Unlock complex delay pedals with a MIDI controller

video upload by Richard DeHove

"The Source Audio Nemesis is a classic stereo delay with loads of interesting parameters. Unfortunately most of those parameters are only accessible via the editor software - or as MIDI CC parameters. Meanwhile the Free the Tone Future factory delay makes all the parameters available via the front panel interface, but it's a cumbersome button and encoder process that feels like an old digital synth interface.

To get easy access to most parameters while playing you can use a MIDI controller. The cheap and cheerful option is a Korg NanoKontrol 2. It is handsome, compact, cheap but is USB only which means if you want to use it without a computer then you'll need to go through a MIDI host. Now your slimline controller is starting to get big and messy, especially if you also want to add an external clock.

The best controller option imo is the FaderFox EC-4. Not only does it have MIDI in and out, it can pass through MIDI clock, has multiple scenes available direct from the unit and even lets you create four-character names for every parameter. Of course it also costs about the same (or more) as your expensive stereo delay pedal so you'll want to be sure you'll get good use from it beyond just a delay pedal knob tweak.

So is it worth the time and trouble to add a controller? It can make for some dramatic effects far beyond what is usually possible. It could also be a far quicker and more enjoyable way to program new patches.

0:00 So many options
1:28 FF & Nemesis
2:00 Ergonomics
4:15 NanoKontrol2
6:33 Annoying install
7:18 Future Factory CC list
8:02 More Nano pain
9:11 MIDI Host pain
10:15 FF setup
11:15 FF music*
17:23 Nemesis CC list
19:52 Nemesis setup
23:20 Nemesis music (no more talk)

* In the Future Factory EQ controls I limited the bass EQ boost. The full CC range 0-127 gives a 15dB bass boost. That was so ferocious I limited the range to 0-100. So if you want bass boost it's available.

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