Test: Nightverb & Echolocator by Erica Synths & 112db

Nightverb and Echolocator share the same hardware layout. The familiar large and tactile Erica Synths knobs sit on the rugged, beveled metal housing. Unpacking them is pure joy! Stylish design! The form factor is instantly appealing; the clean layout and abundant controls immediately scream „Play me!“ and invite live interaction. Those who appreciate intuitive hardware will feel the same here. 12 knobs are responsible for the respective effect parameters, one controls the input gain, one controls the output volume, and the last one is an encoder with a push function for accessing the menu. The small „Back“ button and the OLED display facilitate navigation of presets, MIDI configuration, or footswitch socket function. Two rows of mini-LEDs on the left and right of the centrally located large knob provide feedback on the level.

On the back, we find the power connection with a corresponding power switch. The power supply is commendably included in the package. In addition to the stereo pair of balanced 6.3mm jack inputs and outputs, there are also MIDI-Thru and MIDI-In sockets in DIN format. MIDI-Thru can also be configured as MIDI-Out. A USB Type-B connection for exporting presets or firmware updates completes the extensive connectivity.

Nightverb – intuitively shapeable spatial sound

The range of parameters available directly and via MIDI is unparalleled. In addition to Size, Feedback, and Dry/Wet, the reverb space can be finely adjusted with Pre-Delay (4-200ms until the first reflection), Shape (changes the balance between early and late reflections), and Early/Late (mix between early and late reflections). This ranges from very small rooms to gigantic structures.

Its clear strength lies in the expansive reaches, likely to delight ambient enthusiasts. Blurred spheres and pads from simple input signals are easily created. Holding these with Freeze and playing chromatically via MIDI becomes truly spectacular. With Low and High Damp, as well as Bass and Treble, the frequency content can be excellently controlled. Spin adds a bit of chaos and movement to the room but overall remains subtle in effect. The Stereo knob places the signal wide or centered in the acoustic field. In addition to the obviously playable features, Nightverb also offers a lot in the menu area. For example, one can switch the basic character from Tape to BBD algorithm (Dirty: On/ Off ), set a morph time during preset change, or configure the function of an attached footswitch.

Unusual and exciting is the Magic function. It generates values for the parameters, thus creating random reverb spaces. If you like it, you can save it right away. The feature is nerdy but makes sense and is fun – inspiration through random results. It‘s even activatable via footswitch! Great!

Echolocator – Delay, Reverb, Filter & Pitchshift

Echolocator features the same playable interface as the Nightverb and also offers 12 parameters for interaction via hand or MIDI. The large Time knob determines the delay time between 4ms and 4 seconds. When the Echolocator is synchronized, it acts as a multiplier or divider of the incoming clock. In addition to Feedback, Dry/Wet, and Ping Pong, the device includes a bandpass filter adjustable via Filter Q (bandwidth) and Filter Cutoff (main frequency).

Overall, it feels a bit tame, but it can be quite useful as a simple EQ. A modulation section with Mod Speed, Mod Depth, and Orbit (modulation of the modulation speed) for the delay time is also included. A great feature for sound design is Pitch Shift, which repeats the delay signal an octave above or below the input signal. Full, multi-layered textures, for example, are quickly captured this way.

Shimmer controls the amount of the transposed signal. A room reverb rounds off the extensive influence on sound. The two buttons here are assigned to a Freeze and Tap Tempo function. Bypass is only switchable via an additional footswitch. As with Nightverb, the menu allows you to set the basic character of the algorithm (Tape and BBD delay) and the morph times during preset change.

Additionally, filter routing, shimmer behavior, and the built-in compressor can be adjusted to keep wild feedback orgies in check. According to the manual, the Echolocator will be delivered with 40 factory presets in the future. Our early test candidate did not yet have these.