When I started gigging after moving away from the Boss multi FX I bought a Nova Delay unit which is programmable. I've set about four delays up in the presets. I did that because I was really nervous and had enough problems tuning and stopping my hands from shaking and I thought it would be easier live.
It is a bit fiddly to change settings though and sometimes I screw up so hit the global tempo and feck up my settings.
I'm currently using a short slapback for the walk this way solo, a long one for london calling and an average one for two or three other songs (inc sex on fire for example)
what do you guys do - do you just adjust during the gig for different settings for songs and how easy do you find it? I'd might need a frigging list of settings?
Comments
Each preset in the Nova Delay can be set to use either a fixed delay time (stored with the preset), or to use whatever the current global tempo is. If you have a preset that needs to be at a certain tempo (eg, slapback) store it with a fixed tempo.
If you have a preset that's set to use the global tempo, and you bugger that up when trying to scroll through patches, then just reset the global tempo once your patch is selected. (If resetting the global tempo is a hassle, then I'd be wondering why a particular preset is set to use it in the first place.)
You can also limit the number of presets that it scrolls through. If you only use three, then you can make it scroll through P1, P2, P3 and back to P1. That way, you minimise the number of foot-taps to cycle through to the next preset you want to use.
Nomad
Nobody loves me but my mother... and she could be jivin' too...
^ What Sticky said.
I had a Nova Modulator for a while and found the patch switching and tap tempo systems quite fiddly, particularly if you're in a hurry (ie. during a song). You might find that a different delay pedal makes your life easier in that respect- I've previously used a DL-4 and a DD-20 which both had very simple patch switching arrangements, but as you probably know they don't have the same number of preset slots available as the Nova Delay you have. The Vox Delaylab I currently use has a more convoluted bank switching process, but each bank gives you three different presets immediately accessible.
Of course, the root of your problem seems to me to be stage nerves rather than your gear. It's worth organizing a few band rehearsals prior to gigs as "dress rehearsals" where you run your whole set without stopping as you would live, including guitar changes, effects changes etc. Once you've done that a few times you may feel less stressed about making quick changes. If not you might need to ask for advice here about how to overcome nerves.
Don't talk politics and don't throw stones. Your royal highnesses.
Nomad
Nobody loves me but my mother... and she could be jivin' too...