplets and tuplets etc - not available in MIDI Sync Mode).
  • Constantly flashing green TAP light is blinding in MIDI Sync mode.
  • Software-wise PC implementation seems weird - there are 3 apps for one pedal. There is some obscure NUX Asio manager that doesn’t see the pedal. There is DIY looking firmware update app. And finally, there is Echo app to set MIDI channels and stuff.
  • NDD-7 requires Power supply, being connected via USB type-C. That’s strange, because Type-C handles fast charge and stuff like that.
  • User manual lacks some information and even has some disinformation (‘how-to’ update the pedal is correct on random Youtube guitar video, but not in the official manual).
  • I’ve experienced MIDI jitter and minor clicks while automating ON/OFF via MIDI (but it could be Digitakt midi jitter).

Having said all above, it’s all not that crucial for me.
The biggest drawback for me personally: there is no physical input volume trimpot or encoder, hence there is no MIDI CC to automate it. I mean, that the most fascinating echo technique in rhythmic electronic music is to give a little gate in parallel for your signal (say extremely precise snare or percussion hit) to pass through the pedal and let the all wet signal tail to degrade/fade out on top of your mix. It’s impossible to make automations like that on this pedal. No way. Only manual tweaking send pot on mixing desk. RE-20 has input trimpot, so it can be manipulated even without mixer. It would be nice if NUX would add a CC for input gain in next updates for this pedal.

Otherwise seems like i’m keeping old Boss RE-20. I may find some alternative techiques to use NDD-7, but the fundametal thing is lacking and NDD-7 tends towards guitar players (and it looks like the newer Boss RE-202 too).

2 Likes
3

I’m here just to add, that, despite all the nuances I’ve covered above, NDD-7 is really nice modern take on space echo (tested it on big soundsystem) and MIDI sync works ok (I mean, following the tempo of master sequencer). It handles line level signal without artefacts (I use it as send effect with a mixer).

The plans to make it work as fully (near plugin-like) automated hardware since it has MIDI were unrealistic, but the pedal itself deserves some kudos. Looking forward to try it in live situation.

5 Likes
4

Does it do ping-pong, by any chance?

5

Unfortunately, no.
It has some pseudo-stereo image going on, especially when wow and flutter are engaged, but no ping-pong.

1 Like