Having already reviewed the Memory Lane Jr. and Quantum Leap delay pedals from Diamond, I wasn’t quite sure what else they could do with their delay line, but thought I would check out the Counter Point anyway. Let me tell you, this is a beast of another kind, with new and wonderful differences from the other two, but still invoking that same sonic structure and delight that Diamond gives out with all of their pedals. And we’re off…!
Four main control knobs are at the forefront of the Counter Point, and are pretty standard fare for delays of this size and type. DLY controls the amount of delay time, MOD adjusts how much modulation is added into the effect, FBK controls the amount the delay signal is repeated (from once to wicked cool self-oscillation) and MIX adds in or takes out your guitar’s Dry signal, which you adjust to taste. The real fun here is the famous Diamond MODE toggle switch, as the CPT-1 features four different modes to choose from and explore. Vintage Mode starts us off, and actually combines some elements from the MLJr and the Quantum Leap, with a maximum delay of 600ms, and boasting a bright analog filter that resembles the tones of the classic bucket brigade delays. Galloping Eighths is the next mode, which actually blends dotted eighth notes and a quieter quarter note, with a maximum delay time of 900ms. This mode is super cool for generating an ambient type echo sound, very unique to the Counter Point, and fun to dial in as well.
Ambient Mode brings a spackle of reverb into the mix, creating yet another useful but unique perspective on how to use a delay pedal. Using three separate echoes to create the sonic trails, this mode has a bit of a slap back feel, albeit with a powerful reverberated overtone for easy creation of sonic washes and soundscapes. Only 300ms of delay time are available here, but that works out to be a perfect range for those lush reverb sounds. Finally, Extra Faux Tape is a clean and glorious-sounding mode, featuring up to 1.2 seconds of delay time, with deeper modulation presence and variable speed. Not necessarily emulating any specific tape machine, this mode has a little adventure to it, and will push the envelope as to what you will be able to create.
You can use the second footswitch to tap in the delay time and/or toggle the modulation on or off, make the entire pedal true bypass OR have delay trails, and there’s even an internal setting to use while running it in a parallel effects loop, so no dry signal is output. A whole new and different set of modes and functions from the other 2 delays we talked about, but just as much fun, if not more, to sit down with and explore. Aimish and the entire Diamond Pedals family continue to innovate and re-create with each new piece of gear they come up with, and we are always on the edge of our seats in anticipation of what’s going to come next.
Specs:
multi-tap delay with four unique operational modes
seamless knob or tap tempo delay time setting
intelligent mode memory remembers whether you had last used the knob or tap delay setting when you toggle back to that mode
user selectable tap delay ‘hold down’ mode to toggle modulation on/off in each mode
adjustable modulation depth on delays, with modulation speed changing with delay time in the ‘Extra Faux Tape’ EFT mode
analog signal paths surrounding a simple sample-delay-playout engine with special design variable sample rate A/D and D/A convertors
user selectable True Bypass or Buffered with Delay Trails operation
premium audio components, including Panasonic capacitors and 0.5% resistors
bi-color LEDs provides visual indication of modes, LFO and delay times
TapView (TM) allows the player to visually see the tap tempo speed on the ON/OFF LED while tapping
AutoDouble (TM) tap algorithm in the Vintage mode intelligently sets the delay rate twice as fast when tapping rates slower than the max delay time of 600 ms
standard 9V negative tip adapter ready, with ‘gig backup’ battery power life of 2 hours
compact Hammond 1590BB cast aluminum case (approx 4.7 x 3.7 x 1.2 inches)
Submitted by Mike B, Website
Demo Rock pedalboard by West Coast Pedalboard
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